School Library Journal» Fiction

Pick of the Day: The Caged Graves

SLJ — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:00:17 +0000

SALERNI, Dianne K. The Caged Graves. 336p. Clarion. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-86853-0. LC 2012021008.
Gr 8 Up–It’s 1867, and 17-year-old Verity Boone is moving back to Pennsylvania after spending 15 years with relatives in Massachusetts. She’s anxious to reunite with her father and meet her fiancé, Nathaniel McClure, for the first time. Unfortunately, life in rural Catawissa isn’t what Verity expected and her homecoming is beginning to feel anything but welcoming. Her father is distant, and Verity and Nathaniel’s first meeting is awkward and uncomfortable. He doesn’t come across as romantic in person as he did in his letters. To make matters worse, he takes Verity on an impromptu walk that leads her to an unsettling sight–her mother’s grave enclosed in an ugly, iron cage. Disturbed and heartbroken, Verity is determined to find out why it was placed in unconsecrated grounds. Unfortunately, her father, Nathaniel, and the townsfolk (while quick to gossip about the Boones) aren’t talking. The only way to unravel the mystery is to read her mother’s diaries, which exposes Verity to unsettling truths about Catawissa and her family. Verity is a likable, feisty, and outspoken heroine. She often infuriates Nathaniel, whom she quickly discovers is worthy of her attentions. Salerni is a masterful storyteller who uses eloquent prose to craft a suspenseful historical mystery that is absolutely impossible to put down.–Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ

Pick of the Day: Daisy Gets Lost

SLJ — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:00:50 +0000

RASCHKA, Chris. Daisy Gets Lost. illus. by author. 32p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81741-4; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81742-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81743-8.
PreS-Gr 2–The lovable pup from A Ball for Daisy (Random, 2011) is back. Nearly wordless like its predecessor, this evocative story depicts another misadventure in the park. While playing fetch with her human and her new blue ball, Daisy sees a squirrel. In typical doggie fashion, she merrily chases the critter into the woods and gets lost. Frantic, she howls and looks for the child while the youngster searches for her. The two find each other in the end, though Daisy is still eyeing that pesky squirrel. A clever mix of layouts–mostly full spreads, occasionally changing to two to eight panels across two pages–propels the action. As in his previous work, Raschka masterfully imbues his ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations with a stunning range of emotions. With a few brushstrokes, he captures the excitement in the lolling canine tongue, the alarm and anguish of being lost, the relief and joy of the cozy reunion. Whether a cautionary tale or one familiar to any pet owner, this book is a must for Daisy fans everywhere.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

Pick of the Day: Counting by 7s

SLJ — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 09:00:29 +0000

SLOAN, Holly Goldberg. Counting by 7s. 384p. Dial. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3855-3. LC 2012004994.
Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Willow Chase lived with her adoptive parents in Bakersfield, California. There in the midst of the high desert, she grew a garden in her backyard, her sanctuary. She was excited about starting a new school, hoping this time she might fit in, might find a friend. Willow had been identified in preschool as highly gifted, most of the time causing confusion and feelings of ineptness in her teachers. Now at her new school she is accused of cheating because no one has ever finished the state proficiency test in just 17 minutes, let alone gotten a perfect score. Her reward is behavioral counseling with Dell Duke, an ineffectual counselor with organizational and social issues of his own. She does make a friend when Mai Nguyen brings her brother, Quang-ha, to his appointment, and their lives begin to intertwine when Willow’s parents are killed in an auto accident. For the second time in her life she is an orphan, forced to find a “new normal.” She is taken in temporarily by Mai’s mother, who must stay ahead of Social Services. While Willow sees herself as just an observer, trying to figure out the social norms of regular family life, she is actually a catalyst for change, bringing together unsuspecting people and changing their lives forever. The narration cleverly shifts among characters as the story evolves. Willow’s philosophical and intellectual observations contrast with Quang-ha’s typical teenage boy obsessions and the struggles of a Vietnamese family fighting to live above the poverty level. Willow’s story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers’ hearts long after the last page.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

Pick of the Day: Living with Jackie Chan

SLJ — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 09:00:42 +0000

KNOWLES, Jo. Living with Jackie Chan. 384p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6280-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6716-0.
Gr 9 Up–Seventeen-year-old Josh expected to be hanging out with his friends and going to parties during his senior year, but all that changed after a one-night stand ended in an unexpected pregnancy. Afraid to face the girl whose life he believes he ruined, Josh moves in with his Jackie Chan-loving Uncle Larry and begins a new life at a new school.Yet no matter how hard he tries, he can’t escape his past. Overcome with guilt and regret, Josh concentrates on helping his uncle with his karate class. His growing friendship with his neighbor, Stella, forces Josh to face his past in an attempt to find forgiveness, especially from his own worst enemy: himself. In this companion to Jumping Off Swings (Candlewick, 2009), Knowles provides readers with an intimate look at Josh a year after the events of the first book. Tormented by his past actions, Josh is constantly at war with his feelings, denying himself any happiness as penance. As the emotional core of the book, Josh is a complex yet incredibly likable character with whom readers will empathize. Similarly, both Larry and Stella possess dynamic, well-developed personalities, making it easy to believe how crucial a role they play in Josh’s recovery. Divided into four parts, the compelling narrative offers an honest and frank look at teen pregnancy from the male’s perspective, and while the book could have been a depressing read in another author’s hands, Knowles succeeds in writing a character-driven story that is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking.–Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH

Preschool to Grade 4 Fiction | September 2013

K4 Import — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:30:59 +0000

BĂDESCU, Ramona. Pomelo’s Opposites. tr. from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. illus. by Benjamin Chaud. 120p. (Pomelo the Garden Elephant Series). Enchanted Lion. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-132-2.

K-Gr 3–Filled with whimsy, surprise, and pure fun, this French import extends the idea of opposites far beyond the basics. More than 100 pages are packed neatly into the small, square-shaped frame, with contrasting words and images facing on each spread. Many, but not all, feature Pomelo, a big-eyed, long-trunked pink elephant demonstrating each example. The book begins with fairly standard word pairs, but the art is anything but predictable. For example, “morning/evening” features identical scenes with the skies reversed. Further page turns lead to even more imaginative interpretations. The words stray from direct opposites in playful ways, such as “something”/“whatever” and “handsome”/“weird.” The cartoon drawings are often funny: one shows a red piece of food going “in” the elephant’s mouth, then coming out his opposite end, having turned brown after digestion. Some are thought-provoking: a flower losing its petals represents “fleeting,” then the same flower is captured in a painting for “permanent.” When the word pairs require an extra bit of stretching to fit as opposites, such as “on snailback”/“by turtle,” it’s in keeping with the creative, carefree tone that permeates the book. Rich vocabulary (“stalagmite,” “concave,” and “gastropod,” for example) and deceptively subtle visual interpretations make this a great choice for parent-child sharing and discussion, but solo children will have no problem immersing themselves in the clever, playful, and deftly imagined illustrations.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

BEST, Cari. Beatrice Spells Some Lulus and Learns to Write a Letter. illus. by Giselle Potter. 40p. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-39904-7. LC 2012015337.

Gr 1-3–Once Beatrice figures out how to spell, she doesn’t want to stop. With the support of her grandma, she spells everywhere and anywhere. Around town she spends her time correcting the myriad spelling errors she finds. At school she tries to start a spelling club, but her friends aren’t interested. A disheartened Beatrice stops spelling for a whole week, until she comes up with a clever plan. She turns the class Show and Tell into Show and Spell, and then tells the class about her pet T-A-R-A-N-T-U-L-A Rose. Show and Spell takes the school by storm and soon Beatrice and her friends are spelling anywhere, at any time, and correcting errors together. Beatrice then writes a letter to Nanny Hannah, thanking her for giving her the spelling bug. This wordy picture book will introduce children not only to the joys of spelling but also to words like “lulu” and “crackerjack.” Potter’s folk-arty illustrations depict the story’s action and emotion well, but feel a little dated. This book will find a ready audience among the spelling crowd and might encourage others to join them.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

GRAHAM, Bob. The Silver Button. illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6437-4. LC 2012947825.

PreS-Gr 2–In his inimitable, deceptively simple style, Graham celebrates what can happen in a single moment and reminds readers to pause and observe. The text begins before the title page: “At 9:59 on Thursday morning, Jodie drew a duck.” Next her baby brother takes his first step. As he does so, Graham cinematically pulls back farther and farther, showing other things happening at that instant: a jogger puffs by, a soldier hugs his mother, a blackbird finds a worm, a baby is born, and so on, until the story comes full circle. Jonathan falls down, Jodie tells her mother about his first step, and the clock strikes 10:00. Graham’s detail-filled ink and watercolor illustrations are in full force here. Initially, Jonathan fills the page, but rapidly the view pulls back, expanding the point of view: the jogger is seen through a window, the block from above, then a bird’s-eye view of the city, with the block, the hospital, and the beach visible, and finally a close-up of Mom hugging her baby boy. While the story is minimal, there is a lot to see and absorb. The detailed pictures bear repeated inspection, the characters are appealing, and the story is very child-oriented. This unusual offering will enhance collections and work equally well in classrooms or one-on-one. A worthwhile addition.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

HOLUB, Joan. Little Red Writing. illus. by Melissa Sweet. 36p. Chronicle. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7869-2.

K-Gr 2–Written with wit, humor, and puns galore, this fractured fairy tale features Little Red, a pencil in search of a story. Given a writing assignment by her teacher Ms. 2, Little Red travels down the story path with a basket of red nouns looking for the kind of tale that will allow her to display bravery and fight evil, “because red is the color of courage. But what would a brave pencil do?” As she journeys around the school, she encounters action words at the gym, descriptive words at the library, etc., until she comes across a long tangly tail that is up to no good. Brave Little Red follows it into Principal Granny’s office where she comes upon the Wolf 3000, “the grumpiest, growliest, grindingest pencil sharpener ever made!” This is a book so rich in words and wry humor–written and visual–that one reading just isn’t enough. Imagine kids running to the dictionary to look up “bosky” and “tenebrous” after getting bogged down in the dark, descriptive forest (the school library) or poring over Sweet’s characteristically engaging watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations for delicious details, such as the pencil school newspaper with the motto “We get to the point.” These pictures don’t merely enhance Holub’s clever text, they become a part of it through the use of layered papers upon which the dialogue is literally written in pencil. Little Red’s classmates run the gamut of childhood types, each distinguished by its individualized eraser. Creative and fun, this book works equally well for storytime or story writing. Pair it with Janet Stevens’s The Little Red Pen (Houghton, 2011) for the full gamut of school-supplies silliness.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

LUDWIG, Trudy. The Invisible Boy. illus. by Patrice Barton. 40p. further reading. Knopf. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-582-46450-3.

K-Gr 2–Brian feels invisible. His teacher hardly notices him, the other kids never invite him to play, and he eats lunch alone. But he loves to draw, so at recess, he creates comics about greedy pirates, battling space aliens, and superheroes with the power to make friends everywhere. One day, a new boy, Justin, joins the class. The other children make fun of him for eating Bulgogi, a Korean dish, but Brian slips him a friendly note. When it is time to find partners for a class project, Justin asks Brian to join him and another boy. Brian’s artistic talents come in handy, and finally he is no longer invisible. This is a simple yet heartfelt story about a boy who has been excluded for no apparent reason but finds a way to cope and eventually gains acceptance. Barton’s scribbly illustrations look like something Brian may have made. Pencil sketches painted digitally are set against lots of white space, and sometimes atop a background of Brian’s drawings on lined notebook paper. At the start of this picture book, Brian is shown in shades of gray while the rest of the world is in color, a visual reminder of his isolation. Color starts to creep in as he is noticed by Justin. Once he becomes part of the group, he is revealed in full color. The thought-provoking story includes questions for discussion and suggested reading lists for adults and children in the back matter. Pair this highly recommended book with Jacqueline Woodson’s Each Kindness (Penguin, 2012) for units on friendship or feelings.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

MACLACHLAN, Patricia. Snowflakes Fall. illus. by Steven Kellogg. 32p. Random. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-37693-8; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97328-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98219-4. LC 2013008622.

PreS-Gr 3–A gentle picture book created as tribute to the victims of the 2012 shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. In his dedication, Kellogg expresses his hope that this book “celebrates the laughter, the playful high spirits, and the uniqueness of the children of Sandy Hook and of children everywhere.” And indeed, the image of falling snowflakes–“Flake/After flake/After flake/Each one a pattern/All its own–/No two the same–/All beautiful”–makes an affecting metaphor. MacLachlan’s lyrical and understated poem describes snowflakes swirling “together/Like the voices of children” to blanket backyards and sleeping gardens, rolling countryside, and the town’s familiar sites. Though a nighttime storm may bring shadows that “darken dreams,” morning always comes again, revealing a shining world and the opportunity to play outdoors. In springtime, “when the flowers bloom/The children remember the snowflakes/And we remember the children–/No two the same–/All beautiful.” Throughout, Kellogg’s paintings dazzle with brightly clad kids joyfully romping through winter scenes. As flowers bloom, some of the youngsters dance into a still-snowy sky, and the back endpaper shows a row of 20 snow angels taking flight from a moonlit hillside and soaring into the heavens. Accentuating the rebirth found in nature’s cycle, text and images depict the process of healing and renewal, the comfort of memory, and the power of hope. Adults can share this book to address tragic events, discuss grief and the recovery process, and remind children of the precious beauty of life.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

NAKAWAKI, Hatsue. Wait! Wait! tr. from Japanese by Yuki Kaneko. illus. by Komako Sakai. 24p. Enchanted Lion. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-138-4.

PreS–The nearly incidental minimalistic text (the titular refrain) serves as an outline for Sakai’s inspired illustrations, which capture tiny moments of a toddler’s exploration of the world. On the first page, the youngster chases a butterfly, to the words, “Wait! Wait!” On the next, the butterfly flies away, “fluttering up in the air.” And so it goes as the child discovers a lizard, some pigeons, and two cats, and finally is swung up onto Daddy’s shoulders, to the words, “Here we go!” The spare text gives the illustrations room to shine and a child’s imagination room to roam. The acrylic and oil pencil illustrations use simple lines and colors to capture both motion and emotion. The backgrounds are mostly white, with only the most important details sketched in, but the black of the pencil manages to give the earth and rocks and grass both texture and immediacy. The small details ground the illustrations in reality, and the blurred wings of the pigeons capture the movement in almost photographic reality. Sakai is a wizard with the medium, capturing the child’s emotions with simple lines and bringing the animals fully to life. The limited use of color and paint emphasizes the texture of the cats’ fur, the birds’ wings, and the flowers’ petals. Parents and toddlers will see themselves in these pages and delight in Sakai’s ability to bring them to life. A quiet gem.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

RASCHKA, Chris. Daisy Gets Lost. illus. by author. 32p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81741-4; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81742-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81743-8.

PreS-Gr 2–The lovable pup from A Ball for Daisy (Random, 2011) is back. Nearly wordless like its predecessor, this evocative story depicts another misadventure in the park. While playing fetch with her human and her new blue ball, Daisy sees a squirrel. In typical doggie fashion, she merrily chases the critter into the woods and gets lost. Frantic, she howls and looks for the child while the youngster searches for her. The two find each other in the end, though Daisy is still eyeing that pesky squirrel. A clever mix of layouts–mostly full spreads, occasionally changing to two to eight panels across two pages–propels the action. As in his previous work, Raschka masterfully imbues his ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations with a stunning range of emotions. With a few brushstrokes, he captures the excitement in the lolling canine tongue, the alarm and anguish of being lost, the relief and joy of the cozy reunion. Whether a cautionary tale or one familiar to any pet owner, this book is a must for Daisy fans everywhere.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

WIESNER, David. Mr. Wuffles! illus. by author. 32p. Clarion. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-618-75661-2.

K-Gr 4–Mr. Wuffles ignores all his fancy cat toys. Still sporting price tags, they line the hallway as he strolls by. But resting quietly among the feathers, balls, and mice is a tiny metal spaceship, and this catches his attention. His playful batting knocks around the alien explorers inside, causing bumps but no injuries. The ship’s flying disks do not survive, however, and the aliens set out to explore the house and repair their craft. Barely escaping Mr. Wuffles’s claws, they dash behind the radiator and discover primitive art of the cat’s previous battles and make friends with the house’s insects. The bugs help the aliens repair the spaceship, avoid capture, and fly away. Nearly wordless, the story is told through pictures and the languages of the ants and aliens, depicted by dashes and symbols. The book is fairly complex, best suited for elementary students, who will enjoy decoding the aliens’ cryptographic alphabet. Wiesner humorously captures the curiosity and confusion of Mr. Wuffles and his human, who remains oblivious to the drama underfoot. The idea of a separate, tiny world next to ours makes a great premise, and Wiesner’s engaging art and lively pacing carry the day. Visual storytelling at its best.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

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The following titles are reviewed in the September 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Preschool to Grade 4

ALBOROUGH, Jez. Nat the Cat’s Sunny Smile. illus. by author. 32p. websites. Kane Miller. Sept. 2013. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-1-61067-177-4. LC 2012955332.

ANDERSEN, Hans Christian. The Snow Queen: A Retelling of the Fairy Tale. illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. 40p. HarperCollins/Harper. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220950-4. LC 2012011533.

ANDREWS, Julie & Emma Walton Hamilton. The Very Fairy Princess Sparkles in the Snow. illus. by Christine Davenier. 32p. (The Very Fairy Princess Series). Little, Brown. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21963-1. LC 2012042576.

ARANT, Bruce. Simpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep! illus. by author. 32p. Peter Pauper Press. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4413-1359-1. LC 2013010074.

BARCLAY, Eric. Hiding Phil. illus. by author. 32p. Scholastic. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46477-2. LC 2012049321.

BARCLAY, Eric. I Can See Just Fine. illus. by author. 32p. Abrams/Appleseed. 2013. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0801-5. LC 2012048270.

BARRETT, Judi. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3: Planet of the Pies. illus. by Isidre Monés. 32p. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-9027-7; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-9028-4. LC 2012051345.

BEAN, Jonathan. Big Snow. illus. by author. 32p. Farrar. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30696-0.

BEATY, Andrea. Rosie Revere, Engineer. illus. by David Roberts. 32p. Abrams. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0845-9.

BERNHEIMER, Kate. The Girl Who Wouldn’t Brush Her Hair. illus. by Jake Parker. 40p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86878-8; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96878-5.ebook available. LC 2012006440.

BLACKABY, Susan. Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise. illus. by Carmen Segovia. 32p. Sterling. Oct. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4027-9836-8.

BOBER, Natalie S. Papa Is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost. illus. by Rebecca Gibbon. 40p. bibliog. photos. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9407-7.

BROWN, Marc. Marc Brown’s Playtime Rhymes: A Treasury for Families to Learn and Play Together. illus. by author. 48p. Little, Brown. Oct. 2013. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-316-20735-5.

CARLE, Eric. Friends. illus. by author. 32p. photos. Philomel. Nov. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-16533-7. LC 2012048850.

CASANOVA, Mary. One-Dog Sleigh. illus. by Ard Hoyt. 32p. Farrar. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-35639-2. LC 2012007581.

CATALANOTTO, Peter. Monkey & Robot. illus. by author. 64p. S & S/Atheneum/Richard Jackson Bks. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2978-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3060-0. LC 2012003044.

CHAPMAN, Lynne. Baby Can…Bounce! ISBN 978-1-4052-5831-9.

––––.Baby Goes…Baaaaa! ISBN 978-1-4052-5830-2.

ea vol: illus. by author. 24p. websites. Egmont USA. 2013. pap. $7.99.

CHAUD, Benjamin. The Bear’s Song. tr. from French. illus. by author. 32p. Chronicle. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-1424-8.

CHERNESKY, Felicia Sanzari. Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes. illus. by Susan Swan. 32p. Albert Whitman. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-6538-4. LC 2013005186.

CHILD, Lauren. Maude: The Not-So-Noticeable Shrimpton. illus. by Trisha Krauss. 32p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6515-9.

CLANTON, Ben. The Table Sets Itself. illus. by author. 40p. Walker. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3447-1; lib. ed. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3448-8. ebook available.

COCCA-LEFFLER, Maryann. Theo’s Mood. illus. by author. 24p. Albert Whitman. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-7778-3. LC 2012049834.

CORDIER, Séverine & Cynthia Lacroix. A Day at the Farm. tr. from French by Sarah Quinn. illus. by authors. 48p. Owlkids. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-76-0. LC 2012948721.

DODD, Emma. Cinderelephant. illus. by author. 32p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-53285-3. LC 2012028907.

ESCOFFIER, Michaël. Me First! tr. from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. illus. by Kris Di Giacomo. 24p. Enchanted Lion. 2013. Tr $14. ISBN 978-1-59270-136-0.

FINCH, Mary. The Little Red Hen. illus. by Kate Slater. 32p. w/CD. Barefoot Books. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-575-6; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-751-4.

FRASIER, Debra. Spike: Ugliest Dog in the Universe. illus. by author. 40p. S & S/Beach Lane. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1452-5; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8988-2. LC 2012025585.

GAY, Marie-Louise. Read Me a Story, Stella. illus. by author. 32p. (A Stella and Sam Book). Groundwood/House of Anansi. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-216-5.

GOLDMAN, Marcia. Lola Goes to Work: A Nine-to-Five Therapy Dog. 32p. Creston Books. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-939547-00-2.

HABER, Tiffany Strelitz. Ollie and Claire. illus. by Matthew Cordell. 40p. Philomel. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25603-5. LC 2011049771.

HAMBURG, Jennifer. A Moose That Says Moo. illus. by Sue Truesdell. 32p. Farrar. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-35058-1.

HARLEY, Bill. Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year. illus. by Adam Gustavson. 160p. Peachtree. Sept. 2013. Tr $13.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-732-8. LC 2013004850.

HARRIS, Robie H. When Lions Roar. illus. by Chris Raschka. 32p. Scholastic/Orchard. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-11283-3. LC 2012005622.

HEIDBREDER, Robert. Black and Bittern Was Night. illus. by John Martz. 32p. Kids Can. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-302-2.

HILLENBRAND, Will. Off We Go!: A Bear and Mole Story. illus. by author. 32p. Holiday House. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2520-4. LC 2012045823.

HORÁČEK, Petr. Animal Opposites: A Pop-Up Book. illus. by author. 20p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6776-4. LC 2012950554.

KINGSBURY, Karen & Alex Smith. Go Ahead and Dream. illus. by Greg Banning. 32p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-168625-2. LC 2010015907.

KLEVEN, Elisa. Cozy Light, Cozy Night. illus. by author. 32p. Creston Books. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-939547-02-6.

LATIMER, Alex. Lion vs. Rabbit. illus. by author. 32p. Peachtree. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-709-0. LC 2012044982.

LEPP, Bil. The King of Little Things. illus. by David T. Wenzel. 32p. Peachtree. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-708-3. LC 2012032584.

LEWIN, Betsy. Thumpy Feet. illus. by author. 32p. Holiday House. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2901-1. ebook available. LC 2012045826.

LONDON, Jonathan. Here Comes Firefighter Hippo. illus. by Gilles Eduar. 32p. (A Little Hippo Story). Boyds Mills. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-968-1. LC 2013931089.

MACBETH, Janine. Oh, Oh, Baby Boy! illus. by author. 32p. Blood Orange Press. 2013. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-0-9853514-0-3.

MCBRATNEY, Sam. There, There. illus. by Ivan Bates. 40p. Candlewick/Templar. Sept. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6702-3. LC 2012954336.

MACCARONE, Grace. Princess Tales: Once Upon a Time in Rhyme with Seek-and-Find Pictures. illus. by Gail de Marcken. 32p. notes. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-67958-3.

MCDONALD, Megan. Ant and Honey Bee: A Pair of Friends in Winter. illus. by G. Brian Karas. 64p. Candlewick. Oct. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5712-3. LC 2012947754.

MACDONALD, Ross. Henry’s Hand. illus. by author. 48p. Abrams. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0527-4. LC 2012039257.

MCKISSACK, Patricia C. Ol’ Clip-Clop: A Ghost Story. illus. by Eric Velasquez. 32p. Holiday House. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2265-4. LC 2010029448.

MACLACHLAN, Patricia. You Were the First. illus. by Stephanie Graegin. 40p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-316-18533-2. LC 2012039910.

MARCIANO, John Bemelmans. Madeline and the Old House in Paris. illus. by author. 48p. Viking. Oct. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78485-1. LC 2012048417.

MAYER, Pamela. Don’t Sneeze at the Wedding. illus. by Martha Avilés. 32p. Kar-Ben. Sept. 2013. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0428-1; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0429-8; ebook $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1641-3. LC 2012029188.

MEYER, Joyce. Wonderfully Made. illus. by Mary Sullivan. 40p. (Everyday Zoo Series). Zonderkidz. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-310-72353-0.

MILGRIM, David. Some Monsters Are Different. illus. by author. 40p. Holt. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9519-7. LC 2012016355.

NEEMAN, Sylvie. Something Big. tr. from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. illus. by Ingrid Godon. 32p. Enchanted Lion. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-140-7.

NEUBECKER, Robert. Winter Is for Snow. illus. by author. 32p. Hyperion/Disney. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-7831-6.

PEARSON, Tracey Campbell. Elephant’s Story. illus. by author. 40p. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-39913-9.

POTTER, Ellen. Strange but True. illus. by David Heatley. 227p. (Otis Dooda Series). Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01176-3.

RAY, J. Hamilton. Squirrels on Skis. illus. by Pascal Lemaitre. 64p. (Beginner Books Series). Random. Sept. 2013. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81081-1; lib. ed. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97152-5; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98141-8. LC 2012044919.

REDLICH, Ben. Who Flung Dung? illus. by author. 28p. Sky Pony. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-62087-543-8.

REYNOLDS, Aaron. Carnivores. illus. by Dan Santat. 40p. Chronicle. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-6690-3.

ROUSS, Sylvia A. & Shannan Rouss. A Watermelon in the Sukkah. illus. by Ann Iosa. 24p. Kar-Ben. 2013. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8118-1; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8119-8; ebook $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1642-0. LC 2012028984.

SCHACHNER, Judy. Bits & Pieces. illus. by author. 32p. Dial. Nov. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3788-4. LC 2012042083.

SEIBOLD, J. Otto. Lost Sloth. illus. by author. 32p. McSweeney’s McMullens. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-938073-35-9.

SHULEVITZ, Uri. Dusk. illus. by author. 32p. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-31903-8.

SHULMAN, Mark. Ann and Nan Are Anagrams: A Mixed-Up Word Dilemma. illus. by Adam McCauley. 36p. Chronicle. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0914-5.

SLACK, Michael. Elecopter. illus. by author. 32p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9304-9.

SOMAN, David & Jacky Davis. Ladybug Girl and the Big Snow. illus. by David Soman. 40p. (Ladybug Girl Series). Dial. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3583-5. LC 2012033451.

STAVANS, Ilan. Golemito. illus. by Teresa Villegas. 32p. NewSouth Books. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58838-292-4.

STEAD, Philip C. Hello, My Name Is Ruby. illus. by author. 40p. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-809-5.

STEIN, David Ezra. Dinosaur Kisses. illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6104-5. LC 2012954335.

STEIN, Peter. Toys Galore. illus. by Bob Staake. 32p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6254-7. LC 2012947733.

STOOP, Naoko. Red Knit Cap Girl to the Rescue. illus. by author. 40p. Little, Brown/Megan Tingley. Nov. 2013. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-316-22885-5. LC 2012041465.

SULLIVAN, Kate. On Linden Square. illus. by author. 40p. Sleeping Bear. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-58536-832-7. LC 2013004097.

SUNEBY, Elizabeth. Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girl’s Dream of an Education. illus. by Suana Verelst. 36p. (CitizenKid Series). glossary. photos. websites. Kids Can. Sept. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-816-4.

SUROVEC, Yasmine. I See Kitty. illus. by author. 40p. Roaring Brook. Sept. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-862-0. LC 2012050306.

TIMMERS, Leo. Bang. tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. 48p. Gecko Press. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-877579-18-9.

VILLENEUVE, Anne. Loula Is Leaving for Africa. illus. by author. 32p. Kids Can. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-941-3.

VIVA, Frank. Young Frank, Architect. illus. by author. 40p. websites. Museum of Modern Art. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-87070-893-0. LC 2013935903.

WARD, Lindsay. Please Bring Balloons. illus. by author. 32p. Dial. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3878-2. LC 2012033588.

WELLS, Rosemary. Yoko Finds Her Way. illus. by author. 32p. Hyperion/Disney. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6512-5.

WESTON, Carrie. What Noise Does a Rabbit Make? illus. by Richard Byrne. 32p. Andersen. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2032-8; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2038-0.

WOLF, Gita & Andrea Anastasio. Alone in the Forest. illus. by Bhajju Shyam. 40p. Tara Bks. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-81-923171-5-1.

YATES, Louise. Dog Loves Counting. illus. by author. 32p. Knopf. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81342-3; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81343-0.

YOUNG, Cybèle. Ten Birds Meet a Monster. illus. by author. 32p. Kids Can. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-955-0.

ZUCKER, Jonny. Game On: Mission 1. ISBN 978-1-4677-1207-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-1465-5; ISBN 978-1-4677-2051-9.

––––.Grave Danger: Mission 4. ISBN 978-1-4677-1210-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-1466-2; ISBN 978-1-4677-2054-0.

––––.In Deep: Mission 3. ISBN 978-1-4677-1209-5; ISBN 978-1-4677-1473-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-2053-3.

––––.Supersonic: Mission 2. ISBN 978-1-4677-1208-8; ISBN 978-1-4677-1482-2; ISBN 978-1-4677-2052-6.

ea vol: illus. by Ned Woodman. 144p. (Max Flash Series). Darby Creek. Nov. 2013. lib. ed. $27.93; pap. $7.95; ebook $20.95.

Grades 5-8 Fiction | September 2013

SLJ — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:25:13 +0000

LAFLEUR, Suzanne. Listening for Lucca. 240p. Random/Wendy Lamb. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74299-3; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99088-5; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98031-1. LC 2012030911.

Gr 5-8–Thirteen-year-old Siena moves from New York City to a Maine coastal town before the start of eighth grade. Unlike most teens, she doesn’t mind the change. Her strange visions make it difficult to establish close friendships, and she’s hoping a new school will allow her to shed her reputation as a weirdo. Like her parents, Siena also hopes the new environment will encourage her mute three-year-old brother to begin speaking again. Siena starts to uncover oddities about their new home: she sees and hears flashes from the past, and an old pen begins writing its own story. She becomes engrossed in discovering all she can about the house’s former inhabitants, a family living there during World War II. Although her weirdness doesn’t disappear, Siena is able to form friendships and even a budding romance as she continues to investigate the house’s secrets. Her ability to see, interact with, and even alter the past eventually provides her with the insight to help her brother regain his desire to speak. Although Siena’s propensity for strange visions has the potential to create a creepy, suspenseful mood, the plot, especially in the first half of the novel, is more deliberate than gripping. The introduction to World War II battlefield trauma lends an interesting historical aspect. Recommend this one to readers willing to stay with a slow beginning for a satisfying conclusion.–Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

O’BRIEN, Annemarie. Lara’s Gift. 208p. bibliog. glossary. Knopf. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-307-93174-0; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97105-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97548-5. LC 2012034070.

Gr 5-8–Lara Ivanova Bogdanova loves the borzoi, the dogs her father breeds on the Count’s estate in imperial Russia. Training and caring for the animals alongside her father, she dreams of following him as kennel steward. Then her baby brother is born, and she is devastated when her father determines that she will marry instead. But visions regarding the dogs still come to her despite her father’s demand that she stop them. She knows that Zar, the runt she saved from death despite her father’s disapproval, has an important part to play in hunting the wolves that plague the estate if only her father would give him a chance. The story develops beautifully from Lara’s saving Zar and moves swiftly through the conflicts between Lara and her father as well as the confrontations between Zar and the wolves. Lara bravely steps forward to fight for her dreams in an era in which women were seen as fit only to be wives and mothers, seamstresses and midwives. Birth and fight scenes are handled realistically and factually. The imagery creates a vivid sense of time and place. Compelling historical fiction, this is also a powerful story about the bond between dogs and humans, fathers and daughters. The author’s note explains how the story came to be written and which minor aspects of the time and place were adapted to fit it.–Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

SLOAN, Holly Goldberg. Counting by 7s. 384p. Dial. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3855-3. LC 2012004994.

Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Willow Chase lived with her adoptive parents in Bakersfield, California. There in the midst of the high desert, she grew a garden in her backyard, her sanctuary. She was excited about starting a new school, hoping this time she might fit in, might find a friend. Willow had been identified in preschool as highly gifted, most of the time causing confusion and feelings of ineptness in her teachers. Now at her new school she is accused of cheating because no one has ever finished the state proficiency test in just 17 minutes, let alone gotten a perfect score. Her reward is behavioral counseling with Dell Duke, an ineffectual counselor with organizational and social issues of his own. She does make a friend when Mai Nguyen brings her brother, Quang-ha, to his appointment, and their lives begin to intertwine when Willow’s parents are killed in an auto accident. For the second time in her life she is an orphan, forced to find a “new normal.” She is taken in temporarily by Mai’s mother, who must stay ahead of Social Services. While Willow sees herself as just an observer, trying to figure out the social norms of regular family life, she is actually a catalyst for change, bringing together unsuspecting people and changing their lives forever. The narration cleverly shifts among characters as the story evolves. Willow’s philosophical and intellectual observations contrast with Quang-ha’s typical teenage boy obsessions and the struggles of a Vietnamese family fighting to live above the poverty level. Willow’s story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers’ hearts long after the last page.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

The following titles are reviewed in the September 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Grades 5-8

ABDUL-JABBAR, Kareem & Raymond Obstfeld. Sasquatch in the Paint. Bk. 1. 265p. (Streetball Crew Series). Hyperion/Disney. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-7870-5. ebook available.

BRAUNER, Barbara & James Iver Mattson. The Glitter Trap. illus. by Abigail Halpin. 240p. (Oh My Godmother Series). Hyperion/Disney. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6373-2. LC 2013930976.

BRENDLER, Carol. Radio Girl. 208p. Holiday House. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2861-8. ebook available. LC 2012045937.

CARLSON, Caroline. Magic Marks the Spot. Bk. 1. illus. by Dave Phillips. 344p. (The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates Series). HarperCollins/Harper. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219434-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219433-6.

CARLTON, Kat. Two Lies and a Spy. 256p. S & S. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8172-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8174-9.

CARTER, Rachel. This Strange and Familiar Place. Bk. 2. 264p. (So Close to You Series). HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208108-7. ebook available. LC 2012031814.

CATANEO, D. M. Eggplant Alley. 352p. Bunker Hill. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59373-146-5. LC 2013934778.

COOPER, Susan. Ghost Hawk. 328p. map. S & S/McElderry. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8141-1; ebook $11.76. ISBN 978-1-4424-8143-5. LC 2012039892.

ENGLE, Margarita. Mountain Dog. illus. by Olga Ivanov. 224p. Holt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9516-6.

GANSWORTH, Eric. If I Ever Get Out of Here. 368p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-41730-3. LC 201202030553.

GEORGE, Jessica Day. Wednesdays in the Tower. 240p. Bloomsbury. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-645-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-051-2. LC 2013000262.

GIFF, Patricia Reilly. Hunter Moran Hangs Out. 144p. Holiday House. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2859-5. ebook available.

GORMLEY, Beatrice. Friends of Liberty. 197p. Eerdmans. 2013. pap. $8. ISBN 978-0-8028-5418-6. LC 2012048444.

HARPER, Suzanne. A Mischief of Mermaids. Bk. 3. 288p. (The Unseen World of Poppy Malone Series). HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199613-9. ebook available. LC 2012046725.

HELDRING, Thatcher. The League. 240p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74181-1; lib. ed. $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99025-0; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98713-7. LC 2012035296.

JARVIS, Robin. Dark Waters of Hagwood. Bk. 2. 314p. (The Hagwood Trilogy). illus. Open Road. 2013. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4532-9920-3. ebook available.

KELLEY, Jane. The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya. 208p. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-250-02348-3.

KERRIN, Jessica Scott. A Narrow Escape. Bk. 2. illus. by Shelagh Armstrong. 136p. (Lobster Chronicles). Kids Can. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-642-9.

KORMAN, Gordon. The Hypnotists. Bk. 1. 232p. (The Hypnotists Series). Scholastic. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-50322-8. LC 2012040458.

KRISHNASWAMI, Uma. The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic. illus. by Abigail Halpin. 288p. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2328-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9591-3.

KURTZ, Jane. Anna Was Here. 288p. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-056493-3. ebook available. LC 2010017857.

LENNON, Maria T. Confessions of a So-called Middle Child. 288p. HarperCollins/Harper. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212690-0. ebook available.

MCCAFFERTY, Megan. The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness & Perfection. Bk. 1. 228p. (Jessica Darling’s It List Series). Little, Brown/Poppy. Sept. 2013. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-316-24499-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-24497-8.

MARTIN, Lisa & Valerie Martin. Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea. illus. by Kelly Murphy. 256p. Algonquin. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-61620-246-0.

PIERPOINT, Eric. The Last Ride of Caleb O’Toole. 288p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. Sept. 2013. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8171-6.

SACKETT, Frances. The Misadventures of the Magician’s Dog. 192p. Holiday House. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2869-4. ebook available. LC 2012041540.

SIMON, Seymour. The Impossible Shrinking Machine: And Other Cases. Bk. 1. 102p. ISBN 978-1-936503-05-6.

––––.Lightning Never Lies: And Other Cases. Bk. 2. 116p. ISBN 978-1-936503-10-0.

ea vol: illus. by Kevin O’Malley. (Einstein Anderson: Science Geek Series). diag. websites. StarWalk. 2013. pap. $6.99.

SNICKET, Lemony. “When Did You See Her Last?” Bk. 2. illus. by Seth. 277p. (All the Wrong Questions Series). Little, Brown. Oct. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12305-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-22503-8. LC 2012955921.

SONNENBLICK, Jordan. Are You Experienced? 304p. Feiwel & Friends. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-250-02564-7.

STRASSER, Todd. Fallout. 272p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5534-1. ebook available. LC 2012955123.

STROUD, Jonathan. The Screaming Staircase. Bk. 1. 384p. (Lockwood & Co. Series). Hyperion/Disney. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6491-3. LC 2013000352.

THOMPSON, Mary G. Escape from the Pipe Men! 352p. Clarion. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-85905-7. LC 2012022615.

TRACY, Kristen. Too Cool for This School. 288p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74070-8; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98962-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89984-3.

VERNICK, Shirley Reva. Remember Dippy. 162p. Cinco Puntos. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-935955-48-1; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-935955-58-0. ebook available. LC 2012043174.

VOORHEES, Coert. In Too Deep. 336p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4035-1; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-8109-5. LC 2013002329.

WALLACE, Rich. Wicked Cruel. 208p. Knopf. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86748-4; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96748-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89800-6.

WHITNEY, Daisy. Starry Nights. 272p. Bloomsbury. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-133-5.

WOLF, Elisabeth. Lulu in La La Land. 272p. illus. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2013. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8504-2. ebook available.

ZAHLER, Diane. Sleeping Beauty’s Daughters. 224p. HarperCollins/Harper. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200496-3.

Grade 9 & Up Fiction | September 2013

SLJ — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:20:17 +0000

BLAKE, Tamara. Slumber. 172p. Diversion. 2013. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-62-681102-7.

Gr 10 Up–When Ruby’s single mom becomes ill, the 17-year-old has to fill in at Happy Housekeepers in order to keep money coming in. She enters the house that she is assigned to clean in New York’s tony Hamptons and finds it trashed from a wild party. While cleaning, she meets handsome and flirtatious Tam and a host of other young people who are engaged in sexual exploits and indulging in alcohol and drugs. Violet, an ex-girlfriend of Tam’s, is jealous of Ruby and demands that she clean her room. Ruby, desperate for money, reluctantly does so, and in the process steals a necklace. She later confesses her crime to Tam, who has some bad news for her: the necklace will not come off and will only get tighter and tighter. Violet and the others in the house, including Tam, are fae or fairies. They are bored with their lives and enjoy watching humans suffer. The only way for Ruby to end the curse that Violet puts on her family is to perform a series of tasks. In the same vein as Nancy Werlin’s Extraordinary (Dial, 2010), this modern-day fairy tale’s accessible vocabulary and dialogue make it easy to read. The fairy characters are faintly reminiscent of the group of vampires in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” books, but they use four letter words and seem less mature. Teen girls who are reluctant readers and enjoy watching shows such as True Blood will pick up this title.–Kathy Lyday, South Caldwell High School, NC

KNOWLES, Jo. Living with Jackie Chan. 384p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6280-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6716-0.

Gr 9 Up–Seventeen-year-old Josh expected to be hanging out with his friends and going to parties during his senior year, but all that changed after a one-night stand ended in an unexpected pregnancy. Afraid to face the girl whose life he believes he ruined, Josh moves in with his Jackie Chan-loving Uncle Larry and begins a new life at a new school. Yet no matter how hard he tries, he can’t escape his past. Overcome with guilt and regret, Josh concentrates on helping his uncle with his karate class. His growing friendship with his neighbor, Stella, forces Josh to face his past in an attempt to find forgiveness, especially from his own worst enemy: himself. In this companion to Jumping Off Swings (Candlewick, 2009), Knowles provides readers with an intimate look at Josh a year after the events of the first book. Tormented by his past actions, Josh is constantly at war with his feelings, denying himself any happiness as penance. As the emotional core of the book, Josh is a complex yet incredibly likable character with whom readers will empathize. Similarly, both Larry and Stella possess dynamic, well-developed personalities, making it easy to believe how crucial a role they play in Josh’s recovery. Divided into four parts, the compelling narrative offers an honest and frank look at teen pregnancy from the male’s perspective, and while the book could have been a depressing read in another author’s hands, Knowles succeeds in writing a character-driven story that is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking.–Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH

LAKE, Nick. Hostage Three. 368p. map. Bloomsbury. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-123-6; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-149-6.

Gr 8 Up–Amy Fields walks out of her A Level exams required for entrance into the Royal Academy; she is still grieving over her mother’s death and cares little about the future. Her rich father and new stepmother hope that sailing around the world will allow much-needed family bonding, but the idyllic trip ends when Somalian pirates seize their yacht and hold them for ransom. Tension is palpable as the frightened family and crew become pawns in the businesslike negotiations. Although carefully guarded with machine guns, the British teen observes a pecking order among her captors and befriends Farouz, the pirates’ handsome translator. They share memories of personal pain that include Amy’s mother’s suicide, the execution of Farouz’s parents, and the political imprisonment of his brother. Their stories are vivid and poignant, adding layers to a rich characterization, especially details of Somalian culture and mythology. Amy falls in love, understanding Farouz’s vow to use ransom money to free his brother, but is startled back to reality when he agrees to follow orders to shoot her on command. Circumstances become dire when she learns secrets about her father’s business that jeopardize their release, and rival pirates and the navy get involved. The author playfully tells Amy’s account of the rescue the way she hoped it would play out, and then again, as it actually happened. The narrative twist is brilliant, taking readers on an emotional ride to the very last page.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

SALERNI, Dianne K. The Caged Graves. 336p. Clarion. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-86853-0. LC 2012021008.

Gr 8 Up–It’s 1867, and 17-year-old Verity Boone is moving back to Pennsylvania after spending 15 years with relatives in Massachusetts. She’s anxious to reunite with her father and meet her fiancé, Nathaniel McClure, for the first time. Unfortunately, life in rural Catawissa isn’t what Verity expected and her homecoming is beginning to feel anything but welcoming. Her father is distant, and Verity and Nathaniel’s first meeting is awkward and uncomfortable. He doesn’t come across as romantic in person as he did in his letters. To make matters worse, he takes Verity on an impromptu walk that leads her to an unsettling sight–her mother’s grave enclosed in an ugly, iron cage. Disturbed and heartbroken, Verity is determined to find out why it was placed in unconsecrated grounds. Unfortunately, her father, Nathaniel, and the townsfolk (while quick to gossip about the Boones) aren’t talking. The only way to unravel the mystery is to read her mother’s diaries, which exposes Verity to unsettling truths about Catawissa and her family. Verity is a likable, feisty, and outspoken heroine. She often infuriates Nathaniel, whom she quickly discovers is worthy of her attentions. Salerni is a masterful storyteller who uses eloquent prose to craft a suspenseful historical mystery that is absolutely impossible to put down.–Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ

The following titles are reviewed in the September 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Grades 9 & Up

BLAKE, Kendare. Antigoddess. Bk. 1. 336p. (The Goddess War Series). ebook available. Tor Teen. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-3443-5.

BLOUNT, Patty. TMI. 336p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-7340-7.

CASELLA, Jody. Thin Space. 256p. S & S/Simon Pulse. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-435-7; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-392-3.

COTUGNO, Katie. How to Love. 400p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-221635-9. ebook available.

COUTTS, Alexandra. Tumble & Fall. 384p. Farrar. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37861-5.

CRANE, Caprice. Confessions of a Hater. 288p. Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00846-6.

CUSICK, John M. Cherry Money Baby. 400p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5557-0. ebook available. LC 2013931460.

DASHNER, James. The Eye of Minds. 304p. Delacorte. Oct. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74139-2; lib. ed. $21.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99001-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98463-1.

DOLLER, Trish. Where the Stars Still Shine. 256p. Bloomsbury. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-144-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-145-8.

EMERSON, Kevin. The Dark Shore. Bk. 2. 470p. (The Atlanteans Series). HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206282-6. LC 2012029923.

FARMER, Nancy. The Lord of Opium. 432p. S & S/Atheneum/Richard Jackson Bks. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8254-8; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8256-2. LC 2012030418.

FRANKEL, Jordana. The Ward. 465p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209534-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209536-7. LC 2012051733.

FREDERICKS, Mariah. Season of the Witch. 256p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81277-8; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81278-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81279-2. LC 2012040028.

GLEASON, Colleen. The Clockwork Scarab. Bk. 1. 356p. (Stoker & Holmes Series). Chronicle. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-1070-7.

GREEN, Risa. Projection. 288p. SohoTeen. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-200-6.

HALBROOK, Kristin. Nobody but Us. 288p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212126-4; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212127-1. LC 2012011526.

HEMPHILL, Stephanie. Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein. 320p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185331-9.

HOPKINS, Ellen. Smoke. 560p. S & S/McElderry. Sept. 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8328-6; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2358-9. LC 2012038452.

HUTCHINSON, Shaun David. FML. 276p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8318-7; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3287-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3288-8. LC 2012016007.

HUTCHISON, Dot. A Wounded Name. 320p. Carolrhoda Lab. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0887-6; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1618-5. LC 2012043424.

KLEIN, Lisa. Love Disguised. 320p. further reading. Bloomsbury. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-968-4.

KRUGER, Mark H. Overpowered. 432p. S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3128-7. ebook available. LC 2012043190.

LAYBOURNE, Emmy. Sky on Fire. Bk. 2. 217p. (Monument 14 Series). Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-56904-4. ebook available.

LEVITHAN, David. Two Boys Kissing. 200p. Knopf. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-307-93190-0; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97112-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97564-5. LC 2012047089.

LEVY, Debbie. Imperfect Spiral. 339p. Walker. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3441-9; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3442-6. LC 2012027329.

MACHALE, D. J. SYLO. 416p. (The SYLO Chronicles Series). Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-665-6.

MANCUSI, Mari. Scorched. 352p. Sourcebooks/Fire. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8458-8.

MESROBIAN, Carrie. Sex & Violence. 304p. Carolrhoda Lab. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0597-4; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1619-2. LC 2012047181.

MILLER, Leah Rae. The Summer I Became a Nerd. 258p. Entangled Teen. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-62061-238-5; ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-1-62061-239-2.

MOSER, Elise. Lily and Taylor. 192p. Groundwood/House of Anansi. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-334-6; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-335-3; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-336-0.

NORTH, Phoebe. Starglass. 448p. S & S. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5953-3. ebook available. LC 2012021171.

OSTROVSKI, Emil. The Paradox of Vertical Flight. 272p. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-223852-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-223854-2.

PATEL, Sam A. Data Runner. 232p. Diversion. 2013. ebook $2.99. ISBN 978-1-62-681060-0.

POLSKY, Sara. This Is How I Find Her. 261p. Albert Whitman. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-7877-3.

SHARAFEDDINE, Fatima. The Servant. 160p. Groundwood/House of Anansi. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-307-0; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-309-4.

SMITH, Alexander Gordon. The Fury. 681p. Farrar. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-374-32495-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-374-32497-1. LC 2012032621.

SNOW, Carol. Bubble World. 352p. Holt. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9571-5.

STINE, R. L. A Midsummer Night’s Scream. 256p. Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-250-02434-3.

TERRY, Teri. Fractured. Bk. 2. 336p. (Slated Trilogy). Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-16173-5. LC 2012044317.

THOMAS, Sherry. The Burning Sky. Bk. 1. 464p. (The Elemental Trilogy). HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220729-6. ebook available.

WENDIG, Chuck. Under the Empyrean Sky. Bk. 1. 368p. (The Heartland Trilogy). Skyscape. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1720-9; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6720-4.

WHITE, Kiersten. The Chaos of Stars. 288p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-213592-6. ebook available.

Pick of the Day: The Adventures of South Pole Pig

SLJ — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:00:37 +0000

KURTZ, Chris. The Adventures of South Pole Pig: A Novel of Snow and Courage. illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. 288p. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-63455-5.
K-Gr 4–Her name is Flora, and she’s a pig. She’s curious and longs to explore beyond the perimeters of the pigpen. She dreams of going to Antarctica with the sled dogs on the farm and becoming a sled pig. When she is put in a crate onboard a ship, she sees the expedition as an opportunity while the crew views her as potential pork chops. Then they are shipwrecked and readers will root for spunky Flora as she discovers just how brave and needed she can be. Simple black-line drawings add a welcoming charm. Told in the voice of a seasoned storyteller, this novel has chapters that will work perfectly for sharing aloud with younger children or as a read-alone for more competent readers. Flora will encourage every listener to dream of being their best self. Move over Wilbur and Babe, there’s a new pig in town.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

Pick of the Day: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

SLJ — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 09:00:02 +0000

QUICK, Matthew. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. 280p. Little, Brown. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-22133-7.
Gr 10 Up–Leonard Peacock has big plans for his 18th birthday. He plans to kill Asher Beal and then commit suicide. Leonard is a loner, an outcast, a misfit. Asher is a superpopular jock/bully. But they used to be friends, best friends. Something happened when they were 12, something bad. Leonard has had no one to confide in–his washed-up rock-musician dad is on the lam and his self-absorbed, oblivious mother forgets that she has a son. His anger, emotional pain, and brokenness build until he feels there is nothing left to do but end his life and the cause of his misery. As he gives gifts to the four people who mean something to him, he reveals some of his anguish. One recipient, his teacher Herr Silverman, picks up on his suicidal signals and offers the listening ear Leonard so desperately needs. As the heartbreaking climax unfolds, readers learn about the sexual and emotional trauma the teen has endured. Fortunately, there is no bloodshed, just the shedding of many overdue tears. Leonard knows he needs help and readers will hope he gets it. This is a difficult, yet powerful, book. Quick’s use of flashbacks, internal dialogue, and interpersonal communication is brilliant, and the suspense about what happened between Leonard and Asher builds tangibly. The masterful writing takes readers inside Leonard’s tormented mind, enabling a compassionate response to him and to others dealing with trauma. May there be more Herr Silvermans willing to take personal risks to save the Leonard Peacocks.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Pick of the Day: Train

SLJ — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:00:30 +0000

COOPER, Elisha. Train. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. Scholastic/Orchard. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38495-7.
PreS-Gr 2–Starting at a city terminal, Cooper takes readers on a commuter train that clatters out of a metropolis. At a suburban stop, the perspective shifts to a larger passenger train traveling between cities, jumps to a freight train slowly creeping across the Great Plains, then an overnight train, and finally a sleek high-speed train. The artist’s characteristic muted watercolor and pencil illustrations are sketchlike yet very detailed. Transitions between busy cityscapes and serene panoramic vistas, outsides of stations and insides of train cars, and the refrain of “passengers off, passengers on” perfectly capture the feeling of riding the rails. No “choo-choo” noises here–“As the train leaves, it sounds like the da dum da dum of a beating heart. Then silence.” Through the richness of the prose, not only the sounds but also the smells of the trains come to life–“grease and rust and burnt toast.” As the author’s note reveals, Cooper mixed many real-life details with a few fictional ones, such as a futuristic San Francisco depot at the end of the story. The longer text and somewhat stylized illustrations make the book most suitable for a one-on-one perusal with sophisticated young train aficionados but it is a wonderful foray into the “train books” category and a distinguished addition to most collections.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

Pick of the Day: Secret Pizza Party

SLJ — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:00:04 +0000

RUBIN, Adam. Secret Pizza Party. illus. by Daniel Salmieri. 40p. Dial. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3947-5. LC 2012025360.
Gr 1-4–Raccoon, paws and nose pressed plaintively to the glass, stares longingly into a pizza parlor. His nemesis, the Pizza Man, chases him off with a broom, and an unseen narrator rhapsodizes, “Ah, pizza… So beautiful, you could hang it on the wall of a museum. So convenient you could eat it in the bathtub.” Raccoon reappears looking forlorn, and the narrator suggests a pizza party at Raccoon’s house–a secret pizza party because, “When you make something secret, you make it special. Regular handshake: Boring. Secret handshake: Booyah!” Wearing stilts and a trench coat, Raccoon absconds with a stolen pizza only to discover an enormous SECRET PIZZA PARTY happening nearby. Unfortunately, he is unable to play it cool and blows his disguise as he rolls around in a pizza-induced frenzy. He flees from the broom-wielding mob (led by the Pizza Man), but his armload of pizza and giant grin prove that he has no regrets. Because the narrator converses directly with Raccoon, listeners are aligned with him and identify with the roguish creature. The skillful gouache-and-ink compositions are full of sly details and visual humor. It’s hard not to giggle at scenes like the lanky pizza man with angry eyebrows and a handlebar mustache rolling out dough while glaring at a “Wanted” poster featuring the raccoon. With a casually diverse cast of characters, Secret Pizza Party is a sure hit for primary-grade kids, who will appreciate the subtle humor and absurdity.–Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN

Pick of the Day: Fangirl

SLJ — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:00:07 +0000

ROWELL, Rainbow. Fangirl. 416p. St. Martin’s Griffin. Sept. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-250-03095-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-250-03096-2.
Gr 9 Up–This charming coming-of-age novel tells the story of a painfully shy teen who prefers the fantasy world of fanfiction to reality. Cath expected to survive her first year of college with the help of her twin sister. Wren, however, is taking full advantage of her newfound freedom from parental supervision, spending a great deal of time partying and very little time with her needy, nerdy, slightly pathetic sister. Feeling lost and alone, Cath scurries from class to class, hiding in her room and working on her Simon Snow fanfiction omnibus. When she writes, she can escape herself and be somewhere else. Otherwise she’s just another social misfit stuck with a surly roommate, her roommate’s overly friendly, kinda cute boyfriend (who might also be flirting with Cath), and a family that’s falling apart. Sometimes, however, real life can become better than fantasy. Even if getting there feels like an epic battle. Cath is an exceptionally well-developed, self-aware, and endearing character, partly because she is so quirky and flawed. There are also great secondary characters, but because Cath doesn’t want to get involved in the messiness of their lives, readers are also kept from knowing them more fully. The plot is multilayered and filled with complex subjects (such as divorce, abandonment, and mental illness) handled in a realistic manner, and the writing effortlessly and seamlessly weaves these threads together. This book will find a wide audience, especially among older fans of Harry Potter.–Heather E. Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

Pick of the Day: Moo!

SLJ — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 09:00:11 +0000

LAROCHELLE, David. Moo! illus. by Mike Wohnoutka. 40p. Walker. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-80273-409-9; lib. ed. $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-3410-5.
PreS-Gr 2–There are only a handful of words in this book; the most important one is “Moo.” Punctuation, repetition, and rhythm give it multiple meanings as readers turn the pages, which are joyfully illustrated with splashy gouache primary colors. It is hard to imagine a more expressive cow than this title’s cartoon bovine. On the first page, the cow has a contented, peaceful moo. Turn a page, and she has an inquisitive, “Moo?” when she sees a car for sale; soon enough, she’s on a joyride up and down the hillsides. The cow is the focus of each bright, borderless spread, and some pages include comedic close-ups of her face. The word “moo” appears on most spreads in a variety of font sizes, from tiny to gigantic, depending on the emotion of the moment. Children will laugh at the use of type and the artful arrangement of letters to convey action and sound. For example, when the cow drives off a cliff, her moo arcs up and then loops down, indicating the rise and fall of her bellow. For many children, this book will be their first introduction to punctuation. Even the very young will see how exclamation points and dashes can create a choppy, nervous feeling when the cow is confronted by a police officer. This book is bold, original, and funny, and should be part of every picture-book collection.–Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College, Queens, NY

Book/Multimedia Review Stars List | August 2013

SLJ — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 15:46:35 +0000

How to Train a Train (Eaton)
©2013 by John Rocco.

Fiction

BERRY, Julie. All the Truth That’s in Me. Viking. Sept. p. 109.

BLACK, Holly.The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Little, Brown. Sept. p. 109.

BROWN, Peter. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. illus. by author. Little, Brown. Sept. p. 66.

COOPER, Elisha. Train. illus. by author. Scholastic/Orchard. Oct. p. 69.

COUSINS, Lucy. Peck, Peck, Peck. illus. by author. Candlewick. Aug. p. 70.

DICAMILLO, Kate. Flora & Ulysses. illus. by K. G. Campbell. Candlewick. Sept. p. 96.

EATON, Jason Carter. How to Train a Train. illus. by John Rocco. Candlewick. Sept. p. 72.

EDINGER, Monica. Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad. illus. by Robert Byrd. Candlewick. Oct. p. 97.

GERSTEIN, Mordicai. The First Drawing. illus. by author. Little, Brown. Sept. p. 74.

HARRINGTON, Karen. Sure Signs of Crazy. Little, Brown. p. 100.

HEST, Amy. When Charley Met Grampa. illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick. Sept. p. 76.

KITTSCHER, Kristen. The Wig in the Window. HarperCollins/Harper. p. 102.

KURTZ, Chris. The Adventures of South Pole Pig. illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. Houghton Harcourt. p. 80.

LAROCHELLE, David. Moo! illus. by Mike Wohnoutka. Walker. Sept. p. 80.

NESS, Patrick. More Than This. Candlewick. Sept. p. 114.

PARK, Linda Sue. Xander’s Panda Party. illus. by Matt Phelan. Clarion. Sept. p. 86.

QUICK, Matthew. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. Little, Brown. Aug. p. 115.

ROWELL, Rainbow. Fangirl. St. Martin’s Griffin. Sept. p. 115.

RUBIN, Adam. Secret Pizza Party. illus. by Daniel Salmieri. Dial. Sept. p. 89.

TWOHY, Mike. Outfoxed. illus. by author. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. Sept. p. 91.

VANCE, Alexander. The Heartbreak Messenger. Feiwel & Friends. p. 106.

Nonfiction

GOLDSTONE, Bruce. That’s a Possibility! Holt. p. 122.

RUSCH, Elizabeth. Eruption! (Scientists in the Field Series). Houghton Mifflin. p. 129.

SAMPSON, Sally. ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family. S & S. Aug. p. 129.

SANDLER, Martin W. Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II. Walker. Aug. p. 129.

From the Adult Books 4 Teens Blog

KINDT, Matt. Red Handed. First Second. (June 10 post)

DISCLAFANI, Anton. The Yonahlossee Riding Camp forGirls. Riverhead. (June 17 post)

WALLS, Jeannette. The Silver Star. Scribner. (June 18 post)

DVD

LMNO Peas. Weston Woods. p. 50.

Last Flight of Petr Ginz. First Run Features. p. 51.

AUDIO

Anna and the Cupcakes. Performed by The Bari Koral Family Rock Band. Bari Koral. p. 58.

Deep Sea Diver. Performed by Recess Monkey. Recess Monkey. p. 58.

Doll Bones. By Holly Black. Listening Library. p. 53.

I Like Everything About You (Yes I Do!). Performed by Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble. Crosspulse Media. p. 59.

Joshua Dread. By Lee Bacon. Listening Library. p. 55.

Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music. The Secret Mountain.p. 59.

Pick of the Day: Sure Signs of Crazy

SLJ — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:00:38 +0000

HARRINGTON, Karen. Sure Signs of Crazy. 282p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21058-4.
Gr 6-9–Sarah Nelson is dreading the seventh-grade family tree project and hoping her alcoholic father, a college professor, will move them from Garland, Texas, by summer’s end. That has been their pattern whenever local acquaintances discover, usually through a resurfacing news story about two notorious court trials, that Sarah is the sole survivor of her mother’s attempt to drown her two-year-old twins 10 years earlier. With a plant as her only confidante, she conducts imaginary conversations with her dead brother and looks for signs of insanity in herself as she puzzles over the twice-yearly cryptic greeting cards from her mother, a patient in a home for the insane in Wichita. An end-of-sixth-grade letter-writing assignment has Sarah sharing her loneliness and confusion with an idealized father, Atticus Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird. But at least her own father has agreed to spare her a boring summer with her grandparents in Houston, deciding instead to leave her in the charge of a college student. Charlotte’s romantic preoccupations, benign neglect, and attractive brother who shares Sarah’s love of words start her on a road to self-discovery and give her the courage to challenge her father’s well-intended but misguided attempts to shield her from her past. Sarah is an introspective protagonist whose narrative, interspersed with letters and word definitions, keeps readers absorbed. The horrific premise is not belabored, and the focus remains on the plight of a girl juggling the normal challenges of adolescence with a complex family situation. Secondary characters add interest and texture to this compelling novel.–Marie Orlando, formerly at Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Grades 9 & Up Fiction | August 2013

SLJ — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 14:58:28 +0000

BERRY, Julie. All the Truth That’s in Me. 288p. Viking. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78615-2. LC 2012043218.

Gr 8 Up–The village setting of this novel evokes the rigid religious communities of Colonial times, but Berry cleverly sets her story in an unnamed time and place so the protagonist’s anguish and the town’s mystery are the focus. Sixteen-year-old Judith is still in love with Lucas, even after his father held her prisoner for two years and violently silenced her by cutting out part of her tongue. Another girl went missing at the same time and her body was found washed down a stream. Only Judith knows the truth of what happened to Lottie, but her muteness leaves her an outcast in the village, even from her own mother, and the truth stays bottled up inside her. Told from Judith’s narrow, troubled perspective, the story unwinds in taut chapters that peel back what happened two years before and gradually allows Judith to find her voice again. The austerity of the village and its harshly judgmental inhabitants help sustain a mood of dread. Judith does find tenderness in surprising places, and these secondary characters relieve not just her isolation but also offer readers moments of fun and promise as well. Lyrical language, a good mystery, and a compelling heroine–this is a page-turner with substance.–Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library, AZ

BLACK, Holly. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. 419p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21310-3. ebook available. LC 2012043790.

Gr 9 Up–A dystopian thriller with a chilling twist. Tana, 17, passes out at a party and wakes up in a house filled with corpses. Her friends lie in crusted pools of blood as she searches through piles of belongings for her keys and boots. Her first thought is that someone must have left a window open. In Tana’s world, vampire attacks happen. At the tender age of six, she witnessed her mother’s transformation from a loving parent to a creature so desperate for blood it would lure and attack its own daughter. It is because of things like this that Coldtowns, quarantined cities where the infected go to live and die, exist. Along with Tana, the only other survivors of the party are Gavriel, a handsome and mysterious vampire, and Aidan, her newly infected ex. She decides to take them directly to Coldtown, but if crossing the barricades means staying there indefinitely, Tana’s not sure she’s ready to leave life as she knows it behind. Twilight fans will enjoy the drama, but its fan base need not be limited to those who read paranormal romance. Teens with a yen for dark, futuristic novels, and maybe even a few Anne Rice readers, will find this a refreshing take on vampire lit. As always, Black’s writing is quick paced and thought-provoking. A must-have for any teen collection.–Jennifer Furuyama, Pendleton Public Library, OR

NESS, Patrick. More Than This. 480p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6258-5. ebook available.

Gr 9 Up–This haunting and consistently surprising novel raises deep questions about what it means to be alive, but it doesn’t try to console readers with easy or pat answers. As the story opens, teenage Seth is experiencing his own death in painful detail. In the next chapter, he wakes up physically weak, covered in bandages and strange wounds, and wonders if he is in Hell or the future or somewhere else entirely. As he tries to survive in and make sense of his strange yet familiar surroundings, he is plagued by intense flashbacks of his life before he died: his guilt over the tragedy that befell his little brother, his burgeoning romance with another boy in his small town, and the events that led to his (dubious) death. Upon discovering two other young people in the blighted place he’s landed, Seth begins to learn the Matrix-like truth about what has happened to the rest of humanity, how he can escape, and whether he even wants to. The intense themes in this novel make it more appropriate for older teens, but the language and sexual scenarios are clear, relevant, and neither graphic or gratuitous. A delicate balance between dystopian survival and philosophical grappling means that many different kinds of readers should appreciate the story.–Kyle Lukoff, Corlears School, New York City

QUICK, Matthew. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. 280p. Little, Brown. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-22133-7.

Gr 10 Up–Leonard Peacock has big plans for his 18th birthday. He plans to kill Asher Beal and then commit suicide. Leonard is a loner, an outcast, a misfit. Asher is a superpopular jock/bully. But they used to be friends, best friends. Something happened when they were 12, something bad. Leonard has had no one to confide in–his washed-up rock-musician dad is on the lam and his self-absorbed, oblivious mother forgets that she has a son. His anger, emotional pain, and brokenness build until he feels there is nothing left to do but end his life and the cause of his misery. As he gives gifts to the four people who mean something to him, he reveals some of his anguish. One recipient, his teacher Herr Silverman, picks up on his suicidal signals and offers the listening ear Leonard so desperately needs. As the heartbreaking climax unfolds, readers learn about the sexual and emotional trauma the teen has endured. Fortunately, there is no bloodshed, just the shedding of many overdue tears. Leonard knows he needs help and readers will hope he gets it. This is a difficult, yet powerful, book. Quick’s use of flashbacks, internal dialogue, and interpersonal communication is brilliant, and the suspense about what happened between Leonard and Asher builds tangibly. The masterful writing takes readers inside Leonard’s tormented mind, enabling a compassionate response to him and to others dealing with trauma. May there be more Herr Silvermans willing to take personal risks to save the Leonard Peacocks.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

ROWELL, Rainbow. Fangirl. 416p. St. Martin’s Griffin. Sept. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-250-03095-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-250-03096-2.

Gr 9 Up–This charming coming-of-age novel tells the story of a painfully shy teen who prefers the fantasy world of fanfiction to reality. Cath expected to survive her first year of college with the help of her twin sister. Wren, however, is taking full advantage of her newfound freedom from parental supervision, spending a great deal of time partying and very little time with her needy, nerdy, slightly pathetic sister. Feeling lost and alone, Cath scurries from class to class, hiding in her room and working on her Simon Snow fanfiction omnibus. When she writes, she can escape herself and be somewhere else. Otherwise she’s just another social misfit stuck with a surly roommate, her roommate’s overly friendly, kinda cute boyfriend (who might also be flirting with Cath), and a family that’s falling apart. Sometimes, however, real life can become better than fantasy. Even if getting there feels like an epic battle. Cath is an exceptionally well-developed, self-aware, and endearing character, partly because she is so quirky and flawed. There are also great secondary characters, but because Cath doesn’t want to get involved in the messiness of their lives, readers are also kept from knowing them more fully. The plot is multilayered and filled with complex subjects (such as divorce, abandonment, and mental illness) handled in a realistic manner, and the writing effortlessly and seamlessly weaves these threads together. This book will find a wide audience, especially among older fans of Harry Potter.–Heather E. Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

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The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Grades 9 & Up

ATWATER-RHODES, Amelia. Promises to Keep. 236p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74192-7; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99032-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98872-1.

BARDUGO, Leigh. Siege and Storm. Bk. 2. 448p. (The Grisha Trilogy). illus. Holt. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9460-2. ebook available.

BARNHOLDT, Lauren. Right of Way. 308p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5127-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5129-2. LC 2012021578.

BENWAY, Robin. Also Known As. 310p. Walker. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3390-0. LC 2012026254.

BLOCK, Francesca Lia. Love in the Time of Global Warming. 240p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9627-9.

CARMICHAEL, Clay. Brother, Brother. 320p. Roaring Brook. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-743-2.

COOK, Trish & Brendan Halpin. A Really Awesome Mess. 288p. Egmont USA. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-363-5; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-364-2. LC 2012045978.

ELDRIDGE, Courtney. Ghost Time. 416p. Amazon. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1657-8; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6657-3.

GOLD, Maya. Spellbinding. 263p. Scholastic/Point. 2013. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-545-43380-8. LC 2012016692.

GOEGLEIN, T. M. Flicker & Burn. Bk. 2. 352p. (Cold Fury Series). Putnam. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25721-6. LC 2012043305.

GRATTON, Tessa. The Lost Sun. Bk. 1. 352p. (The United States of Asgard Series). Random. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97746-5; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97747-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97748-9. LC 2012027695.

HAYDU, Corey Ann. OCD Love Story. 352p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5732-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5734-8.

HENRY, April. The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die. 224p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9541-8.

ISERSON, David. Firecracker. 336p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-370-9.

JAY, Stacey. Of Beast and Beauty. 400p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74320-4; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99100-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98142-4.

JAYNE, Hannah. Truly, Madly, Deadly. 304p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8121-1.

KEPLINGER, Kody. Secrets & Lies. 87p. Little, Brown/Poppy. 2013. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-24909-6.

KIEM, Elizabeth. Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy. 288p. SohoTeen. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-263-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-264-8.

KLAUSNER, Julie. Art Girls Are Easy. 232p. Little, Brown/Poppy. 2013. $9.99. ISBN 9780316233972.

KNOX, Elizabeth. Mortal Fire. 448p. Farrar/Frances Foster. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-38829-4.

LONDON, Alex. Proxy. 384p. Philomel. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25776-6. ebook available.

LUNETTA, Demitria. In the After. 480p. Harper Collins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210545-5; ebook available.

MASSEY, David. Torn. 288p. Scholastic/Chicken House. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-49645-2; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-52378-3. LC 2012024405.

MATTHEIS, Philipp. How to Lose Everything: A Mostly True Story. tr. from German by Kathryn Malczyk. 207p. Zest. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-936976-40-9.

MCGINNIS, Mindy. Not a Drop to Drink. 320p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219850-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219852-5.

METZGER, Lois. A Trick of the Light. 196p. bibliog. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-213308-3. LC 2012019039.

MILLER, Kimberly Ann. Triangles. 216p. Spencer Hill. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-937053-36-9; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-937053-37-6.

MILLER, Lauren. Parallel. 432p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219977-5. LC 2012038128.

NAPOLI, Donna Jo. Skin. 352p. Amazon. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1721-6; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6721-1.

NAYLOR, Phyllis Reynolds. Now I’ll Tell You Everything. 544p. S & S/Atheneum. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4590-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6161-1.

PATRICK, Cat & Suzanne Young. Just Like Fate. 304p. S & S/Simon Pulse. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7271-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7273-0.

ROCK, J. K. Camp Boyfriend. 324p. Spencer Hill. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-939392-50-3. ebook available.

SMITH, Hilary T. Wild Awake. 375p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-218468-9. LC 2012045524.

SONES, Sonya. To Be Perfectly Honest. 496p. S & S. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-689-87604-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-442-49477-0.

STOHL, Margaret. Icons. 428p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20518-4. LC 2012040163.

STROHM, Stephanie Kate. Confederates Don’t Wear Couture. 208p. further reading. websites. Houghton/Graphia. 2013. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-97258-9.

TAUB, Melinda. Still Star-Crossed. 352p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74350-1; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99118-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-449-81665-3. LC 2012032626.

WEST, Kasie. The Distance Between Us. 320p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-223565-7. LC 2013003173.

WHITNEY, Daisy. When You Were Here. 262p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-316-20974-8. ebook available. LC 2012031409.

WILLIAMS, Avery. The Impossibility of Tomorrow. Bk. 2. 375p. (Incarnation Series). S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4319-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4321-1.

Grade 5-8 Fiction | August 2013

SLJ — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 14:35:44 +0000

DICAMILLO, Kate. Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. illus. by K. G. Campbell. 240p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6040-6. LC 2012947748.

Gr 4-6–Flora, obsessed with superhero comics, immediately recognizes and gives her wholehearted support to a squirrel that, after a near-fatal brush with a vacuum cleaner, develops the ability to fly and type poetry. The 10-year-old hides her new friend from the certain disapproval of her self-absorbed, romance-writer mother, but it is on the woman’s typewriter that Ulysses pours out his creations. Like DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant (Candlewick, 2009), this touching piece of magical realism unfolds with increasing urgency over a mere few days and brings its somewhat caricatured, old-fashioned characters together into what becomes a supportive community for all. Campbell’s rounded and gentle soft-penciled illustrations, at times in the form of panel art furthering the action, wonderfully match and add to the sweetness of this oddball story. Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., “Holy unanticipated occurrences!”) and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the supersquirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers. There are plenty of action sequences, but the novel primarily dwells in the realm of sensitive, hopeful, and quietly philosophical literature.–Rhona Campbell, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC

EDINGER, Monica. Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad. illus. by Robert Byrd. 64p. map. notes. Candlewick. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5038-4. LC 2012947752.

Gr 4-8–The events surrounding the abduction, mutiny, and legal trials of the Amistad Africans have been retold in a number of books, but few are told from the point of view of the children on the ship. In this novel based on the experiences of a real person, nine-year-old Magulu sails for seven weeks to Cuba on a slave ship. After being sold, she boards the Amistad. A rebellion leads to fighting and eventual jail time and several trials. Now 12 years old, she and the other children are finally declared free and allowed to return home. How she earns her passage and an education are part of this remarkable story of resilience, faith, and hope. Byrd’s ink and watercolor illustrations show lush green areas of West Africa; as Magulu travels, the colors darken until she is returned to Africa. Highly detailed illustrations contrast life and dress in Africa with those in Cuba and Connecticut. The maps and recurring dream scenes are lovely and intriguing. Interspersed throughout the book are primary-image sources. Edinger gives Magulu a voice of her own as she narrates her story. The child’s character is fleshed out as readers watch her grow from age nine when she is pawned during a drought to adulthood when she becomes a teacher in her beloved homeland. With more than 40 stunning illustrations, this unique narrative should find an appreciative audience.–Glynis Jean Wray, Ocean County Library, Toms River, NJ

HARRINGTON, Karen. Sure Signs of Crazy. 282p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21058-4.

Gr 6-9–Sarah Nelson is dreading the seventh-grade family tree project and hoping her alcoholic father, a college professor, will move them from Garland, Texas, by summer’s end. That has been their pattern whenever local acquaintances discover, usually through a resurfacing news story about two notorious court trials, that Sarah is the sole survivor of her mother’s attempt to drown her two-year-old twins 10 years earlier. With a plant as her only confidante, she conducts imaginary conversations with her dead brother and looks for signs of insanity in herself as she puzzles over the twice-yearly cryptic greeting cards from her mother, a patient in a home for the insane in Wichita. An end-of-sixth-grade letter-writing assignment has Sarah sharing her loneliness and confusion with an idealized father, Atticus Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird. But at least her own father has agreed to spare her a boring summer with her grandparents in Houston, deciding instead to leave her in the charge of a college student. Charlotte’s romantic preoccupations, benign neglect, and attractive brother who shares Sarah’s love of words start her on a road to self-discovery and give her the courage to challenge her father’s well-intended but misguided attempts to shield her from her past. Sarah is an introspective protagonist whose narrative, interspersed with letters and word definitions, keeps readers absorbed. The horrific premise is not belabored, and the focus remains on the plight of a girl juggling the normal challenges of adolescence with a complex family situation. Secondary characters add interest and texture to this compelling novel.–Marie Orlando, formerly at Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

KITTSCHER, Kristen. The Wig in the Window. 368p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211050-3. LC 2012025337.

Gr 4-7–Twelve-year-old Sophie Young and her best friend, Grace Yang, have been sneaking out of their houses for midnight spy missions in hopes of catching criminals on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. What has seemed like a game suddenly becomes serious when they stumble through the yard of Sophie’s school counselor and witness her chopping wildly with a cleaver. Although it turns out that Dr. Agford was merely cutting up beets for her latest batch of pickled vegetables, Sophie and Grace still suspect that she is hiding something sinister. As the girls try to discern the truth, Sophie finds herself in situations both awkward and terrifying, and she wonders if her friendship with Grace will last through their investigation. This fast-paced, action-packed romp has all the ingredients of a great mystery, and it does not leave out the angst felt by so many middle schoolers. Readers will see themselves and their friends in Sophie and her classmates, and they will have a difficult time tearing themselves away.–Sarah Reid, Broome County Public Library, Binghamton, NY

VANCE, Alexander. The Heartbreak Messenger. 288p. Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-250-02969-0.

Gr 5-8–When his best friend’s brother wants to break up with his girlfriend but doesn’t know how, Quentin agrees to do it for him for $20. He never expects it to turn into a business, but after being successful and taking the ex’s advice to soften the blow with flowers and chocolate, he becomes the heartbreak messenger. Wanting to help out his car-mechanic mother with what he assumes are money problems, he takes on more breakups. However, most of them are not so simple. He gets punched by a girl, has to figure out how to break up with two girls at the same time without telling them about each other, and must comfort an enormous football player whose heart is broken. As he struggles to keep his business and his body safe from harm, he finds himself with conflicting feelings about his other best friend, Abby. When her boyfriend asks for his services, Quentin must decide about his true feelings for her. Quentin is a likable and funny narrator. His confusion over his feelings for Abby is authentic, and his decision that he is not ready to pursue a romantic relationship will strike a chord with other preteens. This clever read will find an audience with both boys and girls.–Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL

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The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Grades 5-8

ADA, Alma Flor & F. Isabel Campoy. Yes! We Are Latinos. illus. by David Diaz. 96p. bibliog. further reading. index. Charlesbridge. Aug. 2013. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-383-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-618-0. LC 2012027214.

ANDERSON, John David. Sidekicked. 384p. HarperCollins/Walden Pond. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-213314-4. ebook available. LC 2012025495.

ANDERSON, T. Neill. City of the Dead: Galveston Hurricane, 1900. 131p. (Horrors of History Series). map. photos. Charlesbridge. Aug. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-514-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-535-0. LC 2012024491.

APPS, Jerry. Letters from Hillside Farm. 160p. Fulcrum. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55591-998-6.

ATWOOD, Megan. Leaping at Shadows. Bk. 1. ISBN 978-1-4677-0930-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-1483-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-1627-7. LC 2012046156.

––––. Stolen Luck. Bk. 2. ISBN 978-1-4677-0931-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-1484-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-1628-4. LC 2012048710.

ea vol: 112p. (The Dario Quincy Academy of Dance Series). Darby Creek. Sept. 2013. lib. ed. $27.93; pap. $7.95; ebook $20.95.

BACIGALUPI, Paolo. Zombie Baseball Beatdown. 304p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-316-22078-1.

BASKIN, Nora Raleigh. Runt. 208p. S & S. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5807-9. ebook available.

CALHOUN, Dia. After the River the Sun. illus. by Kate Slater. 368p. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3985-6. ebook available. LC 2012023710.

CERVANTES, Angela. Gaby, Lost and Found. 224p. Scholastic. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-48945-4. ebook available.

CREECH, Sharon. The Boy on the Porch. 160p. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-189235-6; lib. ed. $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-189237-0.

DAHL, Michael. The Return of Abracadabra. Bk. 2. illus. by Lisa K. Weber. 208p. (Hocus Pocus Hotel Series). Capstone. 2013. Tr $10.95. ISBN 978-1-4342-4721-6; lib. ed. $23.99. ISBN 978-1-4342-4102-3.

DALTON, Michelle. Fifteenth Summer. 272p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7267-9; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7266-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7268-6. LC 2012029540.

EDWARDSON, Åke. Samurai Summer. 256p. Skyscape. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1654-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6654-2.

ELAND, Lindsay. A Summer of Sundays. 384p. Egmont USA. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-030-6; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-413-7. LC 2012045141.

EPSTEIN, Adam Jay & Andrew Jacobson. Starbounders. illus. by David McClellan. 320p. glossary. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212022-9.

‌ESTEP, Jennifer. Spartan Frost. 58p. (Mythos Academy Series). Kensington/KTeen. 2013. $1.99. ISBN 978-07582-9477-7.

FAGAN, Cary. Danny, Who Fell in a Hole. illus. by Milan Pavlovic. 116p. Groundwood. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-311-7; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-312-4; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-313-1.

FLETCHER, Susan. Falcon in the Glass. 320p. S & S/McElderry. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2990-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2992-5. LC 2012022468.

GOELMAN, Ari. The Path of Names. 339p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-47430-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-54014-8. LC 2012030554.

GOO, Maurene. Since You Asked…. 262p. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-44821-5. LC 2012034891.

HALE, Bruce. Playing with Fire. Bk. 1. illus. by Brandon Dorman. 320p. (School for S.P.I.E.S. Series). Hyperion/Disney. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6850-8; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-8124-8.

HIGGINS, Joanna. Waiting for the Queen. 247p. bibliog. Milkweed. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57131-700-1. ebook available.

HOWSON, Imogen. Linked. 359p. S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4656-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4657-1.

JINKS, Catherine. How to Catch a Bogle. illus. by Sarah Watts. 335p. glossary. Houghton Harcourt. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-544-08708-8.

JINKS, Catherine. Saving Thanehaven. 375p. Egmont USA. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-274-4; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-284-3. LC 2012046190.

KAPLAN, Bruce Eric. Cousin Irv from Mars. illus. by author. 40p. S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4923-7; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4924-4. LC 2011043872.

KLINE, Lisa Williams. Seasons of Change. Bk. 5. 240p. (Sisters in All Seasons Series). Zonderkidz. 2013. Tr $10.99. ISBN 978-0-310-74007-0.

LUBAR, David. Numbed! 144p. Millbrook. Oct. 2013. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0594-3; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1699-4. LC 2012048863.

MARCIANO, John Bemelmans. The 9 Lives of Alexander Baddenfield. illus. by Sophie Blackall. 144p. Viking. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01406-4. LC 2012048448.

MARUNO, Jennifer. Kid Soldier. 208p. photos. Dundurn Press. Sept. 2013. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4597-0677-4; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4597-0679-8.

MORIARTY, Chris. The Watcher in the Shadows. illus. by Mark E. Geyer. 326p. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-46632-3. LC 2013003919.

MULDER, Michelle. Not a Chance. 145p. Orca. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4598-0216-2. LC 2012952943.

PAULSEN, Gary. Vote: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Politics. 144p. Random/WendyLamb. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74228-3; lib. ed. $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99053-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97452-5. LC 2012023059.

PRINEAS, Sarah. Summerkin. 262p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-192106-3. LC 2012026751.

SALANE, Jeffrey. Lawless. Bk. 1. 277p. (Lawless Series). Scholastic. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-45029-4.

SHAKESPEARE, William. Romeo & Juliet. adapt. by Dominique Marion.tr. from French by Susan Allen-Maurin. illus. by Martina Peluso. 40p. Auzou. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-2-7338-2119-0.

SNOW, Alan. Worse Things Happen at Sea!: A Tale of Pirates, Poison, and Monsters. illus. by author. 340p. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-689-87049-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6823-8.

SODERBERG, Erin. The Quirks: Welcome to Normal. illus. by Kelly Light. 225p. Bloomsbury. 2013. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-789-5; ebook $13.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-052-9. LC 2012031892.

STRYKOWSKI, Marcia. Call Me Amy. 180p. Luminis. 2013. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-935462-76-7; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-935462-75-0; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-935462-77-4.

SUTCLIFFE, William. The Wall. 304p. further reading. Walker. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3492-1. LC 2012032047.

TATULLI, Mark. Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic. illus. by author. 224p. Andrews McMeel. Oct. 2013. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-1-4494-3548-6. LC 2012956051.

VALENTINE, Allyson. How (Not) to Find a Boyfriend. 304p. Philomel. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25771-1. LC 2012019316.

WEATHERLY, L. A. Them. 74p. Stoke. 2013. pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-7811-2185-6.

WEINER, Ellis. The Templeton Twins Make a Scene. Bk. 2. illus. by Jeremy Holmes. 272p. Chronicle. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-1184-1.

WERLIN, Nancy. Unthinkable. 400p. Dial. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3373-2. LC 2012050174.

WESTRICK, A. B. Brotherhood. 368p. Viking. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01439-2.

ZETTEL, Sarah. Golden Girl. Bk. 2. 308p. (The American Fairy Trilogy). Random. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86939-6; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96939-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98319-1. LC 2013006238.

Preschool to Grades 4 Fiction | August 2013

SLJ — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 14:14:33 +0000

BROWN, Peter. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. illus. by author. 48p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20063-9.

K-Gr 2–Mr. Tiger lives in a perfectly fine world of prim and proper ladies and gentlemen. One day, the stiff suits, dainty teas, and Victorian manners begin to bore him… and he has a very wild idea. This “it’s okay to be different” story stands out from other picture books on the topic thanks to Brown’s delightfully clever illustrations and masterful compositions. From the tiger-striped cover that begs to be petted to the ingenious pops of bright orange (Brown’s new signature color?) amid muted browns and grays, the award-winning illustrator does not disappoint. Children will appreciate Mr. Tiger’s transformation and the way his friends eventually accept his (and their own) uniqueness. Several wordless spreads encourage audience participation while subtle visual clues gently build his character. A full spread featuring the newly liberated Mr. Tiger au naturel is delivered with pitch-perfect comedic timing and is guaranteed to inspire wild giggles. Sure to be an instant read-aloud classic in classrooms and libraries.–Kiera Parrott, Darien Library, CT

COOPER, Elisha. Train. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. Scholastic/Orchard. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38495-7.

PreS-Gr 2–Starting at a city terminal, Cooper takes readers on a commuter train that clatters out of a metropolis. At a suburban stop, the perspective shifts to a larger passenger train traveling between cities, jumps to a freight train slowly creeping across the Great Plains, then an overnight train, and finally a sleek high-speed train. The artist’s characteristic muted watercolor and pencil illustrations are sketchlike yet very detailed. Transitions between busy cityscapes and serene panoramic vistas, outsides of stations and insides of train cars, and the refrain of “passengers off, passengers on” perfectly capture the feeling of riding the rails. No “choo-choo” noises here–“As the train leaves, it sounds like the da dum da dum of a beating heart. Then silence.” Through the richness of the prose, not only the sounds but also the smells of the trains come to life–“grease and rust and burnt toast.” As the author’s note reveals, Cooper mixed many real-life details with a few fictional ones, such as a futuristic San Francisco depot at the end of the story. The longer text and somewhat stylized illustrations make the book most suitable for a one-on-one perusal with sophisticated young train aficionados but it is a wonderful foray into the “train books” category and a distinguished addition to most collections.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

COUSINS, Lucy. Peck, Peck, Peck. illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. Aug. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6621-7. LC 2012947728.

PreS-Gr 1–Cousin’s signature style is back in this enchanting picture book about a baby woodpecker. On the opening page, the bird is learning how to peck a tree. The little guy soon gets carried away and pecks not just through a tree, but also through a hat, a mat, tennis rackets, and a jacket. This book takes readers through an entire house from the front door to the bathroom. In the kitchen, “I peck, peck, peck/an eggplant,/a tangerine,/a butter dish,/a nectarine,/a green bean,/a sardine,/and seventeen jelly beans.” Invoking memories of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, there are also small cutout circles on each page. They grow more numerous as the woodpecker gets more and more carried away. With the detailed illustrations done in thick, dark lines and rhymes that flow easily, this book begs to be shared at storytime.–Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI

EATON, Jason Carter. How to Train a Train. illus. by John Rocco. 48p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6307-0. LC 2012947747.

PreS-Gr 1–From Thomas the Tank Engine to The Little Engine That Could, kids love personified trains, so it’s not such a huge chug forward to imagine one as a pet. But how do you select, train, and care for your pet engine? Written as a guidebook for new owners, this amusing title incorporates language usually associated with pet ownership and child rearing. “It’s only natural that you’ll want to take home all the trains, but don’t just grab the first one you see. Take your time and choose one that’s right for you.” Juxtaposing sensible tips with the absurdity of a huge pet locomotive creates a text that is at once believable and preposterous. “A warm bath can help calm a nervous train…and few trains can resist a good read-aloud.” But what really makes this concept roar down the track are the entrancing digitally colored illustrations that perfectly capture the expressiveness and playfulness of the pet trains. Whether illustrating the new pet going for a “walk,” performing a trick, or enjoying a playdate with other pet vehicles, the artist has so cleverly incorporated facial features onto the various engines that their distinct personalities shine through, as does the obvious affection children feel for their new pets. Additionally, the large-scale, saturated colors, and comic details of these pictures give young readers a boxcar full to look at and appreciate. From the appealing cover to the final moonlit scene of a boy and his pet steam engine happily chugging down the track, this book is sure to be popular with train and pet lovers alike.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

GERSTEIN, Mordicai. The First Drawing. illus. by author. 40p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20478-1.

K-Gr 3–In this compelling picture book, Gerstein invites children to travel back in time more than 30,000 years to a cave in what is now southern France. Using thickly applied acrylics and rough strokes of black ink, he creates a prehistoric setting complete with a community of early humans, giant woolly mammoths, and one inquisitive caveboy. Told in second-person narrative, the text asks readers to put themselves in the mindset of the boy surrounded by wide-open skies, plush drifting clouds, and a great diversity of flora and fauna. A true artist, the child sees more than the surface appearance of his world. Gerstein’s illustrations of rocks, clouds, and shadows cleverly conceal animal shapes that both readers and the protagonist are compelled to discover. At first, the other cave dwellers are dismissive. Then the youngster does something unprecedented: he picks up a burnt stick and begins drawing on the walls. For his fellow early humans, this first taste of art is scary and disconcerting. “Magic!” the boy’s father exclaims. It is, in fact, the world’s first drawing. An author’s note provides background on the real-life drawings in the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc cave and the discovery of a human footprint belonging to an eight-year-old child. Pair this title with Emily Arnold McCully’s The Secret Cave (Farrar, 2010) to extend the lesson and learn about the 1940 discovery of the caves in southern France.–Kiera Parrott, Darien Library, CT

HEST, Amy. When Charley Met Grampa. illus. by Helen Oxenbury. 32p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5314-9. LC 2012954329.

PreS-Gr 2–In a satisfying follow-up to Charley’s First Night (Candlewick, 2012), Grampa, who admits that he is uncertain about getting to know Henry’s puppy, is coming to visit and to meet Charley. The boy and puppy wait for him at the train station while snow gently covers the tracks and the town. Upon his arrival, the large gentleman and the tiny puppy size each other up while Grampa inquires, “…are you friendly or fierce?” When the wind picks up and Grampa’s cap flies away, Charley takes off into the white world and it’s feared that he’s lost in the snow. But the diminutive dog saves the day by bringing the cap back, thus revealing he’s both friendly and fierce in his determination, ensuring their burgeoning bond. Charley is pure joy with fur and will surely bring a smile to young readers. Charming, detailed pencil and watercolor illustrations feature framed, softly hued scenes both cozy and frigid. This is a tender story about the warm affection between a grandfather and his grandson. A real winner.–Maryann H. Owen, Children’s Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI

KURTZ, Chris. The Adventures of South Pole Pig: A Novel of Snow and Courage. illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. 288p. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-63455-5.

K-Gr 4–Her name is Flora, and she’s a pig. She’s curious and longs to explore beyond the perimeters of the pigpen. She dreams of going to Antarctica with the sled dogs on the farm and becoming a sled pig. When she is put in a crate onboard a ship, she sees the expedition as an opportunity while the crew views her as potential pork chops. Then they are shipwrecked and readers will root for spunky Flora as she discovers just how brave and needed she can be. Simple black-line drawings add a welcoming charm. Told in the voice of a seasoned storyteller, this novel has chapters that will work perfectly for sharing aloud with younger children or as a read-alone for more competent readers. Flora will encourage every listener to dream of being their best self. Move over Wilbur and Babe, there’s a new pig in town.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

LAROCHELLE, David. Moo! illus. by Mike Wohnoutka. 40p. Walker. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-80273-409-9; lib. ed. $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-3410-5.

PreS-Gr 2–There are only a handful of words in this book; the most important one is “Moo.” Punctuation, repetition, and rhythm give it multiple meanings as readers turn the pages, which are joyfully illustrated with splashy gouache primary colors. It is hard to imagine a more expressive cow than this title’s cartoon bovine. On the first page, the cow has a contented, peaceful moo. Turn a page, and she has an inquisitive, “Moo?” when she sees a car for sale; soon enough, she’s on a joyride up and down the hillsides. The cow is the focus of each bright, borderless spread, and some pages include comedic close-ups of her face. The word “moo” appears on most spreads in a variety of font sizes, from tiny to gigantic, depending on the emotion of the moment. Children will laugh at the use of type and the artful arrangement of letters to convey action and sound. For example, when the cow drives off a cliff, her moo arcs up and then loops down, indicating the rise and fall of her bellow. For many children, this book will be their first introduction to punctuation. Even the very young will see how exclamation points and dashes can create a choppy, nervous feeling when the cow is confronted by a police officer. This book is bold, original, and funny, and should be part of every picture-book collection.–Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College, Queens, NY

PARK, Linda Sue. Xander’s Panda Party. illus. by Matt Phelan. 40p. Clarion. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-55865-3. LC 2012039662.

PreS-Gr 1–In this charming story that celebrates friendship and inclusion, Xander wants to throw a party, but since he’s the zoo’s only panda, he invites all of the bears. Then Koala tells him that she’s a marsupial, not a bear. After much thoughtful bamboo-nibbling, Xander opens his party to all mammals. But Rhino won’t come without his bird, and then the reptiles request an invitation, and the little panda doesn’t know what to do. A new friend pitches in, and the party goes “from grand to even grander” as the whole zoo is invited. As a last surprise, a new panda, Zhu Zi, arrives to complete the celebration, “What a party! What a ball! Lots of new friends, tall and small!” The ink and watercolor illustrations add dashes of personality to the animals–the rhino scowls as his bird cheerfully waves from atop his horn–and touches of humor, as when Xander blends in with a crowd of penguins. The cartoonlike animals have wonderfully expressive faces, so even the wordless pages convey the panda’s feelings. The upbeat, mostly rhyming text provides a surprising amount of information about animal families and species without tripping up the pace. The author’s note gives information that expands on facts mentioned in the book, like the symbiotic relationship between the oxpecker and the rhino. Perfect for young animal lovers and a great read-aloud for storytime.–Marian McLeod, Darien Library, CT

RUBIN, Adam. Secret Pizza Party. illus. by Daniel Salmieri. 40p. Dial. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3947-5. LC 2012025360.

Gr 1-4–Raccoon, paws and nose pressed plaintively to the glass, stares longingly into a pizza parlor. His nemesis, the Pizza Man, chases him off with a broom, and an unseen narrator rhapsodizes, “Ah, pizza… So beautiful, you could hang it on the wall of a museum. So convenient you could eat it in the bathtub.” Raccoon reappears looking forlorn, and the narrator suggests a pizza party at Raccoon’s house–a secret pizza party because, “When you make something secret, you make it special. Regular handshake: Boring. Secret handshake: Booyah!” Wearing stilts and a trench coat, Raccoon absconds with a stolen pizza only to discover an enormous SECRET PIZZA PARTY happening nearby. Unfortunately, he is unable to play it cool and blows his disguise as he rolls around in a pizza-induced frenzy. He flees from the broom-wielding mob (led by the Pizza Man), but his armload of pizza and giant grin prove that he has no regrets. Because the narrator converses directly with Raccoon, listeners are aligned with him and identify with the roguish creature. The skillful gouache-and-ink compositions are full of sly details and visual humor. It’s hard not to giggle at scenes like the lanky pizza man with angry eyebrows and a handlebar mustache rolling out dough while glaring at a “Wanted” poster featuring the raccoon. With a casually diverse cast of characters, Secret Pizza Party is a sure hit for primary-grade kids, who will appreciate the subtle humor and absurdity.–Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN

TWOHY, Mike. Outfoxed. illus. by author. 40p. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7392-8; ebook available. LC 2012026356.

K-Gr 2–If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…but wait, this white-feathered yellow-billed bird is barking like a dog, slobbering like a dog, chewing up socks like a dog. What gives? That’s what Fox wants to know after he inadvertently grabs a duck out of the henhouse intent on enjoying a chicken dinner. But maybe a duck will do? Clever duck manages to avoid the cookpot by declaring, “You are mistaken, sir. I am NOT a DUCK!” and adopting a variety of classic doggy behaviors such as wagging her tail and peeing on the carpet. Finally, Fox relents and takes the “dog” back to the farm where she belongs, only to find a surprise in the house that blows the lid off the whole ruse. The hilarious illustrations sketched with marker and colored pencil are designed like large comic book panels and have a real slapstick appeal that is perfectly suited to the comedic text. Kids will love being in on the joke, and the large word bubbles make reading easy even for beginners. Don’t be outfoxed. Get quacking and buy this book.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

The following titles are reviewed in the August 1, 2013 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Preschool to Grade 4

ARNOSKY, Jim. Little Burro. illus. by author. 32p. Putnam. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25519-9. LC 2012048875.

BAKER, Keith. My Octopus Arms. illus. by author. 40p. ebook available. S & S/Beach Lane. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5843-7. LC 2012040636.

BECKER, Kate M. My Dream Playground. illus. by Jed Henry. 32p. websites. Candlewick. Aug. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5531-0. LC 2012947706.

BELLONI, Giulia. Anything Is Possible. tr. from Italian by William Anselmi. illus. by Marco Trevisan. 32p. Owlkids. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-91-3.

BIEDRZYCKI, David. Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween. illus. by author. 32p. Charlesbridge. Aug. 2013. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-658-0; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-659-7; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-608-1. LC 2012024438.

BLOOM, Suzanne. Fox Forgets. illus. by author. 32p. Boyds Mills. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-996-4. LC 2013931086.

BOLDT, Claudia. You’re a Rude Pig, Bertie! illus. by author. 32p. NorthSouth. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4152-9.

BRAUN, Sebastien. Who’s Hiding? illus. by author. 16p. Candlewick. 2013. Board $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5932-5. LC 2012947250.

BRENNAN-NELSON, Denise. He’s Been a Monster All Day! illus. by Cyd Moore. 32p. Sleeping Bear. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-158536-827-3.

BROWN, James. Farm. illus. by author. 16p. Candlewick. 2013. Board $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5931-8. LC 2012947249.

BROWN, Sam. Sometimes I Forget You’re a Robot. illus. by author. 32p. Dial. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3825-6. LC 2012033591.

BUNTING, Eve. Big Bear’s Big Boat. illus. by Nancy Carpenter. 32p. Clarion. Sept. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-618-58537-3. LC 2012003974.

BUNTING, Eve. Frog and Friends: Outdoor Surprises. Bk. 5. illus. by Josée Masse. 48p. (I Am a Reader!: Frog and Friends Series). Sleeping Bear. 2013. Tr $9.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-807-5; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-58536-808-2. LC 2012040718.

CALLEN, Sharon. Duck Pond Fun. illus. by Susy Boyer. ISBN 978-1-4333-5445-8.

––––.Max. illus. by Constanze von Kitzing. ISBN 978-1-4333-5452-6.

––––.Seb’s Train. illus. by Pat Reynolds. ISBN 978-1-4333-5446-5.

CLARKE, Ella. When I Grow Up. illus. by Claire Chrystall. ISBN 978-1-4333-5448-9.

EDWARDS, Amelia. Carousel Colors. illus. by Lucie Billingsley. ISBN 978-1-4333-5447-2.

––––. Playground Friends. illus. by Holli Conger. ISBN 978-1-4333-5449-6.

REID, James. Across the Sea. illus. by Bettina Guthridge. ISBN 978-1-4333-5451-9.

WU, Nicholas. The Bears’ Story by Baldwin B. Bear. illus. by Annie White. ISBN 978-1-4333-5491-5.

ea vol: 12p. Teacher Created Materials. 2013. pap. $4.99.

CALLIER, Marie-Isabelle. No, No, NO! tr. from French. illus. by Annick Masson. 32p. Magination. 2013. Tr ISBN 978-1-4338-1311-5; pap. ISBN 978-1-4338-1312-2. LC 2012043775.

CHARLES, Veronika Martenova. It’s Not About the Diamonds! ISBN 978-1-77049-328-5. LC 2012945431.

––––.It’s Not About the Straw! ISBN 978-1-77049-326-1. LC 2012945435.

––––. It’s Not About the Tiny Girl! ISBN 978-1-77049-329-2. LC 2012945430.

ea vol: illus by David Parkins. 64p. (Wonder Tales Series). Tundra. 2013. pap. $5.95. ebook available.

COLATO LAÍNEZ, René. Señor Pancho Had a Rancho. illus. by Elwood Smith. 32p. glossary. Holiday House. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2632-4. ebook available. LC 2012007672.

COLLINS, Suzanne. Year of the Jungle. illus. by James Proimos. 40p. Scholastic. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-42516-2. LC 2012015346.

CORDEROY, Tracey. Whizz! Pop! Granny, Stop! illus. by Joe Berger. 32p. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. Aug. 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6551-7. LC 2012954333.

CORDIER, Séverine. A Day at School. tr. from French by Sarah Quinn. illus. by Cynthia Lacroix. 48p. Owlkids. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-95-1. LC 2013930497.

CRAIG, Jenny. I Believe in Genevieve. illus. by Wendy Edelson. 40p. Regnery Publishing. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-62157-085-1.

D’AMICO, Carmela. Suki & Mirabella. illus. by Steven D’Amico. 32p. Dial. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3740-2. LC 2012017681.

DAVIES, Stephen. Don’t Spill the Milk! illus. by Christopher Corr. 32p. Andersen Press. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2028-1; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2034-2.

DESROSIERS, Sylvie. Hocus Pocus Takes the Train. illus. by Rémy Simard. 32p. Kids Can. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-956-7.

DODD, Emma. Baby and Me. illus. by author. 16p. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. Aug. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6544-9. LC 2012947259.

DURAND, Hallie. Mitchell Goes Bowling. illus. by Tony Fucile. 40p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6049-9. LC 2012947730.

ELLIOTT, Laura Malone. Thanksgiving Day Thanks. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. 32p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-000236-7.

ELSCHNER, Géraldine. Where Is the Frog?: A Children’s Book Inspired by Claude Monet. tr. from French by Agathe Joly. illus. by Stéphane Girel. 32p. reprods. Prestel. Oct. 2013. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-3-7913-7139-9.

EMINA, Peter. Lyra and the Adventure of the Flying Fish. illus. by Alice Ridley. 42p. Phoenix Yard. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-907912-01-6.

EMPSON, Jo. Never Ever. illus. by author. 32p. Child’s Play. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-84643-552-2.

EULATE, Ana. Life Is Beautiful! tr. from Spanish by Jon Brokenbrow. illus. by Nívola Uyá. 28p. Cuento de Luz. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-84-15619-26-0.

FREEDMAN, Claire. Pirates Love Underpants. illus. by Ben Cort. 32p. S & S/Aladdin. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8512-9; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-8513-6.

FULLERTON, Alma. Community Soup. illus. by author. 32p. Pajama Press. Aug. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-927485-27-9.

GORBACHEV, Valeri. Catty Jane Who Loved to Dance. illus. by author. 32p. Boyds Mills. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-982-7. LC 2013932842.

HARTT-SUSSMAN, Heather. Noni Is Nervous. illus. by Geneviève Côté. 24p. Tundra. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-323-0. LC 2012934218.

HASSETT, Ann & John Hassett. Come Back, Ben. illus. by author. 32p. (I Like To Read Series). Holiday House. Sept. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2599-0. ebook available. LC 2011049310.

HENRY, Jed. Good Night, Mouse! illus. by author. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-98156-7.

HENRY, Steve. Happy Cat. illus. by author. 32p. (I Like To Read Series). Holiday House. Sept. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2659-1. ebook available. LC 2012006579.

HILTON, Nette. Woolly Jumpers. illus. by Emma Quay. 150p. Kane Miller. 2013. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-61067-050-0. LC 2012943271.

ISADORA, Rachel. Old Mikamba Had a Farm. illus. by author. 40p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Oct. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25740-7.

JOHNSTON, Tony. The Cat with Seven Names. illus. by Christine Davenier. 36p. Charlesbridge. Aug. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-381-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-602-9. LC 2012024434.

JONELL, Lynne. Grasshopper Magic. illus. by Brandon Dorman. 112p. (A Stepping Stone Book). Random. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87084-2; lib. ed. $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97084-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97469-3. LC 2011053002.

JOYNER, Andrew. Boris Gets a Lizard. illus. by author. 80p. (Boris Series). ISBN 978-0-545-48446-6; ISBN 978-0-545-48447-3; ISBN 978-0-545-48783-2. LC 2012034232.

LUBAR, David. Meltdown Madness. illus. by Matt Loveridge. 96p. (Looniverse Series). ISBN 978-0-545-49603-2; ISBN 978-0-545-49604-9; ISBN 978-0-545-49686-5. LC 2012035575.

MAY, Kyla. Coco: My Delicious Life. illus. by author. 96p. (Lotus Lane Series). ISBN 978-0-545-49615-5; ISBN 978-0-545-44514-6; ISBN 978-0-545-49681-0.

NEES, Susan. Class Pets. illus. by author. 80p. (Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe Series). ISBN 978-0-545-49610-0; ISBN 978-0-545-43852-0; ISBN 978-0-545-54010-0. LC 2012035575.

ea vol: Scholastic/Branches. Bk. 2. 2013. RTE $15.99; pap. $4.99; ebook $4.99.

JULES, Jacqueline. What a Way to Start a New Year!: A Rosh Hashanah Story. illus. by Judy Stead. 24p. Kar-Ben. Aug. 2013. lib. ed. $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8116-7; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8117-4; ebook $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1640-6. LC 2012027927.

KELLY, John. The Pig on the Hill. illus. by author. 48p. Cameron. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-937359-39-3. LC 2013932040.

KINGSBURY, Karen. Always Daddy’s Princess. illus. by Valeria Docampo. 32p. Zonderkidz. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71647-1.

KIRK, Daniel. Library Mouse: Home Sweet Home. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. photos. Abrams. Sept. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0544-1. LC 2012039261.

KLISE, Kate. The Show Must Go On! Bk. 1. illus. by M. Sarah Klise. 160p. (Three-Ring Rascals Series). Algonquin. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-61620-244-6.

KOPONEN, Libby. Mmm… Let’s Eat! illus. by Betsy Thompson. 32p. Blue Apple. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-292-8.

KRAUSE, J. R. with Maria Chua. Poco Loco. illus. by authors. 32p. glossary. Amazon. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1649-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6649-8.

KRAUSE, Ute. No Ordinary Family. tr. from German by Nicholas Miller. illus. by author. 32p. NorthSouth. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4149-9.

KRULIK, Nancy. Be Careful What You Sniff For. Bk. 1. illus. by Sebastien Braun. 128p. (Magic Bone Series). Grosset & Dunlap. 2013. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-448-46399-5.

LIN, Grace. Ling & Ting Share a Birthday. illus. by author. 48p. Little, Brown. Sept. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18405-2. LC 2012040965.

LITHGOW, John. Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo. illus. by Leeza Hernandez. 40p. w/CD. S & S. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6743-9; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6744-6. LC 2012013516.

LOEWEN, Nancy. Baby Wants Mama. illus. by Deborah Melmon. 24p. Amazon. 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-1651-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4778-6651-1.

LONDON, Jack. White Fang. adapt. by Arsene Lutin. tr. from French by Susan Allen-Maurin. illus. by Antoine Guilloppe. 40p. Auzou. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-2-7338-2145-9.

LUTHARDT, Kevin. When Edgar Met Cecil. illus. by author. 32p. Peachtree. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-706-9. LC 2012032335.

MACK, Jeff. Ah Ha! illus. by author. 40p. Chronicle. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-1265-7.

MADER, C. Roger. Lost Cat. illus. by author. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-97458-3. LC 2012041891.

MARLOWE, Sara. No Ordinary Apple: A Story About Eating Mindfully. illus. by Philip Pascuzzo. 36p. Wisdom Publications. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61429-076-6. ebook available. LC 2012030217.

MARSHAK, Samuil. The Circus and Other Stories. tr. from French by Stephen Capus. illus. by Vladimir Lebedev. 76p. Tate. 2013. Tr $26.95. ISBN 978-1-84976-102-4.

MARTIN, Emily. Downpour. illus. by Mara Shaughnessy. 32p. Sky Pony. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-62087-545-2. ebook available.

MATHESON, Christie. Tap the Magic Tree. illus. by author. 40p. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-227445-8. LC 2013001035.

MAY, Kyla. Kiki: My Stylish Life. (Lotus Lane Series). ISBN 978-0-545-49613-1; ISBN 978-0-545-44512-2; ISBN 978-0-545-49680-3.

NEES, Susan. Picture Day. (Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe Series). ISBN 978-0-545-49609-4; ISBN 978-0-545-43851-3; ISBN 978-0-545-54009-4. LC 2011041464.

ea vol: Bk. 1. illus. by author. 96p. Scholastic/Branches. 2013. RTE $15.99; pap. $4.99; ebook $4.99.

MESSNER, Kate. Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish. illus. by Andy Rash. 40p. Chronicle. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-1253-4.

MILLS, Claudia. Kelsey Green, Reading Queen. Bk. 1. illus. by Rob Shepperson. 128p. (Franklin School Friends Series). Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37485-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37488-4. LC 2011027870.

MOUNDLIC, Charlotte. The Bathing Costume, or the Worst Vacation of My Life. tr. from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. illus. by Olivier Tallec. 64p. Enchanted Lion. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-141-4.

NOBLE, Trinka Hakes. The Legend of the Jersey Devil. illus. by Gerald Kelley. 32p. Sleeping Bear. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58536-837-2. LC 2013004093.

NORMAN, Kim. If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws! illus. by Liza Woodruff. 24p. Sterling. Oct. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4549-0384-0. LC 2012014460.

NUMEROFF, Laura. Nighty-Night, Cooper. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-40205-5. LC 2012041892.

OLDLAND, Nicholas. Up the Creek. illus. by author. 32p. (Life in the Wild Series). Kids Can. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-894786-32-4.

ORAM, Hiawyn. Filbert, the Good Little Fiend. illus. by Jimmy Liao. 32p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5870-0. LC 2012947256.

OUD, Pauline. Having a Party with Lily and Milo. tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. 30p. Clavis. 2013. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-129-0.

PAQUETTE, Ammi-Joan. Ghost in the House. illus. by Adam Record. 32p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5529-7. LC 2012943659.

PAQUETTE, Ammi-Joan. Petey and Pru and the Hullabaloo. illus. by Joy Ang. 40p. Clarion. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-544-03888-2. LC 2012038874.

PARISH, Herman. Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card. illus. by Lynne Avril. 32p. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209512-1. LC 2012028700.

PEARSON, Susan. Slugger. illus. by David Slonim. 32p. Amazon. 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-1-477816417. ebook available.

––––.Performance. ISBN 978-1-84643-487-7.

––––.School. ISBN 978-1-84643-491-4.

––––.School Trip. ISBN 978-1-84643-489-1.

––––.Sports Day. ISBN 978-1-84643-488-4.

ea vol: illus. by Jan Lewis. 24p. (First Time Series). Child’s Play. 2013. pap. $5.99.

PERLOV, Betty Rosenberg. Rifka Takes a Bow. illus. by Cosei Kawa. 32p. Kar-Ben. Sept. 2013. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8127-3; ebook $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1648-2. LC 2012028985.

PLECAS, Jennifer. Olive’s Perfect World: A Friendship Story. illus. by author. 32p. Philomel. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25287-7.

POLACCO, Patricia. The Blessing Cup. illus. by author. 48p. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5047-9; ebook available. LC 2012023596.

PRELLER, James. Home Sweet Horror. Bk. 1. illus. by Iacopo Bruno. 112p. (Scary Tales Series). Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01886-1; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01887-8.

REED, Lynn Rowe. Fireman Fred. illus. by author. 32p. (I Like To Read Series). ebook available. Holiday House. Sept. 2013. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2658-4. LC 2012000017.

ROBBERECHT, Thierry. I Can’t Do Anything! tr. from French. illus. by Annick Masson. 32p. Magination. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-1309-2; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-1310-8. LC 2012043771.

ROBINSON, Michelle. Ding Dong! Gorilla! illus. by Leonie Lord. 32p. Peachtree. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-730-4. LC 2012048851.

ROSENTHAL, Eileen. Bobo the Sailor Man! illus. by Marc Rosenthal. 40p. S & S/Atheneum. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4443-0; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4444-7. LC 2012040456.

ROSS, Tony. Drat That Cat! illus. by author. 32p. Andersen Press. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2030-4; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2036-6.

ROSS, Tony. I Want a Sister! illus. by author. 32p. (A Little Princess Story). Andersen Press. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2047-2; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2048-9.

SCHNEIDER, Josh. Bedtime Monsters. illus. by author. 32p. Clarion. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-544-00270-8. LC 2012036483.

SCHWARTZ, Amy. Dee Dee and Me. illus. by author. 32p. Holiday House. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2524-2. LC 2012016565.

SCOTT, Brandon James, adapt. The Big Pet Story. illus. by adapter. 36p. (Justin Time Series). Immedium. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59702-041-1. LC 2012043249.

SHANNON, George. Turkey Tot. illus. by Jennifer K. Mann. 32p. Holiday House. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2379-8. LC 2011022103.

SLEGERS, Liesbet. Kevin Goes to the Hospital. tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. 30p. (Kevin and Katie Series). Clavis. 2013. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-125-2.

SPARKES, Ali. Ant Attack. Bk. 4. ISBN 978-0-7613-9202-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-0713-8; ISBN 978-1-4677-1124-1. LC 2012026635.

––––.Fly Frenzy. Bk. 2. glossary. ISBN 978-0-7613-9200-2; ISBN 978-1-4677-0711-4; ISBN 978-1-4677-1122-7. LC 2012026632.

––––.Grasshopper Glitch. Bk. 3. ISBN 978-0-7613-9201-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-0712-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-1123-4. LC 2012026634.

––––.Spider Stampede. Bk. 1. glossary. ISBN 978-0-7613-9199-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-0710-7; ISBN 978-1-4677-1121-0. LC 2012026631.

ea vol: illus. by Ross Collins. 104p. (S.W.I.T.CH. Series). further reading. websites. Darby Creek. 2013. lib. ed. $27.93; pap. $7.95; ebook $20.95.

SPELMAN, Cornelia Maude. When I Feel Worried. illus. by Kathy Parkinson. 24p. (The Way I Feel Series). Albert Whitman. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-8893-2. LC 2013005185.

SPERRING, Mark. Dino-Baby. illus. by Sam Lloyd. 32p. Bloomsbury. Oct. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-61963-151-9; lib. ed. $15.89. ISBN 978-1-61963-152-6. LC 2013002688.

STOUT, Shawn K. Penelope Crumb Finds Her Luck. illus. by Valeria Docampo. 224p. (Penelope Crumb Series). Philomel. Sept. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-399-16254-1.

STURUP, Signe. Circles of Round. illus. by Winnie Ma. 40p. Simply Read. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-927018-18-7.

SUTTON, Benn. Hedgehug’s Halloween. illus. by Dan Pinto. 40p. HarperCollins/Harper. Aug. 2013. RTE $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196104-5.

TAYLOR, Sean. Robot Rumpus! illus. by Ross Collins. 32p. Andersen Press. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2031-1; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-2037-3.

VALIANT, Kristi. Penguin Cha-Cha. illus. by author. Random. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87072-9; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97072-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98095-4. LC 2012016265.

VAMOS, Samantha R. Alphabet Trucks. illus. by Ryan O’Rourke. 32p. Charlesbridge. Aug. 2013. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-428-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-600-5. LC 2012024404.

VAN LIESHOUT, Elle & Erik Van Os. How Much Does the Gray in an Elephant Weigh? tr. from Dutch. illus. by Alice Hoogstad. 32p. Lemniscaat. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-935954-27-9.

VAN STRAATEN, Harmen. The Snowman’s Wish. tr. from Dutch by Andrew Rushton. illus. by author. 32p. NorthSouth. Sept. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4144-4.

WADSWORTH, Ginger. Yosemite’s Songster: One Coyote’s Story. illus. by Daniel San Souci. 32p. Yosemite Conservancy. Aug. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-930238-34-3. LC 2012952115.

WALLACE, Nancy K. Claim to Fame. ISBN 978-1-61641-912-7; ISBN 978-1-61480-550-2. LC 2012029413.

––––.The Mystery of the Golden Key. ISBN 978-1-61641-915-8; ISBN 978-1-61480-553-3. LC 2012027943.

––––.Out to Lunch. websites. ISBN 978-1-61641-916-5; ISBN 978-1-61480-554-0. LC 2012029483.

ea vol: illus. by Amanda Chronister. 80p. (Abby and the Claim to Fame Series). ABDO/Magic Wagon. 2013. lib. ed. $27.07; ebook $18.95.

WATTS, Bernadette. Will You Be My Friend? illus. by author. 32p. NorthSouth. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4117-8.

WHAMOND, Dave. Oddrey and the New Kid. illus. by author. 32p. Owlkids. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-90-6. LC 2013930983.

WHEELER, Lisa. Dino-Wrestling. illus. by Barry Gott. 32p. Carolrhoda. Oct. 2013. lib. ed. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0212-6; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1616-1. LC 2012049251.

WHITE, Kathryn. Ruby’s Baby Brother. illus. by Miriam Latimer. 32p. Barefoot. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-864-1; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-950-1. LC 2012020205.

WOLFF, Ashley. Baby Bear Counts One. illus. by author. 40p. S & S/Beach Lane. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4158-3; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4159-0. LC 2012020202.

WOOD, Audrey. The Birthday Queen. illus. by Don Wood. 32p. Scholastic/Blue Sky. Sept. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-41474-6.

YOUNG, Judy. Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins. illus. by Jim Madsen. 32p. Sleeping Bear. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58536-795-5. ebook available.

ZIEFERT, Harriet. What Is Part This, Part That? illus. by Tom Slaughter. 40p. Blue Apple. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-309-3.

Pick of the Day: The Year of Billy Miller

SLJ — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:00:23 +0000

HENKES, Kevin. The Year of Billy Miller. illus. by author. 240p. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-226812-9; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-226813-6; ebook ISBN 978-0-06-226815-0. LC 2012050373.
Gr 1-3–The beginning of a new school year brings anxious moments for Billy Miller, a typical second grader at Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School in a small Wisconsin town. His new teacher, Ms. Silver, uses chopsticks to hold her hair in place and know-it-all Emma Sparks is unfortunately one of his desk mates. Just as a school year is divided into quarters, the book is divided into four parts–”Teacher,” “Father,” “Sister,” and “Mother”–each offering a new perspective on Billy’s personality and development through his interactions with these well-developed characters. He begins the school year with a lump on his head from a family-vacation incident and navigates glitter homework fiascos, canceled sleepover plans, and sibling annoyances as readers see the year unfold through funny and often poignant situations. Billy himself might have been daunted by a book with more than 200 pages, but eager young readers will find this a great first chapter book to share or read solo.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

Pick of the Day: Sophie’s Squash

SLJ — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 09:00:58 +0000

MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Sophie’s Squash. illus. by Anne Wilsdorf. 40p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97896-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97897-4. LC 2012006438.
K-Gr 2–“Good friends are hard to find,” says Sophie to her best buddy, Bernice. This must be so, because Bernice is a farmers’ market squash. The fruit is supposed to be for supper, but all bets are off when Sophie gives it a face and a name. The two friends are inseparable, visiting the library and other squash at the market, practicing somersaults on the hill…and every night Sophie gives Bernice a baby bottle and tucks her into a cradle. (“Well, we did hope she’d love vegetables,” Sophie’s mother observes.) Countless stories exist about girls’ exploits with their dolls or stuffed animals. Few, if any, feature healthy produce. But the tale of Sophie and Bernice is charming and even suspenseful as the title character reluctantly realizes that her squash will not last forever. Miller’s sweet and lively story is perfectly matched by Wilsdorf’s expert ink and watercolor illustrations. With lessons on life, love, and vegetable gardening, this tale will be cherished by children, and their parents will be happy to read it to them often.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY