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June 1, 2011

In this Article

Nonfiction

Fiction series Roundup

Fiction

ALENDER, Katie. From Bad to Cursed. 448p. (A Bad Girls Don’t Die Novel). Hyperion/Disney. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3471-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Sixteen-year-old Alexis Warren’s younger sister has just returned home after a year in a mental hospital, having been possessed by an evil spirit. School is starting, and Lexi is worried that Kasey, 14, will have a hard time fitting in. When Kasey joins a group of outcast girls in the Sunshine Club, and then the girls begin to become popular, Alexis feels that something is amiss, so she and her friend Megan join the club as well. But when they swear an oath to Aralt on an antique book, they, too, become ensnared in the trappings of the club. Aralt, an evil spirit, gives them charm and confidence, but what they don’t yet know is that he demands a sacrifice. Alexis is sworn to Aralt and is at the same time suspicious, but now Kasey saves the day. The novel takes time to get going, and while it could stand alone, it makes more sense after one has read Bad Girls Don’t Die (Hyperion, 2009). Still, this creepy ghost story does finally grab readers, and fans of the first book will enjoy it and be pleased that the ending leaves the door wide open for another installment.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

ANGLEBERGER, Tom. Horton Halfpott, or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, the Loosening of M’Lady Luggertuck’s Corset. illus. by author. 213p. CIP. Abrams/Amulet. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9715-8. LC 2010038096.
Gr 4-7–Angleberger claims this tale of greed, theft, and corsets was inspired by Charles Dickens, although readers may equally suspect Roald Dahl. Downtrodden kitchen boy Horton Halfpott works for Smugwick Manor’s ironfisted mistress, Lady Luggertuck. One morning she loosens her corset and the ensuing circulation causes her to sponsor a ball for her lovelorn nephew. The ball begins a chain of events leading to the theft of the Luggertuck Lump diamond, romance for Horton, and, best of all, “Shipless Piracy.” While Horton’s heart flutters for neighbor Celia, three enterprising stable boys mount surveillance on the manor to discover the thief. Much like Dickens or Dahl, an opinionated narrator with a strong sense of the ridiculous directs this story. His arch, mock-fanciful tone shows the absurd pretensions and underlying nastiness of Lady Luggertuck and her 16-year-old son. The narrator often uses contrasts to emphasize the differences between the mistress and her servants: “stately bedchambers” for her and “stiflingly hot attics” for them. The rich imagery adds humor and pathos to Horton’s drudgery even as theft and piracy liven up the story. While not every mystery is solved (the stable boys’ parentage remains a veiled secret), Horton’s own reversal of fortune will provide readers the happy ending they expect. Pen-and-ink caricatures introduce each chapter and its characters. Well written, satirical, and satisfyingly silly.–Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT
AYARBE, Heidi. Compulsion. 304p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199386-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Told by the protagonist, using flashbacks and stream of consciousness, this story takes place over four days in the life of a teen with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Jake Martin is compelled to count, focusing on prime numbers. He can’t leave the house without following his morning ritual. He is the star of the high school soccer team and they are poised to win their third straight championship, if only he can hold all the pieces of his life together for three more days. Readers are gradually clued in to deep secrets in the Martin family, but the nonlinear voice makes it difficult to follow all that is happening and has happened in Jake’s life. His fear that he may be like his mother, a frightened ghost of a woman, keeps him from telling anyone about his compulsions and his obsession with primes. While it would be unrealistic to have a happy ending when so much is going wrong for Jake, the conclusion might make readers wish for more–more openness on Jake’s part, more discernment on his father’s part, more details on his mother’s illness. While some readers may find the book confusing, the author succeeds at making it seem as though it were written by an OCD teen. A clever design touch: the chapters are numbered only with prime numbers.–Wendy Smith-D’Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

BEDFORD, Martyn. Flip. 272p. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73990-0; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90808-5; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89855-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Alex wakes up in the body of a complete stranger–another 14-year-old boy named “Flip”–in this gripping novel. He soon realizes that it’s been six months since he was “himself.” While dealing with the immediate challenges of negotiating a strange new world, he tries to figure out what caused the switch, how he might reverse it, and what could possibly be going on with his own body. It’s an immediately engaging story, with careful pacing and strong characterizations that add depth to the basic premise. Alex’s experiences, though sometimes humorous, are never played strictly for laughs. The boy feels real urgency to contact his true family and the strategies and results of his attempts create real plot tension. New revelations keep the story moving forward swiftly, but never predictably. The author uses Alex’s predicament to examine questions of identity, family, and the human soul in ways that are involving and thought-provoking. Alex acts and thinks in ways that most readers will identify with: he’s confused, frustrated, and occasionally desperate, but, at the same time, is curious and thoughtful about his bizarre new life and family. He samples some of the benefits of being Flip, including a popularity that Alex never enjoyed, but always yearns to be himself again, which leads to an exciting and particularly satisfying climax.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

BENNETT, Sophia. Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings. 304p. CIP. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-24241-7. LC 2010003952.
Gr 6-9–Girls who have dreamed of walking the runway or designing clothes, as well as those who want to help humanity, will enjoy this book. Nonie, the fashionista; Edie, the greenest of them all with her campaign to save the planet; and Hollywood starlet Jenny, who is premiering in her first movie with a bit part, meet 12-year-old Crow, a talented designer from Northern Uganda who has been sent to London to avoid being a war victim. The 14-year-olds befriend her and help her develop her line of clothing and also help the Invisible Children campaign for her country. Crow is quiet about the situation and eventually the friends learn that her brother, Henry, was captured and she doesn’t know if he is alive. With the help of Crow’s friends, Henry joins his sister in London, leading to a happy ending. The author has done a good job of balancing the story between campaigning for the children in Uganda who are stolen from families and expected to kill others and fashion on the runway. The book leaves readers with an awareness of the problem in Uganda but doesn’t over do it.–Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

BLACK, Holly & Ellen Kushner, eds. Welcome to Bordertown: New Stories and Poems of the Borderlands. 528p. CIP. Random. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86705-7; PLB $22.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96705-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89745-0. LC 2010035558.
Gr 9 Up–After 13 years of being “closed” to the outside world (and 13 years since the publication of Terri Widling’s original anthologies), Bordertown has reopened to a new generation of runaways, misfits, and dreamers. This gritty metropolis sits metaphysically at the edge of the World and Realm, populated by mostly teen and 20-something humans; high- and lowborn elves; the occasional cursed human (e.g., Wolfboy); and halfies (Elf/human progeny). Widling and Kushner’s “Welcome to Bordertown,” the first of 22 stories, poems, and a graphic entry, immerses readers into a fully realized urban fantasy world that runs on unreliable faerie magic and erratic human technology, and pulses with sex, drugs, music, and brutal lawlessness, as a brother seeks out his missing sister and finds a community amid cursed humans and dangerous Elves. This story also sets up the themes carried throughout the collection: identity and authenticity, race and power, and the balance between wonder and naïveté. It’s easy to be transported by each entry’s rich details and compelling characters, but this page-turner’s biggest success is in how veteran authors simultaneously address the themes through traditional fantasy tropes and current reality. Sardonic references to modern tech fads and fantasy trends abound: in Janni Lee Simner’s “Crossings,” two friends learn that werewolves and vampires (or sinister, opportunistic elves) do not actually make good boyfriends. Some poems are more successful than others, and the graphic story adds perhaps the least to the anthology. Nonetheless, every contribution brings something valuable and new, and readers will leave Charles de Lint’s “A Tangle of Green Men,” the volume’s particularly heart-wrenching and beautiful last story, richer for having had the Bordertown experience, and eager for more.–Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CA

BLACK, Jenna. Shadowspell. Bk. 2. 320p. (A Faeriewalker Novel). St. Martin’s/Griffin. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-57594-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Dana has just found out that she is a Faeriewalker, someone who can not only travel between the mortal world and Faerie, but can also bring magic or technology with her. A pawn in Avalon’s political games and a target of the murderous Queens of Faerie, the teen’s life has been threatened several times and now her father has placed her under house arrest, which is totally putting a crimp in her social life. Not wanting to lose her friends completely, she sneaks out several times, putting herself into further danger and attracting the interest of the Wild Hunt’s leader, the Erlking. Using trickery, the Erlking forces Dana’s friend Ethan to become part of the Wild Hunt and Dana strikes a hard bargain to get him back. Armed with new skills and new allies, even those she doesn’t necessarily want, Dana must deal with the fact that her life will never be the same. Her near escapes make for an exciting and magical adventure. Political intrigue mingles with supernatural battles creating an unforgettable world. As the stakes get higher, so do the costs, and there are several fairly explicit sex scenes. Fans of Glimmerglass (St. Martin’s/Griffin, 2010) will definitely want this sequel.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

BLAZANIN, Jan. A & L Do Summer. 288p. Egmont USA. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-191-4; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-243-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10 Up–Aspen and Laurel are looking forward to the summer before their senior year. This will be Laurel’s first summer in Cotton Wood Creek, IA, and she is determined that she and Aspen will make their mark. The plan includes attending parties, attracting boyfriends, and pulling a good end-of-school prank to get in with the popular kids, but they end up dealing with school bullies, jobs, cranky neighbors, a new police officer, and crimes that A & L might be in the middle of. The teens are placed in some interesting situations, and real tension develops from dealing with harassment from the bullies, but character development is limited, even for the two protagonists. Aspen is likable enough, but readers are bound to get frustrated with her continued poor choices, while Laurel’s portrayal as a sympathetic character comes late in the book, possibly after readers have ceased to care. The friends get into one scrape after another, including brushes with the law for a school prank, illegal fireworks, underage drinking, and stealing a chicken, but the problems seem contrived and ceaseless, and the resolution to the bully situation is convenient and clichéd. Romances for both girls develop late in the book but are cookie-cutter relationships, without any real sense of connection or emotion.–Natasha Forrester, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
BOWDITCH, Eden Unger. The Atomic Weight of Secrets: Or the Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black. Bk. 1. 342p. (The Young Inventors Guild Series). Bancroft. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61088-005-3; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-61088-006-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Five brilliant children from different countries are brought together under mysterious circumstances in 1903 and establish, or perhaps reestablish, the Young Inventor’s Guild. Each family was visited by men dressed in outlandish black costumes before being taken to Dayton, OH, where the youngsters are assigned homes tended by loving nannies (who provide amazing food tantalizingly described) and go to school. For the first time, they are among intellectual peers and would be content to conduct their scientific experiments, if not for worrying about their parents, who were abruptly taken from them by the men in black. Did the men kidnap the adults or are they protecting the children while their parents do important research? Do their parents need rescue or are they busy with their scientific careers? The uncertainty the children feel will resonate with readers who feel overlooked by busy parents. Each child’s history is explored in an individual chapter in which small details like a nursery rhyme in common or special tokens are discovered and are clearly part of a larger story arc minimally explored in this book. Partially convinced that they must rescue their parents, they invent and build the first airplane as a means of escaping (but due to their dangerous circumstances they give the prototype and plans to the Wright brothers). The men in black are more frustrating than frightening, and it is not until a more menacing villain appears in the final pages that any tension appears in the plotline.–Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

BRADBURY, Jennifer. Wrapped. 320p. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9007-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4391-5902-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–On the eve of her debut into 19th-century London society, 18-year-old Agnes Wilkins wishes her life promised more than wearing the right dress for the right party in hopes of finding a suitable husband. She longs for passion like Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy share in the novels of “A Lady.” At a “mummy unwrapping party,” Lord Showalter hands her a pair of scissors and encourages her to make a cut into the sarcophagus wrappings, where she uncovers a silver jackal’s head and impulsively hides it in her dress. Soon after her subterfuge, a suspicious-looking waiter follows her and, ultimately, turns up dead. Agnes is too scared to confess her theft and instead heads to the British Museum to try to find some answers. There she encounters Caedmon, a self-taught man with a passion for Egyptian artifacts. The pair discovers that the artifact is actually a hidden message intended for a spy with allegiance to Napoleon Bonaparte. With only an elderly former English intelligence officer to assist them, the two embark on a mission to stop the French dictator before he harnesses ancient Egyptian magic that would render him unbeatable in battle. The closer the young people get toward solving the mystery, the more dangerous the stakes become. Bradbury offers a grand historical mystery with a pinch of supernatural intrigue and a hint of romance. Readers will be swept up in Agnes’s life but may feel beaten over the head with the message that women lacked power during this era. An extremely happy ending leaves room for a possible sequel for those who can’t get enough of Agnes and Caedmon’s adventures.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

BRODY, Jessica. My Life Undecided. 320p. CIP. Farrar. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-39905-4. LC 2009051277.
Gr 7-10–At 15, Brooklyn is decision challenged. Since she became famous for being trapped in an abandoned mine shaft at three years old, she’s been known for her mistakes. As the sidekick of her school’s most perfectly dazzling girl, Shayne, she doesn’t have to make many of her own decisions–until one disastrous evening of partying burns down a house. Shayne turns her back on Brooklyn, and, feeling lost, Brooklyn starts a blog in which she polls her readers about what she should do, thus avoiding her own poor judgment. As she struggles to follow the results of the polls, she tries new activities and meets new people, including two handsome boys. In the process, she discovers that mistakes happen and that “perfection is only a word that makes you feel bad about yourself.” Brooklyn is a sympathetic protagonist with whom teens will identify. Her journey is fun to read, and decision-challenged readers will learn an important lesson about self-acceptance along the way.–Mindy Whipple, West Jordan Library, UT

CALLAGHAN, Cindy. Just Add Magic. 229p. S & S/Aladdin Mix. 2010. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0268-3; ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0269-0. LC 2010923139.
Gr 4-7–An ancient book of secret recipes hidden in a 1952 encyclopedia, two mysterious warnings, unusual ingredients from a spooky store owned by a kook, and three BFFs come together in this novel. Kelly Quinn loves to cook, play soccer, and hang out with Hannah and Darbie. The ancient cookbook gives them an eerie warning as does the owner of the small store where Kelly buys ingredients: “Beware of the law of returns.” The 12-year-olds decide to try the recipes anyway and learn that this cookbook is anything but ordinary. Every time they serve one of the dishes, strange coincidences occur. Kelly decides to test the book by devising an experiment involving a cute boy in their class. But when the plan backfires, will it break up the girls’ friendship or will they return to life as normal? The humorous story, while somewhat cheesy at points, is entertaining overall.–Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH

CERRITO, Angela. The End of the Line. 215p. CIP. Holiday House. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2287-6. LC 2010023475.
Gr 6-8–“The end of the line” for Robbie Thompson is Great Oaks School, a juvenile-detention center of last resort, where he has been placed after being thrown out of several similar facilities. In alternating chapters, the 13-year-old describes his current existence at Great Oaks and the events that led to his being institutionalized; he readily admits killing his friend Ryan and is forced to confront the effect that deed has had on his life. The author attempts to do a great deal in the novel, perhaps too much, with the result that neither the characters nor the situations seem fully developed. The fatal encounter takes place at a construction site with which Ryan has become obsessed, for reasons never adequately explained. The fight is over Ryan’s theft of Robbie’s uncle’s Purple Heart, which he earned in Iraq, in an incident in which he lost an arm and a leg. Ryan seems to have been motivated, at least in part, by jealousy over the medals that Robbie won for long-distance running. Controversy over the war and Robbie’s involvement in running form much of the backdrop of the story, but neither they nor the other numerous subplots are well integrated into the narrative. Perhaps the novel’s biggest difficulty, however, is Robbie’s very likability. He just doesn’t come across as the angry, tortured, incorrigible youth he is supposed to be. For a much more gripping, focused look at an adolescent attempting to come to terms with his responsibility for a horrific act, direct readers to Gail Giles’s outstanding Right Behind You (Little, Brown, 2007).–Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT

CHAPMAN, Lara. Flawless. 240p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-631-7; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-596-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Although Chapman is no Edmond Rostand, this retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is great fun. Aside from a protruding proboscis, senior Sarah Burke has a lot going for her. She’s intelligent and otherwise good-looking. Her too-perfect mother, who had a nose job when she was Sarah’s age, keeps bringing up rhinoplasty, but the teen feels confident enough without it. Or so she thinks, until Rock, a hottie who shares her love of literature, moves into town. The two become instant friends but Sarah, who’s never dated before, hopes for more from the relationship. The problem is that her best friend is also taken with Rock. No wordsmith, Kristen asks Sarah to send him emails in her name. Sarah is successful at attracting the boy of her dreams–for her friend. Sarah’s loyalty is believable, even as she struggles with misleading Rock and her own feelings. It’s hard to believe Kristen, who’s described as “smart,” knows so little about literature but, for the most part, characters are well defined. A subplot about a scheming coworker at the news station where Sarah’s mother anchors is not fully developed but plays off nicely against Sarah’s dilemma. The ending is predictable but satisfying. Each chapter begins with thoughtful quotes about love. This novel will attract both reluctant readers and literature lovers. A light, but not flawless, read.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

CHOYCE, Lesley. Random. 170p. CIP. Red Deer. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-0-88995-443-4. LC C2010-904507-6.
Gr 9 Up–Wondering if his existence has any purpose, Joe Campbell, 16, creates a digital diary to chronicle his thoughts as he navigates his emotions about the death of his parents four years earlier and his growing feelings for a close female friend. So far, he has coped with his grief by clinging to the belief that life is random, without any larger meaning. However, the more he considers his life with his adoptive parents and his relationships with two of his longtime friends, Joe begins to discover that there may be deliberate patterns and connections that he has failed to recognize. With the help of Gloria, a clinically depressed potential girlfriend, and Dean, a sexually confused eccentric, Joe delves into his past to come to terms with the lurking memories of his parents’ death. The novel meanders through the boy’s random thoughts while working toward discovering his place in the world. Introspective teens may enjoy living inside his head. However, some readers will lack the patience to sift through his morose thoughts to uncover the deeper self-actualization he experiences. The narrative moves along slowly, but Joe’s character is fully developed. While not as plot driven, this book could be recommended to readers who appreciated Peter Cameron’s Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You (Farrar, 2007).–Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

COFER, Judith Ortiz. If I Could Fly. 208p. CIP. Farrar. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-33517-5. LC 2010022309.
Gr 7-10–Doris is the 15-year-old “not-beautiful, not-really-ugly” child of musically gifted Puerto Rican parents. She lives in the barrio of Paterson, NJ, at the far edge of the Nuyorican dream. Her escape is the rooftop, where she discusses dreams with Doña Iris and cares for the pigeons left behind when Don Juan Pablo died. Doris’s mother, a talented but volatile singer, has abruptly left the family and her father travels often, promoting and playing in bands. Doris looks after herself well enough, intercepting letters sent by the school, but she resents the fact that her father has acquired a lady friend and her mother rarely calls. A gang-related beating and shooting come too close for the comfort of her absent Papi, and Doris is sent to San Juan for the summer to stay with her mother (who has acquired a shady man friend) and her abuela, who has a good head, a loving heart, and a proverb for every situation. Readers will feel the warmth and love within this messy, imperfect family, even as the characters struggle with shortcomings and occasional self-centeredness. Most pages have a Spanish word or two, and they flow easily within this beautifully written story. Doris and her schoolmates Arturo, Yolanda, and Kenny appeared in An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio (Orchard, 1995), an award-winning short-story collection. Suggest this novel to thoughtful students, particularly those with a bit of the dreamer in them.–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

COLLARD, Sneed B., III. The Governor’s Dog Is Missing! Bk. 1. 176p. (Slate Stephens Mysteries Series). CIP. Bucking Horse Bks. 2011. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-9844460-1-8. LC 2010914110.
Gr 4-6–Slate Stephens and Daphne McSweeney set out to solve a mystery that has all of Helena, MT, talking: Cat, the governor’s dog, has gone missing. The 12-year-olds find themselves crashing a symphony concert, talking to high-ranking elected officials, and hiking through dangerous closed trails in Glacier National Park. During their investigation, the two young sleuths not only solve the case, but also discover more about themselves and their friendship. Unlike the majority of child prodigy sleuths, Slate and Daphne, while intelligent, are also typical kids. The plot moves quickly and readers hitch a ride on Slate’s bike as he explores the city and develops his feelings for Daphne. Collard neatly braids history, geology, and politics into the investigation, mixing interesting facts and crucial details into the mystery.–Mary-Brook J. Townsend, The McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT

CONKLING, Winifred. Sylvia & Aki. 160p. photos. bibliog. further reading. CIP. Tricycle. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-337-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-438-1. LC 2010024182.
Gr 4-6–Sylvia Mendez is excited to be living on a rented southern California farm where her father is the boss instead of a field hand. She dreams of her first day of third grade at Westminster School and is devastated when her aunt is told that she and her siblings cannot register. They have to go to the Hoover School next to the barrio since they are “Mexican.” That Sylvia is American does not matter. Meanwhile Aki Munemitsu, the girl who used to live on the farm, has been moved to Poston, a Japanese internment camp in Arizona, with her mother and brother. She, too, is American, but Pearl Harbor has made that irrelevant. Aki misses her room, her belongings, and her privacy. Told in alternating chapters from the girls’ points of view, this story about institutional racism will enlighten readers to events in recent history. From the court case of Mendez v. Westminster to the conditions at Poston, readers will be moved by this novel based on true events. Back matter include notes about the Mendez and Munemitsu families, essays on internment camps and the end of school segregation, and photos of Sylvia and Aki as children.–Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City
CONVERSE, P. J. Subway Girl. 210p. CIP. HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-157514-3. LC 2010007026.
Gr 10 Up–Simon is failing English, which means he’ll get kicked out of his Hong Kong high school, and his parents don’t care. His father’s attitude is, “School is for rich people and doctors!” After Amy’s parents separate, her mother moves them to Hong Kong. The boys at Simon’s school all know Subway Girl, listening to her music with blue streaks in her hair. One day, Simon works up the nerve to talk to her, only to discover that Amy is Chinese-American and doesn’t speak Chinese. Despite the language barrier, the two become friends and depend on one another for support. Simon wants to see the world, but is working as a busboy in a restaurant with no hope of advancement. After Amy’s boyfriend tricks her into unprotected sex, she ends up pregnant and needs Simon’s translation help to get an abortion. In brief scenes, short chapters, and direct prose, Converse paints the story of their growing friendship and relationship that’s ultimately hopeful. In the background is Hong Kong, and readers get a sense of geography, the bustle, and class divisions while the focus remains solely on these two students trying to find themselves and instead find each other.–Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

CORTEZ, Sarah, ed. You Don’t Have a Clue: Latino Mystery Stories for Teens. 308p. glossary. Piñata. 2011. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-692-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–These short stories are mysteries in the broadest sense of the word. They include alien abduction, kidnapping, cheating, revenge, and a Nancy Drew-type detective who runs rings around her police-detective father. The teen characters are all Latino, or live in Latino neighborhoods. The authors are also Latino, but most write adult rather than young-adult books and it shows, skewing the collection to older teens. The selections are short enough to appeal to reluctant readers, but the concepts and vocabulary will be difficult for struggling readers. Many of the stories suffer from the brevity; they conclude quickly and inexplicably.–Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL

CROSS, Gillian. Where I Belong. 256p. CIP. Holiday House. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2332-3. LC 2010023671.
Gr 6-10–When 13-year-old Khadija is sent from her home and family in Somalia to live with another family already settled in London, her life takes some surprising turns. While walking in her neighborhood, she is spotted by famous fashion designer Sandy Dexter and asked to be the “face” of her new line. Meanwhile, back in Somalia, her younger brother is kidnapped and held for $10,000 ransom. Khadija is uncertain what to do on both counts and turns first to her new “brother” Abdi for help. She also develops a friendship with Sandy’s daughter, Freya. Set against the backdrop of London Fashion Week and Somalia itself, this fast-paced adventure is told in the alternating viewpoints of Khadija, Abdi, and Freya. The fashion element will engage readers who would otherwise not read this genre. The author does a good job of representing Somalia as a country in deep conflict, which is populated not only by warlords, but also by good people who love the land they grew up in. Unfortunately, the characters refer to their mothers as maamo, instead of hooyo, which is the correct Somali word for mother. Very few readers will actually notice this inconsistency, but it is jarring to those who know better. This broadly appealing title has an engaging cover and is a worthy addition to any collection.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

DAY, Karen. A Million Miles from Boston. 224p. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73899-6; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90763-7; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89690-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Every summer 12-year-old Lucy, her father, and her little brother head up to Maine, where they are far from their usual cares and able to take solace in the familiarity and traditions of their seasonal community. However, this year, Ian, an obnoxious boy from back home, and his family take up residence close by. On top of trying to deal with her mixed emotions about him, Lucy is trying to run a camp for the younger kids, fit in with the older kids, and, at all costs, avoid her dad’s new girlfriend. Day has written a great book that deals with a variety of believable interpersonal relationships and transitions. Lucy is a sweet girl who is trying to do the right things, while juggling the confusing world of tweendom. Playing a major part in the story is the fact that her mom died when she was six and her grief is thoughtfully interwoven throughout the story. Over the course of the summer, Lucy learns a variety of lessons about family, growing up, and judging others, although the book is far from preachy.–Kerry Roeder, The Brearley School, New York City

DEFELICE, Cynthia. Wild Life. 192p. CIP. Farrar. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-38001-4. LC 2010022531.
Gr 4-8–With both of his Army Reserve parents leaving for six-month deployments to Iraq, Erik, an upstate New York seventh grader, is sent to live with grandparents he hardly knows. He and his friend Patrick have just aced a course in bird hunting, but now he must leave that all behind as he flies to North Dakota to live with Oma and Big Darrell. He is disenchanted with his new setting and unhappy about the intimidating gruffness of his grandfather, but his spirit revives after finding a lost bird dog with a muzzle full of porcupine quills. Despite objections from Big Darrell, Erik eagerly cares for the healing dog he has named Quill. The two bond instantly, and the boy grows reluctant to return this exceptionally well-behaved dog once her owner is identified. Finding camping gear, outdoor clothing, and a shotgun in the shrinelike bedroom of his Uncle Dan, who died in the Vietnam War, Erik rationalizes a plan to take the gun, the dog, and other supplies and go live off the land. In some fine descriptive passages, the story advances through five days of bird-dog hunting, encountering snow, and sleeping under the stars until the reality of the situation finally brings them home to Oma and Big Darrell, who both offer forgiveness. Themes of accepting change and learning to let go are woven into this winning tale of boy and dog.–Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT

DESSEN, Sarah. What Happened to Goodbye. 402p. Viking. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01294-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Mclean Sweet, 17, has moved four times in the last three years. Surviving the scandalous breakup of her parents’ marriage, she chooses to live with her father, a restaurant fixer who is assigned to a new project every few months. Although her mother, remarried and with three-year-old twins, tries regularly to reconnect with her, McLean is angry and resentful and will hardly have a conversation with her. In each town, she takes on a different name (some version of Elizabeth) and persona, and keeps personal relationships at arm’s length. Now, in Lakeview, McLean is making friends in spite of herself. She is befriended by her neighbor and his close-knit group of buddies, and her resistance to making real and lasting connections starts to dissolve. Working together on an intricate model of the community is a not-so-subtle metaphor for Mclean building an emotional community for herself. When it’s time for her dad to move on, she must decide where she will live for the final few months before heading off to college. Her ability to come to terms with the concessions and compromises people make in every meaningful relationship allows her to accept her fate as her dad is sent to another job and her mom moves (back) into her heart. These characters are real and interesting and the story line unrolls smoothly and with purpose. There’s a slight lack of tension, however, that keeps it from being truly compelling. Still, Dessen’s fans will be happy to devour this latest offering and will surely be able to relate to one of several engaging and evolving teenagers that populate the novel.–Karen Elliott, Grafton High School, WI

DEVILLERS, Julia & Jennifer Roy. Times Squared. Bk. 3. 234p. S & S/Aladdin. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7532-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1728-1. LC 2010026839.
Gr 3-6–The biggest difference between twins Payton and Emma is that Payton acts and Emma is a math whiz. Even the boys they like seem identical until near the end. The middle schoolers go on a field trip to New York: Payton to see an off-Broadway show and Emma for a math competition. Although they promise never to trade places, it’s not long before Payton gives her chaperone, a mathlete stage mother, the slip to see her boyfriend. Other kids are also ciphers except for Payton’s biggest enemy, Ashlynn, a thoroughly unlikable girl who made Payton her slave during camp the previous summer in exchange for her fashionable clothes. She’s one of the actors in the play the students came to see and she uses an improvisational scene to humiliate Payton during a rehearsal, and the rest of the children unite to make her next nasty plan fail. Playing one’s twin is not a new concept. Neither is an overabundance of exclamation marks. Times Squared doesn’t pretend to be anything more than fluff, but reluctant readers may like its breezy and undemanding attitude.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
DOMINY, Amy Fellner. OyMG. 256p. Walker. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2177-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Ellie Taylor, 14, is a driven young woman who desperately wants to excel at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp so that she can win a scholarship to prestigious Benedict’s Conservatory. She has a great shot at winning, because she just loves to argue. With her friend Megan, Ellie shows up full of confidence and excitement, only to get immediately sidelined by the sight of handsome Devon Yeats. Not only is he sizzling hot, but he’s also an excellent debater and is the grandson of the woman who will provide the funds for the scholarship winner. There’s instant chemistry the first time the two lock eyes, but alas, true love never runs smoothly. Ellie quickly finds out that Devon’s grandmother is anti-Semitic, and she has to decide whether to stand up for her Jewish faith or to shoot for her goals at any cost. Despite the predictable ending, kids will enjoy reading about likable Ellie’s struggles and will get a real kick out of her grandfather.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY

DUNLAP, Susanne. In the Shadow of the Lamp. 293p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-565-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Dunlap masterfully employs the history of Florence Nightingale’s courageous mission on the front lines during the Crimean War in 1854 as the setting for a compelling story. Unjustly dismissed as a maid in London, 16-year-old Molly Fraser jumps at the chance to become a nurse with Florence Nightingale. When rejected as unqualified for the position, she sneaks into the group of young women who have been chosen and makes the journey. Molly is a gritty, intelligent character whose inner strength enables her to stay focused on her goal. Dunlap’s well-drawn characters and graphic prose hook readers from the outset. Vivid descriptions of the filthy conditions of the medical facilities, including incredible stench, rats, and lice, and the horror of ministering to severely wounded and maimed soldiers form the backdrop for this story of a teen trying to make her way in a world in which women are second-class citizens. The nurses must abide by a strict code of behavior, and any fraternization with the soldiers or male staff is forbidden. Nightingale’s strictness, however, results in innovative and life-saving nursing practices. Though Molly is determined to succeed, she cannot stop herself from falling in love with a doctor and with Will, who helped her after she lost her job in London. This appealing selection is well-researched historical fiction, a keen look at the status of women at the time, and an enjoyable romance.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
FAGAN, Cary. Banjo of Destiny. illus. by Selçuk Demirel. 127p. CIP. Groundwood. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-085-7; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-086-4. LC C2010-905898-4.
Gr 4-6–Jeremiah Birnbaum comes from a wealthy family and has everything a kid could ever ask for. However, because he is not able to control many aspects of his life, he feels trapped in his overly proper existence and wishes he could be a more “normal” kid. One day, Jeremiah discovers he has a passion for banjo music. Facing disapproval from his loving but misguided parents, who want him to play only the piano, he secretly sets out to build his own banjo and learn how to play it. With the help of his friend Luella and a few supportive adults, Jeremiah achieves his goal and eventually convinces nonbelievers of the beauty of the instrument. Using simple, straightforward language injected with humor and heart, Fagan presents a sweet, quiet, and neatly packaged tale that emphasizes the importance of hard work and following your dreams in the face of adversity. The story is set in an undetermined place, although references to things like the Internet indicate the modern day. Black-and-white spot illustrations at the start of each chapter add a bit of whimsy. While the pace of the narrative is slow at times, and the content might not interest all children, readers will relate to Jeremiah’s feelings of frustration with not being allowed to make decisions for himself and may even be inspired to pick up a unique hobby of their own.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

FERRER, Caridad. When the Stars Go Blue. 336p. St. Martin’s/Thomas Dunne Bks. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-65004-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Soledad is about to graduate from a Miami performing-arts high school and is weighing her options for a future dance career. Jonathan, a classmate and musician, has had his eye on her for the last four years and finally makes his move by inviting her to join his all-male drum and bugle corps to perform as Carmen on their summer bus tour. Romantic feelings influence Soledad’s decision to join the corps but issues with Jonathan’s family and a Spanish soccer player traveling the same fair circuit threaten the budding relationship. Soledad is a self-assured, feisty Cuban-American teen with a strong drive. She lives for dance, so it doesn’t ring true for her to pass up an opportunity to join a dance company to be with a boy in a drum corps. The relationship between Soledad and Jonathan is thin at the beginning of the book, but the plot picks up when the soccer player enters the scene. This twist will hook fans of romance, and the book satisfies with a climactic ending.–Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA
FINN, Katie. Unfriended. 352p. (A Top 8 Novel). Scholastic/Point. June 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-545-21128-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10–In this series installment, Madison and her friends are thoroughly engrossed in the world of online social networking while surviving the double-crossing, trickery, and teenage angst at their Connecticut beach scene. This time around, an old foe who is blackmailing Madison for revenge requires her to dump her boyfriend and her friends, threatening to expose important secrets if she doesn’t comply. Facebook-like status updates are scattered throughout the text. The writing is mediocre, and Finn spends a lot of time on a backstory that, while extensive, is likely to leave readers new to the series confused. When not rehashing earlier events, however, the plot moves quickly, and most teens will forgive the novel’s faults and enjoy it.–Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

FROST, Helen. Hidden. 160p. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-38221-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–An eight-year-old waits in the family’s minivan while her mother goes into a convenience store. When she hears a gunshot, she scrambles to hide under a blanket in the back, and then someone rushes into the van and drives away without knowing she’s there. This novel in verse is told in two first-person voices. Wren is the girl in the van, and Darra (also age eight) is the daughter of the man who robs the store and inadvertently kidnaps Wren. He drives home, and she’s trapped in their garage for several days before she escapes. Darra is aware of her presence and tries to come up with a plan that won’t implicate her father, but Wren is already gone. The book then jumps ahead six years, to the summer camp in Michigan where the two girls meet. This original blend of crime tale, psychological study, and friendship story is a page-turner that kids will love. There are a few plausibility issues, but there are many more strengths. Wren’s captivity in the garage is truly suspenseful, and the various interactions of the kids at the sleepover camp are a study in shifting alliances. The book also touches on some deeper issues, like how you can love a parent who is sometimes abusive, and how sensitive kids can blame themselves for things that aren’t really their fault. Smoothly written, this novel carries a message of healing and hope.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

GIER, Kerstin. Ruby Red. Bk. 1. tr. from German by Anthea Bell. 336p. Holt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9252-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Gwyneth Shepherd, 16, was born into an offbeat English family. Unfortunately, she has no real interest in its unique time-travel gene or the tedious fencing training and language lessons that come with being the chosen one. That’s best left to her cousin, Charlotte, so when Gwyneth, rather than Charlotte, starts traveling to the past, she is entirely unprepared. She lacks adequate knowledge of history and etiquette, and her mother warns her not to trust the secret Society of the Guardians, whose job is to protect her. Gwyneth’s only help comes from Gideon de Villiers, a handsome time traveler from another family. Together, they must face off against the formidable Count and uncover the mysterious disappearance of a stolen chronograph, a time machine. The teen describes her exploits with humor and naïveté. Aside from her special abilities (she can also see ghosts), she is every bit the typical teenager who bickers with her family, snoops with her best friend, and crushes on the snooty Gideon. This first installment of a trilogy will soon find a new crop of fans in the United States. It’s a fun, engaging read that will be an easy sell for teens wanting to time travel with a delightful narrator.–Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Northampton Community College, Hawley, PA

GLEITZMAN, Morris. Then. 208p. Holt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9027-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Jewish orphans Felix and Zelda are just escaping from a train taking them to a concentration camp when they hear shots. After many more ring out, they discover a mass grave filled with bodies of children. Starting with the word “Then,” each chapter moves the story forward as Gleitzman picks up where Once (Holt, 2010) left off. Ten-year-old Felix, the storyteller, continues to try to reinvent reality for six-year-old Zelda, whose skepticism and feistiness are undiluted. He wants to protect her, but by doing so, she is terrifyingly outspoken, and her usual “Don’t you know anything?” shows her scorn for the hapless beliefs that he is trying to sell her. In the Polish countryside and small village, the children find good and kind people, as well as those who intend harm. Unfolding events are deadly. The danger, the evil, and the need to pretend to comply when asked to appear in the town square to witness more horror contrasts with Felix’s childlike thoughts as he makes choices about how to survive. While still a child, all of his innocence is gone by the end, and Felix has learned the power of memory. While the protagonists are young, this book is for older readers as it spares nothing in its imaginings of the losses and horror that were the Holocaust.–Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO

GRIFFIN, Adele. Tighter. 224p. CIP. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86645-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96645-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89643-9. LC 2010025301.
Gr 9 Up–Following the heartbreaking revelation that her secret relationship with a teacher is over, Jamie allows her mother to convince her to become an au pair for the summer as an emotional distraction. Unable to cope normally, the teen pops prescription pills pilfered from her family members indiscriminately throughout her time on Little Bly. Already haunted by the spirits of two relatives who took their own lives, Jamie falls prey to the restless spirits of her charge’s previous au pair and her boyfriend who died the previous summer. As the teen becomes more and more disoriented, unsure of what’s real and what’s in her head, her new friends become concerned for her mental health. Full of mystery, spectral encounters, and disorienting lapses in time, this is a ghost story that melds seamlessly with one of a mental breakdown. A stunning and unexpected revelation brings Jamie’s story to a startling conclusion. An engaging thriller with wide appeal.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

HARDINGE, Frances. Fly Trap. 592p. CIP. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-088044-6. LC 2010027755.
Gr 5-9–Independent orphan Mosca Mye; the con man Eponymous Clent; and Mosca’s violent goose, Saracen, are back in this sequel to Fly by Night (HarperCollins, 2006). The trio is trying to find a new home after being forced to leave Mandelion at the end of their first adventure, and their travels bring them to Toll, where they need to raise funds to leave the city and cross its bridge. They quickly become involved in the local intrigue, which juxtaposes Toll’s innocent daytime appearance with its alter ego, Toll-by-Night. Mosca’s world features a variety of divinities, each ruling over a brief period of time each year, and Toll’s residents are fated to be part of the day or night cities depending on when they were born. At the center of many plots is the beautiful daughter of Toll’s mayor, and her kidnapping leads to danger and encounters with the threatening and dangerous Locksmiths. When Mosca is exiled to Toll-by-Night, she needs to find allies and put together the pieces to locate the missing Beamabeth, defeat the Locksmiths, and change the future of Toll itself. Hardinge has once again created an intricate world, and she uses the town’s dual nature to focus on people’s perceptions of others. Mosca’s spirit and heart bring the story together and make her actions totally believable. Fly Trap’s action and drama are balanced with humor, often presented through the flamboyant Clent and Saracen, as well as through the names and duties of the divinities. This is another high-quality, thought-provoking fantastic adventure that will keep readers’ interest in spite of its length.–Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI

HENKES, Kevin. Junonia. illus. by author. 192p. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. June 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196417-6; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06-196418-3. LC 2010010346.
Gr 4-5–Alice Rice and her parents spend every February vacation on Sanibel Island, FL. But this year things are different: some of their friends cannot be there, and her mother’s college friend Kate is coming with her new boyfriend, Ted, and his six-year-old daughter, Mallory. Trying to make the best of things, Alice is determined to do her usual shell-gathering, hoping this time to find a rare junonia shell, but Mallory disturbs her hoped-for idyll with her tantrums and clinginess. When a phone call from her mother, who has left her to live in France, causes the child to make a scene at Alice’s 10th-birthday celebration, Kate and Ted decide to take her home. Alice, who has grown in understanding and empathy for Mallory, must also learn to deal with change and disappointment when she realizes that the junonia shell she finds on the beach was really purchased and placed there by a well-meaning neighbor. As in his previous novels, Henkes’s omniscient narrator lends an air of detachment to the telling, even as he describes the action and Alice’s feelings. Secondary characters are lightly drawn, descriptions of the island setting are lyrical, and the conflict is gentle, features that will appeal to some readers. Details of shell collecting, a two-page visual guide to shells mentioned in the book, and chapter heading sketches also add interest to this quiet, interior novel.–Marie Orlando, formerly at Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

HILL, Will. Department Nineteen. 540p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-406-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Jaime Carpenter is a sulky, antisocial teen. Having moved several times in the past two years, he is the perpetual new kid and constant target of bullies. But what does he expect after his father is gunned down by the authorities for aiding terrorists? Now more sins of the father are being visited on the son. Jaime is attacked and his mother is kidnapped by a being of unbelievable power. The teen is only spared his mother’s fate when Frankenstein’s monster appears on the scene wielding strange weapons. It whisks Jaime away to a hidden government installation occupied by Department Nineteen, or Blacklight, the most secret of secret agencies. He soon discovers that vampires, like Frankenstein’s monster, are real and are an actual threat to Britain and the rest of the world. He is told that Stoker’s Dracula and Shelley’s Frankenstein are accurate recordings of historical events. He also learns that his father was a slayer of vampires and other dangerous creatures. The director of Blacklight reluctantly agrees to let Jaime and Frankenstein search for Mrs. Carpenter with the help of a captured teen vampire to whom Jaime is unnervingly attracted. There is plenty of action and gore to hook even reluctant readers despite the 500-plus pages. The author skillfully blends history, classical fiction, and teen fantasy into a unique novel. There is some weak dialogue with characters abruptly switching emotional gears, but the plot more than makes up for it. Fans of Darren Shan and Marcus Sedgwick will eat this up.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

HINWOOD, Christine. The Returning. 308p. CIP. Dial. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3528-6. LC 2010008398.
Gr 9 Up–During fictitious medieval times, Cam Attling leaves for war as a boy of 12, and, at the age of 18, he’s the only soldier to return. Townspeople view him with suspicion, his betrothed’s father breaks the engagement, and family members treat him differently because he lost a limb. Disillusioned, Cam leaves home a second time to find his way in service to the lord who maimed him in battle and then nursed him back to health. Hinwood weaves together an epic tale with engaging vignettes that eventually come full circle. Unfortunately, odd formatting tends to break the spell and create an uncomfortable read. Long chapters are divided into sections by an extra line space and a first sentence that begins with three or four words in capital letters: “CLOSE TO, THE keep wall was not pure and white and smooth.” Capital letters demand attention, but these don’t seem to serve a purpose. In addition, the characters’ unusual vernacular may slow readers down. It takes time to become accustomed to dialect with double verbs, e. g., “He’s bitter after his sons did die,” combined with Yoda-like speech patterns, e. g., “Just there when the sword fell, were you.” However, readers who invest the time will eventually be swept up in Cam’s story and appreciate the manner in which various lives intertwine with his.–Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

HUBBARD, Jenny. Paper Covers Rock. 192p. Delacorte. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74055-5; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98954-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89942-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In October 1982, Alex, who is starting his junior year at an all-boys’ boarding school, is plagued with guilt following the drowning of a friend that he and another student, Glenn, witnessed subsequent to the boys’ drinking and jumping into a rocky river. The two fear expulsion and lie about what really happened, but they are not sure of what the new, young English teacher knows as she was at the scene after the drowning. Alex copes by spending his days in the library reading Moby-Dick and writing in a journal. He likes the extra attention he gets from Miss Dovecott because of his gift for writing and because he is in love with her; however, Glenn thinks that she senses their guilt and that she is trying to prove that they are lying about the situation. The boys make a plan to jeopardize Miss Dovecott’s reputation, and Alex must choose between his own fate and hers. The story builds to a climax that will have readers on edge. It could be read alongside many of the classics that deal with friendship and loyalty, as well as deceit. The structure of the book, with its section headings and quotes, will help to focus the narration for readers as it goes back and forth in time, and the haunting tone of the story line will intrigue them. Those who are looking for something to ponder will enjoy this compelling read.–Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

HUGHES, Pat Raccio. Five 4ths of July. 278p. CIP. Viking. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01207-7. LC 2010049521.
Gr 7-10–Jake Mallery is held to a high standard by his Patriot father, but he would rather be dreaming up pranks and daring escapades with his peers than running the family-owned ferry. He is certainly uninterested in training as a soldier on the remote chance that the British might attack their area of Connecticut. Jake’s coming-of-age story unfolds in five lengthy chapters, from 1777 to 1781, that trace his trials and tribulations as a boy, rebel, soldier, prisoner, and, finally, Patriot. Hughes builds her exciting narrative through careful research, infusing her characters with idealistic sentiments that contemporary teens will recognize–youthful ambitions, bravado, and honest insecurities. Jake, presented as an argumentative, even jealous teen, indignant at how his Yale student brother is favored by his father, develops a sense of responsibility and maturity through his progressively dangerous circumstances and comes full circle as a prisoner of war. Hughes’s often-gruesome descriptions of life on the British prison ships will leave readers with admiration for Jake’s reversal of egocentricity as he quickly learns the rules of survival and deals with realistic outcomes, including the brutal death of a childhood friend, a love interest that results in a pregnancy, and an escape scenario. Jake’s epiphany–that the ideals and life aspirations of Loyalists and Patriots can be one and the same the same–could have readers drawing parallels to today’s global rebellions and often warlike freedom-seeking protests in the Middle East. A great adventure story with strong discussion potential for character study and democratic values.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

HURWITZ, Michele Weber. Calli Be Gold. 208p. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73970-2; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90802-3; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89823-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Eleven-year-old Calli Gold is a quiet, perceptive child born into a family of overachievers. Her older sister is on an ice-skating team and her brother is a high school basketball star. Calli’s parents expect their children to “be Gold” and realize their full potential, but Calli hasn’t found her niche yet, and doesn’t know if she has or even wants one. She tries to explain this to her parents, but to no avail, as they sign her up for class after class. In school her class has been paired with second graders in a Peer Helper Program and Calli chooses Noah Zullo as her partner–a new student who seems to have Asperger’s syndrome. Calli slowly makes progress with Noah, patiently talking and interacting with him until he feels comfortable, and they are able to come up with a project for the classes’ joint Friendship Fair. Still under pressure from her parents, Calli eventually triggers a confrontation that forces them to reexamine their expectations for her and her siblings and also their overscheduled life. This is a well-done first novel that clearly presents a young girl struggling to figure out just who she is and how she fits in her family. Readers will sympathize (and possibly identify) with Calli, and Hurwitz also does a good job revealing the adults’ motivations.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
JEFFREY, Mark. Max Quick: The Pocket and the Pendant. 304p. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-198892-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Max Quick, a 12-year-old orphan with no memory of his past, is on the run from the Starland Home for Boys when time suddenly stops. Everything and everyone around him is frozen, but he is seemingly immune. He finds Casey, who is also unaffected, and together they witness a UFO-type object flying east. Max is convinced they may be the only ones who can discover what caused the Time-stop, and they set out to reverse it. Also able to move in “the Pocket” is Ian, who has theorized about the phenomenon and who joins Max and Casey on their journey. As they travel, they learn more about Max’s past and it becomes clear that he may be the key to saving the world. This fast-paced adventure, though light on character development, will keep readers turning the pages. Occasionally dialogue is weak or overly expositional, but the story itself is engaging. What Max and his friends learn about those who caused the Time-stop raises philosophical and ethical questions about free will and even genetic engineering, though the latter isn’t fully explored. The incorporation of figures from Sumerian mythology adds an interesting element that may appeal to fans of Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series (Hyperion).–Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL
JOHNSON, Elana. Possession. 416p. S & S/Pulse. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2125-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2126-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Fifteen-year-old Violet is all about rebelling. She’s angry that her father deserted the family and that her older sister is dead. She lashes out at her ineffectual mother and sneaks out for a forbidden walk in the park with Zenn, the boy she’s been told she will marry. All pretty tame stuff? Not if you live in a repressive society. That walk gets Vi arrested and banished from the world of Good People. In this dystopic future world, an oligarchy of Thinkers controls the lives of Good People, and even Vi knows that being Bad is, well, really bad. But she can’t help herself. In jail, she develops a relationship with a luscious young man, outsider and agitator Jag. They escape and undertake a heroic journey to a place where they just might be able to be themselves and aid the cause of liberation. Damaged as she is by the repression of her childhood, Vi just can’t seem to trust Jag and her nascent feelings of lust–or is it really love? Vi also discovers that she has a very special talent, the ability to make people do her will, just like the Thinkers. She discovers, too, that her sister is alive and working with her father, who is a leader among the overlords. Emotion pumps through every scene of this thriller. Given all the urgency and action, the novel’s ending may surprise readers as the heroic adventure turns into a tragic love story. As in real life, not every rebel succeeds in breaking free, but before succumbing to conformity, Vi gives emancipation a really good try.–Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

JONES, Kari. Storm Tide. 106p. (Orca Currents Series). Orca. 2011. PLB $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-808-0; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-807-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–With his mom and dad off-island, Simon is looking forward to enjoying some free time. However, a freak storm blows in, and he is torn between his responsibilities at the lighthouse that he and his family call home and discovering the identity of a mysterious stranger who arrives just before the storm begins. After Simon and his sister Ellen rescue the man from nearly drowning, they realize that he’s connected to a perplexing mystery–hidden treasure buried somewhere on the island. They resolve to find an ancient artifact that once belonged to Juan de Fuca as a way to save their lighthouse from being closed by the government. Though the Canadian island setting and race against all odds are compelling, readers who are not familiar with the ocean, sailing, or nautical terms will have a hard time visualizing much of the action. Further weighing down the story is the forced dialogue that seems even more artificial in the remote setting. Finally, readers will feel as disappointed as Simon in the anticlimactic ending. Struggling readers, especially those on the East coast, may not have the background knowledge to understand the significance of the treasure or know who the explorer is. Steer clear of Storm Tide.–H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

KLUGER, Jeffrey. Freedom Stone. 316p. CIP. Philomel. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25214-3. LC 2010006028.
Gr 5-9–Kluger portrays the everyday horrors of slavery while mixing in magic and time travel for an atmosphere of possibilities and hope. Thirteen-year-old Lillie’s father joins the Confederate army expecting to win freedom for himself and his family. However, he is killed during the siege of Vicksburg and accused of having been a thief. The coins found on Papa become the property of the Master, who is no longer obliged to free the family. Lillie; her six-year-old brother, Plato; and their mother are devastated by his loss and the unjustified allegation, but as slaves they have no power to contest it. What’s more, because of his financial problems, the Master begins to consider selling Plato. When magic enters her life by way of an elderly slave and her prized African stone, Lillie gets the chance to clear her father’s name and win freedom for her family. Lillie’s love for her brother and mother and the danger and intrigue that she faces make for an engaging and satisfying story.–Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ

LO, Malinda. Huntress. 371p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04007-5. LC 2010038827.
Gr 10 Up–Set in the same world as Ash (Little, Brown, 2009) but centuries earlier, this stand-alone novel tells the story of Kaede, a 17-year-old studying at the Academy of Sages. When climate changes cause terrible storms resulting in the loss of crops and livestock, she, along with Taisin, another sage-in-training and seer; Con, the king’s son; and some trusted guards are sent to renew an ancient treaty with the Fairy Queen, hoping that together they might restore order to the land. After many arduous weeks of travel, they arrive only to discover that the fairy realm is in straits nearly as dire as those they left behind in the human lands. Together, the three young people embark on a desperate mission to destroy the being responsible for draining the fay of their magic and wreaking havoc on the land. In spite of the prohibition against sages forming intimate relations, feelings develop between Kaede and Taisin, and the two girls must decide whether to follow their hearts or their destinies. Lo has created a wonderfully detailed world, and this dynamic and moving story of love that must find a way against nearly insurmountable odds will be as well received as Ash. Select where historical fantasy and GLBT fiction are popular.–Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

LUPER, Eric. Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets. 236p. CIP. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-201512-9. LC 2010040808.
Gr 4-6–Sixth grade isn’t going well for Jeremy Bender. Three days into the school year, the class bully, Paul Vogler, pins him to the soccer field to force him to eat the turf. Quick thinking on his pal Slater’s part has mixed results. Then, Jeremy’s plan to show his dad how responsible he can be with his cherished boat goes horribly awry. Jeremy decides that he will fix the engine without letting his father know about the accident. How to raise the cash? When the boys spot an ad for a Windjammer Whirl with a $500 prize, they think they’ve found their solution–until they discover that the race is open only to Cupcake Cadets and the organization is a girls-only group. Undaunted, Jeremy convinces Slater to join the Cupcake Cadets. With boys dressing as girls and surprises like discovering that Vogler’s mother is the cadet troop leader, this humorous romp will have equal appeal to boys and girls. While Jeremy and Slater frequently try to be funny, much of the humor comes from unintentional hilarity, such as when Jeremy tries to interview his older sister about being a girl or coax a terrified Slater to come out of the woods wearing a cadet uniform. Luper maintains a believable story line with a couple of clever plot twists and genuinely endearing main characters. The ending will leave readers satisfied, but possibly craving cupcakes.–Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ

MCCAFFERTY, Megan. Bumped. 336p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196274-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In the near future, a virus renders almost everyone over the age of 18 infertile. Teen pregnancies are not only acceptable, but also vital to humanity’s survival. Sixteen-year-old Melody and her parents, like many others, have decided to go pro with her fertility. She has an agent, Lib, who has secured her a deal including a six-figure payday, full college tuition, a car, and a postpartum tummy tuck. Not everything is perfect, though. Melody is still waiting for Lib to find the perfect match for her, someone the prospective parents, the Jaydens, will accept, and her clock is ticking. To top things off, Melody has just learned that she has a twin. Harmony, who was raised in a religious commune away from the temptations of the world, shows up unexpectedly. If her existence becomes known, then Melody’s DNA will no longer be unique and her value will plummet. Of course, Lib coincidentally comes up with Jondoe, the most prestigious “man brand” of them all, the Jaydens approve of him, and mistaken identity ensues. McCafferty has concocted a world that is dystopia-lite. Something horrible has happened, but life for most teens is still carefree. Everyone can access MiNet via contact lenses, the pleasure drug Tocin is readily available, and sex is encouraged. The author even slips some serious issues into this hip novel.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

MCDONALD, Abby. The Anti-Prom. 288p. CIP. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4956-2. LC 2010039170.
Gr 8-11–Bliss, Jolene, and Meg all have high expectations for prom night. They have been planning all year, and Bliss knows that it will be as perfect as her boyfriend, Cameron, until she finds him making out with her best friend in the back of the limo. Jolene, “the baddest girl in school,” made a deal with her ex-best friend, Dante, to show up at prom as a joke. Only Dante doesn’t show, and Jolene is feeling stupid in the frilly pink dress. Meg’s mom made some phone calls and got her daughter a date with the son of a friend. He just called and said he couldn’t make it. Now Meg is trying to pluck up the courage to walk through the doors alone. These three very different girls who barely know one another are about to cross paths at just the right moment. Two want revenge. One just wants to belong. But all are going to get far more than they expect. This high school drama offers a different spin on that special night in a teen’s life. The plot moves along quickly, told in alternating chapters by each of the protagonists. Bliss, Jolene, and Meg are well developed and their actions are believable. And, most importantly, there’s a happy ending. Expect this book to fly off your shelves.–Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

MCKENZIE, C. Lee. The Princess of Las Pulgas. 346p. WestSide. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934813-44-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–After Carlie’s father dies, her formerly well-to-do family must move to an apartment in a less-desirable neighborhood. The adjustment is particularly difficult for Carlie and her brother Keith since Las Pulgas is their former school’s rival. They are teased by their classmates because of their superior attitudes and because they are embarrassed to be living in this place. Carlie is nicknamed Princess because some of the students think she acts like royalty. Things begin to change for her in her English class, where her writing exercises give her an opportunity to discover who her classmates are and help her share her hidden feelings. She gets the role of Desdemona in Othello, the junior class play, earning her the nickname “Des.” Eventually, things start to turn around for Keith and their mother, too, thanks to a helpful neighbor. Carlie’s story is both uplifting and sad. While the story is predictable, the characters seem completely real as they deal with their grief, adjust to their new lifestyle, and struggle to move on. As Carlie’s English teacher says, “Las Pulgas has much to offer.”–Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD

MEEHL, Brian. You Don’t Know About Me. 416p. illus. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73909-2; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90771-2; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89715-3. LC 2010017101.
Gr 8-10–Billy Allbright, 16, has spent most of his life on the road with his mother as self-proclaimed members of the “New J-Brigade,” an itinerant Christian organization of two bent on “playing Whac-a-Mole with the devil.” Itching to attend a real high school, Billy plans to petition his mother for more freedom when he receives a mysterious package from the father he had been told was dead. It contains a fancy Bible; hidden in it are a DVD and the first pages of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The DVD is of Billy’s father, who, speaking from his deathbed, invites his son to geocache across the country in search of a valuable unpublished novel by Mark Twain, so Billy sets off to follow his father’s clues wherever they might lead. En route, he forms an unexpected partnership with a black professional baseball player grappling with his decision to come out, who agrees to chauffeur the teen on his scavenger hunt if the boy agrees to read Huck Finn aloud to him. Although united by their Christianity, Ruah’s theology is more liberal than Billy’s, and the two clash over Ruah’s sexuality and philosophy, occasionally separating them but always meeting back up again. This road-trip story is not representative of traditional Christianity as Ruah’s more liberal interpretations of the Bible (“God is greater than any sin I can commit, even if it’s being gay.”) are favored here. Meehl’s novel is a slow starter but is good-hearted and, though the story suffers from its characters’ belabored exegesis of Huck Finn and the Bible, the pace picks up as it nears its conclusion.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

MILES, Liz, ed. Truth & Dare: 21 Tales of Heartbreak and Happiness. 384p. Running Pr. Teens. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-4104-4. LC 2010941312.
Gr 10 Up–Like the game for which this anthology is named, these stories are exciting, a little risky, racy, and very revealing. Miles has assembled a collection by well-known names in teen fiction, such as Cecil Castellucci, Ellen Wittlinger, and Gary Soto, as well as some voices new to the field. Most selections contain some element of romance or attraction. In Sarah Rees Brennan’s “The Young Stalker’s Handbook,” a teen follows a cute boy around a mall until she is forced to speak to him after an embarrassing event. Sara Wilkinson’s “Pencils” is an odd story in which a young man finds the sight of his seven perfectly sharpened pencils just as compelling as the large (possibly uneven) breasts of his tormentor. Some selections are simply about the choices people make, such as Shelley Stoehr’s “Somebody’s Daughter,” in which the actions of three friends at a party have disastrous consequences for one of the girls. Among the most creative of the stories is Emma Donoghue’s “Team Men,” a reimagining of the biblical story of David and Jonathan set against the backdrop of boys’ soccer. But the most compelling stories are the ones in which the narrator questions what he or she knows, such A. M. Homes’s “Yours Truly,” in which a young woman feverishly writes words of self-examination in a linen closet, or Courtney Gillette’s “Never Have I Ever,” in which a teenage girl must choose between her beloved boyfriend or the girls to whom she’s always been attracted. The tales range from humorous to heartbreaking to ridiculous to empowering, and most readers will be able to find at least one story that speaks specifically to them.–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

MOFFITT, Debra. The Forever Crush. Bk. 3. 192p. (The Pink Locker Society Series). Websites. St. Martin’s/Griffin. 2011. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64504-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In this third installment in the series, middle-schooler Jemma helps out her crush by pretending to be his girlfriend so that other girls will give him some peace. She thinks it’s the perfect arrangement: surely now that they’re spending time together, Forrest will realize how much he likes her. Meanwhile, since the principal shut down the Pink Locker Society, the girls will have to hold their meetings in secret while advising the girls of Margaret Simon Middle School through the Society’s website. Things get complicated when someone starts writing threatening notes and distributing anti-Pink Locker Society bookmarks. Frequent references to events in the previous titles may confuse those who haven’t read those books, but a related website provides readers the chance to learn about the characters, write in with questions, and try recipe and craft ideas. Jemma and her friends deal with typical tween concerns, and the protagonist’s realization that Forrest isn’t necessarily crush-worthy is well-handled.–Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI

MULDER, Michelle. Out of the Box. 150p. Orca. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-328-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Ellie spends her time tiptoeing around her parents, making good grades, and keeping peace in the family. She is thrilled to spend the entire summer with her much-loved, free-spirited aunt in Victoria, Canada. Together they will clean out the basement filled with treasures amassed by Jeannette and her longtime partner. Allison has recently died and though Jeannette misses her, she continues to live a full life that she joyfully shares with her niece. While in Victoria, Ellie gains confidence, makes friends, learns to play tango music on an Argentinean instrument called the bandoneón, and ultimately solves a mystery that surrounds it. Even though she returns to Vancouver when her mother feels threatened by her older sister’s relationship with Ellie, the 13-year-old has matured enough that readers are confident that she will be fine. Ellie’s narration authentically conveys her gradual growth, the insecurities that surround her developing friendships, her role in a dysfunctional family, and the pleasure she takes in music. Adults and their relationships are portrayed credibly, especially those of Jeannette, Allison (even though she is only introduced through others), and several of Jeannette’s adult friends. A bit of Argentine history rounds out the �believable plot, adding a bit of mystery and tension beyond Ellie’s immediate world.–Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library

MYRACLE, Lauren. Shine. 363p. Abrams/Amulet. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8417-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Cat, 16, has isolated herself over the past three years, retreating from her friends and life after being violated by a boy she knew. But after a gay-bashing incident involving her former best friend at the local convenience store where he works leaves him in a coma, she is determined to enter the world again and investigate the crime to make up for all the years she abandoned him. The sheriff suspects his attackers are most likely out-of-towners angry with Patrick because he refused to sell them alcohol. Cat assumes the perpetrators are closer to home since the “redneck posse” that Patrick hung around with never fully accepted him and must know something since they partied with him earlier in the night. In a week’s time, Cat pays visits to her old friends and slowly learns about the hidden relationships in the meth-addled underbelly of her hill-country Southern town. Most of the teens in this novel have either dropped out of high school, come from broken families, or been abused. It’s a bleak story leavened a little by the things Cat learns about herself in the course of her investigation. Myracle captures well the regret that many feel for things in their past about which they are ashamed. Cat’s reflections on these moments are spot-on.–Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA

OKORAFOR, Nnedi. Akata Witch. illus. by author. 353p. Viking. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01196-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–This contemporary fantasy features Sunny, 12, Nigerian by blood but born in New York City, who’s been living in Nigeria since she was 9. She has West African features but is an albino with yellow hair, white skin, and hazel eyes. This mixture confuses people, and she is teased and bullied by classmates. One day while looking into a candle flame, she sees a vision of the end of the world. She discovers that her classmate Orlu; his friend Chichi; and Sasha, newly arrived from America, all have magical abilities, and they suspect that she does, too. She finds out she’s of the Leopard spirit line and has the ability to cross over into the spirit world, become invisible, see the future, and manipulate time. She and her new friends must use their abilities to try to defeat a serial killer who’s maiming and killing children to use to awaken a monster from the spirit world. This vividly imagined, original fantasy shows what life is like in today’s Nigeria, while it beautifully explores an alternate magical reality. Sunny must deal with cultural stereotypes, a strict father who resents her being female, and older brothers who pick on her because she’s better at soccer than they are. This is a consistently surprising, inventive read that will appeal to more thoughtful, patient fantasy readers because it relies less on action and more on exploring the characters’ gradual mastery of their talents.–Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

O’NEAL, Eilis. The False Princess. 323p. CIP. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-079-5; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-242-3. LC 2009040903.
Gr 7 Up–One day after her 16th birthday, Nalia, the Princess of Thorvaldor, learns that she isn’t “Nalia” after all. She is Sinda, a poor peasant who has been used as a decoy to save the true princess. Because of a prophecy that foresaw her death before her 16th birthday, the true Nalia was sent to a convent where she was kept safe. Now, she returns to Thorvaldor, and Sinda is sent to live with her aunt in Treb, where she struggles with her new identity and misses the king and queen, the only parents she ever knew, and Kiernan, her best friend. When a friend betrays her trust, she becomes overwhelmed and magic begins bursting out of her–magic that she didn’t know she possessed and can’t control. She goes back to Thorvaldor and becomes a scribe to the eccentric Philantha. One night, she watches someone put a spell on Nalia, or the girl who she thought was Nalia. It is the same spell that was repeatedly put on Sinda to hide her true identity during her first 16 years. Could there be another decoy? Who is deceiving the king and queen? The plot line is unpredictable, causing readers to be pulled along with each page turn to find out what will happen next. The thick character descriptions allow for teens to empathize and put themselves in the place of Sinda and the others. The characters are dealing with the angst of change and identity development, so readers can really relate to the issues that come up in this exciting story. Written from Sinda’s perspective, this book takes readers on a wild ride of deception, mystery, and young love.–Kathryn Kennedy, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

PARKINSON, Siobhán. Long Story Short. 160p. Roaring Brook. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-647-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10–Jono and his little sister run away: from home, from their drunken mother, and from their absent father, who has another family. But looking after himself, let alone after eight-year-old Julie, is a bit too much for the 14-year-old. After they spend just two days wandering Galway, Jono knows he has to get his sister to safety. He makes certain she gets into their father’s house before taking off on his own. He does not get far before the police and social workers catch up to him. Jono gives his version of what happened at home, but he is not the most reliable of narrators. The story jumps in time as he tries to order his memories. Or is he is trying to twist the tale to suit his own interests? Jono’s tough exterior, his attempts to hold his family of two together, and his rough humor will appeal to many readers. Parkinson’s language is spot-on for a smart but troubled young man, but some terms may make comprehension tricky for non-Irish readers. The author sustains a tense and worrisome mood throughout, but the tale is not without humor, dark though it is. Jono and Julie’s story is not tied up neatly by book’s end, but readers are left with hope, and sometimes that is enough.–Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT

PAULSEN, Gary. Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Deception. 122p. CIP. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74001-2; PLB $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90817-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89868-6. LC 2010028356.
Gr 6-9–Kevin, 14, believes that lying is just good manners. He tells people what they want to hear and believes that in doing so he makes their lives run smoother, fosters harmony, teaches lessons, and, every once in a while, gets his own way. With all his practice, the eighth grader has become a consummate liar. When Kevin decides to leap from minor fibs to huge whoppers, he finds that keeping things under control is exceedingly difficult. His goal to make his crush fall in love with him by the end of the week gets more arduous with every mammoth falsehood. As his fabrications spread and begin to hurt his friends and loved ones, Kevin has to decide how to come clean. Kevin is a typical Paulsen character with a good heart and good intentions, who just doesn’t get things right on the first try. This quick, comical tale is sure to be a hit. As usual, the author plants a moral at the conclusion, but readers won’t mind because of the funny plot and over-the-top characters. A sure bet for struggling and reluctant readers.–Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

PEARCE, Jackson. Sweetly. 312p. Little, Brown. June 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-06865-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–What makes this title different from other books involving werewolves and modern teens? Perhaps it’s that the protagonists have left the woods in Washington State for the woods of South Carolina. Or maybe it’s that they’re named Ansel and Gretchen, which is supposed to remind us of Hansel and Gretel, but doesn’t really. Instead of an old crone in a house made of candy, there’s a nubile young beauty who is a chocolatier, which maybe reminds us of a movie entitled Chocolat, and whose goods seem to have interesting psychological effects on those who consume them. It’s probably unnecessary to say that Ansel falls under her spell. The witch doesn’t eat him, though. Or any other humans. She leaves that to the werewolves. Thank goodness that Gretchen befriends a young man who’s been living in the slave quarters of a nearby former plantation because he knows how to kill werewolves and he teaches Gretchen so they can go hunting together. That’s romantic, too. This is more of a mash-up of the fairy tale and some recent best sellers than a reframing of the story in a deep Southern setting, and Pearce’s writing is too long on breathlessness and suppressed anguish and too short on actual plot. Will any of this pull readers in? Make them want to read 300 pages? Highly unlikely.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
PETERS, Julie Anne. She Loves You, She Loves You Not. 278p. Little, Brown/Megan Tingley Bks. June 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-07874-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–When Alyssa’s father discovers her in a compromising position with her girlfriend, the 17-year-old finds herself banished to the fabulous Colorado home of Carly, the mother she barely knows. Though Alyssa is disgusted with her father for being judgmental and homophobic, she makes some of the same morality judgments about her mother’s exotic dancing and her other job as a supposed masseuse/personal trainer with clients who call at all hours. Asserting her independence, the teen lands a summer job at the Egg Drop Inn, where everyone seems to recognize her as “Carly’s girl.” Slowly she begins to build an extended family with the owner, Arlo; with the customers; and especially with an attractive young waitress, Finn, all the while struggling to work out her relationships with her parents. Told mainly in a first-person narrative, with somewhat intrusive second-person flashbacks explaining the past year, this soap-opera tale juggles themes of first love, coming out, friendship betrayal, homophobia, abandonment, grief, and forgiveness. While it’s difficult to juggle so many balls without dropping a few, She Loves You is still an entertaining read.–Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield

POLISNER, Gae H. The Pull of Gravity. 208p. CIP. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37193-7. LC 2010021749.
Gr 7-9–In this charming but uneven chronicle of a teen in his watershed autumn, Nick Gardner’s claims to fame include having a dad, email moniker FatMan2, who decides to move his 395-pound body on foot the 196 miles back to his beloved Manhattan. The out-of-work newspaperman sets out to change his life, but Nick doesn’t open the emails that chart his progress, unbalancing readers, who do see the messages. His next-door friend Scooter suffers from a rare syndrome that dooms him to look like “a shrunken old man” and cuts life short. Nick shares a love for Star Wars movies with the Scoot, but now that he’s heading toward 15, there’s less time for hanging with his frail childhood buddy, and after a stroke, Scooter has even less time. Enter Jaycee Amato, the bizarre yet beguiling friend of Scooter who presents Nick with a quest at the request of the dying teen–the two of them will track down the father who abandoned Scooter and his mom more than a decade ago to deliver a letter and a valuable signed first edition of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. When the two set out to try to make it happen for the Scoot, Nick instead finds Scooter’s mother–and his own transforming father with her. This infidelity plot strand dangles a bit, but many teens will gloss over it to focus on the fact that bus road trips allow plenty of kissing practice time. Characters feel real, though unresolved, and the plot zips along, championing strength in adversity.–Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

RASKIN, Joyce. My Misadventures As a Teenage Rock Star. illus. by Carol Chu. 112p. CIP. Houghton/Graphia. June 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-39311-7. LC 2010027456.
Gr 7-9–Alex is a 14-year-old geek from New Jersey who loves unicorns and is plagued by acne. She wants nothing more than to be popular and have lots of friends, but that doesn’t seem to be the way her life is going. That is, until her older brother must leave his rock band and suggests that Alex fill in for him. Although this is a decent premise, the novel never takes off or goes anywhere. After only a few lessons from her brother, the teen miraculously becomes an amazing bass player, to the envy of all her classmates and new fans. All of a sudden, she is playing to sold-out shows, has one boyfriend after the next, and becomes a great skateboarder after a girl at the local skate park shows her a few moves. Alex learns that she wants to be straight-edge, avoiding all drugs and alcohol, and while this is an admirable trait in a protagonist, the message is force-fed in after-school special didacticism. The one-dimensional characters won’t keep readers interested. The author’s writing style is repetitive and unimaginative, and Chu’s simple line illustrations add nothing to the story. The author may have firsthand knowledge of playing in a popular band, but that cannot save this uninspired novel.–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, East Columbus, NJ

REINHARDT, Dana. The Summer I Learned to Fly. 224p. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. July 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73954-2; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90792-7; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89787-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Eighteen-year-old Drew Robin Solo, or Birdie, as her family calls her, tells about the year she was 13, when her widowed mother opened The Cheese Shop. Birdie works there (unpaid) with her mother; Swoozie; and Nick, a surfer who has a way with both artisanal pasta and all machines. Once school ends, she plans on working full-time until her mother tells her that, even if she were not too young to employ, she just could not afford her because the shop is barely making money. Birdie still comes in, bringing along her pet rat on the sly, largely to spend time with Nick, who makes her feel “fluttery” even though he’s college age. At the end of most days, she takes the bread, pasta, and cheeses that are too old to sell and puts them out by the Dumpster. It’s there that she meets a boy slightly older than she, who introduces himself as Emmett Crane. Over the next couple of weeks she and Emmett get to know each other. She also learns that her mother is dating someone, and that she wants to make her own “Book of Lists” like the one she found belonging to her dad. Ever steady, reliable Birdie slowly comes to realize that Emmett is a runaway. He finally admits it, but it is because he is in search of a miracle to help his family. He wants to find a hot spring that was part of a Native American legend his father read to him. He feels that if he jumps into this spring his father will come back to the family and his younger brother will get well. Birdie agrees to help him with his quest and to leave her comfort zone in the process. Reinhardt has written another book that will resonate with any readers learning to spread their wings and fly.–Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL

RESAU, Laura & María Virginia Farinango. The Queen of Water. 354p. glossary. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73897-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90761-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89680-4. LC 2010010512.
Gr 9 Up–Based on a true story, and told from the protagonist’s point of view, The Queen of Water follows a seven-year-old indígena who was taken from her family in the rural Ecuadoran Andes mountains to be a servant in an urban home. Confused, afraid, and alone, Virginia accepts her captors as parents and loves their children. The prejudice of these mestizos, or middle-class natives, speeds the girl’s assimilation, though it comes with a price: an inferiority complex that she confronts slowly as she secretly teaches herself to read. Confusion over whether or not her parents gave her away willingly serves the plot well; Virginia’s dilemma doesn’t fit neatly into formulas about courage and fighting for justice, although eventually both are within her reach. Her mistreatment by the woman of the house, an overweight, selfish dentist, is humiliating, constant, and disturbing; her husband plays her foil–understanding, even loving, until Virginia reaches adolescence–when he tries to molest her. This is a poignant coming-of-age novel that will expose readers to the exploitation of girls around the world whose families grow up in poverty.–Georgia Christgau, Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY

RIGGS, Ransom. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. 352p. photos. Quirk. June 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59474-476-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59474-513-3. LC 2010942876.
Gr 8 Up–Sixteen-year-old Jacob, traumatized by his grandfather’s sudden, violent death, travels with his father to a remote island off the coast of Wales to find the orphanage where his grandfather was sent to live to escape Nazi persecution in Poland. When he arrives, he finds much more than he bargained for: the children from his grandfather’s stories are still at the orphanage, living in a time loop in 1940. The monsters that killed Jacob’s grandfather are hunting for “peculiar” children, those with special talents, and the group at the orphanage is in danger. Jacob must face the possibility that he, too, has certain traits that the monsters are after and that he is being stalked by adults he trusted. This complex and suspenseful story incorporates eerie photographs of children with seemingly impossible attributes and abilities, many of whom appear as characters in the story. The mysterious photographs add to the bizarre and slightly creepy tone of the book. Jacob is a strong and believable character, though only a few of the secondary characters are fully realized. The pacing of the story is good, alternating action sequences with Jacob’s discoveries of his grandfather’s long-hidden secrets. Readers will find this book unique and intriguing.–Misti Tidman, formerly at Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY

RIORDAN, Rick. The Throne of Fire. Bk. 2. 452p. (The Kane Chronicles Series). glossary. Hyperion/Disney. 2011. RTE $18.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4056-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Elaborating on the ominous revelation that caps The Red Pyramid (Hyperion, 2010), this planned trilogy’s middle episode sends dual narrators Carter and Sadie Kane from their newly established school for sorcerers in Brooklyn to the underworld realm of the Duat, leaving massive trails of destruction on their way to a first face-off with Apophis, snake god of Chaos. Given just five days to find the retired god Ra–god of order, or ma’at–before Apophis escapes millennia of confinement and destroys the universe, the squabbling sibs also have their own growing magical abilities to explore; hostile factions of both human wizards and Egyptian gods to battle; monsters to face; temptations to overcome; infatuations to work through; rescues to make; and, of course, plenty of digs, wisecracks, fashion notes, and teen chatter to deliver. Fortunately they have some sturdy allies–notably Bes, the god of little people and memorable for more than just his Speedo with “Dwarf Pride” written on the butt that is his battle costume. Despite helpful lists of Egyptian deities and terms at the back, readers unfamiliar with the opener may have trouble at the beginning keeping up with both the continuing plotlines and the teeming cast, but Riordan kickstarts the action, never lets up on the gas, balances laughs and losses with a sure hand, and expertly sets up the coming climactic struggle without (thankfully) ending on a cliff-hanger. It’s a grand ride so far, showing nary a sign of slowing down.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library

ROTH, Veronica. Divergent. 496p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-202402-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In a future Chicago, the population is divided into five factions–Abnegation, Candor, Dauntless, Erudite, and Amity–each of which believes its opposite is the root of human evil. Sixteen-year-olds are tested for aptitude and must choose whether to remain in their birth faction or select another. They are aided in this selection by a simulation in which their decisions indicate which faction best suits them. Occasionally, though, the simulation indicates multiple choices. These individuals, known as Divergents, are perceived as threats by leaders who want members to behave and think in specific ways. Beatrice Prior is a Divergent, born into the selfless Abnegation faction but fascinated by the outrageous Dauntless. She chooses to become an initiate there and leaves her family behind, little knowing the challenges she will face. Despite her slight build and her meek upbringing, she must demonstrate her courage in physical combat and in simulations designed to present her with her deepest fears. Only 10 initiates will be accepted, and there are those willing to let cruelty take the place of courage. Beatrice comes to realize that another faction plots against Abnegation and that it may take a Divergent to save them. Roth paints her canvas with the same brush as Suzanne Collins. The plot, scenes, and characters are different but the colors are the same and just as rich. Fans of Collins, dystopias, and strong female characters will love this novel.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

RUMLEY, Crickett. Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell. 296p. Egmont USA. June 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-131-0; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-255-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Jane Ventouras’s mother died when Jane was in fifth grade; since then, her shipping-mogul father has shipped her off to 13 elite boarding schools, and she’s been kicked out of all 13 of them. As a result, the 17-year-old ends up back in her hometown of Bienville, AL. When her grandmother signs her up for the Magnolia Maid pageant, Jane, the anti-belle, does all she can to avoid being chosen, but when her plans fail and she is named to the court, she must decide if she will accept this position with grace or bring about the downfall of Bienville’s grandest tradition before the Maids even make their big debut. At the same time, Jane is trying to figure out if she still has feelings for Luke Churchill, the boy who was her best friend and first kiss before her father sent her away. This breezy read set on the Gulf coast will appeal to readers who love a good friendship story with a mean girl and a little romance in the mix. Jane and the other Maids struggle with one another amid family issues, high fashion, and big money. While troubles arise, friendship wins out and girl power prevails. Offer this to readers who like their chick-lit with a little sweet tea and a lot of Southern sass.–Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN

SAMPSON, Jeff. Vesper: A Deviants Novel. 304p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199276-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Geeky, introverted Emily Webb is terrified yet excited by the sudden onset of nighttime transformations that turn her into a bolder, more daring version of herself–a version with increased physical prowess, a taste for adventure, and on the scent of a boy who smells just right. When the nighttime changes fade, Emily is left shocked by her behavior; daytime Emily would never make a move on a cute cop, publicly lick another girl’s boyfriend on the face, binge drink, or steal her best friend’s car. The power and self-confidence that come with the change is alluring, but as the danger ous behavior of her nighttime persona escalates and the transformations become more wolfish, daytime Emily becomes determined to find out the cause and if it is affecting to other teens in town. The first-person narration gives the plot an immediacy that pulls readers in, and her self-deprecating observations are both charming and reflective of so many girls with low self-esteem. The story is framed by an interrogation-style interview that leaves room for additional books in a series and adds a layer of menace to the unfolding mystery. While the paranormal transformations will tempt fans of the genre and make a good hook for readers, it’s Emily’s transformation into a confident young woman who is more comfortable in her skin and willing to stick up for herself and others that makes this book a strong addition to most collections.–Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

SCARROW, Alex. Time Riders. 416p. Walker. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2172-3. LC 2009053166.
Gr 8 Up–In this rollicking adventure, three teens are plucked from obscurity just before their deaths and offered the chance to join the secretive TimeRiders organization, which was formed to stop rogue time travelers from destroying the world. Liam O’Connor should have died on the Titanic in 1912, while Maddy Carter was supposed to meet her demise on a plane in 2010, and Sal Vikram should have perished in a fire 16 years later. By reliving the catastrophic events in New York City on 9/11/2001, the trio monitors history for any large or small deviations by using pattern recognition, computer science, and espionage skills. In this first of a planned nine-book series, the new recruits and Bob, their half-human, half-robot computer-support unit, are tasked with preventing futuristic physicist Paul Kramer from altering the past so Nazi Germany wins World War II. While Liam and Bob travel to wartime Germany to thwart Kramer’s plans, Maddy and Sal remain in New York City, forced to witness Manhattan’s destruction. Scarrow does an exceptional job of tying up the loose ends and explaining time travel without confusing his readers, who will applaud the nonstop action (accompanied by limited violence and minor foul language).–Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD

SCOTT, Elizabeth. Between Here and Forever. 256p. S & S/Pulse. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9484-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9486-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Seventeen-year-old Abby lives in the shadow of her talented and beautiful older sister. But when Tess is left comatose after a car accident, she finds that her sibling’s shadow looms even larger from the confines of the hospital. Convinced that her eye movement implies a full recovery, Abby persuades an attractive stranger from the wealthier neighboring town to lure Tess to consciousness with his good looks and conversation. Abby works hard to deny herself the pleasure of Eli’s company, but as she learns more about her sister’s past and prospects for recovery, she begins to rely on Eli’s companionship. However, the emerging romance is threatened when Abby is unable to be honest about her feelings and pushes him away. By piecing together her memories with the stories from Tess’s former college roommate and estranged high school best friend, Abby learns a shocking truth about her sister that also reveals her own issues with trust and intimacy. The story moves along at an engaging pace. Flashbacks maintain the suspense and build a compelling sense of mystery. Abby’s voice becomes frustratingly self-deprecating, almost to the point of stretching believability. However, the sense of self-doubt and guilt she feels will be relevant to many teens. Compulsively readable, this novel will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman.–Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

SHARENOW, Robert. The Berlin Boxing Club. illus. by author. 410p. illus. CIP. HarperCollins. June 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-157968-4. LC 2010024446.
Gr 7 Up–This powerful and thought-provoking novel set in Berlin from 1934 to 1938 dramatically chronicles the impact of Hitler’s rise to power through the eyes of Karl Stern. After suffering a humiliating beating by some pro-Nazi bullies, the 13-year-old happily accepts the chance to be coached by Max Schmeling, the champion boxer he meets at a reception in his father’s art gallery. Boxing has never been one of Karl’s interests, but it becomes his main focus. Prior to his humiliation at school, drawing cartoons was his passion and they are cleverly interspersed in the story. He and his family are nonobservant Jews, and Karl even expresses anti-Semitic attitudes early in the book. But eventually politics and economics begin to overshadow everything in the boy’s life. Much of the art at the Stern Gallery has to be sold secretly since the Nazis have banned it as degenerate. Karl’s mother has periods of depression. As the entrenchment of Fascism grows, things become even more confusing. Karl admires Schmeling greatly, but becomes disillusioned by the boxer’s association with Hitler and high-ranking Nazis. The gallery is destroyed on Kristallnacht when roving bands of Nazis smash windows of businesses owned by Jews. Karl’s father is wounded and Karl and his sister run to a customer who risks a great deal to help them. Ultimately it is Schmeling who saves the two young Sterns and pays for their passage to America. This is an unusual story with well-drawn, complex characters, gripping history, and intense emotion.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

SHERRARD, Valerie. The Glory Wind. 192p. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-170-5. LC 20109043901.
Gr 6-8–In 1946 Canada, Gracie and her mother move to a small, rural town where the girl befriends Luke, a fellow 12-year-old in need of a close friend. Gracie is open, sweet, and enthusiastic, and Luke not only gains a best friend, but also falls a little in love. But single women with children are suspect in the World War II era, and Gracie’s mother is not making any friends. In fact, the townsfolk’s disapproval trickles down to Gracie, making her life difficult. When a tornado strikes, Luke, Gracie’s mother, and the townspeople all have a reckoning, as Gracie disappears. Sherrard has created rich descriptions of the place and its people with the narrative set up as Luke looking back on these events. Throughout the story, he learns and grows, but Gracie plops fully formed and angelic onto the scene, only to be literally lifted up at the end. Although set in a farming community, the main sense that comes across is “small town” with all the good and bad that term connotes. Themes of acceptance and forgiveness are dealt with rather heavy-handedly; the tornado shakes up the town much like Gracie’s mother did earlier. The children build a Circle of Truth out of stone and use it as a place of refuge. There is even a magical black woman who helps the youngsters make sense of things. It would be a perfect Oprah book club pick, but seems rather ponderous for a children’s book.–Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT

SHIELDS, Gillian. Betrayal. 359p. CIP. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-137584-2. LC 2009023430.
Gr 7-10–This sequel to Immortal (HarperTeen, 2009) finds Evie Johnson returning to Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies after her grandmother’s funeral, but things have changed quite a bit at the exclusive boarding school since Evie’s first semester. She and her two closest friends must battle evil teachers who hope to discover the secrets that will lead them to immortality. Using messages from the ancestor who first uncovered the magic to which she is heir, Evie struggles to defeat the coven and save her true love, Sebastian, whose doomed quest for everlasting life has left him stuck somewhere between life and death, from the sinister forces leading him to darkness. Told from both Evie’s and Sebastian’s perspectives, and introducing a band of Gypsies and a strange new student, this sequel is missing the romance of its predecessor. While those who did not read the first book may have difficulty understanding what is happening, fans of Immortal (HarperTeen, 2009) will enjoy discovering the fate of the nefarious headmistress and her minions and will cheer Evie and her friends on to victory. Give this modern-day magical romance series to readers who are drawn to Libba Bray’s “Gemma Doyle” trilogy (Delacorte).–Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI

SHUSTERMAN, Neal. Everfound. Bk. 3. 512p. (Skinjacker Trilogy). CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9049-9. LC 2010029018.
Gr 8 Up–Shusterman closes his trilogy with this epic installment. As Mary Hightower lies in a deep sleep, her allies venture west in their ghost train, building an army of Afterlights (spirits of young people who have died but not yet “moved on”). One of the newcomers, Jix, keeps his loyalties and intentions hidden while moving up the ranks in Mary’s inner circle. Meanwhile, Mikey (formerly the vicious monster “McGill”) and Nick the Chocolate Ogre set off in search of Allie the Outlaw, meeting up with a mysterious and terrifying scar wraith whose touch can extinguish an Afterlight forever. Shusterman’s conversational tone and skillfully written dialogue nicely counterbalance some intense action sequences. Everlost is an impressively built world with unique and likable characters. However, the author has a tendency to overexplain story elements at times, and while the plot hums along pretty well over the course of the book, inconsistent pacing causes it to drag in places. For fans of the series, these shortcomings shouldn’t be too much of a bother, but leaving the world of Everlost behind may cause a great deal of distress. A handy and informative FAQ (narrated by Allie the Outlaw) helps integrate background material at the outset, but readers need to be familiar with the first two volumes in order to understand much of the background character development and several plot points.–Sam Bloom, Groesbeck Branch Library, Cincinnati, OH

SILVEY, Craig. Jasper Jones. 320p. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86666-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96666-8; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89678-1. LC 2010009364.
Gr 9 Up–Everything changes for 14-year-old Charlie Bucktin the night the town outcast, Jasper Jones, knocks on his window. Jasper needs to show him something terrible, so he takes Charlie into his secret spot in the glade. Laura Wishart, the shire president’s daughter and Jasper’s friend, hangs from a tree, and unless the boys can hide her body, Jasper will surely be blamed. Without knowing the why or how of this tragedy, Charlie is left with a secret that’s almost impossible to bear. The oppressive heat of a small Australian town is an appropriate setting for the slow boil of unraveling truths. Charlie seems wise beyond his years, using the vocabulary of the tomes in which he loses himself. There are, however, several glimpses to remind readers of his real age–in dealing with his first real crush, his uninhibited best friend, and his temperamental mother. Silvey is a master of wit and words, spinning a coming-of-age tale told through the mind of a young Holden Caulfield. Some readers may find themselves stumbling through the Australian slang and cricket-game terminology, but the universal themes are reminiscent of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. However, the expletives and subject matter make this gripping story most appropriate for older teens.–Kimberly Castle, Stark County District Library, Canton, OH

SITOMER, Alan Lawrence. Nerd Girls: The Rise of the Dorkasaurus. 230p. Hyperion/Disney. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3996-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Self-proclaimed dork-a-saurus Maureen tries to stay below the radar of the ThreePees (Pretty, Popular, Perfect) –Kiki, Brittany, and Sophia. But when they have fun with Allergy Alice by sitting next to her at lunch and eating foods Alice is allergic to, Maureen shocks herself by grabbing the peanut butter-laden sandwiches and stuffing them into her own mouth to protect Alice. Of course, Brittany gets the whole thing on video, and Maureen’s heroic act becomes fat-girl YouTube fodder. As if that weren’t bad enough, Alice is so grateful that she and Beanpole Barbara start joining Maureen at lunch and decide that the trio should take on the ThreePees in the school’s annual talent show. Though she’s initially resistant to their overtures of friendship, Maureen finally agrees that the ThreePees need to be brought down a couple of notches when their harassment shows no sign of stopping. As the newly christened Nerd Girls prepare for their act, Kiki, Brittany, and Sophia ramp up the pranks, and in the final hours before the talent show, things look bleak. While the narrative includes flashes of humor and unexpected twists, slapstick events and caricatured characters prove distracting. Sitomer’s middle-school characters’ voices never click: phrases such as “meanie snobs” and a tendency to give every character a nickname are too juvenile for 14-year-olds. Maureen’s often-caustic narration will keep readers at arm’s length. What could have been a touching, clever friendship story is an additional purchase at best.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

STEPHENS, John. The Emerald Atlas. Bk. 1. 419p. (The Books of Beginning Series). CIP. Knopf. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86870-2; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96870-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89955-3. LC 2010029100.
Gr 4-8–Kate, 14, 12-year-old Michael, and 11-year-old Emma have lived in 12 different orphanages during the decade since their parents’ mysterious disappearance. Kate tries to care for her brother and sister as she promised her mother, but this gets harder when they are sent to a new orphanage directed by Dr. Stanislaus Pym and find that they are the only children in his remote mansion. When they explore the home, they discover a magical door that reveals a hidden study, where they find a magic book that allows them to travel through time. The action escalates as the girls try to rescue Michael, who is stranded in the past, and develops after the children learn the history of the Atlas and its connection to their lives. As they try to find the book in the past, they meet brash and humorous dwarves, a powerful warrior, and a younger Dr. Pym, as well as an evil witch who is also seeking the Atlas. Unfolding magic and secrets deepen the story and build excitement as it reaches its complex and time-bending climax. The siblings have a realistic and appealing relationship, including rivalry and bickering that hides their underlying deep loyalty to one another. Echoes of other popular fantasy series, from “Harry Potter” to the “Narnia” books, are easily found, but debut author Stephens has created a new and appealing read that will leave readers looking forward to the next volumes in this projected trilogy.–Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI

SUMMY, Barrie. I So Don’t Do Famous. 295p. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73790-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90699-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89947-8. LC 2010023545.
Gr 5-8–Sherlock Holmes Baldwin (“Sherry”) is back for another mystery in this fourth installment in the series, and this time she’s in Hollywood with her father and her friend Junie, having won an all-expenses paid trip for writing an essay on true love. Also along for the ride is Sherry’s deceased mother, whose ghost only Sherry can speak to and who helps solve her daughter’s cases. This time, Dear Elle, Hollywood Girl magazine’s famed love advice columnist, has had her purse stolen, and the 13-year-old is determined to find the culprits. With the help of Junie, the Beverly Hills police, and some deus ex machina, Sherry is able to nab the thieves while taking in the Hollywood tourist sites, getting closer to her father, healing her broken heart, and meeting a cute new boy (who just happens to live near her in Arizona). The mystery is wrapped up in a neat little package. There isn’t much substance here. Sherry and Junie are both flat stereotypes (Sherry is the fashionista; Junie is the brainiac). The contrived plot doesn’t move the story in any worthy direction. This book will be popular with fans of the series, but it’s an additional purchase at best.–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, East Columbus, NJ

TANEN, Sloane. Are You Going to Kiss Me Now? illus. by author. 368p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5461-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Francesca thinks of herself as anything but gorgeous, with her red curls and freckles, but she knows that she can write. She wins a Seventeen magazine essay contest for a trip to Africa with several celebrities to perform charity work. This is a dream come true because she is wholly absorbed in the lives of pop-culture icons, memorizing details about them from the magazines she buys every week. Also, with her parents’ recent divorce, her father having a baby with his girlfriend, and her mother and sister acting strangely, Francesca could really use an escape. She is awestruck by the faces she sees on the plane and excited about the new adventure. Then the plane crashes, leaving her marooned on an island with a bunch of celebrity strangers. Through the days-long ordeal, Francesca learns that her idols have problems and insecurities of their own. She keeps an account of all the events on the island (through text messages “sent” to her best friend on her nonworking cell phone), and after their rescue, Seventeen hires her as its youngest staff writer ever. This story will appeal to girls who dream of meeting and falling in love with their favorite celebrities, but the novel’s overabundance of pop-culture references will quickly date it. The plot is decent (albeit extremely far-fetched), in that Francesca learns to stop coveting famous people’s lives and starts having self-confidence. Standard chick-lit that will appeal where titles like this are popular.–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, East Columbus, NJ
TELEP, Trisha, ed. Corsets & Clockwork: 13 Steampunk Romances. 448p. Running Pr. Teens. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-4092-4. LC 2010941311.
Gr 8 Up–Airships, steam-powered machines, clockwork automatons, Martians, and goggles reign supreme in this genuinely entertaining collection. From the delightfully gruesome tale of a cannibalistic mermaid on a murderous rampage to the story of a bold heiress who secretly makes and sells elaborate bombs, these selections by 13 different authors contain a unique sampling of steampunk stories. Most are traditional romances with hopeful, if not happy, endings, such as Adrienne Kress’s “The Clockwork Corset,” a tale of childhood sweethearts who face the greatest test to their relationship on a battlefield. However, a few take a wider view of the concept of romance, marriage, and love, such as Caitlin Kittredge’s strangely ethereal “The Vast Machinery of Dreams,” in which a writer is consumed by the source of his inspiration. While not every story is exceptional, all are engaging. Some of them contain challenging vocabulary and concepts; however, the action and romance in the other selections would make them good choices for reluctant readers. The common flaw is that the stories end too soon, just when readers have begun to fall in love with the steampunk worlds the writers have created.–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

TRACY, Kristen. Sharks & Boys. 272p. Hyperion. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4354-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–When Enid’s boyfriend, Wick, decides to go to an out-of-town party against her wishes and declares that he wants “to take a break,” jealousy overcomes her. The eavesdropping 15-year-old overhears the name “Gretchen” and ditches her mother during a catering job to tail her ex, his friends, and her own twin brother, Landon, over 500 miles from Vermont to an Annapolis marina. Enid discovers that the boys plan a nighttime cruise on the Gretchen, a boat owned by Skate and Burr’s parents, who have recently died in an airplane explosion. While the boys continue drinking beer, Enid stows away and a storm sinks the boat, leaving eight teens clinging to a small life raft. Enid’s dating insecurities, partly fostered by an absentee father, is just one contrivance that sets the stage for the survival tale. Despite the obvious dangers, including sharks, dehydration, and hypothermia, the plot revolves around the relationship among the four sets of twins. More is learned about the psychological testing that brought them together as friends, and some inborn weaknesses that ultimately lead to disaster. Enid and Landon come to terms with their own strained relationship and Enid struggles to trust Wick again. While it may be difficult for picayune readers to believe that they all had cut communication with friends and family, or that heavily traveled waters near Annapolis wouldn’t have spotted the group for days, it will not detract from a tension-filled climax and satisfying ending.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

VAUGHN, Carrie. Steel. 294p. glossary. CIP. HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-154791-1. LC 2010012631.
Gr 7-10–Jill has just lost a big fencing tournament, and now she’s stuck on a Caribbean vacation with her parents, nursing her wounded ego. Walking along the beach, she picks up a broken, rusty rapier tip. The next day, she takes a boat trip with her family, falls into the ocean, and finds herself pulled out of the water and onto a pirate ship. Jill has a hard time accepting the fact that she’s traveled 300 years into the past, but she eventually gets her sea legs and finds that her fencing skills come in handy in pirate life. But will she be able to save herself when it really counts? Details of shipboard life are well integrated into the narrative, with an emphasis on the endless hard work and real-life dangers of a pirate’s existence. The Diana is captained by Marjory Cooper, a strong female character who wins Jill over with her courage and fairness. Magical elements, and the actions of an evil rival pirate captain determined to get his hands on the sword tip, enhance the time-travel premise, give the plot cohesion, and add suspense. Readers willing to suspend their disbelief will enjoy this swashbuckling adventure on the high seas.–Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, WA

WATSON, Cristy. Benched. 122p. (Orca Currents Series). Orca. 2011. PLB $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-409-9; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-408-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Cody and his friends are coerced by members of his brother’s gang to perform what seems like a harmless prank: steal a bench from the local park. After the boys pull off the feat, Cody realizes that the bench was a memorial to his favorite teacher’s father. To make matters worse, he is asked to cover the story for his school newspaper. When the gang members approach Cody and his friends again, they begin to understand that they are headed down a one-way street toward trouble. Tension mounts when Cody decides to confess the crime to his teacher and the newspaper editor. He must then find a way to make amends with his teacher, report the story fairly, and withdraw from the gang’s violent pressure. Though reluctant readers may find themselves caught up in a situation beyond Cody’s control, they may be disappointed in the ending as the boy’s troubles neatly resolve themselves. Stilted dialogue and regional colloquialisms will turn off others. Inner city readers with their own gang experiences may cry, “Foul!” since Cody’s encounters don’t seem authentic. The overt moral will finish off the rest. Benched needs to remain benched, er, shelved.–H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

WEBER, John R. Orphan! 301p. WestSide. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934813-38-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Life in the early 1930s is illuminated by this tale of two pals, impetuous Homer and more-thoughtful Jamie. Growing up in rural, northwest Iowa, Homer is shocked when his plain-speaking farmer father tells him on his 13th birthday that he, Homer, was adopted off an orphan train as a toddler. Convinced that he’ll never, thus, inherit the farm he loves, he is determined to go to New York City to find his biological parents and drafts Jamie to assist. Along the way, they encounter a violent, pedophile railroad “bull” in Kansas City, are rescued by an honorable hobo, and are helped by a variety of kindly folks including Big Lottie in her Dubuque whorehouse; a friendly railroad porter in Ohio; and by a girl they call Sam, now living in New York, whom they befriended during her earlier, brief stay in their Iowa community. The author cleverly incorporates the use of the telephone party line as a sort of pre-digital Facebook. Death by illness, deprivation, and poverty are realistically shown to have been the order of the day. Less successful is the repeated use of postcards and letters to move the plot along and inconsistent pacing. Most of the period details are on target. The boys’ changing relationship and personal growth are well handled, and the themes about self-reliance, sharing, and following your dreams are clear. Recommend to readers who like their history personal.–Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA

WEISSMAN, Elissa Brent. Nerd Camp. 261p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1703-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1705-2. LC 2010042913.
Gr 4-5–Gabe, 10, is excited about getting two things he has wanted: a brother and to go to camp. The brother is Zack, the son of his father’s fiancée, who is also 10 and lives across the country in L.A. The camp is the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment. Gabe wants to appear just as cool to Zack as he thinks Zack is, so he keeps the “nerd” details about camp to himself. At SCGE, the campers have lessons in the morning, then traditional camp activities in the afternoon and evening. The campers are typical kids, pulling pranks, whining about some things, and getting homesick; they just happen to be extremely bright. Gabe enjoys his bunkmates and loves everything about camp except the food. Zack is envious of Gabe’s experience, so Gabe keeps him up-to-date on what’s happening, sort of. He keeps a chart of things he can tell his stepbrother and the details that probably shouldn’t be mentioned, e.g., that they like learning the digits of Pi. The boys’ characters are well developed and although the three adults play a minor role in the story, they are civil to one another and to both boys. In addition to being a good, humorous story, the book also illustrates that kids who are bright are just kids and can enjoy a lot of different things.–Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

WILSON, Daniel H. A Boy and His Bot. 181p. CIP. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-280-7. LC 2010010635.
Gr 4-6–Code Lightfall’s philosophy on life has always been to do nothing whenever any decision is required. That’s always the safest bet. While on a class trip to Mek Mound, Code finds himself alone in an entirely different world that is populated by robots. He learns that Mekhos is in trouble; an evil robot has taken control of the king, Code’s grandfather, who disappeared the previous summer. Immortalis has started the great disassembly, causing everything in Mekhos to be taken apart. Unless the sixth grader can do something, he will be stuck in Mekhos and his grandfather will be killed–and he only has four days to do it. He creates a robot sidekick that helps him get around and adds an element of humor. Wilson has created a whole new world with its own set of rules and history. Code, a boy who feels apart from everyone, feels far more comfortable interacting with robots whose behavior is more predictable than that of humans. The lessons he learns during his adventure teach him how to come out of his comfort zone and face any situation with confidence.–Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY

YEP, Laurence. City of Ice. Bk. 2. 369p. (City Trilogy). bibliog. Tom Doherty Assoc/Starscape. June 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-1925-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In this sequel to City of Fire (Tom Doherty Assoc/Starscape, 2009), Scirye and her companions have left Hawaii and are pursuing their enemies Mr. Roland and Badik the dragon across the Arctic; their quest is to prevent Roland from finding a magical treasure that will give him terrifying powers. After a perilous journey, the friends join forces with Lord Resak, a powerful Arctic spirit that manifests itself as a giant polar bear, to repel an attack by Roland’s fighters. The eccentric characters from the first book are all here, from the orphan Leech and his smart-mouthed badger friend, Koko, to the brave dragon, Bayang, and they are joined by spunky young Roxanna and her ifrit servant. The adventures are nonstop and the magical creatures and gods are intriguing, though there is little character development beyond the continual bantering and quarreling in which Scirye’s companions engage. The prose and dialogue feel clumsy and inert at times, but this is countered by the colorful alternate-history setting in which ancient peoples such as the Sogdians and Kushans are still around and thriving. Readers who enjoyed the first book will be eager to read more about Scirye’s adventures.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

Nonfiction

ABOUKHAIR, Rachel. The Grumpy Girl’s Guide to Good Manners. 93p. New Chapter. 2011. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-0-9827918-4-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–In this hilarious and satirical memoir, written when the author was 16, readers meet Rachel, a uncooperative teen whose mother decreed a week of etiquette lessons in the middle of the Texas desert. What follows is an account of the 15-year-old’s trials: a cousin who never stops talking about her ex-boyfriend and instructions on how to hold silverware, apply makeup, dress properly, walk in high heels, and dance with a boy. All these lessons throw Rachel for a loop; she feels awkward, boyish, and ugly. Could the camp experience and the fire-breathing teacher turn her from geeky tomboy into a sophisticated young lady in a week? Occasional bullet point tips are offered on such topics as manicuring nails and a proper handshake. Readers will enjoy the author’s conversational style and sympathize with her plight, and, who knows, they just might learn a few manners along the way. Black-line illustrations break up the text, but otherwise don’t add much.–Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

ARNOSKY, Jim. Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators. illus. by author. 33p. further reading. CIP. Sterling. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4027-5661-0. LC 2010019680.
Gr 4-6–From the powerful osprey on the jacket with its outstretched wing and glittering eyes, through eagles and owls, herons and vultures, and loons and pelicans, Arnosky’s painterly eye and literary hand portray more than 20 “flying predators.” The brief text is both informative and personal, if not in-depth. Readers are told that vultures have bare heads for “cleaner” feeding in and on a carcass as a practical matter, and given a personal touch of watching a thirsty brown pelican catch raindrops during a coastal downpour. Accompanying the masterful acrylics, myriad pencil sketches illuminate the margins surrounding the text, ranging from a great blue heron’s spidery footprint to an actual-size eagle’s foot, talons and all. The author supplies a list of birding sites, bird books, and a metric equivalency chart. Six foldout pages allow for the life-size illustrations. Elegant in format and artwork, this book will not accompany young birders into the field, but will be a rich resource for remembering special sightings, and inspire them to keep their eyes on the sky.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

BAILEY, Gerry. Changing Climate. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-4962-3; ISBN 978-1-4339-4963-0; ISBN 978-1-4339-4965-4. LC 2010032885.
–––– . Farming for the Future. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-4966-1; ISBN 978-1-4339-4967-8; ISBN 978-1-4339-4969-2. LC 2010032887.
–––– . Fragile Planet. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-4974-6; ISBN 978-1-4339-4975-3; ISBN 978-1-4339-4977-7. LC 2010032886.
–––– . Out of Energy. ISBN 978-1-4339-4978-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-4979-1; ISBN 978-1-4339-4981-4. LC 2010032889.
ea vol: 48p. (Planet SOS Series). diags. photos. glossary. index. CIP. Gareth Stevens. 2011. PLB $31.95; pap. $14.05; ebook $31.95.
Gr 4-6–These well-designed books present different aspects of life on Earth and how they affect human beings. With information about water supplies and melting ice and their impact on ecosystems, the discussion in Climate of global water levels is especially enlightening. Farming includes a chapter on new types of farms and foods. Planet discusses natural events and disasters, such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, lightning, volcanoes, and windstorms. Energy has separate chapters on fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and more. The many large, colorful photos will engage readers and assist them in understanding the important concepts introduced.–Caroline Geck, Newark Public Schools, NJ

BAINES, Francesca & Matilda Gollon, et al, eds. How to Cook: Delicious Dishes Perfect for Teen Cooks. 128p. illus. photos. glossary. index. DK. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-7214-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–This attractive book has dozens of recipes with an international flair. Some spreads feature a single dish, like lamb tagine, while others focus on several recipes using a single ingredient or technique. Experimentation is encouraged, and developing confidence is an unstated but obvious goal. This book is not for beginners, but teens with a bit of experience will enjoy trying the many tasty-sounding recipes for everything from jambalaya to macaroons. Vegetarian options are included throughout. Bright color photos show the finished dishes, and the pages are embellished with simple drawings showing processes and ingredients. U.S. and metric measurements are given, but occasionally measurements for ingredients like potatoes, spinach leaves, and bread use weight rather than simple quantities, which isn’t very convenient for many home cooks. Overall, though, this is a contemporary cookbook with real teen appeal.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

BARNARD, Bryn. The Genius of Islam: How Muslims Made the Modern World. illus. by author. 37p. maps. chron. further reading. Websites. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84072-2; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94072-9. LC 2010012777.
Gr 4-6–The early Muslim world contributed much to society that Westerners now take for granted, including innovations in architecture, math, and music. Barnard devotes one spread to each area, explaining its impact on the modern world. The book closes with thoughtful commentary about the intentionality with which the West has “forgotten” the cultural and scientific impact of Islam. Colorful, captioned illustrations enhance the text, but there is no glossary or index and the chapter titles are not particularly descriptive. Maps on the endpapers illustrate the spread of Islam over time. The cover illustration depicts a camel carrying objects shown in the pages, which doesn’t represent the “modern world” and unfortunately reinforces the misapprehension that Islam is a “third world” religion. The book itself seems intended to allay that perception. Because of its uniqueness, this volume is a worthwhile addition.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

BERLATSKY, Noah, ed. Popular Culture. 220p. (Global Viewpoints Series). maps. PLB $38.45. ISBN 978-0-7377-5118-5; pap. $26.50. ISBN 978-0-7377-5119-2. LC 2010019294.
ESPEJO, Roman, ed. Celebrity Culture. 191p. (Opposing Viewpoints Series). illus. PLB $39.70. ISBN 978-0-7377-5213-7; pap. $27.50. ISBN 978-0-7377-5214-4. LC 2010032979.
ea vol: bibliog. index. Websites. CIP. Gale/Greenhaven. 2011.
Gr 9 Up–Despite coming from two different series, both books agree that celebrity culture is a global preoccupation and may well be altering the public’s social consciousness. The first book hops all around the world, exploring how various laws affect pop culture such as music, manga, anime, and intellectual property rights. Some of the essays are quite sophisticated in legal content. It is a wide-ranging collection of topics that sound eclectic (“Jamaican Dancehall Performers Who Espouse Homophobia Should Be Prevented from Performing in Canada”), but that all come around to the same concept of free speech versus illegal content. Technology and the Internet play a crucial role in disbursement in such countries as China, Thailand, and Iran, where attempts at control by the government are futile. These essays also bring to light disturbing phenomena in Western culture such as obscene/pornographic manga and National Socialist Black Metal music supporting fascism and neo-Nazi white supremacy. A number of the essays revolve around intellectual property rights, including “sampling, Internet piracy, and ‘BitTorrent’ file sharing.” Though Celebrity Culture is an “Opposing Viewpoints” book, even the “pro-celebrity” viewpoints have a hard time convincing readers of their inherent value to society, and ultimately just end up rationalizing the phenomenon. The vocabulary is challenging throughout, including such words as “effulgence,” “verisimilitude,” and “rebarbative,” along with such nouvelle expressions as “prosti-tots” and “tragedy voyeurs.” Nonetheless, it is an interesting and thought-provoking read.–Meredith Toumayan, The Governor’s Academy, Byfield, MA

BJORNLUND, Lydia. Personality Disorders. ISBN 978-1-60152-139-2. LC 2010031384.
PARKS, Peggy J. Anxiety Disorders. ISBN 978-1-60152-137-8. LC 2010031813.
ea vol: 96p. (Compact Research Series). charts. diags. photos. chron. further reading. index. notes. Websites. CIP. ReferencePoint. 2011. PLB $26.95.
Gr 6-10–These titles provide a systematic and focused look at their respective subjects. Each title begins with an overview and then provides an explanation of the disorder. Personality Disorders covers 10 types, including paranoid and schizoid disorders. Subsequent chapters explore causes and the ways these conditions impact patients’ lives and ultimately address whether sufferers can overcome them. Short sections containing primary-source quotes and bulleted facts and charts that highlight important information are appended to each chapter. Anxiety Disorders covers six main types, including panic and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It strikes an off-note with the inclusion of a graph showing that women who have had abortions have an increased likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Since this is the only study cited that links a particular action with an increased rate of anxiety, it adds an unfortunate and unnecessary political agenda to the topic. With the exception of the aforementioned problem, these titles are useful for reports as well as general interest; the inclusion of information on key people and advocacy groups as well as a chronology of events that highlights the historical background and important milestones adds value.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

BODDEN, Valerie. Che Guevara: Political Activist & Revolutionary. map. notes. ISBN 978-1-61714-780-7. LC 2010037883.
HAMEN, Susan E. John D. Rockefeller: Entrepreneur & Philanthropist. reprods. notes. ISBN 978-1-61714-784-5. LC 2010042438.
VANDER HOOK, Sue. Rupert Murdoch: News Corporation Magnate. ISBN 978-1-61714-782-1. LC 2010042439.
ea vol: 112p. (Essential Lives Series). photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. ABDO. 2011. PLB $34.22.
Gr 7-11–There is a lot to entice readers in the story of a privileged boy growing up in an intellectual, eccentric family who becomes one of the most iconic revolutionaries of the 20th century. Bodden’s biography, however, feels incomplete. Full chapters are devoted to Guevara’s childhood and his summer trips around South America as a college student, providing context for his eventual transformation into a Communist rebel, but the coverage of his later experiences in Africa and Bolivia is somewhat sketchy. Also, readers never gain a sense of the tense relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. Rockefeller is presented as a shrewd businessman and person of faith who never questioned his ruthless tactics in gaining control of oil production and distribution in America. Readers will also get a short history of American oil development in this story of one of the 19th century’s best-known “robber barons.” Plenty of sidebars and well-chosen photographs break up the text. Vander Hook’s biography is basically a history of Murdoch’s financial dealings, acquisitions, and scandals. Murdoch is shown as a heartless but unstoppable figure who is grudgingly admired even by some of his enemies. The author focuses on controversies, such as Murdock’s interview with David Frost, the kidnapping of a business partner’s wife, and his use of sensationalism to sell newspapers. Readers will certainly gain a sense of what it takes to dominate a global business, but they may feel that they have learned far more about News Corporation than about the man behind it.–Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

COLSON, Mary. Coping with Absent Parents. ISBN 978-1-4329-4760-6. LC 2010020920.
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Coping with Bullying. diag. ISBN 978-1-4329-4761-3. LC 2010020922.
MILES, Liz. Coping with Domestic Violence. ISBN 978-1-4329-4762-0. LC 2010021046.
ea vol: 48p. (Real Life Issues Series). charts. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Heinemann/Raintree. 2011. PLB $32.
Gr 4-7–These titles will do little to ease the distress of struggling kids, and their potential as resources for school reports is undermined by a lack of citations. Absent Parents discusses a broad range of situations that might separate children from their parents: work, military service, addiction, prison, divorce, severe illness. Bullying, the title with the most potential, breaks down the different types of bullying–verbal, physical, cell phone, and Internet–and suggests methods for overcoming them. Domestic Violence, marred by typos, covers violence between parents and violence inflicted on children, as well as altered living arrangements and foster care. All of the books give generic, scripted advice, which is repeated throughout instead of explained. A lack of personal stories, coupled with staged photos, detaches readers from the subject matter. One bright spot, found in Domestic Violence and Bullying, is the shared experiences and photos of celebrities who have dealt with these issues. Current titles on domestic violence and absent parents are hard to come by, yet affected kids will not be helped by these volumes. Alternatively, Ouisie Shapiro’s Bullying and Me (Albert Whitman, 2010) captures personal experiences, and Debbie Fox’s Good-Bye Bully Machine (Free Spirit, 2009) explains the topic in child-friendly language.–Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

DICKER, Katie. AIDS and HIV. ISBN 978-1-4488-1876-1. LC 2010023608.
SENKER, Cath. Refugees. chart. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-1880-8. LC 2010023632.
STEARMAN, Kaye. Human Trafficking Around the World. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-1879-2. LC 2010023631.
ea vol: 48p. (Global Issues Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Rosen Central. 2011. PLB $26.50.
Gr 7-9–These books provide overviews of human-rights issues and include case studies of real people struggling with HIV and AIDS, involved in human trafficking, and living as refugees. Numerous color photographs appear throughout, but most of those in AIDS are strictly filler. Occasional sidebars titled “What the World Thinks” attempt to give media coverage from varying viewpoints, but they are largely factual and do not give readers much to contemplate in terms of opposing opinions or biases. Time lines that run along the bottom of most pages distract from rather than add to the matter-of-fact texts. No sources are noted, making the books questionable for class assignments, and they don’t make for compelling reading.–Marcia Kochel, The Galloway School, Atlanta, GA

DOYLE, Bill & David Borgenicht. Everest. with David Morton. illus. by Yancey Labat. 204p. (Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure Series). maps. photos. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7123-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–“You” are the youngest member of a team trying to summit Mt. Everest. But success depends on making the right decisions. This action-packed adventure uses an interactive format not only to keep the story exciting but also to teach readers that the right choices can mean the difference between life and death. The team members are introduced with emphasis on their strengths and weaknesses and, since the choices offered are often dependent on cooperating with others, evaluating these traits plays a significant part in the decision-making. As situations are presented, readers choose to follow one of two paths and continue on it to an appropriate page. Many of the worst-case scenarios lead to failure or even death, some to partial success, and some moral choices result in personal loss but ethical triumph. Practical tips and advice for those thinking of climbing Everest are suggested by a consultant who has made that journey several times. Numerous black-and-white drawings appear throughout, and sometimes the text moves into graphic-novel mode for a few pages. The format and subject matter will be especially appealing to reluctant readers. A fun as well as informative addition.–Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

ENZOE, Pete & Willett, Mindy. The Caribou Feed Our Soul. Bk. 6. photos by Tessa Macintosh. 26p. (The Land Is Our Storybook Series). map. glossary. CIP. Fifth House. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-897252-67-3. LC C2010-904579-3.
Gr 4-6–This informative first-person narrative cleanly captures the Dénésôliné (Chipewyan) culture’s dependence on and reverence for the caribou, the predominant symbol of the tribe’s existence. The caribou is not only the centerpiece of this culture’s “table,” it is also an anchor to a past rich in tradition and storytelling. Enzoe, a Native spokesperson, teacher, and hunter, explains aspects of his tribe’s daily life in the Northwest Territories. He speaks of the mysticism of the caribou and illustrates its importance in feeding and clothing the tribe. He talks about the necessity of preserving the land so that his family’s descendants can continue to know the bounty of the animals. The book goes into the process of skinning and tanning their hides and even describes some of the games the tribe has invented, using caribou bones. Enzoe works with scientists, government agencies, and environmentalists to monitor the animals’ habits and to maintain his tribe’s right to the caribou harvest. The book is thoughtfully illustrated with a variety of engaging photographs of the area and its people, immersed in the daily goings-on of their lives. The aerial photography gives readers a grand view of the stunning geography. Detailed captions accompany most of the photographs, and a map shows the location of the community. Pages are “fringed” with caribou hide. There is a good balance of text and photos. A detailed glossary offers related facts and information.–Corrina Austin, Locke’s Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

FOGARTY, Mignon. Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students. illus. by Erwin Haya. 320p. appendix. bibliog. glossary. index. CIP. Holt. July 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8943-1; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8944-8. LC 2010011699.
Gr 6 Up–This text is evenly divided into five sections: parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, usage, and a final segment on how readers can improve their writing. Fogarty’s style mimics her podcasts with pithy but helpful rules and advice laced with examples. Pop quizzes and cartoon illustrations are also included. Libraries should purchase this book for reference use if nothing else, but budding writers will find it invaluable.–Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

FURGANG, Adam. Carbonated Beverages: The Incredibly Disgusting Story. ISBN 978-1-4488-1266-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-2282-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-2367-3. LC 2010023227.
–––– . Salty and Sugary Snacks: The Incredibly Disgusting Story. ISBN 978-1-4488-1267-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-2283-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-2368-0. LC 2010025751.
JOHANSON, Paula. Fake Foods: Fried, Fast, and Processed: The Incredibly Disgusting Story. ISBN 978-1-4488-1269-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-2285-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-2370-3. LC 2010020534.
WATSON, Stephanie. Mystery Meat: Hot Dogs, Sausages, and Lunch Meats: The Incredibly Disgusting Story. ISBN 978-1-4488-1268-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-2284-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-2369-7. LC 2010013649.
ea vol: 48p. (Incredibly Disgusting Food Series). illus. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Rosen Central. 2011. PLB $26.50; pap. $11.75; ebook $26.50.
Gr 5-8–While these titles promise disgusting stories, the books actually present straightforward information about why various junk foods are unhealthy without resorting to extreme gross-out factors. The books contain a breakdown of the foods’ components (chemical additives, high calories, fat, salt, etc.), insight into how they are processed, and both short- and long-term effects of consumption. Though there are rare preaching moments like, “No one would eat take-out chicken or pizza if they saw how animals were raised to make chicken pieces or pepperoni sausage for pizza” (Fake Foods), the writing overall shies away from being alarmist or sensationalized. Knowledge about ingredients and eating in moderation is the consensus of all of the books as evidenced by the last chapters that cover healthier practices and alternatives to snack food. Readers may or may not be disgusted, but they will definitely learn a thing or two about smart eating habits.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

GREGORY, Josh. Chef. ISBN 978-1-60279-985-1. LC 2010029085.
–––– . Plumber. ISBN 978-1-60279-984-4. LC 2010029538.
SOMERVILL, Barbara A. Commercial Fisher. chart. ISBN 978-1-60279-986-8. LC 2010029123.
–––– . Green General Contractor. ISBN 978-1-60279-987-5. LC 2010029535.
ea vol: 32p. (Cool Careers Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Cherry Lake. 2011. PLB $27.07.
Gr 4-8–These titles focus on careers that are expected to grow over the next decade and do not require a college degree. The books begin with a personal story of a teen and then segue into the occupation highlighted. They cover the necessary training and skills for the job (and options for obtaining them), a typical day, salary expectations, and well-known professionals in the field. The texts are accessible and clearly written. The authors write from an insider’s point of view so that readers feel as if they are learning about the career from someone with firsthand knowledge. The volumes all have a generous number of clear color photographs that depict people at work. Unfortunately, in Chef, the pronoun “he” is used exclusively; in Plumber, none of the photos shows workers wearing safety goggles, even when using a blow torch. Quibbles aside, these are great tools for students who are just beginning to think about careers and are unsure about whether they want a job that requires a four-year college degree or not.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

KLEYN, Tatyana. Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide. No. 29. 240p. (It Happened to Me Series). charts. maps. photos. further reading. index. notes. Websites. CIP. Scarecrow. 2011. Tr $42. ISBN 978-0-8108-6984-4. LC 2010038930.
Gr 10 Up–This volume covers the topic from personal, historical, political, and international perspectives and tackles some incredibly controversial issues in the mix. However, for the most part, American-born Caucasians are represented as being racially unaware of issues that confront immigrant populations and native-born Americans of color. Kleyn occasionally acknowledges survey results as being inadequate to draw conclusions and then proceeds to draw generalizations from them. At one point, she indicates that Caucasians are the “perceived mold” of Americans (i.e., Americans of color are not perceived by their Caucasian counterparts as truly American). At another point, the author indicates that “marriage between a man and a woman and the woman’s role in taking care of her husband” are core American values. There is certainly a portion of the population that believes these things, but it is in no way clear that they represent a majority. That said, this book represents an interesting counterpoint to anti-immigration rhetoric, and there is good information included. However, books that are billed as “Ultimate Teen Guides” typically have more interesting design elements and are written in a less-academic tone. There are better titles on this topic that do an excellent job of discussing immigration in the positive light it deserves, without the unnecessary bias. See “Focus On: Immigration” (School Library Journal, January 2011) for suggested titles.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

LLANAS, Shelia Griffin. Women of the U.S. Navy: Making Waves. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4296-5448-7. LC 2010040801.
SCHWARTZ, Heather E. Women of the U.S. Air Force: Aiming High. ISBN 978-1-4296-5449-4. LC 2010040749.
ea vol: 32p. (Snap: Women in the U.S. Armed Forces Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Capstone. 2011. PLB $26.65.
Gr 3-7–These slim books explain how women’s roles in the U.S. armed forces have evolved over the years. Each volume starts with an account of one specific servicewoman and then delves into her branch’s history. Both have a snappy design and eye-catching photographs, and the texts are written with struggling readers in mind. The content is engaging, the material is worthy, and the packages are attractive.–Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY

MORAGNE, Wendy. Depression. ISBN 978-0-7613-5882-4; ISBN 978-0-7613-7289-9. LC 2010034122.
RODRIGUEZ, Ana Maria. Autism Spectrum Disorders. notes. ISBN 978-0-7613-5883-1; ISBN 978-0-7613-7288-2. LC 2010034236.
SONENKLAR, Carol. AIDS. notes. ISBN 978-0-8225-8581-7; ISBN 978-0-7613-7286-8. LC 2010037633.
ea vol: 128p. (USA Today Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders Series). charts. diags. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. 21st Century Bks. 2011. PLB $34.60; ebook $25.95.
Gr 8 Up–These books serve as solid report fodder, with some interesting sidelights from the USA Today team. Each volume has an introduction, a description of the condition, chapters on what it is like to live with it, and material on research and treatments. A healthy smattering of statistics and personal stories appear throughout, as well as some fictionalized scenarios that are a bit less helpful. The volumes are colorful with shaded sidebars and a few well-chosen photos. Even though they are similar to other health series, such as the “Science of Health: Youth and Well-Being” (Mason Crest), these titles are not an exact match. Solid additions for libraries in need of fresh looks at these diseases and disorders.–Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX

NAVASKY, Bruno, sel. Poem in Your Pocket for Young Poets: 100 Poems to Rip Out and Read. with the Academy of American Poets. unpaged. CIP. Abrams/Amulet. 2011. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9142-2; PLB $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9882-7. LC 2010023449.
Gr 4-9–Many well-established poets are featured in this collection, including Rita Dove, D.H. Lawrence, and Robert Frost. Because the selected poems are diverse in format, length, style, and content, there is something for all tastes, and children will enjoy leafing through them. The design of this book emulates that of a flip notebook, which allows readers to tear out a poem and carry it around to enjoy and share throughout the day. Although this is a creative and innovative idea, librarians might want to caution students against ripping out pages from a library copy. In addition, the book has no real sense of organization. There is no table of contents or author/subject index, so searching for a favorite poem or writer would be time-consuming. The poems themselves are loosely grouped by subject (chapter headings are vague and echo lines in the poems, e.g., “Where You Never Were” and “There Is Rain in Me”). Ultimately, this book would be most useful for reading aloud or for casual browsing.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PARTRIDGE, Kenneth. Louis Armstrong: Musician. 110p. discography. ISBN 978-1-60413-833-7; ISBN 978-1-4381-3598-4. LC 2010026881.
SLAVICEK, Louise Chipley. Paul Robeson: Entertainer and Activist. 112p. ISBN 978-1-60413-843-6; ISBN 978-1-4381-3638-7. LC 2010026879.
ea vol: (Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. index. Websites. CIP. Chelsea House. 2011. PLB $35; ebook $35.
Gr 7 Up–These books couldn’t be more different from one another. Armstrong is a sweet, touching biography that looks at the extraordinary life of a musical genius. The writing is clear and engaging, with a light, humorous touch. The text moves along smoothly, interrupted from time to time by informational text boxes that supply additional and often fascinating information. Readers are treated to an overview of a unique personality. Slavicek follows the same formula, and does give the facts of Robeson’s life, but there’s little to reveal the full-bodied man behind them. She does, however, illuminate his music and his artistry on the stage and in film. Both books include a few black-and-white photos and reproductions. Armstrong will make a fine addition to any collection. For those libraries with few or no resources on Robeson, Slavicek’s biography provides a solid overview of the man’s life.–Carol Jones Collins, Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, NJ

ROSENBERG, Aaron. The Civil War: One Event Six People. 160p. (Profiles Series). maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. index. Websites. Scholastic. 2011. PLB $14.99. ISBN 978-0-545-28926-9; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-23756-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–With its short sentences, chapter divisions, and colorful layouts, this book will attract young readers. Rosenberg describes six major players who “definitely…had a hand in the outcome” of the Civil War: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Clara Barton, George McClellan, Robert E. Lee, and Mathew Brady. The short biographies relate facts about each person’s childhood, major accomplishments, and importance to the others, and how the conflict would have turned out differently without them. The text is supplemented with numerous historical photographs and sidebars. Social studies teachers could use this book as a platform for discussion about the Civil War.–Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

RUURS, Margaret. Amazing Animals: The Remarkable Things That Creatures Do. illus. by W. Allan Hancock. 32p. glossary. CIP. Tundra. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-973-3. LC C2010-903181-4.
Gr 4-6–An attractive compendium of critter facts, accompanied by some small, stellar acrylic paintings. Covering such topics as “Size and Strength” and “Diet,” snippets of text inform readers that an octopus “has a toothed tongue to drill holes in stuff” and “fig wasps have a symbiotic relationship with gif trees.” What readers are not told is that there are many kinds of birds of paradise besides the one pictured, each with its own courting behaviors, and that not all female fireflies are femme fatales luring unsuspecting males to entree status on the menu. This book has great eye appeal for young browsers, and the olio of factoids may prompt further investigations by curious kids.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

SCIESZKA, Casey. To Timbuktu. illus. by Steven Weinberg. 492p. CIP. Roaring Brook. 2011. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-527-8. LC 2010027627.
Gr 9 Up–To Timbuktu is a travelogue that will provide great inspiration for teenagers and young adults who are looking for adventure and self-discovery. After college graduation, Scieszka and her boyfriend set off on an almost two-year jaunt to various parts of Asia and Africa where they lived, worked, and learned far from their homes in the States. She journaled with words while Weinberg did so with sketched illustrations, and the result is an appealing and engaging tale of the ups and downs of their journey. It works as a series of vignettes that deftly and honestly explore the challenges that come with trying to be travelers and not tourist in lands where the locals couldn’t help but view them as the latter, and the difficulties and beauties of friendships that span different cultures and languages. It also realistically depicts the strains travel can have on a relationship, as well as the strengths it brings. Scieszka struggles throughout with the complications of her research and not asserting her very different worldview into the stories of the people she is interviewing. Often humorous, and occasionally heartbreaking, the book presents a lovely picture of the couple’s life together during this time with simple, eloquent text and emotive cartoon-style drawings.–Sharon Senser McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA

STAR, Fleur & Holly Beaumont, et al, eds. What Do You Believe?: Religion and Faith in the World Today. 96p. illus. maps. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. DK. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-7228-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–The “new DK” style used here is still heavily illustrated, with many small bursts of text and great visual appeal, but with far less white space than the “Eyewitness” series, and it incorporates lots of silhouettes and speech bubbles. All major religions are covered in two-page chapters. Entries on Native and East Asian religions provide too little information due to the constrictions of the layout. Most interesting are the spreads that synthesize information on topics like “What’s the point of prayer?” “Why do you wear that?” and “What is God?” Although the material is typically brief, this slim book goes beyond the standard comparative religion format to address questions of philosophy and belief that readers, both those with and without religious identification, will find thought-provoking, such as “How do people make moral decisions?” A good complement to Laura Buller’s A Faith Like Mine (DK, 2005).–Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

STEFANSKI, Daniel. How to Talk to an Autistic Kid. illus. by Hazel Mitchell. 43p. CIP. Free Spirit. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-57542-365-4. LC 2010043615.
Gr 4-8–Stefanski, 14, a high-functioning “autistic kid,” shares his insights and experiences. His voice is straightforward and he has a clear message to convey: “We’re all human.” The author describes characteristics that make autistic kids different, giving neurotypical children a way to understand and appreciate these differences. He also instructs readers about what they can do and say to normalize interactions. While the book is short and written in language that is easy to understand, it does an impressive job of speaking directly and succinctly about the issues and offering solutions. Simple line drawings depict teens, although there are more boys than girls; this is not unrealistic, given that boys are diagnosed on the autism spectrum four times more often than girls. While the wide variety of people represented on the spectrum is not addressed, this book could be used as a read-aloud, with a teacher or therapist working either with a mixed group of children or those on the spectrum, giving them words to use in social and school settings.–Wendy Smith-D’Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

SWIFT, Richard. Gangs. 144p. (Groundwork Guide Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Websites. CIP. Groundwood. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-88899-979-5; pap. $11. ISBN 978-0-88899-978-8. LC C2010-905904-2.
Gr 7 Up–This riveting volume, which is both comprehensive and concise, explores a complex and potentially controversial issue. Swift frames the issue against the gross social inequities that create gangs and discusses the factors that contribute to their existence, such as racism, poverty, drug use and trafficking, lack of jobs, crumbling global economies, etc. His no-nonsense approach is refreshing–he does not condone the actions of gang members, but he also does not place sole blame on these youths, who often have few other directions to take in life. Despite its conveniently compact size, the book is packed with information. Text boxes, which occasionally take up a full spread, expand on related issues discussed in the chapters, such as the significance of tattoos in gang culture. The supplemental material is extensive: along with a subject index and a notes section, there is a “Gangs Timeline” that succinctly displays the history of gangs by decade and a short “Gang Vocabulary” list. Offering a broader scope and more current information than Scott Barbour’s Gangs (Gale/Greenhaven, 2006), this interesting and accessible volume is an essential purchase.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

SZPIRGLAS, Jeff. You Just Can’t Help It!: Your Guide to the Wild and Wacky World of Human Behavior. illus. by Josh Holinaty. 64p. photos. index. CIP. OwlKids/Maple Tree, dist. by PGW. 2011. Tr $22.95. ISBN 978-1-926818-07-8; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-926818-08-5. LC 2010931642.
Gr 3-6–Four chapters focus on the senses, emotions, communication, and interpersonal relationships, and humorous examples depict a range of intriguing facts about human behavior. The conversational tone relates scientific ideas to topics relevant in popular culture, such as comparing instant messaging to signals sent from the amygdala or hypothalamus. Though occasionally flippant in tone, overall each fast-paced, energetic section features an intriguing glimpse into scientific study, covering such topics as a mother’s preference for her own child’s soiled diapers and how the act of waving spreads through a crowd of fans in a stadium. Succinct answers convey both brevity and clarity. Direct questions encourage readers’ participation. “If you had to choose between candy and vegetables, which would you choose?” (The popular choice is sweets, of course, though the text explains that a preference for sugar is apparently present in the fetus.) Fascinating statistics are interspersed among punchy color photographs. A long list of the experts consulted concludes this dynamic entry, but there are no source notes. A surprising amount of information is conveyed in these snazzy trivia snippets, which are likely to illicit both numerous “eews” and “cools,” all in one satisfied breath.–Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

WILSON, Janet. Our Earth: How Kids Are Saving the Planet. illus. by author. unpaged. photos. Websites. CIP. Second Story, dist. by Orca. 2010. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-897187-84-5. LC C2010-902513-X.
Gr 4-6–If there is to be any hope of saving what is left of the Earth’s natural beauty and resources, it will be as a result of the next generation’s awareness and activism. In the profiles included here, young people from around the globe have seen a problem and worked to bring about a solution. From creating overhead migrating routes for monkeys in Costa Rica to cleaning beaches and planting billions of trees, they have shown the way through both idealistic and concrete actions. Each spread includes a painted portrait, a photograph, and a quote from the featured individual as well as a short description of the environmental problem tackled. These youngsters have had some remarkable successes, but some follow-up to their stories would have provided interest as to the final result of their efforts. Many of them would now be adults, and readers may wonder what they have made of their lives and if their commitment to environmental activism has been sustained. Readers may also want to know how the families, teachers, and mentors of these young activists aided their efforts. The stories included here may be inspirational to young readers and could be used as a basis for class discussion and class action.–Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

ZIMMERMAN, Andrea. Eliza’s Cherry Trees: Japan’s Gift to America. illus. by Ju Hong Chen. unpaged. chron. CIP. Pelican. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-954-3. LC 2010046163.
Gr 4-6–Author, photographer, and the first woman to have an important role at the National Geographic Society, Eliza Scidmore grew up in the late 1800s in her mother’s boardinghouse in Washington, DC. She loved to travel, and after college and a trip to Alaska, she visited her older brother, who was living in Japan. Scidmore fell in love with the country and its people, and especially with its cherry trees. On returning to Washington, she began thinking about bringing the trees to her homeland and pursued her dream for more than 20 years. Finally, she wrote a letter to President Taft’s wife, who loved the idea. Two thousand trees arrived in Washington in 1910 but had to be destroyed due to disease; three thousand were successfully planted two years later. This is an inspiring, heartwarming story of determination and spirit. The writing flows well, and the lush illustrations are reminiscent of Impressionist paintings. They give a solid sense of the time period and locations. Because of its picture-book format, this title may get lost in the nonfiction area, so collections will want to highlight it.–DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

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