School Library Journal» Grades 5 & Up

Grades 5 & Up Nonfiction | September 2013

SLJ — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:00:59 +0000

FREEDMAN, Russell. Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain. 96p. bibliog. index. notes. photos. reprods. Clarion. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-90378-1.

Gr 5-8–For the 30 years it was in operation, from 1910-1940, Angel Island Immigration Station served as the first step for hundreds of thousands of people seeking a new home and a new life in the United States. It was a bleak, unwelcoming introduction to the new land, and for many immigrants, primarily those from China, it was also a detention center. Many Chinese were held there for weeks or months at a time while they endured lengthy interviews and invasive medical exams in order to prove that they could enter the U.S. Freedman’s inimitable style and approach to nonfiction writing shines in this accessible, thoughtful history of Angel Island and its legacy in the American immigration narrative. Detailed descriptions of the island, the actual building, the events that took place there, and the people who passed through its doors are sprinkled with the emotional poems, quotes, and other writings that were discovered covering the walls of the areas where the detainees were housed. These words provide not only a unique perspective of the immigrants, but also a context for what was happening in the broader world, specifically the racist, xenophobic attitudes encountered by many new arrivals. Complemented by photographs, artwork, and primary sources, Freedman’s writing offers up a strong, engaging introduction to the subject of a more diverse immigrant population and the obstacles that were put in its way. Equally evocative and informative, this is an excellent choice for middle school libraries.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

GREENBERG, Jan & Sandra Jordan. The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius. 56p. bibliog. notes. photos. reprods. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Oct. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-810-1. LC 2012047601.

Gr 5-8–Ohr was a homegrown genius and the greatest artist potter on Earth, or so he claimed, and while dismissed by many as a self-promoting eccentric (he was that), much of what he declared about himself is recognized as true today. His pottery, notably inventive in its shapes, textures, and glazes, became more experimental and free-flowing in form after 1894, when fire destroyed his kiln. While clearly distinct, Ohr’s art was not outsider; he subscribed to the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, and for a short time worked with Joseph Meyer furnishing pottery for the women of The Ladies’ Decorative Arts League in New Orleans. But Ohr was quirky, flamboyant, and a Biloxi, Mississippi, tourist attraction; he had a bushy handlebar mustache that he could wrap around his ears, and he was often difficult. The authors do an excellent job describing this larger-than-life character through quotes and plentiful color photos of his pottery, or “mud babies” as he referred to his creations. Of particular interest are the archival sepia photos, including the two large, double-page images depicting the artist in his barnlike studio with piles and piles of his work–and several children–about, that open and close the book. A one-page guide on “How to Look at a Pot” examines a decorative piece with reference to texture, color, form, line, and expression. Extensive source notes round out this nicely designed, fascinating introduction to the master craftsman and art pottery.–Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

LEWIS, Catherine. Thrice Told Tales: Three Mice Full of Writing Advice. illus. by Joost Swarte. 144p. appendix. diag. glossary. index. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5784-3. ebook available. LC 2012010644.

Gr 8 Up–Lewis offers a witty and whimsical guide for burgeoning scribes that includes definitions of common literary terms as well as writing advice. With a page or two devoted to each, elements such as intertextuality, farce, foreshadowing, and leitmotif are explained using the nursery rhyme about three blind mice. The author has created a background story for the mice and developed distinct personalities for each one as she uses their tale to define the selected literary elements. Concepts are succinctly summarized at the end of each page. Playful black-and-white illustrations of the mice in action add visual interest. Other writing advice includes topics such as how to build suspense, how and when to incorporate sentimentality, and how to effectively include potentially distracting content such as sex or expletives. Explanations are interesting and clever, turning formerly lackluster definitions of literary terms into entertainment. Useful for readers who want to hone their writing skills as well as creative-writing classes.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

MARKLE, Sandra. The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: A Scientific Mystery. 48p. diag. further reading. glossary. index. map. photos. websites. Millbrook. Oct. 2013. RTE $29.27. ISBN 978-1-4677-0592-9; ebook $21.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1700-7. LC 2012046913.

Gr 4-8–The worker bee and its vital role in the life cycle of the honeybee are interwoven with the threat that Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) poses to bees, plants, and humans in straightforward language on honey-colored paper, illustrated with full-color photographs on every page. Commercial colonies of bees are trucked around the country to pollinate almonds, blueberries, apples, citrus fruit, and pumpkins in a yearly cycle that does not include the winter rest that wild bees take. But because these honeybees can mix with wild populations, the threat of CCD is not confined to commercial bee colonies. The work of scientists examining such possible causes as virus, fungus, mites, and pesticides and possible remedies is described. The glossary and index provide good definitions of terms relating to both honeybees and CCD. The author has included a half page of interesting factoids about honeybees as well as suggestions for how to help them locally and organizations involved in “Global Rescue Efforts.” An excellent first purchase for reports as well as for general interest.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

MONTGOMERY, Sy. The Tapir Scientist. photos by Nic Bishop. 80p. (Scientists in the Field Series). bibliog. chart. index. map. websites. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-81548-0. LC 2012018678.

Gr 5-10–In this addition to the series, readers join Pati Medici and her team in their quest to study tapirs in the world’s largest wetland, the Pantanal Wetlands of Brazil. Although its appearance may lead some to suppose that the tapir falls somewhere near elephants or hippopotami in the family tree, this flexible-snouted, hoof-toed tropical creature is most closely related to rhinoceroses and horses. Medici has dubbed the tapir “the gardener of the forest” for its critical role in maintaining foliage by ingesting fruits and excreting the seeds elsewhere, but little else is known about this vanishing species. By observing and trapping the animals to outfit them with radio collars or microchips and collect samples including blood and ticks from infestations, Medici’s team hopes to better understand their lifestyles to enhance conservation efforts. Although in-text pronunciation guides are included for some Portuguese names and select scientific terminology is explained, no glossary is provided, and many of the exotic birds discussed are not shown. Following each chapter are several pages of related information with text and photographs placed on top of a marbled background with shadows that can make the text difficult to read in some places. A list of several websites and YouTube videos is included, and the index differentiates between text and photographic references. Bishop’s captivating photographs, paired with Montgomery’s narrative, not only call attention to a lesser-known endangered species, but also expose readers to the working conditions, obstacles, and emotions experienced by passionate scientists in the field.–Meaghan Darling, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

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

Grade 5 & Up

BEDELL, J. M. So, You Want to Be a Chef?: How to Get Started in the World of Culinary Arts. 224p. (Be What You Want Series). bibliog. chron. glossary. illus. websites. S & S/Aladdin/Beyond Words. Oct. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-437-1; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-436-4.

CAWTHORNE, Nigel. Notorious Tyrants. 128p. (Great People in History Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $34.60. ISBN 978-1-4777-0406-6. ebook available. LC 2012032497.

CLIFFORD, Mary Louise. Drummer Boy of Company C: Coming of Age in the Civil War. 158p. bibliog. chron. index. map. notes. photos. reprods. Cypress Communications. Sept. 2013. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-9636412-8-1. LC 2013938235.

DINGLE, Adrian. How to Make a Universe with 92 Ingredients: An Electrifying Guide to the Elements. 96p. chart. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. websites. Owlkids. Oct. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-77147-008-7. LC 2013930988.

FRENZ, Florida. How to Be Human: Diary of an Autistic Girl. illus. by author. 40p. Creston Books. Sept. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-939547-01-9.

GLASSBOURG, Michael. Learn to Speak Film: A Guide to Creating, Promoting & Screening Your Movies. illus. by Jeff Kulak. 96p. index. Owlkids. 2013. Tr $22.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-84-5; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-85-2. LC 2012954724.

GOLDMAN, Judy. Whiskers, Tails & Wings: Animal Folktales from Mexico. illus. by Fabricio VandenBroeck. 64p. bibliog. glossary. index. map. notes. websites. Charlesbridge. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-372-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-617-3. LC 2012024636.

GUTMAN, Dan. My Weird Writing Tips. illus. by Jim Paillot. 160p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209107-9; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209106-2. LC 2012029985.

HUEY, Lois Miner. Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History. 48p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Millbrook. Oct. 2013. lib. ed. $29.27. ISBN 978-0-7613-9091-6; ebook $21.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1710-6. LC 2013004386.

KUIPER,Kathleen, ed. The Life and Times of William Shakespeare. 108p. ISBN 978-1-61530-926-9. LC 2012019293.

––––.The Tragedies of William Shakespeare. 88p. ISBN 978-1-61530-927-6. LC 2012021217.

ea vol: (Shakespeare: His Work and World Series). bibliog. chron. glossary. index. map. photos. reprods. Britannica. 2013. lib. ed. $32.90.

MCCLAFFERTY, Carla Killough. Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and Football’s Make-or-Break Moment. 96p. bibliog. diag. further reading. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Carolrhoda. Sept. 2013. lib. ed. $20.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1067-1; ebook $15.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1665-9. LC 2013004192.

MACLEOD, Elizabeth & Frieda Wishinsky. A History of Just About Everything: 180 Events, People and Inventions That Changed the World. illus. by Qin Leng. 124p. chron. index. map. Kids Can. 2013. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-775-4.

MARTIN, Lesley Schwartz. Make the Grade: Everything You Need to Study Better, Stress Less, and Succeed in School. 144p. chart. diag. index. Zest. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-936976-38-6. LC 2012943317.

MEYER, Terry Teague. How Inflation Affects You. ISBN 978-1-4488-8341-7. LC 2012018537.

PORTERFIELD, Jason. How a Recession Affects You. ISBN 978-1-4488-8345-5. LC 2012018784.

STRAZZABOSCO, John. How Spending and Saving Affect You. ISBN 978-1-4488-8344-8. LC 2012017552.

ea vol: 80p. (Your Economic Future Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $33.25. ebook available.

MILLER, Ron. Recentering the Universe: The Radical Theories of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. 88p. bibliog. diag. further reading. glossary. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Twenty-First Century. Oct. 2013. lib. ed. $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7613-5885-5; ebook $23.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1662-8. LC 2012047665.

MORPURGO, Michael & Clare Morpurgo. Where My Wellies Take Me…: A Childhood Scrapbook with Poems and Pictures. illus. by Olivia Lomenech Gill. 97p. index. Candlewick/Templar. 2013. RTE $29.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6629-3. LC 2012954328.

NAZARIO, Sonia. Enrique’s Journey: The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite with His Mother. 288p. map. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74327-3; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99104-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98315-2. LC 2012038328.

O’KANE, Bernard. The Civilization of the Islamic World. 232p. (The Illustrated History of the Ancient World Series). bibliog. diag. further reading. glossary. index. map. photos. reprods. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $53.25. ISBN 978-1-4488-8503-9. LC 2012032340.

PERKINS, Mitali, ed. Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices. 144p. Candlewick. Sept. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5866-3. ebook available. LC 2012955218.

PRINGLE, Laurence. Scorpions! illus. by Meryl Henderson. 32p. (Strange and Wonderful Series). diag. further reading. map. websites. Boyds Mills. Oct. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-473-0. LC 2013931088.

REYNOLDS, Luke, ed. Break These Rules: 35 YA Authors On Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Being Yourself. 212p. Chicago Review Press. Sept. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-784-1.

RHATIGAN, Joe. Ouch!: The Weird & Wild Ways Your Body Deals with Agonizing Aches, Ferocious Fevers, Lousy Lumps, Crummy Colds, Bothersome Bites, Breaks, Bruises & Burns & Makes Them Feel Better! illus. by Anthony Owsley. 80p. chart. diag. glossary. index. photos. reprods. Charlesbridge/Imagine! 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-62354-005-0. LC 2012048462.

SHECTER, Vicky Alvear. Anubis Speaks! illus. by Antoine Revoy. 128p. (Secrets of the Ancient Gods Series). bibliog. glossary. index. Boyds Mills. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-995-7.

STEWART, Melissa & Allen Young. No Monkeys, No Chocolate. illus. by Nicole Wong. 32p. Charlesbridge. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-287-2. LC 2012000789.

SWANSON, James L. “The President Has Been Shot!”: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy. 288p. bibliog. diag. further reading. index. map. notes. photos. reprods. Scholastic. Oct. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-545-49007-8; ebook $18.99. ISBN 978-0-545-49654-4. LC 2012041167.

WALKER, Niki. Why Do We Fight?: Conflict, War, and Peace. 80p. chron. index. map. notes. Owlkids. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-86-9. LC 2013930981.

WITTENSTEIN, Vicki Oransky. For the Good of Mankind?: The Shameful History of Human Medical Experimentation. 96p. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Twenty-First Century. Oct. 2013. lib. ed. $35.93. ISBN 978-1-4677-0659-9; ebook $26.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1661-1. LC 2012043413.

Book/Multimedia Review Stars | September 2013

SLJ — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 16:44:01 +0000

Fiction

BĂDESCU, Ramona. Pomelo’s Opposites. tr. from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. illus. by Benjamin Chaud. (Pomelo the Garden Elephant Series). Enchanted Lion. p. 112.

BEST, Cari. Beatrice Spells Some Lulus and Learns to Write a Letter. illus. by Giselle Potter. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. p. 114.

GRAHAM, Bob. The Silver Button. illus. by author. Candlewick. Oct. p. 120.

HOLUB, Joan. Little Red Writing. illus. by Melissa Sweet. Chronicle. Oct. p. 122.

KNOWLES, Jo. Living with Jackie Chan. Candlewick. Sept. p. 160.

LAFLEUR, Suzanne. Listening for Lucca. Random/Wendy Lamb. p. 146.

LAKE, Nick. Hostage Three. Bloomsbury. Oct. p. 160.

LUDWIG, Trudy. The Invisible Boy. illus. by Patrice Barton. Knopf. Oct. p. 125.

MACLACHLAN, Patricia. Snowflakes Fall. illus. by Steven Kellogg. Random. Oct. p. 126.

NAKAWAKI, Hatsue. Wait! Wait! tr. from Japanese by Yuki Kaneko. illus. by Komako Sakai. Enchanted Lion. p. 128.

O’BRIEN, Annemarie. Lara’s Gift. Knopf. p. 147.

RASCHKA, Chris. Daisy Gets Lost. illus. by author. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Oct. p. 129.

SALERNI, Dianne K. The Caged Graves. Clarion. p. 164.

SLOAN, Holly Goldberg. Counting by 7s. Dial. p. 148.

WIESNER, David. Mr. Wuffles! illus. by author. Clarion. Oct. p. 135.

Graphic Novels

LEWIS, John & Andrew Aydin. March. Bk. 1. illus. by Nate Powell. (March Series). Top Shelf. p. 171.

Nonfiction

BUTTERWORTH, Chris. See What a Seal Can Do. illus. by Kate Nelms. Candlewick. p. 174.

FREEDMAN, Russell. Angel Island. Clarion. Oct. p. 182.

GREENBERG, Jan & Sandra Jordan. The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Oct. p. 184.

GUIBERSON, Brenda Z. The Greatest Dinosaur Ever. illus. by Gennady Spirin. Holt. Oct. p. 176.

LEWIS, Catherine. Thrice Told Tales: Three Mice Full of Writing Advice. illus. by Joost Swarte. S & S/Atheneum. p. 185.

MARKLE, Sandra. The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees. Millbrook. Oct. p. 186.

MONTGOMERY, Sy. The Tapir Scientist. photos by Nic Bishop. (Scientists in the Field Series). Houghton Harcourt. p. 188.

PINKNEY, Jerry. The Tortoise & the Hare. illus. by author. Little, Brown. Oct. p. 178.

From the Adult Books 4 Teens blog

LBARRY, Max. Lexicon. Penguin. (July 17 post)

FAGAN, Jenni. The Panopticon. Hogarth/Crown. (July 25 post)

ZAMBRANO, Mario Alberto. Lotería. HarperCollins. (July 25 post)

DVD

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal. PBS Dist. p. 63.

Nelson Mandela. Weston Woods. p. 63.

Audio

Hero on a Bicycle. By Shirley Hughes. Brilliance Audio. p. 69.

Oblivion. By Anthony Horowitz. Recorded Books. p. 71.

Out of This Place. By Emma Cameron. Brilliance Audio. p. 71.

Recess. Performed by Justin Roberts. Justinroberts.org. p. 76.

Shadow and Bone. By Leigh Bardugo. Brilliance Audio. p. 72.

Twelve Kinds of Ice. By Ellen Bryan Obed. Recorded Books. p. 74.

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: ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family

SLJ — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 09:00:33 +0000

SAMPSON, Sally. ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family. 208p. S & S. Aug. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4516-8587-9; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-1-4516-8589-3.
Gr 3-8–By the creator of ChopChop: The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families, this book has a simple concept: teach kids to cook wholesome foods and you will not only get help in the kitchen and build positive family memories, but also set up youngsters for a lifetime of healthy eating. With a balance of health food and kid appeal as well as kitchen chemistry, history, and the facts about smart choices, this is more than a collection of recipes. Many (soups, salad dressings, smoothies, sandwiches, vegetables, chocolate chip cookies, and more) merely provide the basic instructions and then invite kids to build their own; the smoothie section includes a simple chart that they can use to select ingredients that sound appealing. Included in the beginning is a note to children, a note for parents, a list of essential ingredients and equipment to have on hand, and even a seasoning experiment. Each recipe lets youngsters know if an adult is needed, the hands-on time, the total time, kitchen gear necessary, and, of course, ingredients. The photographs show fully engaged kids having a really good time making and enjoying beautiful food. A delicious standout title, sure to inspire the next generation of chefs.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

In Sync | Young Adult Authors Collaborate

Mahnaz Dar — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:04:34 +0000

Three exciting, new young adult novels feature plots ranging from a realistic story about two girls attempting a friendship before the start of college to postapocalyptic sci-fi in which the world has become a frozen and inhospitable wasteland. Each is the result of an author collaboration; their deftly blended styles produce poignant and compelling works with well-crafted characters, intricate settings, and thought-provoking themes. The novels are sure to stimulate discussion—and possibly collaborations —among teens.

In Roomies (Little, Brown, Dec. 2013; Gr 8 Up), Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando rely on alternating perspectives to great effect as they portray a budding friendship between two young women on opposites sides of the country. Self-assured, with a boyfriend and an array of friends, social butterfly Elizabeth (EB) has little in common with frazzled Lauren, who, between two part-time jobs and helping her parents care for her younger siblings, has little time for friends. But when EB learns that Lauren will be her roommate at Berkeley, she sends the girl an enthusiastic email, and, despite a shaky beginning, the two begin to forge a genuine connection.

Zarr and Altebrando are sensitive to the nuances of social interaction among adolescents, and their use of dual first-person narration illustrates how seemingly minor remarks can result in insecurity or hurt feelings; for example, EB casually asks whether Lauren can buy a microwave or a mini fridge for their room, unwittingly provoking anxiety in the less-privileged Lauren. Similarly, EB initially interprets Lauren’s sporadic replies as disinterest, when, in fact, Lauren’s limited spare time and computer access mean days go by before she can respond to EB’s emails.

For both EB and Lauren, this new friendship becomes an anchor in a time of instability: the teenagers clash with their family and friends and deal with romantic entanglements as they cope with the strain of leaving home for the first time to start an exhilarating—but potentially frightening—new chapter of their lives. From EB losing her standing in the social circle she once took for granted after a break-up to Lauren’s mixed feelings when her parents release her from her babysitting duties so that she can enjoy her summer, this book captures the experiences of teenagers on the verge of adulthood. Readers will find these well-developed and sympathetic characters relatable, and the depiction of encounters with unfamiliar people and new experiences will resonate with adolescents.

“The world was irretrievably broken, filled with refuse, from Garbage Country to the poisoned oceans, and the rest was an uninhabitable frozen nether land; what kind of place was this to grow up in? What kind of world had they been borne to?” Melissa de la Cruz and husband Michael Johnston have often informally worked together on her books; in their latest, Frozen (Putnam, Sept. 2013; Gr 7 Up), the two joined forces to write a dystopian novel about teenagers willing to risk their lives to escape their icy cold setting for the Blue, a peaceful and uncorrupted world—but one that may not actually even exist.

When Natasha Kestal has the chance to flee the city of “New Vegas,” she relies on mercenary Ryan “Wes” Wesson and his crew to seek out the Blue. Both teens are courageous and determined, even willing to manipulate each other: Nat has no reservations about using her looks to ensure that Wes won’t abandon her, and Wes flirts with Nat in the hopes of gaining information about the round blue stone the girl wears around her neck. However, the two begin to rely on and develop genuine feelings for each other as the danger mounts.

Readers will enjoy the budding romance between these strong-willed protagonists, but it’s the world-building where de la Cruz and Johnston excel. As a result of damage wrought to the environment, a glass of water is a luxury, and many are willing to steal to pay for a hit of oxygen; meanwhile, society has devolved to the point where the government permits humans to be bought and sold as slaves. The descriptions of “thrillers,” or desperate zombielike creatures living on the outskirts of the city, are particularly horrifying. This portrayal of a world corrupted both physically and morally will stay with readers, who will anxiously await volumes two and three in this planned trilogy.

A sense of isolation permeates David Levithan and Andrea Cremer’s Invisibility (Philomel, 2013; Gr 8 Up). Sixteen-year-old Stephen has been invisible since birth due to a curse placed upon him by his malevolent grandfather. His absent father provides him with money, and the youth lives comfortably, surviving on deliveries and spending his days walking the streets of New York City. However, it’s an ultimately empty existence: with his mother deceased and his father unwilling to be a part of his life, the boy’s interaction with the world is limited to reading books, watching DVDs, and observing the other residents of his apartment building—until he meets Elizabeth, the first person who can see him.

While Elizabeth’s life has been fairly conventional compared with Stephen’s, she, too, is well-acquainted with alienation: her brother, Laurie, was recently assaulted after coming out as gay, and soon after their father soon walked out on the family. The experience has left Elizabeth fragile and wary of others (“When I let fear get the best of me, I hate myself. I react like a dog who’s been beaten; anytime I see a broom, I flinch and snarl”), and she shuts out the world by immersing herself in her love of art and comic books. However, friendship—and love—blossoms between these two outsiders. They discover why Stephen was cursed, and soon the inevitable confrontation between the boy and his cruel and powerful grandfather takes place as this romance takes a dark turn.

Although paranormal elements are significant, the relationship between the protagonists is central to the novel. Through alternating first-person narratives, the authors convey the teenagers’ willingness to welcome new possibilities and down the walls they’ve constructed to protect themselves. For Stephen, something as simple as a conversation with another person is life-altering (“She has no idea what it’s like to be an outsider to the outside world…and then to suddenly be let inside”), while Elizabeth realizes that opening up to others can mean acceptance and even love. Though the novel ends on an unresolved note, both characters have begun to heal, emphasizing the power of their strong bond.

Through their use of alternating narrators, these books provide a rich sense of perspective. Adolescent readers will particularly appreciate how the authors depict different characters’ responses to similar situations, creating nuanced, multi-layered stories.

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.

Grades 5 & Up Nonfiction | August 2013

SLJ — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 18:24:04 +0000

RUSCH, Elizabeth. Eruption!: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives. 76p. (Scientists in the Field Series). bibliog. diag. glossary. index. map. notes. Houghton Mifflin. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-50350-9. LC 2012034055.

Gr 5-9–What does another book about volcanoes or natural disasters matter to a nonfiction section these days? In the case of this addition to the series, it matters a lot. This book gives tragic and terrifying volcanoes a sense of story that other books lack by talking about real-life crises and how individuals came together to keep millions of people safe. Young geology enthusiasts may not realize that there are so many volcanoes in the world, erupting constantly and posing threats to so many people, so the maps and personal narratives are eye-opening. The text is easy to understand but does not oversimplify the content, and the captions for the full-color photos give brief but valuable information about the images. In addition to telling the stories of specific, recent volcanic eruptions and how volcanologists reacted, there are also many pages with general information that help readers gain necessary vocabulary and see the big picture of volcanic activity. The book includes an extensive index, a helpful glossary, chapter notes citing sources, and a selected bibliography that is fairly lengthy, covering quite a breadth of sources. A great addition for all collections.–Trina Bolfing, Westbank Libraries, Austin, TX

SAMPSON, Sally. ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family. 208p. S & S. Aug. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4516-8587-9; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-1-4516-8589-3.

Gr 3-8–By the creator of ChopChop: The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families, this book has a simple concept: teach kids to cook wholesome foods and you will not only get help in the kitchen and build positive family memories, but also set up youngsters for a lifetime of healthy eating. With a balance of health food and kid appeal as well as kitchen chemistry, history, and the facts about smart choices, this is more than a collection of recipes. Many (soups, salad dressings, smoothies, sandwiches, vegetables, chocolate chip cookies, and more) merely provide the basic instructions and then invite kids to build their own; the smoothie section includes a simple chart that they can use to select ingredients that sound appealing. Included in the beginning is a note to children, a note for parents, a list of essential ingredients and equipment to have on hand, and even a seasoning experiment. Each recipe lets youngsters know if an adult is needed, the hands-on time, the total time, kitchen gear necessary, and, of course, ingredients. The photographs show fully engaged kids having a really good time making and enjoying beautiful food. A delicious standout title, sure to inspire the next generation of chefs.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

SANDLER, Martin W. Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II. 176p. bibliog. charts. further reading. illus. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Walker. Aug. 2013. Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2277-5; PLB $23.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-2278-2.

Gr 7 Up–Sandler expertly crafts a narrative that manages to explain the horror and incomprehensibility of locking up American citizens in prison camps simply because of their ethnic ancestry. Japanese American relocation has long been expurgated from school history texts about World War II, and here this delicate topic is handled with sensitivity and insight, providing an in-depth look at the full story, from anti-Japanese sentiments during the first wave of immigration through more current issues such as redress. A close examination of both the nation’s feelings after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the political conversations that followed is an important part of the story that leads up to the actual relocation of hundreds of thousands of people. There is also a lengthy and moving section about the young Japanese Americans who served in the military in a variety of capacities, from actual combat to intelligence and translation services. Sandler makes it clear that these brave folks were battling prejudice and tyranny overseas while their families and friends were suffering under it back at home. The irony was not lost on them. Photographs help to further the narrative and yet tell their own story, offering rich detail and putting a human face on this tragic episode. A must-have for any library collection.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

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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 & Up

ANDERSON, Michael. Abraham Lincoln. ISBN 978-1-61530-942-9. LC 2012020487.

––––.Ronald Reagan. ISBN 978-1-61530-944-3. LC 2012026713.

HOLLAR, Sherman. Andrew Jackson. ISBN 978-1-61530-941-2. LC 2012019291.

––––.Barack Obama. map. ISBN 978-1-61530-945-0. LC 2012034011.

ea vol: 80p. (Pivotal Presidents: Profiles in Leadership Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Britannica. 2013. lib. ed. $32.90. ebook available.

ARETHA, David. Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. 112p. (The Civil Rights Movement Series). bibliog. chron. index. notes. photos. Morgan Reynolds. 2013. lib. ed. $28.95. ISBN 978-1-59935-372-2. ebook available. LC 2012035355.

BARBER, Nicola. Cloning and Genetic Engineering. illus. ISBN 978-1-4488-7187-2. LC 2012013797.

––––.The Death Penalty. chron. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-7185-8. LC 2012021963.

COSTER, Patience. Animal Rights. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-7184-1. LC 2012023102.

––––.Euthanasia. ISBN 978-1-4488-7186-5. LC 2012026948.

ea vol: 48p. (Both Sides of the Story Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. lib. ed. $29.25. ebook available.

BASCOMB, Neal. The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. 256p. bibliog. index. map. notes. photos. reprods. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-43099-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-56239-3.

BOW, James. What Is the Executive Branch? ISBN 978-0-7787-0902-2.

––––.What Is the Legislative Branch? ISBN 978-0-7787-0879-7.

RODGER, Ellen. What Is the Judicial Branch? reprods. ISBN 978-0-7787-0880-3. LC 2013001275.

ea vol: 32p. (Your Guide to Government Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Crabtree. 2013. lib. ed. $26.60.

CARSON, Mary Kay. Beyond the Solar System: Exploring Galaxies, Black Holes, Alien Planets, and More: A History with 21 Activities. 124p. charts. chron. diags. further reading. glossary. illus. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Chicago Review Press. 2013. pap. $18.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-544-1. LC 2012046330.

CATTERALL, Clive. The Hot Air Balloon Book: Build and Launch Kongming Lanterns, Solar Tetroons, and More. 240p. (Science in Motion Series). chart. diag. illus. photos. Chicago Review Press. Aug. 2013. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-096-5.

CORRIGAN, Jim. The Korean War. 172p. chron. glossary. photos. (Modern American Conflicts Series). Morgan Reynolds. 2013. $28.95. ISBN 978-1-59935-403-3.

CYRUS, Kurt. Your Skeleton Is Showing: Rhymes of Blunder from Six Feet Under. illus. by Crab Scrambly. 32p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3846-4. LC 2011014439.

DAKERS, Diane. The Beatles: Leading the British Invasion. ISBN 978-0-7787-1035-6; ISBN 978-0-7787-1045-5.

DOWN, Susan Brophy. Muhammad Ali: The Greatest. ISBN 978-0-7787-1034-9; ISBN 978-0-7787-1043-1.

ea vol: 112p. (Crabtree Groundbreaker Biographies Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Crabtree. 2013. lib. ed. $33.27; pap. $12.95. ebook available.

FARNDON, John, Alex Woolf, Anne Rooney, & Liz Gogerly. Great Scientists. ISBN 978-1-4777-0405-9. LC 2012032245.

––––.Great Mathematicians. ISBN 978-1-4777-0402-8. LC 2012032367.

ea vol: 128p. (Great People in History Series). chart. diag. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. reprods. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $34.60. ebook available.

GOLDISH, Meish. Disabled Dogs. ISBN 978-1-61772-697-2. LC 2012032978.

––––.Soldiers’ Dogs. ISBN 978-1-61772-696-5. LC 2012032064.

ea vol: 32p. (Dog Heroes Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Bearport. 2013. lib. ed. $25.27.

HAND, Carol. Depleted & Contaminated Soil and Your Food Supply. chart. ISBN 978-1-4488-8414-8. LC 2012023106.

HEOS, Bridget. Radioactive Contamination and Your Risk. ISBN 978-1-4488-8415-5. LC 2012024850.

LANDAU, Jennifer. Pesticides and Your Body. ISBN 978-1-4488-8413-1. LC 2012018544.

ea vol: 48p. (Incredibly Disgusting Environments Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. lib. ed. $29.25. ebook available.

KRULL, Kathleen. Lives of the Scientists: Experiments, Explosions (and What the Neighbors Thought). illus. by Kathryn Hewitt. 96p. (Lives of Series). further reading. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $20.99. ISBN 978-0-15-205909-5. LC 2012953333.

LAVERY, Brian. The Conquest of the Ocean: An Illustrated History of Seafaring. 400p. bibliog. diag. glossary. index. map. photos. reprods. DK. Sept. 2013. Tr $30. ISBN 978-1-4654-0841-9.

MEISSNER, David & Kim Richardson. Call of the Klondike: A True Gold Rush Adventure. 168p. bibliog. chron. further reading. illus. map. photos. reprods. websites. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-823-3. LC 2013931060.

MOONEY, Brian. Great Leaders. chron. ISBN 978-1-4777-0403-5. LC 2012032376.

STANGROOM, Jeremy & James Garvey. Great Philosophers. diag. ISBN 978-1-4777-0404-2. LC 2012032781.

ea vol: 128p. (Great People in History Series). further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. reprods. websites. Rosen. 2013. lib. ed. $34.60. ebook available.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, The. An Eye for Art: Focusing on Great Artists and Their Work. 180p. chron. photos. reprods. Chicago Review Press. Sept. 2013. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-897-8. LC 2013009403.

PAYMENT, Simone. Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Navy SEALS. diags. maps. ISBN 978-1-4488-8380-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-8385-1. LC 2012014776.

POOLOS, J. Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command. ISBN 978-1-4488-8383-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-8390-5. LC 2012018783.

SHEA, Therese. Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Army Green Berets. ISBN 978-1-4488-8381-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-8387-5. LC 2012017970.

ea vol: 64p. (Inside Special Forces Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. lib. ed. $31.95; pap. $12.95; ebook available.

STERN, Rebecca. Breakfast on Mars: and 37 Other Delectable Essays. 224p. Roaring Brook. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-737-1.

WAGNER, Lisa. Cool World Cooking: Fun and Tasty Recipes for Kids! 160p. glossary. index. map. photos. Scarletta/Junior Scarletta Readers. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-938063-12-1. ebook available.

WELLDON, Christine. Reporter in Disguise: The Intrepid Vic Steinberg. 78p. bibliog. glossary. index. notes. photos. reprods. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-233-7.

WILSON, Janet. Our Rights: How Kids Are Changing the World. illus. by author. 32p. photos. Second Story. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-926920-95-5.

WOLFE, Mike with Lily Sprengelmeyer. Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure. 128p. illus. index. photos. reprods. Feiwel & Friends. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00848-0; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01930-1. ebook available.

YASUDA, Anita. Explore Native American Cultures!: With 25 Great Projects. illus. by Jennifer K. Keller. 90p. chron. glossary. index. map. websites. Nomad. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-160-3.

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.

Pick of the Day: Weird Sea Creatures

SLJ — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:00:01 +0000

HOYT, Erich. Weird Sea Creatures. 64p. index. photos. Firefly. July 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-77085-197-9; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-77085-191-7.
Gr 5 Up–Fangs, “fur,” and photophores abound in this colorful celebration of decidedly odd and recently discovered species. Through 50 gorgeous photos, readers are introduced to a yeti crab; a spined pigmy shark; Dumbo, the octopod; and many other deep-sea dwellers. A carefully constructed introduction presents the physical characteristics of the abyssal ocean–its cold darkness, its cruel pressure–and of the difficulties in finding, collecting, and photographing the creatures that call it home. Also included are explanations of the function of chromophores and photophores and the little that is known about the “language of light”’ of abyssal animals. Following those informative pages is an album of rare beauty. Stunning full-page photos give readers a rare close-up view of animals ranging in size from a 1/24 inch oikopleura squirt to a six-foot-long orangeback flying squid, each accompanied by a brief informative paragraph. For those who have enjoyed Sneed B. Collard’s The Deep-Sea Floor (Charlesbridge, 2003), this is a veritable book of revelations. A feast for the eye and a tickle for the mind.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Pick of the Day: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

SLJ — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 09:00:24 +0000

TUCHOLKE, April Genevieve. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. 368p. Dial. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3889-8. LC 2012035586.
Gr 10 Up–With their beloved grandmother, Freddie, deceased and their artistic, absentee parents blowing the family money abroad, 17-year-old twins Violet and Luke are as neglected as Citizen Kane, their formerly grand and now dilapidated home on a seaside cliff. Antagonistic Luke and sultry neighbor Sunshine are Violet’s only company until she rents the guesthouse to enigmatic River West. His crooked smile, discerning palate, and penchant for lying leave Violet both enamored and distrustful. He is cavalier with the mind-manipulating supernatural power he is unable, and somewhat reluctant, to control. In a small town with its fair share of lurid tales, River’s appearance brings with it devil sightings, missing children, and disturbing deaths. Tucholke’s gothic tone, plot, and setting, complete with a deteriorating estate full of dark family secrets, is reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier or YA fare such as Kami Garcia’s and Margaret Stohl’s Beautiful Creatures (Little, Brown, 2009). Violet’s narration is frank and perceptive, livened with humor and an almost poetically descriptive lilt. She is a combination of naive and mature, having grown up in relative seclusion with limited supervision. Violet and River’s attraction is palpable, but their romance is tainted by his shifty morals and shady charm. Swearing and sexual situations are non-gratuitous. Adults are easily appeased and generally turn a blind eye. Give this one to fans of creepy mysteries, particularly tales that don’t skimp on the violence. They’ll appreciate the conclusion’s heart-pounding, bile-rising standoff.–Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

Book Review: Grades 5-8 Fiction | July 2013

SLJ — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:02:36 +0000

APPELT, Kathi. The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp. illus. by Jennifer Bricking. 384p. S & S/Atheneum. July 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2105-9; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-8121-3. LC 2012023723.
Gr 3-7–Appelt returns with a rich tale set deep in a Texas swamp, full of critters including gators, rattlesnakes, and feral hogs. Brothers Bingo and J’miah are true-blue scouts (raccoons) who have set up house in an abandoned old DeSoto, adorning it with their artwork and following orders from the Voice of Intelligence (actually the lightning-enabled car radio). The young raccoons are affable and easy to root for as they attempt to stop the gang of wild hogs intent on destroying their beloved Muscovado sugar cane. Woven throughout the 104 short chapters, delivered by a rollicking omniscient third-person narrator, are other stories–greedy Sonny Boy Beaucoup, who is only interested in tearing up Sugar Man Swamp to make room for the Gator World Wrestling Arena and Theme Park; and young Chap Brayburn, who is intent on being the man in the family and protecting his mother and their Paradise Pies Café (with pies made from the swamp’s sugar cane). As anticipation builds, Bingo and J’miah set out on a quest to wake up the elusive Sugar Man–a Yetilike creature that guards the swamp. Appelt has adeptly intertwined the folksy narrative of a tall tale with a perfect blend of adventure and mystery, all the while subtly bringing an ecological message to the surface.–Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

HERRICK, Amy. The Time Fetch. 320p. Algonquin. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61620-220-0.
Gr 5-8–This transcendent middle-grade debut could almost be subtitled “A Young Person’s Guide to Existentialism.” The opening scene presents Edward struggling to get out of bed with the knowledge that “it was all dancing atoms. Nothing was solid.” It’s not a depressing novel, though. The story is strange and beautiful, with profundity hiding in the mundane while science and magic come to a comfortable alliance. After convincing himself to leave his bed, Edward has to find a rock for a science project. The rock turns out to be a Fetch, a magical vessel for small glints of light called Foragers, who collect and feed off unmissed moments of time. But when the mean girl steals Edward’s rock and is in turn kidnapped by three evil hags in the classic tradition, the Foragers are let loose and begin wreaking havoc on Brooklyn’s temporality. It is up to Edward and three mismatched schoolmates (the popular guy, the nasty girl, and the silent newcomer) to return the Foragers to the Fetch and save the world. The narrative seems to follow a well-trodden path (Brooklyn, fairies, unexpected friendship) but the introduction of scientifically based ennui as well as a deep thread of pagan traditions provides an accessible, age-appropriate introduction to deeper themes of both the intellect and the spirit. But it’s not heavy–the plot is suspenseful, moves at a rapid pace, and is heavily sprinkled with fascinating characters. Despite the well-wrapped-up ending, this book screams for a sequel.–Kyle Lukoff, Corlears School, New York City

PECK, Richard. The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail. illus. by Kelly Murphy. 240p. Dial. July 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3838-6. LC 2012027992.
Gr 4-6–Mouse Minor is the smallest mouse in the Royal Mews of Queen Victoria’s Buckingham Palace. Raised by kindly Aunt Marigold, he has no real family. He doesn’t even have a proper name–just a nickname. All he knows is that his mother was not a Mews mouse and that his oddly twisted tail marks him as different from his classmates at the Royal Mews Mouse Academy. Mouse Minor violates a cardinal rule of mouse society by accidentally allowing a human to see him dressed in his school uniform. Disgraced, he runs away, hoping to find some clues about who he is and where he came from. His quest takes him from the stables to the palace parade grounds to Victoria’s private chambers, but even the great Queen herself can’t give him all the answers he seeks. Set against the background of the 1897 Diamond Jubilee, the story portrays a secret animal society existing in the shadows of the human world. Mice, cats, horses, and other creatures have schools, armies, titles, and industries. Cultural attitudes and social ranks parallel the human ones, although because of the difference in life spans, the animal society moves a bit faster. Attractive mouse’s-eye-view drawings help establish the relationship between these two halves of Victorian society. With a plucky hero, exciting plot, and a satisfying, if somewhat predictable resolution, Peck’s latest is a gentle homage to old-school adventure tales.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

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

Grades 5-8 Fiction

ABDEL-FATTAH, Randa. The Friendship Matchmaker Goes Undercover. 208p. Walker. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3485-3.

ARMSTRONG, K. L. & M. A. Marr. Loki’s Wolves. Bk. 1. 360p. (The Blackwell Pages Series). illus. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-316-20496-5. LC 2012029851.

BOSCH, Pseudonymous. Write This Book: A Do-It-Yourself Mystery. illus. by Gilbert Ford. 276p. (Secret Series). Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20781-2.

BURNS, T. R. A World of Trouble. Bk. 2. 384p. (Merits of Mischief Series). S & S/Aladdin. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4032-6; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-4034-0.

CAMERON, Anne. The Lightning Catcher. 416p. illus. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211276-7; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211278-1. LC 2012042848.

CASTRO, Adam-Troy. Gustav Gloom and the Nightmare Vault. Bk. 2. illus. by Kristen Margiotta. 248p. Grosset & Dunlap. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-448-45834-2. LC 2012012898.

COLUMBUS, Chris & Ned Vizzini. House of Secrets. illus. by Greg Call. 496p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219246-2.

DANESHVARI, Gitty. Ghoulfriends Just Want to Have Fun. Bk. 2. illus. by Darko Dordevic. 262p. (Monster High Series). Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-316-22253-2. LC 2012048544.

DE LINT, Charles. The Cats of Tanglewood Forest. illus. by Charles Vess. 285p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-05357-0. LC 2011042982.

FARRANT, Natasha. After Iris. 260p. Dial. July 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3982-6.

FLEMING, David. The Saturday Boy. 261p. Viking. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78551-3. LC 2012029680.

FROST, Helen. Salt: A Story of Friendship in a Time of War. 160p. glossary. Farrar/Frances Foster. July 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-36387-1. LC 2012029521.

GARZA, Xavier. Maximilian and the Bingo Rematch: A Lucha Libre Sequel. illus. by author. 208p. Cinco Puntos. July 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-935955-59-7; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-935955-46-7; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-935955-47-4. LC 2012043173.

GOLDBLATT, Mark. Twerp. 275p. Random. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97142-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97143-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97144-0. LC 2012005033.

GOLDEN, Laura. Every Day After. 224p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74326-6; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99103-5; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98312-1. LC 2012015770.

GRABENSTEIN, Chris. Riley Mack Stirs Up More Trouble. 325p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-202622-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220297-0. LC 2012022148.

HAIG, Matt. To Be a Cat. illus. by Stacy Curtis. 304p. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5405-7; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-5407-1. LC 2012028520.

HARRISON, Mette Ivie. The Rose Throne. 400p. Egmont USA. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-365-9.

HAWKINS, Rachel. School Spirits. 297p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4849-4. LC 2012046402.

HEALY, Christopher. The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle. Bk. 2. illus. by Todd Harris. 480p. (Hero’s Guide Series). HarperCollins/Walden Pond. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211845-5. LC 2012050668.

HOLT, Christopher. Dark Waters. Bk. 2. illus. by Allen Douglas. 324p. (The Last Dogs Series). Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-316-20012-7. LC 2012030639.

HUGHES, Alison. Poser. 160p. Orca. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4598-0147-9; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4598-0149-3. LC 2012952942.

JONES, Ursula. Star Turn. 368p. glossary. Inside Pocket. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-9084581-6-2.

KITTREDGE, Caitlin. The Mirrored Shard. Bk. 3. 304p. (Iron Codex Series). Delacorte. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73833-0; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90722-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98570-6.

KLINE, Lisa Williams. Winter’s Tide. Bk. 4. 240p. (Sisters in All Seasons Series). Zonderkidz. 2013. pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-310-72619-7.

MADDISON, Kate. The Incredible Charlotte Sycamore. 282p. Holiday House. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2737-6. LC 2012019564.

MAYO, Simon. Itch: The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter. 426p. Sterling/Splinter. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4549-0509-7.

NESBET, Anne. A Box of Gargoyles. 368p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210425-0.

PERL, Erica S. Aces Wild. 224p. glossary. Knopf. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-307-93172-6; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97104-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97547-8. LC 2012023335.

PHILLIPS, Gin. The Hidden Summer. 208p. Dial. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3836-2.

PRYCE, Trevor with Joel Naftali. An Army of Frogs. Bk. 1. illus. by Sanford Greene. 273p. (Kulipari Series). Abrams/Amulet. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0172-6. LC 2012027726.

REESE, Jenn. Mirage. Bk. 2. 368p. (Above World Series). Candlewick. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5418-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6364-3. LC 2012943643.

RODKEY, Geoff. New Lands. Bk. 2. 304p. (The Chronicles of Egg Series). Putnam. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25786-5.

SANDERSON, Brandon. The Rithmatist. illus. by Ben McSweeney. 368p. Tor. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2032-2; ebook ISBN 978-1-4299-5316-0.

SCOTT, Jerry. Chillax. illus. by Jim Borgman. 256p. (Zits Series). HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-222851-2. LC 2013931374.

SHULMAN, Polly. The Wells Bequest: A Companion to The Grimm Legacy.288p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25646-2. LC 2012036571.

SHUSTERMAN, Neal. Ship Out of Luck. 304p. Dutton. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42226-6.

SMITH, Icy. Three Years and Eight Months. illus. by Jennifer Kindert. 44p. maps. photos. East West. 2013. Tr $20.95. ISBN 978-0-9856237-8-4. LC 2012040668.

VOIGT, Cynthia. Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things. Bk. 1. illus. by Iacopo Bruno. 384p. Knopf. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97681-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97123-5; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97683-3. LC 2012033823.

WEISSMAN, Elissa Brent. The Short Seller. 256p. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5255-8; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-5293-0. LC 2012018632.

YOLEN, Jane & Adam Stemple. The Hostage Prince. Bk. 1. 240p. (The Seelie Wars Series). Viking. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01434-7.

Book Review: Grades 9 Up Fiction | July 2013

SLJ — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:45:22 +0000

CLEMENT-MOORE, Rosemary. Spirit and Dust. 400p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74080-7; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98970-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98271-2.
Gr 9 Up–Daisy Goodnight, a 17-year-old psychic wunderkind, is a college student but occasionally she helps the FBI on murder cases. When the Feds whisk her away for another job, what starts out as a routine homicide investigation turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Enter crime boss Maguire. He kidnaps Daisy to extort her powers to find his kidnapped teenage daughter and to track down the magical Black Jackal, an ancient Egyptian artifact. A secret brotherhood wants the jackal, too, and neither the brotherhood nor Maguire has any scruples about doing whatever it takes to get it. Maguire pairs Daisy with his handsome young thug-with-a-conscience, Carson, and sends them off on a pulse-pumping hunt. What ensues is a perfectly balanced, dynamite combo of action, suspense, mystery, romance, and the paranormal topped off with a dash of humor. Daisy and Carson race across state lines, searching for clues in cemeteries, libraries, and museums. Along the way, they wrestle mummies, flee from the ghost of the Pompeii volcano, and encounter helpful spirit remnants of dead relatives. As Daisy and Carson get closer to the jackal, they discover that it has the potential to unleash unlimited spirit power. In the wrong hands…well, there’s the rub. Daisy is an endearing, strong heroine. Her magical interactions with the spirit world are made utterly believable by finely drawn, evocative details of how she achieves them and the side effects she suffers each time she does. This is one of the best YA novels of the year.–Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC

LAFEVERS, Robin. Dark Triumph. Bk. 2. 400p. (His Fair Assassin Series). Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-62838-7.
Gr 9 Up–In this sequel to Grave Mercy (Houghton Harcourt, 2012), Sybella leaves the convent where she has learned her assassin’s skills and returns to Brittany, where she must endure her father’s unspeakable cruelty and the incestuous love of her half brother. Determined to undermine D’Albret at every turn and stay loyal to Duchess Anne, she carries out covert operations and looks for opportunities to use her skills and bring evildoers to justice. She helps to foil a plot to capture Anne and frees the Beast of Waroch, the duchess’s most loyal and fierce champion, from D’Albret’s prison, all the while waiting for an opening to kill her father. When the knight knocks her out and takes her along with him, her cover is blown and she despairs that no one will be able to stop D’Albret’s reign of terror. As with the first book, LaFevers has filled the pages of her novel with adventure, and the pace is electrifyingly fast. The characters are well drawn, and even the secondary figures have dimension. Sybella’s quick-thinking and fearless approach to terrifying personal and political situations renders her an incredibly strong protagonist with whom readers will identify. The love that develops between her and Beast provides a model of a healthy relationship built on mutual trust and understanding. Realistic details of 15th-century Breton life abound, providing an overall clear and accurate picture of the times. There is much talk about St. Mortain as the Lord of Death, which some may find disturbing, but these topics are handled well and the story will leave readers eager for the series’ finale.–Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

MADISON, Bennett. September Girls. 352p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-125563-2.
Gr 10 Up–Before the school year is even completely over, Sam’s dad quits his job and takes the 17-year-old and his older brother, who’s home from college, to a sleepy Outer Banks beach town for the summer. Sam’s mom left abruptly months earlier and the three are still reeling from her sudden departure. Ensconced in a rundown rental, the boys spend the summer partying, swimming, and trying to get to know the beautiful, blond, ephemeral-looking girls who seem to be everywhere in town. There’s something odd about them; for one thing they can’t take their eyes off Sam–which is not a problem he’s used to. It turns out that he holds the key to unlocking the curse that has been cast upon the lovely young women. Well, he can help one of them at least. Legends of mermaids, magic, and curses coupled with teenage lust and in-your-face raunchy lingo (including myriad derogatory references to girls and sexual innuendos) make this a unique attempt to combine seemingly disparate elements. This novel is Hans Christian Andersen’s “Little Mermaid” meets modern teenage angst. Sam’s voice rings true and is quite compelling as he copes with his mother’s abandonment and his first forays into love. A fairy tale for a decidedly older audience.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

SULLIVAN, Tara. Golden Boy. 368p. glossary. Putnam. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-16112-4.
Gr 8 Up–Habo, 13, knows that his albinism makes him a zeruzeru, less than a person. His skin burns easily, and his poor eyesight makes school almost impossible. People shun or mock him. Unable to accept his son’s white skin and yellow hair, his father abandoned the family, and they cannot manage their drought-ravaged farm in a small Tanzanian village. Habo and his mother, sister, and brother travel across the Serengeti to seek refuge with his aunt’s family in Mwanza. Along the way, they hitch a ride with an ivory poacher, Alasiri, who kills elephants without remorse for the money the tusks bring. In Mwanza, the family learns that one commodity can fetch even higher prices: a zeruzeru. Rich people will pay handsomely for albino body parts, and Alasiri plans to make his fortune. Habo must flee to Dar es Salaam before he is killed. After a harrowing escape, he reaches the city and miraculously encounters a person to whom his appearance makes no difference: a blind woodcarver named Kweli. Slowly Habo develops a sense of self-worth as well as carving skills. When Alasiri brings ivory for Kweli to carve, the boy and old man work with the police to send the hunter to prison. Habo’s gripping account propels readers along. His narrative reveals his despair, anger, and bewilderment, but there are humorous moments, too. Although fortuitous encounters and repeated escapes may seem unlikely, the truth underlying the novel is even more unbelievable. In Tanzania, people with albinism have been maimed and killed for their body parts, thought to bring good luck. Readers will be haunted by Habo’s voice as he seeks a place of dignity and respect in society. An important and affecting story.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

TUCHOLKE, April Genevieve. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. 368p. Dial. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3889-8. LC 2012035586.
Gr 10 Up–With their beloved grandmother, Freddie, deceased and their artistic, absentee parents blowing the family money abroad, 17-year-old twins Violet and Luke are as neglected as Citizen Kane, their formerly grand and now dilapidated home on a seaside cliff. Antagonistic Luke and sultry neighbor Sunshine are Violet’s only company until she rents the guesthouse to enigmatic River West. His crooked smile, discerning palate, and penchant for lying leave Violet both enamored and distrustful. He is cavalier with the mind-manipulating supernatural power he is unable, and somewhat reluctant, to control. In a small town with its fair share of lurid tales, River’s appearance brings with it devil sightings, missing children, and disturbing deaths. Tucholke’s gothic tone, plot, and setting, complete with a deteriorating estate full of dark family secrets, is reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier or YA fare such as Kami Garcia’s and Margaret Stohl’s Beautiful Creatures (Little, Brown, 2009). Violet’s narration is frank and perceptive, livened with humor and an almost poetically descriptive lilt. She is a combination of naive and mature, having grown up in relative seclusion with limited supervision. Violet and River’s attraction is palpable, but their romance is tainted by his shifty morals and shady charm. Swearing and sexual situations are non-gratuitous. Adults are easily appeased and generally turn a blind eye. Give this one to fans of creepy mysteries, particularly tales that don’t skimp on the violence. They’ll appreciate the conclusion’s heart-pounding, bile-rising standoff.–Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

WASSERMAN, Robin. The Waking Dark. 464p. Knopf. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86877-1; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96877-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89962-1. LC 2012032802.
Gr 9 Up–This contemporary thriller opens on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon in a small town in Kansas, when five people with no connection to one another inexplicably commit murders and then kill, or attempt to kill, themselves. This becomes known as “the killing day,” and no one has an explanation for it. The dark story is told from the perspectives of five teenagers, each of whom suffers in a different way due to the crimes, but it’s nearly a year before their linked lives truly converge. After a devastating tornado, the entire town is quarantined and the adults are descending into violent madness. The five teens seem to be the only ones who realize something terrible is happening; they struggle both to stay alive and unravel what’s really going on and who is responsible. While the number of protagonists can be confusing at times, their alternating stories are all compelling. Great dialogue and intriguing subplots add to the action-packed story, which will have readers frantically flipping pages. Wasserman sustains a truly spooky mood throughout, and the suspense doesn’t let up until the final pages.–Sunnie Lovelace, Wallingford Public Library, CT

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

Grades 9 Up Fiction

ANONYMOUS. Letting Ana Go. 288p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7223-5; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7213-6; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-7214-3. LC 2012956565.

ARCHER, Jennifer. The Shadow Girl. 336p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-183460-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220300-7.

ARNOLD, Elana K. Burning. 320p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74334-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99108-0; ebook ISBN 978-0-449-81076-7.

BARON, Ruth. Defriended. 256p. Scholastic/Point. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-545-42357-1.

BARSON, K. A. 45 Pounds (More or Less). 256p. Viking. July 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78482-0.

BASKIN, Nora Raleigh. Surfacing. 192p. Candlewick. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4908-1. LC 2012942396.

BINGHAM, Kelly. Formerly Shark Girl. 342p. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5362-0; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6406-0.

BRADBURY, Jennifer. A Moment Comes. 288p. glossary. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7876-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8302-6.

CAMERON, Emma. Out of This Place. 416p. Candlewick. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6404-6. LC 2012942672.

CASTLE, Jennifer. You Look Different in Real Life. 355p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-198581-2. LC 2012051743.

COLASANTI, Susane. All I Need. 224p. Viking. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01423-1.

COLFER, Eoin. The Reluctant Assassin. Bk. 1. 341p. (W.A.R.P. Series). Hyperion/Disney. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6162-2. LC 2012048160.

CÓRDOVA, Zoraida. The Savage Blue. Bk. 2. 416p. (The Vicious Deep Series). Sourcebooks/Fire. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8206-5.

DAVIES, Anna. Identity Theft. 250p. Scholastic/Point Horror. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-545-47712-3.

DEEBS, Tracy. Doomed. 470p. Walker. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2373-4. LC 2011050974.

DESSEN, Sarah. The Moon and More. 384p. Viking. 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78560-5.

DOKTORSKI, Jennifer Salvato. Famous Last Words. 288p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. July 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9367-4.

DOS SANTOS, Steven. The Culling. Bk. 1. 421p. (The Torch Keeper Series). Flux. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7387-3537-5.

FARIZAN, Sara. If You Could Be Mine. 256p. Algonquin. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-61620-251-4.

FITZGERALD, Helen. Deviant. 256p. SohoTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-139-9; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-140-5.

FLINN, Alex. Towering. 304p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-202417-6; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-202418-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220921-4.

FLORES-SCOTT, Patrick. Jumped In. 304p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9514-2.

FRAIBERG, Jordanna. Our Song. 336p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-268-9.

GOULD, Sasha. Heart of Glass. 326p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74152-1; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99008-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98541-6. LC 2012014714.

GRAY, Claudia. Spellcaster. 400p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196120-5; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220130-0. LC 2012025331.

GRIFFO, Michael. Moonglow. Bk. 1. 408p. (The Darkborn Legacy Series). Kensington/KTeen. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7582-8072-5.

GURTLER, Janet. How I Lost You. 320p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-7794-8.

HIATT, Fred. Nine Days. 239p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74273-3; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99073-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97727-4. LC 2012008653.

HOWLAND, Leila. Nantucket Blue. 294p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6051-9. LC 2012035121.

KADE, Stacey. The Rules. 416p. (Project Paper Doll Series). Hyperion/Disney. 2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-5328-3. LC 2012033732.

KENNEALLY, Miranda. Things I Can’t Forget. 320p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-7190-8.

KLASS, David & Perri Klass. Second Impact. 336p. photos. Farrar/Frances Foster. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37996-4.

KONIGSBERG, Bill. Openly Straight. 336p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-50989-3; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-50990-9.

LAWSON, Shandy. The Loop. 208p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6089-2. LC 2012025510.

LEVEEN, Tom. ManicPixieDreamGirl. 241p. Random. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87005-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87060-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97576-8. LC 2012027694.

LIEBERMAN, Leanne. Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust. 240p. Orca. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4598-0109-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4598-0111-0. LC 2012952950.

LINDSEY, Mary. Ashes on the Waves. 384p. Philomel. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-15939-8.

LORENTZ, Dayna. No Easy Way Out. Bk. 2. 480p. (No Safety in Numbers Series). Dial. July 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3874-4. LC 2012032618.

LYNE, Jennifer H. Catch Rider. 288p. Clarion. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-86871-4. LC 2012022616.

MAFI, Tahereh. Unravel Me. 470p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208553-5; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208556-6.

MARTIN, T. Michael. The End Games. 369p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220180-5. LC 2012038108.

MCENTIRE, K. D. Never. Bk. 3. 300p. (Lightbringer Series). PYR. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-61614-771-6.

MCGARRY, Katie. Dare You To. 480p. Harlequin Teen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-373-21063-3.

MCGOWAN, Jennifer. Maid of Secrets. 416p. (Maids of Honor Series). S & S. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4138-5; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-4140-8. LC 2012033573.

MCVOY, Terra Elan. Criminal. 269p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2162-2; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2164-6. LC 2012022801.

MEADOWS, Jodi. Asunder. Bk. 2. 416p. (An Incarnate Novel Series). HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206078-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-206080-8. LC 2012009696.

MITCHELL, Saundra, ed. Defy the Dark. 480p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212354-1; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212353-4. LC 2012029993.

MLAWSKI, Shana. Hammer of Witches. 384p. Lee & Low/Tu. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-987-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60060-988-6. LC 2012048627.

MOULTON, Courtney Allison. Shadows in the Silence. Bk. 3. 480p. (An Angelfire Novel). HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200239-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220301-4. LC 2012005261.

NOYES, Deborah. Plague in the Mirror. 320p. Candlewick. July 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5980-6. LC 2012947257.

PATRICK, Cat. The Originals. 304p. Little, Brown. 2013. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-316-21943-3. LC 2012029853.

PAUL, Fiona. Belladonna. Bk. 2. 352p. (The Secrets of the Eternal Rose Series). Philomel. July 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25726-1. LC 2012029564.

PEARSON, Mary E. Fox Forever. Bk. 3. 304p. (The Jenna Fox Chronicles). Holt. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9434-3; ebook ISBN 978-0-8050-9639-2. LC 2012027677.

QUINN, Kate Karyus. Another Little Piece. 432p. HarperTeen. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-213595-7.

REED, Amy. Over You. 320p. S & S/Simon Pulse. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5696-9.

REEKLES, Beth. The Kissing Booth. 448p. Delacorte. 2013. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-385-37868-0; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-0-385-37867-3.

ROECKER, Lisa & Laura Roecker. This Is W.A.R. 288p. SohoTeen. July 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-61695-261-7.

SAMPSON, Jeff. Ravage. Bk. 3. 388p. (The Deviants Series). HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199280-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-220293-2. LC 2012028328.

SANDERSON, Brandon. Steelheart. 400p. Delacorte. Sept. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74356-3.

SCHEIBE, Lindsey. Riptide. 288p. glossary. Flux. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7387-3594-8. LC 2012048951.

SCHNEIDER, Robyn. The Beginning of Everything. 336p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-221713-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-06-221715-8.

SEAMON, Hollis. Somebody Up There Hates You. 256p. Algonquin. Sept. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61620-260-6.

STANDIFORD, Natalie. The Boy on the Bridge. 256p. Scholastic. Aug. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-33481-5. LC 2012033037.

STEWART, Paul & Chris Riddell. Returner’s Wealth. Bk. 1. 372p. (Wyrmeweald Series). illus. Open Road. Sept. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4804-1610-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4804-1515-7.

SUN, Amanda. Ink. Bk. 1. 384p. (The Paper Gods Series). glossary. illus. Harlequin Teen. July 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-373-21071-8.

WENNICK, Elizabeth. Whatever Doesn’t Kill You. 208p. Orca. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4598-0083-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4598-0085-4. LC 2012952946.

Book Review: Grades 5 & Up Nonfiction | July 2013

SLJ — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:41:53 +0000

HOYT, Erich. Weird Sea Creatures. 64p. index. photos. Firefly. July 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-77085-197-9; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-77085-191-7.
Gr 5 Up–Fangs, “fur,” and photophores abound in this colorful celebration of decidedly odd and recently discovered species. Through 50 gorgeous photos, readers are introduced to a yeti crab; a spined pigmy shark; Dumbo, the octopod; and many other deep-sea dwellers. A carefully constructed introduction presents the physical characteristics of the abyssal ocean–its cold darkness, its cruel pressure–and of the difficulties in finding, collecting, and photographing the creatures that call it home. Also included are explanations of the function of chromophores and photophores and the little that is known about the “language of light”’ of abyssal animals. Following those informative pages is an album of rare beauty. Stunning full-page photos give readers a rare close-up view of animals ranging in size from a 1/24 inch oikopleura squirt to a six-foot-long orangeback flying squid, each accompanied by a brief informative paragraph. For those who have enjoyed Sneed B. Collard’s The Deep-Sea Floor (Charlesbridge, 2003), this is a veritable book of revelations. A feast for the eye and a tickle for the mind.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

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

Grades 5 & Up Nonfiction

ALOIAN, Molly. George Washington: Hero of the American Revolution. ISBN 978-0-7787-0799-8.
––––.Phillis Wheatley: Poet of the Revolutionary Era. ISBN 978-0-7787-0803-2.
COCCA, Lisa Colozza. Marquis de Lafayette: Fighting for America’s Freedom. ISBN 978-0-7787-0802-5.
ROBERTS, Steve. King George III: England’s Struggle to Keep America. ISBN 978-0-7787-0800-1.
ea vol: 48p. (Understanding the American Revolution Series). bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Crabtree. 2013. PLB $30.60.

CORNIOLEY, Pearl Witherington with Hervé Larroque. Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent. ed. by Kathryn Atwood. 208p. appendix. bibliog. index. maps. notes. photos. Chicago Review. Aug. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-487-1.

CRAFT, Jerry & Kathleen Sullivan. Pitching for the Stars: My Seasons Across the Color Line. 136p. bibliog. index. photos. Texas Tech Univ. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-89672-787-8; ebook $14.95. ISBN 978-0-89672-788-5.

DOESCHER, Ian. William Shakespeare’s Star Wars®: Verily, A New Hope. illus. by Nicolas Delort. 170p. Quirk. July 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-637-6; ebook $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-655-0. LC 2012953985.

EVYAGOTAILAK, Darla & Mindy Willett. No Borders: Kigliqangittuq. 34p. (The Land Is Our Storybook Series). diags. glossary. illus. maps. Fifth House. 2013. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-1-92708-307-9.

FITZGERALD, Michael Oren. Children of the Tipi: Life in the Buffalo Days. 40p. maps. photos. Wisdom Tales. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-937786-09-0.

FURGANG, Adam & Kathy Furgang. Cultivating Positive Peer Groups and Friendships. ISBN 978-1-4488-8311-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-8317-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-8324-0. LC 2012017872.
LANDAU, Jennifer.Dealing with Bullies, Cliques, and Social Stress. ISBN 978-1-4488-8313-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-8321-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-8325-7. LC 2012009244.
MEYER, Terry.Navigating a New School. ISBN 978-1-4488-8312-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-8319-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-8326-4. LC 2012018548.
WATSON, Stephanie.How Not to Choke on Tests: Achieving Academic and Testing Success. ISBN 978-1-4488-8310-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-8315-8; ISBN 978-1-4488-8323-3.
ea vol: 64p. (The Middle School Survival Handbook Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen Central. 2013. PLB $31.95; pap. $12.95; ebook $31.95.

GAY, Kathlyn. Bigotry and Intolerance: The Ultimate Teen Guide. 182p. (It Happened to Me Series). bibliog. notes. photos. websites. Scarecrow. 2013. Tr $50. ISBN 978-0-8108-8360-4; ebook $49.99. ISBN 978-0-8108-8361-1. LC 2012043200.

GIBSON, Karen Bush. Women Aviators: 26 Stories of Pioneer Flights, Daring Missions, and Record-Setting Journeys. 240p. (Women of Action Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. photos. websites. Chicago Review Press. July 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-61374-540-3.

HILMERS, David with Rick Houston. Man on a Mission: The David Hilmers Story. 144p. photos. Zonderkidz. 2013. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-310-73613-4.

HODGES, Henry & Margaret Engel. How to Act Like a Kid: Backstage Secrets of a Young Performer. 256p. further reading. glossary. photos. reprods. websites. Disney. 2013. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-6320-6.

KENNEY, Karen Latchana. David Karp: The Mastermind Behind Tumblr. 48p. (Gateway Biographies Series). bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Lerner. 2013. RTE $26.60. ISBN 978-1-4677-1285-9; ebook $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1286-6. LC 2012038057.

KOVACS, Lawrence. Inca: Dicover the Culture and Geography of a Lost Civilization with 25 Projects. illus. by Farah Rizvi. 128p. (Build It Yourself Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. websites. Nomad. 2013. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-141-2; pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-140-5.

LATHAM, Donna. Canals and Dams: Investigate Feats of Engineering. illus. by Andrew Christensen. 128p. (Build It Yourself Series). charts. chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. websites. Nomad. 2013. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-169-6; pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-165-8.

MOONEY, Carla. Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation. illus. by Sam Carbaugh. 128p. (Inquire and Investigate Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. websites. Nomad. July 2013. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-184-9; Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-61930-188-7.

MULDER, Michelle. Pedal It!: How Bicycles Are Changing the World. charts. diags. index. ISBN 978-1-4598-0219-3.
TATE, Nikki. Down to Earth: How Kids Help Feed the World. ISBN 978-1-4598-0423-4.
ea vol: 48p. (Orca Footprints Series). bibliog. illus. photos. reprods. websites. Orca. 2013. Tr $19.95.

MUNDURUKU, Daniel, retel. Amazonia: Indigenous Tales from Brazil. tr. from Portuguese by Jane Springer. illus. by Nikolai Popov. 96p. glossary. Groundwood/House of Anansi. 2013. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-185-4.

O’REILLY, Bill. Kennedy’s Last Days: The Assassination That Defined a Generation. 336p. bibliog. chron. diags. further reading. index. maps. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Holt. July 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9802-0.

OWINGS, Lisa. The Black Mamba. ISBN 978-1-60014-877-4. LC 2012035841.
––––.The Black Widow Spider. ISBN 978-1-60014-878-1. LC 2012034292.
––––.The Deathstalker Scorpion. ISBN 978-1-60014-879-8. LC 2012035264.
––––.Killer Bees. ISBN 978-1-60014-880-4. LC 2012031234.
ea vol: 24p. (Nature’s Deadliest Series). further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Bellwether Media. 2013. PLB $22.95.

RICHARDSON, Gillian. 10 Plants That Shook the World. illus. by Kim Rosen. 129p. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. maps. photos. Annick. 2013. RTE $24.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-445-8; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-444-1.

RIVKIN, Jennifer. Physical Bullying. ISBN 978-0-7787-7914-8; ISBN 978-0-7787-7919-3. LC 2013000562.
STUCKEY, Rachel. Cyber Bullying. ISBN 978-0-7787-7913-1; ISBN 978-0-7787-7918-6. LC 2013000584.
WEBB, Margaret. Social Bullying. ISBN 978-0-7787-7915-5; ISBN 978-0-7787-7920-9. LC 2013000583.
ea vol: 48p. (Take a Stand Against Bullying Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Crabtree. 2013. PLB $30.60; pap. $10.95.

SANFORD, William R. Apache Chief Geronimo. ISBN 978-0-7660-4093-9. LC 2011048759.
––––.Hunkpapa Lakota Chief Sitting Bull. ISBN 978-0-7660-4097-7. LC 2011050446.
––––.Nez Percé Chief Joseph. ISBN 978-0-7660-4092-2. LC 2011048763.
––––.Oglala Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. ISBN 978-0-7660-4094-6. LC 2011048758.
ea vol: 48p. (Native American Chiefs and Warriors Series). further reading. glossary. index. maps. notes. photos. reprods. websites. Enslow. 2013. PLB $21.26.

SETTERINGTON, Ken. Branded by the Pink Triangle. 196p. appendix. bibliog. charts. chron. map. notes. photos. reprods. Second Story. 2013. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-926920-96-2.

WALKER, Jackie & Pamela Dittmer McKuen. Expressionista: How to Express Your True Self Through (and Despite) Fashion. 224p. appendix. illus. Beyond Words. Sept. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-429-6; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-58270-428-9; ebook ISBN 978-1-4424-8523-5.

WEISMAN, Stefanie. The Secrets of Top Students: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Acing High School and College. 288p. charts. notes. Sourcebooks. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-8079-5.

WEXLER, Bruce. The Hatfields & the McCoys. 176p. charts. photos. reprods. Skyhorse. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-62087-600-8.

Book/Multimedia Review Stars List | July 2013

SLJ — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:39:13 +0000

Fiction

APPELT, Kathi. The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp. illus. by Jennifer Bricking. S & S/Atheneum. July 2013. p. 76.

BECKER, Aaron. Journey. illus. by author. Candlewick. July 2013. p. 55.

CLEMENT-MOORE, Rosemary. Spirit and Dust. Delacorte. p. 90.

DAYWALT, Drew. The Day the Crayons Quit. illus. by Oliver Jeffers. Philomel. July 2013. p. 59.

HENKES, Kevin. The Year of Billy Miller. illus. by author. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Sept. 2013. p. 63.

HERRICK, Amy. The Time Fetch. Algonquin. Aug. 2013. p. 82.

KELLER, Laurie. Bowling Alley Bandit. illus. by author. (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut). Holt/Christy Ottaviano. p. 64.

LAFEVERS, Robin. Dark Triumph. Bk. 2. (His Fair Assassin Series). Houghton Harcourt. p. 95.

MADISON, Bennett.September Girls. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. p. 96.

MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Sophie’s Squash. illus. by Anne Wilsdorf. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Aug. 2013. p. 67.

PECK, Richard. The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail. illus. by Kelly Murphy. Dial. July 2013. p. 84.

SEEGER, Laura Vaccaro. Bully. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Aug. 2013. p. 70.

SULLIVAN, Tara. Golden Boy. Putnam. p. 102.

TUCHOLKE, April Genevieve. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Dial. Aug. 2013. p. 102.

WASSERMAN, Robin. The Waking Dark. Knopf. Sept. 2013. p. 102.

WISSINGER, Tamera Will. Gone Fishing. illus. by Matthew Cordell. Houghton Harcourt. p. 74.

WOODSON,Jacqueline. This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration. illus. by James Ransome. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Aug. 2013. p. 75.

Graphic Novels

PHELAN,Matt. Bluffton. illus. by author. Candlewick. July 2013. p. 104.

SHEN, Prudence & Faith Erin Hicks. Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong. illus. by Faith Erin Hicks. First Second. p. 105.

YANG, Gene Luen. Boxers.pap. $18.99.
––––.Saints. pap. $15.99.
ea vol: illus. by author. (Boxers & Saints Series). First Second. Oct. 2013.

Nonfiction

FLOCA,Brian.Locomotive. illus. by author. S & S/Atheneum/Richard Jackson Bks. Sept. 2013. p. 108.

HOYT, Erich. Weird Sea Creatures. Firefly. July 2013. p. 116.

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. Martin & Mahalia. illus. by Brian Pinkney. Little, Brown. Aug. 2013. p. 110.

VESTERGAARD, Hope. Digger, Dozer, Dumper. illus. by David Slonim. Candlewick. Aug. 2013. p. 112.

From the Adult Books 4 Teens blog

WOLITZER, Meg. The Interestings. Penguin Group. (May 13 post)

CORVINO, John. What’s Wrong with Homosexuality?. Oxford Univ. (May 29 post)

MILLAY,Katja. The Sea of Tranquility. Atria. (June 5 post)

DVD

Amazing Science! Volume 1. AV Café.p. 43.

Central Park Five. PBS Dist. p. 45.

Fun Foundations for Handwriting. The TV Teacher. p. 41.

Les Misérables. Entertainment One Home Video. p. 43.

YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip. First Run Features.p. 44.

Audio

Bomb. By Steven Sheinkin. Listening Library. p. 52.

Code Name Verity.By Elizabeth Wein. Brilliance Audio. p. 48.

Fox Forever. By Mary E. Pearson. Macmillan Audio. p. 48.

Mojo. By Tim Tharp. Listening Library. p. 49.

Mountains Beyond Mountains. By Tracy Kidder and Michael French. Listening Library. p. 52.

Requiem: Delirium, Book 3. By Lauren Oliver. Listening Library. p. 50.

Scowler. By Daniel Draus. Listening Library. p. 50.

Sha Doo Be Doop.Performed by Miss Nina. Little Monster Records. p. 52.

Pick of the Day: The Thing About Luck

SLJ — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:00:05 +0000

KADOHATA, Cynthia. The Thing About Luck. illus. by Julia Kuo. 288p. S & S/Atheneum. June 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-1882-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7467-3. LC 2012021287.
Gr 5-8–Fans of Kadohata’s Kira-Kira (S & S, 2004) will welcome this similarly gentle, character-driven exploration of familial bonds, this time set in the contemporary Midwest. With their parents called away to care for relatives in Japan, 12-year-old Summer and her younger brother, Jaz, accompany their grandparents, performing the grueling work that comes with the harvest season. In her likable voice, Summer observes the varying excitement, tedium, and challenges of harvesting wheat, sprinkling her narration with casual turns of phrase such as “OMG” and “epic fail” that will endear her to readers. Strong family ties suffuse this novel with a tremendous amount of heart. Though Summer’s brother has been diagnosed with a number of disorders, she prefers to think of him as simply “intense,” and, like most siblings, is alternately protective of and annoyed by his idiosyncrasies. Her grandparents, comically strict Obaachan and kindly Jiichan, bring warmth and humor with their cultural and generational differences. Kadohata expertly captures the uncertainties of the tween years as Summer navigates the balance of childlike concerns with the onset of increasingly grown-up responsibilities. She ponders the fragility of life after a brush with death from malaria, experiences newfound yearnings upon becoming preoccupied with a boy, and bravely steps up to save the day when her grandfather falls ill. The book’s leisurely pace and extensive information about grain harvesting require some amount of patience from readers, but their investment will be rewarded by Summer’s satisfying journey to self-actualization.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Pick of the Day: Kindness for Weakness

SLJ — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:00:52 +0000

GOODMAN, Shawn. Kindness for Weakness. 272p. Delacorte. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74324-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-99102-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98207-0.
Gr 8 Up–In this gut-wrenching narrative of loneliness and anger, disillusion and hope, 15-year-old James desperately wants to reconnect with his estranged older brother, Louis, and agrees to deliver drugs to several clients. When he is arrested, he is abandoned by Louis and sent to a juvenile detention facility where intimidation, abuse, and violence among guards and inmates are daily occurrences. As James struggles to find his own voice and reconcile his feelings about his negligent brother and mother, he begins to realize that everyone can make choices about how they live and treat others. James is comforted by letters from a favorite English teacher, reading Jack London’s The Sea Wolf, and the encouragement of a guard who teaches him to lift weights. In a climactic confrontation, he sheds his passive demeanor and attacks a cruel guard who is relentlessly punishing a gay inmate friend. In retaliation, James is brutally beaten by two guards. The unexpected intervention of a staff nurse brings paramedics who airlift James to a hospital and to a “second chance.” Despite the harsh, stark circumstances of his broken home and the upstate New York detention center, James becomes more than a survivor. His nonaggressive disposition provokes contempt but enables him to see more clearly vulnerabilities and injustices around him. Like Shavonne in Goodman’s Something Like Hope (Delacorte, 2010), James must set his own course in life and find supportive adults. Gripping action, gritty dialogue, vivid characters, and palpable tension permeate the brief chapters of James‘s powerful, honest, compelling narrative.–Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC

Pick of the Day: Far Far Away

SLJ — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:00:55 +0000

MCNEAL, Tom. Far Far Away. 370p. Knopf. June 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84972-5; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94972-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89698-9. LC 2012020603.
Gr 6 Up–McNeal spins a tale fluctuating from whimsy to macabre in such a beguiling voice that–like Hansel and Gretel–readers won’t realize they’re enmeshed in his dangerous seduction until it’s too late. The book is narrated by the ghost of Jacob Grimm (yes, that one), unhappily caught in the Zwischenraum (a plane of existence between life and death). For now, he is the nearly constant companion of Jeremy Johnson Johnson, who can hear Grimm’s voice when he presses a finger to his right temple. He’s also heard the voices of his dying mother and grandfather. This ability has made him an object of derision for many in his little town, though–thrillingly–not to the electrifyingly vibrant Ginger Boultinghouse, who is more than happy to lure Jeremy into more trouble than he’s ever encountered. Grimm tries to be the voice of reason–to keep Jeremy safe–but few things are as they initially seem in the town of Never Better and it’s difficult to know the difference between hazard and opportunity. It’s also hard to know the good folk from the bad and that’s because so many of McNeal’s characters are complex and have conflicted motivations. When is a bully not so bad? Where’s the line between justifiable grief and parental neglect? Can an older man love a teenager in a way that’s not creepy? How do stories nourish us? At what point do they stifle us? All these questions, and many more, are raised in this folklore-inflected, adventurous, romantic fantasy. Whether readers connect more deeply with the suspense, the magical elements, or the gloriously improbable love story, they will come away with a lingering taste of enchantment.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Library, NY

Read an interview with Tom McNeal on Far Far Away.

A Happily-Ever-After Ghost Story | Tom McNeal’s ‘Far Far Away’

Daryl Grabarek — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:06:53 +0000

From TeachingBooks.net, listen to Tom McNeal introduce and read from Far Far Away

Tom McNeal always wondered if he could handle “the complications of a ghost story.” At the same time, he was also intrigued by the idea of using a fairy-tale structure. In his latest novel, Far Far Away (Random, June, 2013; Gr 6 Up) the author smoothly melds the two to create a suspenseful, haunting tale. At its center is the folklorist Jacob Grimm, stuck as a ghost. He’s dead, but unable to reunite with his brother Wilhelm, who predeceased him. Jacob believes if he can help save the young Jeremy Johnson Johnson he may be able to move on. Here McNeal discusses his beguiling, macabre work.

What appealed to you about the fairy tale set-up?
In fairy tales, the situation changes but the characters don’t. They tend to be stereotypes: the simple but kind youngest son, the girl whose true character isn’t seen. What you basically have are flat characters that couldn’t sustain a longer [story]. In thinking about them and reading about the Grimm brothers, the idea popped into my head: What if Jacob, the elder Grimm, became a ghost? That idea evolved…[until] the ghost story and the fairy tale collided and merged.

The idea of a benevolent ghost is an interesting one, too. Jacob is almost a fairy godfather figure to Jeremy.
I loved writing in the voice of Jacob. I’ve never written a novel in first person. Normally you have the constraints of a narrow point of view, but a ghost can observe lots of things. I found that really freeing. The story started with the characters—Jeremy and [his classmate] Ginger—and with the understanding that the ghost would intercede or try to protect them. I knew they were going to wind up in a basement, and I knew it would end happily—in accordance with the form—but I wasn’t sure how.

You easily navigate the inner workings of a contemporary town, with phones and televisions, while still honoring the childhood experiences of exploring and pulling pranks in what feels like a safe place—until the children’s disappearances. How did you strike that balance?
As carefully as I could. I didn’t want cell phones. I worried about any kind of modern technology, because I didn’t want to spend a lot of the book explaining how Jacob perceives these devices. In an earlier version, there was quite a bit of that, and it was distracting. It’s a fairly contemporary setting, but there are no benchmarks of time.

Were you always a fan of the Brothers Grimm? You know so much about them, especially the little-known facts that come to light in the Uncommon Knowledge game featured in the book.
No! I read fairy tales like everyone read fairy tales. I loved the idea of peering into your fondest hopes. You go out and do something good or generous and you win the king’s daughter and live in a castle. Or looking into into your worst fears—being abandoned in the woods. Or being cut up and put in a stew by your stepmother—really, really, dark, ghoulish things—but then everything is reconstituted and made whole, and you can go about your day. The business of fairy tales is fascinating. Our attraction to them is universal.

I knew very little about the Grimm brothers until I started researching them. I thought they’d written the fairy tales. I know a lot more about them now. The lifelong affinity of one brother to the other was really what was interesting to me.

Most, if not all, of the Brothers Grimm tales involve someone confronting evil full on and moving through his or her fear. Was that something you wanted to work with from the beginning?
Yes. I wanted Jeremy and Ginger to be tested in a severe way and to respond to the situation as their characters would, within their belief systems—that their reliance on their personal strengths would allow them to persevere, and, in the end, prevail. In an early version Jacob was the one who almost single-handedly saved them. I changed that later on—I wanted Jeremy and Ginger to participate to a greater extent in overcoming what is described in the book as evil.

And through their ordeal, it’s the stories Jeremy tells that sustain them.
Yes. That was all new in the last version. You would have thought that would be there from day one.

There’s a wonderful observation that Jacob makes, “Every day, a child steps away from the parent by the littlest distance, perhaps just the width of a mouse whisker….”
Yes, it’s a very subtle, slow thing that happens. [As a parent,] you don’t want to admit to that. You want to believe that your children need you as much as you need them. That was one of the things that was really fun about inhabiting this first-person ghost—it gave me a way to put down on paper the things I observe and think about.

From TeachingBooks.net, listen to Tom McNeal introduce and read from Far Far Away

Book/Multimedia Review Stars List | June 2013

SLJ — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:31:28 +0000

Preschool to Grade 4

BOYD, Lizi. Inside Outside. illus. by author. Chronicle. p. 76 .

CHENG, Andrea. The Year of the Baby. illus. by Patrice Barton. Houghton Harcourt. p. 78.

ELLIOT, David. Henry’s Map . illus. by author. Philomel. June 2013. p. 82.

FOGLIANO, Julie. If You Want to See a Whale . illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. p. 84.

GREY, Mini. Toys in Space. illus. by author. Knopf. p. 86.

RAPOSO, Joe. Sing. illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. p. 107.

RINKER, Sherri Duskey. Steam Train, Dream Train . illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. Chronicle. p. 97.

GRADES 5 & UP

BEATY, Andrea. Dorko the Magnificent. illus. by Nathan Hale. Abrams/Amulet. p. 110.

BLACK, Holly. Doll Bones . illus. by Eliza Wheeler. S & S/McElderry. p. 112.

GOODMAN, Shawn. Kindness for Weakness . Delacorte. p. 124.

KADOHATA, Cynthia. The Thing About Luck . illus. by Julia Kuo. S & S/Atheneum. June 2013. p. 128.

KENNEDY, Caroline, sel. Poems to Learn by Heart . illus. by Jon J. Muth. Hyperion/Disney. p. 150.

LEE, Jenny. Elvis and the Underdogs. illus. by Kelly Light. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. p. 131.

MCNEAL, Tom. Far Far Away. Knopf. June 2013. p. 133.

WILLIAMS-GARCIA, Rita. P.S. Be Eleven . HarperCollins/Amistad. June 2013. p. 146.

WINTERS, Cat. In the Shadow of Blackbirds. Abrams/Amulet. p. 146.

Adult Books 4 Teens Blog

HILL, Joe. NOS4A2 . Morrow. (May 1, 2013, post)

WECKER, Helene. The Golem and the Jinni. Harper-Collins. (May 1, 2013, post)

JOHNSON, Scott C. The Wolf and the Watchman: A Father, a Son, and the CIA. Norton. (May 6, 2013, post)

ZUCKOFF, Mitchell. Frozen in Time: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II. HarperCollins. (May 6, 2013, post)

DVD

Deep Down: A Story from the Heart of Coal Country. New Day Films. p. 53.

My Garden. DVD. Weston Woods. p. 52.

Silicon Valley. DVD. PBS Dist. p. 54.

AUDIO

Home of Song. Performed by Paul Spring. CDBaby.com. p. 63.

Marvelous Land of Oz. By Frank L. Baum. Dreamscape Media. p. 59.

Never Forgotten. By Patricia McKissack. Recorded Books. p. 59.

One and Only Ivan. By Katherine Applegate. Recorded Books. p. 59.

Orangutan Van. Performed by Mr. Steve. CD. SteveSongs.com. p. 63.

When Life Gives You O.J. By Erica S. Perl. Listening Library. p. 61.