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September 1, 2011

In this Article

Nonfiction

Fiction

ABBOTT, Tony. Lunch-Box Dream. 192p. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-34673-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–It is 1959, and nine-year-old Bobby’s mother decides to make a vacation out of driving Grandma from Ohio back to her Florida home with planned stops at various Civil War battlefields and landmarks. Parallel to this narrative of a white middle-class family is one of a Southern African-American family. Nine-year-old Jacob is under the care and tutelage of his older sister and her husband in Atlanta, struggling to live within their Jim Crow environment and conscious about not making waves outside their insulated community. On a visit to Dalton, the boy innocently makes a public remark and then suddenly does not return home. In an incident much like the famous Emmett Till case, there is an implication that a similarly drastic outcome occurs, but it is not explicitly explained as the story progresses from multiple perspectives. Bobby and Jacob are worlds apart in their experiences yet closely linked in their naïveté about bigotry’s often fatal consequences. Bobby’s family vacation turns sour as a wrong turn brings them to an obviously poor, African-American area. Bobby’s panicked mother recklessly totals the car in a foolish attempt to escape. When the two families are forced to ride the bus, their paths cross at a bus station. Abbott’s true-to-life descriptions and complicated story lines set in the volatile, pre-Civil Rights era will leave readers with much to think about and discuss when considering race relations in our country’s history.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

ACHEBE, Chinua. How the Leopard Got His Claws. with John Iroaganachi. illus. by Mary GrandPré. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4805-3. LC 2010040344.
Gr 6-9–Written in 1976, this story has been released with new bold, deep-toned illustrations that aptly fit the dark message. Seemingly more for adults than children, the narrative reveals how a dog’s lust for power and the animals’ cowardice eventually drive the formerly benevolent leopard, with the help of a blacksmith and Thunder, to revenge and bring havoc to a once peaceful existence in the forest. The end of the story, in which the now-fearful dog makes a vile alliance with a hunter (portrayed as a human), leaves little hope for change. Upper-grade teachers may find that this picture book offers takeoff points to discuss violence, political power, and vindictiveness in today’s world, but it is doubtful that young readers will pick it up on their own.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

ACKLEY, Amy. Sign Language. 392p. Viking. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01318-0. LC 2011003001.
Gr 6-8–Abby North, 13, lives in White Lake, 30 minutes from Detroit. She has a crush on her older brother’s football teammate and a best friend who is surprisingly nice for being one of the popular girls. Her parents are a little older than some (48 and 55), but overall the Norths are a typical, low-key family–until her father has kidney surgery, after which the c-word comes up. The chapters that deal with her his failing health and its effect on the family are realistic and sensitive, although hospice doesn’t come off looking too good (at least not through Abby’s eyes). She never fully registered what the final result of her father’s illness would be, and she has a meltdown at the funeral home, shocked that his body is there. For a close-knit town, there is little mention of neighbors pitching in, with the exception of precocious and likable Spence, Abby’s best friend. The novel spans two and a half years, and after several false starts, Abby and her family are moving forward while still honoring Sam North’s memory in the closing chapters.–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

AGUIAR, Nadia. Secrets of Tamarind. 373p. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-38030-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In this quick-paced follow-up to The Lost Island of Tamarind (Feiwel & Friends, 2008), readers are again drawn into a magical world. After rescuing their parents on Tamarind four years earlier, the Nelson children have led a safe, if boring, day-to-day stationary life in Bermuda. Simon, especially, mourns their previous life at sea. When mysterious events hint that there may be danger on Tamarind, Maya, Simon, Penny, and their friend, Helix, an island native, set out to see if they can help. Upon arriving, the siblings are distressed to find that though the civil wars have ended, miners are removing so much ophalla (a native and magical mineral) that the island’s entire ecosystem is disintegrating. A series of clues leads the children on a chase to find the mythical Faustina’s Gate. If the well can be closed, the island will be saved. Lush descriptions of jungle life, mysterious creatures, and tropical cities easily enchant. As Simon wends his way through the clues to discover the location of Faustina’s Gate, readers will be amazed and excited right alongside him. This is a great adventure that sets the stage for a third book in the series.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

ANGELINI, Josephine. Starcrossed. 496p. CIP. HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-201199-2. LC 2010040425.
Gr 9 Up–Another entry in the supernatural love category. This time it is the story of descendants from the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. These demigods are controlled, it seems, by the Fates, condemned to reenact ancient grudges ad infinitum. It doesn’t take long to figure out what is going on, as the names of the characters are a dead giveaway, especially since they are all in the same family, and readers get an inkling of “special powers” right from the beginning. Helen is the main character, and, you guessed it, she has the “face that launched a thousand ships.” In addition, she is incredibly strong and fast and heals herself. When first she meets Lucas (wait, he doesn’t have a Greek name but that will be explained later), she instantly loathes him. Of course, it isn’t long before Helen and Lucas are inseparable, and yet, strangely, he won’t kiss her. Forbidden love rears its head à la Twilight. There is, of course, an ancient curse that they must somehow break, etc., etc. The characters are a little flat and the writing is uneven, but there are times when the story is compelling. It’s too long, though, and some passages are seemingly not connected to the plot or character development. Evidently, there will be a sequel, as there are plenty of loose threads at the end, and not a Fate in sight to snip them. Better choices include Tera Lynn Childs’s Oh. My. Gods. (Dutton, 2008) and Lauren Kate’s Fallen (Delacorte, 2009), both with sequels.–Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX

BAER, Marianna. Frost. 400p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-179949-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–This suspenseful modern gothic revolves around a haunting presence in Frost House, a Victorian-era single-family house on the campus of Barcroft, a boarding school that has become a surrogate home for Leena Thomas. She is so taken with the place that she begs the Dean of Students to allow her and her friends to share it senior year. However, when campus oddball Celeste breaks her leg, she becomes Leena’s not entirely welcome roommate, and problems soon abound. Creepy events start to happen in their room–but only to Celeste, whose family history of mental illness makes Leena wonder whether the drama is a ploy for attention or even an outright breakdown. The same bizarre presence that seems to want to cast out Celeste embraces Leena, luring her to nest in a closet, where she can communicate with her childhood security object, a hollow owl named Cubby in which she stores a variety of pilfered prescription drugs. Even as Leena begins to date Celeste’s brother, she turns more and more to the closet and to the drugs to compensate for alienating her dearest friends in the conflict that ensues when Celeste no longer believes that her housemates are tormenting her but that the house itself wants her gone. When cocooned in the closet rumored to have been a sort of cell for the woman who lived there many years before, Leena doesn’t need college interviews or boyfriends—just the house. She could stay there forever. That’s what it wants. Readers may want a touch more cohesion for the narrative, maybe another layer or two for some characters, but many will gladly turn the pages to soak up its eerie atmosphere.–Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

BARNHILL, Kelly. The Mostly True Story of Jack. 319p. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-05670-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Bullies and distracted, disinterested parents have left Jack with zero self-esteem when he arrives in the mysterious town of Hazelwood, IA. His mother coldly and unceremoniously dumps him off to spend the summer with his quirky aunt and uncle, Mabel and Clive Fitzpatrick. Barnhill’s practiced use of personification signals readers that the Fitzpatricks’ house and other inanimate objects are strangely alive. While Jack doesn’t recollect having been there before, he has bouts of remembering, not quite déjà vu, and things seem eerily familiar in this spooky town where kids go missing and folks just seem to forget they existed. There’s plenty of foreshadowing to alert readers to the scariness ahead as Jack makes friends, develops self-confidence, embarks on the age-old battle of good versus evil and, in the end, finds the place, albeit a strange one, where he belongs.–Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

BARRY, Dave & Ridley Pearson. The Bridge to Never Land. 435p. Hyperion/Disney. Sept. 2011. RTE $18.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3865-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In the authors’ latest foray into Never Land, siblings Aidan and Sarah Cooper aren’t expecting to discover a coded message in the hidden compartment of an antique desk. But once they crack the code, the teens find themselves on a journey into the books in the “Starcatchers” series (Hyperion), discovering that the stories are indeed real and that they must hurry to stop a golden box of starstuff from getting into the wrong hands. Along the way, they meet up with J.D. Aster, the reluctant descendant of Molly and Wendy Aster; narrowly escape the police; and set off an East Coast search for their whereabouts. This novel doesn’t maintain the wonderful humor of the original series, and much of the story seems to be a setup for later installments. The kinetic journey seems far-fetched, even for this series, and the stop-and-go plot skips from one madcap escape to the next with little cohesion or true purpose. Aidan and Sarah also seem a bit immature for their ages. Hopefully the next book will provide the plot, humor, and character development that the authors are known for.–Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA

BLEXBOLEX. People. tr. from French by Claudia Bedrick. illus. by author. unpaged. Enchanted Lion. Sept. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-110-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up–With its 208 pages, this is not your average picture book. Instead, it’s a unique reflection on the similarities and differences among people from all walks of life. Blexbolex uses his trademark silkscreen illustrations to provide contrasting images on each spread. Although the text is spare and the book does not contain a true narrative (each page contains one word and one picture), the author conveys an abundance of meaning in the coupled pages. With parings such as “diva/teenager,” “woodcutter/executioner,” and “harvester/seller,” readers are encouraged to contemplate the relationships between the people being represented and how they interact and influence one another and the world around them. The book also underscores the subtlety of language and shows how a slight change of phrasing can make the difference between a negative or a positive connotation, e.g., “painter/tagger.” The nature of the relationships between the people in the illustrations is not explicit, or consistent, which keeps readers engaged and sharply tuned in to the text. Both younger and older children will be drawn to the colorful cartoon drawings, but there are several mature images scattered throughout the book (“nudist,” “corpse,” “slave,” “amputee”), so if you are planning to show this to younger children, be ready to have a conversation about what these terms mean in context.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

BOCK, Caroline. Lie. 212p. St. Martin’s/Griffin. Sept. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-66832-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-8441-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Skylar’s life hasn’t been the same since her mother died of cancer. The only bright light has been her relationship with her boyfriend, Jimmy, a Scholar-Athlete of the Year, but now he stands accused of assaulting two Salvadoran immigrants and she is the prime witness. The full story slowly comes into focus through the many different perspectives of people in a Long Island town that has seen its demographics change dramatically in recent years. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Skylar navigates her precarious position. As she puts the pieces together and ponders her own future, can she speak out against her boyfriend? And should she? Bock successfully captures a range of voices in addition to Skylar’s, from teens close to the perpetrator to the victim’s family and community members and richly develops this ripped-from-the-headlines tale. Within the larger picture of tension around illegal immigration is the lesser-known practice of “beaner-hopping,” in which teens attack suspected illegal immigrants as a sick sort of sport. While readers are not given direct insight into Jimmy’s views, he comes to life as a multifaceted person who unfortunately inherited many of his father’s grudge-laden, bigoted opinions. Bock’s debut will grip readers searching for complete realism in their fiction.–Jennifer Barnes, Malden Public Library, MA

BOYNE, John. Noah Barleywater Runs Away: a Fairytale. illus. by Oliver Jeffers. 222p. CIP. Random/David Fickling Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-75246-6. LC 2010018777.
Gr 7-10–Early one morning, eight-year-old Noah Barleywater runs away from home. Almost immediately, he finds himself, like Alice in Wonderland or Milo journeying past the Phantom Tollbooth, in a world turned upside down, where animals talk, a few stolen apples lead to a world of trouble, a house remakes itself to replace missing parts as needed, and a mysterious toy maker gladly shares the outrageous adventures of his youth. A sense of impending doom fills the story as it becomes evident that Noah’s mother is dying, and knowledgeable readers will be able to figure out the identity of the toy maker long before his name is actually given. The story is told mostly from Noah’s viewpoint; however, the tone is adult, somewhat nostalgic, and even melancholy. Older, more sophisticated kids might appreciate the whimsical humor, creative details, and fairy-tale connection; the true audience for this novel is long past elementary school age.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

BREZENOFF, Steve. Brooklyn Burning. 202p. CIP. Carolrhoda. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-7526-5; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-7945-4. LC 2010051447.
Gr 10 Up–It’s a summer of love for Kid and Scout, two runaway teenagers living in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. Complicating their romance, Kid is wanted for questioning about a tragic warehouse fire that happened just before the summer began. As the season draws to a close and Kid finally decides to work toward proving his/her innocence, he/she worries about losing Scout before leaving Brooklyn forever. The story is presented in nonlinear format, often flashing back to Kid’s previous relationship with an older street junkie named Felix. It is implied that this relationship ended tragically and explains why Kid is depressed when the story begins. Told from Kid’s perspective, the title avoids assigning gender pronouns to the protagonist, allowing readers to make their own decisions about the character’s gender and sexual identity. It’s also assumed that Kid has not yet made these particular decisions either. While this is a somewhat clever idea, it also proves to be confusing at times and may ultimately prevent readers’ from identifying with the character. This, combined with a menagerie of forgettable and unrealistic supporting characters, will limit the book’s appeal.–Ryan Donovan, New York Public Library

BRUCHAC, Joseph. Wolf Mark. 392p. Lee & Low/Tu Bks. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-661-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Lucas King has serious problems: he’s still reeling from his mother’s death, his father has disappeared into a haze of drugs and alcohol, they’re living in a tin can of a trailer, he’s in love with a girl from a strict Muslim family, and the new Russian students (aka The Sunglass Mafia) have taken an unwelcome interest in him. To make matters worse, his father gets kidnapped by some very dangerous people and they’re coming for Luke, too. But if the bad guys think the teen is an easy target, they’re in for a surprise. In addition to being preternaturally strong and fast–just like his dad–he has also been trained from an early age in martial arts and spy craft. His father is a black ops agent and he has given his son skills that would make James Bond jealous. Luke will need all of his cunning, some scary allies, and a little bit of shape-shifting to save his dad. As in Skeleton Man (2001) and Bearwalker (2007, both HarperCollins), Bruchac has created a tense, readable novel. He combines Native American lore, supernatural elements, genetic engineering, romance, geopolitics, and adventure in one story. At times this ambitious mixture stretches credulity, and in the hands of a lesser storyteller the novel would simply fall apart, but the mystery and edge-of-your-seat action are enough to keep readers hooked.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

CARTER, Nikki. Doing My Own Thing. 277p. (Fab Life Series). Kensington. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7582-5558-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Teens who haven’t been following the adventures of Sunday Tolliver in the first two titles of this series might have difficulty getting into the story line initially, but if they stick with it, they’ll be drawn in. The 18-year-old Atlanta singing star on-the-rise has been writing songs for her cousin Dreya (aka “Drama”) and providing voice backup along with her friend Bethany. But Sunday is rapidly tiring of Dreya undercutting her, which escalates as she begins to be recognized for her own talent. The high school senior only got into this game to earn money to go to Spellman College, but the emotional drama is wearing her out and distracting her from her goals. Add Sam’s demands that she commit to being his girl and Sunday’s father suddenly showing up after being released from prison and wanting to manage her career, and you have one torn young woman. Sunday presents a positive image of a hardworking teen determined to make something of herself in the music industry. Her goals are often threatened, especially when the whole entourage goes to Barbados to shoot a BET special of her newest song, but she stays true to her goals and avoids the pull of conflicting advice from “names.” At 18, she feels ready to do what she wants, but she also respects her mother’s hard work to raise her right and knows enough to turn to her for advice when she’s unsure whom to trust and how to right wrongs. This title is sure to be popular in teen collections but especially in urban libraries.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY

CARTER, Timothy. The Cupid War. 264p. Flux. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-2614-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–In an opening scene both tragic and guiltily hilarious, Ricky Fallon decides not to kill himself and accidentally falls off a bridge anyway. He becomes a Cupid, which he is told will be his assignment until his karma is in balance. Ricky is taught to spread love and fight “Suicides,” who spread sadness and depression. Soon, he finds himself in the middle of a war between the Cupids and the Suicides. While the story’s narrative is at times obvious and too literal, these could be strengths when suggesting the title to lower-level readers. The plot is engaging, and the characters are original, which is refreshing. Reluctant readers will especially like the humor, fast pace, and easy vocabulary. –Kristina Weber, Bernotas Middle School, Crystal Lake, IL

CITRA, Becky. Missing. 179p. Orca. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-345-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–After her mother dies in a horseback-riding accident, Thea’s father moves them from town to town in an effort not only to escape the thought of her death but of her infidelity, too. The eighth-grader misses her old friends and finds it difficult to make new ones. A lucky break occurs when her dad lands a job fixing up a rundown guest ranch. But something is not quite right here. Not only does Thea discover a neglected, abused, and mistrustful horse in the barn, but she also finds records that a four-year-old girl disappeared many years ago under mysterious and sinister circumstances. Through developing a trusting and loving relationship with the horse, Renegade, she is able to unravel unspoken issues about her parents. When Thea meets Van, a classmate, she finds an ally in tracking down clues as to what really happened to Livia. Citra’s writing style tends toward being overly straightforward, but the story is fast moving and compelling enough once the mystery of Livia’s disappearance commences. The concurrent story line of Thea’s maturing relationships with those around her add another layer of interest.–Diane McCabe, Loyola Village Elementary School, Los Angeles

COBEN, Harlan. Shelter. 304p. (A Mickey Bolitar Novel). Putnam. Sept. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25650-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Coben’s first YA novel starts off with a bang and keeps going strong until the end. Sophomore Mickey Bolitar’s happy, globe-trotting family returned to the States so that the teen could complete high school. Then Mickey sees his father killed in an accident and his bereft mother, who has taken to using drugs, enters rehab. Mickey goes to live with his Uncle Myron. On the way to school one morning, he encounters the Bat Lady, an old woman who lives in a dilapidated house, who tells him that his father is not dead, and disappears. Strangely enough, Ashley, a girl with whom Mickey has formed a relationship, also disappears. When he tries to find out what happened to her, he learns more than he bargained for about Ashley, the Bat Lady, and his own family. The cast includes Spoon, who has a tendency to spout odd bits of information at the wrong time; Ema, a self-proclaimed “fat girl” who dresses all in black, is covered in tattoos, and has some secrets of her own; and Rachel, the hottest girl in school. Myron Bolitar, the protagonist in Coben’s adult mystery series, tries to take care of Mickey but doesn’t really know how to be a parent. The boy has more freedom than most teens, giving him the opportunity to search for answers to his questions. Edgy and action-filled, the novel has interesting, likable characters, and it should fly off the shelves. The ending ties up some loose ends but leaves readers awaiting the sequel.–Diana Pierce, Leander High School, TX

CREMER, Andrea. Wolfsbane. Bk. 2. 400p. (Nightshade Series). CIP. Philomel. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25483-3. LC 2010013074.
Gr 10 Up–Calla awakens in a room where she has been held captive by the Searchers, a group of humans who fight the Guardians, a pack of werewolves. Having left her wolf pack to save Shay, she reluctantly allies with the Searchers. Led by the dark and stoic Monroe, they hatch a scheme to infiltrate the Keepers, an evil group that controls the wolves (Calla’s pack in particular). New characters emerge in this sequel to Nightshade (Philomel, 2010). Adne is a weaver of portals and Monroe’s daughter. Connor is a strong, witty, and flirtatious Searcher who carries a torch for Adne. Ethan is a powerful fighter with a chip on his shoulder. Meanwhile, Shay has been deemed “the scion,” a legacy that destines him to be the one to defeat the Keepers. Calla is still in love with him, but racked with guilt over abandoning Ren and the rest of her family and pack. The crew embarks on deadly missions to try to save them and Calla warily trusts the Searchers yet finds herself questioning all she once believed in, including the nature of her own wolf-kind. Unrelenting action and an extremely confusing structural hierarchy make this a perplexing book for those unfamiliar with the first one. Cremer relies heavily on dialogue to explain the complex world, then jumps quickly to action scenes without much breathing room. All of this is interspersed with an occasional romantic interlude between Calla and Shay. The love triangle is less exciting because readers never really get to know Ren. Those who are already invested in Cremer’s world will enjoy the strong female protagonist and breakneck action.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

CROCE, Pat. Blackbeard. illus. by Tristan Elwell. 56p. Running Pr. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-3673-6. LC 2010940371.
Gr 3-6–This oversize volume relates the dastardly doings of the infamous pirate Edward Teach. Coming of age during the “Golden Age of Piracy” (early 1700s) in the English port town of Bristol, he drew upon his natural bravado, energy, strength, and size to propel himself into the criminal life. Arriving in the Caribbean’s pirate stronghold, he was soon put in command of his own ship and made his mark up and down the colonial North American coast as the plundering “Blackbeard,” drinking cocktails of rum and gunpowder and inserting slow-burning hemp cords into his beard to frighten his enemies. Detailed narrative and conjectured conversation among Blackbeard, his shipmates, and their captured prisoners describe the pirate king’s bold blockade of the city of Charleston, SC, in 1718. Similarly described is the violent battle off the North Carolina coast a few months later, in which a British navy vessel overpowered the Adventure and gruesomely killed its diabolical leader. Striking, realistic full-page color paintings alternate with sepia-tone drawings to bring Blackbeard and his world credibly to life; text printed on parchmentlike paper and skull-and-crossbones- patterned endpapers accentuate the setting. Some editorial weaknesses include a jarring change in point of view from third to second person, the occasional use of contemporary vernacular, and the absence of endnotes or maps to add historical context and credibility to this fact-based story. An additional purchase where there is demand for pirate lore.–Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

DALE, Anna. Magical Mischief. 304p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-629-4; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-630-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–A dusty little bookshop run by aged Mr. Hardbattle is in danger of closing because most of the customers have been run off by a mischievous and smelly magic that has settled in every corner of Hardbattle Books. Then quirky Miss Quint and a boy named Arthur team up with the owner to try to save the shop before it’s too late. While Mr. Hardbattle tries to find a new home for the magic, things back at the shop go haywire when Miss Quint wishes book characters to life. One of them, a girl named Susan, helps Miss Quint and Arthur as they battle against the characters run amok in the bookstore and the town. The characters are well developed and likable, and the story leaves some loose ends for possible sequels. A sweet blend of magic, with a taste of mystery, this spellbinding tale flows smoothly and will keep fantasy lovers hooked.–Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

DAVID, Keren. Almost True. 440p. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-141-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In this sequel to When I Was Joe (Frances Lincoln, 2010), Joe, formerly known as Tyler and now living under the assumed name Jake, is dealing with a wealth of shifting information. His paternal grandparents are alive, his estranged dad has tried to be in contact with him, and his reckless mother is pregnant. He’s still struggling with the guilt and confusion he feels about his friend Rio’s death and his friend Arron’s involvement in the murder and about knowing that it’s his fault that his family has to continuously move. When the pressure becomes too great, he flees to London and tries to connect with his old life. However, it’s not as easy as he thought it would be, and when thugs almost kill him, he realizes that he must deal with the truth and his family. The enormous cast of characters makes it difficult to keep track of the narrative thread, especially since Joe/Tyler/Jake tells his story through flashbacks and emails. With all of his bad decisions, Joe is a frustrating, unreliable narrator. However, that unreliability does make for a compelling read, since he successfully conceals the truth from even himself. Unfortunately, the soap-opera-worthy family drama muddies what could have been a powerful emotional journey. The neat ending is expected and lackluster, but the promise of hope is the right closing note. Fans of the first book will be interested in Joe’s continuing adventures, but others can pass. –Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

DAVIS, Bryan. Warrior. 421p. (Dragons of Starlight Series). Zondervan. 2011. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71837-6; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-310-40478-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Starting immediately after the events in Starlighter (Zondervan, 2010), this Christian fantasy begins with Taushin, the prophesied dragon king, about to hatch from his egg. Meanwhile, Jason and his companions are still trying to figure out how to rescue the slaves from Starlight, and Koren, the Starlighter, is fighting to maintain her identity under nearly overwhelming pressure to allow Taushin to complete their connection. Once she escapes with Jason to the North, she realizes that going back to Taushin may be the only way to save her people. Jason tries to stop her, but to no avail, and he then joins with Uriel, the first freedom fighter, to meet the mysterious white dragon king of the North. As they do so, the seer Elysa joins forces with a young warrior to rescue some of the slaves and the dragons concoct a plan of their own. Keeping all of the story threads straight is only half the battle as Davis switches among the different story arcs, trying unsuccessfully to tie them into a cohesive whole. There are simply too many characters and too many plots to make the story flow seamlessly, and the book feels very much like the calm before the climactic battle. The backstory is never fully explained, leading to confusion about what exactly the characters are striving for. While Starlighter was a mostly promising start to this series, Warrior is only for die-hard fans looking for the connection to the next book, Diviner (Zondervan, 2011).–Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA

DEEBS, Tracy. Tempest Rising. 341p. Walker. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2231-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Tempest has lived her first 16 years as a typical human. She loves her dad, her younger brothers, her gorgeous boyfriend, and her life as a surfer girl. The only flaw in her perfect existence is the hurt and resentment she feels toward her mother, a mermaid whose return to the ocean years before left the family shattered. However, the pull of the ocean increases as Tempest’s 17th birthday approaches. Warned by her mother that she would have to choose between her life on land and an unknown underwater world, she vowed that she would never embrace her mermaid heritage and abandon her family. This resolution is tested by the sudden appearance of Kai, who is an amazing surfer, irresistible to Tempest (despite the gorgeous boyfriend), and can’t be entirely human. He’s not. He’s a selkie sent to protect her from the evil Sea Witch trying to take over the Pacific and is after Tempest due to an ancient prophecy. Circumstances force her to follow Kai into the ocean (despite the vow) and she begins to understand her mother’s decision. The world-building is underdeveloped and the climactic sea battle is rushed, but the descriptions of kisses are equal to the lurid prose in any paperback romance. The first-person narration gives the relationship immediacy and, overall, this paranormal romance will satisfy voracious readers of the genre.–Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

DEEDY, Carmen Agra & Randall Wright. The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale. illus. by Barry Moser. 228p. CIP. Peachtree. Oct. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-595-9. LC 2010052275.
Gr 5-8–The vagaries of tavern life in 19th-century London come alive in this delightful tale. Skilley, a street cat with a secret (he eats cheese!), finds a home at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, where he pretends to be a mouser and gets the attention of Charles Dickens, a frequent customer. Befriended by Pip, a precocious mouse who can read and write, Skilley tries to protect his rodent pals and Maldwyn, an injured royal raven hiding in the garret, from Pinch, a ginger alley cat who’s out for every tasty morsel he can get. There are cat-and-mouse battles aplenty. Several subplots are happily resolved: the cook reveals that the mice are her official cheese-tasters; Queen Victoria herself comes to rescue Maldwyn; Mr. Dickens finally finds an opening sentence for his new novel, and more. The fast-moving plot is a masterwork of intricate detail that will keep readers enthralled, and the characters are well-rounded and believable. Language is a highlight of the novel; words both elegant and colorful fill the pages: “alacrity,” “scrivener,” “thieving moggy.” And then there are the Dickensian references: “artful dodging of Hansom cabs,” Dickens saying he has “great expectations.” His amusing diary entries, revealing both his writing difficulties and his thoughts about Skilley, and the occasionally fanciful page layouts add to the humor. Combined with Moser’s precise pencil sketches of personality-filled characters, the book is a success in every way. It should be a first purchase for libraries interested in bringing young readers to the marvels of Dickens via the back–or, should I say tavern–door.–Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, The Naples Players, FL

DOWSWELL, Paul. The Ausländer. 304p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-633-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Orphaned when the Soviets invade Poland in 1941, Piotr finds himself in a lice-infested orphanage in Warsaw. Discovered there by the Nazi Race and Settlement Office, the 13-year-old is introduced to a whole new world of possibilities. His classic Nordic features and German heritage make him a prime candidate for adoption into a German family. However, once settled into his new home in Berlin, Peter, as he is now called, begins to realize that the Nazi party wants much more from him than he is willing to give. The ausländer, the foreigner or outsider, must make his own way. Dowswell takes readers on a thrilling, well-researched adventure through assimilation, resistance, and escape in Nazi Germany, weaving in threads of history that Holocaust literature, to this point, has seldom touched upon. Similar to Susan Campbell Bartoletti’s Hitler Youth (2005) and The Boy Who Dared (2008, both Scholastic), The Ausländer provides a German teen perspective and delves into the history of the Nazi scientific research programs, particularly eugenics and the race reclamation program. This novel is a superb addition to all collections, combining action-packed adventure with blood-chilling history.–Sara Saxton, Wasilla Meta-Rose Public Library, Wasilla, AK

ELLIS, Deborah. No Ordinary Day. 160p. glossary. Groundwood. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-134-2. LC C2011-900512-3.
Gr 3-6–Valli, about 10, lives in the poverty-stricken town of Jharia, India, where she is a coal picker. When she makes a shocking discovery about her family, she runs away and, after a series of harrowing events, reaches the bustling city of Kolkata. Valli survives on the street by stealing and begging. With no plan, no support system, and failing health, she begins to lose hope. While begging for change one day, she is befriended by a kind doctor who recognizes Valli’s symptoms of leprosy. The child is terrified with this diagnosis as back home the village children had thrown stones at people with this disease, calling them “monsters.” With the help of the doctor and other leprosy patients, Valli gets treatment and education, learns tolerance for people different from herself, and simultaneously realizes her own self-worth. Although many important lessons are presented in this even-paced, clearly written story, it is never heavy-handed or didactic. Valli is a well-developed, realistic, and engaging narrator. While American readers may not all relate to her ordeals, they will recognize common emotions for people their age. The story highlights not only the overcoming of adversity, but also the importance of education and literacy. It also brings to light the issue of leprosy, which is misunderstood. An important, inspiring tale.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

ELLSWORTH, Loretta. Unforgettable. 256p. Walker. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2305-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Fifteen-year-old Baxter Green doesn’t forget anything. He can remember each and every meal he ever ate, the father who died when he was just a toddler, the stolen credit card numbers his mother’s ex-boyfriend made him memorize, and the exact threat Dink issued when he went to jail. Now the man is being released, and Baxter and his mother decide to stay out of his way. The teen gets to choose where they will live next, and he picks the current home of his kindergarten crush, Wellington, MN. Halle doesn’t remember Baxter, but she likes him. As he tries to be normal, he can’t help but wonder if his feelings for her are true or just part of his unique memory. And what will happen when Halle finds out that he kept her in the dark about who he is? The thought of losing her is worse than the paranoia he feels about Dink. Ellsworth’s story is a new take on the standard coming-of-age tale. Baxter’s character is believable, and the nature of his memory is deftly explained. This readable novel will find fans among those looking for romance and drama. –Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

FALKNER, Brian. The Project. 280p. CIP. Random. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86945-7; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96945-4; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98350-4. LC 2010033449.
Gr 6-9–Luke and Tommy are sure that the book they have been assigned for a school project is the most boring one in the world. But which book can really claim that status? Challenged to find out, they do some research and stumble upon Leonardo’s River, written 200 years before World War II and rumored to be so deadly dull that no one could ever finish it. Improbably, the boys discover the only existing copy in their public library–but they aren’t the only ones interested in the volume. When they take it and are violently pursued by a megalomaniacal millionaire, they realize that there must be more to the book than meets the eye. Indeed, a deadly secret hides within its yawn-worthy passages and sleep-inducing chapters. Suspense builds as the friends uncover a kidnapping, a network of neo-Nazis, and plans for a nuclear bomb. The story transitions from mystery-adventure to science fiction with the revelation that the most boring book in the world contains coded instructions for the operation of a time machine that the neo-Nazis plan to use to change the course of World War II. Who better to travel back to 1940s Germany and foil a Nazi plot than two gutsy teenage guys? The wacky unbelievability of this story in no way detracts from its enjoyment. It reads like an action movie, with plenty of chases, explosions, and by-a-hair escapes. A good choice for reluctant readers, particularly boys.–Emma Burkhart, Springside School, Philadelphia, PA

FALLS, Kat. Rip Tide. Bk. 2. 320p. (Dark Life Series). Scholastic. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-17843-3. LC 2009024907.
Gr 6-10–In this futuristic follow-up to Dark Life (Scholastic, 2010), 15-year-old Ty Townson and his friend Gemma, a homeless orphan who used to live in an above-water trade station, discover a submerged township filled with bodies in a trash vortex. Later, when Ty’s parents go missing, the duo sets out to find them, fearing they’ll meet a similar fate. The first child born of settlers in a postapocalyptic, land-scarce world, Ty possesses a dark gift enabling him to “shine” and generate biosonar pulses used to his advantage in dangerous situations. Gemma’s fear of water has kept her from moving in with the Townsons permanently, but her fondness for Ty and his family and her dark gift of exceptional hearing make her an equal protagonist. They seek out Gemma’s older brother, Shade, the suitably named leader of the Seablite Gang, for help in gaining information from the local outlaws, and Ty is forced to prove himself in a no-holds-barred boxing match. One of many adventures in the plot, this descriptive scene illuminates the many-layered social-class structure and the setting. Readers will empathize with the subsea pioneers, such as Ty’s parents hoping to develop a viable economy based on harvesting laver, a highly edible seaweed, and will relate to Captain Revas and her sometimes-misguided authoritarian decisions to protect the peace in her territory. Readers will immerse themselves in this burgeoning new world that leaves the door open for more adventures.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

FARREY, Brian. With or Without You. 368p. S & S/Pulse. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0699-5; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0700-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Evan and Davis are best friends. Growing up gay in Wisconsin has made them outcasts and victims of violent bullying. Evan has found comfort with a loving boyfriend, but Davis is still looking for his niche when he discovers the Chasers, a support group for gay youth lead by the mysterious Sable. When Evan learns that Sable hopes to bring his newly created clan to a “bugchasing” party to intentionally contract HIV, he knows he must get Davis out. Descriptions of Evan’s art provide a structure for the protagonist’s memories and fill readers in on his backstory, allowing them to understand his growth. Farrey paces his story beautifully, covering many contemporary issues for teens about coming out, friendship, relationships, and following a dangerous crowd simply for a sense of belonging. Though the author handles these difficult concerns well, the gravity of all of these elements can be overwhelming. With a much more serious tone than John Green and David Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson (Dutton, 2010), this well-developed novel is great for readers interested in an approachable story about teen homosexuality. –Devin Burritt, Jackson Memorial Library, Tenants Harbor, ME

FOX, Janet. Forgiven. 288p. Penguin/Speak. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-14-241414-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–In this companion novel to Faithful (Penguin, 2010), Kula Baker is a strong-willed yet naive young woman, determined to save her father from hanging for a murder he didn’t commit. Nat Baker sends his daughter to San Francisco to find a box that contains the only thing that will set him free. With little money and even less information on where to start searching, Kula turns up on the doorstep of Phillipa Everts, an aging spinster who somehow holds the key to her success. However, she has her own agenda, and has no qualms about using Kula to achieve it. She thrusts her into society, with the promise that, “It will all come out right.” Kula soon finds herself torn between two men; handsome and rich Will, who can raise her above her station if he marries her, and David Wong, with whom she falls in love. With juggling the two, searching for the box, trying to avoid the evil Wilkie, and discovering the underworld dealings of child enslavement, there’s an awful lot going on in this novel. However, Fox manages to weave the many strings of the plot together nicely, with everything reaching a climax during the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake that leveled the city. Kula’s story comes to a heartbreaking, bittersweet conclusion that will leave readers satisfied.–Wendy Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY

GALLAGHER, Liz. My Not-So-Still Life. 180p. CIP. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84154-5; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94330-0; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89974-4. LC 2010038546.
Gr 7 Up–High school sophomore Vanessa is in a rush to grow up. She fashions herself as the “artistic rebel girl,” frequently coloring her hair, wearing a colored bracelet to reflect her daily mood, and selecting clothes that express her inner creativity. She considers the world her canvas and has no use for instruction, let alone convention. Superimposed on her immature perspective is the well-grounded behavior of her two best friends, Nick and Holly. When Vanessa nabs a job at a funky art-supply store where, in her impressionable mind, other cool artists work, she quickly falls into a relationship with a young man a few years older than she whose source of income is fake IDs, and she finds herself promising to pose for his creative outlet–a pinup calendar. As her infatuation with the group at Palette increases, she becomes careless and insensitive toward her friends and her family. Her impetuous actions steer her toward social and emotional screwups and, in her willful zest to be free and expressive, she mucks up more than she creates. Much of Vanessa’s narrative is the energized chatter of an overzealous teen, but readers will soon catch on that she’s a well-intentioned girl struggling against the protection of those who try to guide and teach her. Ultimately, this theme is perhaps a bit heavy-handed, and the character development is disappointing. If you’re looking for a strong novel that represents the passion, idiosyncrasies, and foibles of an artist, choose Gary Paulsen’s The Monument (Delacorte, 1991).–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

GANTOS, Jack. Dead End in Norvelt. 341p. Farrar. Sept. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37993-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In 1962, Jack accidentally discharges his father’s war relic, a Japanese rifle, and is grounded for the summer. When a neighbor’s arthritic hands get the best of her, his mother lifts the restriction and volunteers the 12-year-old to be the woman’s scribe, writing obituaries for the local newspaper. Business is brisk for Miss Volker, who doubles as town coroner, and Norvelt’s elderly females seem to be dropping like flies. Prone to nosebleeds at the least bit of excitement (until Miss Volker cauterizes his nose with old veterinarian equipment), Jack is a hapless and endearing narrator. It is a madcap romp, with the boy at the wheel of Miss Volker’s car as they try to figure out if a Hell’s Angel motorcyclist has put a curse on the town, or who might have laced Mertie-Jo’s Girl Scout cookies with rat poison. The gutsy Miss Volker and her relentless but rebuffed suitor, Mr. Spizz, are comedic characters central to the zany, episodic plot, which contains unsubtle descriptions of mortuary science. Each quirky obituary is infused with a bit of Norvelt’s history, providing insightful postwar facts focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt’s role in founding the town on principles of sustainable farming and land ownership for the poor. Jack’s absorption with history of any kind makes for refreshing asides about John F. Kennedy’s rescue of PT-109 during World War II, King Richard II, Francisco Pizarro’s conquest of Peru, and more. A fast-paced and witty read.–Vicki Reutter , Cazenovia High School, NY

GENSLER, Sonia. The Revenant. 322p. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86701-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96701-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89732-0. LC 2010028701.
Gr 7 Up–Revenants are usually portrayed as evil, power-filled, and terrifying. The “returned” presence in this novel seems somehow more human and harkens back to the idea of a spirit unable to rest because of unsettled violent circumstances of death. The story begins in 1896, when not-quite-graduated Willemina Hammond purloins a teaching certificate and escapes her demanding family by heading off to the Cherokee Female Seminary at Tahlequah, OK. Teaching under a false identity, Willie makes both friends and enemies at the school, and meets Eli Sevenstar and Larkin Bell, handsome students at the nearby male seminary. Her familiarity with Shakespeare, learned at the feet of her adored (and now deceased) father, stands her in good stead when her English classes put on a production of As You Like It. Early on, mysterious noises reveal that her bedroom was last occupied by a woman who drowned, and that’s where the creepiness begins. The setting in Indian Territory lends historical interest, but basically this is a romantic mystery with considerable appeal. It seems a little odd that Willie’s dreaded family turns out to be decent, hardworking folk in the end, but overall the story flows well with equal parts mystery, haunting, and romance. Those looking for bloodcurdling, gore-filled action are best directed elsewhere, but readers who have graduated from Mary Downing Hahn and Cynthia DeFelice, and current fans of Caroline B. Cooney and Diane Salerni’s We Hear the Dead (Sourcebooks, 2010), will likely enjoy the romantic ghostliness of The Revenant. –Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

GOOBIE, Beth. Born Ugly. 270p. CIP. Red Deer. Sept. 2011. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-0-88995-457-1. LC C2011-901435-1.
Gr 9 Up–Shir is the victim of vicious and relentless bullying. Called “dog face,” she is voted the ugliest kid in school, and she gets “dog shit” smeared across her face. Her home life is similar. She is at odds with her sister, and her mother–unwilling to carry the burden that is Shir–constantly reminds her that she is just like her father: an ugly drunk. The only enjoyment the 16-year-old gets is chugging beers at Myplace, her alone spot beneath a local walking bridge, and the only time she feels worthwhile is when she’s working for Mr. Anderson at Bill’s Grocer. But Myplace is soon discovered by a teenager named Finley, and Shir finds out that she is delivering more than groceries for Mr. Anderson. As her relationship with Finley develops into her only real friendship, things escalate for her as Mr. Anderson’s delivery driver. Unfortunately, there is little about the protagonist that will interest readers. Shir is floating through life as a broken and uninteresting character until everything snaps into place at the book’s climax. Goobie’s portrayal of teen alcohol abuse is very real; however, as things are resolved, Shir simply says she will stop and there is mention of AA meetings, but the matter is not dealt with seriously. The slow pacing and lack of dynamic characterization will likely leave this book unfinished by most teens. –Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ

HALLAWAY, Tate. Almost Final Curtain. Bk. 2. 274p. (A Vampire Princess Novel). NAL. 2011. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-451-23311-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10–Picking up right where Almost to Die For (NAL, 2010) left off, Hallaway continues to weave an action-packed story filled with twists, turns, and lots of suspense. Raised as a witch, Anastasija Parker has always been an outsider and led a secret life. Then, on her 16th birthday, she discovers that she is a dhampir (half witch and half vampire). Now she is torn between two groups that are sworn mortal enemies. As if things weren’t complicated enough, she has deep feelings for Elias Constantine, her vampire protector and betrothed, as well as Nikolai Kirov, coven member and vampire hunter in training. Talk about having some serious issues to work out. As Ana tries to balance these opposing forces, she learns of a mystical talisman that was assumed lost. Used against the vampires, it can render them slaves to the witches for all eternity. As a dhampir, Ana is not blinded by ancient hatred and is possibly the only one capable of putting an end to this archaic feud. Ana is a true heroine who makes her voice heard. She is not willing to take things at face value and struggles to find a way to walk the fine line between two worlds. This is a satisfying read, but it leaves readers knowing that there is more to come.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

HANNAN, Peter. My Big Mouth: 10 Songs I Wrote That Almost Got Me Killed. illus. by author. 240p. CIP. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16210-4. LC 2010034426.
Gr 6-9–Hannan’s abundant cartoons set the tone for the misadventures of Davis Delaware, the new kid in ninth grade. Davis’s attempts to blend in quickly land him on the wrong side of school bully Gerald “the Butcher” when he forms a band with Gerald’s cute girlfriend, Molly, and her dweeby friend, Edwin. Stock characters of clueless parents and hapless teachers will be familiar to most readers, as will scenes of typical high-school high jinks: cafeteria food-throwing, locker troubles, and gym-class peril. Occasionally, Hannan breaks the surface with welcome insights into Davis’s feelings: the recent death of his mother gives him a mature perspective on coping with Gerald and how to face a challenge he would rather avoid. A disastrous father-son camping trip ends on a hopeful note when the two are able to share their grief in a comical manner completely in keeping with their characters. Hannan’s edgy, exaggerated style suits the humor-driven narrative well. Give this to readers who enjoy light, entertaining realistic fiction. –M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

HARTNETT, Sonya. The Midnight Zoo. illus. by Andrea Offermann. 217p. Candlewick. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5339-2; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5632-4. LC 2010042794.
Gr 5-8–Brothers Andrej, 12, and Tomas, 9, are wandering a war-ravaged countryside after their Romany encampment was attacked by German soldiers. Carrying their infant sister in a pack, they’ve been scavenging for weeks when they stumble upon an abandoned zoo curiously unharmed in a town utterly destroyed by bombing. The animals are hungry, thirsty, and frightened in their cages, but willing to share their stories with the children. War as seen through the eyes of innocent children is brutal, but the judgment of these animals on man for the horror of war and the iron bars keeping them from their rightful place in the world is heartbreaking. Despite seeing two members of his caravan brutally killed and his extended family marched off by soldiers and told to bring shovels, Andrej clings to the hope of finding his parents. The naïveté of children will allow hope in this story even though the circumstances of the lost children and caged animals offer little reason for it. The hungry, footsore youngsters share their food with the animals and, through their own storytelling, create an escape that brings freedom to all of them. The language is spare and poignant; each animal has a story and a distinct voice, ranging from tragic to menacing to sadly comic. The setting of Europe during World War II is revealed through tiny historical details woven seamlessly into the story, but the lack of precise place names and dates gives the novel a timeless quality. This beautiful and sad book will stay with readers long after the story is done.–Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

HASTON, Meg. How to Rock Braces and Glasses. 294p. Little, Brown/Poppy. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-06825-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Eighth-grade queen bee and would-be journalist Kacey Simon hosts her own advice show, “Simon Says,” on Marquette Middle School’s cable channel and rules the school with an iron fist, telling her fellow students exactly what she thinks of them with no effort to be kind or tactful. After she gets an eye infection from her cosmetic contact lenses, her diminished vision causes an accident at a roller rink, forcing her to make an unplanned visit to the dentist. The results? Kacey is forced to wear thick-lensed glasses and braces that make her lisp, and her popularity plummets. Her former best friends no longer listen to her, a YouTube video mocking her lisp goes viral, and she loses the lead in the school’s production of Guys and Dolls. Paige, a politically savvy girl who was a friend before being turned off by Kacey’s thoughtless remarks, offers to mastermind a campaign to restore her status as Queen of Cool. Kacey also befriends a quirky boy who plays in a punk rock band and wants her as its lead vocalist. This is a fairly predictable plot with numerous pop-culture references throughout. However, Kacey is a surprisingly engaging character, not so much a mean girl as a genuinely clueless individual who really believes in saying exactly what she thinks. Middle school readers will enjoy her humorous journey toward self-awareness.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

HEALEY, Karen. The Shattering. 314p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12572-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Eighteen-year-old Keri, who prides herself on being able to handle any potential problem life throws at her, is sidelined when she finds her older brother Jake dead from an apparent suicide. Why would Jake kill himself? A possible answer presents itself when she is approached by two teens whose older brothers died, too (Janna’s years before; Sione’s several months earlier). They believe that their brothers were murdered and that Jake was killed by the same person. While Keri is not completely convinced, she latches on to the idea. When Sione shows the girls the data he has collected about deaths in the area over the last several years, some disturbing patterns begin to emerge. Something’s not quite right in their quaint New Zealand town. How has it remained a popular and lucrative tourist attraction all these years when the other coastal towns in the area have not? Why have all the deaths been older brothers around the time of New Year’s? As much as the three teens don’t want to admit it, dark magic must be involved somehow. New Year’s Eve is quickly approaching, and they think they know who the next victim will be. They’ll have to risk their own lives to save him and break Summerton from its deadly spell. Told in alternating chapters by the teens, the story unfolds at an even pace, with the characters developing into fully realized and distinctly different personalities. Healey merges Maori and Samoan words and cultural influences throughout the text. A good choice for teens who prefer their fantasies mixed with more realism.–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, Columbus, NJ

HENDERSON, Jason. Voice of the Undead. Bk. 2. 304p. (Alex Van Helsing Series). HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-195101-5. LC 2010045554.
Gr 7 Up–Alex Van Helsing not only has a legendary name but also possesses a rare gift that has been absent from past generations. His ability to sense vampires has led to his recruitment by a secret organization of vampire hunters. The Polidorium is on high alert, aware that an assassin called Ultravox is on his way to the vampire stronghold–Scholomance. Alex’s special talents are needed to capture Ultravox and reveal his plans but events quickly spin out of control, putting the teen in terrible danger. The situation becomes more complicated when the students at his school begin behaving in a bizarre and hypnotic manner. As he did in Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising (HarperCollins, 2010), Henderson continues to spin a James Bond-type of action adventure story with a supernatural twist. It’s an entertaining read that is full of suspense and intrigue, although the ending does seem a bit rushed. Still, fans will eat it up and look forward to the next chapter is this exciting series.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

HIGGINS, Simon. The Nightmare Ninja. Bk. 2. 369p. (Moonshadow Series). glossary. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-05533-8. LC 2010043177.
Gr 5-8–In this fantasy set in a fictionalized feudal Japan, Higgins returns to the story of Moonshadow (Little, Brown, 2010). Now a mission leader, with his onetime rival Snowhawk as his partner, Moonshadow, one of the Shogun’s ninjas, faces new challenges. Snowhawk’s anger at and hatred for her former ninja clan endangers their endeavors, and he must decide whether he should trust her or reveal her emotional state to their instructors. Once again, the two are targeted by minions of the villain Silver Wolf, as the ambitious warlord gets closer to open rebellion against the Shogun. While Snowhawk’s lessons in dealing with her fury are a little heavy-handed, the character growth for both protagonists is convincing. The fighting action, mostly swordplay, is fast and furious, and Japanese words are well integrated into the text. Moonshadow and Snowhawk are a great team that shows a friendship between equals of opposite genders without any romantic complications–at least, at this point. From supernatural ninja skills to the political intrigue that drives the plot, this sequel promises that the series is only getting better.–Alana Joli Abbott, formerly at James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

HUBBARD, Mandy. Ripple. 260p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-423-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Lexi, 18, is responsible for the death of Steven, her friend Siena’s brother and the only boy she ever loved. That was two years ago, right before discovering that she is a siren, cursed to swim each night and sing out haunting melodies that will lure men to their deaths in the water. She has been protecting herself and those around her by keeping everyone at a distance and swimming in an isolated lake where no one will hear her song. But as the new school year begins, Lexi finds herself pursued by two boys whom she can’t ignore: Cole, who was Steven’s best friend, and Erik, a mysterious new boy who not only knows that she’s a siren, but also promises her an escape from her curse. In this new twist on a supernatural romance, Hubbard expands the genre by including both a siren and a nix in among the high school drama. Although some of the characters’ relationships are given only cursory explanation, especially Lexi and her grandmother’s, fans of girl dramas, mysteries, and fantasy romance will devour the story.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

JESCHONEK, Robert T. My Favorite Band Does Not Exist. 327p. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-37027-9. LC 2011008150.
Gr 8 Up–Idea Deity suffers from the delusion that someone else is writing the story of his life; that he is living in a book. To combat his paranoia, he creates a fake band, Youforia. As it gains a cult following, even though it has never performed, Idea realizes that someone out there is pretending to be Youforia, and he’s furious. Alternately, Reacher Mirage is Youforia’s lead singer. Somewhere, someone is posting all kinds of secret information about his band online. He can’t figure out how they know what they know, but he’s determined to figure it out. As both boys head for the same concert venue with an enigmatic girl in tow, both Reacher and Idea feel as though someone else is pulling the strings, guiding their lives, but neither of them knows to what point. When their alternate worlds collide, the consequences have the power to affect the entire universe. Jeschonek has created a quirky, time- and space-bending adventure that might just gather a cult following of its own. This novel will probably appeal to fans of Libba Bray’s Going Bovine (Delacorte, 2009), whose hallucinogenic road trip also induced thought-provoking and chaotic reactions. Libraries looking for a strong addition to their science-fiction collections will want to invest in this sophisticated novel.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

JOHNSON, Christine. Nocturne. Bk. 2. 355p. (A Claire de Lune Novel). S & S/Pulse. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0776-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0778-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Not only is Claire Benoit a typical teenage girl dealing with school, bffs, boys, and finding the perfect dress for the Autumn Ball, but she is also a werewolf. She is the newest member of the pack where her mom is the alpha and her boyfriend, Matthew, is their gardien. Juggling two lives is certainly more than she bargained for and it begins to take its toll on her and the people she loves. Her relationship with her best friend becomes strained, and a new girl, Amy, takes an interest in Claire’s life that puts her and the pack at risk. As the situation intensifies, Claire struggles to make the right decision as well as abide by the laws of the pack. Johnson once again spins a tale with unique werewolf lore that is authentic and original. Claire’s conflicting emotions, self-doubt, and need to stay true to herself while obeying the pack ring true, but at times the story line seems to drag. The ending leaves room for more in the series.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

JOHNSON, Maureen. The Name of the Star. Bk. 1. 272p. (Shades of London Series). Putnam. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25660-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Rory, 17, leaves rural Louisiana and enrolls in a British boarding school. Her arrival coincides with the emergence of a new terror in London: a murderer mimicking the 1888 grisly killings by Jack the Ripper. As she reports to officials her knowledge of events leading up to these gruesome deaths, she reaches the startling realization the she can see individuals not observed by others or picked up with electronic surveillance: Rory can see ghosts. She recognizes the one who poses as a modern-day Ripper and who is responsible for the horrific murders spreading across London. His plan intensifies and Rory becomes his target, with an announcement that the killings will continue until she surrenders to him. Employing a terminus, a device used to eliminate lingering ghosts, and a few friends who, like Rory, possess “the sight,” she goes deep into the London underground to “terminate” this modern-day Ripper. While she is successful, there is obviously more to tell in this planned trilogy. This savvy teen, who uses her considerable smarts and powers against the ghosts, will return to battle all who haunt her world. Johnson uses a deft hand, applying the right amount of romance and teen snarkiness to relieve the story’s building tension. Departing from her previous works, she turns paranormal on its head, mocking vampires and werewolves while creating ghosts that are both realistic and creepy. A real page-turner. –Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

KELLEY, Jane. The Girl Behind the Glass. 183p. CIP. Random. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86220-5; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96220-2; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-88996-7. LC 2010043568.
Gr 4-6–When yet another family moves into the house she died in and has been haunting for more than 80 years, a ghost tells her story. She makes for an oddly detached narrator; she can read thoughts, but not emotions. Her motives are never entirely clear–does she want to save the attic’s resident bats? drive apart the 11-year-old twin sisters who just moved in? finally be laid to rest?–but the creep factor is never in doubt. Suggest this one to fans of Mary Downing Hahn who can’t get enough chills.–Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Peachtree Montessori International, Ann Arbor, MI

KEPLINGER, Kody. Shut Out. 276p. Little, Brown/Poppy. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-17556-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–The rivalry within Hamilton High remains strong and bitter 10 years after the school board diverted funds from the football program in order to form a soccer team. Frustrated when the pranks and hazing interfere with her relationship with her footballer boyfriend, Lissa organizes meetings between the girlfriends of football and soccer players, during which they pledge a “sex strike” until the feuding ends. The pact backfires when Randy humiliates Lissa at the homecoming dance, revealing very personal information and potentially causing a rift between her and the girlfriends. To complicate matters, Lissa rekindles her crush on Cash, her library coworker and a soccer star. When the strike threatens to become more intense than the actual rivalry, the pact takes on some unintended significance, and several characters must face revelations about their sexuality. This is an honest portrayal of double standards among high school students; girls who clearly enjoy sex are considered sluts, boys with multiple sexual conquests are studs, and girls who maintain their virginity are teases. Although the story idea is a clever modern adaptation of Lysistrata, the execution falls rather flat, resulting in lesser issues, such as parental loss, being introduced but not fully integrated within the story. Current pop and cultural references keep things lively and the language is not quite locker room, but close. Fans of Keplinger’s The DUFF (Little, Brown, 2010) will be entertained, but those hoping for more depth will be disappointed.–Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

KING, Caro. Seven Sorcerers. 324p. CIP. S & S/Aladdin. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2042-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2044-1. LC 2011001432.
Gr 5-8–Ninevah Redstone, 11, awakens one morning to the absence of her younger brother’s typical noise. Toby has disappeared, and all traces of him have been erased from the world except for Nin’s memory and her brother’s favorite stuffed toy. He has, in fact, been taken to the Drift, a parallel world inhabited by the “Fabulous” (giants, fairies, tombfolk, and the like), where a plague has been killing off most things magical. Nin’s quest for him drives the plot as she befriends an older boy who seems to straddle both realms, tries to avoid being nabbed by her brother’s captor (a terrifying bogeyman named Skerridge), and delves into the secrets of the now-disappeared Seven Sorcerers whose powers still linger behind. Unfortunately, the pacing is poor, everything happens too woodenly, and the narrative focuses on telling rather than showing, and telling without finesse. Nin herself is uncommonly astute and brave in one paragraph and blubbering in the next. One-dimensional characters pop up out of nowhere. American youngsters may also struggle with the colloquial British English and the dialects used by some of the creatures. By the time the book’s rather intriguing premise becomes apparent, most readers will have abandoned the effort.–Corinne Henning-Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

KIRBY, Jessi. Moonglass. 232p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1694-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1696-3. LC 2010037389.
Gr 7-10–Because of a job transfer, Anna, 17, and her dad are moving. The relocation is particularly difficult because they are returning to the beach town where her father first met and fell in love with her mother, who died when Anna was seven. The teen remembers very little about her, but she does recall walking with her on moonlighted beaches looking for sea glass and listening in wonderment to tales about mermaids. She also remembers one cold night when she followed her to the ocean’s edge, when her mom didn’t stop; she just continued walking into the water. As local residents begin to tell her tidbits of information and through her own hazy memories, Anna is able to piece together the woman’s life. This is a poignant book about a teenager seeking answers yet fearful of what she might learn. This summer is life-changing for Anna, and readers will understand and sympathize with her loss of a parent, especially to suicide, and her coming to terms with her feelings of guilt and anger. –Sharon Morrison, Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library, Durant, OK

KLAVAN, Andrew. The Final Hour. Bk. 4. 346p. (The Homelanders Series). Thomas Nelson. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59554-715-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–In this final installment in the series, Charlie West is once again in less-than-ideal circumstances. Locked up for a murder he did not commit, he waits for one of two scenarios: radical Islamists to kill him or the United States government to finally acknowledge his participation in bringing down the Homelander terrorist group. During one of his painful flashbacks of his time undercover, Charlie remembers that the leader of the group is planning to attack Times Square on New Year’s Eve. When no one believes him, he takes matters into his own hands and breaks out of prison. With the help of friends, he attempts to stop both the attack and the Homelanders for the last time. Readers will find many of the same elements in this book that they have come to either love or hate in the previous three. The novel starts slowly but gains momentum, and despite the strong religious underpinnings and excessive patriotism, some readers will be caught up in the action and mystery. Klavan ties up loose ends nicely and concludes the series on a high note that will leave fans satisfied.–Elizabeth C. Johnson, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, WA

KNOWLES, Jo. Pearl. 216p. CIP. Holt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9207-3. LC 2010029883.
Gr 6-9–Twelve-year-old Pearl, known as Bean, is unsettled: What is going on in her house? Gus, her grandpa, adores her and is the only father figure she knows, but he and her mother avoid each other. She escapes the underlying stress of her home by visiting her buddy, Henry, and his shut-in mother, Sally. They cozy up on the couch, watch soaps operas, and munch on Doritos. Henry’s dad left when he was a baby and Henry has no more of an idea of who his father is than Bean has of hers. Bit by bit, the two friends puzzle out the secrets of their covered-up backgrounds. They are horrified when connecting the dots suggests that they may have the same father. When Gus dies suddenly, Bean’s mom seems more relieved than grieved. Her best friend moves in and they behave like giggling schoolgirls. The unfolding reality that she is gay is not much of a surprise, except to Bean. Bean and Henry are likable characters. However, while there’s drama in their lives, there’s not much action in the book. The pointed tension created through Bean’s mom and grandpa’s misunderstandings and misconceptions is weak and unconvincing. The appeal of the story is that it funnels family oddities, secrets, and personal melodrama into eventual respect for family differences.–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

KOERTGE, Ron. Now Playing: Stoner & Spaz II. 209p. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5081-0; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5634-8. LC 2010040151.
Gr 9 Up–In this series/sequel-crazy market, it’s unusual for an author to wait for almost 10 years to revisit characters and a plot that worked. Koertge notes that Ben Bancroft, half crippled by cerebral palsy, and Colleen Minou, not-quite clean-and-sober pothead, are characters who “weren’t finished with me.” That’s good news for lovers of Stoner & Spaz (Candlewick, 2002) and for those who will grab it after enjoying this book. Colleen changes Ben’s life in the first novel through acceptance, and he is riding a small wave of success in making and showing a documentary of the disparate groups from his high school. He still loves movies, both at a retro film house and at his home, shared with his wealthy, distant but loving grandmother. And he still loves Colleen, whose tongue in his ear drives him wild and whose clasp of his withered hand makes him feel life can be more than watching movies. This time, it’s Colleen whose hang-ups and tattered life need fixing, while Ben entertains the idea of a different sort of girl friend: A.J., another teen filmmaker from a “good” family who wants Ben to capitalize on the sadness of his life and on the pain of others to make art. Colleen helps Ben dirty up his life with a search for his long-lost mother while she tries to clean up her own by moving away from her stripper mom, getting a job, and working the steps. Colleen, rebellious, and Ben, thoughtful–the dynamic still works. The wry truth of the tale might just capture the next generation of YA readers.–Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

KORMAN, Gordon. Unsinkable. Bk. 1. 170p. ISBN 978-0-545-12331-0.
–––– . Collision Course. Bk. 2. 167p. ISBN 978-0-545-12332-7.
–––– . S.O.S. Bk. 3. 166p. Sept. ISBN 978-0-545-12333-4.
ea vol: (Titanic Series). Scholastic. 2011. pap. $5.99. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–These books follow the lives of four teens who become friends and help save one another aboard the sinking ship. Paddy Burns, 14, is a homeless runaway who mourns the death of his best friend. While Daniel was being brutally attacked, Paddy hid in a crate that was slowly lifted onto the Titanic . He had no way off the ship and became a stowaway. Alfie Huggins’s mother just left him, so he lies about his age and applies for a steward position on the ship, where his father will be working as an engine stoker. Sophie Bronson is the daughter of a suffragist who turns every situation into a political rally. They have been kicked out of England and given a police escort to the vessel. Juliana Glamm is the daughter of the 17th Earl of Glamford. He has lost all of his family’s money gambling and is going to sell his daughter to a wealthy Texas oil tycoon, unbeknownst to her. They are traveling to America to meet their soon-to-be in-laws. Korman mixes facts about the Titanic into this historical adventure. Readers will learn about the building of the ship, why it was supposed to be unsinkable, and the duties of the different crew members. The series focuses on Paddy, who is the best-developed character, and the difficulties of keeping him hidden. Still, readers will find something to relate to in the different relationships the other teens had with their parents. Because one book flows into the next, individual titles do not stand alone.–Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY

KUNZE, Lauren & Rina Onur. Secrets. 320p. (The Ivy Series). HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196047-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–After Thanksgiving break, Callie returns to Harvard to face her problems. She not only hooked up with her ex-best friend’s crush, but she also cheated on her perfect boyfriend, Clint. To make matters worse, her nemesis, Alexis, somehow got her hands on a copy of the sex tape Callie’s loser high school boyfriend made unbeknownst to her. Now Alexis is making Callie’s life a living hell, threatening to publish it if Callie doesn’t stay away from Clint and complete a never-ending list of errands. As the teen tries to sort out her personal life, she works to make sure her darkest secret isn’t revealed, all while managing to study and pass finals. Witty, realistic dialogue and characters who are quirky yet completely believable make for an enjoyable read. The best part is that Callie, who dislikes herself for cheating and realizes that she is not always likable, is intelligent and aware, and the roadblocks to her finding happiness and love are logical. Secrets is guaranteed to make readers want to get their hands on The Ivy (Greenwillow, 2010 ) .–Jessie Spalding, Tempe Public Library, AZ

LAIRAMORE, Dawn. Ivy and the Meanstalk. 240p. Holiday House. Oct. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2392-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–In this delightful and humorous sequel to Ivy’s Ever After (Holiday House, 2010), 14-year-old Princess Ivy of Ardendale has another adventure that challenges fairy-tale conventions. This lighthearted fantasy revolves around a fractured version of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” recasting the giant and his wife as victims and Jack as a villain who used his stolen riches to found the kingdom of Jackopia centuries before the book’s start. When the giantess threatens war upon Ardendale if her singing harp isn’t returned, Ivy must save the day. While searching for the harp in Jackopia, she meets an overprotected young prince whom she encourages to stand up to his strict parents. This subplot provides an interesting counterpoint to the clichéd image of the princess in need of rescue. Lairamore’s well-developed characters are excellent riffs on fairy-tale traditions: Ivy, the disheveled and impetuous princess; Eldridge, the mild-mannered dragon; and Drusilla, Ivy’s fairy godmother, who creates problems instead of solving them. Various settings are depicted in rich detail while never detracting from the narrative. The plot is filled with action-packed scenes, including several in which Ivy and Eldridge tangle with the “meanstalk,” a frightening version of Jack’s beanstalk that attacks climbers. Although accessible to those unfamiliar with Ivy’s Ever After, this sequel does contain spoilers for the first book. Perfect for fans of Vivian Vande Velde’s Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird (Harcourt, 2005) and Wendy Mass’s “Twice Upon a Time” books (Scholastic). –Mahnaz Dar, formerly at Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City

LEONARD, Julia Platt. Cold Case. 288p. S & S. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2009-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2750-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Oz Keiller, 13, isn’t happy about having to work at his family’s restaurant in Santa Fe on Saturday morning. His grumpiness quickly turns to fear when he finds blood all over the kitchen, and, worse, a dead guy in the walk-in fridge. He discovers that the murdered man was a reporter who had accused his deceased father of being a spy and a traitor. Oz jumps into action when his older brother becomes the prime suspect, and, with the help of his friend Rusty, they try to clear his brother’s name and solve the mystery. Their searching leads them closer to the real killer but also closer to real danger. Quick-moving action makes this a fast and easy read. Oz begins the story resistant to responsibility, but readers witness his transformation as he works hard to keep the restaurant successful and his family intact. The other characters are likable enough, but lack distinctive voices. The dialogue, usually abrupt and sarcastic, keeps the conversation flowing; however, it is not always initially clear who is doing the speaking. Readers will easily imagine the heat and setting of the New Mexico desert, but the inclusion of so many street names is distracting. Leonard does an admirable job of maintaining the story’s energy, including unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and trying to solve the mystery along with Oz and Rusty.–Elizabeth C. Johnson, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, WA

LINK, Kelly & Gavin J. Grant, eds. Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories. 432p. Candlewick. Oct. 2011. Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4843-5; ebook $22.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5638-6. LC 2010040742.
Gr 8 Up–Most readers have become familiar with the essential steampunk elements: clockwork automatons, brass goggles, mad scientists, brave adventurers, and Victorian imagery. However, this collection of short stories by some of the best YA authors today, including Libba Bray, Garth Nix, and Cory Doctorow, offers something different and takes the steampunk ethos to a new level. Within these pages, there’s a little something for everyone. For the romantic, there is Holly Black’s “Everything Amiable and Obliging,” in which a clockwork automaton exceeds the bounds of its programming and falls in love with the beautiful daughter of its employer. And for the disillusioned, there is Link’s lovely and eerily sad “The Summer People,” in which a girl in Appalachia is forced to care for the mysterious inhabitants of an unusual house. M. T. Anderson’s “The Oracle Engine” is an alternate version of the story of Crassus of Rome that will delight history buffs. And Dylan Horrocks’s “Steam Girl,” the story of an unusual girl with steampunk sensibilities in modern times, will resonate with those who feel as though they don’t quite belong. Two stories told in comic book format will appeal to graphic-novel fans. There is not a weak story in the bunch. This exceptional anthology does great service to the steampunk subgenre and will do much to further its audience.–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

MCENTIRE, Myra. Hourglass. 216p. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-144-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Emerson Cole can see apparitions from the past–Southern belles, jazz trios, and Civil War soldiers that are invisible to everyone else. Michael Weaver is a young, attractive consultant for Hourglass, an organization that helps people just like Emerson. He wants her to realize that her visions are a gift, not a curse. Even though she feels an immediate connection with Michael, she remains skeptical that he will be able to help her, especially when years of medication and therapy have not made the images disappear. When he asks her to travel back in time with him, the shocking truth about her abilities is revealed. The plot maintains focus and energy and contains unexpected twists and turns throughout. Additionally, Emerson’s developing maturity is evident from the first chapter to the last, and readers will identify not only with her but also with the equally well-rounded peripheral characters. The descriptions of the small Southern town, the people, and the buildings, both past and present, are vivid and will capture teens’ imagination and attention. McEntire’s paranormal fantasy, peppered with romance, is a compelling story that is difficult to put down.–Elizabeth C. Johnson, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, WA

MCKISSACK, Patricia C. Never Forgotten. illus. by Leo & Diane Dillon. unpaged. CIP. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Oct. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84384-6; PLB $21.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94453-6; ebook $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98387-0. LC 2010024789.
Gr 4-7–This story-in-verse begins centuries ago, when an African blacksmith named Dinga loses his wife in childbirth. Against the advice of others in his village, he decides to raise the baby himself. When his son, Musafa, grows up, he becomes an apprentice blacksmith, but before long, the slave ships come: “Beware/Of pale men riding in large seabirds/With great white wings.” What happens after that makes for a moving story of loss and transcendence, and a loving tribute to the power of memory. McKissack’s writing is as rhythmic and sure as the sound of the drumbeats she describes in the narrative. The Dillons’ acrylic/watercolor paintings feature beautifully soft colors and heavy yet fluid lines. The pictures demonstrate the miracle of superb book illustration: how something that lies flat on the page can convey such depth, texture, and feeling. This sad but powerful tale will not be easily accessible to many kids, but here’s hoping that there are a lot of patient and appreciative adults (teachers, parents, librarians) to introduce them to it.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

MASS, Wendy. 13 Gifts. 341p. glossary. Scholastic. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31003-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–After a failed attempt at stealing a goat from her principal’s office, Tara’s punishment to spend her summer with relatives in the small town of Willow Falls. As she soon discovers, its inhabitants are anything but ordinary. Tara’s younger cousin, Emily, stays up late to solve math theorems; David, who lives across the street, sings and chants in a hole in the backyard in preparation for his bar mitzvah; and best friends Amanda and Leo wear chalkboards to communicate with one another. These quirky kids and others help Tara as she seeks to collect 13 curious objects required by a mysterious woman in exchange for something essential not only to her, but also to the town. In her quest, she and her new friends dress up in Sunshine Kid uniforms, sneak into the historical society, and meet a celebrity heartthrob. Finally, on her 13th birthday, Tara comes to the realization that life is better spent in the game than on the sidelines. By fusing middle-school drama with just a sprinkle of magic and mystery, Mass provides an optimistic and genuine addition to the coming-of-age genre. Many readers will relate to Tara, a seventh-grade wallflower who gains self-confidence, friendship, and a true place in Willow Falls. Her narration has an authentic voice, allowing readers to experience her thoughts, motives, and feelings. Mass keeps the plot jumping like a fireworks display; there’s one surprise spark after another, all coming together at the end for a breathtaking finale.–Mary-Brook J. Townsend, The McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT

MORPURGO, Michael. An Elephant in the Garden. 208p. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-59369-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-9–The poignant recollections of 82-year-old Lizzie capture the imaginations of her listeners, a nurse and her young son, who sit in rapt attention by her nursing-home bedside. Lizzie’s engaging story is seamlessly laced with historical facts about the February 1945 bombing of Dresden, zoo directives to euthanize the animals during bombings, and the desperate plight of defeated Germans caught between advancing Russian and Allied forces. Lizzie’s family included her exuberant younger brother; her compassionate mother, a zookeeper for elephants; and her absentee father, who was conscripted into the German army. When the Allied forces began the infamous firebombing of Dresden, the family and her mother’s beloved elephant, Marlene, fled. Joining a wave of fellow refugees, they survived, thanks to chance encounters with a downed Allied navigator whom they secretly “adopted” as a family member, and with a countess who provided a safe house for anyone in need. After the war Lizzie’s parents and Lizzie and her beloved navigator were reunited. Twenty years later, Lizzie “found” Marlene performing in a traveling French circus. The elephant had not forgotten her wartime companion. This well-paced, heartwarming narrative by a master storyteller will appeal to readers on several levels–as a tale of adventure and suspense, as a commentary on human trauma and animal welfare during war, as a perspective on the hardships facing the German people in the final months of World War II, and as a tribute to the rich memories and experiences of an older generation.–Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC

MYRACLE, Lauren. Ten. Bk. 5. 208p. (The Winnie Years). Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42356-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Going back to before the beginning of the series, readers meet Winnie on her 10th birthday and she is bursting with confidence and love. The story takes her through the rite of passage of entering double digits and the first stirrings of emergence from childhood. Now in fifth grade, Winnie has to deal with her safe and comfortable world changing around her. As her friends are starting to have crushes on boys, she has to decide whether to follow along or wait and be true to her own feelings. While the book does not have the depth of emotion or tackle some more serious issues as some others do, it has great kid appeal. Definitely a worthwhile addition to Eleven (2004), Twelve (2007), Thirteen (2008), and Thirteen Plus One (2010, all Dutton). –Catherine Brenner, Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar, NY

NAPOLI, Donna Jo. Lights on the Nile. 288p. glossary. HarperCollins. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-166793-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–Kepi is a spirited young ancient Egyptian girl with a powerful connection to animals, from the click beetle she discovers in her family’s fields to the baby baboon she finds and raises. When some boys try to steal Babu, Kepi runs far from home in pursuit of her pet and falls prey to Menes, a man whose motives for helping her are unsettlingly ambiguous. Menes drugs her with poppy seedpods and transports her up the Nile to be a baboon trainer in a temple in Ineb Hedj, the capital of Egypt. Kepi’s adventures make for fascinating reading, and Napoli smoothly integrates details about the landscape, political structure, religion, and daily life. Readers’ hearts will be in their mouths as Kepi survives a sandstorm, reaches the capital, is forced into servitude, and confronts the Pharoah himself. That’s where the story begins to feel as if it’s barreling toward a too-hasty conclusion. And when Kepi and her new friends are transformed into feri, it seems mostly as if this sketchy explanation of the origin of fairies is Napoli’s device to get Kepi back home.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK AND LITERACY ALLIANCE. The Exquisite Corpse Adventure. illus. by Calef Brown, et al. 288p. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5149-7; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5773-4. LC 2010040152.
Gr 4-6–As their circus train barrels headlong to potential doom, Joe and Nancy receive an urgent plea for help from their long-lost parents. Going on a tip from an Einstein-esque mad scientist, the twins learn that the only way to save their family is to find and piece together a Top Secret Robot whose services are crucial to the success of their mission. What follows is a cross-dimensional, time-warping adventure that has the heroes making unusual new friends, enduring bad knock-knock jokes, and battling villains most evil–including a narcoleptic clown and some very rotten eggs. Twenty well-known children’s authors and illustrators, including Natalie Babbitt, Susan Cooper, Kate DiCamillo, Jack Gantos, and Steven Kellogg, collaborated to create this story, each penning a chapter and passing it on to the next. This concept is exceptionally creative. Unfortunately, the overall effect is that of too many cooks working over a single pot. The idea might have worked better spread over several books, as with “The 39 Clues” (Scholastic), or with fewer writers wielding the pen. As is, the effort has a disjointed feel and reads more like a series of randomly related vignettes than one continuous story. Even avid readers may have trouble following the multiple threads.–Alissa J. LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

NESS, Patrick. A Monster Calls. illus. by Jim Kay. 224p. CIP. Candlewick. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5559-4. LC 2010040741.
Gr 7 Up–Conor O’Malley, 13, is having a difficult time. At school, he copes with bullying and loneliness. His father is living in America with his new family, and at home he has to contend with a recurring nightmare that torments him every night. His mother is seriously ill and undergoing painful cancer treatments. One night, he wakes up to a voice calling his name. An ancient, treelike monster, hovering over him like a sleeping giant, has come to tell him three stories. When the monster is done, he wishes for Conor to tell him a fourth tale, wanting the scariest thing of all–the truth. The wise monster’s ambiguous tales contain unexpected outcomes and help demonstrate that not all stories have happy endings, but they can be more important than anything else if they carry the truth. Conor has to accept the truth about his mother’s prognosis and letting go, even if it means losing her. Only then can he start to heal, without destroying himself in the process. This is an extraordinarily moving story inspired by an idea from author Siobhan Dowd before she passed away. Kay’s shadowy illustrations slither along the borders of the pages and intermingle with text to help set its dark, mysterious mood, while Conor is often seen as a silhouette. A brilliantly executed, powerful tale.–Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ

NEWMAN, John. Mimi. 186p. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5415-3; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5618-8. LC 2010040147.
Gr 4-6–Mimi’s mother was killed in an accident 149 days ago, and the entire family–father, older brother, and older sister–is still grieving and unable to cope with daily life. The children’s father sits at home all day and cooks burnt pizza for dinner, Sally has a horrible secret (according to her diary), and Conor plays drums until late into the night. Mimi can’t get to school on time, doesn’t do her homework, and misses Mammy terribly. She does regularly see her extended family, giving her some structure and continuity. And all is not dark in Mimi’s life–she has a good friend who tells her jokes and stands up for her at school, supportive teachers, and a cousin who is a fun playmate, and the lighthearted bickering of her grandparents is humorous. But a tipping point is looming for this family, and it comes when Sally is accused of stealing from a neighborhood shop and runs away after a fight with their father. His worry and fear finally wake him up, and he knows he has to bring the family back together. With just enough humor to keep readers engaged and a protagonist to whom they can relate, Newman adeptly portrays a family on an emotional edge. He also subtly lets readers figure out that Mimi is Asian and adopted–it is not a big part of her story, just reality.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

NIMMO, Jenny. The Secret Kingdom. Bk. 1. 207p. (Chronicles of the Red King Series). CIP. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-84673-8. LC 2010035710.
Gr 4-6–Charlie Bone returns to introduce the story of his magical ancestor, Timoken the Red King. Born under the cloud of his mother’s overwhelming sense of foreboding, Timoken finds protection and magic in three gifts given to his mother by a mysterious forest jinni: the web of the last moon spider, a magic ring, and the Alixir of youth. The powerful web does protect him, but it also invites danger, setting in motion events that will define his life. Readers will be instantly drawn into the author’s captivating and thrilling tale of magic and adventure. Timoken’s story takes flight after his kingdom is destroyed by viridees, wicked sorcerers who want the moon spider’s web. He’s forced to travel the world in search of a “New Kingdom,” but what readers will soon understand is that he is really searching for a home and all that it symbolizes. The protagonist is a kind and thoughtful hero who engenders respect and loyalty in those he meets. This is evidenced in his relationship with his camel, Gabar, and the ragtag group of children they rescue from slave traders. They, along with Timoken’s sister, Zobayda, explore the meaning of friendship and family. And it is this recurring theme that drives the story. Charlie Bone fans can rest easy knowing that Nimmo does not disappoint as she spins her magical web in this well-paced and expertly crafted tale.–Mary Beth Rassulo, Ridgefield Library, CT

NOLAN, Han. Pregnant Pause. 340p. Houghton Harcourt. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-15-206570-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Sixteen years old and seven months pregnant, Eleanor can’t rely on anyone but herself. Hastily married to her irresponsible boyfriend and feeling abandoned by parents who chose missionary work in Kenya over helping her, she’s faced with a summer working at a camp for overweight youth owned by her unsympathetic in-laws, and everyone has his or her own idea about what she should do with the baby. Nolan presents a sensitive look at the difficulties of teen pregnancy, from an unstable marriage to physical discomforts, and, most of all, the frustration of being at the mercy of adults and having very little agency as a minor. While the adults are almost too insensitive and uncaring to be fully believable, the teen characters are realistic and multifaceted. Tenacious, impulsive, and often naive, Eleanor has very relatable flaws that make her sympathetic, and her spirited first-person narration brings welcome levity to a plot that could otherwise become overwhelmingly depressing. As she rises to the challenges of her situation and sorts through complicated emotions to discover what she wants for herself and her baby, her struggles will strike a chord with readers who admire characters who persevere in the face of nearly insurmountable obstacles. Drawing in both reluctant and avid readers, this novel is an uplifting page-turner with a great deal of heart. –Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

ODYSSEY, Shawn Thomas. The Wizard of Dark Street. Bk. 1. 352p. (An Oona Crate Mystery). Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-143-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-277-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In 1877, Dark Street is a Diagon Alley. It sits between New York City and Faerie, open at midnight to New Yorkers and, after the Great Faerie War, firmly barred to Faerie by the Glass Gates. The vigilant Wizard of Dark Street tends its magical presence. By tradition, his niece, 12-year-old Oona Crate, is next in line to be his apprentice, but she has renounced her magical abilities because of an accident she once caused. Now she concentrates on detective work, which she must employ when her uncle vanishes right before naming his successor. Oona has a wide list of suspects to interrogate, including a witch, a blind man, a “Muggle” boy from New York, and obnoxious Isadora from across the street. Ably assisted by her talking raven and her Faerie servant, Oona sets out to prove that magic is no match for her powers of observation. This mystery has an intriguing cast of characters and classic detective elements. The concept of a magical street filled with quirky denizens will please readers, as will Oona’s independent spirit. Boys and girls will appreciate the protagonist’s magical Nancy Drew-type capers and her straightforward style. Less satisfying is her facile ability to forget that her magic once killed her family and to reclaim her magical heritage. Perhaps this disconnect as well as the lurking Faerie denizens will be dealt with in further volumes. Hand this one to readers who like their fantasy with a strong mystery thread.–Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

O’ROURKE, Erica. Torn. Bk. 1. 310p. Kensington. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7582-6703-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–It’s an increasingly common premise: a magic world coexisting with the non-magic, one chosen individual possessing special powers, an ambiguous prophecy, and an urgent need to save the world. Except in this novel, the protagonist isn’t the chosen one. In fact, she is murdered before the book even begins, leaving behind her best friend, Mo Fitzgerald, who doesn’t even know that magic exists. Mo has always stayed below the radar and in the shadow of Verity. But even she could tell that the creatures that killed her friend weren’t human, and she’s determined to figure out what happened. Her journey takes her into a realm filled with magic-users called Arcs, demonlike Darklings, and a power struggle that threatens all stability. In addition, Mo’s family may or may not be involved with the mob, so it’s not just supernatural baddies that she has to watch out for. O’Rourke’s heroine is refreshing: determined, spunky, and unpredictable. The two requisite love interests are more formulaic, but Torn should still satisfy readers with an insatiable thirst for well-written, fast-paced fantasy and leave them eager for the next installment in the series.–Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

O’RYAN, Ellie, adapt. Prom: A Novel. based on the screenplay by Katie Welch. 234p. Disney. 2011. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4842-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–This novelization of a Disney movie has everything you’d expect–love lost and found, something horrible turned into a blessing in disguise, and happy endings. Nova, an all-around perfect student and head of the prom committee, is preparing for her school’s big night, and with only three weeks left to go, has yet to be asked. She’s hoping that super perfect Brandon will sweep her off her feet, but when he asks if they can carpool, she’s nothing short of disappointed. Enter said tragedy–the decorations go up in flames, and the committee has nothing left to show for their months of work. When the school rebel with a heart of gold, Jesse, is recruited by the principal to help Nova make all new decorations, she is at first incensed but soon learns that there might be more to this bad boy than leather and a motorcycle. The book also follows the stories of “It” couple Tyler and Jordan, whose storybook romance is anything but, and Justin and Mei, the couple who already have their future together planned–or do they? Other funny side stories include the plight of Lloyd, who’s desperately trying to find a date, and best friends Lucas and Corey, who are trying to stay friends as they ultimately are growing up and apart. Although the character development is weak, the interlocking stories are fun and will keep readers interested until the end. A good book for readers with prom fever.–Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR

PAQUETTE, A. J. Nowhere Girl. 256p. Walker. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2297-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-9–Luchi Ann Finn, 13, was born and raised in a Thai women’s prison where her American mother was serving time for drug possession/trafficking. The protective woman never shared the truth of her past with her daughter. When she dies, Luchi is “set free” by the kindly Chief Warden to find her way “home.” She is given a ride to Bangkok carrying only the urn with her mother’s ashes, a letter from her unknown grandmother (written years earlier to her mother), a storage key, a list of Bangkok addresses, and a pouch of American dollars. Naive and intimidated by the bustling city, Luchi finds no remnants of her mother’s past and her money is stolen, so she decides to stow away to America on a cargo ship. Good fortune then begins to come her way. The captain’s anger becomes affection as he helps Luchi through immigration; she meets her welcoming grandmother; and her mother’s domineering father-in-law begs her forgiveness. The teen’s taut narration captures the strangeness of her circumstances, her conflicting familiarity and insecurity with Thai culture, and her emerging sense of self and independence. The protagonist is an appealing heroine caught in a hazy web of family secrets, but determined to fulfill her mother’s last words, “Go home.” Luchi’s courage and resilience enable her to pick up the pieces of her parents’ shattered lives and reconcile with her estranged grandparents. This remarkable story contains elements of authenticity but lacks credibility and clear factual information on several issues. For middle grade readers, the absence of family contact, drug-trafficking laws and imprisonment in a foreign country, and Luchi’s harrowing escape from child traffickers need more explanation.–Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC

PEARSON, Mary E. The Fox Inheritance. Bk. 2. 294p. (The Jenna Fox Chronicles). Holt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8829-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–This sequel to The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Holt, 2008) is narrated by Locke, one of Jenna’s best friends and fellow car accident victim. After Jenna was given a new body, her friends Kara and Locke’s consciousnesses were left in a set of hard drives. Now, 260 years later, they have been given new bodies by the mysterious Dr. Gatsbro, a man who clearly has his own agenda. He has sheltered Kara and Locke from the changes in the world by keeping them on his isolated estate. Locke is haunted by his lost time and disturbed by suspicions that something isn’t quite right with Kara. Escape leads to a fast-paced cross-country adventure and search for Jenna, all with the help of a subversive “BioBot” taxi driver. Overall the story is gripping, urgent, and highly appealing, though the political landscape of the future world is underdeveloped and there are some predictable action sequences in the end. Fans of the original novel will enjoy seeing Jenna and learning about her (long) life. New readers are advised to start with the first book.–Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

PERL, Erica S. When Life Gives You O.J. 199p. glossary. CIP. Knopf. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85924-3; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95924-0; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89783-2. LC 2010023844.
Gr 4-6–Zelda Fried’s grandfather, Ace, comes up with the perfect plan to help convince her parents to get her the dog she so desperately wants: the 10-year-old will take care of a “practice dog” (actually an old orange juice jug), including feeding, walking, and cleaning up after it, until they give in. This is totally embarrassing, and to make matters worse, although Zelly moved from Brooklyn, NY, to Vermont a while ago, she still feels like the new kid in town. Her only friend will be spending the summer at camp, leaving her all alone to deal with her annoying little brother and the neighborhood bullies (who no doubt will have a lot to say about her plastic companion). By the end of the summer, she has made another friend, learned to stand up for herself, and begun to appreciate her “pet.” Despite the novel’s forced secondary story line about Zelly’s Jewish family fitting in with the new neighborhood and Ace’s unfortunate trip to the hospital near the end of the book, readers will enjoy the main character’s liveliness and resilience.–Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. With the Might of Angels: The Diary of Dawnie Rae Johnson, Hadley, Virginia, 1954. 336p. (Dear America Series). photos. bibliog. chron. Scholastic. Sept. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-545-29705-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–In 1954, Dawnie Rae Johnson receives a diary for her 12th birthday. In it, she chronicles the year of her mundane-no-more life. As one of the brightest African-American students at Mary McLeod Bethune School, she is chosen to integrate the previously all-white Prettyman Coburn public school. She is the lone black student, and she is cursed, spit upon, reviled, ignored, and harassed. Dawnie learns to “lock her lips” through all the racism she experiences, leaning on her family, her church, and her community for support. She also plays baseball and writes imaginary letters to Jackie Robinson, asking him what it was and is like to be the first African American in the major leagues. Dawnie finally makes a friend when a Jewish student, equally reviled, moves from New York City to Hadley. The two support each other, becoming two of the best students at Prettyman. Dawnie’s journal is realistic, encompassing thoughts and emotions one would expect of someone so stressed. She is protective of her autistic brother and encouraging when her father is dismissed from his dairy job for racial reasons and her mother becomes the sole breadwinner. The author seamlessly incorporates historical events into the child’s journal. The end matter contains age-appropriate photographs, a time line, and brief biographical sketches of the people mentioned. A first purchase.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

PLUM-UCCI, Carol. Following Christopher Creed. 416p. Houghton Harcourt. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-15-204759-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–When 16-year-old outsider Christopher Creed disappeared from his small New Jersey town in The Body of Christopher Creed (Harcourt, 2000), classmate Torey Adams tried in vain to find out what happened to him and started a web page called ChrisCreed.com on which he pieced together information and possible clues. Now it is four years later and a grave has been found in the Pine Barrens. Everyone wonders if the mystery is finally solved, including college newspaper reporter Mike Mavic, who relays the events from his point of view. Although Mike is legally blind, needs to wear sunglasses, and uses a service dog, he copes well with his physical challenges. After he and his girlfriend arrive in Steepleton to cover the story, the body turns out to be that of a local teenage girl. The couple is now immersed in a new mystery that potentially involves Chris Creed’s younger brother, who takes drugs and is suffering from mental illness. Gradually, as what caused the girl’s death comes to light, readers also learn more about Mike. Similarities between him and Chris Creed seem increasingly coincidental, and some astute readers may begin to wonder about Mike’s true identity. However, for most teens, the careful writing will hold his secret under wraps until the startling conclusion. Familiarity with the first book is essential to understand this complex and challenging sequel. In it, the central characters from the first book—including Torey, Bo Richardson, and the Mother Creed—reemerge and guide the dialogue-driven plot. Despite a few awkward moments, this title is a must for collections where the first book is still popular. –Diane P. Tuccillo, Poudre River Public Library District, Fort Collins, CO

PORTER, Pamela. I’ll Be Watching. 320p. Groundwood. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-095-6. LC C2011-900509-3.
Gr 9 Up–Porter tells the story of the Loney family and a patchwork of other townspeople living in Argue, Saskatchewan in the early 1940s. Margaret Loney passed away in a snowy car wreck, draining the last bit of hope from her already disillusioned husband, George. Their kids, Ran, 16; Nora, 14; Jim, 12; and little Addie, struggle to live with their hard-drinking father and his embittered new wife of convenience, Effie. When George freezes to death in a blizzard and Effie promptly runs off with a traveling Bible salesman, the kids are left on their own. Ran enlists in the military to support his family and escape their hopeless state. The story is told in lyrical verse by the family members (including the ghosts of Margaret and George) as well as various townspeople. Through them, readers catch a glimpse into unforgiving life in a small, prairie town. Porter vividly captures both the depths of the Loney children’s poverty and their ingenuity in making ends meet. The premise that their parents’ ghosts are watching over them is sweet, but somewhat out of place and hokey in the middle of such harsh realism. The novel touches on first love and the struggle to decide on one’s life direction, but it doesn’t push far enough into this part of Ran’s and Nora’s experiences to heighten the story’s impact. Likewise, the town’s other backstories (incest and anti-German sentiment to name two) are compelling, but not deep-rooted. While stalwart fans of historical fiction, or this era, will likely enjoy this story and the Canadian perspective, both Steven Herrick’s Cold Skin (Front Street) and Helen Frost’s Crossing Stones (Farrar, both 2009) provide more satisfying emotional connections.–Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ

RAY, Delia. Here Lies Linc. 307p. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86757-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96756-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89844-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Iowa City’s Oakland Cemetery and legends about its Black Angel monument feature strongly in this suspenseful though warmhearted tale of family intrigue. Linc Raintree Crenshaw and his vaguely eccentric mom, Lottie Landers, a professor who studies burial customs, live in a house bordering the cemetery. Linc is stressed about starting junior high after having attended the small, private Home-Away-From-Home School, and Lottie seems unable to talk about her husband, whose sudden death soon after they moved to Iowa City has left Linc with unanswered questions. An Adopt-a-Grave assignment lands Linc in a fine mess when he steals a key to a crypt to impress the guys at school. His changing relationships with a diverse cast of interesting characters are central: old friend and cemetery handyman Jeeter; new, almost cartoonishly uncivil cemetery warden Kilgore; former classmate Mellecker, now a seventh-grade big wheel who surprises Linc with his friendship; the mysterious woman who visits the Raintree gravesite each Monday; elderly neighbor Mr. Krasny, who helps Linc translate the strange epitaph on the base of the Black Angel; and new girl Delaney, who has an adventurous spirit and great concern for her pregnant mother, who lost her last baby. Additional poignancy arises from discovering the facts of Linc’s dad’s birth. The satisfying resolution occurs when Delaney and Linc present their reports in situ–at the cemetery. Epitaphs are used as chapter epigraphs, and an author’s note delineates fact from fiction.–Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA

REEVE, Philip. A Web of Air. Bk. 2. 293p. (The Fever Crumb Series). Scholastic. Oct. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-22216-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-10–Having fled London and her recently discovered parents, Fever Crumb is traveling around a postapocalyptic Europe with an acting troupe. She earns her keep by using her knowledge of technology and electricity to provide lighting and special effects. The audiences and performers are appreciative, but deep inside, Fever is unhappy about how unreasonable the acting business is, since her childhood training by the Order of Engineers focused on facts and rational thought. Then, at a seaside town, Fever comes across a model glider built by a mysterious young recluse named Arlo Thursday, who is trying to rediscover the lost mysteries of flight. Fever wants to help him, but shadowy powers seem to be working against any inventor, philosopher, or engineer who wants to study flight and flying machines. Reeve’s intricately imagined world, combined with a fast-paced plot, offers a rich, rewarding reading experience. In the bittersweet ending, Fever continues to develop as a character as she experiences the transformative power of love and makes sacrifices that none of her family and friends can truly appreciate. This book can be read as a stand-alone work, though readers familiar with Fever Crumb (Scholastic, 2010) will have a better understanding of the backstory.–Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH

RIVERS, Karen. What Is Real. 304p. CIP. Orca. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-356-6. LC 2010942087.
Gr 9 Up–When Dex’s dad attempts to commit suicide, the 17-year-old aspiring writer-director leaves his prep-school life with his mom and stepdad and returns to the small town where he grew up to take care of his disabled father. There he finds that his dad has started a full-scale marijuana growing operation, and Dex starts partaking in the crop so extensively that his reality and fantasies start to converge. The story alternates between a screenplay Dex is writing and his first-person perspective, and the confusing narration leaves readers unsure about what’s imaginary and what’s real. It touches on heavy topics–suicide, drug abuse, sex, and love–but without delving deeply into any of them. While Dex is well developed, the other characters never seem to move beyond vague caricatures, making their relationships difficult to understand and the plot less than engaging.–Sharon Senser McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA

RUSSELL, Krista. Chasing the Nightbird. 200p. bibliog. Peachtree. Sept. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-597-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Lucky Valera, an experienced sailor at 14, is heading to rejoin his ship, the Nightbird, in mid-19th-century New Bedford, MA, when he is kidnapped by his previously unknown and much older brother. Fernando makes himself Lucky’s guardian, requires him to work in the local textile mill, and confiscates his possessions and wages. Lucky finds friends in Daniel, a young escaped slave who lives in constant fear of being caught, and Emmeline, a Quaker who defies her stepmother to help both boys. The three friends have many adventures and near escapes in their quest to get Daniel to freedom and Lucky back to sea. The author includes a lot of information about the time and place but the story lacks excitement and suspense. The characters are one-dimensional and underdeveloped. Lucky’s maritime background surfaces in his regular use of the expression “hell’s bells” and as he sings a sea chantey that goes “Ol’ Jolly Salts have sorry faults/Concealed beneath their britches./They bring disease from overseas/Those scurvy sons-of-.” Terms used for African Americans, such as “darkie” and “colored,” may be historically accurate, but prospective purchasers should be aware that they are included. There are many better titles that deal with the whaling and textile industries in New England.–Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

RYAN, Amy Kathleen. Glow. Bk. 1. 304p. (Sky Chasers Series). St. Martin’s/Griffin. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-59056-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-9842-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–The spaceship Empyrean is the only home Waverly, 15, and her boyfriend Kieran, 16, have ever known. Everything changes when their sister ship, New Horizon, attacks unexpectedly and takes all the girls hostage. Right away, Waverly is skeptical of the outwardly sweet, religious leader of New Horizon, Anne, who tries to convince the girls that they were taken from their home for their own protection. Waverly sets out to reveal the lies and corruption beneath Anne’s façade and daringly attempts to save herself and the rest of the girls. Meanwhile, the Empyrean is struggling to survive since most of the adults were killed in the attack. Kieran takes command of the ship, but loses power when the boys begin to believe that he is untrustworthy. He fights to regain control, but when reinstated to power, his religiously themed leadership style looks disturbingly similar to Anne’s. Ryan has created a fascinating and thrilling story that is sure to captivate teens. The themes of survival, morality, religion, and power are well developed, and the characters are equally complex. The author has also created a unique and vivid outer-space setting that is exciting and easy to imagine. This gripping first installment is difficult to put down, and successfully sets the stage for the rest of the series.–Elizabeth C. Johnson, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, WA

RYLANDER, Chris. The Fourth Stall. 320p. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199496-8. LC 2010016280.
Gr 4-7–Sixth-grader Mac is a fixer, a problem solver. He runs a thriving business helping kids with everything from test answers to bullying. With his best friend and fellow Cubs fanatic, Vince, he makes a tidy profit greasing the skids for his classmates. Working out of a stall in an unused restroom, the buddies have amassed enough cash to buy tickets to a World Series game should the Cubs finally make it. But a seemingly simple job protecting a third grader from bullies brings a confrontation with Staples, a thugish dropout who Mac thought was only a legend. Staples is expanding his gambling ring into Mac’s territory, threatening his business, and Mac will need all of his considerable talents to deal with the older and far more ruthless villain and his assortment of nasty henchmen. The writing is witty and there are some memorable characters, but the pace will not keep reluctant readers engaged. Vince’s frequent nonsensical quotations from bizarre relatives and the boys’ exchange of Cubs trivia can also be tiresome. However, the story does have some suspense and action, and middle schoolers will enjoy the younger kids standing up to older teens and operating under the noses of clueless adults. –Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

SALLER, Carol Fisher. Eddie’s War. 194p. Namelos. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60898-108-3; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-60898-109-0; ebook $8.95. ISBN 978-1-60898-110-6. LC 2011925808.
Gr 6-9–A boy’s interests become more global as the news beyond his small town in Illinois takes on personal significance when his older brother enlists in World War II. Eddie spends his days like most farm boys, helping out, playing with friends, and listening in on adult conversations that might pertain to the impending war in Europe. He visits the library and reads the newspapers to find out more; there he meets a Polish immigrant who is also worried about his family in Europe. Jozef Mirga, whom the townsfolk call a Gypsy, bonds with Eddie a bit as he helps him understand the articles. First-person, free-verse vignettes from 1934 to 1944 recount episodes in Eddie’s boyhood with his peers and family as he faces the harsh reality of war brought home. The narrative’s steady progression focuses on a boy’s maturation into his teen years as he increasingly faces the adult world’s situations and issues. Basic morality questions concerning the horrors of Hitler’s genocide of Jews and Gypsies are loosely woven into the entries in discussions about what America’s response should be to a conflict so far away. Eddie’s reflections, particularly toward the end of the book, connect the larger peaceful aspirations of a postwar world with the simple individual dreams of a teen who only wishes to go to school and be happy with his girlfriend. While less-competent readers may lose the thread of some of this boy’s evolving emotional growth, older readers will better appreciate Eddie’s personal story.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

SANDERS, Stephanie S. Villain School: Good Curses Evil. 224p. CIP. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-610-2. LC 2010050180.
Gr 3-6–Where do scoundrels and monsters send their children who aren’t quite nefarious enough? Why, to Master Dreadthorn’s School for Wayward Villains, of course. Among the students: Countess Jezebel Dracula, who prefers hot cocoa to blood. The son of the Big Bad Wolf has been there since he tried to save a drowning child. However, none of the students have it as tough as the son of the headmaster, who feels that he will never be bad enough to please his dad. In a final effort to inspire Rune to the proper depths of lowness, Master Dreadthorn assigns him a Plot: within a week, the boy must kidnap a princess, steal a baby, find a henchman, and overthrow a kingdom. If he succeeds, he graduates from Rogue to Fiend. If he fails, he is exiled forever. Complicating matters is the fact that Mistress Morgana’s School for Exemplary Villains will be working to complete their own Plot, aided by Rune’s half brother Chad. Stirring up some sibling rivalry, the Dreadmaster has challenged both of his sons to keep the other from completing his mission. Accompanied by Jezebel and Wolf, Rune sets off to discover if he has what it takes to be a real villain. Along the way, he learns that it’s not necessarily a bad thing to have a soft side. Happy coincidences throughout keep the story from being an edge-of-your-seat adventure, and students who crave substance and suspense are better directed elsewhere. However, the fast-paced action and snappy dialogue will appeal to reluctant readers and those looking for a light, humorous read.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

SCOTT, Kieran. He’s So Not Worth It. Bk. 2 . 360p. CIP. S & S. 2011. (He’s So/She’s So Series). Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9953-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9958-4. LC 2010046494.
Gr 8 Up–One might think that Ally had become accustomed to things not going her way. Her dad is, after all, the one responsible for her friends’ parents’ hedge funds plummeting and the tension with said friends. This sequel to She’s So Dead to Us (S & S, 2010) starts with her father looking to reconcile, but that’s not looking easy with his new gig: working at the local coffee shop. And that’s before Ally learns that Jake, the guy who just broke her heart, will be working alongside him. She can’t even keep an eye on things, since her mom’s new boyfriend insists that they spend the summer at his beach house, so her friend Annie keeps tabs on the home front. Chapters alternate between Jake, Ally, and Annie’s “field journal.” Some of Ally’s challenges are hard to get too worked up over: being stuck in a fancy beach house, dealing with “mean girl” friends, and figuring out her feelings for Jake. However, many readers will relate to her concern for her parents’ relationship and longing for the way things used to be. Unfortunately, Jake comes off as completely self-involved and downright mean at many points. Still, teens seeking a quick, escapist read set at the Jersey Shore will find one here. A worthwhile purchase for libraries that have gotten mileage out of the first book.–Jennifer Barnes , Malden Public Library, MA

SELFORS, Suzanne. Smells Like Treasure. 408p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9787-0-316-04399-1. LC 2010041541.
Gr 4-7–Homer Winslow Pudding, nephew of the late, great treasure hunter Drake Pudding, received upon his uncle’s untimely demise a basset hound named Dog and a gold membership coin for L.O.S.T. (the Society of Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasures). When a letter from this clandestine organization arrives, stating simply, “Your time has come,” Homer can’t wait to get started. He hopes that L.O.S.T. will help finance his search for the booty of legendary pirate Rumpold Smeller, and Dog will get to use his secret skill–sniffing out treasure (the only thing he can, in fact, smell). Unfortunately, attempting to take his place in L.O.S.T. turns out to be more difficult than Homer imagined. His one-time friend, Lorelei, stole the membership coin in Smells Like Dog (Little, Brown, 2010) and now she’s back, claiming that Drake actually bequeathed it to her. The two must compete for the seat, and what follows is a funny, suspenseful adventure that stretches the borders of readers’ imaginations. A heartwarming and quirky cast of characters adds to the fun. Rumpold Smeller’s tale is woven throughout Homer’s, a story-within-a-story with its own delightful surprise ending. Homer and Dog are a strange, silly, and lovable duo.–Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

SHAW, Susan. Tunnel Vision. 255p. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0839-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0841-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Liza is in the wrong place at the wrong time, and she stumbles upon a meeting of an organized crime group called the Core. In the next few seconds, she is crushed under the weight of her mother, who has been shot dead. Apparently, though, the bullet was intended for Liza. After another close call, she and her dad are whisked into a witness protection program. The balance of the book is spent on the run, with the pair always believing they see the perpetrator just around the corner. Although the pacing is excellent, fear alone is not quite enough to propel readers through the book. They are left hungry for more information about the Core, or a trial-related incident, and for more action, as in the opening chapter. Instead, the plot never quite reaches a crescendo. –Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

SHEA, John “Red” & Michael Harmon. A Kid from Southie. 234p. CIP. WestSide. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934813-53-9. LC 201054022.
Gr 8 Up–Aiden O’Connor, a South Boston Irish kid, is fighting his first boxing match–and he’s losing. Then his opponent calls him a name, and Aiden, who has anger management issues, gets mad and wins. With an alcoholic mom and dad who aren’t paying the rent, a drug-dealing best friend, a biracial girl he’s in love with, and the Mafia ruling his neighborhood, the 17-year-old has a lot to stress about. Tempted by the money the Mafia and drugs offer, yet struggling with wanting to get out of the hood and the ultimate lack of control, Aiden is faced with numerous dilemmas and must make difficult choices. Ultimately, he is grappling with the meaning of power and being a man. With lots of action, short chapters, and realistic but raw language, this one’s a winner. The great cover will attract reluctant readers and the content will keep them turning the pages.–Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA

SHIELDS, Gillian. Eternal. Bk. 3. 368p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. 2011. (Immortal Series). Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200039-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–This book’s beautiful cover will attract gothic paranormal romance readers, but the plot will leave them wanting more–and confused, unless they’ve read Immortal (2009) and Betrayal (2010, both HarperCollins). Reliable, down-to-earth Sarah, a student at the posh Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, on the English moors, is close with fellow students Evie and Helen. They are bound by the elemental powers that they share–water for Evie, air for Helen, and earth for Sarah. Sarah is plagued by dreams of ugly, misshapen creatures, accompanied by the relentless sound of drumming, but now the emotional distance she feels from Evie and Helen prevents her from confiding in them. Evie is grieving after losing her love, Sebastian, in Betrayal. Helen is moody and withdrawn after her unloving mother, the school’s evil High Mistress, died and crossed into the shadow world as a vengeful spirit to serve the corrupt king. Sarah, part-Romany, loves Cal, a fellow Gypsy, but he’s traveling. She feels the presence of her great-grandmother, a former student, and uses her diary to help her when Evie is kidnapped. Helen has an accident, and her mother reappears. Sarah suspects that the new student, Velvet Romaine, the wealthy, tabloid-worthy daughter of a rock star, is somehow involved. The two-dimensional characters, melodramatic plotting, and repeated phrases get annoying. Strictly for fans of the earlier books.–Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

SKYE, Obert. Wonkenstein: The Creature from My Closet. 230p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. Sept. 2011. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9268-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Rob Burnside is as average as a 12-year-old can be. His only claim to fame is that he is distantly related to the person who invented sideburns. His mother is always coaxing him to read, but all the books she buys for him end up in a jumble in his closet, which also doubles as his “laboratory.” The sameness of Rob’s life skids to a halt when someone inexplicable bursts from his lab one day. At first Rob has no idea who this little guy is, but then a trip to the library determines that he is a bizarre mash-up of Willy Wonka and Frankenstein. Rob must go to great–and often embarrassing–lengths to conceal “Wonkenstein,” because he’ll be in huge trouble if his parents find out what a mess his closet is. Written in a journal/comic format from the perspective of an underachieving narrator, this book owes an obvious debt to Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series (Abrams). The drawings don’t pack a big comedic punch, but the writing is quite funny and has a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. And while the format and the protagonist might not be inventive, the idea of a hybrid Willy Wonka/Frankenstein character is original and hilarious. This book will be a hit with kids who can’t get enough of the Wimpy Kid.–Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, NY

SMITH-READY, Jeri. Shift. Bk. 2. 384p. S & S/Pulse. 2011. (Shade Series). Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9408-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1734-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In this sequel to Shade (S & S, 2010) Aura’s life is still complicated, especially by the paranormal. The Maryland teen was the First born after the Shift that enabled post-Shifters to see ghosts, and she has a growing attraction to Zachary (who happens to be the Last), a plethora of personal secrets, and a ghost-turned-shade-turned-ghost-turned-living (well, for 17 minutes)-turned-ghost ex-boyfriend Logan, who is making a comeback. Throw in junior prom and a catty school rival and there’s more than enough drama. The supernatural plot has several loose threads and offers plenty of speculation, hopefully resolved by series end. Reading Shade first is recommended. Aura’s romantic entanglements, the ongoing mystery of the Shift, Aura’s father’s identity, and Aura’s and Zachary’s unique powers and the circumstances of their births take precedence over prom and Logan’s swan-song concert. While the Shift premise is interesting, the pacing is sometimes uneven. Smith-Ready’s strengths are well-developed core characters, dialogue, and the clever narrative tone. Mature language and content make this better suited for older teens. Give it to fans of the first novel, fans of Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy (HarperTeen, 2010), and those craving more supernatural reads.–Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

SNYDER, Laurel. Bigger Than a Bread Box. 226p. Random. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86916-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96916-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89998-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Rebecca’s parents have been struggling to get along. Suddenly, Mom packs up 12-year-old Rebecca and toddler Lew to drive to Atlanta to stay with her mother. Rebecca is furious and misses her friends, school, and, most of all, her dad. In the attic, she discovers a bread box, at the same time missing the gulls in Baltimore and wishing there were some in Atlanta. She looks inside to find that two birds have appeared. She soon figures out that wishes that can fit in the box magically materialize, but those that can’t, such as going home or getting her parents back together, are not granted. As often happens with wishes, things go awry; all of the items she has wished for–money, an iPod, a birthday gift for her mother–belonged to someone else and she is accused of stealing. Snyder weaves in her magic without letting it take over and become the focus. Rebecca’s choices are not always understandable, but her heartache is. The slightly over-the-top resolution will be both scary and satisfying to readers. This is solid fiction for the elementary crowd. It doesn’t rely on one-dimensional bad guys and doesn’t let readers think that the good guys are flawless.–Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO

SNYDER, Zilpha Keatley. William’s Midsummer Dreams. 209p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1997-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1999-5. LC 2010036958.
Gr 5-7–In this sequel to William S. and the Great Escape (S & S, 2009), the now 13-year-old protagonist is living with his Aunt Fiona and has the opportunity to audition for the part of Puck in a professional production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. William is thrilled when he is chosen and wows his director and fellow cast members, but he has to contend with the son of the Dean of Performing Arts, his understudy who is trying to sabotage him. Clarice, who helped rescue him and his siblings from the awful Baggett family in the previous book, now has a crush on him. And worst of all, the Baggetts return to torment him. Despite all these challenges, William triumphs and as the book concludes, he is planning his next performance in Romeo and Juliet. The story takes place in 1938, but there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason for placing it during this time period and, apart from some cursory references to 1930s pop culture, the writing doesn’t convey a sense of the setting. The various typefaces used throughout the text, including a bold Gothic typeface for all references to the Bard and quotations from the play, are distracting and often difficult to read. However, the descriptions of rehearsals and backstage activities at the Shakespeare festival are highly entertaining, and readers will be rooting for William to be a theatrical success. A fun read that will appeal to stagestruck readers.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

SPIEGLER, Louise. The Jewel and the Key. 464p. Clarion. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-14879-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10–Addie, an aspiring actress, discovers a trunk full of beautiful antique clothes in her father’s Seattle bookstore and learns that the building’s previous owner was the director of the legendary Jewel theater. Soon after she tries on a vintage dress and examines a lovely silver mirror, an earthquake hits the city. Addie agrees to go across town to see if her neighbor’s elderly friend, Becky Powell, needs help. After a glimpse in the mirror, the teen finds herself in a strange version of her city; here she meets Mrs. Powell and her son, Reg. She is confused by their apparent lack of awareness of the earthquake, but agrees to meet the woman at the theater. It takes her a while to realize that the mirror is a key to the past. Gazing into it lands her at a time when the Jewel was a successful enterprise, Meg Powell was its famous director, and people demonstrated against the United States entering World War I. The past parallels Addie’s own world: Whaley, her best friend who lives with her family, contemplates enlisting to fight in Afghanistan while Reg considers joining the ranks in Europe. Addie returns to the past over and over, in an attempt to preserve the theater. Saving it, she believes, will prevent Whaley from leaving in the present. This erratic tale is an interesting take on the time-travel genre but fails to satisfy. Characters come across as stand-in figures rather than fleshed-out people with reasonable motivations. Spiegler takes on too many issues, including pacifism, Addie’s self-discovery that she is meant to direct rather than act, and the unresolved and confusing relationship between the protagonist and Whaley. The ending wraps up Addie’s relationship with Mrs. Powell and Reg tidily, but the present remains uncertain. –Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

STIEFVATER, Maggie. Forever. 390p. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-25908-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Readers will like much about this conclusion to the series. The love between Grace and Sam grows stronger and stronger, and the pain of their plight is palpable and heart-wrenching. The book begins where Linger (Scholastic, 2010) left off: Grace, thought to be immune to the “werewolf gene,” has turned into a wolf, fleeing the hospital bed where she was dying. Much suspicion now surrounds Sam, the last person to see her. And now another local girl, Olivia, has been found dead, ravaged by wolves. Cole St. Clair’s life as a famous rock star is at odds with his drug abuse. He sees no reason to live, and becoming a wolf seems like the best solution. But something is keeping him from shifting, so he begins to experiment on himself to find a cure for the werewolf gene. If he can find it, he can possibly save Grace and ensure that Sam is permanently cured. There isn’t much time, though, as Tom Culpepper is still out for revenge on the wolves that killed his son. To make matters worse, Grace, the most logical of the bunch, keeps shifting between wolf and human. Sam’s character is one to make teen girls swoon as he bakes, recites poetry, and sings love songs to Grace. Cole offers a nice contrast to Sam, with his rock-star charm and reckless ways. There is much action and suspense, although the idea of Officer Koenig riding in to help save the day is a bit far-fetched. The only downside to the story is the ending, which is left open for interpretation. While some readers will like drawing their own conclusions, others may feel let down at the lack of closure. This is not a stand-alone novel; familiarity with the previous two books is a must.–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, Columbus, NJ

TRACEY, Scott. Witch Eyes. Bk. 1. 340p. (Witch Eyes Series). Flux. Sept. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-2595-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Braden was given the gift of sight, a rare power that allows him to see and feel everything around him in its raw form. No distortions, lies, or spells can alter his vision but, like most abilities, his comes with a price–intense physical pain. Raised by his Uncle Jonathan, Braden has spent his whole life training and trying to master his gift. Unfortunately, his uncle refuses to shed any light on why he has this ability and what the future will bring. Then, a powerful vision convinces Braden that fleeing to Belle Dam will save his uncle’s life and possibly give him the answers he seeks. But the town is embroiled in a feud between two powerful witch families that both want to use the teen for their own purposes. Staying neutral becomes difficult and knowing whom to trust even more so. Braden’s gift seems to be the key to unraveling the secrets of the town, but are he and the residents capable of handling the truth? Tracey spins a clever paranormal story with lots of suspense and intrigue. The complex characters drive the plot and add to the perplexity and mystery. Braden is a likable and strong character whose romantic feelings for his father’s enemy’s son must withstand family secrets and deception. A satisfying read that will continue in the next installment.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

TRIGIANI, Adriana. Viola in the Spotlight. 288p. HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-145105-8. LC 2010045553.
Gr 7-9–When readers first met this level-headed protagonist in Viola in Reel Life (HarperTeen, 1999), she was stuck at boarding school in Indiana while her parents were in Afghanistan. Now she returns to the place she loves the most: Brooklyn. She leaves behind strong, positive friendships with her former roommates, having made the difficult decision to not go back. Instead, Viola looks forward to her summer spending time with her family and making movies with best friends Andrew and Caitlin. Little does she know that her plans are about to be left on the cutting-room floor. The 15-year-old has a good head on her shoulders, which is a breath of fresh air especially when Andrew starts acting odd around her, and she decides to be honest and open, making a mature decision based on friendship with him. Caitlin, whose parents have planned out her whole life, has a summer romance that, with Viola’s help, she keeps secret from her family. Knowing what a good friend should do vs. what she thinks Caitlin should actually do is something that most teens will relate to. When the cover-ups disintegrate, Viola has to take responsibility for her lies, which is not easy. When her Prefect Academy friends visit and she has everyone she loves together, Viola sees what is truly important. But when heartbreak strikes, will her friends, city, and boarding school help her through it all? A charming story that makes true connections to real characters and situations.–Mariela Siegert, Westfield Middle School, Bloomingdale, IL

VAN EEKHOUT, Greg. The Boy at the End of the World. 212p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-524-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–“This is what he knew: His name was Fisher. The world was dangerous. He was alone.” Thousands of years before, a dying civilization created the Life Ark and filled it with perfectly preserved genetic specimens so that one day human culture might rise again. But when Fisher awakens among the Ark’s twisted, smoking ruins, he realizes that he is the only survivor except for a slightly off-kilter robot he calls Click. Its stated purpose is to help Fisher “continue existing,” but its rather wonky programming is not always reliable. They find clues that the long-dead scientists may have planted more than one Ark. If they can find that other installation, there may be hope. However, evolution hasn’t been idle, and nature and the terrain have changed in unexpected and dangerous ways. The cross-continent trek parallels Fisher’s own journey toward realizing his humanity. The story is set in a fascinating and at times chillingly altered North America in which scattered relics of the pre-cataclysm era will seem hauntingly familiar to 21 st -century readers. Robot Click is a surprisingly complex character, and his deadpan insights add a welcome touch of humor to the sometimes dark plot. With strong themes of courage and self-reliance, this challenging and thought-provoking adventure is a fine choice for science-fiction collections. –Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

WARMAN, Jessica. Between. 454p. Walker. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2182-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–In this tale of two teens who meet in the afterlife, Warman cleverly intertwines Elizabeth Valchar and Alex Berg’s budding friendship with flashbacks to their small hometown in suburban Connecticut. A dead mother, a workaholic father who drinks too much, and rumors that her stepsister is actually her half sister all conspired to make popular Liz one unhappy rich girl. By contrast, Alex was a nobody, shunned by her crowd. As each character seeks answers to the unsolved mysteries of their tragic deaths, a story with two ghosts as protagonists turns into a suspenseful whodunit. Readers interested in wandering souls will find these two hard to resist. Some of Alex’s virtue could have built Liz more character, but Alex lacks nerve–which Liz, with her arrogance and sense of entitlement, possesses in abundance. Already dead a year, Alex has had experience as a time-traveling ghost and that makes him a reluctant guide when Liz arrives fresh from her demise after a night of drinking and doing drugs on her family’s boat. Together they sample a full menu of past and present nightmares (to the loss of a parent in childhood add anorexia, robbery, hit-and-run driving, and sexual exploitation), any one of which might have explained why Elizabeth jumped–or was pushed–to her death. The answers they seek can be found in the Ten Commandments, but Between lets readers dabble in a full accounting of tragedy, perversity, and drama instead. Some plot twists strain credibility, but the novel’s surprising resolution rings true.–Georgia Christgau, Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY

WEATHERLY, L. A. Angel Burn. Bk. 1. 452p. CIP. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5652-2. LC 2010044189.
Gr 8 Up–Angels are appearing to humans all over the world, filling them with an overwhelming sense of love and peace. Angel mega-churches spring up everywhere. But no one seems to notice that the people who’ve been visited by them quickly begin to waste away. That’s because angels are actually creatures from another world who feed on human energy, sickening their hosts and eventually causing their deaths via natural-seeming illnesses. Alex is a trained AK (Angel Killer) who believes he works for the CIA. He suddenly finds himself acting as bodyguard to Willow, a high school student with psychic powers who just might be half angel–and therefore his sworn enemy. The angels seem to believe that she has the power to destroy them, making her safety of paramount importance to the survival of the human race. The relationship that eventually develops between Alex and Willow is steamy but chaste (at least in this first installment of the planned series). Fans of supernatural suspense with a generous dollop of romance will be clamoring for the next book.–Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, WA

WEEKS, Sarah. Pie. 184p. Scholastic. Oct. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-27011-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–In the 1950s, the small town of Ipswitch, PA, is famous due to the proprietor of Pie, who gives her wares away rather than selling them. Polly Portman, 13-time winner of the coveted Blueberry Medal, knows everyone’s favorites and keeps meticulous notes for each filling, but not the crust. That recipe is in her head. She also lavishes love and attention on her niece, Alice, an only child who can never please her mother. So when Polly Portman dies unexpectedly, the town is bereft. Many selfishly wonder where they are going to get their pie fix, and some wonder what will happen to the tourist industry that was built around Polly’s fame. Alice cries for two days and “felt like a slice of Swiss cheese inside, all limp and full of holes.” At the reading of her aunt’s will, she learns that Polly left her piecrust recipe to her fat, grumpy cat, Lardo, and that she left Lardo to Alice. It isn’t long before the animal is catnapped, the bakery is trashed, and Blueberry Medal fever hits Ipswitch. Someone wants Aunt Polly’s piecrust recipe badly. With the aid of Charlie, a newfound friend, Alice sets out to get to the bottom of the mystery. Weeks deftly leavens moments of hilarity with the process of grieving in this sweet coming-of-age story in which Alice learns from Aunt Polly to follow her heart and to open it as well. Readers will close the book with a satisfied sigh and may seek out an adult to help them bake a pie. Recipes included, but not for the crust. –Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ

WEST, Jacqueline. Spellbound. Vol. 2. illus. by Poly Bernate. 304p. (The Books of Elsewhere Series). CIP. Dial. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3441-8. LC 2010041865.
Gr 4-6–This sequel to The Shadows (Dial, 2010) picks up with Olive Dunwoody still trying to discover the many secrets hidden in the old Victorian house she and her parents have moved into. She has her dependable sidekicks, three lively talking cats that manage to keep her from hurting herself when she is possessed by the spirit of the mysterious book that she discovers. She realizes that she could use it to release Morton, a boy who has been imprisoned in a painting for many years by the house’s former owners. Olive comes to the shocking realization that the spellbook has forced her to do various deeds while she has been sleeping. This realization is brought to a head when one of her cat protectors manages to wake up her up just before she jumps to her death. Has she not only put her life in jeopardy but also any chance of saving Morton? Who has directed the spellbook to possess Olive and why? These questions and many more will keep young readers engaged as the mystery unfolds. Olive matures in the story; her emotions, including remorse, are genuinely portrayed, and relationships with the cats and with her quirky neighbor, Rutherford, ring true. Some chapters drag a little but overall this is a suspenseful read that leaves plenty of room for the next title in the series. While it stands on its own, it will be enjoyed most by readers familiar with the first book. Occasional full-page, black-and-white drawings are appropriately dark and mysterious.–Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

WESTERFELD, Scott. Goliath. Bk. 3. illus. by Keith Thompson. 545p. (The Leviathan Trilogy). S & S/Pulse. Sept. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7177-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3436-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–The title of this final volume in the trilogy refers to a device created by the mad inventor Nikola Tesla, which he claims can lay waste to entire cities. The story picks up with Alek and Deryn/Dylan traveling in the living hydrogen dirigible known as the Leviathan to Russia under orders to pick up a cargo from the czar, along with Tesla as a passenger. While there are questions about the mysterious cargo and the inventor’s wild claims, the real thread of plot here is that Alek finally discovers that Deryn is a girl and has to deal with his conflicted feelings toward her. Deryn, on the other hand, is in love with him, but doesn’t believe her love can be returned as she is a commoner. Along with Tesla, a host of other historical figures appear in the plot, including William Randolph Hearst and Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. The Leviathan makes an epic journey from Russia to California, and then to New York, via Mexico, where in a fateful last stand, Alex has to make a decision as Tesla prepares to use the Goliath device to destroy Berlin while the city is under attack by German undersea Walkers. At story’s end, Westerfeld’s alternate steampunk version of World War I is not over, but Alex and Deryn’s life together appears to be just beginning. Goliath delivers some action, thrills, and a satisfying love story, despite some muddled plotting in the middle section. Nonetheless, it is a must-read for fans of the series and of the steampunk genre.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO

WHITE, Andrea. Windows on the World. 238p. Namelos. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978- 1-60898-105-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Life for 13-year-old Shama Katooee isn’t easy. Her mother died several years earlier, and now she must eke out a living in a rented room in a Laundromat in LowCity, DC, in 2083. One day, she happens to witness a robbery at a pet store. As she makes her escape, she grabs a BriZance egg from a cage. BriZance birds are avian robots that bond to the DNA of their owners for life. This act of defiance sets off a chain of events that finds her attending Chronos Academy in UpCity, where privileged children are trained to operate a QuanTime machine to go back in time. Shama soon discovers that she is at the school for a special reason: to go back in time and rescue Maye Jones, a girl living in New York City in 2001. Maye could die in the September 11th attacks unless Shama can save her, despite the commanders of the Academy forbidding children from attempting to intervene with past events. This book has an interesting premise that never quite takes off. White sometimes seems more interested in her world-building than in crafting a truly involving story, causing much of the book to be filler and buildup for Shama’s attempt to save Maye. In fact, it is Maye’s story, rather than Shama’s, that is more compelling in the end.–Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA

WILLIAMS, Michael. Now Is the Time for Running. 231p. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-07790-3. LC 2010043460.
Gr 7 Up–In Zimbabwe, 14-year-old Deo’s life is hard but filled with family, love, and soccer. Then soldiers attack his village and send Deo and his mentally disabled brother, Innocent, running toward South Africa. Their way is complicated by a dangerous river crossing, a game preserve filled with lions, and xenophobia. Everywhere these brothers go there are unending waves of hatred and fear. It is this hatred that threatens to break Deo when violence claims Innocent’s life. However, he is able to resurrect and reclaim his own life and hope through soccer. Williams tells his story simply and unflinchingly with depictions of tremendous violence, hard-fought soccer matches, and the loving bond between the brothers. Deo’s narration provides an immediacy that is only compounded by the tale’s fast pacing and suspense. The author gives readers complicated and compelling characters for whom they will cheer, cry with, and love.–Naphtali L. Faris, Youth Services Consultant, Missouri State Library, Jefferson City, MO

WOLITZER, Meg. The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman. 297p. Dutton. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42304-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Three kids meet at a youth Scrabble tournament and help one another work through various issues. Nate has an overly competitive father, while April wants to get noticed by her sports-obsessed family. Duncan’s situation is more complicated: he has the power to see things with his fingers, a potential secret weapon in Scrabble games. This fantastic element fits awkwardly into an otherwise realistic novel, and the fact that Duncan barely uses his talent for anything but Scrabble seems odd. The boy’s eventual principled actions are offset by a dishonest ruse he uses, behind his mother’s back, to get into the tournament. The narrative switches smoothly to capture the points of view and experiences of the three protagonists, although personalities and feelings are frequently spelled out rather than shown through action or dialogue. An anticlimactic attempt by a former player to sabotage the tournament fails to add much drama. Though Duncan is the only character with much depth, the other kids are likable and appealing, and the Scrabble background is neatly rendered in a way that even nonplaying kids can enjoy. The inclusion of tricky game strategies and insider terms like “vowel dumps” and “coffeehousing” bring the tournament scene to life, and the players all have different, believable reasons for their connection to the game. Consider for fans of “puzzle novels” Eric Berlin’s “Winston Breen” books (Putnam) and Jody Feldman’s The Gollywhopper Games (Greenwillow, 2008).–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

WOOD, Maggie L. Captured. Bk. 1. ISBN 978-1-77080-071-7. LC C2010-906523-9.
––––. The Darkening. Bk. 2. ISBN 978-1-77080-072-4. LC C2010-906524-7.
ea vol: 288p. (The Divided Realms Series). Lobster. 2011. pap. $12.95.
Gr 6-9–Willow has been listening to Nana’s stories of a realm that involves magic, castles, and the crystal on her nightstand for as long as she can remember, but always thought they were just meant to entertain her. In Captured, when Nana dies, Willow sees the crystal glowing, grabs it, and wakes up in another world. In Mistolear, she’s a princess. A spell has been cast over the citizens, forcing them to play in a human chess game. Willow’s parents have been captured, and it’s up to her to save them. The plot loses a little steam after the setup of the chess, and the too-large cast of characters falls flat. However, as a light, fun fantasy, it serves its purpose. Loose ends are tied up neatly even though this is the first of a planned trilogy. In The Darkening, Willow is helping to raise the evil fairy Nezeral, whom she magicked back to infancy in Captured. She’s also dating her sworn knight, Brand, who is freaked out about the shorts and tank tops she chooses over princess dresses. Then the faerie queen Cyrraena requires her to play a new game, and when Brand rashly and secretly tags along, he breaks the rules and they end up in a creepy faerie prison/zoo. Faerie princesses Dacia and Theon anger their father by helping his human pets, and the four are sent into the Goblin’s Gauntlet, facing all kinds of frightening magical creatures. While the game itself is engaging, many readers may lose interest before they get there. The mix of medieval and modern references is awkward and ineffective, and Willow is too whiny to elicit much sympathy when her romance with Brand goes south. In a crowded field of faerie stories, this one doesn’t distinguish itself.–Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

WREDE, Patricia C. Across the Great Barrier. Bk. 2. 340p. (Frontier Magic Series). Scholastic. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-03343-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–In The Thirteenth Child (Scholastic, 2009), Eff came of age and defied everyone’s low expectations by saving the town of Mill River with an amazing feat of magic. Now she is 18. Some folks want her to do great things…others hope she will fail miserably and prove that the Mill River incident was just a fluke. And Eff? Her greatest wish is to explore the wild world beyond the Great Barrier, a magical wall that protects against the most dangerous magical creatures. Eff gets her wish when she is selected to accompany a scientific expedition into the wilderness. Her story continues in the measured pace of the first book, but fantasy lovers willing to take the time will find Wrede’s alternative world of the Wild West richly rewarding. Across the Great Barrier can be read as a stand-alone, though readers already familiar with the characters and previous events are the most likely audience. –Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

YEE, Paul. Money Boy. 184p. Groundwood. Sept. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-094-9; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-093-2. LC C2011-902086-6.
Gr 10 Up–Eighteen-year-old Ray Liu, a Chinese immigrant, leads a privileged life. He lives in a large suburban home, wears trendy clothing, and is equipped with the latest technologies. However, none of these things mitigate Ray’s difficulties with fitting in at his Canadian high school; pleasing his strict army veteran father; and accepting his sexuality. Ray’s struggle with speaking English makes it especially hard for him to adjust to life in a new country. As a means of escape, he immerses himself in a computer role-playing game, Rebel State; even though other aspects of his life appear to be in flux, the game makes Ray feel in control. But the feeling soon evaporates when his father accesses Ray’s computer and discovers that he has been surfing gay websites. The repercussions are swift, and the teen is disowned. He heads to downtown Toronto and promptly receives an education in the harsh realities of street life. He is robbed, beaten, and taken in by Han, an older man with ulterior motives. Yee’s sophisticated juxtaposition of immigrant narratives with questions of sexual identity is compelling and poignant. Unfortunately, stilted dialogue and an all-too-neat ending defying credibility detract from the authenticity of this story.–Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, CA

YOUNG, Moira. Blood Red Road. Bk. 1. 464p. (Dustlands Series). CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2998-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3339-7. LC 2011003423.
Gr 7 Up–Eighteen-year-old Saba and her beloved twin brother, Lugh, know nothing of the world beyond the bleak landscape of their father’s shack on the outskirts of a postapocalyptic Wrecker city. Everything changes, though, when the dreadful Tonton (think Haiti’s Tonton Macoutes) descend on the homestead, kill their father, and abduct Lugh. Saba sets out to find him, trailed by her annoying little sister, Emmi. As the two girls cross a desert they enter a world in which the surviving remnants of humanity have organized themselves into haphazard and often brutal factions. An unlikely pair of scavengers captures them and force Saba to fight other slave girls in a cagelike coliseum. Her physical strength and ferocious spirit earn her the sobriquet “The Angel of Death.” After a slow start that establishes the background and the siblings’ relationships, the plot takes off on a wild ride through intrigues and battles, encounters with dastardly villains, and sudden reversals of fortune. Saba is aided by a seemingly human crow, loyal Emmi, a band of women warriors known as the Free Hawks, and a handsome scoundrel named Jack. Readers know that Saba will succeed, but not without overcoming impossible odds. Invented spelling and punctuation (no quotation marks are used) add to the vigor of the telling, and the protagonist’s voice vibrates with the glorious energy of a young woman coming into her power. Saba has just the right combination of warrior rage and tender heart to survive and thrive in her chaotic world. The ending leaves several threads hanging, and readers will be eager for more.–Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

Nonfiction

ADLER, David A. Mystery Math: A First Book of Algebra. illus. by Edward Miller. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. 2011. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2289-0. LC 2010024188.
Gr 3-6–Adler uses a mystery conceit to introduce algebraic equations and problem solving. Collaborating again with Miller, and using a Halloween theme, he employs the concept of a “mystery number” or variable that creates balance in an equation, showing how those numbers will be represented by letters. He begins very simply with illustrated examples of equations that many readers will be able to do in their heads. Once the concept is established, he continues with problems that require addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division in order to solve the “mystery,” or equation. Each of the problems is posed in the form of a dilemma for characters Mandy and Billy, reinforcing that there are real-world applications for the skill. Adler sometimes uses the initial letter of the represented object in naming the variables (“K” stands in for “kittens,” and “R” for “ravens”), but does not use this effective connection consistently. Miller’s trademark wit and collagelike digital illustrations guide readers with visual references to the problem. The white font on dark pages is easy to read. The use of pumpkins and other Halloween icons may create too tight a niche for this title, and differences among elementary math programs may affect its usefulness, but overall Mystery Math presents the concepts with humor and clarity.–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

ALDRIDGE, Rebecca. Stella McCartney. 112p. ISBN 978-1-60413-982-2; ISBN 978-1-4381-3667-7. LC 2010033972.
DAVIS, Daniel K. Versace. 116p. chart. ISBN 978-1-60413-980-8; ISBN 978-1-4381-3669-1. LC 2010034103.
MATTERN, Joanne. Ralph Lauren. 101p. ISBN 978-1-60413-978-5; ISBN 978-1-4381-3690-5. LC 2010036192.
REIS, Ronald A. Valentino. 119p. ISBN 978-1-60413-983-9; ISBN 978-1-4381-3668-4. LC 2010034101.
ea vol: (Famous Fashion Designers Series). photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Chelsea House. 2011. PLB $35.; ebook $35.
Gr 7 Up–Biography collections in need of a bit of sprucing up should find these titles helpful. Although the books do not follow a direct path from early years to current careers, the personal and professional lives of these fashion idols are covered equally. The volumes are fairly dense with information, so readers may have to use the indexes to find particular facts. Some of the titles, Versace in particular, due to his murder, borrow heavily from previously published works. Curiously, for books about such a visual art form, the full-color photos are pedestrian in content and quality. This criticism aside, these are solid choices.–Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

BATEMAN, Graham, ed. Metals. ISBN 978-1-936333-12-7. LC 2010016431.
–––– . Nonmetals. ISBN 978-1-936333-13-4. LC 2010016432.
–––– . Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. ISBN 978-1-936333-14-1. LC 2010016456 .
ea vol: 64p. (Facts at Your Fingertips: Introducing Chemistry). charts. diags. illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Brown Bear Bks. 2011. PLB $35.65.
Gr 7-10–The first book provides a detailed account of the metallic elements. The second title covers nonmetals including the halogens and noble gases. In the introduction to Organic Chemistry, the editor states that the book “describes the essentials of chemistry from the fundamentals of atomic structure, through the periodic table….” However, an image of the periodic table does not appear in the book, nor does the term “periodic table” appear in the index. Both would have been useful for students navigating the volumes. The texts are dense and the print is small. The explanations are thorough, and the titles would be best used by students with a basic scientific knowledge. Captioned color photographs appear throughout. Labeled and numbered diagrams illustrate various scientific processes, and boxed “Science Words” highlight words and definitions that can also be found in the glossary. “Try This” boxes suggest experiments that readers can try to begin their practical investigations. Many of the activities seem simplistic, such as the one that instructs readers to place half an apple in a refrigerator and leave the other half out to show how temperature affects the rates of reactions. Another activity requires the use of an empty film canister, which students may or may not be able to find. The “Further Resources” list for each of the three titles is identical. Students would be better served by Monique Laberge’s Biochemistry (Chelsea House, 2008) or “The Elements” series (Marshall Cavendish).–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

BERNIER-GRAND, Carmen T. Alicia Alonso: Prima Ballerina. illus. by Raúl Colón. 64p. bibliog. chron. glossary. notes. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. Sept. 2011. RTE $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5562-2; ebook $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5994-1. LC 2010018269.
Gr 4-8–An informative, beautifully illustrated introduction to the world-renowned dancer. Alonso’s focused life and illustrious career are made even more remarkable by the fact that she lost her peripheral vision at age 19 and had to learn to visualize both the stage set and the dance itself in order to execute spins and lifts, and to choreograph ballets. The book is a chronological compilation of defining moments in the dancer’s life. Each one is presented as a titled one-page piece in abbreviated poetic prose; many face full-page textured paintings rendered in Colón’s distinctive mix of watercolor, colored, and lithograph pencils. Alonso’s story begins at age five when–wrapped in tulle from her mother’s store of sewing materials–she was drawn to dancing. (“Like light, she’s barely aware/of the floor beneath her dancing feet.”) Cuban born in 1921, she was raised as a child of privilege and studied ballet in order to “learn poise, grace, and good posture,” but traveled to New York with her dancing partner, whom she married at age 16; bore a child; and immediately returned to ballet. She danced in the U.S. and, eventually, in Russia and Europe, and formed her own ballet troupe, funded by Fidel Castro. Alonso’s life is recapped in detailed endnotes. The sophistication of presentation and content that involves the woman’s driving strength to succeed in facing both personal setbacks and negative political influences make this a book for older audiences.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

BRIDGES, Shirin Yim. Agrippina: “Atrocious and Ferocious.” ISBN 978-0-9384256-1-8. LC 2011924353.
YIM, Natasha. Cixi: “The Dragon Empress.” ISBN 978-0-9384256-5-6. LC 2011924357.
ea vol: illus. by Peter Malone. 28p. (The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames Series). map. reprods. chron. Goosebottom Bks. Sept. 2011. PLB $18.95.
Gr 4-8–Agrippina, born in AD 15, was the great-granddaughter of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, and daughter of Germanicus, a renowned and beloved general. Widowed twice, she married her uncle, Claudius. So despicable was she that Nero, her son, eventually ordered her execution. Cixi was born in 1835 of humble beginnings, but at 16 became a royal concubine and then a highly favored imperial consort. Upon her husband’s death, she conspired to become the first woman to rule China in 1000 years, ruthlessly seizing power and eliminating all opposition. While her son eventually ruled, he died at 19 and, shortly thereafter, his pregnant wife. Cixi adopted her royal nephew to again assume power. When he became of age, his Western ideas and reforms repelled her, and she resumed rule when he mysteriously disappeared. Her “inability to adapt to a changing world ultimately toppled a dynasty…and ended 5,000 years of imperial rule.” The texts appear on purple mosaic and red floral pages, respectively, with authentically detailed, dramatic gouache illustrations or lengthy sidebars opposite. These asides, though interesting and informative, occasionally break the flow of the narrative. Reproductions of Roman coins, busts, and carvings, and Chinese scroll painting and portraits are also included. Ultimately, these biographies are confusing. The final page in each one features a chart that delivers a mixed message, explaining that there is little actual proof to substantiate many of the claims made in the texts and asking readers to judge how “dastardly” these women were.–Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NY

CARLISLE, Rodney P. The Asian Americans. Vol. IV. 244p. PLB ISBN 978-0-8160-7814-1; ebook ISBN 978-1-4381-3695-0. LC 2010016432.
–––– . The Jewish Americans. Vol. V. 243p. PLB ISBN 978-0-8160-7815-8; ebook 978-1-4381-37531-5. LC 2010012694.
ea vol: (Multicultural America Series). illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Facts On File. 2011. PLB $55.; ebook $55.
Gr 9 Up–These volumes are arranged in chronological order from the colonial (pre-colonial in Asian Americans) era to the present, allowing students to zero in on specific time periods from the culture’s history. The chapters stay thematically on task despite the different contributors from universities and colleges around the world; each one has a concluding paragraph and list of resources for further reading. Alongside discussion about settlement patterns, major movements in labor and legislation, discrimination, accomplishments, and notable individuals is the dynamic of the cultures’ push and pull to preserve their heritage while forging an American identity. This beyond-just-facts approach will allow readers to look at the bigger picture and start thinking critically. Black-and-white illustrations and photos, boxed sections of narratives and interesting accounts, and extensive indexes and glossaries are included.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

FERGUSON, Olivia, ed. Teen Sex. 105p. (At Issue Series). Gale Cengage. PLB $31.80. ISBN 978-0-7377-5095-9; pap. $22.50. ISBN 978-0-7377-5096-6. LC 2010022997.
KRUEGER, Lisa, ed. Teen Pregnancy and Parenting. 183p. (Current Controversies Series). Gale/Greenhaven. PLB $39.70. ISBN 978-0-7377-4923-6; pap. $27.50. ISBN 978-0-7377-4924-3. LC 2010030777.
ea vol: bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. 2011.
Gr 10 Up–Teen Sex is limited in range, has less depth in the essays than Teen Pregnancy, and is often confusing. Concurrent data is conflicting and raises issues and leaves gaps in the text. Some essays tend to provide support to both sides of an argument, thereby reinforcing the underlying precept that these issues are difficult to pin down with hard-and-fast statistics. Many of the essays in Teen Pregnancy include commentary on how parents might be better able to impact teen pregnancies, in many instances emphasizing their potential to effect change–whether their views are liberal or conservative. In both books, the material is statistic dense, with specific sources particularly lacking in Teen Sex, but both volumes could benefit from comprehensive footnotes. This lack of specificity ultimately leads to readers wondering if the numbers are somehow brought around to enhance a given author’s argument. Having said that, the differing viewpoints on sex education and its impact on teen pregnancy in the second book are well presented for opening further discussion. An excellent couple of essays straddle the divide between the “teen pregnancy is evil” and the “let’s-throw-condoms-at-them” camps, and more to the point, include teen fathers in the discussion. Teen Pregnancy is a solid additional purchase. The content is graphic, including discussion/reference to oral, anal, and group sex.–Meredith Toumayan, The Governor’s Academy, Byfield, MA

FILLION, Susan. Miss Etta and Dr. Claribel: Bringing Matisse to America. 83p. photos. reprods. bibliog. notes. CIP. Godine. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-56792-434-3. LC 2010048937.
Gr 4-8–Art and history intertwine in the story of Claribel and Etta Cone, two sisters from Baltimore whose intellectual openness and love of art–not to mention tidy personal fortunes–brought them into contact with many pioneering minds of the early 20th century. More than mere art patrons, the sisters forged decades-long friendships with Gertrude Stein and her brother Leo, Pablo Picasso, and especially Henri Matisse. The collection of art that they amassed, which includes many masterpieces of Postimpressionism as well as works from Asia and Africa (now at the Baltimore Museum of Art), liberally illustrates the gracefully designed pages of this book. So too do the author’s colorful Matisse-inspired illustrations, most of which are based on archival photographs. An art educator in Baltimore, Fillion has spent untold hours with the Cone Collection and with the voluminous correspondence and other papers of the sisters. She frequently describes a scene or situation from Claribel’s or Etta’s perspective, an effective and engaging device. In the hands of a writer less intimate with the sisters, this might feel false or presumptive, but Fillion keeps it simple and convincing. A beautiful and accessible gateway to a study of Postimpressionism, and a moving portrait of two extraordinary women.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

FONSECA,Christine. 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids: The Ultimate Handbook. 191p. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Prufrock. 2011. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59363-544-2. LC 201004912.
Gr 4-8–Fonseca explains what it means to be labeled “gifted,” how to cope in school, and how to interact with friends and family. Information is delivered in a friendly, conversational manner with firsthand advice from gifted kids and their parents. The myriad tips include how to deal with stress, how to complete homework assignments effectively, how to be respectful of others, how to accept oneself, and even how to deal with bullies. All are incredibly useful. In fact, the advice would be helpful for all kids. Slightly problematic are the few occasions when the author seemingly disparages non-gifted children. For example, in success secret #29, “Homework is not a race,” the author remarks, “Your friends are bugging you to come out to play. They don’t have the same diligence you do about your homework. They seldom get it done.” The format is straightforward, and dialogue bubbles, quizzes, and text boxes lend visual interest. Noticeably missing is an index, but web and print resources are included. As long as our educational system attaches labels to children, this title will serve as a useful tool for those designated as “gifted.”–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

GREEN, Dan. Human Body: A Book with Guts! illus. by Basher. 128p. glossary. index. Kingfisher. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6628-5; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6501-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–This clever, well-illustrated romp doesn’t mince words, but gives students the straight truth about even the most unpleasant functions of the human body. The colorful cartoons accompanying each explanation are somewhat representative; although they are not anatomically accurate in every case, they do help get the key concepts across. The book is divided into sections based on systems, so kids could skip to just what they are interested in or browse through the whole book. This is a fun introduction to how the human body works.–Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX

HODGMAN, Ann. How to Die of Embarrassment Every Day. illus. by author. 208p. photos. CIP. Holt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8705-5. LC 2010049004. Gr 3-6–Hodgman has written a humorous memoir of her childhood up to the sixth grade. The book is a collection of “life stories” that vary in length, and, as she states, the chapters need not be read in sequence. Her witty prose has the right balance of nostalgia and self-deprecation. Whether she is describing the time she first heard her kindergarten teacher read “Hansel and Gretel” and hid in the coat closet, or she is blaming the demise of a plastic kiddie pool on a two-and-a-half-year-old neighbor, her text transports readers right to the scene. Photos of the author and her family, plus other illustrations, appear throughout. As delightful as the memoir is, however, it may resonate much more with the intended audience’s parents (and grandparents). Hodgman seems to acknowledge this when she says, “Yes, I realize 1956 sounds like a fake year to you, but being born in the 1990s and 2000s sounds fake to me.”–Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

JANECZKO, Paul B. Requiem: Poems of the Terezín Ghetto. 99p. illus. bibliog. glossary. Web sites. Candlewick. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4727-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–The tragedy and inhumanity of the Terezín ghetto come to life in this powerful collection. The vivid poems, all but one written by fictional inmates, their Nazi oppressors, and local residents, reverberate with suffering, fear, resignation, despair, courage, and unspeakable brutality. In 1941 the ghetto was created as a collection and transport camp for Jews and was later touted as an arts facility to fool the Red Cross inspectors into believing that this was a benign setting to nurture artistic expression. In the one found poem, Valter Eisinger/11956 asks his wife to find another companion if he were to be killed. He died in Buchenwald in 1945. Children’s fears of separation and the indignities of daily life spent in filthy and unhealthy conditions cry out from these sensitively written poems, which are given depth and veracity by Janezcko’s research. There are even glimpses of suppressed compassion toward the inmates felt by the Nazis. Illustrations discovered after the war and done by actual inmates are interspersed with the poetry. Some are chilling renditions of the horrific prison life while others recall aspects of the life left behind. The faces in one illustration seem to scream out in terror, reminiscent of The Scream by Edvard Munch. An afterword, author’s notes, translations of foreign words, an extensive bibliography, and a list of websites are appended. Reading this along with Hana Volavkova’s I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Children’s Drawings and Poems from the Terezín Concentration Camp (Schocken, 1978) creates an in-depth picture of the perversity of the Nazi’s Final Solution. –Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

KRENSKY, Stephen. Clara Barton. 128p. (DK Biography Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. Web sites. DK. 2011. PLB $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-7279-9; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-7278-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Told chronologically, this biography takes readers through the valiant woman’s life: her family, early years as a teacher and employee of the United States Patent Office, work on battlefields, and as founder and director of the Red Cross. Barton is placed in historical context, and key concepts, such as the causes of the Civil War, the struggle for women’s suffrage, and the importance of the Geneva Convention, are explained. Compact in form, the text is complemented by full-color and archival photographs and reproductions on every spread. Boxed text defines select vocabulary and sidebars highlight key historical figures and organizations. An extensive list of works cited and a useful index are appended. An excellent resource for reports that will also appeal to fans of biography.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

MARCOVITZ, Hal. How Serious a Threat Is Climate Change? ISBN 978-1-60152-142-2. LC 2010033916.
–––– . Is Offshore Oil Drilling Worth the Risks? ISBN 978-1-60152-143-9. LC 2010037854.
ea vol: 96p. (In Controversy Series). photos. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. ReferencePoint. 2011. PLB $26.95.
Gr 7 Up–These titles open with a current event–the disappearance of an Alaskan Inupiat village due to melting ice and the Deepwater Horizon disaster–that grabs readers’ attention and serves to introduce the volume’s subject. Each of the five chapters poses a question. The books have similar organization with the first chapter tracing the origins and controversy of the issue. Other chapters outline specific topics such as, “How Reliable Is the Science of Climate Change?” and “Is America’s Energy Security Dependent on Offshore Oil?” Common chapter subjects are economic benefits or impacts as well as environmental costs and political implications. Both sides of the issue and contrasting opinions are presented. Each chapter includes a few full-color photos, numerous sidebars that offer quotes from scientists and politicians, and a list of key facts. A former newspaper reporter and columnist, the author presents substantial amounts of information in a readable, student-friendly manner. Useful for reports. –Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

MOONEY, Carla. Explorers of the New World: Discover the Golden Age of Exploration. with 22 Projects. illus. by Tom Casteel. 120p. (Build It Yourself Series). maps. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. Web sites. Nomad. 2011. pap. $15.95. ISBN 9781936313440. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-7–This informative, entertaining activity book takes readers on a fascinating voyage of their own. Chapter one begins with the search for a water route to Asia that was faster and safer than the Silk Road, and the roles of Prince Henry of Portugal and Bartolomeu Dias. Subsequent chapters continue historical journeys with Christopher Columbus, John Cabot’s search for the Northwest Passage, the efforts of Ferdinand Magellan, and several Spanish explorers, including Hernán Cortés, Ponce de León, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto, and Francisco de Coronado. The last chapter continues the search for the Northwest Passage and travel inland in the New World, focusing on significant European explorers–Jacques Cartier, Martin Frobisher, Henry Hudson, and Samuel de Champlain. Numerous inserts, “Did You Know?” sidebars, maps, black-and-white representations of explorers, and sketches of events add additional facts and interest to the presentation. Nearly every page includes a brief list of words to know. Each chapter concludes with “Make Your Own” activities that bring life to the history with instructions for the construction of a logbook, clay activities, recipes, games, etc. Some may require the assistance of an adult but are not complicated or time- consuming. An appealing and useful resource.–Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE

MURPHY, Glenn. Stuff That Scares Your Pants Off!: A Book of Scary Things (and How to Avoid Them). illus. by Mike Phillips. 192p. charts. photos. bibliog. index. Roaring Brook. 2011. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-633-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–A kid’s world can sometimes be a scary place, from real-life terrors like deadly diseases to weird stuff like ghosts and monsters. But how many are really worth worrying about? This often-entertaining look at fears and phobias explores these creepy concepts. Each chapter focuses on a specific fear-provoking topic such as natural disasters, animal attacks, or accidents like ship and plane wrecks. The author provides scientific explanations for such worrisome phenomena as lightning and earthquakes and includes statistical details that point out the odds of actually experiencing any of the disasters. There is a particularly interesting section on odds and probabilities and how the human mind plays tricks with them to make comparatively rare occurrences seem more frequent. The writing style is breezy and conversational. Commonsense advice is mixed with light, sometimes sarcastic commentary. The author often includes personal accounts such as his unwise decision to eat raw chicken at a Japanese restaurant. Many of the chapters have a high gross-out quotient, which will certainly please the target audience. The illustrations are an intriguing mixture of photos–some dramatically staged–and amusing cartoon drawings. Unfortunately, the final chapter, “The Beyond,” is not as well done as the rest of the book. Religious beliefs about life after death are overgeneralized and not always accurate. Murphy’s reference to a supposed Native American belief in a Happy Hunting Ground is particularly egregious. In addition, some of the quotations used to introduce chapters cite adult works that are not appropriate for the intended audience of this title, from Stephen King’s It (Penguin, 1986) to John Marshall’s Social Phobia: From Shyness to Stage Fright (Basic Books, 1994).–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

NELSON, Kadir. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. illus. by author. 108p. bibliog. chron. index. CIP. HarperCollins. Sept. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-06-173074-0. LC 2010046236.
Gr 5 Up–Expanding his focus from the close-up view of history applied in previous books, Nelson uses his formidable skills for the larger landscape: the black experience in America from slavery to the presidency. Like most surveys, the book is organized by struggles and wars; unlike traditional overviews, the facts are filtered through the eyes of a black woman with attitude to spare. This invented narrator, whose “Pap” was kidnapped as a child in Africa and whose brothers fought in World War II, does not suffer fools. Her colloquial commentary, addressed to “honey” or “chile,” introduces and interprets the events. Occasionally her voice drops out, and a more textbooklike tone prevails, but mostly her presence provides the heart and soul of the story; readers will care about this information because they care about her. Nelson’s oil portraits and tableaux consistently display technical virtuosity, drama, and dignity. From single-page compositions of historical personalities (Frederick Douglass, Joe Louis, Rosa Parks) and representative characters (a Revolutionary War soldier, students at Woolworth’s) to full-spread, murallike scenes of a slave ship, a battle, a big band, Nelson varies the viewpoint and contrasts light and darkness to tell a riveting tale. The purpose is presented in the prologue and recast in the epilogue and author’s note: “You have to know where you came from so you can move forward.” Provocative and powerful, this book offers a much-needed perspective for individuals of all ages seeking to understand America’s past and present.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

SAY, Allen. Drawing from Memory. illus. by author. 64p. map. photos. Scholastic. Sept. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-17686-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up–Say tells the story of how he became an artist through a vibrant blend of words and images. Beginning with his boyhood in World War II-era Japan, he traces his life-changing relationship with Noro Shinpei, an illustrious cartoonist who became his surrogate father figure and art mentor. Illustrations are richly detailed and infused with warmth. Exquisite use of light makes night scenes glow, and the mid-20th-century Tokyo setting is captured with vivid authenticity. A variety of media and artistic styles, including full-color paintings, black-and-white sketches, photographs, and comic-book panels, adds texture and depth to the narrative. Fans of the artist’s work will take particular delight in seeing sketches from his student days. Simple, straightforward sentences and a conversational narration in combination with a wealth of images will appeal to aspiring artists and reluctant readers alike. This book covers much of the same material as Say’s autobiographical novel, The Ink-Keeper’s Apprentice (Harper & Row, 1979), but the lively mix of art and text will draw in a new generation and a slightly younger audience. The somewhat abrupt ending, with Say moving to the United States, may leave readers wishing for a more extended epilogue or sequel, but that is simply because his story is so engaging. Readers of all ages will be inspired by the young Say’s drive and determination that set him on a successful career path.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

SCHWARTZ,Heather E. Gymnastics. 96p. diag. ISBN 978-1-4205-0277-0. LC 2010033544.
–––– . Snowboarding. 104p. chart. diags. ISBN 978-1-4205-0322-7. LC 2010033274.
YANCEY, Diane. Basketball. 112p. chart. diags. ISBN 978-1-4205-0293-0. LC 2010035239.
ea vol: (Science Behind Sports Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. notes. CIP. Gale/Lucent. 2011. PLB $33.45.
Gr 5 Up–According to the foreword in each book, this series explores the scientific principles such as momentum, gravity, friction, and aerodynamics, plus many more, behind some of the most popular team and individual sports. But first the authors discuss their origins, history, and changes. Then they move on to the biomechanics and physiology of playing, related health and medical concerns, and the causes and treatment of sports-related injuries. Additional information tells how exercise, diet and nutrition, warming up, and training relate to peak performance and enjoyment of the sport. Current topics like doping and cheating are covered. One of the most interesting chapters in Gymnastics is “The Psychology of Gymnastics,” which discusses fears, force of will, honing the competitive edge, and the pressure to succeed--sort of an inside look at the sport. The “Aerial Moves” chapter in Snowboarding will help readers understand how athletes can learn the dangerous moves without injury. Basketball has features on possible side effects of anabolic steroid use; how MRIs work; and how various improvements to the courts, basketballs, shoes, and uniforms have affected the game. The action photography in these three titles--especially Snowboarding--is fantastic. The lone criticism might be that there should be more of it. These volumes are jam-packed full of information. Must-haves for sports fans, athletes, science students, and even anyone considering a career in sports-related medicine, coaching, or other connected fields.–Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

SEGAL, Stephen, et al. Geek Wisdom: The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture. illus. by Mario Zucca. 224p. index. Quirk. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-527-0; ebook $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-530-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Written by several different science aficionados and self-described “geeks,” this title attempts to bridge the gap between popular culture and intellectualism, providing several examples and quotes that each of the authors then reflects upon. While many current television shows and video games are discussed, other references are likely to be unfamiliar to most teens. The first-person, informal tone is utterly confusing; it seems to suggest that if readers don’t agree with the superfluous statements presented by the authors, they probably just don’t get them. Several of the editorial footnotes included at the bottom of each entry are amusing, however, and provide several fun facts about geeky things that many well-versed nerdy readers may be unfamiliar with. While some of this book is amusing for adults in their late 20’s or so, teens would most likely lose interest after just a few pages.–Ryan Donovan, New York Public Library

SHOKET, Ann & The Editors of Seventeen . Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style. unpaged. photos. Running Pr. 2011. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-4193-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Seventeen has been a go-to source for generations of teens, and this offering does not disappoint. It focuses on six unique styles—“Girly,” “Edgy,” “Boho,” “Classic,” “Glam,” and “Indie”–and shows readers how to put these looks together. Filled with great full-color photography and layouts, there’s plenty to pore over. The text also includes accessory and fit guides to help customize the style best suited to one’s figure and lifestyle. While this book is definitely for girls with money to spend, savvy young fashionistas will know how to create these looks for less.–Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

SILVERSTEIN, Shel. Every Thing On It. illus. by author. unpaged. index. HarperCollins. Sept. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199816-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up–Silverstein pushes playful poesy to its limits with drawings that are as strange and wonderful as the artist’s earlier collections. The title selection, a list poem imagining a hot dog with literally “everything on it,” is an apt metaphor for this posthumous collection of new work that includes poems, riddles, surprise endings, poems of creature foibles and fables, wry social commentary, and, of course, the idiosyncratic line drawings that spell Silverstein. In “Turning Into,” a boy swings from a tree shouting “wow,” and when he topples to the ground, he finds that his “wow” is now “MOM.” In another illustration, a man is so in love with himself that he has twisted his neck to get a better look. Some poems are lyrical: a rainbow thrower “hurls his colors/Cross the sky” while a rainbow catcher waits at “Horizon’s gate.” Perhaps the most poignant is “The Clock Man,” in which the question, “How much will you pay for an extra day?” is answered throughout life’s stages. Like the boy holding the delightfully absurd hot dog with everything piled upon it, this collection offers a Silverstein smorgasbord that won’t linger on the library shelves.–Tess Pfeifer, Springfield Renaissance School, MA

THORN, John. First Pitch: How Baseball Began. 40p. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Beach Ball Bks. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-936310-05-0; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-936310-04-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-9–Thorn covers a lot of ground in this trim volume. First, the author debunks the stories surrounding Abner Doubleday and Alexander Cartwright, credited today for their role in devising the modern game. He reveals that a commission, headed by sporting-goods magnate A. G. Spalding, chose to designate the Civil War hero and scholar Doubleday as baseball’s inventor in an effort to boost the game’s status as the all-American pastime. Cartwright, a star on the Knickerbockers, an early New York team, is credited with codifying baseball’s rules, but his unsung teammates actually played a larger role. Thorn also explains that early versions of baseball have been played in America since the 1730s, first by children and eventually by adult amateurs. Its origins were international in nature as well, and can be linked to games played in ancient times. This trivia-laden account, supplemented with colorful graphics and historical sidebars, should find an audience among hard-core fans of baseball lore.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

TRUPE, Alice L. Reading Julia Alvarez. 181p. (The Pop Lit Club Series). bibliog. index. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2011. PLB $35. ISBN 978-0-313-38395-3; ebook $35. ISBN 978-0-313-38396-0. LC 2011002498.
Gr 12 Up–After an initial biographical chapter, this thorough, densely written companion to Alvarez’s writings focuses on literary criticism and interpretation. Trupe covers the writer’s novels, poetry, and works for young readers. Each novel is discussed, examining Alvarez’s complex and multilayered storytelling. The author looks at her subject’s strong political, feminist, and Latina influences, as well as the craft and nature of writing. Additional chapters explore contemporary issues found in her writings, Alvarez’s website, and the television and stage adaptations of her works, and give reader’s advisory suggestions. Discussion questions in each chapter are conducive to book-group meetings. Lacking photographs or time lines, the complicated text features lengthy sentence structure full of literary terminology. Silvio Sirias’s Julia Alvarez: A Critical Companion (Greenwood, 2001) is an accessible biography and examination of Alvarez’s four novels. In Julia Alvarez: Novelist and Poet (Lucent, 2008), Clarissa Aykroyd delivers a lively, well-written biography suitable for grades 7-10. With 15 pages of notes and a 9-page bibliography, Reading Julia Alvarez offers detailed and perceptive literary criticism and analysis. However, the scholarly tone makes this challenging work better suited to undergraduates, librarians, and adult readers, with limited appeal to high school students –June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA

WEBB, Sophie. Far from Shore. illus. by author. 80p. charts. glossary. index. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-618-59729-1. LC 2010025121.
Gr 4-8–Webb’s voice comes through in her journal entries describing a four-month National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expedition in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) to study the population levels of dolphins previously affected by tuna purse-seine fishing. Quietly and with no wasted words, the narrative details daily life aboard the McArthur as well as how field observation was done, what was learned, and how the data collected could be used in future studies. The illustrations, done in watercolor, gouache, and graphite, amplify and personify the text by showing where and how the scientists lived and worked. Other marine mammals besides dolphins are described and carefully drawn, as are the ocean-going birds of the Pacific. Graphs detail such issues as the numbers of dolphins drowned in purse-seine tuna nets before that method was banned, and maps help readers understand the extent of the ETP, an area of the Pacific Ocean stretching from California to Hawaii to Peru. This volume is delightful to browse and is informative in its storytelling. Although there is no table of contents, the two-and-one-half-page combined glossary/index will guide youngsters to specific topics.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

WILLIAMS, Marcia, retel. Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. Sept. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5308-8. LC 2010040745.
Gr 3-6–The highpoints of Egyptian mythology–creation, the divinity of Ra, the death of Osiris, and the vengeance of his son Horus–as well as the stories of four great pharaohs–are presented in this lighthearted picture book/graphic novel. Treachery, ambition, and betrayal may be the major themes when telling the stories of deities such as Seth and Isis and rulers like Thutmose and Cleopatra, but this book makes them all seem like fun. Williams utilizes a beautiful, sun-soaked palette of gold, turquoise, lapis, jade, and carnelian lifted right off a sarcophagus; the horizontal, two-dimensional composition seen on ancient papyrus and tomb walls; and a full complement of ancient Egyptian symbols and icons, ornaments and borders. However, these little gods and pharaohs are no stiff figures mired in the ancient past. Expressive postures, smiling faces, and playful interactions among them keep readers scouring the pages for every little joke. Illustration panels floating atop textured paper backgrounds give the book a down-to-earth, craft-project look. Compared to the beautiful but static imagery in books such as Demi’s Tutankhamun (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), each figure in this book, from the great Ra to the tiniest mouse, fairly leaps off the page in order to grab readers’ attention.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

YOUNG, Ed. The House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China. as told to Libby Koponen. illus. by author. unpaged. maps. photos. chron. Little, Brown. Oct. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-07628-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-8–Young brings his exquisite sense of design, expressive brushwork, and mastery of a variety of mediums to the story of his childhood in China. A note explains how Koponen helped shape the stream-of-consciousness text. In the opening spread, birds lift off from the bottom of the brown pages, filling the heavens. Red rice paper forms the delicate outlines of Young’s parents and their five children, connecting them as one transparent image. The text reads: “War was spreading to Shanghai, my father said, like the crows that came in summer….” Baba, an engineer, made a deal with a landlord in the safest part of the city: he would build a large brick home with gardens and a pool and give it to the landlord after inhabiting it for 20 years. The layers of cut paper and collage build, much like the house, which grew to accommodate relatives and refugees. This catalog of childhood pleasures (cricket battles, rooftop roller skating, silkworm hatching) is punctuated by distant bombs, fighter planes, and food rationing. Each scene is a surprise, as Young works in postcards, maps, currency, magazine images, family photographs, and acrylic portraits. Gatefold pages extend the scale. An illustrated afterword portrays Young’s own children at the household gates as well as a time line and floor plans. This tale of filial devotion provides a fascinating contrast to Allen Say’s Drawing from Memory (Scholastic, 2011) in which the Japanese-American artist describes his estrangement from his father and the nurturing received from his mentor.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

ZIMMERMAN, Dwight Jon. Saga of the Sioux: An Adaptation of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. 218p. illus. maps. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Holt. Sept. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9364-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–It has been 40 years since the publication of Dee Brown’s seminal work on the conquest of the American West from the Indian perspective. That the book was and remains a cultural force is unquestioned, but its accessibility has been vastly enhanced by this adaptation. Zimmerman’s focus on one tribe condenses the length of the book while keeping intact the issues and the indignities visited upon the Native American tribes between 1860 and 1890. Well-known figures such as Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse attain new dimensionality, and the story taken as a whole is nothing short of unnerving and, ultimately, heartbreaking. A final chapter covers the Native American movements of the 1960s and 1970s as well as the state of tribal advocacy today. Spellings of names and places follow closely those in Brown’s original, sometimes given in both the Anglicized and Native versions. The narrative style is straightforward and readable, depending heavily on primary-source documentation, an exemplar of sound historical research. Black-and-white period photos appear throughout, as do maps of the territory under discussion. Back matter includes a detailed time line from 1851 to 1909 and information on the Sioux calendar. A powerful work, this book will serve as a discussion starter and as an educational tool. It’s especially useful for illuminating the fact that the historical record depends heavily upon the viewpoint of those recording it.–Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

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