Picture Books

APPELT , Kathi . When Otis Courted Mama . illus. by Jill Mcelmurry. 40p. Houghton Harcourt. Jan. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780152166885.

PreS-Gr 3–Set in the southwestern desert, this adorable, humble tale of how a young coyote copes with divorced parents will win children’s hearts. The cadence of the story, with its soothing repetition, balances the new dual-home reality of so many children today with the old comfort of Home where a child feels “loved through and through.” The beautifully toned gouache brushwork and large swatches of color are reminiscent of Rothko’s work on one page while evoking classic Golden Book aesthetics on the next. White stands out like the stars in the desert night, and the eyelashes of these coyotes are long and lush or their cheeks blush. Cardell loves his daddy who can sing and play and cook jalapeño flapjacks like no other, but he has to share his “perfectly good daddy” with a stepmother and a baby stepbrother. He loves his “perfectly good mama,” but not the series of suitors that come a-courtin’ but are soon sent away. Then Otis arrives, and he makes Cardell feel “a grrr form in his throat.” He expects his mother to say, “We can do without Otis…but “Adiós, Otis” never came.” The complicated feelings of a child who must accept a new stepparent are woefully underrepresented in children’s literature. Turns out that Otis can spin a pretty good yarn that “settled on Cardell’s fur like a warm blanket. Even the moon seemed to smile.” Well, like Otis, this exquisitely told tale is a welcome addition to any collection.– Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York City

Bunting, Eve. Yard Sale. illus. by Lauren Castillo. 32p. Candlewick. Apr. 2015. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9780763665425. LC 2014939360.

PreS-Gr 1–Opening on a yard full of items for sale, this picture book tackles the difficult discussion of transitioning to a smaller home or apartment. Callie, whose family is having the sale, watches as people slowly pick their way and prod through her family’s items and memories. A particular heart-wrenching moment comes as a woman offers five dollars instead of 10 for a headboard because it is covered in crayon marks. Callie reflects, “I wish I hadn’t put the crayon marks on there. They were to show how many times I had read Goodnight Moon.” Several other small heartbreaks occur for Callie. Her bicycle is sold, she must explain to her best friend why she’s leaving (“I don’t know. It’s something to do with money”), and she has to endure a well-intentioned woman asking, “Are you for sale?” While the topic is an extremely tough one, Bunting tackles it with her usual grace and poise. The clear and concise writing is a wonderful choice for the subject matter. The soft ink and watercolor illustrations with thick black lines portray the text excellently and without unnecessary additions. While the topic of moving is covered in a multitude of picture books, this one looks at it from a difficult perspective that most authors choose to avoid or gloss over. A vital purchase for collections everywhere.–Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Davies, Matt. Ben Draws Trouble. illus. by Matt Davies. 32p. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter Bks. Apr. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781596437951.

K-Gr 3–The hero of Ben Rides On (Roaring Brook, 2013) is back, and though he still rides his beloved bicycle, it turns out that his other passion is drawing. Ben constantly doodles in his special sketchbook, even in math class. His interests are typical for most third graders—dinosaurs, monsters, motorcycles, dragons, and spaceships—he especially enjoys sketching his teachers and fellow students. Inevitably, Ben loses the sketchbook, and his classmates get their hands on it. Fortunately for Ben, his teacher recognizes Ben’s talent, and in a neat little plot twist, asks for his help making sets for the school play instead of taking him to the principal’s office. Davies’s signature cartoon style is as hilarious as ever, though it does make figuring out whether Ben’s own drawings are realistic or caricature somewhat challenging. This wonderful follow-up will especially appeal to young artists and fans of Ben’s previous adventure, but it’s a fun choice for everyone.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

Ferry, Beth. Stick and Stone. illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. 48p. Houghton Harcourt. Apr. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780544032569.

PreS-Gr 1–This stick and stone would never break a bone, as they’re too busy caring about each other. Round stone labels himself a “zero” and tall, skinny Stick is only a “one,” as they are solitary figures until they come together to form “a perfect 10.” Stick sticks up for Stone when bully Pinecone makes fun of the rock, and the two become close companions. Told in rhyming couplets, this warm and tender story of two BFFs is made even more enjoyable by the charming, textured tan and blue illustrations, highlighted with touches of green and red. The pictures range in size from double spreads to small vignettes and deftly convey the two companions’ harmonious relationship. Endpapers reveal Stick’s and Stone’s origins, and the text, suitable for beginning readers, sweetly expresses what it is to be and to have a good friend.–Maryann H. Owen, Children’s Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI

Golio, Gary. Bird & Diz. illus. by Ed Young. 26p. Candlewick. Mar. 2015. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780763666606. LC 2013955678.

Gr 3 Up–This book’s capable creators capture the flavor of “Salt Peanuts,” a bebop classic associated with Charlie “Bird” Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Golio has previously tackled the challenge of using words to present musicians as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and John Coltrane. The free verse is arranged to conjure speed and playfulness, and the imagery is amusing, i.e., Dizzy’s puffy cheeks are compared to a frog’s. The performance is presented as a game: “They take turns,/tossing notes back and forth like jugglers,/or play at the same time,/…Two hearts—one heartbeat.” As they race to the finale, “Bird keeps flying, and Dizzy—/well, he’s just plain dizzy!/They’ll never catch each other,/but that’s the point.” The ever-experimental Young uses gouache and bursts of orange and pink pastel strokes to form Gillespie and his hot trumpet, whereas Parker’s saxophone sounds are rendered in greens and blues. The golden brown paper is a subtle nod to the song’s title and an effective foil for the color. Accordion pages pull out into a long spread, with the first side establishing the performers and their relationship. A river of ink on the water-repellant paper forms a beaded curvy line—the music pulsing across the gutters, climaxing in a rainbow of percussion. On the reverse, the letters of “bebop” blast out, morphing into frolicking abstractions. A brief afterword creates a context for bebop and encourages listening. It also admonishes readers to “pick up your crayons and draw!” That charge will be irresistible.–Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Morpurgo, Michael. Half a Man. illus. by Gemma O’Callaghan. 64p. Candlewick. Feb. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763677473. LC 2014939339.

Gr 3 Up–Morpurgo has penned an extraordinary little book of pain and triumph. It is a fictionalized tale but is based on the heroic work of Dr. McIndoe, a pioneering plastic surgeon who treated severely burned soldiers during World War II. The narrator is Michael, a young boy whose grandfather is severely disfigured from burns sustained during the war. His grandfather lives a solitary and misanthropic life and only visits family during the holidays. These are tense and frightening times for the young boy, due in no small part to his mother exhorting him to never stare at his grandfather’s face, and it is always a relief when he leaves. When Michael begins spending summers with him on his remote island home, the two gradually form a loving and enduring bond. Michael now looks directly at his grandfather’s face, and this simple gesture is a balm to a soldier who had considered himself “half a man.” The text is lovingly illustrated by O’Callaghan in ink with a screen-printing technique that captures the story and the emotions brilliantly. The scenes where the grandfather describes his harrowing ordeal are made that much more potent with her haunting images. This title will resonate with a variety of readers, including children who are interested in World War II, fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder (Random, 2012), and is an outstanding choice for reluctant readers. With our returning wounded warriors of today, this is a timely and superb addition to all collections and not to be missed.–Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI

Sabuda, Robert. The Dragon and the Knight: A Pop-Up Misadventure. illus. by Robert Sabuda. 22p. S. & S./Little Simon. 2014. Tr $29.99. ISBN 9781416960812.

K-Gr 4–The story line bursts off the pages—literally—in this fun and fast-paced frolic through the fairy tale realm. The first spread introduces a “small but gallant” knight (silver visor tightly closed) and a “terrible” fire-breathing dragon. The formal-sounding text is blocked from view by two much less decorous looking pop-up figures, giving readers an inkling that this is not a traditional recounting. Shouting, “Hey! Get back here!” the knight races after a dragon depicted with more mischief than menace. As each page turn takes the chase through a retelling of a traditional tale, blocks of flowing text erupt off the pages and onto the eye-popping paper sculptures; the story-specific narrative covers Cinderella’s ball gown, Snow White’s glass coffin, Aladdin’s magic carpet, Rapunzel’s tower, and more. The mad dash culminates with a giant-size 3-D, fire-breathing dragon “ROAR!” a few burned-out holes, and a perfectly roasted marshmallow (and the knight—a smiling red-tressed girl—requesting a repeat game of tag). An imaginative, entertaining, and handsomely executed book.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Savage, Stephen. Supertruck. illus. by Stephen Savage. 32p. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter Bks. Jan. 2015. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9781596438217.

PreS-K–Superpowers and vehicles collide in this tale of an unassuming garbage truck and his own alter ego. All city trucks have a mission; whether it’s rescuing broken down buses, or fighting fires, they all help to save the day. One blustery evening when the snow piles up, the bespectacled garbage truck sneaks away to transform into Supertruck. In secret, he plows all the falling snow overnight but vanishes the next morning without a trace. The city dwellers and other four wheelers are all safe thanks to the powers of Supertruck. Savage creates an appealing hero that echoes another beloved character with a secret identity. Kids will chuckle at the truck’s likeness to Clark Kent, and the minimal text will assist emerging readers in their own super abilities. Savage’s distinct, graphic portrayal of the snowy metropolis sets the scene, while his use of perspective and color gradients allow readers to experience the blizzard firsthand. A superb addition to any library or storytime collection.–Claire Moore, Darien Library, CT

Middle Grade

Carey, Edward. Heap House. illus. by Edward Carey. 416p. (The Iremonger Trilogy). ebook available. Overlook. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781468309539; pap. ISBN 9781471401596.

Gr 7-9–Welcome to Heap House, a sprawling, dark, dingy mansion, situated in the middle of a vast pile of junk. It’s home to the Iremongers, a strange and reclusive extended family. They intermarry to preserve their bloodlines and consider themselves almost royalty. People with partial Iremonger blood are their servants. Their identities are tied to “birth objects,” commonplace things that represent and shape who they are from birth. Clod Iremonger is 15, with a bath plug for a birth object. He is unhappily engaged to his cousin Pinalippy. Clod has a skill that makes him seem odd in the eyes of the other Iremongers; he can hear the birth objects speaking. They only speak their names, but their voices are always with him. He is resigned to his dreary life until he meets Lucy Pennant, an orphan who is told she has a little Iremonger blood and forced to work at Heap House. Lucy changes the way Clod sees his world, but her arrival sets off a chain of events that might mean the end of Heap House. Black-and-white illustrations are as deliciously unsettling as the text. Characters are rich with personality, from Clod’s frightening Granny who has never left her bedroom, to his bath plug, who manages to be sassy even though the only thing he says is “James Henry Hayward.” Some colorful language makes this most suitable for older middle grade and teen readers. Stories don’t get much weirder, but that’s precisely what makes it so magical.–Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

Coville, Katherine. The Cottage in the Woods. 400p. Knopf. Feb. 2015. lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 9780385755740; Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780385755733; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9780385755757.

Gr 5-8–This charming and engaging book tells the tale of Ursula, a young bear just out of school, who is hired as a governess for young Teddy Vaughn. She and all the animals living in the Enchanted Forest have the same abilities as humans and have enjoyed a peaceful coexistence. However, tension soon builds as a group of humans demand limits on the freedoms of the enchanted. Complicating matters is a young girl, Goldilocks, living with the Vaughns. This situation becomes a point of contention with the townspeople and soon ends up in court. Ursula has to summon all her courage to protect the people important to her. Featuring a new interpretation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this novel weaves other nursery rhyme characters throughout the story. Beautifully written with thought-provoking vocabulary, it’s best suited for strong readers who will also recognize the themes of social justice. Highly recommended.–Laura Fields Eason, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School , Bowling Green, KY

Draper, Sharon M. Stella by Starlight. 288p. ebook available. S. & S./Atheneum. Jan. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442494978.

Gr 4-8–Coretta Scott King Award winner Draper draws inspiration from her grandmother’s journal to tell the absorbing story of a young girl growing up in Depression-era, segregated North Carolina. One frightening night Stella and her brother Jojo witness a meeting of the Ku Klux Klan, practically in their own backyard. This meeting is the signal of trouble to come to the black community of Bumblebee. The townspeople must come together to find strength and protection to face the injustices all around them. This is an engrossing historical fiction novel with an amiable and humble heroine who does not recognize her own bravery or the power of her words. She provides inspiration not only to her fellow characters but also to readers who will relate to her and her situation. Storytelling at its finest.–Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY

Hardinge, Frances. Cuckoo Song. 416p. Abrams/Amulet. May 2015. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781419714801.

Gr 5 Up–Ever since her older brother died in World War I, things have been tense for Triss and her family. After Triss suffers a horrible accident, her memory is hindered and all of a sudden she feels a strange, insatiable hunger that can only be calmed by digesting unusual items. From here, events proceed in an unexpected way as magical promises are made, relationships are tested, and characters question what it means to be alive. Mysterious letters and dangerous strangers create a mood of suspicion and paranoia as pieces of the story fall into place at just the right moment. Many secondary characters make understandable but regrettable mistakes throughout, cementing themselves as realistic and complex individuals. The beautiful writing is full of rich language that is reminiscent of an old fairy tale. Fans of Hardinge will not be disappointed in this latest spine-chilling, creative work that offers a nuanced depiction of grief within the structure of a well-wrought fantasy.–Carrie Shaurette, Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, NJ

hunt, Lynda Mullaly. Fish in a Tree. 288p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Feb. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780399162596; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781101601327.

Gr 4-6–In her second middle grade novel (One for the Murphys, 2012), Mullaly Hunt again paints a nuanced portrayal of a sensitive, smart girl struggling with circumstances beyond her control. Ally is great at math, and her ability to visualize moving pictures makes her an amazing artist, but she has a terrible secret: reading is almost impossible for her. By using her wits and adopting a troublemaking persona, she’s been able to avoid anyone finding out a truth she is deeply ashamed of, but a new teacher at school seems to see right through the defenses she’s built. While Ally struggles to accept the help that Mr. Daniels offers, she also deals with a father deployed in the Middle East, crushing loneliness, and an authentically awful set of mean girls at school. Ally’s raw pain and depression are vividly rendered, while the diverse supporting cast feels fully developed. As the perceptive teacher who finally offers the diagnosis of dyslexia, Mr. Daniels is an inspirational educator whose warmth radiates off the page. Best of all, Mullaly Hunt eschews the unrealistic feel-good ending for one with hard work and small changes. Ally’s journey is heartwarming but refreshingly devoid of schmaltz.–Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT

Jacobson, Jennifer Richard. Paper Things. 384p. Candlewick. Feb. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763663230. LC 2014944677.

Gr 4-8–This gentle depiction of homelessness follows Arianna Hazard, a fifth grader who bounces between friends’ couches and a shelter while struggling to hide her situation from classmates. Ari and her beloved 18-year-old brother Gage live with Jana, a caring but strict foster parent, until Gage decides they should strike out on their own. He plans to find them an apartment; when that doesn’t work out, Ari and Gage spend months staying with Gage’s girlfriend or buddies, or sneaking into a juvenile shelter on nights when couch surfing isn’t an option. Ari has many of the same concerns as her other fifth grade classmates—getting a leadership role at her school, finishing her homework on time, maintaining her friendships—but her living situation makes everything more difficult. Ari’s friendships are strained, and her grades slip as she tries to navigate homelessness. Everything becomes challenging, from personal hygiene to getting to school on time. Since her mother’s death four years ago (her soldier father was killed before Ari was born), Ari has hoped to fulfill her mother’s dream and go to Carter Middle School, a school for gifted students. However, the dip in her grades—and a detention for trying to revive elementary school traditions against the principal’s wishes—may ruin her chances. Ari finds comfort in a “family” cut out from catalogs, her “paper things.” This novel will engender empathy and understanding of a serious and all-too-real problem. Jacobson’s story is poignant but never preachy. While the ending won’t come as a surprise to many readers, this is a sweet and touching portrayal of a resilient young girl.–Miranda Doyle, Lake Oswego School District, OR

Lai, Thanhha. Listen Slowly. 272p. HarperCollins/Harper. Feb. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062229182.

Gr 5-8–The summer before she turns 13, Mai is planning to spend her time going to the beach and finally talking to her secret crush. She’s less than thrilled when her parents make her escort her grandmother to Vietnam instead. New information may have surfaced about her long lost grandfather, who disappeared over 40 years ago in “THE WAR.” Mai doesn’t know the culture or speak the language, and everything she knows about Vietnam is from a PBS documentary on the Fall of Saigon. While her parents are excited for her to learn more about her roots, the teen doesn’t even know the details of her own parents’ escape because “random roots are encouraged, but specific roots are off-limits.” Stuck in a village with limited internet access, a sulky Mai slowly makes friends due to lack of better things to do and bonds with her grandmother, with whom she was very close as a small child. Mai’s character growth is slow and believable, coming in small increments and occasionally backsliding. The sights, smells, and tastes of Vietnam’s cities and villages come alive on the page, without overwhelming a story filled with a summers-worth of touching and hilarious moments, grand adventure, and lazy afternoons. With a contemporary time setting, this compelling novel shows the lingering effects of war through generations and how the secrets our parents keep can shape us.–Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA

YA

HAlmond, David. The Tightrope Walkers. 336p. Candlewick. Mar. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780763673109.

Gr 9 Up–Dominic Hall is the son of a shipbuilder, living in modest conditions in mid-20th century England. As he grows up, he finds himself torn between two influences—the dreamy intellectual artist girl next door and the brutal outcast boy who seems to cultivate a darker side of Dominic’s nature. His coming-of-age is marked by the ramifications of his choices between the two. The Tightrope Walkers is a tour de force. Almond’s gifted prose sets readers firmly in the grim, gray-skied setting of a post-World War II British town inhabited by deeply layered and well-crafted characters. The use of a thick working-class dialect for many of the protagonists yields immersive dialogue that might have been off-putting in a lesser author’s hands. Dominic’s development takes place among moments of overwhelming bleakness and his experiences with the redemptive powers of human connection and art. The balance between these is precarious and realistic, and the span of years encompassed by the book flies by. The novel is by turns reminiscent of classic bildungsromans such as the Billy Elliott film, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Stephen King’s IT, yet it retains a distinctive heart and voice of its own. While instances of violence are eventually tempered, it is best suited for mature readers. An absolute must-have.–Erinn Black Salge, Saint Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, NJ

Juby, Susan. The Truth Commision. 320p. Viking. Apr. 2015. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780451468772.

Gr 9 Up–Normandy Pale has grown up in the shadow of her bright, artistically talented, and temperamental older sister, who as a young teen began publishing a popular graphic novel series. Disconcertingly, “The Diana Chronicles” features warped, exaggerated, but identifiable versions of her family members. Normandy and her hapless parents were greatly relieved when Keira went away to college, but now she’s suddenly back, more volatile than ever, and not talking about her experiences or her latest book contract. Normandy is a junior at the Green Pastures Academy of Art and Applied Design, her sister’s alma mater. As she and her two close friends reach out in the spirit of friendship and anti-gossip to their peers they learn more than they bargained for in the search for truth and justice. Normandy tells this story, and the more surreal and personal one unraveling at home, as a “narrative nonfiction” project, complete with footnotes, illustrations, and asides to her creative writing teacher. The narrative/book is smart, darkly funny, sad, and heartening as Normandy learns some hard truths, how to stand up for herself, and how to take charge of her own destiny. While there is no reconciliation in sight, there’s no doubt that the truth has set her free. A surprising, witty, and compulsive read.–Luann Toth, School Library Journal

Nonfiction

Benson, Kathleen. Draw What You See: The Life and Art of Benny Andrews. illus. by Benny Andrews. 32p. Clarion. Jan. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780544104877. LC 2013046203.

Gr 4-6–Benny Andrews began drawing when he was able to hold pencil in his hands and “once he started, he never stopped.” He was born in 1930, one of 10 children to sharecroppers, and attended high school at a time when few of his friends had similar opportunities. After the service and college, Andrews went to New York City, where his work began to blossom: in scenes of Harlem life, the jazz world, and of his Georgia childhood. Social causes and injustice, particularly the civil rights movement and the exclusion of African American and female artists from museums fueled both his art and activism. Thick with broad, vibrant swatches of greens, blues, and reds and incorporating collage elements, the artist’s folklike paintings depicted the world around him—and illustrate Benson’s moving and accessible picture book biography. Whether two or three dimensional, existing on a shallow stage or in an expansive landscape, Andrews’s often elongated, stylized figures carry weight and their postures tell stories of oppression, of joy, of curiosity, and of pride. Readers will recognize the artist as the illustrator of Jim Haskins’s John Lewis in the Lead (Lee & Low, 2006), Delivering Justice (Candlewick, 2005), and Langston Hughes (Sterling, 2006). His poignant portrayals of the human condition in these and other titles and in paintings hanging on museum walls long ago earned him the title he chose for himself: the “people’s painter.” A powerful work about an influential artist and activist.–Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Burns, Loree Griffin. Beetle Busters: A Rogue Insect and the People Who Track It. photos by Ellen Harasimowicz. 64p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Houghton Harcourt. 2014. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780547792675.

Gr 5-9–They arrived unseen, burrowed in wooden pallets, spools, and crates, aboard ships from China. The first group spotted in the United States, in Brooklyn, NY, was contained, and quickly taken care of, but since then infestations have been discovered from Massachusetts to Illinois, and as far north as Canada. They’re Asian longhorned beetles, pests with “powerful jaws and a taste for wood” and the frightening potential to eat their way through North American forests. Burns takes readers alongside a team of dedicated scientists and citizen volunteers working to eradicate this invasive species in a quarantined area in Worchester County, MA. Along the way, she explains how the creatures can go undetected for years (their life cycle begins inside trees, which keeps them heavily camouflaged) and offers information that early studies on the creature have yielded—not all of it hopeful. Abundant, close-up, color photos of the insect (from egg to pupa to mature adult), damaged trees, onsite workers, and informative labeled diagrams and maps help tell this disquieting story. Burns questions the approach of the scientists she followed and both admires and “trusts.” But for her, the story is also personal. The author lives within the quarantined area in Massachusetts and has seen firsthand areas where swatches of infested (and other) trees have been cut down. Her questions about the method employed will leave readers asking some of their own—as they should. A timely, well-told story and a call to action.–Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Engle, Margarita. Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music. illus. by Rafael López. 48p. Houghton Harcourt. Mar. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780544102293.

Gr 1-4–Engle’s spare, rhythmic text gets at the heart of the struggle to achieve a dream in this picture-book biography about a Chinese African Cuban girl who aspired to play drums even when society’s double standards stood as a barrier. Growing up in tempestuous 1930s Havana, during a time when universities were often shut down because of their opposition to the dictatorial President Machado, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga dared to dream of playing percussion instruments—timbales, congas, bongós—but her father was adamant that “only boys should play drums.” But still she persisted in her hopes and eventually, with the help of her sisters and music teacher, became a member of the renowned Anacaona, Cuba’s first all-girl dance band, founded by her sister, Cuchito Castro. López’s zinging, neon-tinged art highlights the island’s diversity, depicting the drum girl’s flights of fancy set against the backdrop of carnival scenes and outdoor cafes. Details of Cuba’s and the protagonist’s Chinese, African, Taíno, and Spanish roots are seamlessly interwoven into the lyrical narrative and luminous acrylic paintings. The alliterative text parallels the snappy syncopation of the subject’s instruments. The heroine’s tenacity in the face of naysayers will inspire all dreamers, and the illustrator’s smile-inducing cameo on the last page emphasizes the universality of Millo’s story. For those looking for more nonfiction titles about female musical powerhouses, such as Monica Brown’s My Name Is Celia/Me llamo Celia (Cooper Square, 2004), Katheryn Russell-Brown’s Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Lee & Low, 2014), and Carole Boston Weatherford’s Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century (Knopf, 2014). An author’s note gives more background on the groundbreaking percussionist. –Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Grimes, Nikki. Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony. illus. by Michele Wood. 56p. bibliog. reprods. Orchard. Jan. 2015. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780439793384.

Gr 3-6–“History is often taught in bits and pieces, and students rarely get the notion that these bits and pieces are connected,” writes Coretta Scott King Award–winning author Grimes in her author’s note. Here, she and fellow Coretta Scott King–winning illustrator Wood imagine an afternoon tea conversation between suffragette Susan B. Anthony and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman, where the women take turns relating interconnected stories from their lives. Each spread, including a page of text and a full-page illustration, tells a single anecdote, including personal turning points in each woman’s life and major historical events, such as John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. In keeping with both activists’ strong religious convictions, God and biblical references are invoked often, and Wood’s painterly illustrations feature patterns inspired by American patchwork quilts and traditional African motifs. Back matter includes short biographies, additional notes, a bibliography, and an author’s note. Textual voice and bold pictorial color are strong, and Anthony’s and Tubman’s goals maintain relevance at a time when gender and race issues continue to be newsworthy. Skirting the edges of fictionalized biography can be tricky. Although Anthony and Tubman did meet repeatedly, Grimes states that this extended conversation comes purely from her imagination. Younger readers, who may not realize this immediately, may need guidance distinguishing the historical facts from the fictionalized musings. Audiences willing to embrace the unusual concept, though, may view this as a vanguard piece in an engaging newform that mixes nonfiction with historical fiction.–Jill Ratzan, I. L. Peretz Community Jewish School, Somerset, NJ

Jarrow, Gail. Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary. 176p. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Calkins Creek. Mar. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781620915974. LC 2014948476.

Gr 5 Up–Just who was Typhoid Mary? In this second installment of a planned trilogy featuring deadly diseases, the first being Red Madness: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat (Calkins Creek, 2014), Jarrow relates the account of Typhoid Mary, also known as Mary Mallon, and places it in historical context, explaining the devastating effects of typhoid fever. A symptomless carrier of typhoid, Mallon was a cook who inadvertently infected numerous people and was responsible for many deaths. Jarrow skillfully weaves Mallon’s story into that of two other key figures working to fight and contain the disease: George Albert Soper, a sanitation engineer and typhoid expert; and Sara Josephine Baker, a doctor working at the New York City Department of Health. Citing newspaper articles, courtroom documents, and the personal accounts of several doctors, Jarrow acts as a medical detective, following the lives of Mallon, Soper, and Baker while illuminating a fascinating chapter in public health history. The work of Soper and Baker led to a dramatic decrease in typhoid cases as well as other infectious diseases. Mary, sadly, believed that she neither carried typhoid germs nor that she was responsible for outbreaks and spent most of her life virtually imprisoned on North Brother Island in New York’s East River. A nonfiction page-turner relying upon extensive research and copious source notes, this is a fantastic addition to any library.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

Leahy, Stephen. Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Products. 144p. further reading. index. maps. notes. photos. websites. Firefly. 2014. Tr $35. ISBN 9781770854994; pap. $19.95. ISBN 9781770852952.

Gr 4-8–With exceptionally clear and informative prose and an abundance of well-designed infographics, this book presents the shocking facts about our water usage. Quite simply, we are using too much water in our everyday lives and this consumption cannot be sustained. Consider, as Leahy points out, that it takes 634 gallons of water to produce a single cheeseburger or 660 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. This title provides an impressive amount of data, making the issue of water use concrete and inescapable. Leahy helps readers understand the nature of the problem by highlighting what is important to know about our global, national, and local water consumption and why; explaining the significance of concepts such as water footprint (or the amount of water it takes to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual or community); emphasizing noteworthy ideas; and providing suggestions for making wise choices. To assist readers in becoming informed decision-makers, the text and infographics work together to describe the scope of the problem by providing information about water consumption at home, in our foods, and in farming and manufacturing. The urgency of the situation is emphasized, but so, too, are the steps readers can take to address the crisis. This is an exemplary book for focusing on Common Core standards that emphasize the integration of text and graphics in both reading and writing. Pair this book with Paul Fleischman’s Eyes Wide Open (Candlewick, 2014) to enlighten readers further about urgent water and ecology issues.–Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York

Prevot, Frank. Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees. illus. by Aurelia Fronty. 48p. bibliog. chron. illus. maps. notes. photos. websites. Charlesbridge. Jan. 2015. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781580896269. LC 2013049030.

Gr 2-6–Prevot offers a gorgeous addition to the several books already available on Kenyan environmentalist and political activist Wangari Maathai, with as much biographical information as the pages can support. The writing is artful, clear, and concise, with references to Maathai’s native Swahili language and the cultural connections to the environment. This book provides students a beginning for research on her early life through the political turmoil of a corrupt Kenyan government which fell in 2002; it will also support deeper understanding of how she earned the Novel Peace Prize in 2004 for starting the Green Belt Movement, an NGO dedicated to planting trees, protecting the environment, and promoting women’s rights. Fronty’s art shines bright, expanding the text with styles that echo Henri Rousseau, Henri Matisse, and others. Of the other picture book biographies on Maathai, most focus on the tree planting rather than her life; this one offers appropriate information about the political upheavals that influenced Maathai.–Dorcas Hand, Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston, TX

Rockliff, Mara. Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of France. illus. by Iacopo Bruno. 48p. bibliog. further reading. illus. maps. notes. Candlewick. Feb. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780763663513. LC 2014939337.

Gr 2-5–Benjamin Franklin could be described in so many different ways: inventor, printer, scientist, thinker, diplomat. From this book, the word skeptic should be added to this list. While in France raising funds for the American rebellion against the British, Franklin was enlisted by Louis XVI to investigate the claims made by a young Austrian doctor who had much of Europe enthralled with his ability to remedy a wide variety of illnesses simply by waving an iron wand around their person. Calling it “animal magnetism,” Franz Mesmer was treating the European elite by bringing them into darkened rooms while spellbinding music played on a glass armonica, invented by none other than Franklin himself. Mesmer would charge a rather large sum of money and pronounce his clients “cured.” Doubtful of Mesmer’s abilities, Franklin set about disproving the doctor’s claims. Rockliff’s lighthearted tone and lively writing style are enhanced by the use of different typefaces and print sizes, as well as a layout that will keep readers engaged throughout. Rockliff plays with words and rhythm, making this book an excellent choice for reading aloud. The artwork is infused with humor, and the individual’s expressions throughout are a delight, from the look on the face of a swooning patient to Mesmer’s own intense glare. There is much here to draw the eye and prod discussion. A lengthy author’s note fills in the details of the story and provides information on the scientific method. Overall, a wonderful and fun-filled title that introduces yet another facet of a fascinating man.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Graphic Novels

Kick, Russ, ed. The Graphic Canon of Children’s Literature: The World’s Greatest Kids’ Lit as Comics and Visuals. 450p. Seven Stories. 2014. Tr $38.95. ISBN 9781609805302. LC 2014010178.

Gr 10 Up–The fourth volume of the critically acclaimed “Graphic Canon” series is a high quality, visually stunning collection of more than 40 adapted works that cover a wide range of children’s literature illustrated by 21st century artists. Characters such as Alice, Dorothy, Goldilocks, and Harry Potter have a very definite look in our mind thanks to the media. This work transforms familiar and unfamiliar stories by putting them in comic form and reimagining the characters and settings: a rude and grotesquely drawn Alice, the city mouse as a man involved with the Russian mafia, or a young Chinese girl who sneaks into the home of three panda bears. The page layout, medium, and overall style of the art varies greatly, allowing each individual story to make an impression on readers. The versions of the folk- and fairy tales included are the ones that have been watered down for children; additionally, the lengthy size of the book and the analysis at the beginning of each chapter will make it unappealing to casual, child readers. However, this work will make a worthy addition to library collections and will be most appreciated by older teens and adults interested in art, graphic novels as a format, and the deconstruction of stories. Highly recommended.–Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

Lewis, John & Andrew Aydin. March: Book Two. 192p. Top Shelf Productions. Jan. 2015. pap. $19.95. ISBN 9781603094009.

Gr 8 Up–Gr 8 Up–In this second volume, representative Lewis continues describing his experiences with the civil rights movement. As in the first book, Lewis attends Barack Obama’s inauguration, flashing back to his life as a young man taking part in the fight that would make it possible for America to eventually elect its first black president. Lewis lays out his involvement with sit-ins and the freedom rides, as well as becoming chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and speaking at the March on Washington in 1963, where he urged the crowd to “complete the revolution.” Graphic in every sense of the word, this memoir puts a human face on a struggle that many students will primarily know from textbooks. Lewis makes it clear that the movement was far from a uniform entity, with disagreements cropping up, some small, such as differing opinions about the wording in speeches, others more serious, including whether to respond to resistance passively or with violence. Visually stunning, the black-and-white illustrations convey the emotions of this turbulent time, from Lewis’s fear and pain while in prison to Governor George Wallace’s sneering indifference during his “Segregation forever” speech. Powell’s use of light and dark is masterly, and the contrast between the joy of Obama’s inauguration and the obstacles faced back in the 1960s is effective. This insider’s view of the civil rights movement should be required reading for young and old; not to be missed.–Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

DVD

The Man With the Violin. 8 min. Dist. by Dreamscape Media. 2014. $38.99. ISBN 9781629239590.

PreS-Gr 4 –Young Dylan is trotting down the street with his mom on their daily trek to the subway on their way home. As the twosome enter the station, he hears the most tantalizing violin music. He begs his mom to stop and listen to the violinist who is transforming the subway station into a concert arena. Dylan’s homeward-bound mom keeps to her routine, gliding down the escalator with Dylan in tow, heading to the screeching subway and the blippity blabbety of subway passengers. Dylan wanders in his apartment unable to forget the violin music that wove its way into his head, and suddenly, the radio begins playing the mesmerizing tune he heard in the subway station. It’s his violin music, and Dylan finally gets his mom’s attention. She turns up the radio, and they dance. In 2007, Joshua Bell, a child prodigy and concert violinist, actually played as a street musician in the Metro Station in Washington, DC, for passengers as an experiment. This simple story is loaded with rich language and onomatopoeia, combined with visual delight through the clever use of color and lines. Narrator George Newbern’s pacing and emphasis on the richness of text is a perfect match. This story can be watched again and again to recover a child’s awareness in the delight of the nonroutine. Valuable background information about Joshua Bell is provided, as well as a read-along option.–Nancy Baumann, Literacy Consultant, Columbia, MO

Mona Lisa Is Missing. 55 min. Dist. by Filmakers Library. 2013. $295. Streaming $295. ISBN unavail.

Gr 9 Up –Writer/director Joe Medeiros solves the mystery behind the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa in this fast-paced biographical documentary filmed on location in France and Italy. The daughter of Vincenzo Peruggia, Celestina, always thought her father stole the painting to take revenge on his coworkers, French-born workers who taunted him and called him “macaroni” because of his Italian heritage. Medeiros traces the steps of Vincenzo to solve the mystery of why and how he stole the masterpiece and how he was able to hide it in his apartment for almost two-and-a-half years. The filmmaker combines animation, photographs, and interviews for a quirky educational piece that fits in neatly with a historical study of immigrant life at the turn of the 20th century. It’s told through first-person accounts and the examination of original police reports in French and Italian archives. Medeiros combines the world today with that of 1911 by revisiting the places Vincenzo lived in and speaking to his descendants and others that knew about him. Fans of Tomie DePaola books will fall in love with Celestina, an Italian grandmother who only wants to know more about her dear “papà,” who died when she was only six.–Ellen Frank, Flushing High School, Queens, NY Gr 10 Up –Current research shows that between two and five percent of babies born are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Not only are they hindered by cognitive, developmental, and emotional delays, but their facial features also mark them as having some form of the syndrome, making socialization doubly challenging. This extremely well-done video intersperses considerable scientific and legal data about the effects on those with the disorder and very moving vignettes of four teens and their foster families who have stuck with them through very stressful and demanding situations. The love and courage of these adults is awe inspiring. Three girls and one boy are filmed extensively interacting with their families, as well as talking about their understanding of the way their disorder places roadblocks in front of them as they progress through adolescence and into adulthood. There is an impressive amount of information, such as how binge drinking is more dangerous than daily drinking, that alcohol consumption in the third trimester is hazardous, and that one of the biggest challenges for FASD teens involves long-term memory loss. Dr. Ira J. Chasnoff spells things out, as do all the other commentators, in ways that, while scientific, are easy for the target audience to understand. This is an excellent film for training, awareness, and initiating discussion, and it should be seriously considered by all health, school, and public libraries. It has the potential to reach kids and change their behavior.–John R. Clark, Hartland Public Library, ME

Mona Lisa Is Missing. Dist. by Filmakers Library. 2013. p. 49.

Pretty Slick. 71 min. Dist. by the Video Project. 2014. $79. ISBN unavail.

Gr 9 Up –Narrated by Peter Coyote, this documentary examines the use of a controversial dispersant, Corexit, in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history. After reviewing oil company BP’s various attempts at capping or shutting off the oil flow, filmmaker James Fox then presents a detailed study of the dispersant. What he exposes is a huge cover-up by BP in using the toxic Corexit, which has been compared to the defoliant Agent Orange. Even after being told by the Environmental Protection Agency to use another dispersant, BP continued to deploy the dispersant, which caused the oil to sink to the bottom of the ocean, thus giving the surface appearance that the spill had been cleaned up. That, along with a slick ad campaign, seemed to assure people that all was well in the Gulf. In interviews with scientists and the local citizens, it is apparent that nothing could be farther from the truth. It is also appears that the government was compliant in the use of Corexit. Various reasons are cited, including lack of oversight, deregulation, and the demand for profit by BP. The film’s profound facts and opinions make it useable in classes studying environmental science, ethics, and communication.–Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Mount Carmel, IL

Someday. 11min. Dist. by Weston Woods. 2014. $59.95. ISBN 9780545797542.

PreS-Gr 2 –Author Alison McGhee narrates this DVD in a gorgeous translation of her picture book (S. & S., 2007) that adds just the right amount of animation and sound to complement a sentimental testament to the arc of motherhood. The action begins with cooing sounds and baby fingers waving, met by an adult hand. The following scenes chronicle the stages of the lives of a mother and daughter, from the girl’s infancy to the mother’s wishes for her daughter as she progresses through life. The music of buoyant woodwinds matches the joy of diving into a lake or taking off, unassisted, on a bicycle and then turns quietly introspective to emphasize tearful sadness or overwhelming fear and reassurance. Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’s muted palette and line drawings are given sparkle and life. The mother’s memories play backward at the end of the story, and the act of letting go is echoed in the girl’s walking away and waving, presumably off to college, with the younger girl she once was riding her bicycle triumphantly away, as her mother stands alone and watches. The absence of anyone else, except for a dog that runs ahead of the girl and then trails behind, emphasizes the intimacy of the emotional tie between the two. This is a love letter made into an exceptional film and is likely to be enjoyed as much by mothers as their daughters.–Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH

Audio

BUZZEO, Toni. One Cool Friend. 1 CD w tr book. 50 min. Weston Woods. 2014. $16.99. ISBN 9780545675543.

PreS-Gr 2 –Elliot, a tuxedo-clad boy who prefers avoiding “masses of noisy kids,” reluctantly agrees to join his father at the aquarium’s Family Fun Day. However, the day’s silver lining is found in black and white—penguins, to be exact. Elliot decides they would make a perfect pet, so he pilfers one. Comical antics follow (an inflatable swimming pool lugged up to Elliot’s bedroom becomes an ice rink; sharing a snack of goldfish crackers; raiding the freezer for shrimp), all taking place under the watchful eye of his seemingly befuddled father. This read-aloud set is the perfect combination of a cleverly written and very creatively illustrated book (Dial, 2012) accompanied by a two-track CD, one with page-turning signals and one without. The British-accented narration provided by Robertson Dean, David deVries, and Owen Tanzer is spot-on. This whimsical tale of a boy and his pet is sure to become a favorite, and the twist ending is guaranteed to make kids and adults smile.–Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

MCDONNELL, Patrick. Me...Jane. 1 CD. Weston Woods. 2014. $12.95. ISBN 9780545696845.

Gr 1-3 –In this story of young Jane Goodall and her stuffed monkey, Jubilee, the listener follows Jane on a backyard adventure and watches as she discovers and learns about the world around her. She climbs trees, watches birds, and writes about all that she observes. Katherine Kellgren’s excellent narration is accompanied by music, and the combination provides a fascinating tale about an amazing woman. This biography leaves the listener with an inspirational “follow your dreams” message that would be an excellent resource for teachers and librarians alike. An essential purchase for any classroom or library collection.–Jessica Gilcreast, Bedford High School, NH MCDONNELL, Patrick. Me...Jane. Weston Woods. 2014. p. 51.

BROWN, Skila. Caminar. 2 CDs. 2:23 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2014. $49.97. ISBN 9781491536858.

Gr 5-8 –Carlos, a young boy living in remote Guatemala, yearns to be a man and defend his village from the soldiers who are seeking Communist rebels. His mother, however, tells him to run to the trees to hide. He’s in the jungle when the soldiers return, and he’s left alone, full of shame because he did not help his people. Carlos comes across a small band of guerillas, and joins them in their race to warn the people in the village at the top of the mountain. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about what it means to be a man and that a moment of fear does not keep one from being able to help in the future. The story, told in verse, is inspired by true events, and narrated by Christian Barillas. This is an excellent choice for middle school libraries.–Amanda Rollins, Northwest Village School, Plainville, CT

MAGUIRE, Gregory. Egg & Spoon. 11 CDs. 12:51 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2014. $59.97. ISBN 9781491502327.

Gr 7 Up –Peasant girl Elena Rudina is slowly starving to death along with her dying mother in the Russian countryside. Her eldest brother has just been drafted into the Tsar’s army. When a train carrying Ekaterina, a girl of the nobility, unexpectedly breaks down in their village, an opportunity presents itself. Through a series of unplanned events, the girls switch places, and Elena is off to Saint Petersburg to visit the Tsar, whom she will ask to free her brother. Add in a young prince, Baba Yaga, a fire dragon, and dancing matryoshka brides, and you have a rollicking adventure full of Russian folklore and vigor. Michael Page gives an amazing reading, making Baba Yaga a cross between a witch and a comedian. He easily conveys Elena’s fears, sorrows, and pessimism. Page’s deep, craggy voice adapts to each character, making them distinct and appealing. This fractured fairy tale is one of the year’s best recordings and a must-have at any library.–B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, Santa Barbara, CA

Monstrous Affections: An Anthology of Beastly Tales. 12 CDs. 13:22 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2014. $74.97. ISBN 9781491502389.

Gr 8 Up –Welcome to a world where monsters coexist with humans. Werewolves, aliens, and robots share space with a monster that makes tea, a vampire who feeds to see people’s memories, and krakens who bond with a human. This book is an interesting twist on the age-old idea of monsters, highlighting the monstrous side of humans and the human-ish side of monsters. Narrators Amy Rubinate and Nick Podehl do an excellent job of bringing these stories to life. Some are fairly fast-paced, while others are a bit slower, and the narrators effortlessly navigate between the different narrative rhythms while drawing in listeners. Contributing authors include Paolo Bacigalupi, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare, and Nalo Hopkinson. The prose is delightful, and the editing is masterfully done with smooth transitions between stories. All the characters and plots are well developed for short stories. Listeners interested in monsters, adventure, and romance will have a hard time getting this book out of their mind. Recommended for most libraries.–Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT

PULLMAN, Philip. Clockwork. 1 MP3-CD. 2 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2014. $14.99. ISBN 9781491572399.

Gr 3-8 –On the eve of apprentice clockmaker Karl’s unveiling of his new figure for the town clock, villagers gather in the local tavern to hear the latest chilling tale from young storyteller Fritz. Just before Fritz begins, a despondent Karl reveals to his friend that he has no figure for the clock and will be the first clockmaker to fail at the task in hundreds of year. Fritz himself is a little concerned as he begins his tale because he doesn’t have an ending for his story yet. The chilling tale he weaves tells of a mad clockmaker, a desperate royal family, a dying child, and a prince who returns from a hunting trip dead, his young child bundled in the back of his carriage. But when the dark clockmaker from Fritz’s tale suddenly appears in the tavern door and events in the story begin to play out, the villagers scatter in horror. Only Karl and the clockmaker reamin, and the man presents young Karl with an evil opportunity to avoid his looming failure. This eerie tale is masterfully told by narrator Anton Lesser, whose voices are perfectly matched to the characters. Lesser’s pitch, pacing, and storytelling abilities send a chill up the spine and will leave listeners breathless.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

SMITH, Andrew. Winger. 8 CDs. 9:52 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2014. $52.97. ISBN 9781491507926.

Gr 9 Up –Ryan Dean West is the smartest student in the junior class at Pine Mountain boarding school, a starter on the rugby team, and two years younger than the rest of his classmates. He is also hopelessly in love with his best friend, Annie, who sees him as just a little kid. When Ryan Dean moves into Opportunity Hall, the dorm for misbehaving students (owing to an illegal cell phone encounter the previous year), he finds himself at odds with his roommate, the meanest member of their rugby team. Mark Boyett does a wonderful job narrating, especially Ryan Dean’s voice, which reveals his wild imagination, full-blown adolescent hormones, and self-deprecating humor. Other characters’ voices are equally believable. Friend Seanny is rendered with a deadpan monotone, while Screaming Ned, an old man the boys offer a ride to, is cantankerous, confused, and done with a high-pitched, scratchy cackle. Ryan Dean’s cartoons, doodles, and charts, which add such charm to the print version, are described so that the listener doesn’t miss anything. The resulting audiobook is laugh-out-loud-funny at times and heartbreakingly serious at others. This is a terrific recording of an unforgettable book.–Julie Paladino, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC