Grades 5 & Up

Gr 7–10—Exploring Indian identity, both self and tribal, Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian from Wellpinit, WA. The bright 14-year-old was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of bullies, and loves to draw. He says, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's community, identity, and tribe. The daily struggles of reservation life and the tragic deaths of the protagonist's grandmother, dog, and older sister would be all but unbearable without the humor and resilience of spirit with which Junior faces the world. The many characters, on and off the rez, with whom he has dealings are portrayed with compassion and verve, particularly the adults in his extended family. Forney's simple pencil cartoons fit perfectly within the story and reflect the burgeoning artist within Junior. Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney's illustrations. The teen's determination to both improve himself and overcome poverty, despite the handicaps of birth, circumstances, and race, delivers a positive message in a low-key manner. Alexie's tale of self-discovery is a first purchase for all libraries.—Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Gr 6–9—Alice, Reena, and Molly meet at an elite boarding school in rural Massachusetts. It takes them a while to realize that they've all landed there primarily because of their wicked stepmothers, but once discovered, this fact binds them in friendship and their shared desire to exact revenge on the new women in their lives during Thanksgiving break. Because readers see them only from the girls' viewpoints, the insensitivity and self-absorption of their stepmothers are stupendously exaggerated—as is the cluelessness of their fathers. This does provide ample scope for humor, however, and allows the girls to have changes of heart as their perceptions mature a tad. Not essential, but good fun.—Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 4–8—Early in 1862, 13-year-old Tom Carroll must go to work when his father is killed in a Maryland battle. He finds a job at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he is put to work on "Ericsson's Folly," the ironclad that will become the Monitor. He works closely with Captain Ericsson and becomes fascinated with this odd "raft." The floating battery is scoffed at by many, but the "Copperheads," Northerners who sympathize with the Southern cause, are distinctly interested. Tom is approached by Confederate spies but cleverly escapes them with the help of his friends. To stay clear of these dangerous men, he moves onboard the Monitor and lives there until its completion. Tom is an eyewitness to history as the ship travels to join the Union blockade fleet and enters into its fateful battle with the Merrimac. He takes pride in the vessel, and his part in her construction is evident in his firsthand telling of the story. Factual information and historical terms are woven smoothly into the narrative. Period photographs, engravings, and newspaper headlines are strategically placed throughout the text to further bring history to life. A glossary provides added clarity, and an author's note explains that although Tom Carroll really existed, the boy in this story is a compilation of several people on the ship and the author's imagination. This exciting, fast-paced historical adventure will add a bit of drama to Civil War units. Even reluctant readers will appreciate it.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 8–10—Longing for adventure, 18-year-old Sir Michael declares himself a knight errant (although the book has a medieval-era setting, no one has heard of such a thing in many years and the idea often gets him laughed at). Fisk, 17, is his indebted and unwilling squire. After rescuing Lady Ceciel from her prison tower, they learn that she is not a damsel in distress, but rather an accused murderess. Their attempts to bring her to justice result in her comeuppance and in the teens' tightly forged friendship that will clearly lead to further adventures. The novel is brimming with saved-by-a-hair escapades and fast-paced realistic action, told alternately from each teen's point of view. Their world is filled with "magica," a gift that allows its possessor to perform extraordinary tasks. In fact, while Michael and Fisk's bravery and wits frame their approach to the problems they incur, it is magica that enables them to escape their would-be dire fate. Nevertheless, the underlying messages could not be more real: the importance of truth, the value of friendship, and the need for staying true to oneself. Delivered skillfully, these ideas are sure to leave their mark on readers. Unusual and invented vocabulary is employed throughout. Like Bell's The Goblin Wood(2003) and The Wizard Test (2005, both HarperCollins), this well-created fantasy is a great read with worthwhile moral issues pertinent to its intended audience.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

Gr 9 Up—In this sequel to Naughts and Crosses (S & S, 2005), Persephone (Sephy) Hadley, now an 18-year-old single parent, is raising her biracial daughter in a sharply divided alternate England, where black Crosses suppress the white Naughts. She faces pressure from both her less-than-understanding Cross family and her disintegrating Naught family, and everyone in between. When her brother-in-law's violent behavior leads to murder, Sephy provides a false alibi to save Jude, but doing so irreparably damages other lives. Second in Blackman's trilogy, this work presents similar themes with the same lack of subtlety that dominated the first work; Blackman's approach to communicating racism is to change instances of black disenfranchisement to white. The most popular white rocker is actually black; white performers must use the back doors to enter venues; popular desserts have racist names. Such a heavy hand leaves readers alienated from the dark history of racism. Jude and Sephy dominate the narrative, though occasionally other voices are included. Stiff language and murky motivation hamper the thin characters from generating emotional suspense. Jacqueline Woodson's If You Come Softly(Putnam, 1998) and Trudy B. Krisher's Spite Fences (Random, 1994) address similar issues, but with rich characters and taut feeling. Strictly for libraries in which the first book is in high demand.—Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Gr 5–8—Vladimir Tod's is a vampire-or at least sort of; he's not quite sure. His father was a vampire, but his mother was human, and they died three years ago in a mysterious accident. Now Vlad has only his friend Henry and his "Aunt" Nelly, his mother's best friend who is raising him, to confide in. He has a hunger for blood, although he's been trained since babyhood to be "normal" and not to act on it. He gets by because Nelly, who's a nurse, brings home bags of blood from the hospital where she works, and he hides one or two in his backpack for when he gets hungry. But Vlad realizes that his father had a history he didn't know about when his English teacher vanishes mysteriously, to be replaced by a tall, thin substitute teacher in a purple top hat who seems to know a little too much about him. This story comes with all the usual eighth-grade angst, and none of the characters is particularly gripping. While some vampire fans will enjoy it, others will find the way that Brewer plays fast and loose with the standard vampire lore hard to swallow. Eighth Grade Bites reads like the novelization of an unexceptional made-for-TV movie.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—This fourth entry in the series jumps right into action as one of the "Billings Girls" watches her current boyfriend being hauled away for the murder of her former one. Though Reed Brenner lives in the prestigious Billings Hall and is best friends with the top group, she is not like the other girls. For one thing, she's a scholarship student and for another, she believes Josh is innocent. While the rest of the school tries to figure out ways to party off campus, Reed becomes obsessed with finding the real killer. She discovers an ill-advised affair, a jealous debutante, and more secrets than money at Easton Academy. The novel is a quick read, complete with plenty of pop-culture references. The suspense grows along with Reed's paranoia. Much of the tension comes from the protagonist's relationship with the Queen Bee, Noelle. She doesn't trust her but is drawn to her nonetheless. Readers will feel the same way. Give this book to teens who want light reading and a little mystery.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 8 Up—In a prologue, readers learn that in 1981, three teenagers died while joyriding on frozen Mistik Lake in Manitoba. Sally was the sole survivor. The story then alternates between Odella, Sally's oldest daughter, beginning when she is nine; Sally's Aunt Gloria, Odella's beloved great-aunt; and, later, Odella's boyfriend, Jimmy. Summers are spent at Mistik Lake, where Gloria has a cottage that she never uses. There, Odella, a perceptive girl, becomes attuned to her mother's sadness and alcoholism. Sally leaves her husband and daughters for an Icelandic filmmaker when Odella is 15, and the devastated family struggles to function without her. However, they continue to vacation at the lake, where Odella meets Jimmy, leading to a romance that helps sustain her in the aftermath of her mother's sudden death. Much of the mood is pensive as characters suffer but eventually break through. Gloria, whose homosexuality has been kept a secret, eventually brings her partner to meet Sally's girls; and Odella starts to forgive her mother and begin an adult life. Jumps back and forth in time and perspective make reading somewhat bewildering at times, but they do allow more intimate characterization. Smooth writing contributes much to a story that will enable readers to care about Odella's coming of age. Readers seeking a love story situated in family difficulties will find a realistic choice here.—Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA

Gr 4–8—The year is 1934, the country is in the grips of the Depression, and 14-year-old Edward "Collie" Collier's father has died. His older brother attempts to provide for the family but instead is cheating and drinking, and after he attacks his mother, he runs off to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, leaving Collie to mend her broken heart. Collie feels that the only thing to do is to find Bill and bring him back. Thus begin his adventures as a train jumper traveling across the country from the Midwest to Colorado. The story moves quickly, much like Collie as he learns the ropes of train jumping and living as a hobo from those he befriends on his journey. He sees the darker side of life, including racism and the slurs that accompany it; betrayal; violence; and starvation, but he also finds kindness and friendship. The matter-of-fact dialogue is easy to follow and draws readers into an accurate picture of life on the rails during the Depression.—Kimberly Monaghan, formerly at Vernon Area Public Library, IL

Gr 4–7—Buckingham has written an enjoyable novel that is both scary and laugh-out-loud funny. Nat, the clumsy new Demonkeeper, and his three mischievous minions live in an old mansion filled with animate objects—lamps, quilts, and even the porch move. When local boys accidentally release the Beast that Nat is responsible for keeping captive, the teen works with a mousy library assistant and a tough street kid to find and stop the orphan-eating demon and the Thin Man who is trying to take charge of it. While the characters are mostly teenagers, the book is definitely for a younger audience. The story, set in Seattle, is fantastical, but with very current and realistic characters. Fast-paced and full of action and suspense, this wacky novel is a good choice for reluctant readers.—Sharon Senser McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA

Gr 5–8—Kevin Sanders, aspiring mystery writer, accompanies his grandmother on a bus tour of Wyoming and South Dakota in March, 2002. Since it's just months after 9/11, the 12-year-old's terrorist radar is on red alert, especially when swarthy tour member Charles Stavros carries a red duffel everywhere he goes. Kevin and another kid, Geneva, set out to surveil Stavros, becoming ultimately convinced that he plans to bomb Mount Rushmore. While it may be obvious to readers fairly soon that Stavros is not a terrorist, the premise is a worthy one. Few books investigate the aftermath of 9/11 on children's psyches, and Bunting does a credible job of exploring the panic and patriotism that filled our society. However, the book ends abruptly after Stavros's final revelation. While Kevin does periodically ponder the fact that he jumps to conclusions and judges others, no attempt is made to digest this information after the mystery has unfolded. Readers will find this lack of conclusion dissatisfying and shallow, given the gravity of the issues at stake. However, the book is full of memorable settings, and it presents opportunities for classroom and family dialogue, making it worth considering as an additional purchase.—Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

Gr 7 Up—Jean Honeychurch is so unlucky that even her family calls her Jinx. To escape an unpleasant situation with a boy who refuses to let her end their relationship, Jinx moves from Iowa to Manhattan to live with her aunt and her family in their swanky Upper East Side townhouse. It's no surprise that the klutzy, small-town 16-year-old doesn't fit in with über-chic cousin Tory and her friends, and she definitely doesn't share their fondness for drugs and alcohol. Tory, who has been practicing witchcraft for some time, soon realizes that Jinx also has the gift and invites her cousin to join her coven. But Jinx knows the dangers of playing with magic and refuses. Tory sees Jinx's snub as a threat and plots against her. Though she wants to leave magic behind, Jinx must learn to harness the mysterious powers that are her birthright before Tory does too much damage. Cabot creates believable conflict and avoids being too fantastical, as Tory's mental instability is more dangerous than her Wiccan powers. In the vein of Avalon High (2006) and "The Mediator" series (both HarperCollins), the author delivers her signature blend of romance and wit, successfully combining upper-crust chick-lit and a tad of the supernatural into an entertaining potion that is sure to please her fans and draw in new readers.—Emily Anne Valente, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—This exciting collection of short stories by popular teen authors—Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, and Lauren Myracle—embraces the dark side of a revered tradition. It starts with vampire-hunting Mary, who takes her mission of revenge on Dracula seriously enough to evoke his wrath by killing his son at her high school prom, and ends with the horned demon Sheba, who tries to wreak havoc at her prom. With edgy writing designed to hook and captivate even the most reluctant of readers, each story is filled with strong, appealing characters who work their magic on the senses by appearing to be strong, daring, and passionate. Readers are taken on an exhilarating ride through the terrifying side of an otherwise common event, and the mood is cleverly sustained with an aura of fast-paced yet somber writing. One distinct highlight of the collection is the well-orchestrated balance between the different aspects of horror that each writer addresses. Sure to have appeal for older teens, this book will undoubtedly make the circuit of fans of demons, ghosts, vampires, and gothic love stories.—Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—In 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres not only exist but are also tolerated by humans. Those whom the creatures "mark" as special enter the House of Night school where they will either become vampyres themselves, or, if their body rejects the change, die. To Zoey, being marked is truly a blessing, though she's scared at first. She has never fit into the human world and has always felt she is destined for something else. Her grandmother, a descendant of the Cherokee, has always supported her emotionally, and it is she who takes the girl to her new school. But even there the teen stands apart from the others. Her mark from the Goddess Nyx is a special one, showing that her powers are very strong for one so young. At the House of Night, Zoey finds true friendship, loyalty, and romance as well as mistrust and deception. She realizes that all is not right in the vampyre world and that the problems she thought she left behind exist there as well. Readers will identify with many of the characters, especially the protagonist. The story moves quickly (a little too quickly at the end) and purposely leaves many unresolved issues. A good choice for those libraries serving fans of the occult, but be aware that the book contains some suggestive language and sex.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Gr 5–8—Tom and Mitch, 15-year-old twins, live in New York City. Tom is a jock and Mitch a tech-head, but neither one is prepared when a mysterious fighter dressed as a ninja attacks them in a subway station and another masked fighter defends them. The brothers escape, but their troubles are only beginning. Their father, an international businessman, has disappeared, leaving them in the care of Mr. Chance, their Japanese live-in butler/cook. When the ninja fighter attacks again at home, Mr. Chance chases him off and reveals to the brothers that both he and their father are members of R.O.N.I.N., or Rogue Operative Network Inter-National, a worldwide organization with 47 clans that battles evil in every nation. The characters are based on Dylan and Cole Sprouse, the twin teen actors of Disney Channel fame. The brothers Tom and Mitch appear, in the comics-style illustrations, as duplicates of the blond, mop-headed Sprouses. While the story moves quickly, the plot and characters are shallow and formulaic; a car explodes, crossbows are fired, and shuriken are thrown without much effect. At least three more volumes in this slight series will appear before the end of 2007.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library

Gr 3–6—Dave Packer's fifth-grade classmates are so boisterous and difficult to quiet down that the teachers have dubbed them "The Unshushables." Dave has just read about Mahatma Gandhi and learned that the man practiced silence one day a week to bring order to his mind. Though Dave likes to talk nonstop, he's determined to give the idea a try. An encounter with Lynsey, another chatterbox, sparks the boys and girls into challenging each other to a no-talking contest for 48 hours. They can answer direct questions from adults with three-word sentences but must otherwise remain silent. The teachers are bewildered at the extreme change in the kids until several of them figure out what's going on. Principal Hiatt demands that the quiet students return to their normal behavior. When the children continue with their silent ways, Dave finds himself at the center of the controversy. This is an interesting and thought-provoking book, similar to Clements's Frindle (S & S, 1996). The plot quickly draws readers in and keeps them turning pages. The author includes the viewpoints of both the students and the teachers, and the black-and-white pencil drawings add immediacy to the story. This lively offering would make a great book-group selection or classroom discussion starter.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 9 Up—A witty and highly entertaining exploration of love, friendship, and misunderstanding. Like Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (Knopf, 2006), the story is told from alternating points of view and is about teens living in Manhattan. Gorgeous Naomi and her best friend, the equally gorgeous and gay Ely, have been neighbors and soul mates since childhood, and in order to protect their relationship, they have created a list of people who are absolutely off limits for kissing. The list is meant to be "insurance against a Naomi and Ely breakup," but when Ely kisses Naomi's boyfriend Bruce the Second, it sets off a chain of events that causes a major rift in their longstanding relationship. As the story progresses, Naomi comes to realize that the true reason she is so upset with Ely is not so much that he is romantically involved with her former boyfriend as it is that she has finally acknowledged that things are never going to turn out the way she has envisioned them. Major and minor characters begin new relationships and redefine old ones. The themes of sexual exploration and sexual identity, as well as strong language, which is entirely appropriate for the characters and setting, make this a book for older teens, who will love the oh-so-hip music and pop-culture references. They will also love the main characters, who are smart and sophisticated college freshmen, but also very fallible, and will empathize with their confusion as they attempt to sort out their relationships and themselves.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

Gr 7–10—Fifteen-year-old Kendra, an only child, has grown up in a sterile and highly controlled Manhattan household. As she sees it, her distant parents, both bankers, are simply grooming her to assume their overprogrammed urban lifestyle. Frustrated, she enters and wins an essay contest that qualifies her to be a costar on a reality show, The Black Sheep, in which she changes places with a West Coast girl from a completely different type of family. The Mulligan household consists of a pair of aging hippies and their six children, one of whom is an attractive boy with a passion for saving threatened sea otters—a cause that Kendra quickly adopts. She discovers that it is difficult to be an amorous activist—and nearly impossible to find your true self—when you're being tailed 24/7 by a camera crew and a pushy producer. Light, predictable, happy-ending fare without much fizz.—Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI

Gr 6 Up—When the Finches take in a church-sponsored refugee family from war-torn Sierra Leone, teenage Jared is annoyed that he has to share his room with Mattu, who is his age. Sixth-grader Mopsy, however, is thrilled to embrace Alake and wants to turn her into a "best" friend. Alake doesn't talk, barely eats, and is plagued by nightmares. Meanwhile, Kara Finch takes the Amabo parents under her wing, teaching them about conveniences such as microwaves. The family brings no luggage except for two boxes of cremated remains. Through snooping, Jared and Mopsy find uncut diamonds in the ashes. Unlike their parents, they realize that something is amiss in this family. The Amabos do not talk, or touch, or seem to care about each other. Cooney brilliantly contrasts the horror of Africa's civil wars with the overwhelming abundance and naivety of American suburban life. Jared's narcissism, selfishness, and racism disintegrate when he confronts true evil. How families mysteriously bond and care for one another is examined under the dramatic circumstances of two disparate groups trying to make things work. When Jared learns that Mattu never heard of the Holocaust, he is astonished. But, Mattu tells him, "We have those in Africa. I have been in one." Indeed, more than 60 years later, we are learning about ever-new Holocausts.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—This collection of 20 stories by well-known writers features the most American of icons, the cowboy. There are tales of cattle drives, gunfights, ranching, Indians, and battling the environment. Some of the selections are excerpts from well-known novels such as Shane and The Virginian. Others are short stories by Western authors including Annie Proulx and Louis L'Amour. Actual cowboys, Nat Love and "Teddy Blue" Abbott, offer exciting accounts of their lives. A significant feature here is Moser's artwork. Twenty-two stunning black-and-white engravings offer up the true grit of their cowboy subjects and galvanize readers. Appropriately, the book ends with the words to "Home on the Range." This volume will be welcomed by literature teachers and is a choice addition for all fiction collections.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 9 Up—After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia, 18-year-old Ben Wolf elects to forgo treatment and keep his illness secret from his family and friends in an attempt to have a "normal" senior year at his small Idaho high school. Free from long-term consequences, he connects with his crush, frustrates his biased U.S. Government teacher, and tries out for football. However, Ben's illness slowly exacts its toll on him, and he begins to realize the consequences of keeping his condition hidden. Crutcher brings his signature blend of sports action and human emotion to this powerful novel. Emotionally spare but deeply touching, the relationship between Ben and his brother will resonate with many readers, while others may find the several strong father figures comforting. Secondary characters add humor and balance, though the government teacher's voice occasionally veers too far toward that of a right-wing pundit. Rudy McCoy, a former priest and child molester, evokes both compassion and revulsion through his confession of guilt and struggle to avoid hurting another child; reflecting Ben's secret-keeping behavior, McCoy serves as a foil for the destructive impact secrets can have. Some discussion of sexual molestation and child abuse is present in the text, but is not graphic or overwhelming in its depiction. Crutcher uses dark humor and self-deprecation effectively to avoid maudlin situations, and teens will appreciate the respectful tone of the work.—Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up—Kayla's mother has made the 15 years of her daughter's life unpredictable, from moving for "fresh starts" to drunken binges, no money, loser boyfriends, and a year in foster care. Kayla is tired of being the adult and of letting a guy use her for sex just to feel loved. When Marilyn moves them to New Mexico and seems genuinely to want to stay sober, Kay is skeptical, but she begins to make a life for herself by walking dogs and making friends, especially with a 24-year-old musician. Thoughtful, touching, and honest, this story hits all the right notes. Kayla is a character full of flaws and hopes. Despite having grown up fast, she is still a teenager: moody and angry because of a mother who chooses alcohol over her daughter. Marilyn is fully dimensional, with her own failures, small triumphs, and desperation. Their relationship is truthfully portrayed with its complications of love, hate, and disappointment. Kayla's realization that she is repeating her mother's mistakes is as much an epiphany for readers as it is for her. Davis uses the desert setting as another way for readers to gain insight into the characters. When Kayla begins to understand her mother and love herself, instead of a stark landscape she sees nuanced color and calming beauty. Similar to Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby (2002) and The Truth about Forever (2004, both Viking), this novel is full of loneliness and yearning. It's a book to learn from and remember.—Anne Rouyer, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up— The Silenced begins with Marena running late for her bus that takes her from her readaptation community to her Youth Training Facility. Classes are lead by instructors of public enlightenment and consist of recitation of Zero Tolerance Party propaganda. Stern, silent state officers patrol the halls. As the book progresses, Marena begins to remember things that she was somehow made to forget. It becomes clear to her that her father was there when the state officers dragged her mother from their home years before. As regulations tighten, she isn't sure who she can trust besides her boyfriend, Dex, and newcomer Eric. She realizes that, like her mother, she cannot remain silent in the face of state oppression. The three friends choose graffiti as their primary form of rebellion. DeVita's novel has many of the same character types and situations as other dystopic works—the enemy who has a change of heart, the unsympathetic character who nevertheless proves to be brave, and the friend who is a traitor. While readers may not find any conceptual surprises, this is a gripping read and young adults will certainly empathize with the characters' conflicts between self-expression and a desire to fit in. They will find the Zero Tolerance credo that the state's first priority must be the safety of its citizens to have a chilling resonance with statements in the news today.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 9 Up—This sequel to Boy O'Boy (Groundwood, 2004) is set in Canada during the Korean War. Martin O'Boy is now 15 and living with Grampa Rip, a friend's elderly grandfather, so he can care for him when "his brain goes away." Martin lies about his age in order to get a delivery job with the Pure Spring soft drink company. He is paired with mentally disturbed Randy, who steals from customers and subjects Martin to anti-Semitic rants and dirty stories. Randy discovers that Martin has lied about his age and blackmails him into silence about the thefts. When Martin falls in love with Gerty McDowell, the granddaughter of one of Randy's victims, he realizes he has to take action to make things right and to save his relationship with her. The narrative alternates between this story and flashbacks, showing what has happened to Martin's parents and his mentally ill twin brother. Although this book deals with some very serious themes of mental illness, alcoholism, and sexual misconduct, there are many humorous moments, and the book's message is ultimately one of redemption. Tough, smart Grampa Rip is a caring parental figure who guides and teaches Martin in a way his own father could not, and Gerty is a strong, clever young woman who inspires him to do what he knows is right. Not quite as bleak as its predecessor, this is a moving and often beautiful novel.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

Gr 5–7—Something strange is trying to grow under 12-year-old Julie's bed. Her mother, Rapunzel, wants to keep it hidden, but The Wild is determined to escape and when it does, it turns Julie's town into a fairy tale on steroids. Rapunzel's been trying to lead a normal life, but now all the plots and patterns of the old stories threaten to ensnare everyone within reach, former fairy-tale characters and denizens of the modern suburbs, alike. Julie has to do some sleuthing, some quick thinking, and learn to negotiate her way past expected, stereotypical folkloric responses in order to break The Wild's hold on reality. The implicit messages about self-actualization and assertiveness do not lie too heavily atop the fun. Amusing, but not profound.—Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up—To those back in Haiti, "touching snow" means living in America. For seventh-grader Karina, however, life in suburban Chestnut Valley, NY, is far from easy. Her extended family struggles to survive in a world in which they are social and cultural outsiders, where food and shelter are still uncertain, and where a visit from the authorities can mean deportation to a much more desperate homeland. For Karina, though, the biggest threat is within her family. Her stepfather uses brutal force to dominate his wife and stepdaughters. While Karina nurtures dreams of education and connects with caring people who might help her, she is held back by a man who sees his shaky power diminished by any sign of the girls' independence. As Karina and her sisters mature, this conflict escalates to a terrible scale. The author writes with insight about the realities of immigrant life, Haitian American culture, and the double worlds inhabited by many first-generation Americans like Karina. Readers can see the compromises that family members make in the name of survival and the stresses that drive the stepfather's rage, while still holding to the truth that these girls and their mother deserve a life without violence. Although the resolution is brutal, this story is a compelling read from an important and much-needed new voice. Readers will cheer for the young narrator who is determined to step out of the role of victim and build a safe and meaningful life for herself and her family.—Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

Gr 6–8—At her 13th-birthday dinner, Evyn's hippie father, Birdie, drops a bomb. He is going to marry Eleni Gartos, a college professor with six children, and Evyn and her 15-year-old brother will be leaving their home in Maine and moving to Boston with him. Evyn feels that her world has collapsed, while Mackey just asks to have two desserts. Feeling alone, the girl begins a dialogue with her dead mother as she imagines her. Friend captures the emotions and angst of a teen on the brink of womanhood thrust into a large, vocal stepfamily while having to share her father with a woman she hardly knows and a house full of stepsiblings. Throughout her ups and downs, Birdie's love remains constant, her stepsiblings are accepting, and her brother is transforming himself from a nerdy computer geek into a fledgling thespian. When her stepmother becomes pregnant, Evyn sets out to hop a bus to Maine. The beginnings of acceptance and possibilities are ignited as she learns to follow her inner "wise woman"—her mother's advice-and to "bounce" with the changes in her life. Friend offers no fairy-tale ending but presents, through hip conversations and humor, believable characters and a feel-good story with a satisfying amount of pathos.—D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

Gr 5–7—Irrepressible Joey must draw upon all of his emotional reserves to face his latest challenge. His good-for-nothing dad shows up, having won the lottery and acquired a new identity. Carter Pigza is now Charles Heinz; he's won back Joey's mother, Fran (renamed Maria); and Joey is expected to forgive him his past sins and reinvent himself as Freddy Heinz. Dad has big plans for the family. He's bought a run-down diner and will use his son to drum up business by standing by the roadside in a bee costume. Mom is on a spending spree and pressures Joey to forgive his father and do as he says. But Joey senses how wrong this is, and his struggle is palpable. By the time he concedes, his father has given up on the diner idea and has spent all of his money on losing lottery tickets. As usual, when the chips are down, Carter takes off, just as Fran is about to have a baby. Gantos tells the tale with unfailing humor, delicious wordplay, and many hilarious scenes, but this is the darkest Joey book to date. Carter's unreliability is a given, but Fran Pigza's willingness to buy into the surreal scene is unsettling and underscores the fact that Joey is really on his own. Nevertheless, readers will cheer as his indomitable spirit prevails; he neither rescinds nor regrets his forgiveness, and he is thrilled to have a baby brother. The appearance of Junior Pigza promises a new purpose in Joey's life, the possibility of a future ally in his crazy world, and, perhaps, adventures to come.—Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 8 Up—After setting his seven-year-old neighbor in Alaska on fire, Kip McFarland spends four years in a facility for violent juvenile offenders. When he is released at the age of 14, he, his father, and his new stepmother move to Indiana, with new names. For a while, Wade enjoys a normal life. Eventually, however, despite the warnings of his therapist, he sabotages his happiness in a drunken fit of rage. After he reveals his identity, the town turns on him and his family. Now, a coastal Texas town is their final shot at starting over. The cozy community appears to be a perfect haven, but Wade feels compelled to reveal his past to Sam, the beautiful and mysterious neighbor who is winning his heart—and has a story of her own. Will she still accept him once she finds out he is a murderer? This quick read has a compelling story line, but the characters, especially the adults, are at times one-dimensional, with voices that are somewhat indistinguishable from one another. Reluctant readers will be drawn to the story's accessibility, and many teens will be pulled in by the larger questions the novel poses about innocence and acceptance. Despite its flaws, this book will be a hit with Giles's fans.—Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Gr 5–8—The magical and somewhat batty Strega-Borgia family returns in the sixth volume in Gliori's popular series. Everyone awaits the birth of the new baby—especially evil, revenge-seeking Uncle Don Lucifer, who has made a deal with S'tan to have the newborn stolen and substituted with a leering infant demon with pointed teeth. The demon Isagoth, assigned to steal the baby, finds him to be more than a handful. Meanwhile, Mum doesn't seem to notice that her newest child is a changeling, and the other family members are doing their best not to upset her with the news. Oh—and Hell has literally frozen over, too. This witty, if overwritten, novel seems to be aimed more at adults than at children, and readers experience the story nearly as often from the adults' points of view as from those of the Strega-Borgia children. It's likely that only readers familiar with the previous titles will be able to follow most of the convoluted goings-on, but the series' many fans will no doubt be waiting for it.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library

Gr 6–8—This deftly crafted historical novel unfolds dramatically with an absorbing story and well-drawn characters who readily evoke empathy and compassion. Haddix has masterfully melded in-depth information about the history of immigration, the struggle for women's rights, the beginnings of the organized labor movement, and the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 within a narrative that will simultaneously engross and educate its readers. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Bella, an Italian immigrant teen; Yetta, a Russian Jewish immigrant; and Jane, the daughter of an upper-class American businessman. Yetta is opinionated and aware of how immigrants, especially women, are mistreated. She is outspoken and ready to work toward improving conditions. Bella is a new immigrant and easily taken advantage of. She only wants to earn money to send home so the rest of her family can join her in America. Though wealthy, Jane is influenced by college girls who are starting to work for women's rights. The three girls meet during the strike at the Triangle factory. Jane bravely leaves home when she learns that her father was involved in trying to break the strike. This absorbing and informative read is a wonderful companion to Mary Jane Auch's Ashes of Roses (Holt, 2002).—Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

Gr 7 Up—In the kingdom of Kendel, anyone caught talking with the animals or practicing animal magic is put to death, so Prince George learns early on to deny that part of his identity. He does everything for the sake of the kingdom, even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage with Princess Beatrice from the neighboring kingdom of Sarrey. But Beatrice has a striking and unusual relationship with her hound, Marit, and George finds himself drawn to the pair, and to that part of himself that he has ignored for too long. He is faced with many decisions, including how to help his dying father, and how to free Beatrice and her hound. The story is interrupted at times with philosophizing, hints at the princess's secrets, and related mythology that might prove frustrating for unsophisticated readers. Strong characterizations can't make up for the uneven plot, and most readers are unlikely to stick with this lengthy tale.—Melissa Moore, Union University Library, Jackson, TN

Gr 7 Up—Popular young adult authors, including Alex Flinn, K. L. Going, and Walter Sorrells, contributed to this fast-paced compilation of stories about teenage encounters with poker. The characters find themselves in high-stakes situations: playing with the Devil, competing in a scholarship game, fighting to defeat a deadbeat stepdad, and staying one step ahead of an Internet poker company. The authors depict a variety of endings from the thrill of winning newfound respect to the consequences of losing a girlfriend. At the same time, each story interweaves the elements of both strategy and luck as the players compete in what is ultimately a game of chance. The stories vary from the eerily realistic to amusingly far-fetched. In all cases, teen poker players will recognize themselves and their opponents in this diverse collection. A glossary and brief description of the poker hands will help readers who are new to the game. However, some stories are so saturated with jargon that only experienced players will be able to appreciate the pace and tension in them. The popularity of the game among teens will make this collection a surefire hit with its many fans. Suggest it to teens who have enjoyed Hautman's other poker novels such as All-In (2007) and The Prop (2006, both S & S).—Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Gr 4–7—Toby Wheeler is a self-professed gym rat-he plays basketball down at the rec center but has never played for his school. However, when he meets the new coach, Toby decides to try for the team. He becomes the 12th man—the last one ever sent in to a game—and resigns himself to being a benchwarmer. However, through Coach Applewhite's tutoring and the help of the other boys, Toby learns to be a real team player. A subplot concerns Toby's dad, who works for the local lumber company, and his mother, an ecological activist protesting the lumber company's practices. Overall, the story is engaging, but too predictable and lacking in depth. Standard sports themes dominate—the underdog team wins the championship in the final shot; the team's star realizes he has to play for himself, not to appease his father; and the new coach learns to trust his players. This novel will appeal to readers who are looking for something one step beyond Matt Christopher's books.—Diana Pierce, Running Brushy Middle School, Cedar Park, TX

Gr 7 Up—Charley Callaghan has just moved from Ireland to North Vancouver and is starting eighth grade. He's trying to "speak like a Canadian" to fit in at school; he's trying to cope with the death of his mother; he's trying to help care for his withdrawn younger sister; and he's bullied because of his accent. Charley takes readers into his world, telling the affecting story of how, in the midst of all this, he watches another new kid suffer even worse torment than he does because he is effeminate and possibly gay. When Benny takes his own life, Charley deals with his intense guilt about not defending him and attempts to make up for it, to "pay back," by helping the boy's agoraphobic mother. This is a startlingly poignant novel. Charley's compelling, straightforward voice rings true and builds trust in his audience by exposing his most wracking emotions. This is, ultimately, a story about guilt and honesty, about trying to help others when we need so much help ourselves. Readers will find a character or situation to identify with and will admire the means by which Charley achieves some peace of mind.—Riva Pollard, formerly at The Winsor School Library, Boston

Gr 5–7—Ginny Davis begins seventh grade with a list of items to accomplish. This list, along with lots of other "stuff"—including diary entries, refrigerator notes, cards from Grandpa, and IM screen messages—convey a year full of ups and downs. Digitally rendered collage illustrations realistically depict the various means of communication, and the story flows easily from one colorful page to the next. Ginny is fairly typical—she wants to look good for her school picture but ends up with a hair disaster the night before. She babysits but can't seem to increase her bank balance. She has problems with friends, boys, and clothes. But readers also learn about some deeper issues. She has a hard time adjusting to a new stepfather, and her older brother has difficulties with alcohol and poor behavior choices. Ginny's pain is expressed through report card grades that drop to Cs and hall passes to the school counselor. However, the year ends on a high note as she discovers a talent for art and gets asked to the Spring Fling. The story combines honesty and humor to create a believable and appealing voice. Not quite a graphic novel but not a traditional narrative either, Holm's creative book should hook readers, especially girls who want something out of the ordinary.—Diana Pierce, Running Brushy Middle School, Cedar Park, TX

Gr 9 Up—Kristina Snow was a 17-year-old with high grades and a loving family. In Crank (S & S, 2004), one summer in California with a meth-addicted boyfriend destroys her life. Addicted, she's raped, and goes back home to Reno pregnant. Glass picks up a year later. She lives with her mother and works at a 7–11. Depressed about her post-baby figure, she goes back on speed to lose weight. Her mother kicks her out and gains custody of the baby. She continues to spiral to the last page, which sets readers up for a third novel. Glass is even more terrifying than Crank in its utter hopelessness; meth's power is permanent and Kristina is an addict whether she uses or not. Though her recount of events in the first book is dry and self-indulgent, the pace snowballs as soon as she takes her first toke of rock meth, and one desperate, horrifying measure or decision follows another. Like Crank, this title is written in verse, but certainly not poetry. Hopkins's writing is smooth and incisive, but her fondness for seemingly random forms is distracting and adds little to the power of the narrative. Minor characters are flat, and Kristina's overblown self-pity elicits little empathy. The author tries but fails to present meth itself as a character; her descriptions of "the monster" are precious and overwritten. Kristina's story is terrible, and even when she's high, the narrative voice and mood are sobering. Teens, including reluctant readers, may appreciate the spare style and realism of Kristina's unhappy second chapter.—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 7–10—When Meline's and Jocelyn's parents are killed in a train wreck in Zimbabwe, the cousins are sent to a remote island off British Columbia to live with a rich uncle they have never met. Uncle Marten shuns companionship, devoting himself to studying obscure topics in hope of making sense of the world. The island he purchased was formerly a training camp for pilots, run by a crazed commander whose plan to train pilots to fly without instruments resulted in 11 deaths before the authorities stepped in. The arrival of his teenage nieces, who haven't seen one another for years, necessitates the addition of a cook, Mrs. Mendelbaum, who is grieving for the family she lost under the Nazis as well as the husband and sons she has buried. Humdinger, an inscrutable butler, joins the group. The story is told in the alternating voices of Meline, Jocelyn, Uncle Marten, and Mrs. Mendelbaum, and the characters become larger-than-life and unforgettable. Each one is awash in sorrow, troubled, and unable to connect with anyone else. Indeed, the novel's message lies in the importance of connectedness and the conviction that love comes at the cost of tremendous loss and grieving. In the end, the formation of relationships is hinted at. The ending feels abrupt and is crammed full of explanations. Horvath is a gifted writer; some passages invite immediate rereading and admiration. However, the darkness, depth of poignancy, and offbeat and complicated situations will be appreciated most by sophisticated readers.—Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

Gr 4–8—On the isle of Eswiland, wizards are called "Night-eyes," or "Nightwalkers," because of their dark features and magical powers that allow them to travel safe and unseen through shadowy places. However, these powers didn't stop "Good King Hallow," a historical hero to the human population, from practically wiping them out. His weapons were propaganda and "philosopher's fire," which burned only Nightwalkers. Two generations and a lot of tedious family histories and expository conversation later, a suspiciously dark-eyed boy and a displaced duchess escape the current human king's court and make for the magically fortified mountain of the wizards. Along the way, Johansen includes a couple of funny scenes involving, for example, pigs charging the throne room. Unfortunately, she also throws off the pacing and misses the opportunity for character development by focusing on the action scenes while glossing over the getting-to-know-you parts of the journey. This causes real problems toward the end, where she stages a change-of-heart-and-reconciliation scene that isn't a bit believable. Johansen cites Tolkien as an influence, and is at her best when writing about war councils and political intrigues. This book might entertain readers who are waiting for the next book by Megan Whalen Turner or Diana Wynne Jones, but it won't leave a lasting impression.—Emily R. Brown, Providence Public Library, RI

Gr 3–6—Emmy Addison was perfectly happy as the daughter of bookstore owners—and then her parents inherited a lot of money and she suddenly became invisible. She can't understand why her formerly attentive and loving mother and father keep taking off for faraway places and leaving her in the hands of an incredibly controlling nanny named Miss Barmy. And no one at school seems to know she exists. Then, she is bitten by the classroom rat and discovers that she can understand every word he says, as can Joe, one of the cool kids in her class who was also bitten. At this point, events start to unfold and a fast-paced adventure begins. To Joe's chagrin, he discovers that a second bite makes a person shrink to the size of an action figure and Emmy discovers that Miss Barmy has been mixing animal essences together to control the Addisons' lives. With the aid of new animal friends, Emmy embarks upon a perilous path to undo the evil nanny's sinister plans. A mystery is cleverly woven into this fun and, at times, hilarious caper, and children are likely to find themselves laughing out loud during some parts. A medley of endearing characters adds to an already delightful read.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL

Gr 5–7—In this sequel to Lost Goat Lane (Peachtree, 2004), 15-year-old Justin is overjoyed to be the only freshman accepted on his school's varsity baseball team at his rural Florida school. The one drawback is his lack of transportation to and from practice, but this obstacle appears to be surmounted when he sells his goat to pay for a bicycle. When he and his siblings find that the animal is being mistreated by the new owner, they face an ethical dilemma: do they turn their backs on Little Billy's suffering or do they take action? Together, they hatch a plan to "goatnap" him, but then must face the consequences of their actions. As Justin struggles to balance school, baseball, and the care of the purloined goat, things are further complicated when his father, who left the family four years earlier, returns to the area to reestablish a relationship with his children. Some awkward language can tend toward heavy-handedness, but the well-defined characters will keep readers engaged, and Jordan skillfully handles the moral issue of whether breaking the law is ever the right thing to do. Purchase this book for students who enjoyed these characters in the first volume.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 9 Up—In this sequel to Secret Sacrament (HarperCollins, 2001), the time has arrived for the fulfillment of the prophecy foretelling that when the Time of the Eagle comes, the Shinali, Igaal, and Hena tribes will unite to overthrow the Navoran Empire, which is unbeaten in battle. Avala, the daughter of Gabriel, a Navoran, and Ashila, a Shinali, has come of age. She is destined to bring the prophecy to fruition, but when she is captured by an Igaal warrior and enslaved in his camp, the dream seems certain to die. This is an epic story of the growth of a girl into her destiny, and the choices between warrior and healer, Shinali and Navoran. Readers will find many Native American elements that blend seamlessly into the rich tapestry of this tale.—June H. Keuhn, Corning East High School, NY

Gr 4–6—This addition to the series follows the Geyser Creek Middle School kids to seventh grade where they have to take the dreaded BEEs—Basic Education Evaluation. If the students do not pass, they must repeat all of middle school. And to make matters worse, their teacher, Sam N., is filling in for Mr. Russ as principal. But not to worry—he has enlisted the help of Florence Waters, fountain designer, as substitute teacher. She teaches the class via correspondence, sending assignments to the children while she's off gathering more information about bees to share with them. The story follows the series format of using letters, notes, faxes, and other correspondence to relate the goings-on. As the events progress, the students share their concerns about boyfriends/girlfriends and the upcoming dance. They also learn to have some compassion for a class whose teacher is using some underhanded methods to insure her students win the coveted Show Me Spelling Bee. Fans of the series will appreciate this installment, reluctant readers will be drawn to the format, and more advanced readers will appreciate the wordplay and puns sprinkled throughout.—Diana Pierce, Running Brushy Middle School, Cedar Park, TX

Gr 5–8—This humorous, poignant, tragic, and mysterious story has intertwining plots that peel away like the layers of an onion. An unlikely friendship develops between two precocious sixth graders as they unite to sort through the belongings of an eccentric, pretentious, and intriguing neighbor. William's mother is a liquidator hired to evaluate Mrs. Zender's possessions as the old woman gets ready to move into a residence for senior citizens, and William is helping her. Amadeo asks to join him in the project. William is a bright, sophisticated youngster; Amadeo, the new kid in St. Malo, FL, dreams of someday making an important discovery. He suspects there are possibilities among Mrs. Zender's belongings, particularly a piece of art by Modigliani. Amadeo's godfather, Peter Vanderwaal, is preparing an exhibit of Degenerate Art for the Sheboygan Art Center. This plotline leads to a discovery about Mr. Zender's past. Through old letters, parts of a memoir written by Peter's father, Peter's introduction to his exhibit, and thumbnail biographies of the artists deemed unfit by the Nazis, readers are educated about this aspect of Nazi repression. Dramatic revelations about the victimization of homosexuals and other figures during the Holocaust also become part of the story. In spite of these necessary intrusions, readers will be eager to discover the truth about the Zenders and the suspicious art treasure. Konigsburg, a master of characterization, has created a cast of idiosyncratic people and skillfully embedded them in an appealing tale of friendship, loyalty, and mystery.—Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

Gr 4–6—Eleven-year-old Ned leaves his family farm to attend Leodwych School at the request of his powerful Uncle Kelver, a Mage. The problem is that all of the students have magical powers except Ned, and he is unable to defend himself against them. After being abducted by an invisible airship, he learns that his uncle is a traitor and that he is responsible for Ned's lost powers. His captors are the highly feared Necromancers, sky pirates who steal supplies and children to run their airships. Two of his schoolmates are captured along with him and forced to use their magic to help fly the ship. Ned bargains with one of the Necromancers to save his friends, but Uncle Kelver casts a spell that accidentally removes everyone's magic. The children make it back to Leodwych with the help of mermaids, and everyone has to learn how to do things without magic. Naturally, Ned is the best person to teach them. Not particularly remarkable, this quick, light fantasy goes against convention in that magic, or the easy way out, isn't presented as the answer to everything. The plot and characters are simply drawn but will satisfy less-skilled readers.—Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 7 Up—Gavir, a 14-year-old slave in a noble household in Etra, one of the city-states in Le Guin's vividly imagined country, the Western Shore, is troubled by visions that may or may not foretell future events. Kidnapped in early childhood from the northern Marshes, set apart by his darker skin and hooked nose, endowed with a prodigious memory, Gavir is educated to become the scholar who will teach the family's children and their slaves. Protected by his elder sister, Gavir accepts his lot, unable to imagine any other life. Trusting his masters implicitly, he is blind to the danger that enslavement poses to his beautiful sister. When she is raped and killed by the second son of the household, Gavir walks away from the city, crazed with grief. He continues to walk for three years, passing through a wild forest into the Marshlands where he was born. He meets a variety of people along the way, some protective, some threatening, each one contributing to his quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Hunted by an old enemy from Etra, Gavir returns to the forest to rescue a small girl he met there. In a thrilling escape sequence, he carries her to freedom. He finds a home with Orrec, Gry, and Memer, heroes of Gifts (2004) and Voices (2006, both Harcourt). Le Guin uses her own prodigious power as a writer to craft lyrical, precise sentences, evoking a palpable sense of place and believable characters. This distinguished novel belongs with its predecessors in all young adult collections.—Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams

Gr 4–8—In Blitz, Al is an accidental hero when a CIA operative, running from the enemy, hands off a flash drive with vital information. In the second adventure, Al and his friend Kevin, at the behest of the lunch lady, follow two classmates to the mall. After being chased by unknown assailants, they find refuge with a group of nuns. The humor is silly, and the jokes are repetitive and clichéd. How many times can Al refer to Kevin's stupidity or Kevin refer to Al's zits? The catchy, cartoon covers will attract boys, and the writing is easy enough for a hi/lo audience, but the content within is disappointing.—Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY

Gr 6–10—A Contender (HarperCollins, 1987) for racing fans. Born to a multigenerational racing family, 17-year-old Kyle Hillebrand gave up driving for his trumpet and his brass quintet. However, as his family struggles to get back into big-time racing, he is pulled between his love of music and his responsibility to his family. An injury to his brother, the heir apparent to the racing dynasty, puts Kyle back in the driver's seat in an attempt to continue the team's success in hopes of luring sponsorships that could lead back to NASCAR's Busch and Nextel Cup racing series. Kyle drives well in his substitute role and the team lands the sponsor, which leads to his family's planning a second car so that he can continue racing alongside the now-healthy Kris, forcing a decision by Kyle. His choice is complicated by pressure from his family and by friction with members of his quintet, who resent his time away to help out the racing team, as well as by two potential love interests, one in the quintet and the other an employee of the racers. Lipsyte maintains a good level of tension, leaving it unclear throughout most of the book which road Kyle will choose as he finds he enjoys both. Racing scenes are engaging and generally plausible, and they provide a good setting for the relationship issues and suspense inherent in a teen's choice between his desires and his family's expectations.—Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH

Gr 5–8—Adrian is playful, kind, and compassionate. He is also maddening, a poor judge of character, and incapable of seeing the world from any point of view other than his own. He is, in fact, a cat. This day-by-day account chronicles a year in which he joins a criminal gang, saves the life of a wounded fox, befriends a slightly insane pirate parrot and a baby robin, falls in and out of love with gorgeous but deceitful Snowball, and finally finds real happiness with the disheveled but wise stray Gypsy. This blatant hat-tip to Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 (HarperCollins, 2003) is a one-joke book until about October, when Adrian Cat finally manages to get his priorities straight. That is a long time to read about his tug-of-war with his human, Trousers, over the new chair in the house, or his attempts to teach the baby, Brat-2, how to be a kitten. While Adrian's deadpan observations about life from a cat's perspective are funny, they are not enough to sustain interest in the narrative. The success of the story relies greatly on readers' understanding of a cat's innate character and whether or not they will get the puns. The book ends poised for a sequel, but only the most avid of feline lovers will even enjoy this installment.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

Gr 7 Up—A novel set in an alternate contemporary world. Viewing dragons as fire-breathing, non-sentient animals with gigantic appetites for livestock, humans have hunted them for centuries, and now they survive only in a few wilderness havens. Jake Mendoza has grown up at one such haven, the Smokehill National Park in the American West, and has inherited his scientist parents' commitment to the park's secret inhabitants. When he rescues an orphaned baby dragon, he sets in motion a cascade of events that may eventually save these top predators from extinction. Readers will find the book to be less about the joys of the human-dragon bond and more about the challenges of raising an infant and communicating in a vastly different language. As an exhausted Jake explains, he is the first human in history to find out that a marsupial baby dragon out of its mother's pouch still expects a round-the-clock source of food, warmth, and company for over a year. Also, their telepathic communication gives Jake and his fellow Smokehill residents debilitating head-aches, and no one on either side is ever entirely sure they've got the message right. Once readers get through Jake's overdone teenage diction in the first few chapters, they will be engaged by McKinley's well-drawn characters and want to root for the Smokehill community's fight to save the ultimate endangered species.—Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT

Gr 7 Up—With a dodge ball soaring toward her head, time slows as Tessa considers all of the trivial things floating through her mind; an Ashlee Simpson song, the wedgie she has from her gym shorts, and the color of the dodge ball. But the final thought she must consider is the question she needs to answer—if only she could remember it. At 16, Tessa finds herself in heaven taking a journey through past events in her life while she wavers in and out of consciousness in the hospital. Written in verse, her recollections span her earliest memories as a toddler to her most recent memories leading up to the gym-class accident. Tessa's witty and honest voice tells the story of a girl who struggles to make friends, maintain family relationships, and to be honest with herself. Before she can return from where the accident has taken her, she must face the reality of her life and her role in creating that reality. However, what Tessa discovers is a truth that is far more optimistic and promising than she gave herself credit for. Tessa's journey and authentic voice is one that readers will appreciate. Her tendency to turn a blind eye to the good in others and herself is a trait that many teens have in common. What makes this novel unique is its ability to bring the character to this realization without being preachy or condescending. Funny, thought-provoking, and at times heartbreaking, this story will entertain and inspire readers.—Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Gr 3–6—Most people in Katy Sue Hanson's rural Iowa community are buried in the churchyard, but when the girl's mother dies suddenly of meningitis in the spring of 1948, she's laid to rest on the family property, under a linden tree on a hill. Katy Sue calls it "our closest point to heaven." In the year that follows, the family members attempt to come to terms with their loss. While Katy's father and older brother try to keep the farm running as best they can, her 12-year-old sister attempts to fill their mother's place in the kitchen and resents the intrusion of their mother's sister, Aunt Katherine. Katy Sue, who narrates the story in a folksy yet poetic voice, seeks solace in drawing, and in conversations with her teacher and her father's friend Jake. The second half of the book takes an abrupt turn as Aunt Katherine and Katy's father "take up" with one another, a development that's somewhat confusing in its suddenness. Their relationship comes out into the open less than a year after Katy Sue's mother's death, and the children have no indication that they are becoming attracted to one another. But the honest account of a family's journey of grieving and healing is well portrayed, and may be cathartic for children who have suffered their own losses.—Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO

Gr 9 Up—At the same time that he's coming to terms with his sexual orientation, basketball star Thom Creed is trying to figure out exactly what his untrained superpowers can do. In an attempt to break away from his seemingly non-understanding father (an ex-hero with something to hide) and homophobic community, Thom runs away, only to find himself in the middle of a multi-hero rescue operation. Using his ability to heal, he keeps an injured woman alive until the League superheroes arrive and impresses them enough to get an invitation to try out for a hero apprentice position. Thom is teamed with an old woman who can see into the future, a spiteful girl who unleashes her power through fire, a sickly boy who is able to inflict disease on anyone, and a demoted hero with insane speed. With superheroes dying in mysterious circumstances, Thom is forced to admit publicly that he is gay in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice, but finds himself cast out of the League. He organizes his ragtag team to figure out what is really going on and to fight society's prejudices as well as the criminal element of the town. The story tackles love, friendship, and the eternal struggle to come to terms with who we really are in a tactful, interesting, and well-developed manner. Although the beginning is a little slow, there are subtle hooks that will keep readers' interest, and once the action picks up, Hero becomes a real page-turner that is worth the wait.—Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY

Gr 8 Up—Family connections come full circle through four interconnecting first-person perspectives of a Snow at age 16. Jim Snow, in 1931; his sister Cathy, in 1942; Jim's daughter Jill in 1969; and Jill's daughter Mona in 2006 share their personal stories, capturing the flavor of each decade during which they pass through adolescence. Jim's conveys the distress of being forced to leave his Iowa home and the girl he loves when his father dreams of a promised land in Colorado, and his ultimate satisfaction when the journey falls through. Cathy's segment describes her secret romance with Jim's wife's brother, her accidental pregnancy, and his death in an accident while serving in the army. Jill's experiences reflect the tumultuous '60s, when she goes to spend time with her adopted sister and college professor Mary Suzanne—really Cathy's daughter—at Kent State and is caught up in the National Guard shootings. Mona brings the story back to its roots when she discovers various family links after Cathy's funeral, gets a boyfriend, and becomes closer to her grandfather. Both major and supporting characters are well drawn and interesting. Beautifully rendered prose with precise descriptions aptly compensates for the few moments of predictability as relationships intertwine and unfold. The author of A Higher Geometry (Holt, 2006) offers another carefully crafted book with enough romance, tension, and chronological accuracy to keep readers turning pages.—Diane P. Tuccillo, formerly at City of Mesa Library, AZ

Gr 4–7—Middle-schooler Amelia is running for student-body secretary while her friend Carly runs for president. The campaign is fierce and includes a bathrobe-wearing boy with a big idea to delay the school start time and another who hands out free candy for votes. The race turns ugly near the end, with half-truths and rumors affecting the final outcome. Amelia learns a lesson about how elections are unfortunately sometimes won and lost. Like the others in the series, this notebook is laced with entertaining commentary and clever cartoon illustrations. It's another winner in an already popular series and includes an important moral about modern life.—Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

Gr 8 Up—A mixed bag. The book opens with Kelly Link's forgettable "The Wrong Grave" and is followed by Chris Wooding's "The House and the Locket," a pale imitation of a Poe tale. The third story, "Kissing Dead Boys," however, is classic Annette Curtis Klause and it alone may be worth the price of the book. Klause takes the tired-sexy-vampire and vampire-hunter conventions and makes them fresh in just 14 pages. Marcus Sedgwick, Libba Bray, and Holly Black also contribute notable stories that their fans will enjoy. On balance this will be a worthwhile addition to most collections.—Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School Library, CA

Gr 4–7—Agnes Parker knows that she wants to fly under the radar during her first year at Horace Mann Middle School—at least until she knows what the rules are. Her best friend, Prejean, prefers to make a statement. She announces that she's going to run for class president in order to do something about the taunting behavior of the eighth-grade boys. Agnes will be her manager. Complications ensue when Prejean is invited to be a part of the track team, leaving Agnes to fend for herself on the metro bus where the bullying continues. Then she teams up with Aram Keshishian to clean the art room after school. Prejean's father has moved out; consequently, the girl develops an ulcer. Adults are portrayed as a positive support network and student interaction is very believable. Only the school administration comes off badly, albeit realistically. There are enough plausible plot complications to create and sustain interest for the intended audience. Wholesome seems such an old-fashioned word, but it perfectly describes the book. O'Dell addresses trust, loyalty, respect, and love with the kindness and humor found in the work of those authors who've become staples with middle-grade readers.—Sheila Fiscus, Our Lady of Peace School, Erie, PA

Gr 5–8—The story of Darkwing is set 65 million years ago, during the early Paleocene era just years after the enormous C-T dieback event. Dusk and his family are chiropters, small arboreal mammals that glide and feed on insects. Changes are coming to their world, and not the least of them are Dusk's abilities of flight and echolocation. Although his family stands by him, most of the colony is very uncomfortable with his flying, fearing reprisal from the birds that live above them in the trees. All concerns about Dusk's oddities or their avian neighbors are swept aside when an outcast prowl of felids, led by the bloodthirsty Carnassial, attack the colony and Dusk's special abilities help to guide his fellows and keep them safe. During their search for a new home, his quick wits are all that stand between the colony and disaster. In their quest, the chiropters encounter deadly predators, from saurian holdouts to shrewlike soricids with poisonous saliva. Betrayals from both within the colony and without add to the excitement in this adventure. Readers will feel for Dusk as he decides repeatedly not to abandon his colony, despite their treatment of him. In Darkwing, Oppel offers a celebration of difference in addition to a wonderful imagining of a pivotal moment in evolution. An author's note highlights some of the actual fossil species that appear. One cautionary note—the descriptions of animals eating each other may be disturbing to sensitive readers.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 9 Up—Ben Mander's mother can't or won't take medication to control her mental illness, and his father has left home and will no longer help. The teen does his best to cope, but when his mother makes a scene in the school office and has to be physically removed, Ben is not sure how he will continue. While she is being admitted to the psychiatric unit, yet again, he meets Marco, who says that his mother is also there. Through a series of meetings, Marco tells a fantastic story of traveling through a wormhole to the year 4000 where he meets Lizard People, much like the ones that frighten Mrs. Mander in her delusional states. Unsure of what to believe, Ben goes back and forth trying to maintain his own reality in spite of overwhelming odds. In the end, all problems do not miraculously disappear, but the troubled teen gets the help he needs. Price writes honestly and with compassion about a number of issues: living with a parent who has a mental illness, the fear of inheriting this affliction, hoping for a cure, and the lack of support available for families. Characters are believable, and the plot, alternating between reality and the future land of the lizards, moves quickly and contains enough mystery to keep readers involved.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

Gr 6–8—Historical fiction, fantasy, and horror are woven together with hints of sex and romance in this improbable story of Alexei, the last heir to the throne of Russia. Tsarevich Alexei suffers from hemophilia, and his frequent bouts with this painful disease often bring him to death's door. Fortunately Father Grigory, otherwise known as Rasputin, using horrifying hocus pocus, has been able to save him. In one of his cures, he tells Alexei that his "blood-river" can move him back and forth in time and place, a useful bit of knowledge. After Alexei secretly sees Rasputin intimidating the tsarina, he confides in a relative who makes an assassination attempt—Rasputin is poisoned, shot, declared dead, and thrown into a river. Unfortunately the dead man climbs out of the river and chases Alexei, who tries the trick of time travel and ends up in one of New York City's rivers in 2010. He's resuscitated on the riverbank by a future relative, a high school girl who just happens to be researching hemophilia. Of course, Rasputin appears as the high school janitor and the story lurches on. Everyone time travels back to Russia where Rasputin is finally killed, and Alexei and his future relative attempt to rescue the royal family, now imprisoned. It's all too much. In the end, history kind of takes over, but not quite. Except for Alexei, the characters are flat, the writing confusing and clunky, and the plot more suited to a genre movie than a book. Clearly the author did a great deal of research; the end matter is copious and interesting.—Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA

Gr 9 Up—Through a lucky twist of fate, orphan and former slave Halfdan Hroriksson is accepted by Jarl Hastein to serve with him on the Viking warship Gull. Although only 15, Halfdan has an uncanny skill with the longbow. It is through his ability, honesty, and strength of character that he is grudgingly accepted as a member of the crew. While serving his newfound lord, the teen hopes not only to find adventure and riches, but also to bring to justice the man who murdered his brother and then stole his inheritance. The story begins a bit slowly, but soon readers will be engaged in the adventure and the grit and gore of the ninth century. The book ends abruptly, with the promise of a continued story line in the future. It will be difficult to understand as a stand-alone, due in part to the complexity of the plot and the specifics of the time period, but fans of Viking Warrior (HarperCollins, 2006) will enjoy it.—Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

Gr 6 Up—In this concluding volume, Rowling brings together the themes and characters familiar to her readers, providing thrills both expected and unexpected. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out on the mission left to Harry by Albus Dumbledore, to search for the remaining Horcruxes, the hidden pieces of Voldemort's soul that must be destroyed to ensure his final defeat. Harry and his friends find themselves fugitives, but help comes from unexpected quarters and old friends. Harry is also searching for the truth about Dumbledore's life, as he tries to reconcile rumors about the man's past with the heroic headmaster he thought he knew. The legend of the Deathly Hallows, three magical objects that have the power to overcome death, proves to be related to Dumbledore's past as well as the present conflict. While the plot wanders somewhat on its way there, the final battle with Voldemort, involving a full range of friends and foes, is Rowling at her finest. The headstrong plot involves clues and characters from all of the volumes, building on details and tying up loose ends. An underlying message about the power of truth and redemption is reflected in a range of characters, combining with mythic allusions to give depth to the series as a whole. Hallows continues the darker tone of Half-Blood Prince, and there's no Quidditch to be found here, though there are comic moments. Fans of the series will devour this lengthy tome and will be left hoping for more tales from this fully fleshed out fantastic world.—Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI

Gr 6–8—Austrian Ilse Shpann spends her teen years with her family in Japanese-occupied Shanghai alongside numerous other refugees and stateless Jewish citizens. Fortunate to have escaped a Nazi concentration camp, Ilse; her older brother, Erich; and their parents experience a difficult and poverty-stricken five years. Forced to live in filthy, cramped tenementlike quarters, the Shpanns scrounge to find work and scrape together meager sums of money to keep themselves fed and sheltered. Rebellious Erich joins a resistance movement and works underground until he is caught, arrested, and nearly dies of typhus. Mother's hidden American connection/citizenship is uncovered, resulting in her detainment in a Japanese internment "civil assembly center." Ilse soon finds herself alone and, with a depressed and nonworking Father, in charge of maintaining normalcy if not basic survival needs for both. Through descriptive scenes, metaphorical language, and some risky, adventurous episodes, Ruby tells this Asian-oriented Holocaust story in Ilse's first-person voice that is at once sardonic, brave, determined, and hopeful. Minor, yet less-developed characters of a Chinese street urchin and a Japanese "King of the Jews" supervisor contribute to the atmosphere and provide some vivid interaction for Ilse in an Eastern world so vastly different from her own European existence. A lesser-known side of Holocaust history.—Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

Gr 4–6—This novel focuses on an aspect of Jackie Robinson's career that is often overlooked: the 1946 season he spent with the minor league Montreal Royals before being called up to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Twelve-year-old Matt, a newcomer to Montreal, feels an immediate sense of empathy for Robinson. He doesn't speak French and feels miserably alone among the hockey-loving kids of his neighborhood. Then, he discovers the minor league ballpark and the team's new star, and things start to fall into place. The story starts promisingly with its unusual milieu and sense of historical drama, but the plot itself is disappointingly familiar. Matt and the other characters are unmemorable and one-dimensional. A heavy-handed message, plodding pace, and often muddled sports action contribute to a largely forgettable book. For readers seeking fiction about Robinson, Dan Gutman's Jackie and Me (1999) and Bette Bao Lord's In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (1984, both HarperCollins) are better choices.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 8 Up—What makes a terrorist? Drawing on her own experiences as a journalist in Peru in the 1980s and '90s, the author explores this question in this moving coming-of-age novel. After the Senderistas bomb the health clinic that his mother established in their Peruvian shantytown, killing her and driving away the doctor and his daughter Rosa, 15-year-old Alonso's anger and curiosity about their philosophy tempt him to join their Shining Path terrorist movement. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Alonso and Rosa, and details of his family's grinding poverty make a strong contrast to her privileged middle-class life. Already defeated by his situation in life, Alonso's father becomes an abusive drinker after his wife's death. The violence both inside and outside his home—where neighbors, Party members, and police are all a threat—is convincingly portrayed. Teens will despair about whether or not Alonso can find safety, or if Rosa and Alonso, star-crossed lovers, can be reunited. While some episodes seem contrived, more for readers' background than the story arc, the narrative moves quickly to a convincing conclusion. The explicit violence makes this best suited for older readers, who will come away with an awakened appreciation for the complexity of the issues.—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD

Gr 4–6—Sixth-grader Boom Broom's got it rough. His family is still reeling from the twister that came and left their tiny seafaring town so suddenly, sucking up Mrs. Broom. For Boom, that means dealing with a dad who refuses to leave his "safe" attic; a 10-year-old sister, Mertyle, who fakes every illness imaginable to keep from leaving the house; and a cook who thinks he's a Viking descendant. Just when it looks as if Boom's as low as he can get, a miracle happens. While sifting through the reject bucket at the docks for some dinner, he finds an incredibly hostile baby mermaid. He wants to use the creature to make the family some money, but Mertyle wants to adopt it. Unfortunately, such actions can have horrendous consequences, and soon the two children are face-to-face with some seemingly uncontrollable magic and a curse beyond their reckoning. This amusing story has lots of kid appeal. Selfors has conjured up great characters and settings, and her narrative voice never falters. Though a sequel would not be surprising, this book stands well enough on its own. It's sure to be a hit with any reader searching for something funny.—Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

Gr 8 Up—Cassina Dixon, 13, has just died, along with her younger sister, in the terrorist bombing of an English subway station. Unlike her sister, Cassina has transformed into a mist cloud and exists in the realm of the not-quite-living as a para-spirit who must remain moist by lodging herself in the brain cavity of a living host. She enters the brain of the suicide bomber himself, thus embarking on his emotional journey as he contemplates his actions and his faith (a sect of the fictional T'lanni religion) and is persuaded by a fellow terrorist to plot another attack. Along the way she meets other para-spirits and grapples as a Christian with notions of God, religion, belief, and the limits of interfaith understanding. The novel raises timely, relevant ideas, and offers a Christian perspective on a youth struggling to make sense of current events. Unfortunately, the power of Singer's bold ambition is muddied by the book's supernatural elements (she also introduces immortals and a purgatory in which all dead must learn to love each other), and her creation of a fictional Middle Eastern religion almost caricatures the religion of terrorist (and non-terrorist) groups so present in today's world. The lack of consistency in the narrative perspective also detracts from what might have been a thought-provoking, topical read.—Riva Pollard, formerly at The Winsor School Library, Boston

Gr 3–6—Billy Hooten is a comic-book nerd who has been dubbed "Owlboy" by the class bully because of his last name and his big glasses. When he hears a cry for help coming from a nearby cemetery, Billy follows the voice into a crypt, where he meets Archebold, a goblin, and discovers that he is the next Owlboy, crime-fighting superhero of Monstros City, an underground world populated by every type of monster imaginable. Billy is amazed that his comic-book story is real and is not sure about being a superhero, much less donning the Owlboy costume, which doesn't fit. But after he completes a series of tests and discovers that he has some unusual powers when in Monstros City, he realizes that taking on the mantle of Owlboy is his destiny. He begins his adventures by catching the evil Slovakian Rot-toothed Hopping Monkey Demons. Sniegoski clearly knows his superhero stories and fills this book with tropes that hark back to Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man. Owlboy has an Owlmobile, but there are other more imaginative touches, such as a secret hideout called the "Roost" complete with a gadget-creating troll. This lively tale should be a hit, especially with reluctant readers. A few black-and-white sketches appear throughout.—Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 6–10—This brilliant sequel to Stargirl (Knopf, 2000) takes place a year later. Now living in Pennsylvania, Stargirl, 15, continues to pine for Leo, who dumped her, and struggles to make a place for herself in her new community. Fortunately, her eclectic neighbors, who include Dootsie, a five-year-old "human bean"; Betty Lou, an agoraphobic divorcée; and Perry Delloplane, an amiable thief, draw her back into life and happiness. Written in diary format-the "world's longest letter," as Stargirl calls it-this novel is as charming and unique as its sensitive, nonconformist heroine. Addressing loss, growing pains, and staying true to oneself, this stellar follow-up is both profound and funny.—Terri Clark, Smokey Hill Library, Centennial, CO

Gr 4–6—One minute young Joe Jefferson is trying to figure out what to write for his English assignment, "My Amazing Adventure," and the next thing he knows both he and his dog have been pulled into the world of Muddle Earth by the incompetent magician Randalf the Wise. Joe has been summoned to be the official warrior-hero of the realm, and that means going head-to-head with malicious Dr. Cuddles. Cuddles, it seems, has captured all of the local wizards and is forcing them to do his evil bidding. It's up to our hero and his ragtag team of new friends to defeat the villain and free the wizards before Cuddles has a chance to conquer Muddle Earth. Bathroom humor and potty jokes abound in this tepid tale. Rather than a straight out-and-out parody of Tolkien's stories of Middle Earth (which might have been preferable), Stewart's tale references those stories rarely, if ever. The whole enterprise feels more like an excuse to try out some random fantasy tropes without ever using them in an inventive fashion. In short, the madcap adventures and humorous moments could stand to be a lot more madcap and humorous.—Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—High school senior Kate Blessing has it all—a new Mercedes, fantastic grades, a hot boyfriend, and an ostensibly stable family environment. Then, everything is put in jeopardy on one fateful Christmas Eve: Tanner dumps her because she refuses to go all the way; her mother moves out because she's fed up with her husband's infidelity; and Kate discovers that Dad's mistress is pregnant. Mobster Sonny Blessing is too upset and preoccupied to deal with the family business. His cronies are impatiently waiting for him to decide what to do about a rival mob's intention to hijack a Brinks truck in their territory. Kate steps in with a solid plan to beat the Blattarias to the punch. Soon, Sonny is calling on her for business advice. Meanwhile, she wrestles with her feelings for two prospective boyfriends: Teddy, a fellow member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Nick Blattaria, the son of her father's enemy. Strasser's writing is engaging and his contemporary references are spot-on. The book is self-conscious of its relationship to HBO's "The Sopranos," and Kate is reminiscent of television's Veronica Mars in her feistiness and keen interest in her father's profession. Readers are left with a cliff-hanger, as a sequel is in the making. This title will fly off the shelves and beckon even reluctant readers with its flashy, over-the-top premise.—Jennifer Barnes, Homewood Library, IL

Gr 4–6—At the end of World War II, 10-year-old Annie's father is still missing in action. She refuses to believe that he won't return home, so she periodically has conversations with President Truman about him. (No one can convince her that she isn't just dreaming these talks.) During the summer, she visits her paternal grandmother in Walla Walla, WA, where her 19-year-old uncle, a bitter war veteran, has taken up with the "wrong crowd." His anger and prejudice are set in motion when his mother rents an apartment to a young African-American woman. Annie immediately befriends Gloria Jean, which causes Billy's anger to escalate even more. The tensions build and Annie knows that she alone can change her uncle. Her father is finally found, blind and suffering from amnesia. In the final pages the family is reunited. As Annie narrates her story, she presents the characters from her point of view. Her smart mouth and bratty behavior are tolerated without comment except by Uncle Billy. His adjustment to civilian life after the war is real, but does not explain or justify his prejudice. Gloria Jean, the calm, rational voice for Annie, is a bit too perfect. The story moves smoothly, except at the end. Annie's father's return is anticlimactic and is treated with less importance than the beginning would suggest. Events and characters are wrapped up almost too neatly with the suggestion of happily ever after. Still, fans of the "Dear America" series (Scholastic) will enjoy it.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 7 Up—This muddled sequel to Shadowmancer (Putnam, 2004) follows Kate and Thomas as they flee to London with the smuggler Jacob Crane, hoping to escape the evil vicar Obadiah Demurral. Their Ethiopian friend Raphah, last seen falling overboard their ship, has made it to shore in the belly of a whale, with the help of Riathamus, "the power of all goodness." He is taking a land route to the capital in the company of Demurral's former servant Beadle. Eventually Kate and Thomas are kidnapped by a sinister alchemist who uses supernatural means to control his child-labor force, while Raphah and Beadle uncover a plot involving the Holy Grail. The development of this story of good against evil is rather slapdash: at one point Kate is force-fed a hallucinogen and instantly starts behaving like an addict at rock bottom. The flashes of inspiration are weighed down by Taylor's awkward prose and heavy-handed moralizing. Fans of the first book will likely welcome a sequel, but other readers of both fantasy and Christian fiction already have many superior resources to call upon.—Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO

Gr 7 Up—Sisters Krista and Charlie Brown could not be more different. Krista, the eldest, is blond, smart, pretty, and popular, and, of course, is dating a popular boy. Charlie, who endures bullying and teasing at school (not helped by her last name), prefers solitude and surfing the Malibu waves. When they are recruited for their high school soccer team, the teens have to face their differences and learn to work together. This is a well-paced book with solid character development and witty, authentic dialogue. The relationship between the siblings is both strong and complicated. With its classic themes of sisterhood and romance, the book is an updated version of Francine Pascal's "Sweet Valley High" series (Random), with a sports twist.—Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

Gr 4–6—An impressive and poignant debut novel. Eleven-year-old Zoe dreams of giving piano recitals at Carnegie Hall. When her father purchases a Perfectone D-60, though, she must settle for the sounds of the organ rather than the distinguished sounds of a baby grand. Her organ teacher, Mabelline Person, notices the child's small talent for music and recommends her for the "Perfectone Perform-O-Rama"; she will play Neil Diamond's "Forever in Blue Jeans." Accepting this new twist to her ambitions, Zoe must depend on a quirky support system: her father, who gets anxious when he leaves the house and who earns diplomas from Living Room University; her workaholic mother; and her classmate Wheeler, who follows Zoe home from school daily to spend time with her father, baking. Playing television theme songs from the '60s and '70s rather than Bach doesn't get Zoe down. Instead, aware of the stark difference between her dream and her reality, she forges ahead and, as an underdog, faces the uncertainty of entering the competition. In the end, resilient and resourceful Zoe finds perfection in the most imperfect and unique situations, and she shines. The refreshing writing is full of pearls of wisdom, and readers will relate to this fully developed character. The sensitive story is filled with hope and humor. It has a feel-good quality and a subtle message about how doing one's best and believing in oneself are what really matter.—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

Gr 7–9—When Claire heads off to Yale (early admission), she leaves her eighth-grade sister a book entitled A Field Guide to High School. In it, she explains the key to running the social and academic gambit at their private school, and discusses the elements of each social group and the importance of knowing what not to wear. She stresses the need to choose the right people from the very start of school, and tells her how she was so successful: "By being constantly aware of my surroundings. By keeping my friends close and my enemies closer. By striking first." Claire's voice is witty and wry and easy to read, but it lacks a personal connection. The font changes between narrator and commentary by Andi and her best friend, providing nicely spaced text. The occasional spot illustrations resemble those found in field-guide manuals, yet each one is labeled to reflect an aspect of high school (Scorpions/Spiders/Centipedes; Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors). The numerous pop-culture references and even top 10 lists enable readers to connect with the novel but it reads just like a field guide with minimal character/reader interaction.—Emily Garrett, Armstrong Elementary School, Sachse, TX

Gr 7–9—This novel begins with a bang, literally. Kathy—or Kat, as she comes to be known—has just been hit by a car. Though she is physically fine, she discovers that she has lost her memory completely. Her mother, her mother's boyfriend, her friends, and even her own appearance are strange and unsettling to her. More bizarre is the revelation that Kat has done something horribly wrong that has caused her not only to earn outcast status at school, but also to attract the ire and threats of the small group of girls whom Kat's mother claims are her friends. The story is told in the first-person and alternates Kat's narration with details from the past that she had been recording in a journal prior to the accident. Weatherly does a good job of differentiating between the Kat of the present and Kathy of the past. As readers, along with Kat, follow the story of her unknown past, an element of suspense creeps into the plot and readers are asked to consider the ultimate mystery: who any of us really are. While the use of amnesia as a plot device is reminiscent of many soap operas, readers are given cause to examine this disability a bit further and consider it, as Kat's grandmother urges her to do, something of a gift. "'But think about it,' Nana says, 'you're seeing life in a way few people ever get to—completely unencumbered by all the baggage we normally carry. New, fresh; like you've only just been born.'"—Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 7 Up—This lyrical and complex tale of adventure and betrayal set in sixth-century Africa continues the story of 12-year-old Telemakos, who is recovering from the mental and physical abuse he suffered as a government spy in The Sunbird (Viking, 2004). His troubles are nowhere near done—he's attacked by one of the emperor's pet lions and loses an arm. His cover may have been blown as well. He and his baby sister are sent to live with Abreha, ruler of Himyar—once the enemy of the Aksumites, now possibly an ally, but definitely not to be completely trusted, as the young prince soon learns. Much of this story is based on events in The Sunbird and earlier stories in the saga, and names, places, and relationships are sometimes difficult to understand. That said, the writing is powerful and the characters are strong and memorable. Telemakos is a fascinating character: intelligent, loving, deeply scarred, and yet almost extraordinarily brave. There's a fairly graphic description of a crucifixion midway through. This is a challenging story complete with a cliff-hanger ending. Readers who make the effort (and start with the earlier book) will be richly rewarded.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 7 Up—This story, set in the elegant society of the 1880s, keeps readers at a distance that emulates the social period of the times. Despite being told in first person by Edwina, the niece of assassin John Wilkes Booth, the novel retains a detached quality, never showing more than would be polite in mixed company. While her father, Edwin, is a wonderful actor and worthy of accolades, the attention the Booth family receives is more of the "notorious" variety due to their familial association with the man who shot President Lincoln. The teen's desire to be a good, supportive daughter to her temperamental father and mentally unbalanced stepmother overrides standing up for what she believes is most important in her life: getting married to Downing Vaux and beginning her own family. Circumstances make Edwina's plans spiral out of control, leaving her with no choice but to follow her father's arrangement of her life. Wemmlinger presents an interesting picture of upper middle class existence in this debut novel set at a time when women were just beginning to see themselves as autonomous. Thoughtful teens will enjoy Booth's Daughter.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 6–9—Shortlisted for three top children's book prizes in Australia, this picture book for older readers is the collaboration of an honored author and illustrator team. In a post-apocalyptic world, a teen protagonist lives alone in a derelict building. Terrified of the outside world and of the "woolvs" he sees there, the boy is tempted out of his apartment by what he misapprehends as a glimpse of blue sky. He is rescued by his only friend, elderly Mrs. Radinski, who ventures into the dark streets to save him. When the woman later disappears, the boy must reach deep for the courage to go looking for her. Every creative decision succeeds in making this a disorienting and harrowing story. Presentation of powerful themes is singular, the seemingly scrawled text being entirely phonetic with occasional invented words. The jarring reading experience, which readers will have to pore over, heightens the impression of a brutal, off-kilter world. Intensity is further magnified by Spudvilas's visual interpretation of the boy's world in heavy, aggressive charcoal line and watercolor wash, the palette dark with rare splashes of color. The wolves that terrify the boy are never portrayed. In the end, hope can be found in his determination to free himself from the crippling fear that controls his life. A final portrait shows him, brave but vulnerable, addressing readers, issuing the challenge, "Joyn me." This stunning title will best succeed with a visually literate audience who, growing up in a world of potential chaos, can read metaphor and appreciate ambiguity.—Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

Gr 5–8—In this sequel to Dragon Keeper (Hyperion, 2005), young Ping has rescued Kai, the baby purple dragon, son of Long Danzi, the last of the Imperial dragons, and hidden with him on Tai Shan, the forbidden sacred mountain. The old dragon appointed Ping as Dragon Keeper and entrusted her with the dragon stone, from which Kai has hatched. Ping has escaped the dragon hunter and the evil shape-changing necromancer once, but she knows she must keep Kai's existence secret or his life will be in danger. When the necromancer appears on Tai Shan, Ping must flee again. Aided by her pet rat, Hua, and by her ability to summon her qi power, she escapes, only to be captured by the Emperor's guards. Mistakenly thinking her previous friendship with the young ruler will keep her safe, she is betrayed by him and his obsessive search for immortality. She barely manages to save herself for another possible sequel. Ping is an appealingly feisty heroine, and the author paints a vivid picture of life in the Imperial Ming Yang Lodge. Readers should be warned that some of the necromancer's practices are horrifyingly graphic. The dragon's baby talk that Ping hears inside her head makes him seem more real, if a bit silly. References to events in the earlier book are sometimes confusing, but should inspire readers to explore Ping's earlier adventures. This believable fantasy should help fulfill the demand for dragon books.—Quinby Frank, Green Acres School, Rockville, MD

Gr 4–7—Flossie's mom is remarried and has a prosperous life with her husband and baby. Flossie's dad, however, is close to 40 and hasn't gotten it together. Overweight, depressed, and financially hard up, he is his own worst enemy. When Flossie's mom and stepdad move to Sydney for six months, Flossie convinces her mother to let her stay with her loving but inept father in London. Her life changes drastically when she starts going to school looking unkempt and smelling of her father's greasy-spoon café. She loses her superficial and status-conscious friends, but makes friends with Susan, whose background is more like hers. After numerous trials that end in near homelessness, Flossie's father finally puts the divorce behind him. When he encounters Rose, a fortune-teller and cotton-candy maker with a traveling carnival, he's met his true match. Flossie is a likable character who discovers the meaning of true friendship, suffers hardship with aplomb, and learns some important life lessons along the way. Readers will cheer her on and feel satisfaction when she sees her ex-best friend for the bully and snob that she is.—Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID

Gr 9 Up—As in Hard Love (S & S, 1999), Wittlinger tackles GLBT issues, introducing readers to Grady McNair, formerly known as Angela. This fast read follows Grady through the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas as he comes out as transgendered, faces issues of acceptance and rejection at school and at home, and falls in love with the hottest girl in school. Funny and thought-provoking in turns, the book does suffer from a few structural problems. The narrator's voice is very feminine for somebody who has internally always felt like a boy, and with little effort on his part, Grady ends the book with family approval, new and old friends, a previously forbidden pet, and the end of an embarrassing family holiday tradition. Flaws aside, the book is an excellent resource for building awareness about, and serving the increasing number of, transgendered teens. Helpful resources include Web sites and further-reading material. The lack of similar titles available, except for Julie Ann Peters's Luna (Little, Brown, 2004), and Wittlinger's captivating storytelling ability combine to make this a book that most libraries should stock. Grady eventually decides that he will always straddle the 50 yard line of gender, and the book should help teens be comfortable with their own place on that football field.—Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, New York Public Library

Gr 5–8—When resistance fighters assassinated the highest ranking Nazi officer in Czechoslovakia, Hitler sought revenge on the small village of Lidice. All 173 men and teenage boys were executed while the women were sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Ten Lidice children, who exemplified Aryan traits, were selected for "Germanization." They were sent to Lebensborn training centers, forced to speak only German, given new names, and indoctrinated into the Nazi ideology. They were then adopted by German families. The rest of the children of Lidice were gassed. Based on extensive research and interviews with survivors, Wolf tells the heart-wrenching story of the fictional Milada, who is sent to a Lebensborn center and adopted by the commandant of Ravensbruck. Readers are quickly immersed into her character, gaining a painful understanding of her intense struggle to hold onto her true self and identity. Students who have read stories of Jewish persecution and survival during the Holocaust will be enlightened by this portrait of how Hitler's Final Solution affected these innocent children. This amazing, eye-opening story, masterfully written, is an essential part of World War II literature and belongs on the shelves of every library.—Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI

Gr 7 Up—Laura Mellon, 16, is smart. She graduated from high school early and is now earning money to go to college by helping her mother clean the mansions of Greenwich, CT. Willa Pogue, also 16, has been expelled from several boarding schools. One day, the teens discover that they are complete look-alikes. After their initial shock and subsequent bonding, they decide to switch lives. Laura goes off to Willa's snooty school and Willa stays in Greenwich to clean houses. In the first half of the book, the plot moves along enjoyably, and the dialogue between the two girls is strong, but once they take on the other's life, the story becomes boring. Their adventures are uninteresting, and Willa's parents' reaction to the switch is too understanding considering how uptight they were at the beginning. Also, there are several plot threads that aren't resolved, mainly the fact that Laura and Willa are identical and were born in the same hospital, on the same day. These coincidences usually mean some sort of scandal or dark family secret but the girls treat them indifferently. All of the parents are completely clueless and the rest of the supporting characters are paper thin. However, the author does manage a creative touch when Willa becomes a NASCAR fan and an ace mechanic. All in all, this take-off on The Prince and the Pauper is unexciting and unsatisfying.—Anne Rouyer, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up—In the late 1700s and early 1800s, many Scottish lairds discovered that they could make money by leasing their land to English sheep farmers. As a result, thousands of poor Highlanders were removed from their homes. Roddy Macallan and his family are tenant farmers, and they have always relied on their laird to be a provider and protector. Now he is dead, and the greedy and cruel new man cares little for clan traditions and his responsibility for his people. He sends his brutal factor, Willie Rood, to burn out the villagers and take their livestock. Enraged, Roddy sneaks back to the village to find the family "Blessing" that his deceased mother always told stories about. He finds it, a valuable brooch given to an ancestor by Bonnie Prince Charlie, but Willie Rood steals it for the laird. Roddy is nearly beaten to death, but is saved by the outlaw Alan Dunbar, who then trains him as his apprentice. Enduring great peril, the men recover the brooch, escape the English Redcoats who've been sent after them, and make it to a settlement in North Carolina. The authors deftly weave historical facts into their action-packed adventure, and though the story is somewhat predictable, it is thoroughly engaging. They write in Scottish dialect and syntax, which readers should get the hang of fairly quickly. The story would make a great read-aloud for anyone who would like to tackle the accent.—Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Gr 7 Up—Twenty-four sonnets tell the story of Prudence Crandall and her efforts to educate young African-American women in Canterbury, CT, 1833-1834. The school began as a boarding school for white girls; when two black women inquired about taking classes and Crandall agreed, the townspeople withdrew their daughters. As she accepted more black students, the town became more vocal in its resistance, poisoning the school water supply, refusing to sell it supplies, and charging Miss Crandall and others with a variety of "crimes." The sonnet format is challenging but compelling. Each poem addresses an individual aspect of the story; therefore, the tone and cadence change depending upon the person speaking or the event being depicted. The introduction gives essential information, but readers with no background will still need help understanding the political, social, and historical context. Cooper's pastel mixed-media illustrations sometimes illuminate the poems, but at other times seem solely decorative. His portraits for "Tao of the Trial" and "Miss Ann Eliza Hammond" are powerfully rendered, while the nature scenes add little to the poetic experience. The art's sketchiness, however, does suit the poetic form. There are empty spaces in the pictures just as the language of the poetry leaves openness for readers' interpretation. A heartfelt, unusual presentation, this book rewards patient readers.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 6–9—A book of scenes for two or more actors. The brevity of the pieces preclude them from being appropriate in many forensic and theater competition settings, and by the author's own admission, the selections contain no lessons to learn or issues to discuss and so would not be useful to study in a classroom setting. Drama teachers might find the scenes handy to use with novice actors, as there are few character or language challenges for students. However, while some of them are funny, many are mean-spirited, rife with stereotypes, or uninspired. Most of the selections should be described as vignettes, not as short plays.—Terrilyn Fleming, Colby Public Schools, KS

Gr 3–6—More than 220 million years ago during the Triassic period, ichtyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs were the largest marine reptiles. Readers learn what is known about these massive creatures and how scientists are continually making new discoveries based on fossil remains throughout the world. Arnold points out that even the scientists' thought processes have changed over time as additional discoveries are made. Chapters include the diet of these early reptiles and body features, including their size, birth, known range, and period in which they died out. Museums that have displays of these marine reptiles and an extensive index are included. Caple keeps the watercolor paintings subtle and subdued with earth tones of blue, green, and brown softly portraying features of each creature. Arnold has taken an immense amount of data and organized it in an appealing format. This book has some meat to it.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 6 Up—A compelling tale of survival. In 1871, at the peak of whale hunting, a fleet of 32 ships was trapped in Arctic ice, and the 1200 men, women, and children onboard faced a long winter with limited supplies. A decision was made to abandon the ships with devastating financial results. Baker begins by giving background information on a whaleship, the crew, provisions, and how the animals were hunted, skinned, and processed for oil. Readers are given a picture of the hazards of whaling and the endurance required in the best of conditions. In the final chapters, the events leading up to the disaster are described—the formation of the ice, cracking ships, and the possibility of being trapped in the Arctic throughout the winter. Seeking a way to survive, the passengers set out on small boats, braving the icy sea to find larger whaleships in which to return to Hawaii and, eventually, home to the United States. The account is presented in an easy-to-follow, attractive format with concise chapters and ample diagrams, full-color reproductions, illustrations, and maps. The historical significance of the whale industry, along with the impact of lost ships is stressed, leading readers to a better understanding of what made this event such a disaster.—Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

Gr 4–6—These books introduce basic scientific concepts. They also help readers to focus on specific features of the objects to be observed, such as positions of planets and stars, or the shapes of leaves and trees. Each title includes lists of facts, such as the time needed for each planet to rotate around the sun. The scope is international, showing the night sky above and below the equator and examples of trees from all continents. The illustrations combine vivid color photographs, diagrams of constellations or the physiology of trees, and color renderings of the night sky and of tree anatomy. The layout, which is dense with information, uses varied print styles to help readers focus on relevant information. The one error, an arrow pointing from the text to the wrong image of a tree, is not serious, as the image is easy to match with the correct description. Equally, the occasionally slightly awkward placements of modifiers (the book is a translation) do not create serious confusion. By themselves, these field guides would be insufficient to help young observers, but they complement the many other books available on these topics.—Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL

Gr 6 Up—In this very thorough account, Behnke chronicles Alexander's successes and failures as a commander. Assuming power at the age of 20, after the assassination of his father, the young man continued King Philip's ambition of conquering Asia and expanding the empire, and so he rallied support from the various city-states throughout Macedonia and Greece, and began his long march. With occasionally exhaustive detail, the many battles and sieges are described, as are the various enemies that Alexander and his conquering army faced. His strength as a strategist in battle as well as his ability to assimilate new cultures into his growing empire made him one of the greatest leaders the ancient world had known. Behnke gives enough background information about Greece and the world in which Alexander was raised to bring him to life for readers, making him more than just another historical figure. Helpful maps of the route through the Middle East and Asia and interesting sidebars and illustrations of Alexander and his contemporaries appear throughout. Detailed source notes, a thorough time line, a who's who of the major players, and an explanation of the differences between primary and secondary sources are all provided, making this a solid choice for any biography collection.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Gr 7 Up—A comprehensive resource. Each chapter is written to stand alone, so students can dip in and use the information in each section for reports or to answer personal questions without having to read the entire book. Topics addressed include different types of tobacco products, addiction, health effects, statistics, and how to stop using tobacco. The examples and strategies for quitting are tailored to young people. Several help hotlines and Web sites are included. The book is packed full of statistics, with sources to help students look up more. The only drawback is that the organization by section allows some overlap, so some facts and statements are repeated many times in the book. However, since it is not really intended to be read straight through, this will not affect most users.—Robin Henry, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX

Gr 5–8—These books invite readers to travel back in time and tour ancient civilizations, thus providing an attractive and interesting way to explore these topics. How to travel, places to stay, what to see, and what to eat are all included. Colorful photographs, illustrations, reproductions, and boxed tips for travelers help to sustain the travel-guide style and provide more information. Aztec Empire explains that two calendars are used to keep dates, one by the priests for religious festivals and the other for the ordinary people to calculate important events such as market days. Bingham mentions that all men are required to work for the empire part of the year, and that it provides the basic necessities for those who are too old to work or become ill, or in emergencies. In Ancient China, suggested sights include The Great Wall; the peaceful countryside; or great cities such as Dunhuang, a trading city, and Chang'an, a city of emperors. With their "you-are-there" approach, these books are perfect for browsing.—Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX

Gr 4 Up—These two entries in a new series cover the daily lives, religions, societies, governments, and cultures of the ancient Egyptians and the Vikings. Brief biographies of notables such as Rameses the Great (Egyptians) and Leif Erikson (Vikings) are included, along with made-up "dudes" like Bjorn the Berserk (included to explain the infamous Viking warriors known as berserkers). Illustrated by a comic strip/animation artist, both books use a cartoon format. The lively, often irreverent texts, full of puns and slang, will engage young readers, though the small font used in many places makes them hard to read. Both volumes include explanations of their respective pantheons and information about writing systems-hieroglyphics in Egyptians and runes in Vikings. Unfortunately, there is no bibliography. Still, Cando's expressive, brightly colored comic characters are sure to entice many a dude to pick these books up-don't expect them to stay on the shelves.—Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

Gr 7 Up—Under the über-enthusiastic facade of hype and marketing that burdens this book, readers will find a sensible weight-loss plan. Focused on keeping blood sugar levels constant by eating a small meal every three hours, it emphasizes the need for controlled portions and balanced nutrients. Cruise laces the text with interviews with teens who have successfully lost weight on this diet and packs in plenty of practical tips for following it in the midst of busy schedules. The promise of a healthy loss of two pounds per week, paired with the balanced nutrition advice, takes this out of the fad diets category. The book concludes with a section of recipes and lists of healthy snack and fast-food choices. While the basic information is sound, the author devotes 50 pages to a personal journal, complete with daily tips and visualization exercises, where teens are to record progress and keep a food diary, decreasing the book's suitability for libraries. A comprehensive, straightforward, common-sense treatment of weight loss that lacks the hype can be found in Michael D. Lebow's Overweight Teenagers: Don't Bear the Burden Alone (Basic Bks., 2003).—Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

Gr 6 Up—As they did in The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest (2002) and The Faery Reel: Tales from the Twilight Realm (2004, both Viking), the editors have assembled 26 stories that present tricksters around the world. A shape-changing Japanese fox-girl comforts a lonely American boy; three generations of oil barons run afoul of Hermes and three human summoners protesting the family greed; an albino Cajun girl fools the devil. Settings are mostly other than present day and include ancient times. Readers who pay attention to the author's note will learn much about tricksters worldwide and their various natures. Each author's background is profiled, and while only a few have written books for children, all are previously published short-story writers. This excellent collection is bound to find an audience among experienced readers of the genre but is attractive to less-able readers, as well, for the short, punchy stories and an always-engaging trickster character.—Susan Hepler, formerly at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

Gr 7–10—These well-organized volumes present general information that report writers, particularly reluctant readers, will find useful. Brightly colored illustrated facts and statistics charts invite perusal. Thought-provoking questions introduce most of the chapters in both volumes. Performance-Enhancing Drugs covers ethical issues and dangers in usage, effectiveness of testing, and prevention. Nicotine addresses the dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco and of exposure to secondhand smoke, why young people use tobacco, and how numbers can be reduced. Primary-source quotes are well documented. (Since the short quotes are out of context and have words inserted and taken out, some educators may not accept these quotes as primary sources.) Above-average back matter has source notes, related organizations, key people and advocacy groups, a drug chronology, and a list of the illustrated statistics. Many books cover similar topics, but these titles are helpful for filling in gaps or updating collections.—Debbie S. Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

Gr 9 Up—Ellis has done a terrific job of selecting interesting and relevant scenes from new, professionally produced plays. The selections range from under a minute to approximately 10 minutes long, making them appropriate for competition or in the classroom. Teachers will appreciate the fairly comprehensive section of tips for preparing selections for competition and exercises in both language use and physicality. Most of the characters range in age from middle teens to middle 20s. Students can choose from scenes for two women, scenes for two men, scenes for a man and woman, or monologs that don't specify gender. There is a good mix of comic, seriocomic, and serious pieces. Prior to each selection, Ellis gives suggestions for characterization and staging, and even offers ideas for students to explore while preparing the piece for performance. High school students and teachers will be pleased with the breadth and depth of the character selections and genres represented.—Terrilyn Fleming, Colby Public Schools, KS

Gr 4–7—Both of these titles are filled with fun tidbits and suggestions for "beating the rest" at myriad interesting things. They are certain to be popular with readers who have plenty of free time and an adventurous spirit. Examples of more than 150 combined skills ranging from benign (making bubble bath) to outrageous (ripping a phone book in half) to outrageously exaggerated (how to survive in outer space/how to cope if zombies attack). The titles open with disclaimers disavowing any responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred from acting on the information contained within—these texts must be used with heavy doses of common sense. The boys' text contains the more outlandish tips—"Fight off a crocodile." "Escape quicksand." In Girls, the suggestions are more sedentary: "Give yourself a perfect manicure." "Knit with your fingers." "Grow a crystal." But if taken in the spirit of fun, many readers will enjoy the experiences while those with an underdeveloped sense of irony might be better off skipping certain entries.—Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Gr 9 Up— Religions covers traditional African beliefs, plus the spread of Christianity and Islam, and how they are practiced today; Islam focuses solely on that religion. Each book has a chapter on recent religious conflicts. The volumes are attractive, with color maps and photos, glossaries (incomplete) and bibliographies; Islam also has a chronology. The information presented is adequate but, in texts of under 100 pages, is clearly superficial. There are some issues: the maps don't indicate the Sahara Desert, making repeated references to "sub-Saharan" Africa confusing (the term isn't explained in the texts, either). None of the quotes are thoroughly referenced (about a third aren't given any citation whatsoever). Religions overuses the passive voice and lacks a conclusion; the authors also attribute female genital mutilation solely to traditional African religions (Marcovitz has a lengthy section on it in Islam). Finally, most of the material in Islam is covered in Religions, though not always in as much detail. Thus, for most libraries, Religions alone will suffice. Aloysius M. Lugira's African Religion (Facts On File, 2004) gives a thorough overview just of traditional African religions in 200 pages plus.—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Gr 9 Up—Tolstoy's complex, fascinating life is presented succinctly in this readable biography. Using archival materials including diaries, photographs, and contemporary articles, Heims ties his subject's experiences directly to his writing. Tolstoy's lifelong struggle between his "sensual nature" and "spiritual hunger" is frankly presented, recounting bouts of dissolute behavior and ethical searching. The writer's early years as the orphan of wealthy, landed parents, his service in the Crimea, his travels, marriage, and political concerns are all touched upon. His contributions to education and nonviolent philosophy are also included. Painted on the canvas of turbulent times in Russia, this is a fine overview of the social and historical era that shaped the man. A welcome and attractive addition to most libraries.—Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

Gr 7 Up—Altered books are a hot craft trend, and this is the first how-to book on the subject for a young audience. The author starts with how to find materials (don't use library books), background preparation, a few words on design, and tools and materials. Appropriate warnings are given for using a craft knife and a box cutter. The bulk of the book consists of 39 techniques and projects ranging from collage to stamping, from using words already in the book to create poetry to making a purse or a clock. The step-by-step directions are clearly written, and the examples shown are accessible to teens, unlike some of those in books for adults. Creative crafters looking for more sophisticated techniques might try Barbara Matthiessen's Altered Book Collage (Sterling, 2005) or Holly Harrison's Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking (Rockport, 2003). Using discarded volumes after weeding to make altered books could be a great teen program.—Nancy Kunz, Tuckahoe Public Library, NY

Gr 4–9—This attractive overview begins with geography and moves to the colorful stories that characterize the city. Hurd tapped local experts and collections, using primary and secondary sources and the responses of young readers to craft this engaging resource. Beginning with the Ice Age, a time line opens each chapter. Projects range from making a miniature glacier or a Ferris wheel to planning a fire-escape route or tracing one's family history. Walking tours offer maps, directions, and such itineraries as "Chicago's Oldest Landmarks" or "Modern Skyscrapers." The success of the 21 projects is uneven, but immensely readable details broaden the events described, such as why the Black Sox were motivated to throw the 1919 World Series. Excellent-quality photos, maps, illustrations, or boxed facts appear on every page. Skimmers can read parts, focus on projects, or pick up information from the short insets that offer relevant details. The bibliography reads like a resource list for Chicago collections with asterisks to distinguish titles for younger readers. Suggested places to visit, helpful Web sites, and a thorough index are also appended. An all-in-one resource, this is a good starting point for project ideas, history, and general information.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

Gr 3–6—Interesting although somewhat superficial, these books cover the control and applications of modern and future robots. Brains describes computers, microchips, sensors, and artificial intelligence in the context of robots. Jefferis includes information on robots as toys; safety and performance enhancers in cars; humans' assistants, servants, and competitors, as in the case of chess; and as automated controllers in transportation and service industries. Voyagers discusses their applications in space from Sputnik through deep-space probes, undersea, in the air and other extreme environments, and their ability to guide vehicles in races against other robot-controlled vehicles. Workers focuses on robotics in industry—in automobile manufacturing, agriculture, hazardous work sites, and so on. All three titles include information on how robots work. Texts are brief, with most of the material presented in captions to the outstanding color photos and other illustrations. A factual error crops up in the claim that the Titanic sank in 1919, rather than in 1912, and the statement that "some scientists say [Pluto] should not be called a planet at all" is dated (Voyagers). Attractive, but basic introductions.—Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH

Gr 5–8—Simon Eliot presents his own world of facts, taking his inspiration from spiders and creating "a kind of cobweb of stuff." The child explains that most of the information was "found out on the Web," while "the rest…is a result of my own genius." What follows is a collection of odd facts, loosely organized into broad sections ("Intestinal Stuff," "Famous Journeys & Adventures," "Important Inventions," "Sweaty Stinky Stuff," etc.). The tidbits range from the comical ("'Dead from the neck up' means someone who's really stupid") to the practical ("Elephants are usually gentle giants, but if annoyed they will go into a blind trampling rage"). Many also deal with toilets and body functions. Scratchy pen-and-ink illustrations appear throughout, including a drawing of breasts to accompany an entry on Amazons "who each cut off their right breast so they could better draw their bow and arrow." Rest assured, if your patrons don't know the word "crap," they will after meeting Simon. He is from New Zealand, so his perspective and language might occasionally confuse American readers. While funny and interesting, this book is not a necessary purchase.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 6 Up—Describing how injustices suffered as a Mayan child led Menchú to become an influential advocate of human rights for indigenous peoples, this stirring biography is the strongest of these three books. Kallen discusses the controversy surrounding the Nobel laureate's first and most famous work, I, Rigoberta Menchú, including author commentary. Although mentioned in the text, Menchú's Crossing Borders is omitted from the further-reading list. Whereas the selection of photos and captions enhance the text, the other two works suffer from stock photos and generic captions. Huerta covers the activist's skills as a negotiator, her decision to give up teaching to help poor Mexican workers, the difficulty she had combining family life and work, and her current activity. Generally, the quotations are the strongest part of the book and help tell the story of this remarkable woman. A map showing the route of a march during her grape boycott is a helpful addition. In Ochoa, Wukovits describes the astronaut's flights and other work at NASA and her family life but provides little new information or inspiration. Many quotes are from documents that are easily accessible online. Consider purchasing Menchú for reports; better information on Huerta and Ochoa can be found elsewhere.—Linda L. Plevak, Bulverde/Spring Branch Library, Spring Branch, TX

Gr 6–8—In this slim volume, significant aspects of the Austrian artist's life, times, and work are touched upon. From frescoes in theaters to elegant portraits mostly of women, the featured paintings are colorful and sometimes ornate with elaborate patterns and accented with gold. The quality reproductions demonstrate the range of Klimt's art from the intimate The Kiss to the pastoral A Farmhouse on Lake Atter. This attractive introduction provides enough information for brief reports.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

Gr 9 Up—Lewis examines four landmark Supreme Court cases, each one representing a different right: the presumption of innocence, the right to counsel, the right to a trial by jury, and the right to confront one's accusers. Each chapter gives an overview of the case followed by the court's opinion, both majority and dissenting, and then by authoritative secondary sources writing on the decision and its legacy. There are excerpts from works by attorneys, professors, legal analysts, judges, and reporters. These individuals offer their thoughts as excerpted from legal journals, books, Web journals, and periodicals. In addition to the four detailed chapters, the book also offers an annotated table of contents, an in-depth index, and a list of organizations to contact for additional information. This volume is a solid, almost dense, resource for students doing research on these issues and on how our legal system works.—Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT

Gr 8 Up—From unfortunate marriages to naive political decisions, Mary Stuart seemingly lived from one disaster to another. Tensions between Catholics and Protestants as well as political unrest in England exacerbated her problems and eventually led to her execution. Her history is closely tied to that of Scotland, France, and England, with a bit of Spain thrown in, and as such, is a sometimes confusing parade of characters and places even for readers with some knowledge of 16th-century events. This book is serviceable for report writers and those with an interest in the subject. Its format is more traditional, without the sidebars, section headings, and attention grabbers that many nonfiction series are now using; there is not much that breaks up the text. Color images help, but the dense, high-level reading content may be too much for students who read below grade level. The book is well sourced. Sally Stepanek's Mary, Queen of Scots (Chelsea House, 1987) is similar in scope and design, though it lacks color images. John Guy's Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart (Houghton, 2004) is a much longer adult book, but readers who are really interested in this figure may enjoy it.—Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Gr 4–6—The vibrant, eye-catching cover of this well-designed, neatly arranged book is sure to attract the attention of dragon fans and aspiring artists. A "Choose your tools" box illustrates the supplies needed (pastel pencil, crayon, watercolor, fine-tip marker, colored pencil, marker, poster paint). An outline map (that does not identify the continents) indicates where the types of dragons originated. Detailed drawings of 11 creatures (Aboriginal Rainbow Serpent, Lambton Wyrm, Chinese Imperial Dragon, etc.) require anywhere from 12 to 50 steps to complete. The technique is similar to the method used in Lee J. Ames's books, but Masiello includes boxes with additional drawing ideas for fish scales, Maya patterns and shapes, a treasure chest, and so on, and a paragraph of facts about each dragon. The glorious, fire-breathing creatures depicted nearly leap off the page.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 2–5—These activities, crafts, and games are arranged by type of material used, such as rocks, pebbles, and shells; soil, clay, and sand, etc. There's a wide range of interesting projects, including clay beads, a glittering sand castle, potpourri, a sea sparkler, a wind sock, a gourd birdhouse, broken-china mosaics, homemade paper, rock sculpture, and garden chimes. Children will also learn how to make natural glue, cornstarch paint, and salt clay. Materials needed and numbered directions are given for each activity. Most supplies are easily obtainable through scraps from nature, recyclables, and general items; others must be purchased from craft or hardware stores. Safety tips and warnings are listed where appropriate; adult supervision is required for about 16 of the projects. Boxed text provides additional information, such as why you can't pick flowers in national parks. Black-and-white illustrations appear throughout. Useful advice and educational tips are included throughout, such as the importance of trees, the art of recycling, John James Audubon, Arbor Day, Stonehenge, and animal rescue. A "Nature's Paint" chart explains which berries and flowers produce certain colors for painting. The list for further exploration includes 39 books and l4 Web sites. The teacher's guide is handy as it lists activities by age level. This book will be a popular addition to library collections and useful in classroom settings to supplement science and art assignments.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 3–6—Both books have remarkable color visuals, anecdotes from the photographers' field experiences, and factual information about the animals. The Nicklins outline the special abilities and physical features of dolphins, such as echolocation, as well as diet, reproduction, swimming habits, and threats to their existence. Rosing tells how he and his wife tried to fend off a polar bear "with a toothache" and a yen for their spaghetti dinner while they waited for a helicopter rescue. The book describes the animal's diet, physical features, and habitat, and the dangers of global warming. A small map denotes range and den locations. These attractive, smoothly written books, topped off with advice about self-directed research, will catch the attention of enthusiasts and motivate them toward personal investigation.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Gr 5–8—The role of transportation in national history has seldom been more clearly delineated than in this meticulous treatment. Spanning prehistory to the 19th century, the sparkling text, inflected with wry humor, focuses sequentially on the Hudson River and Erie Canal, the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Rio Grande, and the Colorado Rivers, and the Columbia River. Each chapter begins with quotations pertaining to the river, from the literary to songs such as "Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal" and "Roll On, Columbia, Roll On." Each chapter discusses the river's source, indigenous inhabitants and civilization, exploration, and the impact of settlement in historical, sociological, and environmental terms. The straightforward historical progression of each chapter makes it easy to follow and gives the prose a sense of narrative and story. Maps, color photographs, and period reproductions are well placed. Text in blue highlights relevant people (e.g., Washington Irving, John Chapman), incidents (the New Madrid Earthquake, the fate of the steamboat Far West as it impacted General Custer's final days), or concepts (the Northwest Passage, for example). The lack of an index is a bit of a problem, though the organization is such that most items pertaining to a particular river will be in the chapter concerning it. This is a sound report source, and it will supplement units on American history generally and the Westward expansion in particular.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

Gr 4–8—This casually written collective biography summarizes the lives of 13 athletes from the United States and Canada. With the exception of Jim Thorpe, the people included are mostly young, modern, and unknown outside the arena of their sport. The mix of sports is eclectic, ranging from traditional baseball and basketball to wheelchair racing, kayaking, and ringette, a popular Canadian sport for women, virtually unheard of in most of the United States. Schilling briefly describes the lives of the athletes and the personal hardships or discrimination they had to overcome. He stresses in an almost redundant way that all of them have strived to stay away from the evils of alcoholism and drug use. Black-and-white photographs are included. Personal quotations from author interviews and major accomplishments appear in bold text throughout, often reading like clichéd inspirational advice. "Believe in your dreams," "Don't be a quitter," "Listen to your coaches." Despite this overly folksy element, Schilling's message is clear. This is a hopeful book that fills a much-needed void in books about modern Native Americans. However, its audience is limited. Recommended for libraries with Native heritage in their area and larger libraries with extensive sports biography collections.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 7–10—This book has elements of Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada (Doubleday, 2003) and Linda Francis Lee's The Devil in the Junior League (St. Martin's, 2006), but is geared to teens. There is mention of every popular, up-to-date brand name, movie, and store. There is advice on how to identify each clique in high school by fashion alone. The author gives dating advice, fashion advice, and advice on how to handle oneself in public. All of this "advice" is there to support the social climbers' quest to the A-List. Many of Schneider's comments are definitely New York specific, but she does succeed in creating an environment that is recognizable on almost any high school campus. Done in interesting and eye-catching fonts, the book will attract readers, but unless they're really interested in becoming A-Listers, it all becomes a bit much. Schneider does talk about the importance of fashion reflecting who you are—she encourages readers to figure that out independently and not be followers. Though parts of the book are entertaining, it's unlikely that it will be read cover to cover.—Emily Garrett, Armstrong Elementary School, Sachse, TX

Gr 7–9—Felix Mendelssohn's older, musically talented sister, Fanny, is recounted here as one of her brother's most ardent consorts. Her privileged upbringing, with music lessons and recitals side by side with her brother, soon recedes to the background as her young adult years focus on a suitable husband, marriage, and childrearing. As was the custom of the period, Fanny's musical education was not permitted to flourish into a composer's and musician's profession. Through letters and correspondence with Felix, readers see the woman living her dream through her brother's success as he traveled, performed, and composed. She also moved within the circles of upcoming and well-established musicians of the day, such as Mozart and Bach, and managed to compose several pieces that are gaining respect today. This well-documented biographical account incorporates historical aspects of Germany's politics and makes reference to the family's Jewish background despite their conversion to Christianity to avoid the prejudicial backlash of anti-Semitism. The dry, often stagnant text is interspersed with numerous color and black-and-white reproductions of paintings and drawings on display at museums and libraries around the world. An unexciting yet informative biography of an esteemed woman and her overlooked work and potential.—Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

Gr 4–6—The first part of this book gives nine reasons for sneezes. A spread is devoted to each one, complete with a black-and-white photograph of an irritated nose or two, paired with a color enlargement of the microscopic component that causes the particular sneeze. Lily's got pollen in her nose; she's shown mid-sneeze. Pollen grains are shown magnified 1,525 times. Other pests include ground pepper, dust mites, mildew, dust, and the flu virus. The large, white text on a black background, while giving a picture-book look, is actually packed with a lot of information. Readers will learn that even bright sunshine can make one's nose get all itchy and twitchy. The text is chatty and inviting. Children are pictured sniffling through their particular sneeze-inducing dilemmas. One section delves into what goes into the making of a sneeze: "A sneeze is a reflex…." A "More About Sneezing" section is quite interesting. For example, people don't sneeze while they're sleeping, and some people sneeze while they pluck their eyebrows. This is a unique selection, good for reports and for browsers.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 7–9—Joan of Arc is such a fascinating character, it's not surprising that countless books have been written about her. What is surprising is how inept, inadequate, and/or inappropriate most of them are, including this one. The book is visually attractive, thorough, and complete, but the writing is wordy and repetitious, and uses difficult, undefined terms. The maps are helpful—as far as they go—but many places mentioned in the narrative are omitted. There are major discrepancies between the text and chronology, along with other internal inconsistencies. The footnoting is atrocious, with numerous citations so badly distorted from their sources that one has to question the author's scholarship and judgment. Fortunately, Polly Schoyer Brooks's Beyond the Myth (Houghton, 1999) is still in print and is interesting, thoughtful, and exceptionally well written. Jim Whiting's The Life and Times of Joan of Arc (Mitchell Lane, 2005) is serviceable, and William W. Lace's Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years' War in World History (Enslow, 2003) is detailed but dry.—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up—Eugene Debs, Emma Goldman, Upton Sinclair, Norman Thomas, and John Reed felt stirred to fight the injustices they felt were inflicted upon the poor and working-class citizens of America and other countries as well. These labor activists turned their idealism into action over the course of their lives and changed the American social and political scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They agitated for strikes by underpaid laborers, exposed cruel labor practices, and never let go of their vision of a more equitable system for every person. Goldman and Reed also bore witness to social revolutions abroad. Arrested countless times, they wrote extensively, campaigned for political office, and never stopped trying to help those they considered powerless. In addition to being an introduction to these individuals, this book can also be referred to for an analysis of the Socialist movement and party in America, considering the political affiliations of each of them. Although the text is dry and dense, students searching for in-depth details about the life and work of these individuals will find it here. Good-quality black-and-white photos are scattered throughout.—Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gr 4–8—This clearly written overview emphasizes the impact of super-thin celebrity images on general self-esteem, making weight loss seem like the answer to all kinds of personal problems. Zahensky considers the reasons people overeat and walks readers through practical steps to recognizing true hunger, making a weight-loss plan, and establishing good diet and exercise habits. She examines different types of fad and crash diets, pointing out their inherent dangers. Laid out with a kicky "scrapbook" look, Diet Fads incorporates color snapshots, color around the margins, and color highlights within the text. A practical, common-sense counterbalance to weight-loss hype, this is a solid starting point for students seeking information on the topic for reports or personal use. Anne M. Fletcher's Weight Loss Confidential: How Teens Lose Weight and Keep It Off-and What They Wish Parents Knew (Houghton, 2007) compiles firsthand accounts from teens who were successful at weight loss, and is a complementary follow-up.—Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS