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November 1, 2011

In this Article

Video/DVD

Audio

Video/DVD

Guidance

The “Are You a Bully?” Test. DVD. 23 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2011. ISBN 978-1-55548-938-0. $149.95.
Gr 6-10–In this video, hosted by a young woman and a young man, different kinds of bullying, including physical, verbal, and cyber bullying are described. Seven questions about bullying are posed to viewers and they are asked to think about their own behavior. A psychologist explains that bullying is about power—taking it away from the victim and enhancing the bully’s power. Viewers learn that bullying differs from teasing because it always includes the intent to hurt the target, either physically, emotionally, or psychologically. In addition, girls and boys discuss their experiences as perpetrators and victims of bullying. The excellent teaching materials include pre- and post-tests, role-playing activities, fact sheets, and more. This complete program would be a useful resource for health classes, church youth groups, and scouts.–Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

Language Arts

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! DVD. 6 min. Weston Woods. 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-32610-0. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-32607-0: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-32735-0: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Oh that pigeon—the embodiment of every kid’s secret desires. Now he wants to stay up late. The bus driver, in nightcap and pajamas, warns children not to be swayed by the pigeon’s arguments. That doesn’t stop our plumed persuader from trying to have his way. The book by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2006) is the third of the popular Pigeon series. In this production, Willems is the pigeon, while Jon Scieszka pops in for a brief stint as the bus driver. The book, while delightful, is very short. To expand it for this production, it has been animated and somewhat augmented with additional illustrations and a tad more text. Be sure to watch the end which goes off on a fun hotdog/bus/bunny tangent. Children’s reactions are part of the audio and will encourage young audiences to participate. An interview with the author provides insights and shows him reading the book to a group of children. Subtitles are optional. The book/CD combination would be a great reading center for kindergarten or first-grade classrooms. This delightful production will have viewers giggling even as they begin to yawn.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

The Itsy Bitsy Tiger and Other Ridiculous Stories and Songs. DVD. 43 min. Priscilla Howe, Storyteller. 2010, 2011 release. ISBN unavail. $15.
PreS-Gr 5–Storyteller Priscilla Howe delights viewers and an audience of youngsters at the Union Pacific Depot in Lawrence, Kansas, with four slightly scary stories and several funny songs. With the help of a few outspoken hand puppets, including Trixie, a gray-haired 111-year-old scatterbrain, and Baby, an adorable, feisty infant, Howe has her audience laughing out loud. She plays the straight man, reacting to the ridiculous utterances and behavior of her two sidekicks. Trixie thinks they have assembled for a train ride and that babysitting involves actually sitting on the baby. The little tyke repeatedly spits out her pacifier with a satisfying “pop,” and offers a spirited rendition of “the itsy bitsy tiger went up the piggy’s snout.” When it is story time, they return to their bag, where they purportedly play poker—and accuse one another of cheating. All four stories involve a mother, a brother, a sister, and a baby. They include “The Ghost with the One Black Eye,” “Chickens!” “At Midnight,” and “Now I’ve Gotcha”—all popular campfire tales. In each, a frightening ghost or monster scares one after another in the family until the fearless baby confronts it and gets the last laugh. Howe’s masterful performance relies on voice changes, body movement, repetition, timing, and audience participation. She is not afraid to look or sound silly, and her baby voice is hilarious. Entertain little ones on Halloween or train big ones in the art of storytelling with this riotous romp.–Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, NY

A Pirate’s Guide to First Grade. DVD. 7:30 min. Spoken Arts. 2011. ISBN 0-8045-8138-X. $50; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 0-8045-4225-2: $29.95.
K-Gr 2–A young buccaneer relates his first day of school in this predominantly iconographic version of the book (Feiwel & Friends, 2010) by James Preller. The author introduces the story harkening back to his own childhood and immersion in “the world of make believe.” The red-haired, freckle-faced protagonist, who looks like he stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting, wakes in a room filled with pirate toys and paraphernalia. He proceeds to narrate his day in authentic pirate lingo: he shines his snappers before heading down to the galley for grub; he greets “a salty crew of swabbies” as he boards his “ship” (a yellow school bus); Cap’n Silver is his teacher; at recess, “we even made one buccaneer walk the plank.” As the first tiring day nears an end, he wonders, “Where’s me treasure?” His wise teacher hands him a map, which leads him to the school library and a coveted copy of Treasure Island, among other riches. As in the book, the boy and his surroundings are painted in vivid color by Greg Ruth, while the ghostly pirate crew appears as pale brown sketches, figments of our collective imaginations. While some of the language will challenge viewers, close-ups and limited animation help clarify meaning. Strings and woodwinds provide subtle background music that captures the adventurous spirit. Show this the first weeks of school to playfully introduce the school building and routines as well as on September 19th for International Talk Like a Pirate Day!–Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, NY

Scaredy Squirrel. DVD. 7 min. with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2011. ISBN 0-545-32712-1: $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-32713-8: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-32740-4: $29.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 978-0-545-32752-7: $18.95.
PreS-Gr 3–Melanie Watt’s picture book (Kids Can Press, 2006) comes to life in this humorous production about taking risks. After a cute introduction encouraging viewers to wash their hands, David de Vries’s announcer-style voice brings the book pages to life. Simple animation of Watt’s charcoal-outlined cartoon-like illustrations accompanied by text from the book depicts Scaredy Squirrel and his various fears—germs, killer bees, sharks, Martians, and more—as he stays safely hidden in his tree. Amusing music adds to the fun of the story as the drama unfolds and Scaredy Squirrel is finally forced to leave his tree—only to discover something very special about himself in the process. Optional features include a read-along version, subtitles, and an interview with the author, which even young viewers will enjoy thanks to the many cartoons interspersed within the interview. The teacher’s guide offers suggestions for utilizing the DVD in the classroom with activities for both pre- and post-viewing. Viewers will be left wanting more episodes of Scaredy Squirrel and his funny antics, so have the other books in the series available for them to read.–Cathie Bashaw Morton, Millbrook Central School District, NY

Stone Soup. DVD. 12 min. with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2011. ISBN 0-545-32714-8: $59.95. CD, ISBN 978-0-545-32715-2: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-32741-1: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 3–Jon Muth’s handsomely re-imagined traditional folktale (Scholastic, 2003) about building trust and community is set in a small Chinese village. Here the people have become distrustful and selfish and close their doors not only to strangers but to each other. The arrival of three monks, the promise of soup from a stone, and the bravery of a young girl reunites the community. The story comes to life in this iconographic production that creates the illusion of movement and allows viewers to focus on particular elements of Muth’s rich watercolor illustrations (e.g., the young child’s yellow jacket). BD Wong’s even tone ideally complements the images and enhances the tale. An interview with the author/illustrator provides even greater insight into his work, his recasting of Stone Soup, and his interest in Asian art. A worthy addition to children’s collections.–Maria Salvadore, formerly Washington DC Public Library

Mathematics

Private Tutor: Your Complete SAT Math Prep Course with Amy Lucas. 5 DVDs. with book. Private Tutor SAT. 2011. $119.95 ser.; DVD: $29.95 ea.; book: $29.95.
Gr 10 Up–This five-volume series addresses the math concepts that students must be familiar with on the SAT, the types of problems they can expect to encounter, the problem-solving processes, and basic test-taking skills so that they can experience less anxiety during the test. Instructor Amy Lucas uses an informal lecture-style format to clearly and concisely explain and present arithmetic and algebraic processes. Her introduction puts students at ease by providing them with a basic description of the SAT along with information on when to make educated guesses in selecting the correct response. Lucas divides the test into four categories—test numbers and operations, geometry and measurements, algebra and functions, and statistics and probability—and further breaks these categories into understandable chapters so that the complexity of both the subject and the test is reduced. Ten chapters provide step-by-step instructions and simplify concepts by utilizing illustrated sample problems as well as comprehensive drills at the end of each lecture. Drill questions are reviewed and correct answers are discussed and explained. The accompanying book reviews each lecture and drill. This series will appeal to auditory and visual learns. Library collections serving high school students as well as homeschoolers seeking instruction, practice, and basic standardized test-taking tips for the Math SAT will find this series an essential purchase.–Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Science

China Quake. DVD. 47 min. Prod. by Natural History New Zealand. Dist. by The Video Project. 2011. ISBN unavail. schools and libraries: $85.
Gr 10 Up–This production examines the aftermath of the May 2008 magnitude 7.9 quake that devastated China’s Sichuan Province, resulting in 5 million buildings destroyed and 90,000 lives lost. In the disaster’s wake, an international team of scientists, including seismologists, geologists, and engineers, pooled their resources to find out what made the earthquake so destructive and to prevent future earthquakes from causing such extensive damage. Standing out from the male-dominated team, Dr. Elizabeth Hausler explains the building techniques that made so many of these structures dangerous for their residents. The Chinese and American scientists demonstrate a common goal: to save lives during future disasters. Animation is utilized effectively to visualize engineering concepts and seismologic phenomena. Several laboratory experiments provide strong visual examples as well. The male narration is good; however, poor sound mixing often muffles the narration behind sound effects and the translator’s voice behind the native speakers’ voices. Overall, the film is interesting and depicts cutting edge science working to save lives in a real world environment. The role of civil engineering in averting disasters with the help of scientific observation is a good cross-disciplinary topic for classrooms.–Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Secrets of the Dead: China’s Terracotta Warriors. DVD. approx. 60 min. Prod. by Natural History New Zealand Ltd. in assn. with WNET.org and Nat’l. Geographic Channel. Dist. by PBS Dist. 2011. ISBN 978-1-60883-449-5. $24.99.
Gr 10 Up–It is difficult to imagine a more stunning or mysterious archeological discovery than the 8,000 clay soldiers found in an emperor’s tomb in Xi-an, China, dated 221 BC. This film puts viewers in the shoes of the archeologists and scientists, inviting questions about the warriors’ cultural and scientific significance. Why was the emperor buried with statues representing members of his court? How did artists construct these 6-foot tall, 600-pound statues? What can we learn from the chemical properties of the paint and clay? This richly-layered documentary offers information about the ancient Chinese practice of human sacrifice and the gradual shift towards using clay substitutes. We observe the way scientists use facial recognition software to determine the uniqueness of each statue’s features: no two faces among the 8,000 are the same! Amazingly, the journey of discovery does not end there. Physicists in Florida ran lab tests on chipped blue paint found inside the tomb, determining the magnetic qualities of the material are powerful enough to create faster trains and computers. The content of the film is sophisticated and advanced, but the graphics and maps don’t always live up to this. (Do viewers really need a map to be reminded of the geographic location of Florida?) However, this is just a minor quibble. The film is well-worth purchasing for its skillful interdisciplinary treatment of a fascinating subject.–Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College Queens, NY

Social Studies

A History of Equal Rights in America (Series). 4 DVDs. 3:44 hrs. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Centre Communications/Ambrose Video. Dist. by Ambrose Video. 2011. ISBN 1-58281-377-9. $199.99 ser.
Gr 7 Up–This comprehensive series presents many civil rights issues from “Samuel Gompers Pens the Rights of the Colonists” in 1772 to 2011’s “the Third Wave of Feminism.” Among the topics covered are the right to form labor unions, equal rights in the workplace, women’s suffrage, consumer rights, equal pay, equality in education for blacks, property rights for women, Roe v Wade, gay rights, and more. Each DVD contains two programs, approximately 28 minutes each. Fortunately for educators, individual chapters, each about 6 minutes, can be accessed from a menu. For each chapter, narrator Rosa Vasquez describes the issues that are presented in still pictures and video news clips. Although all programs refer back to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, each covers a select time period and the campaigns and legislation that expanded and protected the rights of Americans. Incidents that spurred awareness of gaps in equal treatment are both described and shown in video news footage. This series would enhance the teaching of issues related to American civil rights for middle and high school students.–Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

Immigrant Nation! The Battle for the Dream. DVD. 96 min. New Day Films. 2010, 2011 release. ISBN 978-1-57448-076-4. $150.
Gr 10 Up–A seemingly routine 2006 immigration arrest in Chicago fueled an already simmering flame of activism which led to massive street demonstrations across the country and increased pressure on legislators to repeal recently enacted anti-immigrant laws. The producers of this documentary focused on this case in which the arrested activist, Elvira Arellano, defied a deportation order so that she could stay with her young son as both took refuge in a Chicago church where she remained for a year. She was eventually deported back to Mexico and was then joined by her son. This well-developed production puts this incident into the larger context of the struggle for reform of our national immigration policy. Utilizing a balance of contemporary video and vintage film footage to illustrate the history of the problem, the program includes commentary from a number of sources on each side of the question of immigration reform. The film’s title hints at the producer’s bias, but that is upfront, making this an excellent resource for students. While the documentary is lengthy, its usefulness is enhanced by the inclusion of a 12-chapter selection option, English or Spanish subtitles throughout, and English subtitles when Spanish is spoken.–Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Lodz Ghetto, Poland (Taken from My Home Series). DVD. 24 min. Fascinating Learning Factory. 2010, 2011 release. ISBN unavail. $29.95.
Gr 9 Up–One particularly gruesome aspect of the Nazi occupation of Eastern Europe was the establishment of ghettos in which Jewish as well as other targeted populations were physically isolated from others. This moving program uses the actual diary entries of Jewish teenagers as the spoken text to illustrate their frustrations, the daily challenges to their lives, and the ultimate realization that they and those in their city were doomed. Citizens of Lodz, an industrial city in eastern Poland, survived longer than those in other parts of the country since they produced equipment and textile goods needed by the Germans. Yet, when it became apparent that the war was lost, the occupiers enhanced their extermination programs in order to leave no witnesses; sadly, that included the young people whose diaries were eventually located and now provide a first-person view into those hellish years. A series of black-and-white still photographs as well as reproductions of documents and maps illustrate the text, which is divided into ten individually accessible chapters. There are some teacher materials included, such as bibliographies and web links to help supplement information. A minor annoyance occurs when playing the complete program—there’s a screen reminding viewers that further information is available at the producer’s website when each segment ends. Viewers will be moved by the heartbreaking entries of their peers more than a half century ago just as they were by Anne Frank’s diary.–Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Mother: Caring for 7 Billion. DVD. 54 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Tiroir A Films. Dist. by motherthefilm.com. 2011. libraries: $39.95 (+$5 s/h), middle/high schools: $95 (+$5 s/h).
Gr 9 Up–As the world’s population reaches the seven billion mark this fall, this timely film examines the multiple causes, the disastrous current effects, and the dark future should there not be major global transformations,. However, little is offered in the way of concrete propositions to solve the resulting societal and environmental problems. The producers postulate that empowering women worldwide is the first step in curbing the growth pattern and that the crisis will become more critical as the planet’s resources are further taxed. The world’s significant concerns about overpopulation in the last third of the 20th century were replaced by other social, military, economic, and political issues; the films producers suggest that these might be results of population growth, a concept that’s difficult to refute. The program utilizes the expertise of noted population authority Paul Ehrlich (The Population Bomb, Buccaneer Books, 1997) and others to bring the issue to the forefront. It also follows the effort of an American mother to effect change on an individual basis in Africa. This flexible program offers English subtitles, an 18-chapter selection option, extensions of interviews, and deleted scenes. Classroom teachers and public library programmers will especially appreciate the very well-developed curricular/instructional materials available in pdf format on the disc. With the world’s population expected to reach 7 billion by the end of October 2011, this film’s timeliness and excellent content will make it a popular purchase.–Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Audio

Many of these titles are available for download and/or in Playaway format. Check distributors’ websites, playaway.com, and audio download retailers for availability and price.

Language Arts

Amalee (unabr.). 4 CDs. 3:53 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-1023-9. $54.97.
Lights, Camera, Amalee (unabr.). 6 CDs. 6:52 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-1029-1. $54.97.
Gr 5-7–Amalee Everly, a bright, introspective 11-year-old, tells about her difficult sixth grade year. She doesn’t like the person she is becoming around her new friends, and her favorite teacher is aloof and critical. When her father becomes seriously ill, his four best friends hold everything together. Though they can’t talk to Amalee about their fears and concerns, they do what they can—John cooks, Joyce organizes, Carolyn paints, and Phyllis sorts out their feelings. When things go terribly wrong at school, it takes all their love to break through Amalee’s shell. In Lights, Camera, Amalee, the girl’s grandmother leaves her a giant champagne bottle full of coins. Inspired by a class assignment, she decides to make a movie about endangered species. Her father and his friends are wonderfully supportive, as are her friends Sarah and Kyle. Along the way, she thinks a lot about her mother, who died when Amalee was very young, and part of her film becomes a metaphor for her mother’s short life. Former foes become friends, her movie wins an award, and the new school year looks bright through the lens of her summer experiences. Dar Williams reads her poignant, emotionally honest first novel (2004) as well as its sequel (2006, both Scholastic) in a sweet voice that makes Amalee seem very real. These rich, satisfying audiobooks are must-have additions to middle school collections.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech as Discovered by Gary Paulsen (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:29 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0177-0. $39.97.
Gr 5-8–Gary Paulsen has written (Wendy Lamb Books, 2006) a brief yet hilarious view of puberty as experienced by the hapless Duane Homer Leech. On each of 20 days, Duane knows that he will inevitably do something embarrassing or gross to humiliate himself. The first day starts with one enormous zit on his forehead which multiplies until he has covered his face with Band-aids in a useless attempt to camouflage the problem. He falls a lot, has a tendency to spill the contents of his lunch tray on the girl he likes, and generally has an awful time. He has an excruciating habit of getting physically excited—even the words “reproductive organs” in the context of dissecting a cat in biology cause him to hope no one notices. The fact that his nickname is Doo Doo is just the icing on the cake. Duane’s confidence has to grow, just like the baby bird nesting outside his window. This enjoyable story is narrated by William Dufris, who provides a remarkable rendition of a boy who has no control of his voice due to hormonal changes. He portrays Duane realistically and sympathetically as a guy who is experiencing a whole range of awkward changes yet has a sort of gallows sense of humor about his life. Highly recommended, especially for reluctant readers.–B. Allison Gray, Santa Barbara Public Library System, CA

Angel Burn (unabr.). 12 CDs. 14:30 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0930-1. $59.97.
Gr 9 Up–A rash of supernatural romance novels involving angels have been published recently, but L. A. Weatherly has done the unexpected here (Candlewick, 2011), creating a fresh and terrifying scenario in the first book of a new series. Angels are beings from another world who are looking for energy to feed on, and humans are the willing sheep whose minds become irreparably damaged by Angel Burn once they have been fed from. Willow, 16, is a psychic who is unaware that she is half angel. While she is giving a reading to a friend, she sees the truth behind what the angels intend. This puts her on the radar of angel assassin Alex, 17, who is a skilled angel killer and a totally hot bad-boy. The fast-paced action and intense romance that blossoms between Willow and Alex during a nail-biter of a road trip will have listeners hooked. Cassandra Campbell narrates both Willow and Alex’s point of view beautifully and reveals emotions that go far beyond the text. The aching intensity of both their romance and the process of discovering the impending second wave of the angel invasion is gripping. Listeners who thought that the angel well had run dry will be hooked and will eagerly await the next installment.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

Beauty Queens (unabr.). 12 CDs. 14:30 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-31538-8. $74.99.
Gr 9 Up–Libba Bray takes vicious aim at American corporate culture, politics, our perceptions of physical attractiveness, and much more in this scathingly humorous tale (Scholastic, 2011) of a beauty pageant gone wrong. Fifty “Miss Teen Dream” beauty pageant contestants and all of their “people” are headed for a fun in the sun promotional photo shoot. Those plans literally go up in smoke when their plane crash-lands on a desert island and only a handful of the girls survive. This is by far Bray’s best written work. She pulls no punches as she takes on everything from tea party politics to reality TV. She trumps her incredible storytelling skills with her narration. Each contestant has a distinctive personality, and Bray she masters a variety of accents from a Texan twang to a California Valley girl. Her male voices, including a crazy dictator, are flawlessly convincing. Bray even improvises by having a breathy Marilyn Monroe-like teen queen introduce each disc number with one of her hilarious observations. “The Corporation,” the sponsor of the pageant, provides commercial breaks throughout the story that is far more effective in audio format. The best of the best!–Shari Fesko, Southfield Public Library, MI

Beet Fields (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:19 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-1092-5. $39.97.
Gr 11 Up–Gary Paulsen makes an abrupt departure from gentle middle-grade fiction with this gritty story (Delacorte, 2000) for mature young adults. “The boy” is a 16-year-old runaway in the summer of 1955. He has escaped the misery of alcoholic parents (and his mother’s amorous advances) to work the beet fields of North Dakota. He encounters kindness: migrant workers help him survive, a farmer offers steady work, and an elderly lady gives him shelter. But the boy also endures the harshness of life on the run: hunger, fear, loneliness. When he joins a traveling carnival, he sees the underbelly of society and has a seductive encounter with Ruby, the carnival’s stripper. MacLeod Andrews delivers a vivid performance with a believable teenage voice. In an author’s note, Paulsen admits to mining his own life and writing this memoir “as real as I can remember it.” His talent with memorable characters and indelible settings shines through here.–Tricia Melgaard, formerly Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:29 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0303-3. $49.97.
Gr 5-7–In this wry and engaging story (Roaring Brook Press, 2011) by Tommy Greenwald, Charlie Joe has achieved the honor of being the cool kid who gets by without ever having to read a whole book. Now that he’s in middle school, however, and his friend Timmy won’t trade book reports for ice cream, Charlie has to get more creative to maintain his record. He is an extremely clever young man and knows all of the proper phrases to use in his reports. Also, he can work a friendship so that both parties come away feeling that they have won, and he promises to spread his manifesto of non-reading with a book filled with short chapters and monosyllabic words. Toss in some very authentic middle-school romance, a few interesting teachers, and 25 “exclusive non-reading tips,” and the book fairly flies along to its surprisingly ironic ending. MacLeod Andrews performs Charlie’s narrative with humor and typical middle-school sarcasm, using exaggerated voices for the other characters. Bonus features include an interview with the author, a section of the book that Charlie refuses to read, and a song about the joys of reading. With a sequel already in the works, Charlie Joe promises to be popular with fans of “The Wimpy Kid” series, and should make even the most reluctant readers stick around to the last (short) chapter.–MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Binghamton, NY

Cryer’s Cross(unabr.). 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4561-3600-0: $41.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4561-3601-7: $51.75.
Gr 7 Up–There’s a secret in the small Montana community of Cryer’s Cross that is killing teens. Tiffany disappears first and after hunting everywhere for her, the community regroups and moves on. Kendall is stunned when her best friend, Nico, goes missing without a trace at the beginning of the next school year. After Nico’s disappearance, Kendall recalls that he grew more and more distant in the days before he vanished. Kendall discovers that Nico and Tiffany both sat at the same desk before they disappeared, and now she begins to hear voices coming from that desk. Kendall suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and begins to think that the condition is finally making her go crazy. But the lure of the voices is too strong and Kendall follows them until she uncovers a lot more than she bargained for. Latino newcomers to town are suspected in the disappearances in this close knit community and Kendall doesn’t know whom to trust. Julia Whelan reads Lisa McMann’s thriller (Simon Pulse, 2011) that combines mystery, ghosts, and romance in a straightforward yet easygoing manner that nicely offsets the building tension as the mystery unfolds. For fans of the supernatural and vampire stories.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Dead End in Norvelt (unbar.) 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Macmillan Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4272-1356-3. $29.99.
Gr 5-8–It is the summer of 1962 and Jack Gantos is 12 years old in this “entirely true and wildly fictional” story (Farrar, Straus, 2011). Jack lives with his parents in Norvelt, Pennsylvania, a town planned during the Great Depression by Eleanor Roosevelt. His summer quickly turns sour when his mother grounds him for the entire two months for something his father made him do. Jack’s mother loans him out to ancient Mrs. Volker to assist her in writing the town’s obituaries, a job that keeps the boy hopping since the original residents are quickly dying off. As Mrs. Volker and Jack spend the summer together, they develop an unusual friendship. She teaches Jack about language and history by dictating luminous obits and fascinating “This Day in History” facts. Jack relishes driving the woman around town to investigate the sudden rash of elderly deaths. Gantos narrates his laugh-out-loud semi-autobiographical tale, providing a pitch-perfect rendition of Jack’s sarcasm, exaggeration, and whining. Included on the CD, but not available for review, is a video interview with Gantos where he explains “one of the prime motivations for the book is this notion that history, our history, is so vastly important.” The author’s trademark quirky characters are in abundance here and while the plot rises to only a gentle crest, middle school listeners will thoroughly enjoy the ride.–Tricia Melgaard, formerly Broken Arrow Public Schools, Tulsa, OK

Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Disobedience School. CD. 12:26 min. with paperback book. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-31537-1. $18.99.
K-Gr 3–David de Vries presents Marc Teague’s sad tale (Scholastic, 2002) of poor Ike LaRue with vim and glee. Falsely accused of being a “bad dog,” Ike is sent to reform…er…obedience school. In heart-wrenching letters, he describes his ordeal, pleading his case. C’mon, those cats weren’t REALLY hurt. And that whole barking thing? Completely overblown. Teague’s drab illustrations show the miserable life the pooch is leading, while full-color insets imply that all is not as bad as the pooch insists. A daring escape leads to an equally amazing rescue and Ike is welcomed home. The narrator goes delightfully over the top, using the first-person narrative of the letters to project Ike’s rascally personality. Background music reflects the tone of the text, and occasional sound effects add just the right touch. Children can enjoy the presentation while perusing the detailed and amusing illustrations. This will make a nice listening center, and would be a good choice while teaching “point of view.”–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Desert Crossing (unabr.). 5 CDs. 5:55 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4418-1356-5. $49.97.
Gr 8 Up–Spring break has just begun for 14-year-old Lucy Martinez. She’s traveling with her 18-year-old brother, Jamie, from Kansas to Phoenix, AZ, to visit their dad. Riding shotgun is Jamie’s best friend, Kit. While traveling through a very remote part of New Mexico during a fierce rainstorm, they hit a bump. Jamie and Kit are convinced it was a coyote, but Lucy isn’t sure and makes Jamie turn the car around. They find a dead girl lying on the side of the road. A solitary house in the distance, owned by an artist named Beth, provides the only phone for miles. A preliminary investigation proves Jamie didn’t hit the girl—she was dead prior to her body being dumped. Yet the girl’s open, empty eyes haunt Lucy and propel her to help find the murderer. The relationship between Lucy and Kit leans toward normal, but the sexual fling between Jamie and Beth, a 30-something divorcee, stretches the line pretty thin. The tone and pace of Amy Rubinate’s narration is wonderful, especially when voicing the range of Lucy’s emotions. Elise Broach’s page-turner (Holt, 2006)—part mystery, part love story—reminds us that in the blink of an eye, encountering a detour in life’s path can change you forever.–Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

The End of Time: The Books of Umber, Book 3 (unabr.). 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 10:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4407-5000-7: $67.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4561-3375-7: $97.75.
Gr 5-8–When Lord Umber revealed to Happenstance his origins in the hope that he would be able to travel back to Earth and prevent its destruction, Hap’s life suddenly became hugely important. Hap is struggling to control his powers, but attacks from a rogue Sorceress, a power mad war monger from Umber’s world, and a monster hunting him leave Hap too distracted to fulfill his destiny. To succeed in saving his new friends and Umber’s old world, Hap must abandon his feelings for those around him. Without emotions weighing him down, Hap becomes a full Meddler and begins the final journey that takes him from his friends, but saves millions of lives. Years later, Hap and Umber reunite to revel in Hap’s successes in this fantastic conclusion (2011) to P. W. Catanese’s riveting fantasy trilogy. The author again raises questions about morality and the depths of friendship, and does it with compelling characters and wonderful world-building. Narrator Richard Poe holds listeners’ attention effortlessly. Embracing Hap’s confusion, fear, and distress as he learns what is necessary to save Umber’s world, Poe easily evokes our sympathy. Fans of the previous volumes will be satisfied with this conclusion. Libraries circulating Happenstance Found (2009) and Dragon Games (2010, all Aladdin) should consider this a necessary purchase.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Everfound: The Skinjacker Trilogy, Book 3 (unabr.). 12 CDs. 14 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4418-5390-1. $87.97.
Gr 8 Up–Following the cataclysmic confrontation between Nick, the Chocolate Ogre, and Mary Hightower at Graceland’s vortex in Everwild (2009), the lives of many Afterlights (those who have died and are living in an alternate afterlife) in Everlost are drastically changed. Since Nick melted, his Afterlights were captured by Mary’s loyal skinjackers and forced into captivity. As they race to catch the skinjackers’ train and free Allie the Outcast, Mikey McGill and the partially restored Nick have no idea that Mary will eventually reawaken. Jinx, a new skinjacker, joins the train, intending to assist his Mayan King in bringing down the Eastern Witch. Meanwhile, Mikey meets a scar wraith, a man who was burned badly enough that he is part of both the living world and Everlost and holds the power to extinguish Everlost souls permanently. While the struggles for power in Everlost multiply, Allie works to eliminate those skinjackers who could help Mary fulfill her twisted dream of destroying the living world before it is too late for everyone. Nick Podehl provides phenomenal narration for Neal Shusterman’s imaginative and satisfying conclusion (2011, both S & S) to the “Skinjacker Trilogy”. He perfectly transitions from one character to the next, bringing each one to life and easily evoking all their emotions. This exceptionally well-done production would be a wonderful addition to middle/high school and public library collections.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Fever Crumb (unabr.). 6 CDs. 6:59 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-28292-5. $64.99.
Gr 5-8–Fever was adopted as an infant by the Order of Engineers in a future London. The only female, she is raised by Dr. Crumb almost as an experiment in the training of women (who are not thought capable of logic). Dr. Crumb agrees to send Fever out to assist an archeologist on a clandestine undertaking. While on the mission, Fever discovers a great deal about the world in which she has been born and some things about her own background. Philip Reeve’s riveting story (Scholastic, 2010) will be recognized by fans as a prequel to “The Hungry City Quartet” (HarperCollins), but it stands entirely alone. Set in the London of an uneasy, warring future, Fever and other memorable characters come brilliantly to life through the author’s resonant narration. At the novel’s conclusion, Reeve’s shares a deleted chapter from the print version (it made the book too long) which provides greater insight into the characters’ world and their motivations as well as the author’s writing process and the impetus for his work.–Maria Salvadore, formerly Washington DC Public Library

Flat Broke (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:59 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-1416-9. $39.97.
Gr 5-9–Wildly confident, Kevin is back in Gary Paulsen’s humorous follow-up (2011) to Liar, Liar (2011, both Wendy Lamb Books). This time, Kevin has lost his allowance (for all the lies in the first episode) and needs to find a way to raise some funds so he can impress Tina Zabinski, the girl of his dreams. He determines he should become “filthy rich” at the age of 14. However, when his big plans hit even bigger walls, he once again finds himself looking for a way to avoid disaster. Joshua Swanson, who also read the first title, provides another solid performance, pulling readers in with his convincing portrayal of Kevin and his excellent comedic pacing. Those familiar with the first title will applaud this sequel, while those new to the series will want to go back and find out how Kevin got into all of this trouble in the first place.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Forgotten (unabr.). 6 CDs. 6:19 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2011. ISBN 978-0-307-71116-8. $34.
Gr 7 Up–What if, at the end of every day all of your memories of that day and all of the days before that disappeared, but you could “remember” your future? Sixteen-year-old London Lane, a typical teenager in all other ways, must write notes at the end of each day to hide her condition from classmates and her new boyfriend, Luke, who doesn’t exist in her future memories. The mystery of her condition and the circumstances that caused it are gradually revealed in an entertaining rendering of Cat Patrick’s novel (Little Brown, 2011) by narrator Julia Whelan. Dialogue between London and Luke and between London and her mother is snappy and believable. The girl’s inner thoughts, which make up most of the story, sound like an often insecure, confused teen with lots of inner resolve to get through each day, knowing she won’t remember it tomorrow. A scene where London falls asleep while with Luke, waking with no knowledge of him, but believing she is in a minivan with a stranger, showcases Whelan’s ability to create tension and maintain listeners’ interest. However, the voices of the male characters are somewhat indistinguishable. Overall, though, a satisfactory listen.–Ann Brownson, Ballenger Teachers Center, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:39 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-61106-099-7. $54.97.
Gr 4-6–Twelve-year-old Florence Crutchfield leaves a London orphanage in the winter of 1883 to live in her Great-Uncle Thomas’s country house. Resembling her cousin Sophia who died in an accident the previous year, Florence quickly makes an enemy of Great-Aunt Eugenie who doted on Sophia and will not allow anyone to take her place. Florence is drawn to her frail and reclusive cousin James, who blames himself for his sister’s death. In gloomy Crutchfield Hall, Florence first senses, then feels, and finally sees Sophia’s ghost who has grown stronger as the anniversary of her death approaches. Though repelled by the ghostly figure, smelling of earth and mold, she is powerless to resist Sophia’s demands. Florence removes the protection over the door of James’s bedroom and must watch on the snow-covered roof as the boy is forced to reenact the dare that caused his sister’s death. Sarah Coomes narrates Mary Downing Hahn’s atmospheric gothic tale (Clarion, 2010), giving a distinctive voice to each character. Particularly chilling is Sophia’s spoiled, vengeful voice assuring Florence that she always gets her way. Yet when James climbs down from the roof, finally overcoming his fear, Coomes convincingly voices the envious, insecure girl that Sophia was in life. This short, spooky tale will captivate listeners.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

The Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen (unabr.). 7 CDs. 8:21 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2011. ISBN 978-0-307-74675-7. $50.
Gr 5-7–Colorful descriptions of the Midwest in the late 1890s combine with lively characters and a comical plot to render a delightful continuation (2011) of the adventures of Cissy who was first introduced by Geraldine McCaughrean in Stop the Train (pap. 2005, both HarperCollins). In this story, 12-year-old Cissy and her friends Tibby and Kookie leave their small Oklahoma town to escape a diphtheria outbreak. Accompanied by their teacher, the children join Miss Lucien and the Bright Lights Theater Group aboard The Sunshine Queen, a steam paddle boat in Missouri. Each stop along the river brings further adventures, including encounters with sheriffs, gamblers, and pirates. Lorna Raver’s narration features a perfect Midwestern twang, and her timing and intonation are just right for delivering the tongue-in-cheek humor found in each fantastic episode. Although this is a complex story involving many characters, listeners who can appreciate allusions to the bible and to Shakespeare and those who like historical fiction similar to Richard Peck’s The Teacher’s Funeral (Scholastic, 2004) will thoroughly enjoy this adventure.–Cynthia Grabke, Coakley Middle School, Norwood, MA

The Heart of Glass: The Third Tale from the Five Kingdoms (unabr.). 5 CDs. 5:24 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0985-1. $44.97.
Gr 4-6–Gracie Gillypot and Prince Marcus are off on another adventure. A simple day of dwarf spotting, however, turns into a comical life and death struggle as events domino. There’s a royal wedding that leads to a problem with dwarf gold reserves. This paves the way for an unfortunate bargain with the trolls involving a pretty princess, and Marcus ends up promising to provide the needed royalty in an attempt to save Gracie who is in peril since a Trueheart’s death might fulfill a dangerous prophecy. And, naturally, bats are involved. Renée Raudman performs Vivian French’s book (Candlewick, 2010) in a clear, measured way, giving unique voices to all of the characters. This is another amusing adventure with tongue-in-cheek humor, a few scary moments, and some slapstick thrown in for fun. Knowledge of the previous books in the series is necessary for true enjoyment. Fans of Gracie and Marcus will not be disappointed.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Hero (unabr.). 10 CDs. 11:21 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0973-8. $59.97.
Gr 9 Up–What do you get when you mix fantasy with GLBT fiction? You get a confused, frustrated, and determined hero. Thom Creed is a gay teen whose mother has left home for reasons unknown to him. The boy discovers that, like his mother, he has special powers. Thom’s father is a hardworking man with prejudice against homosexuals and superheroes. Thom’s greatest ambition is to join the League, a band of superheroes. By chance, Thom’s special powers are discovered by League members when the bus he is on while attempting to run away from home is attacked by villains and he uses his powers to save the passengers. He earns an invitation to try out for membership in the League and barely makes the cut for probationary membership along with a group of other misfits, who form a team. From Scarlett, who hides a medical secret under her pizza delivery jacket, to Ruth, an old woman whose only romance was with a man of the wrong color, the team members must deal with numerous challenges. While Thom’s difficulties with his father go from bad to worse, threats to the safety of the world mount. Michael Urie expertly distinguishes each character’s voice in Perry Moore’s novel. (Hyperion, 2009). A description of masturbation while viewing gay pornography makes this story most appropriate for older teens.–Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA

Horton Halfpott (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4498-4904-7: $33.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4618-1552-5: $49.75.
Gr 4-7–Mix eccentric characters, outlandish objects, love, slapstick humor, and a mystery in an English manor, and the result is this goofy, romantic, and engaging tale (Amulet, 2011) by Tom Angleberger. Horton Halfpott is an earnest young kitchen boy employed by M’Lady Luggertuck. He falls for the beautiful Miss Celia, a rich and delightful young lady, but he’s only a poor servant and could never be worthy of her love. When Luther, the evil and scheming son of M’Lady, realizes that Horton is in love with Celia, he decides he must have the girl for himself and concocts a plan to have her kidnapped from the costume ball his mother is throwing. Meanwhile, M’Lady is busy ordering the servants to clean, cook, loosen her corset, and fluff her wig. Listeners will laugh out loud at the clever descriptions of M’Lady’s “Wig Room” and several of her special wigs. The climax involves a ballroom full of costumed guests, the cook dressed as Bo Peep, land-locked pirates employed by Luther as kidnappers, Horton and Celia costumed as equestrians, Celia’s 20 suitors dressed as Romeos, and trays of green pickle éclairs flying through the air. Ron Keith does an amazing job with the many and varied characters. Clever dialogue with an abundance of silly alliteration makes listening thoroughly enjoyable. An excellent lead-in to class discussions about writing techniques such as plot, dialogue, characterization, description, and humor.–Nancy Baumann, University of Columbia-Missouri

Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 2: The Hidden Gallery (unabr.). 5 CDs. 5:57 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2011. ISBN 978-0-307-91700-3. $50.
Gr 4-6–Maryrose Wood’s wolf-like incorrigible children are back with the well-composed Miss Penelope Lumley as their governess in another wild adventure (2011). Following the disastrous Christmas party at the end of The Mysterious Howling (2010, both Balzer + Bray), Ashton Place is under repairs. To escape from the mess, Lady Ashton moves the entire family, including the children and Penelope, to London where she intends to spend her time with high-society acquaintances and shop in pricey stores. Penelope’s plans include exposing the children to as much culture and history as possible. However, everything quickly goes awry as a strange guidebook, a mysterious warning, crazy pirates, and a new friend enter their lives. The story is full of fun and mystery, providing a few new clues into the lives of the children, Penelope, and Lord Ashton. The real treasure here is narrator Katherine Kellgren who brilliantly voices this quirky cast of characters. Listeners will appreciate everything from the engaging but decidedly wolf-like voices of the children to the earnest Miss Lumley and the screeching hysterics of Lady Ashton. Kellgren’s pacing is perfect, pulling listeners along breathlessly when the Incorrigibles find themselves in danger and slowing down for a hint of amusement as the narrator adds her diverting asides. Listeners will eagerly await the next installment.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

It’s the First Day of School…Forever (unabr.). 3 CDs. 4 hrs. Macmillan Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4272-1255-9. $15.99.
Gr 4-6–In R. L. Stine’s back-to-school tale of terror (Feiwel & Friends, 2011), everything goes wrong for Artie Howard, the new kid at Ardmore Middle School. His little brother squirts syrup in his hair at breakfast, and a truck splashes water on the front of his jeans on the way to school. After accidentally killing the class scorpion, Artie is sent to the bizarre book room in the basement and meets creepy Mr. Blister. The boy also makes an enemy of Brick, the most popular kid in school, knocking him unconscious with a baseball and later causing him to break his leg. Does the principal really tell Brick’s teammates to beat up Artie after school? Then the boy wakes up as from a dream, and it’s the first day of school again and again and again. Matthew Brown voices smart-mouthed Artie, capturing his mounting terror as oddly familiar events spiral out of control and his efforts to change things make matters worse. Surrounded by chattering mannequins, rotting corpses, and angry football players, Artie struggles to escape his first day of school. With its surprising and satisfying conclusion, this tale will not disappoint Stine’s many fans–Mary Jean Smith, formerly Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

The Lemonade Crime: The Lemonade Wars, Book 2 (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 2:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4561-3285-9, CD: ISBN 978-1-4561-3289-7. $25.75.
Gr 3-5–Jacqueline Davies’s The Lemonade Crime (2011) takes place just days after the conclusion of The Lemonade War (2007, both Houghton Mifflin). It’s the beginning of a new school year and, due to younger sister Jessie skipping a grade, siblings Evan and Jessie are in the same fourth grade classroom. Tensions are high and become amplified when Evan and Jessie accuse fellow classmate Scott of stealing the money they earned from their lemonade stands. Where the first book focuses on math and economics, this title gives the legal system a fresh look as Scott is put on trial. Stina Nielsen skillfully narrates using subtle voice changes to portray each character and altering her tone to express emotions. Listeners will want to learn if justice will be served and if Jessie and Evan’s recently repaired relationship will crumble. The short chapters are perfect for reluctant readers.–April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA

Little Teggy: Tales from Wales. 50 min. Wales Tales. 2010. ISBN unavail. $11.50.
K-Gr 3– These ten sweetly innocent tales of young Tegwen of Wales are delightful to the ear, thanks to the charming Welsh accent of the author, Rainer Morgan. She narrates her memoirs in a manner reminiscent of Dylan Thomas’s beloved autobiographical classic, A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Morgan employs an ingenious introductory device with each story, which starts with the phrase: “Tegwen Thomas lived in a country called Wales, which is a good place to live, especially if you like….” What follows is a word that sets the stage for the story, be it singing, playing, climbing mountains, jumping into puddles, eating Welsh cakes, daffodils, and more. The tales refer to the author’s everyday adventures circa the 1950s and evoke Welsh culture, customs, and history. Some gentle life lessons ensue in the stories, and Morgan has mastered the authentic voice of a young child. “Film Star,” the best story, chronicles Teggy’s great solo singing triumph amid the daffodils and leeks worn by her friends and relations on March 1, the holiday of Welsh patron saint St. David. Unfamiliar words such as wellies and sixpence are explained in a lilting Welsh brogue. Interludes of traditional Welsh tunes played simply on a keyboard by the author separate the stories and are listed in the liner notes. Young children will enjoy these stories again and again, and the introductory phrase is a great pattern for teachers to use.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Lola at the Library. CD. 4:10 min. with paperback book. Spoken Arts. 2011. ISBN 0-8045-4228-7. $19.95
PreS-K–Lola loves Tuesdays because that’s the day she visits the library with her mother. She packs her backpack with last week’s books, remembers her very important library card, and then walks to the library with her mother. She returns her library books, enjoys story time—where she knows all the words and hand movements for “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”—and selects new books to take home. Afterwards, Lola and her mom always stop for a special treat. The best part of the day for Lola is bedtime because her mom tucks her into bed and reads her a story. Rosalind Beardshaw’s vividly colored, bold and glossy acrylic illustrations appear on full-page spreads, complementing Anna McQuinn’s simple story (Charlesbridge, 2006). Nikki James’s enthusiastic narration combined with lively and upbeat background music composed by Peter Calo makes this read-along a delight. Page-turn signals are optional. This charming story is perfect for instilling an early love of libraries in the youngest listeners and is highly recommended as an essential addition to public library collections.–Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Lola Loves Stories. CD. 4:20 min. with paperback book. Spoken Arts. 2011. ISBN 0-8045-4229-5. $19.95.
PreS-K–Lola and her daddy visit the library on Saturday, where Lola finds some “excellent” books. Each day, after she and one of her parents read another book, Lola’s playtime reflects the characters and stories. For example, after reading a book about a fairy princess, Lola wears a fancy dress and becomes a “fabulous fairy princess.” After reading about fierce tigers, Lola chases her friend around the jungle, and so on. Each day unfolds as a reflection of the last book read, and each page of Anna McQuinn’s book (2010) is a delightful adventure. Music by Peter Calo provides a joyous background to Nikki James’s enthusiastic and expressive narration. In most instances, descriptions include an interesting vocabulary word such as “amazing,” or “fantastic,” or “cappuccino”; unfortunately, when Lola is a farmer like Old MacDonald, her cow has a “boo-boo.” Rosalind Beardshaw’s bright and colorful illustrations lend much to the story, aptly depicting the African-American family sharing happy reading times and Lola’ creative playtimes. It is helpful to have the book handy when, in the end, Lola becomes a “wild and wicked monster”–in the style of Maurice Sendak. Book lovers and anyone with an imagination will love this sequel to Lola at the Library (2006, both Charlesbridge).–MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Binghamton, NY

Marty McGuire (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:47 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-321464. $29.99.
Gr 1-3–Marty McGuire is a spunky third grader who prefers catching crayfish to dressing up in tiaras in this early chapter book (Scholastic, 2011) by Kate Messner and Brian Flocca. This causes a rift between her and the other girls but endears her to the boys who like to play near the pond. It also causes a problem when Marty is chosen to play the princess in the class play. But her spirit, imagination, and knack for improv prove that she’s the perfect choice for the part. Light music introduces the beginning of the story and alerts listeners to the conclusion. The only additional sound effect is the occasional use of the teacher’s classroom-taming maracas. Cassandra Morris’s narration matches the sparkle of Marty’s character. She seamlessly gives each character a unique voice, and her quick pace complements the tone of the story and keeps listeners rapt until the end. Fans of Clementine and Ramona are sure to be won over by Marty McGuire.–April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA

Middle School: the Worst Years of My Life (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Prod. by Hachette Audio. Dist. by AudioGo. 2011. ISBN 978-1-6111-3602-9. $39.99.
Gr 5-7–As Rafe sits in an assembly on the first day of middle school, he has a brilliant idea. He will try to break every rule in the school handbook, such as chewing gum, running in the hallways, etc. With the help of his friend Leo, he comes up with a computer-game-like point system to reward himself for successful rule-breaking efforts. Although Rafe’s antics are humorous, listeners sense that his plan is a desperate attempt to deal with countervailing forces in his life: a harsh step father, academic challenges, and loneliness. Bryan Kennedy does a great job of capturing Rafe’s preteen vocal cadence and expression. There is an energy and youthful enthusiasm to his performance that will appeal to listeners. The print version of the book by James Patterson (Little, Brown, 2011) is illustrated with the main character’s “own” drawings which play a central role in the story. One CD contains PDF copies of those illustrations. The text of the book is altered a little to prompt listeners to open the illustrations from the CD. It’s probably simpler to listen to the recording with the print version of the book in hand. This book will appeal those who enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Amulet Books, 2007) several years ago, but are ready for a bit more mature story line.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reverse Verse. CD. 16:18 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2011. ISBN 978-14301-1015-6. $29.95.
Gr 2-5–Marilyn Singer’s innovative book (Dutton, 2012) presents poetry based on fairy tales that can be read in two ways—the lines can be read from top to bottom and from bottom to top. Crafted in a minimalistic free verse, each set of reversible poems presents the thoughts of characters from various fairy tales. Sometimes the two poems give two points of view of the same character, while other sets represent two different characters in the same fairy tale. For example, the Cinderella poems portray Cinderella’s attitude before and during the ball, while the Red Riding Hood verses are written from the girl’s and then the wolf’s point of view. Each set of poems is illustrated with Josee Massee’s stylized acrylic artwork in rich jewel tones. She skillfully incorporates the characters of the poems and the idea of mirror images into each of her illustrations. The female parts are read by the author, while the male characters are voiced by Joe Morton. Both readers skillfully use tempo, expression, and inflection to make the meaning and feeling of the poems clear. Appropriate instrumental background music has been added to each poem. A great choice for a reading/listening center at school, or just for fun.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Missing on Superstition Mountain (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4:34 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4418-1362-6. $49.97.
Gr 4-6–The powerful opening line says it all: “The day Josie ran away was the beginning of everything: the bones in the canyon, the haunted mountain, the buried treasure, the town full of secrets. But the Barker boys didn’t know it then.” The three Barker brothers—scientific Simon, bookish Henry, temperamental Jack—and their parents have inherited their crazy Uncle Hank’s house in the Arizona desert. The boys are intrigued by their mysterious uncle’s reputation as a wild army scout, gambler, and ladies’ man who apparently knew dangerous Superstition Mountain like the back of his hand. Finding a Spanish coin and a cryptic scrap of paper in his personal effects fuels their curiosity, and they hike up the mountain even though they were forbidden to do so by their parents, the sheriff, and the local librarian. To learn more about Superstition Mountain and the artifacts they discover, the children go to the library, search archived newspapers and maps, and find information at the historical society—an excellent model for students. Just when all the doubts and suspicions are raised, the book ends abruptly and listeners will have to wait for the next volume in the trilogy. Elise Broach’s story (Holt, 2011) is adequately narrated by Luke Daniels, although Jack’s voice is particularly grating.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Nerd Girls: The Rise of the Dorkosaurus (unabr.). 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-0850-3, CD, ISBN 978-1-4618-0849-7. $51.75.
Gr 5-8–Maureen, who describes herself as looking like a “baked potato,” is an eighth-grade loner and self-proclaimed dorkosaurus until one day she surprises herself by standing up for “Allergy Alice” against the torments of the Three Pees—three girls who are pretty, popular, and perfect. In gratitude, Alice and Beanpole Barbara sit down to eat lunch with Maureen the following day. The three girls soon hatch a plan to take down their tormenters by winning the all-important upcoming school talent show. Maureen is a reluctant participant at first, but eventually becomes dedicated to the cause and a tenuous friendship develops between the Nerd Girls. Maureen’s tough attitude and the stock characters may get old for some listeners. Narrator Angela Jayne Rogers does a nice job of giving each girl a distinct voice and pacing Alan Sitomer’s story (Hyperion, 2011) well. She pulls listeners into the tender moments that do arise, allowing them to feel more connected to these outcasts. While not a must-have, this first title in a projected series is a solid celebration of the power of the underdog.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Noah Barleywatch Runs Away (unabr.). 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2011. ISBN 978-1-307-91650-1. $30.
Gr 7-10–John Boyne, the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2006), again explores the theme of personal regrets in this odd but affecting story (2011, both David Fickling Books). Noah, 8, runs away from his home at the edge of a forest. The woods contain magical elements such as a talking dachshund and a hungry donkey near a rather strange tree. He comes upon a wondrous shop full of beautifully crafted wooden toys. Noah enters the shop and notices that the dolls appear to move and speak. He meets the owner, an unnamed old man, and they begin a lengthy conversation involving personal histories and the reason Noah ran away from what seems to be a loving family. Boyne gradually leaves clues about the identity of the old man who wrestles with regret over his treatment of his beloved father and about the reason Noah has run away. Inspired by the old man’s regret and shame, Noah eventually decides to return home. Andrew Sachs is a marvelous narrator, perfectly voicing accents and emotions. Although the publisher indicates the book is intended for elementary grade students, young children will not pick up on the clues as to the old man’s identity and the tragedy Noah must face is pretty intense. The writing is lovely and the narration superb, but this may require older listeners.–B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, Santa Barbara, CA

Original Sin (A Personal Demons Novel) (unabr.). 10 CDs. 12:02 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-2406-9. $49.97
Gr 9 Up–In Lisa Desrochers’s riveting sequel (2011) to Personal Demons (2010, both Tor Teen), former demon Luc Cain struggles with the day-to-day challenges of being human. His only consolation is that he and his mortal love, Frannie, can finally be together. But Frannie can’t completely shake her connection to angelic Gabe, who leaves in order to protect them both from temptation. Gabe sends Matt, Frannie’s brother, to serve as guardian angel, and not a moment too soon. King Lucifer will stop at nothing to get revenge on Luc for deserting Hell. This means that Frannie is in danger for her role in Luc’s humanity. Both Frannie’s and Luc’s heavenly tags are at risk. Meanwhile, Matt’s hatred for Luc is clouding his judgment and alluring new girl Lili is a distraction. Listeners learn more about Frannie’s power of Sway and her importance to both Heaven and Hell. Demons, danger, and temptation lurk around every corner. A cliffhanger ending hints at a third book. The story is exciting, but predictable. Listeners must be familiar with the first book to fully comprehend what is taking place here. Also, a certain amount of biblical knowledge is required to understand all the references. Michael Nathanson and Josh Hurley are reasonably convincing in their roles as Luc and Matt, but Sarah Barnett sounds far too childish for Frannie and fails when voicing male characters. Take a pass.–Alissa LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

The Penalty (unabr.). 5 CDs. 6:10 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0073-5. $49.97.
Gr 10 Up–Mal Peet weaves past and present throughout this tale (Candlewick, 2007) of sports, voodoo, murder, slavery, and eye-for-an-eye justice. A young South American soccer prodigy known as El Brujito, or Little Magician, vanishes. His kidnappers are unaware that the boy has multiple connections with a shaman magician ancestor, a victim of the African slave trade. Sports journalist Paul Faustino becomes mired in the complexities of the boy’s disappearance while investigating the murder of a fellow sports reporter and, subsequently, becomes involved with the search for the boy. Faustino witnesses the shaman’s power which directly impacts the outcome of the crime. This slave, who centuries earlier made amends for travesties meted out by the plantation owner, serves justice for his descendant’s misery. Christopher Lane expertly performs ethnic voices, both male and female, which helps listeners keep track of events as they quickly seesaw between present and past. There is plenty of action which might make up for some problematic transitions between story lines. Raw violence and language makes this audiobook suitable for older teens. An additional purchase.–Jennifer Ward, Albany Public Library, NY

Rage of the Fallen: The Last Apprentice, Book 8 (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4498-6191-9: $61.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4498-6195-7: $87.75.
Gr 5-9–After fleeing a remote island of hostile individuals, Alice, Tom Ward and his master, and Mr. Gregory have journeyed to Ireland. Hoping to seek a place of refuge and a little spook work fighting ghosts, witches, and various creatures of the dark, the trio find themselves in deep trouble. A witch has invoked the Morrigan, the undeterred goddess of all witches, in order to seek revenge for Tom killing her twin. The fiend, the epitome of all things dark, wants to kill Tom and Alice in order to torment them for all eternity. The Goat Mages, the resident evil of Ireland, are seeking to bring Pan, the god of nature, back into the body of a goat. In order to enact their murderous plan, the mages plan to ritually sacrifice innocent people. Spooks, in the mages’ minds, can only cause trouble and are better off dead. With some new friends and Grimalkin, a witch assassin ally from the previous books, the trio attempts to take on all three dark forces. Will they come out alive? Christopher Evan Welch masterfully narrates Joseph Delaney’s novel (Greenwillow, 2011). The characters’ voices are unique and befit their station, personality, and age. The transitions are smooth and the narration never loses its unique rhythm and pacing. The well-crafted action will keep listeners on the edge of their seats and they will have a hard time putting this audiobook down.–Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills (unabr.). 5 CDs. 6:06 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/ Books on Tape. 2011. ISBN 978-0-307-91690. $30.
Gr 8 Up–Typical coming-of-age stories revolve around prom, first loves, or driving, but in Joanna Pearson’s novel (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks., 2011), Janice Wills comes of age during the Miss Livermush pageant. Janice is the only anthropologist in her town of Melba, North Carolina, and feels she’s entitled to judge everyone around her from an anthropological point of view. But her views are often hypercritical and harsh, which causes problems between her and her best friend Margo, her crush Jimmy, and another friend, Paul. Janice really suffers from the lack of self-confidence most teen girls have and from the bullying of the BRGs (beautiful rich girls). It takes entering the pageant and the support of her friends for Janice to realize living in a small town and being yourself can be wonderful thing. Pearson captures perfectly the teen angst of not being popular, the stereotypical roles often seen in high school, and the love/hate relationship many teens have with their small towns. Emily Janice Card appropriately voices Janice as a witty, sarcastic, yet unsure and vulnerable teen and utilizes a suitable Southern drawl for the characters. A wonderful and intelligent coming-of-age story with a feel-good ending.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

Shift: Shade, Book 2 (unabr.). 9 CDs. 10 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-2382-6. $69.97.
Gr 9 Up–In Jeri Smith-Ready’s exciting sequel (2011) to Shade (2010, both Simon Pulse), Logan has regained his benign ghostly status, but is still considered at-risk enough to draw attention from the Department of Metaphysical Purity (DMP). Additionally, by refusing to move on, he is proving just as volatile to Aura’s well-being as he was as a Shade. As the DMP’s interest in Aura and Zachery takes a dangerous turn, Logan devises a controversial plan to make a mark on the music world. Further insight is provided concerning Aura and Zachery’s involvement in the Shift, their profound effect on ghosts, and what really happened at Newgrange nearly 18 years earlier. Some background is provided, but familiarity with the previous book is strongly recommended. Startling plot twists and a cliffhanger ending leave listeners anxious for the final installment. Although the story’s premise is intriguing and original, the complex love triangle of Aura, Logan, and Zachery overshadows the plot in a way that is more aggravating than amorous. And the brief addition of Dylan as a possible third lust interest seems over-the-top. Even diehard fans of paranormal romance may quickly tire of these relationship theatrics. Some mature content may make this title inappropriate for younger teens. Khristine Hvam’s superb narration expertly conveys Aura’s angst and confusion. She is consistent in voicing male and female characters, and convincingly manages Zachery’s Scottish accent.–Alissa LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

Spellbound: The Books of Elsewhere, Book 2 (unabr.). 6 CDs. approx. 7 hrs. Penguin Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-0-14-242942-6. $19.95.
Gr 4-6–In Jacqueline West’s sequel (2011) to The Shadows (2010, both Dial), we rejoin Olive and the three eccentric talking cats that live in her enchanted Victorian house. Olive has broken the magical spectacles that allowed her to enter the paintings that filled her mysterious new home. Now she can only visit her friend Morton, trapped in the paintings, with the reluctant assistance of the cats. Olive hopes that finding the previous owners’ spell book, or grimoire, will help her set Morton free. Rutherford Dewey, the new neighbor, could be either friend or foe, a theme present in the first book as well. Lexy Fridell provides an array of intriguing and fun voices. Rutherford, in particular, has a perfect nasal tone and, along with the peculiar cats, provides much of the humor that helps balance the suspenseful story.–April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA

Stupid Fast (unabr.). 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 7:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-1711-6, CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-1640-9. $77.75.
Gr 9 Up–Playwright Geoff Herbach’s debut young adult novel (Sourcebooks Fire, 2011) is a coming-of-age tale that has too much going on. Shy Felton Reinstein, 15, a previously picked on runt, suddenly finds himself “hungry all the time and growing hair everywhere.” As a result of this growth spurt, he has become a sprinter and lands on the football team. This alone could have made this a great sports story, but the author has added too many additional plot elements: the suicide of Felton’s father, his mother’s downward spiral into depression, his little brother’s erratic behavior, his best friend Gus’s departure for the summer, and his romantic feelings for the African-American teen who has moved into Gus’s house. All this makes for an overly complicated story that jumps from one dramatic plot device to another and doesn’t come across well in the audio version. Fred Berman does his best to bring the characters to life, but the constant jabbering and yelling is irritating and hard to follow. There are some laugh-out-loud moments here, especially between Felton and his quirky little brother, but that’s not enough to entice listeners.–Shari Fesko, Southfield Public Library, MI

A Tale of Two Castles (unabr.). 7 CDs. 8:32 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0833-5. $59.97.
Gr 5-8–Elodie is leaving home to become an apprentice to a weaver, at least that is what her family thinks. She has plans to be an actress at the town of Two Castles. The selfish king lives with the flighty princess in one castle, while the ogre of the land dwells in the other castle. The ogre should be avoided at all costs, according to her parents, as well as the dragon that lives in Two Castles. However, Elodie’s plans do not work out and she finds herself an apprentice to Meenore the dragon on her first day. Before she knows it, Elodie is honing her acting skills by working as a spy in the ogre’s castle, trying to prevent a murder. Gail Carson Levine’s excellent tale (HarperCollins, 2011) has everything a fantasy set in medieval times could have: thieving cats, shape-shifting ogres, helpless princesses, a dashing young man, betrayal, wonderfully dimensional characters, and a mystery that must be solved by an outstanding heroine. The main characters as well as the townspeople come to life through Sarah Coomes’s superb narration, perfectly distinguishing each character. Reminiscent of Karen Cushman’s Alchemy and Meggy Swann (Clarion, 2010), this audiobook with an excellent story line, perfectly crafted characters, a fast-moving plot, and excellent writing and narration is a must-have for fans of fantasy stories with action, adventure, and heart as well as for listeners who have enjoyed Levine’s previous tales.–Mariela Siegert, Westfield Middle School, Bloomingdale, IL

Theodore Boone: The Abduction (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Penguin Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-0-14-242941-9. $19.95.
Gr 6-8–John Grisham continues the story of Theodore Boone, 13-year-old son of two lawyers who wants to follow in his parents’ profession and would rather spend time in the courtroom than the classroom (or sports field). In this sequel (2011) to Kid Lawyer (2010, both Dutton), Theodore is the last person to have talked to his classmate and friend, April, before she was abducted and he decides to investigate. With the help of his friend and his uncle Ike, he uncovers the mystery of April’s disappearance. While the subject matter is serious, and at one point a body is found, Richard Thomas’s soft voice never really conveys the sense of urgency or mystery that one would expect, and the narrative doesn’t maintain the tension that the subject matter demands. After Theodore is interrogated by the police at 4:30 in the morning, he and his parents go out for breakfast as if nothing has happened. And Theodore’s search for April is interrupted when he appears in Animal Court to defend his classmate’s cranky parrot that has terrorized the customers of a nearby business. This diversion, along with Thomas’s understated reading, causes the story to lose focus and intensity.–Edith Ching, University of Maryland, College Park

The Throne of Fire, The Kane Chronicles, Book 2 (unabr.) 11 CDs. 12:56 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0839-7. $72.97.
Gr 5-8–Sadie and Carter, children of Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, are back in the second title (Hyperion, 2011) in a projected trilogy by Rick Riordan. This time, they are causing chaos in both the Brooklyn Museum in New York and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, as they try to save the world from total annihilation. The danger is from Apophis, the god of chaos, who plans to destroy the rest of the gods and rule in their place. To thwart him, Sadie and Carter are trying to locate Ra, the god of order, and restore him to power. Along with plot complications as Sadie and Carter try to find the three sections of the Book of Ra, there are questions of loyalty among the gods and the 20 trainees who have come to Brooklyn House to follow in Sadie and Carter’s footsteps. Told in the first person from Sadie and Carter’s points of view, Kevin R. Free and Katherine Kellgren once again narrate in fine style, capturing the personality traits of all the characters. Apophis’s snake-like voice is pure evil and Ra’s child-like requests for cookies, zebras, and other “lame” enticements reflect his senility and fragility. The dwarf god Bes is particularly well-realized with his tough-guy talk (like a New York hoodlum) but warm heart and even shyness around his love interest. While the book is action-packed, it’s the dialogue that keeps listeners engaged. The plot and cast of characters in this book will be more understandable to those familiar with The Red Pyramid (2010, both Hyperion; Brilliance, 2011). Full of magic, danger, fantasy, and adventure, this is a memorable listen.–Edie Ching, The University of Maryland, College Park

Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales (unabr.) 10 CDs. 11:41 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2011. ISBN 978-0-307-91638-9. $60.
Gr 7 Up–This collection of 11 stories (Random, 2011) by Tamora Pierce, read by various narrators, features strong girls and women in situations where they must use their brains and their physical abilities to overcome a variety of obstacles. “Nawat” puts a shape-shifting crow-man in a situation where he must respond to his disabled child differently from the way that his crow brethren expect. Four stories are set in Pierce’s fantasy kingdom of Tortall, five are set in other magical worlds. “Huntress” is a magical tale set in present-day New York City, and the final story is a semi-autobiographical piece set in a home for girls in contemporary Idaho and voiced by the author. Eight of the stories have been previously published. Each narrator brings the story to life, giving the human and non-human characters unique voices. The stories, some stronger than others, feature characters from Pierce’s novels as well as new ones, but listeners need not be familiar with her previous titles to enjoy these tales.–Ann Brownson, Eastern Illinois University. Charleston

Troubletwisters (unabr.). 8 CDs. 8:45 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0851-9. $64.97.
Gr 4-6–Twelve-year-old twins Jade and Jack’s world turns upside down when a bizarre “storm” blows their home apart and nearly takes them with it. Following the strange event, their father disappears from their lives and they are taken to live with their mysterious Grandma X. From the moment they arrive, the twins’ lives become ever more shocking with talking cats, a door that appears and disappears, a grandmother who can control the elements, and more. The twins are unaware that they are “troubletwisters” and must defend the world against evil. They soon realize that they have powers of their own that can, at times, be wild and dangerous. Garth Nix and Sean Williams’s fun fantasy (Scholastic, 2011) is read by Miriam Margolyes who does a nice job of providing voices for all the characters and pacing her delivery perfectly for the non-stop action. A fun listen for fantasy lovers.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

True (…Sort of) (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette: ISBN 878-1-4618-1795-6, CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-1796-3. $66.75.
Gr 5-7–Delly Pattison, 11, is a girl whose love of life often gets her into trouble, and soon she believes that she is trouble and acts accordingly. RB, her little brother, tries to help her curb her temper and her impetuosity by teaching her how to gain patience through counting. Ferris Boyd, the mysterious child who comes into town on the day that Delly is looking for a “surpresent” (a surprise present) also teaches Delly about asking for things instead of just taking them and, more importantly, what it is like to be a friend and take care of someone. Words fail for three of the characters: Ferris because life has been so painful that she can’t find words to relate to it, Delly who acts impetuously, and Brud whose stutter shuts him out from many relationships. Danielle Ferland narrates Katherine Hannigan’s novel (2011) with just the right touch of compassion and wonder. She makes each character distinct: Delly through the puzzlement and impatience in her voice, Brud through his hesitation to talk, and Ferris through the descriptions of her friends. The voices of the secondary characters also reflect their personalities, such as Delly’s spiteful sister, her teacher, and Novello, the class bully. Another winner from the author of Ida B (2004, both Greenwillow)–Edie Ching, University of Maryland

Uncommon Criminals: A Heist Society Novel (unabr.). 6 CDs. 6:47 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-1535-7. $71.97.
Gr 6-10–Kat, 16, is one of the top international art thieves for hire. Her parents were thieves and apples don’t fall far from trees. She learned well from them and is now pitching in on a heist of the famous Cleopatra Emerald with her friend and crush, Hale. Kat and her friends are jetsetters and move in a society far removed from the average teen. Listeners can live vicariously as Kat and Hale sun themselves on a yacht or play roulette in Monaco. Money is no object and the heist itself is all they care about. Kat has become involved in a plot to steal the emerald because she was tricked into believing that it was going to be given to its rightful owner. When she discovers the truth, Kat is determined to get it back from the woman who tricked her into stealing it in the first place. There is one complicating factor—the emerald is cursed. Angela Dawe narrates Ally Carter’s novel (Hyperion, 2011) in a clear and straightforward performance, capturing the voices of the teens well. Different pronunciations of Uruguay are bothersome as is the whiny voice of fellow thief, Simon. The print versions of “Heist Society” novels are popular, so this audiobook should also fly off the shelves.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

We’ll Always Have Summer (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4561-3301-6: $51.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4561-3305-4: $66.75.
Gr 9 Up–Isobel “Belly” Conklin has always known that someday she would marry a Fisher boy. First she loved Conrad, and then it was Jeremiah. In Jenny Han’s sequel (2011) to The Summer I Turned Pretty (2010) and It’s Not Sumer without You (2010, all S & S), Belly is turning 19 and has agreed to marry Jeremiah at the end of the summer, but her heart and mind keep going back to Conrad. In the final book of the “Summer Trilogy,” we get a deeper look at the history of this triangle and discover where it ultimately ends. At times, Jessica Almasy’s narration seems too young and Belly comes off as annoyingly naive. But, in many ways, that’s the way she was written. When Jeremiah admits to sexual infidelity, Belly is hurt and upset, but he quickly proposes and she seemingly forgets her doubts and believes that marriage will somehow fix whatever was wrong with their relationship. Jeremiah comes across as so inconsiderate that Belly’s unending devotion to him borders on the absurd. This light, entertaining read can stand on its own, but the character flaws come close to sinking the story.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

When It Happens (unabr.). 6 CDs. 6:41 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4418-6235-8. $69.97.
Gr 9 Up–Sara is thrilled when her crush, Dave, finally asks her out. But dating Dave isn’t nearly as amazing as she imagined it would be. Sara is looking for true love, and Dave only wants to relieve Sara of her virginity. Also, she is beginning to feel a connection with her music theory partner, Tobey, who couldn’t be more different from the studious, goal-oriented Sara. There’s undeniable chemistry between them and they get together. But different goals and ghosts of relationships past threaten the pair. Both of them learn that even the best relationships involve hard work, openness, and compromise. Listeners will cheer for them from the beginning. Susane Colasanti’s brilliantly written story (Viking, 2006) is told from Sara and Tobey’s alternating points of view. All the characters are exceptionally well-developed. For the most part, narrators Julia Whelan and Alexander Cendese provide believable narration, although Cendese has a distracting tendency to overact. Despite a sprinkling of outdated technological and pop culture references, teens will relate to the basic story elements. Some language and mature content may make this inappropriate for younger teens. Deeply romantic details bring to mind the writings of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han’s “Summer” trilogy.–Alissa LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

Wither: The Chemical Garden, Book 1 (unabr.). 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 10:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4561-2056-6: $67.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4561-2057-3: $97.75.
Gr 9 Up–The first installment (S & S, 2011) of Lauren DeStefano’s “The Chemical Garden Trilogy” will hook listeners and have them eagerly awaiting the next volume in what is sure to be a memorable series. However, this is by no means a perfect book. While the premise is arresting, dystopian fiction needs to grow from a believable foundation of science, history, and psychology. Multiple factors mar the believability of this world. While genetic engineering has attempted to make mankind immortal, a flaw has caused women to die at age 20 and men at 25. In an attempt to keep humanity from eradication, girls are kidnapped and sold into polygamous concubinage in order to breed children. The class system has become so stratified that the majority of the population are poor orphans, there is virtually no middle class, and the wealthy few rule. In this episode, listeners follow Rhine who has been kidnapped and sold to a rich man. What is wonderful about this book is the writing. The characters are lovingly created and the fantasies of the world that DeStefano has created shine through in the audio format. The combination of Angela Lin’s narration and the lyrical prose make up for the structural flaws of the story. Sure to be popular.–Genevieve Gallagher. Charlottesville High School, VA

Music

The Golden State. CD. 37:36 min. Prod. by The Hipwaders. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2011. ISBN unavail. $11.97.
PreS-Gr 3–Listening to this album is like stepping into a time machine and traveling back to the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, with sounds reminiscent of the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and other early rock icons. This fifth album of the award-winning band, The Hipwaders (Tito Uquillas, Nick Baca, DJ Kinville), features catchy tunes with beautiful harmonies that entice listeners to sing along. Some of these original songs might have been chart toppers back in the day, such as “Go Go Girl” (about a very determined young girl) and “Slow Children at Play” (children who have no place to play except in the street). Outstanding performances on guitars, keyboards, drums, and percussion make an excellent instrumental background to such songs as “Welcome to the Golden State,” “Come to California” (tour guide), “My Dog Steve,” “Stand Up to the Bully,” “Bubble Machine PSA,” “Bonobo Joe and the Voodoo Queen,” “Let’s Play Trains,” and five others. This Bay Area band’s latest album should be in every library’s music collection.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

My Name Is Handel: The Story of Handel’s “Water Music.” CD. 48:45 min. with booklet. Maestro Classics. 2011. ISBN 978-1-932684-10-0. $16.98.
Gr 2-6–Stephen and Bonnie Ward Simon present another in their series of “Stories in Music,” this one devoted to George Frideric Handel. Their goal is to help children expand their listening horizons, develop their listening skills, accumulate musical memories, and encourage adults and children to listen to music together. Narrated by Yadu (Dr. Konrad Czynski) in warm, smooth tones, the album includes biographical information on Handel interspersed with several of his compositions from Water Music and “The Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah. The superb London Philharmonic Orchestra provides excellent instrumental accompaniment. Julianne Baird sings the solo part for one of the Handel arias. Baritone James Shaffran sings “My Name Is Handel” to the tune of Handel’s “Hornpipe.” Stephen Simon provides definitions of several musical terms such as concerto, opera, and oratorio. Finally, listeners are encouraged to sing along to “My Name Is Handel.” The accompanying booklet includes additional biographical material; information about the orchestra, instruments, and in Handel’s day; and the treble clef score and lyrics for “My Name Is Handel.” Another fantastic, unique introduction to classical music for children from Maestro Classics.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Songs, Stories and Friends: Let’s Go Play. CD. approx. 45 min. Prod. by Little Maple Leaf Prods. Dist. by AV Café. 2011. ISBN unavail. $14.99.
PreS-Gr 3–On her third album, Canadian songstress Charlie Hope sings her heart out on each of these 17 folksy songs and lays her heart open as she recites four poems. Her clear vocals and strumming guitar offer welcome simplicity in an often complicated world. Opening with an original “Welcome Song,” Hope continues with a clever adaptation of “Wheels on the Bus” by putting animals on the bus, tweaks the tune and changes what each picks up on “Ants Go Marching,” and sticks with traditional versions of both “Allouette” and “Row, Row.” Standouts include “Best Friends” (an upbeat celebration of friendships), “So Free” (an a cappella lilting tune featuring her lovely clear vocals), and “One That I Love” (a toe-tapping love song from parent to child). Clever lyrics fill “If I…,” a ballad about things to do when playing “pretend,” while listeners will float along on a “Hot Air Balloon” trip. A bonus is Charlie’s Mom (Margaret Wilson) telling a modern urban version of “The Three Bears.” The lazy, laid back “See You Soon” closes the album. A winner!–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

Synonym Toast. CD. approx. 35 min. Jeff Warren Music. 2011. ISBN unavail. $12 (+ $3 s/h).
PreS-Gr 3–Winner of a Parents’ Choice Award in 2011, Raleigh, NC-based songwriter Jeff Warren has struck gold on his first attempt at kindie rock. Opening with the bluesy “Synonym Toast” (complete with lyrics full of synonyms), Warren rocks as he laments the multitude of kissing whenever the relatives are around in “No More Kisses” and perfectly describes the clickety-clack sounds of the “Train.” He channels Jimmy Buffet as he tells/sings the story of “Thaddeus Von Gunten and the Unfortunate Lunchroom Incident” and “Ice Cream” and reflects life in “Animals in My Neighborhood.” “Rocket” (an electric-infused trip in a spaceship), “Garage,” “Underwear,” and “Sandbox” (a production rock number about the innocence of childhood) round out the collection. Each song is infused with brilliant family-friendly lyrics that never let up. Tight harmonies and outstanding backup musicians work well with Warren’s energy and uncomplicated vocals on these tunes.–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

Tap Those Toes. CD. 65:10 min. Rachel’s Records. 2011. ISBN 978-1-886673-16-8. $15.
PreS-Gr 3–Award-winning performer Rachel Sumner’s seventh album features 14 original and traditional songs and two stories. Excellent vocal and instrumental performances on keyboard, flute, mandolin, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, brass, drums, percussion, and washboard enhance the songs, which are performed in a variety of musical styles, including swing, jazz, reggae/ska, Latin, sea shanty, rock, and folk. “Tap Those Toes” and “Doctor Knickerbocker” include participatory movements. “All Around the World” teaches phrases from Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. “Funga Alafia” is a West African welcome song, and “La Mariposa” is a traditional Bolivian song. “Cookin’ in the Kitchen” encourages listeners to perform on pots, pans, wooden spoons, turkey basters, and other kitchen implements. Other songs include “The New Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “I’d’ve Baked a Cake,” “Goldilocks,” “Dry Bones,” “Catch the Reading Bug,” and others. Sumner expressively reads two stories. An adaptation of a traditional African folktale, “Imani’s Trick” tells how a conflict arose between the flamingoes and the crabs at the local watering hole, resulting in flamingoes learning to stand on one leg. In “Chester’s Surprise,” Chester Chipmunk learns that caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies. The enhanced CD contains lyrics, downloadable coloring sheets, and videos (how to make slide whistle sounds with a turkey baster and footage of caterpillars turning into butterflies). This exuberant album will be a great contribution to multicultural programs.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Science

Frogs. CD. 17 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4301-0947-1. $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-1-4301-0948-8: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Gail Gibbons’s detailed description of the life cycle of frogs (Holiday House, 1993) is written in age-appropriate language and illustrated with colorful, labeled drawings that explain developing body parts in the amphibian’s growth from tadpole to frog. The phonetic spelling of scientific terms is helpful for beginning readers. Among the topics covered are the frog’s anatomy, how it fits into the food chain, daily activities, habitats, different types of frogs, the difference between frogs and toads, and more. The full-color illustrations and two-page spreads make this an enjoyable experience for young students. Christina Moore uses her talent for storytelling to create a more narrative-like tale. At the beginning of the book, Moore gives a short description of the layout of the book and how it will be read so that children can understand and follow along. The reading of vocabulary words from the pictures at the end of each page can be distracting. Page-turn signals are optional. An attractive offering for listening centers and for young children interested in nature and science.–Courtney O’Keefe Schade, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Horses! CD. approx. 22 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4301-0959-4. $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-1-4301-0960-0: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Gail Gibbons’s detailed introduction to horses (Holiday House, 2003) is packed with historical facts, breed information, care and grooming tips, facts about their anatomy and methods of communication, and more. Those familiar with Gibbons’s nonfiction titles will wonder how the labeled illustrations translate to audio. The answer is not elegantly–at least not for nonreaders and beginning readers. Corey Pierno first reads the text beneath the illustrations on each page, and then the words found in the illustrations and insets, such as equine anatomical terms, names of pictured breeds, and brief horse facts. With this nonlinear print format, unskilled readers will have difficulty following the narration. Pierno’s well-paced and deliberately pronounced reading is supplemented with sound effects of neighing, whinnying, and galloping horses as well as brief snippets of background orchestra music. Page-turn signals are optional. Confident readers will enjoy this pleasant read-along while learning much about horses. Children with an interest in horses will find this title an adequate springboard for further reading.–Jennifer Verbrugge, Dakota County Library, Eagan, MN

Penguins! CD. approx 17 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4301-0951-8. $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-1-4301-0952-5: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Gail Gibbons’s book (Holiday House, 1998) presents plenty of basic facts about penguins in a distinct and accessible way, describing physical appearance, adaptations, enemies, habitat, life cycle, and lifestyles. Several kinds of penguins are compared side by side, and their similarities and differences are indicated. The dangers threatening penguin colonies are described and the steps that are being taken to protect them are explained. Simple, uncluttered illustrations are labeled, and difficult terms are explained. Narrator George Mazzoli begins by explaining that he will read the text at the bottom of each page first, followed by the descriptive labels on the illustrations. He reads expressively and at a pace that permits students to peruse the illustration and digest the facts before he moves on. Page-turn signals are optional. Sound effects, such as the wind, the sea, and penguin calls enhance the narration. An admirable presentation of Gibbons’s terrific introduction to penguins.–MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Binghamton, NY

Social Studies

Big Wig: A Little History of Hair (unabr.). cassette or CD. 50 min. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-1954-7, CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-1955-4. $15.75.
Gr 3-5–Katherine Krull’s humorous history of hair (Arthur A. Levine Bks., 2011) offers amazing facts about hair styles and hair products from prehistory to the 21st century. Listeners will enjoy hearing about the hairstyles of famous people such as Marie Antoinette, crazy concoctions to stop balding, silly hairdos containing live birds, and gross ingredients used to make hair shiny. Krull’s writing is succinct and clear, and her style is colloquial. She often uses short sentences and sentence fragments, making make narration pace quick and engaging. Eliza Foss’s performance is a combination of composed energy and understated humor. She sounds like she enjoys sharing all the crazy facts about the history of human, and listeners are invited to join the fun. At the end of the book, Krull includes “Hair Extensions,” further notes about hair history. In the print version, this information is included in an appendix; here it is presented the same way as the first part of the text. As a result, listeners are presented with the history of hair twice, with new facts each time. Have the book available so students can peruse Peter Malone’s hilarious illustrations. Listeners will be engaged throughout.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Ethan Allen: The Green Mountain Boys and Vermont’s Path to Statehood (The Library of American Lives and Times Series). (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:39 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0478-8. $29.97.
Gr 4-8–Emily Raabe’s biography (PowerPlus Books, 2001) covers the exploits of the larger-than-life, oftentimes controversial founder of Vermont, Ethan Allan. Focusing on Allen’s effort to help Vermont maintain its independence from New York and to attain statehood, the book begins with stories from his rowdy youth and follows through to his death His colorful life, bouts of extreme temper, leadership of the Green Mountain Boys in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and real commitment to Vermont are covered. Benjamin Becker does an excellent job of bringing enthusiasm to the solid narrative. His pacing and tone will engage listeners. Notes from the text are set apart during the audio presentation by a soft beep followed by a different voice reading the information which serves to expand on a topic presented in the general narration.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2011. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-0567-0, CD, ISBN 978-1-4618-0116-0. $46.75.
Gr 5-9–Georgia Bragg has her tongue firmly in cheek as she describes “how some of the most important people who ever lived—died” in this engaging book (Walker, 2011). Beginning with King Tut and moving chronologically through to Albert Einstein, Bragg explains in a conversational style what maladies brought 19 of the great ones down. Listeners will be clued in to Henry VIII’s gluttony, George Washington’s little mouth of horrors, and James Garfield’s oh-so-slow death by ignorance. Narrator L.J. Ganser uses sarcasm, timing, pauses, and tone to wring out every last ounce of disgusting, gross misery from the deaths of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Christopher Columbus, Napoleon, Mozart, and others. There are humorous subtitles to each story, such as “Marie Curie: You Glow Girl!,” and sidebars that add to the history. Be sure to pair this with the print version so students can giggle at Kevin O’Malley’s hysterical illustrations. A perfect choice for boys who are reluctant readers.–Tricia Melgaard, formerly Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

John Paul Jones and the American Navy (The Library of American Lives and Times Series). 2 CDs. 1:47 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-0857-1. $29.97.
Gr 4-8–John Paul Jones is an overlooked hero of the American Revolution. While his victories at sea didn’t have a major effect on the outcome of the war, they gave his countrymen a psychological boost and brought the war home to British citizens who now had to worry about enemy warships off their coast. This audiobook does a good job of describing Jones’s rise in the ranks of the fledging American navy and the naval campaigns he participated in. It doesn’t do as well in fleshing out his personality. While it is noted that he spent three years working on a slave-trading ship, it doesn’t back up the assertion that Jones left the slave trade after three years because he disapproved of the institution. Jones’s problems with rebellious crew members are documented, but we are never told whether it was unusual for a captain to face multiple mutinies during his career, or whether there was something about Jones in particular that frequently antagonized his crew. The biography spends a lot of time on the behind-the-scenes intrigues Jones was often involved in. Benjamin Becker provides a solid narration of James Bradford’s book (Rosen, 2005).–David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Phillis Wheatley: A Revolutionary Poet (The Library of American Lives & Times Series). 2 CDs. 1:40 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-4558-116-8. $29.97.
Gr 4-8–Phillis was kidnapped from her family in West Africa and sold as a slave to the wealthy Wheatley family in Boston. Her ability to learn quickly was noticed and she was given a Christian education that was better than most wealthy white women of her time received. She amazed people with her intelligence, education, and poetic skills. In 1773, a book of her poetry was published in London. Her English supporters advocated for her freedom and it was soon granted by the Wheatley family. The story of Wheatley’s life and accomplishments is told in the context of her life as an African slave, her Christian upbringing, and the American Revolution. This nonfiction account is narrated without much expression by Allyson Johnson, and the various notes are read by a male narrator. A well-researched biography.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary, Edmonds, WA

Pirates! 2 CDs. 2:38 hrs. Naxos Audiobooks. 2011. ISBN 978-184-379-484-4. $17.98.
Gr 4-6–Ahoy there matey! Pirate enthusiasts will be hooked as Roy McMillan relates facts about notable pirates throughout history, including Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, and Calico Jack. There are also segments about lesser-known pirates, including some female buccaneers. Listeners will love hearing the bizarre details of pirate life, such as how Blackbeard would insert sparking fuses into his copious facial hair to make himself even more terrifying. “Gruesome Alerts” warn listeners that a gory detail is about to be revealed. The conversational tone is appealing, and will be a draw for reluctant listeners. Jasper Britton does a masterful job with the narration. His British accent is a natural fit, and kids will especially love his gritty imitations of the various pirates. Short orchestral interludes help to delineate when the story is shifting to a different character (or when a “Gruesome Alert” is imminent), and add a touch of spice to the overall package.–Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, Rochester, NY

Sam Houston: For Texas and the Union (The Library of American Lives and Times Series). 2 CDs. 2 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2011. ISBN 978-1-01106-489-6. $29.97.
Gr 4-8–Sam Houston is known for his devotion to Texas, but few may realize his greater love for the United States of America. Walter Woodward begins his biography (Rosen, 2003) with the Houston family’s journey to the colony of Virginia and traces them through the American Revolution. Sam’s father moved the family to Tennessee, but he died when Sam was young. Sam toyed with the various jobs available in a frontier area, including surveyor and teacher. Adopted by Chief Ooleteka into the Cherokee nation, Sam fought for their fair treatment. He moved to Texas and became a leader in the fight for Texas’s independence from Mexico. He became a hero at the Battle of San Jacinto and the first president of Texas. It was his loyalty to the United States that cost him his political career, when he would not forsake the Union at the outbreak of the Civil War. Woodward paints an interesting portrait of the patriot, focusing on lesser known aspects of his character. Benjamin Becker narrates in a straightforward manner that is appropriate for a biographical work. Useful for class projects or research papers.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY
CORRECTION: VEA’s Sports Injuries (Sept. 2011, p. 62) and Teaching ESL Students in the Mainstream Classroom (Sept. 2011, p. 63) are priced at $59.95 each for public libraries and $99.95 for school libraries.

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