Grades 5 and Up: December 2011 

E-Mail This Link

Enter recipient's e-mail:

Close

Email

Print |

Reprint/License |

Subscription |

RSS |

Share

December 1, 2011

In this Article

Nonfiction

Fiction

AUSTEN, Catherine. All Good Children. 300p. Orca. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-824-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-11–Maxwell Connors lives in the planned community of New Middletown with his mother and younger sister, Ally. It’s an oasis in a bleak world of extreme temperatures, oil scarcities, frequent terrorist attacks, and genetically engineered “ultimate” children. Max, an aspiring artist, entertains himself with football, pranks, and the odd act of graffiti. He gradually notices a change in the local children; they have become zombielike in their obedience. Their complacent behavior is linked to the flu shot that everyone except Max and his best friend receives at school (Max’s mother, a nurse, fakes the injections). The teen must keep up a charade of conformity, which adds a touch of humor to this otherwise grim novel. Ally is inoculated against her mother’s wishes, which ratchets up the urgency for the family’s escape to Canada. These final chapters are the book’s strongest in terms of suspense and human drama. For example, they pass through Freaktown, where Max’s favorite reality show is set, and Max sees these humans in a new light. A bit more exposition would have helped orient readers to Max’s world, but this potential problem may actually help some reluctant readers slip right into the action. Repeated use of the word “faggot” accompanies a troubling vein of homophobia throughout. This middling dystopian effort would make a serviceable alternative for readers put off by the length of more substantial futuristic reads such as Neal Shusterman’s Unwind (2007) or Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin (2010, both S & S).–Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA

BALOG, Cyn. Starstruck. 244p. CIP. Random. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73850-7; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90734-7; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89494-7. LC 2010021636.
Gr 9 Up–Gwendolyn “Dough” Reilly and Philip “Wish” Wishman have been best friends since they were kids. But everything changed when Wish professed his love for her right before moving to California. After four years of successfully managing their long-distance relationship, he is moving back to Dough’s New Jersey beach town. Wish is eager to resume their romance in person but Dough is horrified at the prospect. Not only has she gained a lot of weight while working in her family’s bakery, but she is also the social pariah of her high school. Certain that the newly tanned and buff Wish will want nothing to do with her, Dough prepares herself for the inevitable heartbreak. However, he appears to be completely blind to her weight gain. At the same time, the students who previously shunned her are inexplicably including her in their social events. To add to the mystery, Wish’s appearance seems to be too perfect and his skin is always hot to the touch. Without warning, the weather becomes violent and unpredictable. A strange new employee in the bakery, Christian, warns that Wish is part of a cult that worships the stars and is responsible for all the mysterious events. The plot moves along at a steady pace and the suspense builds appropriately. Though the characters are two dimensional and the ending is oversimplified, Dough’s witty voice keeps the narration entertaining. Fans of fairy-tale romances will like it.–Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

BARNHOLDT, Lauren. Fake Me a Match. 273p. S & S. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2258-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2260-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Avery is so excited about getting a cool new stepsister that she throws caution to the wind and skews the results of the eighth-grade charity online matchmaking fundraiser in order to fix up her new sis, Blake, with popular classmate Sam. Avery isn’t counting on several obstacles that threaten the success of the project, including a really major one: she and Sam are becoming increasingly attracted to each other. This entertaining but predictable romance by the author of The Secret Identity of Devon Delany (S & S, 2007) and several titles for older teens will be a quick, enjoyable read for tween girls.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY

BELL, Krista Blakeney. Who Cares? 176p. Kane/Miller. 2011. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-61067-046-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–When Toby’s parents make a last-minute arrangement to have him spend a week in a beach town near their Melbourne home with Rhys Morton, a boy from his class, he reluctantly agrees to go. He knows that his mother has a great business opportunity in Hong Kong and that his dad is extra busy at work, or she wouldn’t have sent him to stay with Rhys’s mother, someone she’d barely seen since college. Toby is determined to present a normal front, but he doesn’t care about surfing and no one at school is aware that his real interest lies in dancing. Rhys isn’t any happier about having Toby visit since he spends most of his time taking care of his mother and making sure that the outside world doesn’t know that she is an alcoholic. Both boys are determined to maintain their carefully preserved facades, but their time together results in the first real friendship either of them has ever had and allows them make strides toward a positive future. The author handles the situations well, from Mrs. Morton’s illness and Rhys’s reluctance to get help for her and Toby’s initial disinclination to have his dancing made public, to the logical step of his attending a fine-arts school.–Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, Alberta, Canada

BERNOBICH, Beth. Fox and Phoenix. 360p. CIP. Viking. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01278-7. LC 2011009388.
Gr 7 Up–Drawing on Chinese language and mythology, Bernobich has created a new and exciting fantasy world. In a land where magic is a rare and coveted commodity and is the current that runs the technology, 16-year-old Kai Zōu begrudgingly works in his mother’s tutoring shop as an apprentice in conjuration and math. The King of Lóng City falls ill and his daughter, a friend of Kai’s, seems to be out of communication’s reach in a far-off city. At the command of the mysterious ghost dragon king, Kai and his friend Yún set off on the treacherous journey to deliver the news to the princess. Sophisticated readers should have no problem catching up with the tale as they join the characters and learn their backstories. While this device may be confusing at times, it makes the surprises that much more fun. A peckish griffin, a missing mother, young love, a double-crossing stranger, and a former friend who may be a smuggler add to the action, danger, and intrigue.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

BLOOR, Edward. A Plague Year. 304p. CIP. Knopf. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85681-5; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95681-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98937-7. LC 2010050651.
Gr 8 Up–Set between September 2001, when Flight 93 crashed outside Somerset, PA, and July 2002, when the Quecreek Mine disaster and rescue took place, this novel follows Tom Coleman, a high school freshman who is watching his impoverished town of Blackwater and its residents fall apart. It has become home to methamphetamine addicts, crime at the supermarket where he works is rising, and the people around him are getting arrested or dying. Realizing that the only folks who will help their community are the members themselves, Tom and other students in the school’s drug counseling group decide to take action. Bloor draws comparisons to the movie Night of the Living Dead and Daniel Defoe’s A Journal of a Plague Year to show how crystal meth and the cycle of poverty, alcohol, and drug abuse can decimate an area just like zombies or a plague. He does an excellent job of creating this downtrodden locale and the people who live there. While the disastrous effect of drugs is the main plot, Tom’s growth from a coward to someone who sticks up for himself and his town is equally compelling.–Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY

BLOSS, Josie. Faking Faith. 233p. Flux. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-2757-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Junior year has not been kind to Dylan. After a series of bad decisions–making out with a “bad boy” while drunk, some “private” emailed nude photos to him, a very public freak-out–she moves through the halls of her school with her head down, trying to ignore the taunts and insults of her classmates. Looking to escape the realities of her circumstances, Dylan follows a link that promises “[t]he most effed up people on the internets,” and falls into the world of fundamentalist Christian homeschooled bloggers, girls whose lives are the polar opposite of Dylan’s fast, privileged, and secular lifestyle. Dylan is fascinated by their view of the world and envies their seemingly worry-free existence. She even creates a persona, Faith, and begins to join in the conversation, quickly building an online friendship with popular blogger Abigail. When she invites Dylan to stay with her family over the summer, Dylan accepts but goes as Faith. Things start out well but get complicated when “Faith” meets Abigail’s cute and conflicted older brother and learns about Abigail’s impending marriage to a sleezy older man. Though this is Dylan’s story, Bloss portrays all parties with a sympathetic eye, showing the strengths and weaknesses of both lifestyles and perspectives. At home Dylan is a social pariah, but in Abigail’s world, as Faith, she is helpful, brave, and strong. This is a satisfying read for teens who dream of a context in which what they have to offer will seem important and valuable.–Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

BURNS, Laura J. & Melinda Metz. Sacrifice. 264p. S & S. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3900-9; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0818-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0819-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–In this sequel to Crave (S & S, 2010), readers catch up with Gabriel, a vampire, and his girlfriend, Shay, a human (she thinks) who suffers from a mysterious blood disease that is killing her. Gabriel’s close-knit family hates humans. Shay’s evil stepfather is a scientist who experiments on vampires in an effort to develop a serum for human longevity. Pacing is even as the scenes shift between the main characters’ experiences, and tension mounts as Gabriel struggles with loyalty to his family and his love for Shay. She bemoans her physical weakness, yet is devoted to Gabriel, and to finding out why her dad left before she was born. Suspense builds as both teens begin to question the real motives of their respective families. While there is plenty of action in the form of foot chases and kicking down locked doors, the scenes that are more ambient are just as strong. In a riveting 18-page passage, Gabriel risks his life to save Shay by having her drink his blood. As she drinks, her thoughts undulate from her present reality, to her past, to Gabriel’s past. In a vision, “Shay stood in Gabriel’s place, thinking his thoughts, feeling his emotions, watching the world with his eyes.” With this literary device, details about each of them and other characters come to light. The authors provide enough background information so that Sacrifice works well as a stand-alone read.–Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC

CADENHEAD, MacKenzie. Sally’s Bones. illus. by T. S. Spookytooth. 166p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5943-2; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5945-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–In this mildly macabre yet decidedly entertaining girl-meets-dog story, 11-year-old Sally Simplesmith is mourning the recent loss of her mother and facing life as a social pariah when she calls on her mother’s spirit to “Give. Me. Death.” Instead, a little skeleton dog with floppy ears and a tongue appears at her side in the graveyard. For a lonely outcast like Sally, lovable Bones is both a cuddly pet and a needed friend, not to mention the perfect antidote to the misery caused by her obnoxious nemesis, the very popular and very vile Viola Vanderperfect. Sally’s absent-minded father is well meaning but still dealing with his grief, and his reaction to Bones is more scientific than empathetic. Fortunately, having a “cadaverous canine” for a pet gives Sally’s status at Merryland Middle School a needed boost, and for the first time she feels accepted and even liked. But when someone or something starts stealing bones from the neighborhood dogs, all evidence points to Sally’s beloved pup, leaving her to figure out the real culprit or lose her pet forever. With its black-and-white illustrations, fast-paced text, whodunit plot, and spot-on depiction of fickle middle-school friendships, this book is sure to appeal to those not yet ready for truly dark fiction.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

CHARI, Sheela. Vanished. 326p. Hyperion/Disney. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3163-2; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-5260-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–The veena, a traditional Indian stringed instrument, is a pretty exotic thing to have in Virginia. Neela’s veena, which belonged to her grandmother, is even more exotic, since it might be a Guru original–oh, and it comes with a curse. It always disappears and ends up back at a particular music store in India. When the instrument is stolen from Neela, she wonders if maybe the curse is true, but she also begins her own investigation, with the help of her best friend, Pavi, and new friend Matt (who wears old rock tees and teaches her how to use a credit card to unlock a door). A plethora of suspects, odd coincidences, and scary warnings culminates with a visit to India and the Chennai Music Palace. Neela is a realistic 11-year-old, addicted to potato chips and not assertive at first, but her confidence grows as she learns more about the veena and the people involved. Supporting characters are well drawn: her frazzled but loving parents and haircut-phobic little brother; Sudha Auntie, her cranky instructor; and mysterious Lynne, who has her own connection to the veena. A fine, fast-moving mystery with a satisfying conclusion.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

CHRISTOPHER, Lucy. Flyaway. 330p. CIP. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31771-9. LC 2010051425.
Gr 5-8–Thirteen-year-old Isla and her father have long been fans of the wild swans that migrate through the nearby preserve, but environmental changes and birds flying into wires without warning markers are diminishing their numbers. After her dad has a heart attack, Isla, her brother, and her mum spend time at the hospital, where she finds a friend in Harry, a patient her age in the cancer ward. The two spot a lone swan and work together to try to help it. Details about daily life, soccer, school assignments, and family pressures are folded into the bigger traumas of life and death in this portrait of a girl growing into her own opinions and figuring out what matters most to her. Isla’s art project, inspired by da Vinci’s flying model sketches, becomes a mission to create wings for a flying machine, a project that helps her connect to her special swan, Harry, and an estranged grandfather. Beautiful writing with lyrical moments and mystical descriptions of nature creates a story that is rich and compelling with plenty of action to balance out the many reflective moments. Isla and Harry are experiencing first love while confronting the real possibility of death. The result is a rewarding and superb celebration of life.–Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO

CHURCHYARD, Kathleen. Bye for Now: A Wisher’s Story. 272p. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-190-7; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-278-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–Things aren’t going well for Robin. Her sister infected the family with head lice, her grandmother sent her a very uncool birthday present, and, for the third year in a row, she failed to medal in a swim meet. A girl from school posted the head lice scandal on Facebook, where she refers to Robin as the GUO–Great Unlucky One. And to make it all worse, Robin is tired of being short and ordinary. So when it comes time for her to blow out the candles on her birthday cake, she closes her eyes and wishes she were someone else. She awakes in London, England, in the body of 11-year-old Fiona. This girl is everything Robin yearns to be: tall, beautiful, and popular, with an exciting life. She learns that there is a worldwide network of 11-year-old girls who all want to be somebody else. Each one swaps lives with another girl who made the same wish at the same time. Wishers can reclaim their real lives, but only while they are 11. At 12, the magic is lost and they are stuck in their new lives forever. Though enamored with many aspects of Fiona’s life, Robin ultimately grows homesick and must figure out a way to return home. This indulgence will be appealing to the tween crowd, allowing them to vicariously experience their own secret desires. The writing includes an abundance of text speak and contemporary references, which readers will find engaging. There are also a number of unobtrusively delivered positive messages here. As the girls gain confidence in their capabilities, they come to learn that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.–Debbie Lewis, Alachua County Library District, FL

COAKLEY, Lena. Witchlanders. 400p. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2004-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2006-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–After the death of his father, Ryder is forced to take over the care of his troubled mother, Mabis; two younger sisters; and the farm. Though they live in the foothills of the “Witchlander” mountain territory and Mabis was raised as a witch, Ryder scoffs at their supposed magic and resents the tithe he is obliged to pay for protection against the Baen people. Years earlier, the witches drove the Baen out of their territory and the groups now live as acrimonious neighbors. Ryder watches his mother battle her own demons as she deals with an addiction to a hallucinogenic flower called “maiden’s woe.” While under its influence, she chances upon a frightening vision of monsters set to destroy the Witchlanders. Meanwhile, Baensman Falpian has been exiled for a winter season to mourn the death of his twin brother. With only his massive hound to keep him company, he begins to discover that he holds the coveted ability to sing magic–a powerful accomplishment sought by the Baen. Ryder and Falpian find themselves oddly drawn toward one another despite being pitted on opposing sides of a decades-old hatred. Singing together increases their latent powers, leading them to realize that they are extremely powerful spiritual twins. But will this be enough to save their people from monsters–and from one another? This ambitious tale is tautly spun. Coakley’s world comes to life with exquisite detail and imagery; readers will feel the chill of the frost and smell the crackling bonfires. High fantasy lovers will gobble up Witchlanders.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

COCHRAN, Molly. Legacy. 418p. S & S. Dec. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1739-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1741-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–From the moment Katy Jessevar, 16, arrives unwillingly at her Massachusetts boarding school, sent there by her father, everyone recognizes her and calls her by another name–Ainsworth–the school’s name. Her classmates instantly dislike her, especially cute Peter. Katy learns that her ancestors founded the school and that they were one of the most powerful witch families in town, and that many of the students are descended from these original witches. Her mother was an oracle who saw visions of an evil Darkness. When Katy was six, her mother went crazy and tried to kill Peter’s little brother Eric before killing herself. Eric survived but suffered brain damage. Katy discovers that she’s inherited magical powers as well. She falls for Peter but he says that they can never be together, and Katy can’t understand why. She also starts having a recurring nightmare in which Peter is being tortured. The witch families in town believe that the Darkness is coming after they begin to see harbingers in the form of dead birds and sinkholes. Can Katy prevent the Darkness from destroying them all? The unsettling and unique plot details and well-drawn secondary characters make this novel stand out from others in the genre. The relationships among the characters grow and change as the story progresses, and the conflict among the witch families is believable, as is Katy’s strained relationship with her father and his manipulative girlfriend.–Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

COCKS, Heather & Jessica Morgan. Spoiled. 360p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09825-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-17559-3. LC 2010043181.
Gr 9 Up–Brooke Berlin is preparing for her 16^th birthday party, which she intends to be the greatest night of her life. As the daughter of Hollywood’s biggest movie star, Brick Berlin, she can handle the paparazzi with the same finesse that she and her BFF, Arugula, used to handle her archenemy at school. When Brooke finds out that Brick has another 16-year-old daughter, Molly, who will be coming to live with them, she determines to rid Los Angeles of this interloper, whatever it takes. Both girls resort to increasingly devious behavior in order to capture their father’s attention, which causes a number of misunderstandings. Readers who know their popular culture and designers will be able to pick up on the many names integrated into the text. This book will appeal to readers who enjoyed James St. James’s Freak Show (Dutton, 2007) or the movie Mean Girls.–Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, Alberta, Canada

COLLINS, P. J. Sarah. What Happened to Serenity? 222p. CIP. Red Deer. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-0-88995-453-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–Katherine, 15, lives in a town in which questions are not permitted except by their community leader/Father. The people live under a strict Manifesto, and have been told that they are the only survivors of the Ecological Revolution. Now, she begins to notice things that cause her to question everything that she has been taught by her teachers and her parents. Then Serenity, her best friend’s sister, goes missing and Katherine breaks all the rules and leaves the community to discover the truth. Collins weaves an intricate story that keeps readers intrigued and thinking about the meaning of truth and whether being sheltered from it is preferable to hard reality. The story is set in 2021 and paints a unique picture of what lack of freedom and free speech could look like if this reality existed. Collins moves beyond the basic mystery and explores the intricate workings of the mind, the body, and the power of basic knowledge. Her story will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.–Katie Wilkinson, Gar-Field High School, Woodbridge, VA

CONDIE, Ally. Crossed. Bk. 2. 367p. CIP. (Matched Series). Dutton. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42365-2. LC 2011016442.
Gr 7 Up–Cassia, Ky, and Xander are back in this eagerly awaited sequel to Matched (Dutton, 2010), joined by new friends and facing new obstacles. Ky has been banished to the outer provinces along with many other young Aberrations to serve as cannon fodder for the unseen enemy of the Society. It is a brutish–and certain to be very short–life. But Ky and his friends Vick and Eli escape into The Carving, a vast system of canyons seemingly beyond the reach of the Society. Meanwhile, Cassia escapes a Society work camp and flees into the canyons, risking everything to find Ky and a rumored rebellion called the Rising, once again leaving behind Xander. Ky reluctantly shares bits of his past with her, only hinting at his aversion to the Rising. Xander, though not physically present in the canyons, intrudes on their relationship again and again and is withholding important information. Caught between the Society and the Rising, and wanting only to be together, Ky and Cassia must choose a side if they are to survive. Told in alternating chapters from their points of view, the book gives readers full access to the hearts and minds of two memorable characters. Their needs, love, and internal conflicts are palpable. Their voices are distinct and authentic, and the writing is often poetic. But this volume resolves little, leaving readers hungry for the final book in the trilogy.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

COY, John. Love of the Game. 182p. (4 for 4 Series). Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-37331-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00637-0; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-9539-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–Jackson’s first day of middle school is rough. In a stereotypical beginning of underclassman woe, he is taken for both his lunch and his money when forced to sit in the back of the bus with the eighth graders. He endures the torment, looking forward to playing on the football team with his friends after school. It turns out that bullying is not the only problem that he and his friends will have to deal with. These sixth graders must persuade their soccer-playing chum’s mother that football is safe, and Gig deals with his father being overseas in the war. Jackson is also coming to terms with the fact he and his mother will be moving in with her boyfriend and his daughters. The culminating experience of character growth occurs when he chooses to play defense because of his skill, even though his friends all play offense. The author tries to weave in meaningful messages about literacy through the “cool” librarian, but they often feel heavy-handed. Still, this realistic novel will attract kids who like a story told without any dressing up. Despite the title, actual sports action takes a backseat to a plot-driven story rich in contemporary social issues. When the author does get to describing a sports scene, however, it is rife with action and will draw readers back to the page.–Devin Burritt, Jackson Memorial Library, Tenants Harbor, ME

CUEVAS, Michelle. The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant. illus. by Ed Young. 136p. CIP. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-374-34854-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-6980-2. LC 2010033108.
Gr 4-6–A preposterous premise is the underpinning for this delightful, touching fable, narrated by big-eared Pigeon Jones, a boy who has spent his life on the back of a white Indian elephant with artistic talent. Abandoned as a baby on the steps of an orphanage by his distracted parents, Pigeon soon crawls out of his basket and is found and nurtured by Birch, formerly of the circus and, recently, the car-wash business. Pigeon pines for his lost family and Birch makes pictures with deep meaning while dreaming of his lost love, an acrobat who ran away to Paris with another acrobat. All goes well until it is time for the boy to end homeschooling and enter fifth grade while still on the elephant’s back. Pigeon is taunted at school but imagination and love carry him along and he even finds his first love, Darling Clementine. For his 10th birthday, Pigeon convinces Birch that they should travel to Paris to seek the elephant’s acrobat and recognition for his art, as well as Pigeon’s own parents. Adventures ensue, featuring singing hoboes on a freight train, capture and escape at the Bronx Zoo, artistic discovery in Hollywood, international fame, and much more. The story is told with poignancy, lyricism, and humor, and its format includes simple, sometimes unfinished-looking pen-and-ink sketches, a chart, a pie graph of “elephant jobs,” a musical score, and a chapter of postcard messages. This magical, moving novel is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Daniel Pinkwater, Margery Williams’s The Velveteen Rabbit, and the tales of Kate DiCamillo.–Marie Orlando, formerly at Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

DAVIES, Jocelyn. A Beautiful Dark. 392p. HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199065-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209318-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–After her parents’ deaths, Skye strives to outrun sadness with success. She is a competitive skier and is on the fast track to Columbia. At her 17th birthday party, though, she meets two boys who defy the normality Skye desires. Dark and teasing Asher encourages her to embrace her feelings for him and the powers she is beginning to display. Controlled Devin also calls to Skye, who longs for peace in a way only he seems to understand. While she is slowly falling for one boy, and unable to stay away from the other, both are drawn to her–a complication that none of them can afford when the reason for their coming to Skye’s small town is revealed. A daughter of Prophecy, Skye has powers that could potentially mean the end of the world. She must decide where she stands and which celestial force to join, and she must do it before her powers reach their peak. Davies introduces a unique new twist on angelic mythology. Though this book has the now-familiar paranormal romantic triangle, the characters are fleshed out and steeped so deeply in the world that their shared passion is eminently believable. Fans of Lauren Kate’s Fallen (Delacorte, 2009) and Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly (HarperTeen, 2010) will devour this new offering. A well-done debut.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

DELANEY, Joseph. The Spook’s Bestiary: A Guide to Creatures of the Dark. illus. by Julek Heller. 222p. (The Last Apprentice Series). CIP. Greenwillow. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208114-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208116-2. LC 2010049856.
Gr 6 Up–Delaney, author of the eight (so far) titles in this popular series, provides a supplemental text for becoming a spook–one who battles the Dark and its powers. Presented as the knowledge, and wisdom, needed to face evil beings and forces, collected by the spook John Gregory, this book describes many of those beings and beasts. They include numerous boggarts, with explanations of how to drive them away or bind them; the Old Gods, many of whom are based on those in Greek myth; and several varieties of witches and mages. The spook narrator also discusses how to bind both a living witch and a dead one, and how necromancers use the dead as spies. Heller’s creepy drawings fill the pages and, like the whole book, they should delight fans of the series.–Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX

DESROCHERS, Lisa. Original Sin. Bk. 2. 400p. (Personal Demons Series). Tor. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2809-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-5812-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–This book can stand on it own, but will be more satisfying to those who have read Personal Demons (Tor, 2010). Frannie Cavanaugh has a special ability with such potential that both Heaven and Hell have a vested interest in her. This power has enabled her to turn Luc Cain, a former demon looking to tag her soul for Hell, into a human. Now they just want to enjoy a normal dating relationship that includes going away to college. Gabe, Frannie’s heavenly protector, is in love with her but wants to give her a chance at happiness. He leaves, believing that Frannie’s twin brother will be the perfect guardian angel for her. But Hell has other plans for Frannie and Luc, which do not include a “happily ever after” ending. What occurs is like a game of supernatural chess, full of calculated moves and countermoves involving loss, disappointment, and the ultimate sacrifice. Desrochers weaves an intense, plot-twisting tale that involves not only an angel and demon love triangle but also complex issues like betrayal, love, redemption, seduction, and forgiveness. The cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eagerly anticipating the last volume in the trilogy.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

DOOLEY, Sarah. Body of Water. 326p. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-61254-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-9534-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Twelve-year-old Ember and her family are suddenly homeless after a fire consumes their trailer home, the family tailoring and tarot-reading business, and, seemingly, Ember’s beloved dog. They have no friends or family to help them. Ember suspects her friend Anson set the fire, and her zealously Christian grandmother shuns them for their Wicca religion. Ember, her little sister Ivy, and her parents take a few donated clothes and move into a lakeside campground for the summer and start of a new school year. Feeling betrayed, Ember doesn’t trust the concept of friendship anymore and wants to hide both her past and her family’s strangeness as she confronts new kids and deals with hunger, poverty, insecurity about her weight, grief over her dog, and losing her best friend and her home. Though the brave girl puts up a strong front for her sister, she makes secret visits to the trailer site to sift for remains and works a revenge spell on Anson. Her somewhat overwrought narrative, filled with poetic repetition and interrupted by explanations of Wicca practices, family history, and occasional unsent letters to Anson, suffers from uneven pacing and never consistently rings true as that of a seventh grader. While the book is unique in its treatment of Wicca as a serious religion, ultimately Ember seems lost in the many issues and the ending fails to satisfy.–Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CA

ECHOLS, Jennifer. Love Story. 244p. MTV/Gallery. 2011. pap. $11. ISBN 978-1-4391-7832-4; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4391-8048-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Erin Blackwell moves to New York City from Kentucky to go to college, and even though her grandmother wants her to study business, she follows her dream of becoming a romance writer. She wonders how the students in her creative writing class will react to the first story she’s sharing with them–a historical romance that stars a male lead based on Hunter, the stable boy who works on her grandmother’s farm, and her crush. To her utter horror, Hunter walks into class that very day. Realizing that Erin’s story is about him, he decides to write his own. In class, the two battle their pasts and feelings for each other through assignments. Outside of class, Erin isn’t sure if she can trust Hunter, especially since her grandmother refused to pay for Erin’s education and instead gave her college money to him. As she begins to believe his feelings for her are genuine, she learns more about Hunter’s deal with her grandmother to get her home. This is a pretty typical romance story. Erin and Hunter are likable characters and their romance will keep readers turning the pages, but both are at times unrealistic. Erin’s issues keep piling up as the story moves along, through flashbacks and her assignments for her creative writing class. There is some sex in the story, but it isn’t explicit. The secondary characters stay in the background. An additional purchase where romance is popular.–Natalie Struecker, Rock Island Public Library, IL

EDWARDS, Eve. The Other Countess. Bk. 1. 335p. (The Lacey Chronicles). CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74089-0; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98974-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98337-5. LC 2010052241.
Gr 9 Up–Her full name is Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime, but Ellie’s title counts for little with her family impoverished by her father’s obsession with alchemy and her Spanish heritage more often a liability than not in Queen Elizabeth’s court. A good marriage would improve her fortunes, but fate keeps throwing Ellie in the path of William Lacey, whose grievances against her father and his own need to restore his family fortunes through an advantageous match make him and Ellie thoroughly unsuitable for each other. Inevitably, the two trade barbs, misunderstand each other, fall in love, and must contend with their circumstance and the machinations of others. Tournaments, feasts, fancy dress, and Catholic-Protestant tensions provide a veneer of Renaissance pageantry, but it’s not enough to elevate the flat characters and rote plot. Libraries with a high demand for historical romance may find this a useful additional purchase; others can pass it by.–Christi Esterle, Parker Library, CO

ELKELES, Simone. Chain Reaction. Bk. 3. 320p. (A Perfect Chemisty Novel). CIP. Walker. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2087-0; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2344-4. LC 2011003257.
Gr 10 Up–Chain Reaction follows Perfect Chemistry (2009) and Rules of Attraction (2010, both Walker), a trilogy centered on the lives and loves of the Fuentes brothers. Luis, the youngest, is a smart, macho “adrenaline junkie” who has a way with the chicas. The story is told in alternating chapters by Luis, who opens with a rock-climbing stunt that lands him in the hospital, and by Nikki, 15, who opens intending to tell her boyfriend that she is pregnant. The importance of la familia is a thread throughout the story, and when the Fuentes family returns to Chicago’s South Side, Luis finds himself drawn into the gang life that Alex and Carlos worked so hard to leave behind. Nikki, dumped by her boyfriend, has sworn off relationships, putting her energy into helping out at an animal shelter. The fast-paced story is a melodramatic roller coaster, with gangbanging, drug selling, steamy encounters in pool cabanas, and a shocking family secret revealed. The story is laced with Spanish words and phrases, four letter words, and up-front descriptions of loving teenage trysts. Derek shows some depth of character as a friend who stands up for Luis, as does Reyes, an ex-gang member turned cop. Most of the characters are clearly either good or bad, but this simplicity keeps the story moving briskly along. A no-loose-ends epilogue revisits the family 26 years later, to assure readers that all ends well. The books are best read in order and will find the strongest audience among fans of the first two installments.–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

EMOND, Stephen. Winter Town. illus. by author. 305p. Little, Brown. Dec. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-13332-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-19462-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Teenagers Evan and Lucy have been best friends since they were small, despite Lucy moving with her mother to Georgia after her parents’ divorce. During winter breaks, she returns to her father in New England for the holidays and the two friends reconnect. But senior year, the pretty long-brown-haired girl Evan always knew appears with short, black hair; a nose stud; a cigarette habit; and an attitude that matches her dark look. “New Lucy” eventually gives way to “Old Lucy” in the midst of Evan’s friendship, nurturing family, and close pals, but New Lucy lingers. It takes Evan falling for her for Lucy to reveal her problematic home life in Georgia, her bad-news boyfriend with whom she has a sexual relationship, and her experimentation with drinking and drugs. Evan has his own troubles, including pressure from his father to excel, and when he tries to talk things out, Lucy leaves on bitter terms. Though the ending omits if or how Lucy ever gets help, it seems promising. Black-and-white drawings and Evan’s fantasy comic, “Aelysthia,” complement the insightful third-person, character-driven story. Like Emond’s popular Happyface (Little, Brown, 2010), this tale of insecurity, angst, and shaky romance is one to which teens can easily relate.–Diane P. Tuccillo, Poudre River Public Library District, Fort Collins, CO

FRAZIER, Angie. The Eternal Sea. Bk. 2. 362p. (Everlasting Series). CIP. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-11475-2; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38876-4. LC 2010027432.
Gr 7 Up–The Eternal Sea is the sequel to Everlasting (Scholastic, 2010), but this is not information shared by the publisher so new readers are sure to have a difficult time figuring out what’s going on. It does take several chapters to catch on to the basic plot and characters, and many more to discover that this is a pretty good book. Camille Rowan is the 17-year-old daughter of a sea captain. She has discovered a magic stone that she believes gives her one chance to resurrect from the dead the person she loves most. In action occurring in the previous novel, she uses the stone not to resurrect her father, but her love interest, Oscar Kildare. But returning him to life is not the end of its power, and there is another stone that Camille, her friends, and a band of ghoulish villains must recover to bring the first stone to its full potential. Frazier has evoked sea stories (one character is named Starbuck) and romance novels (Oscar Kildare). Readers who enjoy sea romances won’t go wrong with the two books.–Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

FRIEND, Catherine. Barn Boot Blues. 144p. Marshall Cavendish. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5930-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5827-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Moving can be a traumatic experience for kids of any age but when Taylor McNamara’s parents move from Minneapolis to a small rural area to fulfill their dream of owning a farm filled with sheep, chickens, and goats, the 12-year-old is miserable. She feels deprived of weekends at the Mall of America and, worse yet, there’s no cable television. Barn Boot Blues offers a humorous look at what it takes to fit in at a new school and make new friends. Taylor’s sense of humor helps her out when she almost misses the bus on the first day of school and ends up wearing her barn boots all day, which draws snickers from students and lands her the nickname of “Boots.” She learns to take an umbrella when gathering eggs to avoid another chicken-poop-in-the-hair incident and excels at spinning yarn, especially when it allows her to watch her favorite television program. While the story line is a bit slow to develop and the responsibility that Taylor’s parents thrust upon her seems a bit much for someone who has never lived on a farm before, the girl’s sarcastic wit gets her through most situations and eventually helps her and her family maintain a united front when times get tough. It’s Taylor’s ability to rise to a challenge and understand the meaning of friendship that turns this book back on course.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

GRAFF, Keir. The Other Felix. 176p. CIP. Roaring Brook. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-655-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-5067-1. LC 2010050605.
Gr 4-6–Fourth-grader Felix Schwartzwalder has it rough in his dreams and in his waking life. Each night, he finds himself in the same nightmarish forest filled with scary monsters. When he escapes by waking up, his mother notices a clawed bathrobe and muddy sheets, but neither parent takes him seriously when he says that monsters are to blame. Stressed and distracted, they leave him on his own to deal with his dilemmas. One of his biggest problems is the new kid at school, Chase, who steals a calculator for the sole purpose of getting Felix in trouble and succeeds in turning the teacher as well as classmates against him. Felix is too intimidated to stand up to the bully. Back in his dreams, though, he befriends a boy who looks just like him. The Other Felix is brave and self-sufficient. He teaches Felix how to hunt and survive in the forest, and he isn’t frightened of monsters–at least at first. When something goes wrong, and the Other Felix doesn’t think he can be strong anymore, Felix decides he needs to learn how to fight monsters. The story has a beautifully crafted innocence reminiscent of The Little Prince. This is a satisfying tale in and of itself, as well as a helpful and sensitive guide for those children who are just learning to confront life’s sticky challenges. The ending is exquisite.–Diane McCabe, Loyola Village Elementary School, Los Angeles

GRANT, Sara. Dark Parties. 311p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-08594-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-13421-7. LC 2010022854.
Gr 9 Up–Neva is a citizen of Homeland, a small country completely enclosed by an electrified dome called the “Protectosphere.” The dome was erected after the “Terror,” and Neva and the rest of the population have been taught that beyond the dome is an unlivable wasteland. Homeland suffers from dwindling resources and a limited gene pool. Young people are encouraged to marry and reproduce to maintain the population. Neva and her best friend, Sanna, suspect that the government is lying, and at a “Dark Party” (the only one mentioned in the entire book), they try to rally their peers to rebellion to demand the opening of the Protectosphere. Their efforts are short-lived and have severe repercussions. Soon Sanna is added to Neva’s list of The Missing, but not before Neva betrays her with bad boy Braydon, Sanna’s boyfriend. Neva will have to risk all for her friend and for a chance at real romance with Braydon. Comparisons to Ally Condie’s Matched (Dutton, 2010) are inevitable. Unfortunately Grant’s characters, setting, suspense, and romance don’t quite measure up. Fans of Condie (and Suzanne Collins) will be disappointed.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

GRIMES, Nikki. Planet Middle School. 154p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-284-5; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-727-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Joylin, 12, has always been comfortable in her own skin. Then strange things start to happen. She begins to notice boys; her forever friend and b-ball buddy, Jake, begins to treat her differently on the court; and Joylin and her best girlfriend, Kaylee, develop different interests. Joylin feels like an “alien” who finds herself in “Planet Middle School” by mistake, “searching for that spaceship/that’s gonna take me home.” She tries to morph from a tomboy in baggy jeans and an old T-shirt into someone more feminine, trying lipstick, heels, and a skirt, each with disastrous results. That she emerges from these oh-so-embarrassing episodes effectively provides reassurance and hope. Joylin’s voice is revealed in spare, well-paced verse. Her recognizable emotions and actions become tangible as she learns that appearances are not always what they seem; that staying true to one’s self is ultimately the most successful way to grow and mature. Young and adult characters are plausible, likable, and supportive of one another. For example, when Joylin realizes that the object of her infatuation does not reciprocate, her mother holds her “close/long enough for me to leave/a puddle on her shoulder,/long enough for me to feel/some of the hurt drain away.” The story is by turns touching and laugh-out-loud funny, and readers will appreciate the time they spend with Joylin, her family, and her friends as they live, grow, and learn as individuals and together.–Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library

GUSTAFSON, Scott. Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe. illus. by author. 208p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9764-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9766-5. LC 2010037390.
Gr 4-7–Accused of playing a prank on his neighbor, an angry judge, young Eddie must try to clear his name in this novel inspired by the life and work of Edgar Allan Poe. Aided by an impish demon and a talking raven, the boy eventually discovers the real culprit: a traveling magician who becomes a true friend. The mystery provides a solid framework to introduce the personality of young Poe, along with some facts about his boyhood. Suspense builds as Eddie investigates, and the truth behind the “demon” that the mysterious magician uses is a satisfying surprise. At the same time, the narrative follows Eddie’s rampant and often macabre imagination, which seems appropriate for a future creative genius. Black-and-white pencil drawings appear on most of the pages with varied placement, creating a strong visual atmosphere that matches the humor and mild spookiness of the story. The prudent raven and the mischievous imp, both inspired from Poe’s later work, are the only elements that cross over into fantasy, neatly representing the morbid and the logical strains of his writing. Gustafson’s language and his illustrations are both playful and engaging, making it easy for readers to slip into Eddie’s odd, but intriguing world. Kids who already know who Poe was may be the ideal audience for the book, but others will quickly get a sense of the famous author’s persona and how the incidents of Eddie’s childhood match up.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

HADDIX, Margaret Peterson. The Always War. 198p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9526-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3604-6. LC 2010033344.
Gr 6-8–In a future society in which the U.S. is divided by a perpetual civil war, 15-year-old Tessa struggles to remain optimistic. When Gideon Thrall, a childhood neighbor, is recognized as a war hero, she feels a surge of hope and thinks that perhaps she’s found something to believe in. Her hopefulness is short-lived though, as she discovers that Gideon’s only accomplishment was killing thousands as he navigated a drone while sitting at a desk. He and Tessa form an unlikely team, and after flying a black-market airplane into enemy territory, they begin to discover the truth behind the always war. The short chapters with cliff-hanger endings and the action-packed plot make this book an excellent choice for reluctant readers. Some backstory is eventually provided, though it is developed over the course of many chapters. This novel has “sequel inevitable” written all over it. And for many readers, that’s a good thing, right?–Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

HALL, Teri. Away. 234p. CIP. Dial. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3502-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-1015-2944-7. LC 2011001163.
Gr 7-10–This book picks up where The Line (Dial, 2010) leaves off. Rachel finds herself struggling to adjust to life Away, after having Crossed over the Line in order to save the leader of a group of Others. Feared, and in some cases openly despised, she clings to the hope that she will be able to find her father, Daniel, presumed dead for several years, and reunite her family. Rachel learns quickly that not all of the Others are as terrible and frightening as she has been led to believe, and through her, the Others discover that there are still good people on the other side of the Line. The story starts slowly, but once it gets going, it moves quickly–so much so that the ending seems a bit rushed and not quite fully developed. Rachel is a little vanilla as far as teen heroines go but there are plenty of fully fleshed-out characters to carry the narrative, particularly among the Others. The story will leave fans of the first book eager for the next installment.–Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

HARTLEY, A.J. Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact. illus. by Emily Osborne. 438p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-409-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-10155-861-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Darwen Arkwright has moved from England to Atlanta, GA, to live with his career-driven aunt after his parents die in a car crash. He is a typical 11-year-old boy, nervous about starting at a new school and struggling to deal with all the other big changes in his life. He soon discovers that he has a unique gift–he is a “mirrocculist,” one who can see through mirrors, and he can travel through them to the world that he sees. He makes friends with Alexandra, who is smart-mouthed but also smart, and Rich, whose mother recently died from cancer and whose frightening appearance masks a boy with unique interests. Although Darwen is initially reluctant to tell his new friends about the world on the other side of the mirror, soon they are drawn into the battle to keep evil from coming through it and destroying all they hold dear. An exciting read from beginning to end, the book has a lot of heart. It will leave readers wanting more; indeed, it would seem that a sequel is a foregone and happy conclusion.–Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

HASKELL, Merrie. The Princess Curse. 325p. glossary. CIP. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200813-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209341-7. LC 2010040424.
Gr 5-8–By layering the exoticism of Romanian folklore onto her novelization of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” Haskell sets this expansion of the story apart from others in a popular genre. Creatures such as the zmeu, a dragon that can assume human form, and the capcaun, a dog-headed ogre, as well as information about the failures and successes of medieval herbalists can be found within this unsettling tale. The curiosity and tenacity of 13-year-old Reveka, an apprentice herbalist at the castle of Prince Vasile, drive the narrative forward. She is determined to discover the secret of the curse laid upon the 12 princesses. At first she only wants the reward promised to anyone breaking the curse, but soon she becomes emotionally invested in saving the lives of the others who’ve tried to solve the mystery and now lie in near-death slumber in a tower of the castle. Her quest involves her in political intrigue, a Persephone-like trip to the Underworld, and more than one romantic entanglement. Haskell leaves many details murky–perhaps necessarily when so much magical enchantment is involved–but the overall effect is engrossing.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

HAWES, Jason & Grant Wilson. Ghost Hunt 2: MORE Chilling Tales of the Unknown. with Cameron Dokey. 400p. glossary. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09958-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-9–From ghostly spirits roaming Alcatraz to glowing red eyes in the woods, The Atlantic Paranormal Society (aka the popular reality television series Ghost Hunters) is back with a compilation of even more chilling and terrifying tales. Selections include a restless spirit terrorizing a house-sitting victim through her dreams, ghosts reappearing in the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ, and a saddened ghost revisiting a lighthouse where her family was eradicated long ago. At first glance, the tales read as though they were fiction. A story is given, followed by the actual ghost hunt performed by TAPS. Historical facts and actual present-day locations reveal real paranormal cases. Fans of the series will be disappointed by the fictitious names given to the actual TAPS members. However, the cliff-hangers make up for it, providing suspense and character interaction. Budding ghost hunters will learn the basics of the practice, haunting, how to debunk a real-live case by taking quizzes to test cases, and the step-by-step method of the TAPS team as it seeks to find the truth about paranormal investigations. Perfect for those who crave horror/adventure series.–Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ

HEIMBERG, Justin. Search for the Dominion Glass. Bk. 1. 278p. (Ghosts of Rockville Series). Seven Footer. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934734-48-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Jay Winnick and his three friends run the Rockville Paranormal Investigation Corps (RPIC), an after-school ghost-hunting business. Pam is the local psychic’s ambivalent daughter; Danni is a self-confident, self-taught forensics junkie; and Brian is a popular jock in public and nerd in private. They soon discover that their public library’s rare book room is haunted; its shelves are stocked with scores of important paranormal books. Surprisingly, they also discover that the librarians are martial-arts-trained members of the Association for Paranormal Matters looking for eager ghost hunters to embark on a mission for them. They’re told they must retrieve the Dominion Glass, a crystal that allows whoever wields it to summon and control spirits of the dead. With the help of an ancient book, their mysterious quest includes tackling the spiritual world of ghosts, riddles, spirit boards, crop circles, battling a fire in a rare-books room, a midair fight between a helicopter and a hot-air balloon, and a ghost attack in a cave. Readers will surely enjoy uncovering clues alongside the characters, including various illustrated puzzles and riddles. Snippets of paranormal encyclopedia entries, dream sequences, and IM conversations are scattered throughout the text. Heimberg also introduces MagicView, an amazing new technology that allows readers to press an interactive plastic lens (which can be easily lost) to the page to discover hidden images and words. Although a solid adventurous story line tries to reveal itself, a confusing ending leads readers to disappointment from clues that lead to a dead end.–Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ

HOFFMAN, Mary. David. 260p. glossary. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-700-0; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-732-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Though he is now an old man of 81, Gabriele clearly remembers four years of his life, when he joined his “brother” Michelangelo in the city of Florence. Though not related, Gabriele and Angelo had grown up as brothers in Gabriele’s stone-cutting family, before Michelangelo left for school and eventually made his name as an artist and sculptor. When 18-year-old Gabriele travels to the big city, he finds life very different from the little town of his birth. Florence in the early 1500s is filled with both art and politics, and Hoffman spends equal time on both. Gabriele models for a painter and for Angelo, who has accepted a commission for a statue of David. The insider’s view of the art world will be fascinating to many readers. The politics of the time were complicated, and some readers will lose the thread as they follow the many names and factions woven into the story, but the basic thrust will be clear to most, as will the fact that Gabriele is playing a dangerous game of pretending to be on one side while undertaking actions to help the other. The author doesn’t skirt the issue of “lusts of the flesh,” for Gabriele is extremely handsome and attracts attention from both ladies and men. Readers with an interest in Michelangelo, da Vinci, and art in general will particularly enjoy this well-written story.–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

HUNTER, Travis. On the Come Up. 228p. Dafina. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7582-4252-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–DeMarco, 16, is tired of Juvie, even though he has three meals, clean clothes, and a much nicer living environment than he has at home. Just out of jail and determined to change his life, he finds that not much has changed: his mother is drunk, there’s a new guy in the house, and there’s no food for three-year-old Devin. His twin sister, Jasmine, seems to be hanging out with the wrong crowd and may have even dropped out of school. Hunter gets the gritty details exactly right and will hook readers with the dilemmas and dreams of the twins, both of whom tell their stories. This is plain old wonderful fantasy: Life is hard for these teens, and then nice people help them. Jasmine becomes a model overnight, DeMarco gets accepted into the best prep school, their mom gets sober, and the new neighbors take care of Devin while everything gets sorted out. Surprisingly, it all works. What inner-city teen doesn’t fantasize that things could change and be resolved that easily? A fast read, with a great cover, this is a definite quick pick for reluctant readers. Fans of Ni-Ni Simone’s A Girl Like Me (Dafina, 2008), Babygirl Daniels’s 16 on the Block (2009), and Darrien Lee’s “Denim Diaries” series (both Urban Books) now have another author to get excited about.–Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA

JABALEY, Jennifer. Crush Control. 318p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-424-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10–Willow Grey, 17, is elated when her single mother, who was a popular, sexy “Hip Hypnotist in Vegas,” decides to focus her skills in a more conventional way and move the duo back to their small hometown in Georgia. Willow can’t wait to see her BFF Max again and to try to reestablish a relationship with her conventional and judgmental grandmother and ill grandfather. While Willow is thrilled that Max is just as wonderful, and even more handsome, than she remembered, she is not so elated when sweet, pretty Minnie steps into his arms and plants a big kiss on his lips. It doesn’t take long before Willow realizes that what she feels for Max is much more than friendship, and she considers that maybe a little jealousy will make him look at her differently. At a party, Willow demonstrates the hypnosis techniques that she’s watched her mother use, and she decides to make the hottest guy in school treat her like a goddess. Her session with Quinton, though, makes him unbearably needy and clingy. Even worse, her hypnotic suggestions to a classmate result in serious injury. Mom not only saves the situation, but also takes a big step in gaining respect in the eyes of her formerly disapproving parents. While the fluffy plot premise is predictable, readers will empathize with Willow’s realistic desire to fit in at a new school and her seemingly unrequited love situation. Like Jabaley’s Lipstick Apology (Penguin, 2009), Crush Control demonstrates the axiom that love means accepting and appreciating friends and family as they are.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY

JONES, Jenny B. There You’ll Find Me. 310p. Thomas Nelson. 2011. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-59554-540-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Finley Sinclair is spending her senior year in Ireland, hoping to reconnect with herself and God by following her deceased brother’s footsteps through the land he’d loved so much. The time and peace should also help her finish her original composition for her New York Conservatory audition. However, beginning with the plane ride, where she meets Beckett Rush, teen actor heartthrob, and is wrangled into becoming his personal assistant, things go awry. Assigned a project at her new school to “adopt” a grandmother, Finley is saddled with the crankiest woman in the nursing home. Then her host family is unable to take her to see the sights her brother had so loved, but the aggravatingly charming Beckett consents to be her tour guide. When the school queen bee discovers how much time Finley is spending with him, she decides to make Finley’s host sister miserable. As her life crumbles around her, Finley must learn to trust people and God to see her through. With a beautiful setting and complex characters, Jones has written a powerful book about grief. There is no tidy ending, but readers are left with hope that Finley’s life will continue to get better. Libraries looking to add to their Christian fiction holdings would do well to consider this book.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

KENNEALLY, Miranda. Catching Jordan. 282p. Sourcebooks/Fire. Dec. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-6227-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Jordan Woods really is just one of the guys–the guys on her Tennessee state championship runner-up football team, that is. In fact, she’s the starting QB and team captain. Seem a little far-fetched? Maybe not for the daughter of an NFL quarterback whose brother starts for the University of Tennessee and who tops out over 6 feet and 170 pounds. For assets, she has a near promise from the University of Alabama for a full ride, a close bunch of guy friends from her team, and a really good shot at the state title. Among the problems, she has a dad who won’t come to her games; bitchy cheerleaders who sleep with her long-time buddy, Henry; and now Ty Green, a new guy who throws rockets and has a body and face that make her feel something that no other guy on or off the field has awakened. So, not only is he serious competition for her position, but he is also wrecking her concentration in games and practice. Strangely enough, when Jordan starts seeing him, Henry doesn’t seem happy for her. She is the last to know that he has been in love with her for ages. She has some tough decisions to make about playing football and which boys’ passes she wants to catch. Written in a casual, no-nonsense style that suits its protagonist, this novel has some interesting characters and promotes females in sports. It’s a spirited football romance in the zone of Dairy Queen (Houghton Harcourt, 2006), especially for readers who associate a sack with a quarterback, not just shopping.–Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

KESSLER, Liz. A Year Without Autumn. 294p. CIP. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5595-2; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5608-9. LC 2010045957.
Gr 5-7–Twelve-year-olds Jenni and Autumn are best friends looking forward to their families’ yearly stay at a time-share condominium complex. When Jenni gets into an elevator that she expects will take her up to Autumn’s condo, she discovers that it has lifted her into the future instead, a year ahead of the present. As she moves back and forth between both time periods, she learns that a tragic accident has had a terrible impact on both families, and she must figure out a way to change the present to avoid the tragedy. Kessler deals sensitively with divorce and death, offering readers a plot that is grounded in reality despite the time-travel element. Everything comes together in a tidy ending that readers will find satisfactory. Dialogue is a weaker aspect of this novel–it’s a bit syrupy and unnatural at times, which reduces the emotional impact of the story.–Corrina Austin, Locke’s Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

KHAN, Hena & David Borgenicht with Robert Zubrin. Mars: You Decide How to Survive. Bk. 2. illus. by Yancey Labat. unpaged. (Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure). diags. photos. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7124-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–The popular “Choose Your Own Adventure” series (Chooseco) gets some competition, but with a nonfiction twist. You, the reader, are a teen chosen to be part of a mission to expand a newly established colony of humans on Mars. Will you heroically save the base’s power supply, toil tending goats in the colony greenhouse, or be buried in a Martian dust storm? Accompanying the usual plot choices are facts to help readers make decisions that lead to 24 possible endings –some disappointments, some dead (literally) ends, but only one path that leads to ultimate success. Many of the facts are presented in an “Expedition File” appendix. Seamlessly worked into the narrative are additional details about space travel, from the cost of a space suit to how early astronauts ate and bathed. Black-and-white, bold illustrations add visual interest and lend a graphic-novel feel to many of the pages. Mars is the second in the series, but it stands alone. Short on characterization, but long on action and plot, it offers a successful combination of interactive fiction and nonfiction that reluctant readers will likely welcome.–M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

KITTLE, Katrina. Reasons to Be Happy. 282p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-6020-9; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-6021-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Hannah used to have many reasons to be happy; so many, in fact, that she kept an ongoing list. That was before she moved to a new school and before her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Hannah’s new circle is not what she envisioned; the mean-girl clique disdains her two passions, running and art. Overwhelmed by her unhappy school situation, her mother’s illness, and her belief that she is extremely ordinary compared to her Academy Award-nominated actor parents, the eighth grader becomes bulimic. Her initial weight loss is praised by her unsuspecting parents and her crush, but Hannah finds it increasingly difficult to purge. With many aspects of life spiraling out of control, she accompanies her aunt, a documentary filmmaker, to Ghana, where she somewhat predictably yet touchingly has a life-changing experience. Although there are many issues at play in this novel, they are all realistically drawn. Only toward the end of the story, with the addition of the Academy Awards presentation, do the multiple dramas threaten to overwhelm it. Subplots involving a clique member with a mentally challenged brother and another with cutting issues are underdeveloped. The tension and conflict between Hannah and her father is palpable. Bulimia’s emotional toll is honestly portrayed, with authentically rendered scenes involving frenetic binging, purging, and food theft. With minor shortcomings, this is an honest and open story of overcoming enormous challenges. While Hannah’s struggles are not over, readers can believe that she has an excellent chance of overcoming her traumas.–Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

KNIGHT, Karsten. Wildefire. 400p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2117-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2119-6. LC 2010039090.
Gr 9 Up–Sixteen-year-old Ashline Wildefire senses that she is different and knows her sister Eve is a rebellious outcast with a significant personality disorder. When a fight between Ash and a rival results in the girl’s death after Eve calls down lightning to strike her, Ash transfers to a boarding school across the country, where her story really gets going. Wildfire evokes a number of books, and yet, Knight has created a novel quite different from the coming-of-age/paranormal-teen reads that have glutted the market recently. Ash is a wry and interesting protagonist and the romance and gritty, violent action scenes are compelling. As Ash learns more about her and her fellow students’ supernatural abilities, the numerous subthemes (family obligations, duality, moral ambiguity) and mysteries will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next installment.–Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

KOGLER, Jennifer Anne. The Siren’s Cry. 376p. CIP. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199443-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208459-0. LC 2010045560.
Gr 7-10–In this sequel to The Otherworldlies (HarperCollins, 2008), Fern, now 13, has a vision of a boy locked in a cage marked “National Zoological Park.” She wants to help him, but does not know where to begin (in part because she cannot figure out that “zoo” is short for “zoological”). When her class goes on a field trip to Washington, D.C., she locates him and unravels the plan of his captor, who turns out to be Fern’s long-lost father, Haryle. Heavy reliance on coincidence robs the story of force. Haryle plans to collect specific objects (the Hope Diamond, a Mayan arrow, and moon rocks) to use in an immortality potion. Fern recognizes an old drawing of a rock as being the Hope Diamond because she happened to see it earlier in the day at the Smithsonian. Candace, one of her classmates, recognizes a drawing of an arrow because she saw it in a museum in California last summer. She read later in the newspaper that it was stolen, as it turns out, by Haryle. Plus, she knows all about moon rocks because she went to Space Camp, also last summer. The characters are stereotypes. Fern is the socially awkward but supernaturally powerful protagonist (and why make her a vampire if there is no talk of fangs, bloodlust, or preternatural good looks?); Candace is the fact-spouting geek. Principal Mooney is the tyrannical wet blanket. Blythe and Lee, the cool girls, are vain and mean. Flat exposition and characterizations typify this story.–Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC

LANDALF, Helen. Flyaway. 168p. Houghton Harcourt. Dec. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-51973-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-67784-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Stevie, 15, hasn’t heard from her mother in two days when Aunt Mindy comes to take her home. She resists all of Mindy’s reaching out, but eventually can no longer ignore the fact that her mother is addicted to crystal meth. Staying with her aunt and volunteering at a bird rehabilitation center, the teen finally reaches a comfortable spot when her mother leaves rehab early and comes to take her daughter home. Like the injured birds she works with, Stevie is used to taking care of herself and is extremely skittish and distrustful of Aunt Mindy’s attempts to help. She has thrown away her own future in her attempts to care for, and cover for, her mother. This slim novel moves quickly as Stevie grapples with friends experimenting with drugs, a budding romance, and the confusion that comes with someone finally believing in her. Despite Stevie’s angry, defensive voice, readers will like her. They’ll cringe at some of the choices she makes and cheer as she learns to finally put herself first instead of continuing to be caught up in the maelstrom of her mother’s problems. In the face of bleakness, Stevie offers hope for the other victims that addiction creates.–Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

LANSDALE, Joe R. All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky. 228p. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73931-3; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90782-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89748-1. LC 2010029260.
Gr 6-9–Jack buries his parents in the barn during a Depression-era Oklahoma dust storm. Mama succumbed to dirty pneumonia and his father, overcome by grief, has hung himself. Jack’s spunky neighbor Jane and her younger brother, Tony, also recently orphaned, stumble in from a dust storm that buried their father. The three steal a Ford and set out to seek the siblings’ aunt and uncle in East Texas. The body count rises as they encounter gangsters, railyard bulls, and a crooked sheriff on one hand and kindly folks such as Pretty Boy Floyd, Mrs. Carson, Junior, and carnival performers on the other. A plague of grasshoppers, an alligator, and even the local police (conveniently) play their parts in this tale that balances the bleak bits with Jane’s smart banter, a warm first (and second and third) kiss, and an ending that leaves Jack hopeful for a brighter tomorrow. Despite the convenient plot devices, this is a fast-paced, exciting story in which historical details are smoothly incorporated, characters are quickly but effectively sketched, and the author’s Twain-like twang delivers both ironic and situational humor that will leave readers chuckling.–Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA

LARKIN, Jillian. Ingenue. Bk. 2. 352p. (The Flappers Series). Delacorte. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74036-4; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90836-8; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89911-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Picking up where Vixen (Delacorte, 2010) left off, this installment finds Gloria, Clara, and Lorraine in New York City. Gloria is on the lam and living with her African-American jazz-piano-playing boyfriend, Jerome. Their lives are very different than they were in Chicago as they struggle to make ends meet while looking for gigs. Lorraine works for Chicago gangster Carlito Macharelli at the Opera House speakeasy where her main job is to lure in Gloria and Jerome. Clara and Marcus’s relationship is strained as she goes back to her old flapper ways all in the name of being a reporter for Manhattanite magazine. When Vera discovers that a hit woman is after her brother Jerome, she heads to New York City, accompanied by his best friend and trumpet player, Evan. Things come to a head when everyone ends up at the Opera House on the night that Gloria and Jerome finally perform. Racial inequity is explored as Vera, Jerome, and Evan must enter clubs through the back and are not allowed on the floor of Harlem’s Cotton Club, and the lack of acceptance of interracial couples is evident through Gloria’s sneaking through a white apartment building in disguise before entering the building she shares with Jerome. With a full plot, Larkin’s writing falls flat. Her characters seem to have lost themselves and do not shine as brightly as they did in Vixen; however, the booze, deception, scandals, and romance will keep readers looking forward to the next book in the series.–Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ

LAZEBNIK, Claire. Epic Fail. 296p. HarperCollins. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-192126-1; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209325-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Elise Benton is not starting her junior year off on the right foot. On her first day at elite Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, she walks right into one of the most popular girls at school. From there, things seem to spiral downward: she’s told that she isn’t wearing the right clothes; her mother is the much-disliked principal; and the son of town royalty, Derek Edwards, catches her staring at him, much to his chagrin. As if that weren’t humiliating enough, she soon learns that her sister is dating Derek’s best friend, which forces Elise and Derek to be together frequently–and unwillingly. Elise makes it her mission to resist his occasional charms and instead fall for Derek’s enemy, Webster Grant. But first impressions can be deceiving, and people aren’t always as they seem. LaZebnik takes her inspiration for this novel from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Teen girls will identify with Elise, who is likable enough, but with a sharp tongue to match her Regency counterpart, Elizabeth Bennet. The many near-miss romantic moments between Elise and Derek create excitement and help further the plot. The themes are universal and interesting enough to grab even reluctant readers. Epic Fail is a fun, romantic read.–Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Stark County District Library, Canton, OH

LESTER, Joan Steinau. Black, White, Other: In Search of Nina Armstrong. 208p. bibliog. glossary. Zondervan. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-310-72763-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-39619-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Nina Armstrong, 15, is facing tough personal challenges. Her white mother and African-American father are getting a divorce; being biracial suddenly seems to make a difference among her friends; her beloved 10-year-old brother is a bike thief; and her parents seem to care only about their own lives. Distraught, isolated, and confused, Nina decides to run away, taking along her father’s unfinished manuscript about her enslaved great-great-grandmother, Sarah. She spends a harrowing night on the streets of San Francisco, stumbling into temporary refuges in a church and a children’s park. As she intermittently reads Sarah’s story of endurance and determination, she draws comfort, guidance, and inspiration from it. Ultimately realizing that her family is her safe haven and that her biracial heritage embraces rather than limits diverse friendships, Nina returns home to her grateful parents and brother. Nina narrates her story with teenage emotion, attitude, grit, and insight. Lester’s first foray into YA fiction incorporates historical sources, contemporary racial and family issues, and authentic teen voices. Sarah’s dramatic quest for freedom in the 1850s provides the catalyst for Nina’s soul-searching and self-examination. At times, however, Sarah’s ancestral influence on Nina seems overstated. Nonetheless, the riches of family heritage, the importance of self-acceptance and self-worth, and the value of forgiveness and compassion are powerful messages for teen readers.–Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC

LEWIS, Stewart. You Have Seven Messages. 289p. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74028-9; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90832-0; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89904-1. LC 2010032345.
Gr 8 Up–Luna’s mother has been gone a year now–killed suddenly when she stepped in front of a taxi. And while the teen and her brother, Tile, are still trying to make sense of life without her, Luna comes across her mother’s cell phone and discovers seven unopened voice messages. Luna listens to them and discovers secrets about her parents’ relationship, including a clandestine affair. Her pain eases somewhat as her interest in photography, along with the gift of a camera from her father, sends her out into the city taking pictures and leads to her first gallery show. But with the growing understanding of the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death also comes a growing awareness of herself as an individual, not just the daughter of two famous people. She feels stirrings of a first love when she meets her neighbor Oliver. He is dealing with issues of his own, from a domineering father to a former girlfriend who wants to end his new relationship with Luna. A solo trip to Italy to visit her uncle and his companion gives her the time and space she needs to resolve her feelings toward her father, Oliver, and her loss, and she discovers that sometimes the answers you want are not exactly the ones you find. The hook of the unopened phone messages ties the various story lines together nicely. With its realistic portrayals of love in various relationships and the theme of developing one’s sense of self, the story will appeal to older readers.–Diana Pierce, Leander High School, TX

LITTLE, Kimberley Griffiths. Circle of Secrets. 325p. CIP. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16561-7. LC 2011000889.
Gr 5-8–A story of loss, love, and forgiveness. When Shelby Jane’s father is sent out of the country for his work and her Grandma Phoebe must have an operation, she is sent to live with her mama deep in the Louisiana bayou. Because Shelby, 10, believes that her mother abandoned her, the start of this mother/daughter reunion is contentious, and Shelby seems determined to maintain her distance. Mirage is a traiteur, a healer who ministers to those in need with herbal remedies, prayers, and patience. Selby’s reluctance to give an inch at first makes her transition to life in the bayou that much more difficult. She can’t, however, squelch her fascination with the blue bottle tree in the backyard. Mirage explains that the bottles are supposed to capture spirits and that notes are put inside to send messages from the beyond. A mysterious tone permeates this gripping story. Shelby is a believable, fully developed character, as is Mirage. When the child starts at her new school, she is drawn into a frightening truth-or-dare challenge by the in crowd, which foreshadows future eerie, terrifying developments. Her strong friendship with mysterious Gwen dovetails with her determination to understand notes she takes from the blue bottle tree and Mirage’s references to painful memories she is trying to forget. Little’s rich, vivid prose and characterization create an intriguing universe in which realism and mysticism intertwine as the story’s secrets unravel. Fans of Little’s The Healing Spell (Scholastic, 2010) and Donna Jo Napoli’s Alligator Bayou (Random, 2009) will be well served by this selection.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

MELOY, Maile. The Apothecary. illus. by Ian Schoenherr. 354p. CIP. Putnam. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25627-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-101-53574-5. LC 2010045003.
Gr 5-8–A fairly interesting mystery set mostly in 1952 London, The Apothecary offers a little of everything; magic, romance, mystery, and historical fiction. When friends of Janie’s parents are blacklisted in Hollywood (they are a television writing team), the Scotts move to London. Around the corner from their flat is a mysterious shop with an enigmatic apothecary. The man’s son is Janie’s new friend at school. When she and Benjamin, who aspires to be a spy, happen to witness a handoff involving a Russian attaché in the park, the teens get more than they bargained for. As it turns out, not only is Benjamin’s father involved, but the Latin instructor at their school is also a part of this web of espionage. The two rush to save the apothecary only to find out that he is attempting to stop a nuclear test in Soviet territory. Everyone goes along to help stop the explosion. However, the magic occasionally feels like a contrivance to move the plot forward instead of an organic part of the fantasy. The ending is sort of a free-for-all, and the created world doesn’t really keep to the rules set up at the beginning. Nonetheless, this is a highly readable adventure/mystery, and it is greatly enhanced by Schoenherr’s graceful and evocative illustrations.–Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX

MORRIS, Paula. Dark Souls: A Novel. 288p. Scholastic/Point. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-25132-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38938-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Miranda Tennant and her family have gone to York, England, to get away from memories, sadness, and people who know about the accident. The one where Rob, Miranda’s brother, was driving and her best friend was killed when they crashed. That was the night she saw her first ghost. Once they settle, she and her brother are left on their own to explore and move on with their grieving. In a city rich with history, ghosts and their stories abound and Miranda ends up caught in the middle of a tale whose ending may have dire consequences. Morris paints a vivid picture of York and its environs, pulling readers into the twisting lanes and bustling corners. From the ghosts of Roman soldiers to those more recently deceased, Miranda learns to appreciate what she learns from these spirits as well as her gift and how it changes her life, allowing her and her brother to find peace. Fans of ghost stories and history alike will enjoy delving into the world of Dark Souls.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

MOSKOWITZ, Hannah. Zombie Tag. 228p. Roaring Brook. Dec. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-720-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-9527-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Ever since his older brother’s death earlier this year, 12-year-old Wil’s coping strategy has been to escape with his friends into Zombie Tag, a game in which the “zombie” tries to capture the other players and eat their brains before they can find the hidden object and escape with it. Of course, he knows (or thinks he knows) that zombies don’t really eat people’s brains: he has scoured the Internet to piece together information on the zombie awakening of 30 years ago that the government still denies happened. From his research, he knows that some kind of bell woke the dead all those years ago, and that it has been hidden in a top-secret place so that an awakening can never happen again. When his friend Anthony lets slip that his father is the keeper of this Wake-Up Bell, Wil is determined to find it and bring Graham back to life. He is ultimately successful, but having his older brother back isn’t at all what he expected, and he finds that it is lonelier with Zombie Graham than it was without him. Moskowitz keeps readers guessing as to how Wil ultimately comes to terms with his situation. The efforts of Wil and his parents to cope first with Graham’s death and then with his reappearance are a major thread in the story. While Moskowitz’s characters are fully formed and believable, it’s never quite clear whether the author’s going for laughs or poignancy, and ultimately, the result falls a little flat. Still, this unique twist on zombie stories will engage readers who are looking for contemporary fiction sprinkled with a dash of the morbid.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

NADOL, Jen. The Vision. 232p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-597-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-683-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Cassie Renfield’s story continues in this sequel to The Mark (Bloomsbury, 2010). She wants to better understand death, and because she knows that the halos she sees surrounding people mean that they will die sometime that day, she begins working at a morgue. Since her deceased grandmother never spoke about her mother and the mysterious tie the women in her family have to Greek deities, the teen also tries desperately to connect with her roots by seeking out other Greeks. She meets Zander and quickly falls for his charming ways. When she accepts an invitation to dinner at his house, she begins to realize that he may not be what he seems. She learns that he is also a descendant of the Greek gods, and that his purpose is to “carry” people over to death. Now she faces a serious dilemma: Should she tell those who bear the mark and try to save them, even if it means that someone else somewhere will die instead, or should she help Zander find those that are marked so he can complete their demise? At the end, Cassie is closer to making a decision, but there still is room for another book in this series. Nadol has written a compelling psychological thriller with just the right amount of romance and mystery. Cassie is a fully fleshed-out character who, despite her extraordinary ability and goddess ancestry, has real-world questions and problems. Recommend this book to those who enjoyed The Mark, as it does not quite work as a stand-alone, and to those who liked Lisa McMann’s Wake (S & S, 2008) and Rachel Ward’s Numbers (Scholastic, 2010).–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, Columbus, NJ

NAFTALI, Joel. The Rendering. 275p. glossary. CIP. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-118-1; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-276-8. LC 2010036640.
Gr 5-7–Tron meets Indiana Jones, with a side of super heroic CyberSkunks, in this very cinematic tale. Thirteen-year-old Doug Solomon (aka Bug) is a wanted criminal accused of killing his scientist aunt. Of course, that’s not what actually happened, as he relates in his engaging blog. An over-the-top evil genius (given to statements such as “You’ll see–all you meatpeople, you’ll see what true genius is!”) and his henchman and band of cyberdroids have transformed Doug’s Auntie M into a powerful computer program with plans to do the same to the whole world. Bug must rescue her with the help of three former skunks who have been changed into human-size, wise-cracking, super-heroic refugees from various video games, and his loyal best friend, Jamie. Bug is Every Kid, except for the fact that electronic devices often go kablooey when he’s in the vicinity. His actions and interactions are absolutely dead-on. Jamie and Auntie M are also well done, and the skunks are a total hoot. Reluctant readers will find the story accessible, with largish type, creative use of fonts for dramatic effect, and video-game references galore. The pace is fast, the action nonstop, and the stage is set for what should prove to be a fun series.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

NELSON, D. A. The Witch’s Revenge. Bk. 2. 260p. (DarkIsle Series). Delacorte. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73631-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90601-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98360-3. LC 2010041113.
Gr 4-6–In DarkIsle (Delacorte, 2008), readers met orphaned Morag, 10, who escaped her evil guardians, and her newfound friends–a dodo bird, a rat, and a dragon. She saved the enchanted world by recovering the Eye of Lornish and vanquishing the evil Devlish of DarkIsle, who had taken it. In this book, his daughter, Mephista, is intent on exacting revenge on Morag by kidnapping the good wizard Montgomery, and Morag and her friends must save him before his disappearance becomes permanent. Children who enjoyed the “Harry Potter” series and other stories involving magic will appreciate this series. Fast-paced and action-packed, this volume is best suited to readers who are familiar with the first book; they’re sure to enjoy the ride.–Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

O’CONNELL, Mary. The Sharp Time. 228p. Random. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74048-7; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98948-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89929-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Eighteen-year-old Sandinista Jones, whose mother named her after an album by the legendary punk band, the Clash, believes that no one cares about her. Her angry-at-the-world attitude comes from a place of deep pain: she doesn’t know her father and just lost her mother in a car accident. In a few places, the author portrays Sandinista’s grief vividly with writing that mixes her nightmares and daydreams with reality, but overall the thin plot rests on the teen’s desire for violent revenge against a nasty math teacher (and there’s graphic language throughout). Throw in ADD and a weight of 105 pounds, and you have a character with too many problems to be believable. Fortunately, her job at a vintage store and love of yesterday’s fashions enable Sandinista to enjoy a passion she shared with her mother, softening the hurt a little. That and her friendship with coworker Bradley leave her at novel’s end with some hope, and perhaps a touch of sympathy from readers.–Georgia Christgau, Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY

PATTEN, E. J. Return to Exile. Bk. 1. illus. by John Rocco. 500p. (The Hunter Chronicles). CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2032-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2034-2. LC 2010053480.
Gr 5-8–Sky, 12, and his family (über-cheerleader Hannah, home-improvement-challenged Dad, botanically talented Mom) have been on the move forever. The only constant in his life has been his Uncle Phineas, who has provided games and puzzles, plus books and stories about all kinds of strange monsters that no one else has ever heard of, like evil Echoes and thumbless Gnomons. His family’s return to the creepy town of Exile is marked with Phineas’s disappearance and Sky’s continuing dreams of an inner monster named Errand that causes him to behave badly. Complications abound, characters are not who (or what) they seem, and telling the bad guys from the good guys is at times impossible. There is plenty of humor (mostly snarky comments and horrifically bad puns), more than a little violence, but some quieter, more emotional moments as well. By the end, most of the loose ends are neatly tied up, but there are broad hints of more mayhem to come. Middle-schoolers who like untying fiendishly complicated plots will say, “bring it on.”–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

PAULSEN, Gary. Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas. 162p. CIP. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74684-7; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90921-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89743-6. LC 2011016287.
Gr 5-9–Inspired by the author’s own troubled childhood, these novellas portray an unflinching look at children who have endured neglectful and abusive homes and are surviving on their own. The atmospheric first tale, “Man of the Iron Heads,” is narrated by Jake, a boy of about 11, who hides from the local gang until he finds the courage to outsmart its violent leader. “Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Girl” presents a lonely girl with three adopted dogs who finds acceptance in befriending a girl with leukemia. Finally, “Erik’s Rules” celebrates the power of art and is told by Jamie, the younger of two homeless brothers, whose unstable existence changes after a chance encounter with a friendly volunteer at the animal shelter. By incorporating the solace found in dogs, art, libraries, and new friends into these tales of heartache and redemption, Paulsen provides his readers with hope of a better life.–Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT

PIERCE, Tamora. Mastiff. Bk. 3. 592p. (Beka Cooper Series). map. glossary. CIP. Random. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-81470-9; PLB $21.99. ISBN 978-0-375-91470-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89328-5. LC 2011024152.
Gr 10 Up–This is the final chapter of the series. Although readers unfamiliar with the previous two books are at a disadvantage, a thorough cast of characters and glossary help to get them up to speed. Moreover, Pierce has created a world so fully realized that the language becomes second nature, much like English subtitles for foreign films. Beka Cooper is a fourth-year Dog, the Tortall word for cop, operating in a world in which mages are commonplace and palaces are protected by layers of powerful spells. In Mastiff, a cabal of mages, nobles, and slave traders kidnaps four-year-old Prince Gareth. Beka and her colleagues pursue him using magic; a scent-tracking dog named Achoo; and good, old-fashioned police work. Notwithstanding the many instances of sorcery and butchery necessary in a novel of this type, Mastiff is character-driven rather than action-packed. The language is rich and earthy, adding a feast of curse words to readers’ lexicons. The theme of gender roles is central to this book and the others in the trilogy. Beka’s skills as a cop and her midden-mouth are nicely contrasted with the noble women who worship the “Great Mother,” who demands submissive acceptance of what, in other worlds, are considered “a woman’s place.” Ambition and duplicity–including a devastating betrayal of trust by one of the main characters–are constant themes. Yet it is also a love story, a buddy book, a picaresque novel, and, of course, a fantasy. A must-have for mature teen collections.–Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

POWELL, Laura. The Game of Triumphs. 270p. CIP. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86587-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96587-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89774-0. LC 2010021813.
Gr 7-10–Opening with a dramatic chase scene, a murder, and a lavish party where people seem to be risking everything for the chance to win big, Powell promises a high-octane fantasy novel in which 15-year-old Cat is jolted out of her mundane existence into a world of intrigue and danger. Unknown to everyone but the players–knights, knaves, game masters, and fools–The Game has been played throughout the centuries. Based on the tarot, the cards the players draw determine their fates. But unlike most games of chance, this one is for real and, while the right card offers fame, beauty, or fortune, the wrong one can mean a hideous death. The author’s writing style is as dark and twisty as the labyrinth her characters navigate through the streets of London and in the alternate universe of Arcanum. Unfortunately, The Game is so complicated and the author devotes so much time to explaining it that the characters and plot get short shrift. While Cat and the aunt with whom she lives are fully developed and sympathetic characters, the other three “fools” who join Cat in her dark adventure aren’t well fleshed out. On the other hand, if the occasional missteps in characterization and plotting cause readers some minor confusion, it all just contributes to the mysterious atmosphere of the story.–Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

PRIESTLY, Chris. Mister Creecher. 390p. CIP. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-703-1; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-733-8. LC 2010053761.
Gr 5-9–Billy, 15, is a street urchin and pickpocket in 19th-century London when he meets Mister Creecher. The huge and hideous-looking man saves him from the evil Fletcher and his henchmen, who are out to get Billy. Soon the teen likes the protection and added thieving and bargaining power that come from having the powerful and terrifying Creecher by his side, and in exchange he works as a detective for him by tailing Victor Frankenstein and his Swiss colleague around London. Eventually they follow the scientist to Oxford and then toward Scotland. As the friendship between Billy and Creecher grows, readers learn of Frankenstein’s promise to create a mate for Creecher, and of the troubled past of both characters. Literary allusions referencing both Shelley’s Frankenstein and Dickens’s Oliver Twist will be lost on middle schoolers, who should be the target audience. While boys might seem like the obvious audience gauging from the cover art, it will be girls who buy in more to the exploration of matters of the heart and the dawning realization for Billy of why a female mate is so critical to the monster’s happiness. This book may have trouble finding a wide readership, but for young diehard fans of Frankenstein’s reanimated creature, it might be a good fit.–Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO

PROIMOS, James. 12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn. 124p. Roaring Brook. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-595-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-7708-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Hercules Martino, 16, sits in a room full of his famous father’s admirers listening to mourners shower the closed coffin with gushing eulogies. Hercules, however, can’t quite make himself say anything nice about the man. After the funeral, his mother sends him to finish out the summer with his bachelor uncle. On the train ride to Baltimore, the teen sits next to a “Strange Beautiful Unattainable Woman” and thinks he must have her. When she gets off, she leaves her book behind. From that point on, she becomes a much-needed distraction for Hercules, as well as part of the 12 tasks his uncle assigns him to complete during his two-week stay. His first task is to choose a mission. He opts to find the Strange Beautiful Unattainable Woman and return her book. As Hercules halfheartedly completes the tasks, he finds small moments of everyday magic and discovers new aspects of himself, his family, and life. In a minimum of pages, Hercules charms readers with humor and honesty, often in raw language, and his story will appeal to those who have admired the passing Strange Beautiful Unattainable person, including reluctant readers.–Mindy Whipple, West Jordan Library, UT

REID, Kimberly. My Own Worst Frenemy. Bk. 1. 276p. (Landgon Prep Academy Series). Kensington. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7582-6740-5; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7582-7458-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-10–Chanti is from a poor section of Denver. She is wise to the ways of the street and has one huge secret: her mother is an undercover cop. When a rumored gang member, MJ, moves to town, she saves Chanti from a fight and they become instant friends. Chanti learns that not all of the rumors about MJ are true, but that doesn’t save her from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This poor choice lands Chanti in trouble, and her mom forces her to transfer to an expensive private school, Landgon, as a scholarship student. This is a whole new world for Chanti, but the crime rate there is the same as at her old school and she is blamed for some petty thefts. Knowing how the law works, the teen tries to solve these mysteries on her own and finds herself in hot water while trying to keep her mother’s identity a secret. She learns who her true friends are and that money doesn’t solve all of one’s problems. Her new friends are not who they seem to be, neither are her old ones from the neighborhood, and somehow they are all connected. Will Chanti learn this before she is framed for crimes she didn’t commit? The story seems a bit like the book version of the 1990s movie Boyz in the Hood, but with a girl protagonist and not so R rated.–Jessica Lorentz Smith, Bend Senior High School, OR

RIORDAN, Rick. The Son of Neptune. Bk. 2. 522p. (The Heroes of Olympus Series). glossary. CIP. Hyperion/Disney. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4059-7. LC 2011017658.
Gr 5-9–No one does cliff-hangers quite like Riordan. In this installment in this series, he jumps off the one he left at the end of The Lost Hero (Hyperion, 2010) and hits the ground running. Percy Jackson makes a long-awaited reappearance on page one, with almost no memory of his identity, except for hazy recollections of a girl named Annabeth. He’s in San Francisco, home of Camp Jupiter. It’s the other camp for demigods, only here, the gods appear in their Roman forms. Most of the campers are suspicious and scared of Percy, but misfits Hazel and Frank welcome him. The demigod world is in an uproar. Monsters keep reappearing after they’re killed, and the campers discover that it’s because Thanatos, better known as Death, has been chained by Gaea, goddess of the earth. They must go on a quest to free him, and the heart-pounding adventure amps up even more. Riordan’s ability to create characters that readers care about is extraordinary. Hazel, daughter of Pluto who leaves precious gems jumping from the ground in her path, and Frank, son of Mars who just might be the key to everything, are two of the most endearing demigods introduced so far. The vernacular of today’s teens is captured masterfully, making the writing fresh and funny. The ending will make readers smile, even though they’ll need to wait for the rest of the story. It can’t come soon enough.–Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

ROBERTS, Jeyn. Dark Inside. 330p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2351-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2353-4. LC 2011008642.
Gr 8 Up–This apocalyptic novel combines elements of the movie 2012 (massive earthquakes destroying major cities and civilization as we know it) and Stephen King’s The Stand (Doubleday, 1978) (evil possessing large groups of people who seek to wipe out other survivors). The story alternates between four teens and a fifth character referred to as “Nothing.” The teens initially have no connection to one another but circumstances drive them together as they try to navigate the aftermath of the massive quakes and the marauding bands of evil-infected survivors. “Nothing” is presumably the inner voice of one of the ancillary characters who is nearly, but not quite, overcome by the evil driving others to murderous madness. Lots of brutal action will hold teens’ attention but on some levels the story just doesn’t click. The nature of the force that can cause massive quakes and simultaneously possess millions of people is never even hinted at, much less explained. Characterization is weak to the point that readers are unsure of who is speaking as the perspective changes. The dialogue, setting, and many other elements are unremarkable at best. Recommended only if there is a high demand for end-of-the-world stories.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

SAUNDERS, Kate. Beswitched. 244p. Delacorte. Dec. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74075-3; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98967-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98927-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Spoiled English schoolgirl Flora Fox, 12, is very vocal in her displeasure at being sent temporarily to Penrice Hall, a fancy boarding school, while her parents prepare to have her cantankerous grandmother come to live with them. On the train to Penrice, Flora has a strange dream and wakes up to find herself in 1935 on her way to another school. Upon arriving at St. Winifred’s, she realizes that the memories in her head are not completely her own. She also has the memories of another Flora and has assumed her place at the school. She learns that her three new dorm mates performed a summoning spell that brought her to the past and that she won’t return to her time until she has completed an unknown task. Saunders successfully conveys the boarding school experience of 1935, particularly the relationships Flora forms with her dorm mates. Perceptive readers may even be able to predict the ending. The narrative occasionally does more telling than showing and would have benefited from more development of Flora’s pre-boarding school relationship with her grandmother, but readers willing to overlook this will be satisfied with her growth as a person and the effect she has on one of her dorm mates in particular.–Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

SCARROW, Alex. Day of the Predator. Bk. 2. 404p. (TimeRiders Series). CIP. Walker. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2296-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2315-4. LC 2010040987.
Gr 7 Up–Liam, introduced in TimeRiders (Walker, 2010) as a teenage boy rescued from imminent death on the Titanic to become a time traveler, is accidentally sent back to the Cretaceous period with a group of high school students and his artificial-intelligence support unit, Becks. Their rescue takes up most of the book, with the action alternating between their adventures in dinosaur land and repeated attempts to bring them back by Sal and Maddy, two TimeRiders from the first book who live in a time bubble surrounding the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Within this framework there is an interesting, in-depth exploration of the implications of time travel and its effect on reality. Contamination of the past can have drastic effects on the future, a problem highlighted when Liam and his companions accidentally cause the evolution of a race of hominid reptiles. The author also explores the question of whether the artificial-intelligence units, developed simply as computers inside a cloned human body, actually possess some level of humanity. The juxtaposition of time travel and dinosaurs will appeal to many readers, but be forewarned, the body count is high and the deaths are often gruesome.–Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

SCHMATZ, Pat. Bluefish. 226p. CIP. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5334-7; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5614-0. LC 2010044815.
Gr 7-9–Eighth-grader Travis, tall and quiet, is beginning his first year in a new school. When he helps out a student being bullied, this rare act of middle-school kindness impresses an unusual, witty, and talkative girl named Vida–or Velveeta, as she prefers to be called. She befriends the strong-but-silent newcomer and tries to plumb his mysterious depths–and maybe grub a free dessert or two during lunch. Velveeta and Travis have the same reading class, where compassionate Mr. McQueen quickly recognizes that Travis has a serious reading deficit and suggests that he visit him for extra tutoring. Velveeta soon guesses what Travis is doing in these early-morning sessions and offers to help him. Eventually, he reluctantly agrees. But Travis’s reading problem is only one of the deeper secrets that this unlikely pair will gradually begin to share. Despite the weighty problems the characters face–grief, alcoholism, and bullying among them–Bluefish is a lively, often-humorous, and ultimately hopeful page-turner. It has all the hallmarks of a classic contemporary young adult issues novel. It’s packed with memorable and believable characters and powered by the prospect of redemption and just a hint of romance.–Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI

SCHRAFF, Anne. Leap of Faith. 201p. ISBN 978-0-60623-410-8; ISBN 978-1-61651-588-1.
––––. The Lost. 198p. ISBN 978-0-60623-411-5; ISBN 978-1-61651-585-0.
ea vol: (Urban Underground Series). Saddleback. 2011. PLB $19.60; pap. $8.95. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–These books follow a group of teens at Cesar Chavez High School. In The Lost, Carmen Ibarra is infatuated with Paul Morales, but her family disapproves of him. He has no family, is street smart, has a snake tattoo, and his best friends look like gang members. Carmen discards these concerns and dates him anyway. In Leap of Faith, Ernesto Sandoval sees Cruz Lopez running from a robbery. Cruz is one of Paul Morales’s best friends, so Ernesto decides to talk to Paul before going to the police. A few days later a store clerk is shot in the head during a robbery, and the shooter fits the description of the previous thief. Ernesto is beside himself. If he had told the police about Cruz, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. By the end, everything is sunshine and roses for everyone. Only good things seem to happen to the characters, their friends, and families. Paul turns out to be a great guy. Cruz is innocent and Ernesto is elected senior class president. The books appear to be gritty from the covers and series title, but only secondary characters deal with tough situations. They are dialogue-driven and written for reluctant readers and students reading below their grade level. Recommended for libraries where the “Bluford High” series (Scholastic) is popular.–Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY

SCHWAB, Victoria. The Near Witch. 288p. CIP. Hyperion/Disney. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3787-0; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-5257-6. LC 2010036289.
Gr 7-10–Lexi Harris, 16, has heard the legend of the Near Witch all her life. She and her sister live with their mother and overprotective Uncle Otto. Upon waking one morning, they find out that an unwelcome stranger has come to town. Lexi can’t help but think that she saw him the night before in the form of smoke outside her window. Who is this mysterious person and why is he blamed after children go missing in the town of Near? The town witches, Magda and Dreska Thorne, are convinced that it is the Near Witch seeking revenge and must convince the oppressive men of the town that the culprit is not the stranger. Part fairy tale, part legend with a little romance, this well-written mystery will capture the attention of teens even though it may take a few chapters, and readers may feel uncertain as to when the story is taking place. Lexi and Cole, the name she gives the stranger, have chemistry and an innocent relationship that readers will enjoy seeing develop. The ending of the story is intense, and young adults will read frantically to discover the outcome.–Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

SHAW, Liane. Fostergirls. 256p. Second Story, dist. by Orca. 2011. pap. $11.95. ISBN 978-1-897187-90-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–At 15, Sadie Thompson enters her 13th school and a group home. Her goal is to lie low so that she can fulfill her probation and convince her social worker that she is a candidate for emancipation at 16. All she wants is to be left alone, and she has no intentions of making friends. To cope with the instability and lack of control in her life, she shuts everyone and every emotion out. Over time, she develops a friendship with a classmate, Rhiannon, and learns to trust a guidance counselor instrumental in diagnosing her as learning disabled. When she lands in foster home 13 and learns the truth about her “biomom,” a bad choice puts her in the hospital. Shaw’s description of Sadie’s attitude toward school and the testing process that labels her as learning disabled is detailed, as is her look into the lives of foster children. In fact, the depiction of Sadie’s emotional void is so well done that readers learn very little of her past other than the highlights, and some might feel the lack of background and connection hinders the plot. Still, Shaw manages an authentic and accurate story. Overall, Fostergirls will engage many reluctant readers and fans of problem novels, and it will have a special appeal to other “fostergirls” and those struggling with learning disabilities or school.–Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ

SHEEHAN, Anna. A Long, Long Sleep. 342p. CIP. Candlewick. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5260-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5605-8. LC 2010040146.
Gr 8 Up–This original and imaginative retelling of “Sleeping Beauty/Briar Rose” is set in a far future in which hover vehicles, cell phones worn around the neck, and retinal scans are routine. Rosalinda, “Rose,” heir to a huge, interplanetary corporation called UniCorp, wakes up after being in stasis for 62 years and is still 16 years old. She’s been awakened by a kiss from a boy, Bren, who found her stasis tube abandoned in the subbasement of their condo building. She’s told that she slept through the Dark Times in which a plague decimated the population. She’s mourning the loss of her boyfriend and her parents, who were killed in an airplane crash nine years after the Dark Times began. Rose feels like a freak and has a hard time adjusting to having been ripped from her own time. The only other person who understands is her classmate Otto, a human-alien hybrid with blue skin and the ability to communicate telepathically through touch. Rose has a crush on Bren but he’s scared of her neediness and childlike behavior. Her life gets even more confusing after she’s repeatedly attacked by a robot with orders to terminate her and she must fight for her life. Surprising plot twists abound as she discovers shocking family secrets. This debut novel doesn’t shy away from exploring the dangers of powerful conglomerates and the ways technology can be abused, but, ultimately, it’s a bittersweet story of lost love, dreams, and of finding one’s place in the world.–Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

SHERMAN, Deborah. The BEDMAS Conspiracy. 172p. CIP. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-181-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Adam knows that with his creativity and leadership skills, and the vocal talents of his cousin Daniela, a victory at his middle school’s talent show is possible. All they have to do is find some band mates and come up with a great name. After auditions are held, their prospects look even brighter: joining them are drummer (and detention veteran) Sludge, twin guitarists Beena and Meena, and Eldrick, percussion-playing nerd-turned-nemesis. So what could go wrong? Well, Adam’s academic difficulties and Daniela’s stage fright are only two of the challenges thrown their way, but both are handled imaginatively and with humor. On the way to winning the regional talent show, Adam learns that people can surprise you, whether they are peers or adults. A genial read for fans of the author’s The Triple Chocolate Brownie Genius (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2007).Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Peachtree Montessori International, Ann Arbor, MI

SHERMAN, M. Zachary. Impulse. Vol. 2. illus. by Caio Majado. 120p. (Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution Series). Stone Arch. 2011. PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-1-4342-3203-8; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4342-3452-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Fourteen-year-old Dylan Crow, aka Slider, would like to pretend he gets his nickname from his smooth skateboarding skills, but his moniker stems from his ability to quickly slide out of trouble. A quintessential slacker–spitballs, detention, and skipping school–Slider prefers skateboarding on the hard streets of New York City, where he has some control over his life. When his 17-year-old foster brother goes missing after a run-in with a mysterious skateboard crew and his best friend is kidnapped, Slider must follow clues to try to unlock the power of a mystical artifact to save them. This second book in the series can be read as a stand-alone title. Some of the scenes are told in a well-illustrated and easy-to-follow graphic-novel format that gives a better sense of the action. Although some readers may appreciate the daredevil protagonist and the nod to skateboarding culture, implausible plot twists and stilted narration will turn off others.–Rachael Myers-Ricker, Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY

SITOMER, Alan Lawrence. The Downside of Being Up. 215p. Putnam. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25498-7; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-101-53565-3. LC 201004203.
Gr 6-8–Eighth-grader Bobby Connor considers himself a normal kid, “not a dork, a jock, a brain, a freak or a perv.” But he has a problem: “I have absolutely no control over what goes on in my pants. I get eighteen boners a day. Literally.” And since middle-school students are not usually known for sensitivity to others, it is understandable that Bobby’s erection in math class has many consequences: a permanent source of torment, a career-ending accident for the teacher, and the choice between either “correctional erectional analysis” or expulsion from school. When the new math teacher arrives with his daughter, Allison, she becomes the only normal character in Bobby’s otherwise dysfunctional world–in spite of her father’s dislike of him. Bobby’s narration is likely to appeal to adolescent boys who might find his dilemma and the gross habits of a neighbor and Bobby’s grandfather humorous. However, readers are likely to tire of the repetition (after all, how many synonyms for an erection or a penis can one chuckle over?). Not surprisingly, Bobby’s parents and grandfather, as well as the other adults portrayed, have issues with sexuality and with interpersonal relationships, including Bobby’s therapist. The conclusion is mercifully swift, and it is pat. While emerging sexuality is a real issue for young people, puberty, sexuality, and emotional turmoil are presented here in the flippant, tedious tone of a repeated joke that quickly wears thin.–Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library

SLATER, Adam. Hunted. Bk. 1. 192p. (The Shadowing). Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-261-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-282-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Callum Scott sees dead people. He has kept his “Luck”–the teen’s self-described ability to see otherworldly beings and happenings–a secret from his sensible Gran and the kids at his small-town British school for as long as he can remember. But lately, he is seeing gruesome images in his dreams–the murdered, brutalized bodies of people his age. When these visions become realities, Callum learns some startling truths about his family and realizes that he himself is being hunted. In an author’s note, Slater states that he possesses “an unhealthy love of horror films,” and it shows–with plenty of bloodshed and ghastly imagery. This book certainly isn’t for the squeamish. Well-paced scenes of nightmarish pursuit set in wooded lanes and deserted graveyards create a deliciously scary mood that is sustained from the story’s outset to its suspenseful ending.–Sam Bloom, Groesbeck Branch Library, Cincinnati, OH

SMITH, Andrew. Stick. 292p. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-61341-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-9537-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–A tall, thin frame has earned 13-year-old Stark McClellan the nickname “Stick.” He was born with a deformed ear, more like a hole in his head, and he is hyperaware of what he sees as a grotesque physical defect. His older brother, Bosten, defends him from bullies when he can, and the boys do their best to look out for each other when their abusive parents are on the rampage. Stick has one friend, Emily, but not much else is good in his life. When Bosten finds some small measure of love with a schoolmate (another boy), Stick keeps the secret without judging, but all too quickly the families find out. Bosten runs away and Stick follows to find him. Well into the story, Aunt Dahlia is introduced, adding a small blossom of hope for the brothers. While staying with her, they experience life free from emotional and physical abuse and enjoy a week surfing with kids in her neighborhood. Dahlia and her seaside home offer the promise of healing and better times to come. Smith effectively structures the words on some pages to mimic the one-sided input Stick hears through his single functional ear. Most of the story is bleak and harsh, and Stick tells his tale in language that is frank, dark, brutal, haunting, and mesmerizing. Suggest this to readers who can handle the intensity of Smith’s In the Path of Falling Objects (2009) and The Marbury Lens (2010, both Feiwel & Friends).–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

STANISZEWSKI, Anna. My Very UnFairy Tale Life. 198p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5946-3; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5947-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Staniszewski throws a whole lot at readers in this debut novel, including unicorns, a scary clown, energy beams, talking frogs, a gnome, and a monster that looks something like “a dragonfly and a submarine” and has a penchant for jewelry. While this sounds like there’s potential for a rollicking good time, the end result is more silly than funny. The book is a mishmash of ham-handed scenes, underdeveloped backstories, and tangential plot lines buzzing around the bizarre domination of a kingdom of talking animals by Klarr, the scary clown. As a designated “adventurer,” Jenny has been commanded to save the kingdom. She travels back and forth between the magical world and that of a normal teen, and the two occasionally intersect. This book will likely elicit some goofy laughs from the tween set, so it can be considered for an additional purchase if there’s money in the budget to spare.–Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

STORK, Francisco X. Irises. 288p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Jan. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-15135-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-39263-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Kate, 18, and Mary, 16, daughters of a stern Texas minister, are close but very different. Kate secretly dreams of going to Stanford for a medical degree. Artistic Mary is quiet, serious, and deeply devoted to her family, especially their mother, who is in a persistent vegetative state. When their father dies suddenly, the girls must grow up quickly. Although they have help from adults–their aunt, teachers, a social worker–they must make life-altering, wrenching decisions on their own. Stork touches on matters of faith, fidelity, and being true to oneself with gentle writing that is at times a bit stiff, but that suits the girls’ upbringing. This is even addressed in the narrative when another character talks to Mary about the formality of her speech. The mutual attraction between Kate and the new minister who replaces her father is a catalyst for her to make some big changes for her family, including whether or not to end her mother’s life. The girls work through such questions as what is selfishness and what is moving on with your own life, and whether there is a proper way to grieve. Although Irises covers deep topics, its slow, graceful pace never feels ponderous or overwhelming. It offers readers much to reflect on, even as its protagonists do the same.–Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT

STRIEBER, Whitley. Melody Burning. 215p. Holt. Dec. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9327-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-7583-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–This fast-paced melodrama is told from the alternating views of teens Melody McGrath, a high-maintenance music/TV star, and Beresford, an orphan who lives behind the walls of Melody’s high-rise apartment building. Due to the ambitions of her barracuda mom, Melody is a superstar singer and the lead in a hit TV show. She describes her poor-little-rich-girl life of fame and glamour in a breezy, Hollywood voice. Beresford’s story unfolds in the third person, as readers are told about his solitary existence hiding in the walls and ceilings of the building, sleeping in vacant apartments, bathing when people vacation, and dressing in tenants’ forgotten clothes. When the pricey high rise’s greedy owner hires an arsonist to work security, it soon becomes apparent that the occupants are in grave danger. The story feels like a mash-up of Beverly Hills 90210, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with a little Spiderman thrown in for good measure. Lines such as “Careful, Jim, he’s a monster!” and “I want him. I can help him grow and become a real person” exemplify the lack of subtlety and character development. For readers wanting romantic adventure with clear-cut good guys and bad guys in a no-brainer read, this will be a good fit.–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

SUMMERS, Gillian. The Quicksilver Faire. Bk. 2. 336p. (The Scions of Shadow Trilogy). Flux. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-1571-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Goblins, unicorns, fairies, elves, dwarves, dragons, and a magic cat are just a few of the creatures that make up the cast in this sequel to Shadows of the Redwood (Flux, 2010). Keelie, part human, part elf, part fairy, is charged with helping the elves and the fairies resolve their differences in the Fairy High Court. She journeys into a Canadian forest with her boyfriend, Sean, and her frenemy, Elia, a pregnant elf. There she encounters Herne, the ruler of the dark fae, who has just lost his love of more than 500 years and is determined to win Keelie’s affections. This is one of the multiple plotlines that cloud the story, none of which come to any real resolution. Modern colloquialisms, seemingly meant to cement characters in the present, are awkwardly placed. Readers looking for a fantasy set in today’s world will be better served by Nancy Werlin’s Impossible (Dial, 2008) or Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely (HarperTeen, 2007). Little explanation exists to introduce new readers to the series, so buy only where the first installment is popular.–Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

TIBENSKY, Arlaina. And Then Things Fall Apart. 254p. S & S/Pulse. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1323-8; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1324-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Keek has had nothing but bad luck lately. Her parents are getting divorced, she had a huge fight with her boyfriend, and she’s holed up at her grandmother’s house for the summer before her sophomore year while she recovers from chicken pox. As she struggles with her myriad problems, she draws inspiration from Sylvia Plath’s life and The Bell Jar and pounds her thoughts out on an old electric typewriter. The protagonist is a strong female character who lends insight into the way teenagers react and deal with everyday situations. Tibensky examines the art of expressing oneself through poetry and prose, and Keek’s language and thoughtful writing enhance her emotional development, sustaining the story until the end.–Katie Wilkinson, Gar-Field High School, Woodbridge, VA

VAUGHT, Susan. Going Underground. 324p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-640-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-714-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–From the get-go, it is obvious that 17-year-old Del made a huge mistake in his past. He describes himself as “that guy who did awful stuff,” but as his story slowly comes to light through flashbacks, readers will form their own opinions, even though in the eyes of the law Del is a sex offender. When he was 14, he was charged as a felon because of sexting and consensual relations with his girlfriend, who was only 13 at the time. Fast-forward three years and Del has no chance for a normal life. No college will take him and the only work he can find is digging graves. Chapter headings keep readers on track with the time frame, present day or three years earlier, but overall the pacing may be a bit slow for some. Vaught keeps the story from getting too dark with a new love interest, a talking pet parrot, and an interesting playlist that Del compiles for his life. This ripped-from-the-headlines story is heartrending but also hopeful when Del testifies to bring sense to the current legislation. As a cautionary tale, this novel gives teens pause to consider their actions under the law.–Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

WALKER, Melissa. Small Town Sinners. 272p. CIP. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-527-3. LC 2010036460.
Gr 9 Up–Lacey Anne Byer can’t wait to participate in Hell House, her father’s church’s Halloween outreach event that she helps with every year. Selected this time to act the part of a doomed and remorseful patient at an abortion clinic, the 16-year-old wants to make an impression with her role. When Ty, a former classmate, returns to town, Lacey befriends him, noting both his good looks and his friendly but mysterious demeanor. Ty is quickly absorbed into Lacey’s tight circle of friends, making what was once a threesome into a quartet. Soon after, however, the group struggles with the news of Lacey’s friend Starla Joy’s sister’s unplanned pregnancy, as well as with local bad boy Geoff Parsons, who bullies Dean, the fourth member of their group, relentlessly. As Lacey considers the plight of Starla Joy’s unmarried teenage sister, Ty gently leads her to question the black-and-white system of morals associated with the church in which she was raised. Small Town Sinners is distinctly nonjudgmental, but, as it includes some circumspect questioning of the tenets of Lacey’s faith, cannot be considered an example of Christian fiction. Walker depicts small-town Southern life with respectful realism, highlighting the place of the church as a religious and social center of the community. This characterization allows Lacey’s internal conflict–between her father and his church’s ideals and the new frame of reference that Ty provides–help to achieve a complex believability that lingers through the novel’s conclusion.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

WALTERS, Eric. The Money Pit Mystery. 289p. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-123-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Sam’s grandfather and mother had a fight years ago, and now Sam, his sister, and their mother are visiting him for the first time in years. When they arrive on tiny Oak Island, they are shocked to discover how rundown the man’s once-immaculate house has become. To make matters worse, he isn’t even there. When Sam, Beth, and their friend, Buzz, do some exploring, they are surprised by some security guards at the town’s “money pit.” Some folks believe that Captain Kidd buried treasure here. The legend leads searchers on a wild goose chase and many, like Sam’s Grandpa, cannot quit looking for it. When Sam finally sees him, he finds that his grandfather is just a shell of the man he used to be. Other townsfolk have begun to worry about him and Sam’s mom realizes that she may have to make some tough decisions. After studying one of his grandfather’s old maps, Sam realizes that Captain Kidd most likely tricked everyone, and the three youngsters set out for a new location. Sam is a likable character whom kids will relate to. Beth’s relationship with Buzz is awkward and funny, and readers will understand Sam’s frustration when his childhood friend flirts with his sister. The siblings’ relationship is realistic; they irritate and exasperate each other, yet when it comes down to the wire, they truly love each other. Sam’s mom and grandfather are multidimensional characters, and the grandfather’s recognition of his oncoming senility is compassionately portrayed. This is a well-thought-out mystery with lots of suspense and a fully realized picture of a struggling family.–Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

WELCH, Sheila Kelly. Waiting to Forget. 170p. Namelos. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60898-114-4; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-60898-115-1; ebook $8.95. ISBN 978-1-60898-116-8. LC 2011929425.
Gr 5-9–As 12-year-old T. J. sits in an ER waiting room while his sister Angela is in a coma after a serious fall, pictures in the “life book” he created to take to their adoptive family jog a host of memories. The “Then” passages reveal life with a single mother unable to raise her children. From an early age, T. J. recognizes Momma’s reliance on charm and lies to avoid taking responsibility. Even worse, he must keep quiet or lie himself to cover up her neglect. He takes responsibility for himself and Angela, coaxing the little girl to cooperate and avoid trouble. Brief glimmers of hope such as a visit to their grandparents or genuine interest from one of Momma’s boyfriends are overshadowed by times of anxiety. When their mother leaves them to take an extended trip with the thieving boyfriend who had Angela steal for him, T. J. must reveal the truth about their situation. The “Now” scenes take place with their adoptive parents, who give him updates on Angela’s condition. They reveal T. J.’s struggle to trust anyone, even two adults determined to create a stable family with him and Angela. This quiet, matter-of-fact, but compelling account will leave readers thankful for an ending that offers some hope that the children will realize that possibility. This story will resonate with thoughtful readers.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

WHITE, Kiersten. Supernaturally. Bk. 2. 342p. (Paranormalcy Series). CIP. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-198586-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209344-8. LC 2010040426.
Gr 9 Up–In this sequel to Paranormalcy (HarperCollins, 2010), Evie, 16, leaves the International Paranormal Containment Agency, hoping for a normal life. She dreams of attending Georgetown upon graduation and has a steady boyfriend, Lend. However, she lives in a tiny apartment and works part time as a waitress, and finds her life boring. When asked to do small missions for the agency, Evie readily accepts. These missions, however, are neither simple nor safe, and it looks like there’s about to be a battle in the faerie world. Vampires, slyphs, fossgrims, and faeries are attempting to kill her, and she doesn’t know why. A new friend, Jack, and a faerie ex-boyfriend, Reth, add to the danger she faces and strain her relationship with Lend. Evie does not know whom to trust or believe. In her search for answers, she discovers things about her past that add to her confusion. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion with the teen learning that there is good and bad in all creatures. She also discovers that there are many paths one can follow to reach a desired goal. Twists and turns abound in this novel, and readers are sure to be drawn in with each new revelation about Evie and her friends.–Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX

WIGGINS, Bethany. Shifting. 356p. Walker. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2280-5; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-22812. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Maggie Mae Mortensen, 17, has been in 12 foster homes and has had nearly 20 arrests for indecent exposure. She is taken from Albuquerque to a new foster home in Silver City, NM, and starts in a new school for the last few months of her senior year. Immediately, she is drawn to handsome, rich, and popular Bridger O’Connell, but she can’t control her problem: she’s a shape-shifter. Every month at the full moon, she turns into an animal. That’s why she’s found naked in the streets after changing back to human form. Maggie Mae makes some friends, finds a job, forms a good relationship with her foster parent, and starts a budding romance with Bridger. Things are going okay–except for the fact that SkinWalkers, people who are able to become an animal by wearing their skin, are trying to kill her. A blend of paranormal romance and Navajo legend, Wiggins’s debut novel is an engaging story that’s difficult to put down. Recommend it to fans of Maggie Stiefvater’s “Wolves of Mercy Falls” series (Scholastic).–Melissa Stock, Arapahoe Library District, Englewood, CO

WILLINGHAM, Bill. Down the Mysterly River. illus. by Mark Buckingham. 336p. TOR/Starscape. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2792-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-8240-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Max the Wolf, who is not a wolf at all but a Boy Scout who likes to solve mysteries, is in the middle of a very big dilemma. Awakening in a forest, he has no memory of how he got there. Encountering a talking badger named Banderbrock further distresses him, not only for obvious reasons, but also because the badger is equally confused. As the two attempt to determine their whereabouts, they pick up a feisty barn cat named McTavish and a bumbling but lovable bear sheriff, Walden. This unlikely group soon finds itself under attack by a band of vicious men and women called Blue Cutters. Their magical swords hack away at victims, changing their personalities until they no longer resemble who they once were. Max has to find out why they’re all in this strange land, all the while dodging, fighting, and trying to outsmart the Cutters. Readers will cheer for this motley crew, and crazy McTavish is good for more than a few laughs. While the ending is slightly predictable, it doesn’t diminish the enjoyment readers will feel when the mystery is solved, and they’ll race through the story to get there. Buckingham’s simple but effective black-and-white illustrations give faces to the characters at the beginning of each chapter. Willingham has skillfully created an imaginative fairy-tale world, and an adventure quest with heart.–Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

WUNDER, Wendy. The Probability of Miracles. 360p. Penguin/Razorbill. Dec. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-368-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–High school senior Cam needs a miracle. She has been battling cancer for seven years and learns during spring semester that there is nothing left to do–no treatment is going to help. Not willing to admit defeat, Cam’s mother drags her and her sister to Promise, ME, for the summer. Miracles are supposedly regular occurrences in the town, according to her mother’s friend from yoga. Cynical, sarcastic, matter-of-fact Cam is not excited about leaving Florida and Disney World where her family has been involved in the entertainment business, performing nightly Samoan-heritage dances. But she goes along to humor her mother, and on the way there visits her friend Lily, a cancer-patient comrade whom she’s known for years. Miracles or not, Cam really is dying. Nonetheless, during the summer she works as a vet’s assistant, steals a donkey, meets lovely Asher, and manages to accomplish everything on her Flamingo List of the things she wants to do before she dies, which include cow-tipping, losing her virginity, and having an awkward moment with her best friend’s boyfriend, among other things. This is not your typical teenage fatal disease, let’s-make-the-most-of-my-last-summer novel. Rather it is a witty, clever, meaningful, kind of kooky life-sometimes-stinks-but-it’s-all-we-have tour de force.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

YOVANOFF, Brenna. The Space Between. 362p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-339-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Daphne’s home life is Hell. Literally. The daughter of Lilith and Lucifer, the sensitive teen feels out of place. When her adored older brother, Obie, abandons Hell to be with a girl he met on Earth, Daphne does what she has never done before. In order to find him and warn him of imminent danger, she leaves Hell, too. Once on Earth, Daphne seeks help from Truman, a self-destructive teenage boy whose incessant nightmares spur him to dangerous excesses in order to stay awake. As they work together to find Obie, besting a demon or two along the way, Daphne learns to appreciate and cultivate her humanity, the very thing that alienates her from her family. This bildungsroman features a sympathetic, believable protagonist who learns, changes, and grows. Daphne shrinks from the future planned for her, that of being like her ravenous older sisters, the Lilim, who live off the pain of weak men. Yovanoff’s writing distinguishes itself with its inlay of eloquent and imaginative passages about life in Pandemonium (the sleek, metallic capital city of Hell), Daphne’s sometimes-comic acclimations to life on Earth, Truman’s tragic story arc, and the tender romance that develops between them.–Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC

ZARR, Sara. How to Save a Life. 341p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03606-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-19291-0. LC 2010045832.
Gr 8 Up–High school senior Jill is grieving the death of her beloved father. She’s distanced herself from her friends and long-term boyfriend, and her relationship with her mother, Robin, is strained at best. Things get even more complicated when Robin announces that she plans to adopt a baby, and that the baby’s teenage mother, Mandy, is going to live with them until the delivery. Jill can’t understand why her mother would make this choice, especially when Mandy turns out to be secretive, amazingly naive, and, in Jill’s mind, suspicious. Told from alternating perspectives, the teens’ compelling stories unfold with heart-wrenching angst. Jill is terribly unkind to Mandy, whose obvious reluctance to talk about her past doesn’t help matters. Mandy guards not one secret, but many, all of which may jeopardize her relationship with Robin and therefore the future of her child. As Jill comes to terms with the abrupt and shocking changes her family has undergone, and Mandy grapples with shifting emotions toward the baby she’s carrying, the girls somehow find an intersection at which they can begin to understand the other’s experience. Another heavy-hitting page-turner from Zarr, this book will appeal to middle and high school girls across the board. For fans of Jacqueline Woodson’s The Dear One (Delacorte, 1991) and Jessica Warman’s Where the Truth Lies (Walker, 2010), it’s a must-read.–Nora G. Murphy, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, La Canada-Flintridge, CA

Nonfiction

ANDERSON, Michael, ed. Ancient Greece. ISBN 978-1-61530-513-1; ISBN 978-1-61530-562-9. LC 2011000086.
––––. Ancient Rome. ISBN 978-1-61530-522-3; ISBN 978-1-61530-571-1. LC 2011004749.
HOLLAR, Sherman. Ancient Egypt. ISBN 978-1-61530-523-0; ISBN 978-1-61530-572-8. LC 2011004714.
ea vol: 88p. (Ancient Civilizations Series). diags. maps. photos. bibliog. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Britannica Educational. 2011. PLB $31.70; ebook $31.70.
Gr 5-8–These slim books provide enough information about the development, way of life, accomplishments, and decline of these civilizations without overwhelming readers. Maps; full-color illustrations and photographs, many full page; and sidebars provide additional focus. In Greece, the system of city-states, is explained. Literature, art, and architecture and their lasting influence are described in detail. Rome discusses the military expertise of Caesar and Pompey and the winning of the Punic Wars that led to world domination. The Romans’ genius in engineering is highlighted with descriptions of the famous Appian Way and the aqueduct, the Aqua Appia. In Egypt, the use of the Nile and its influence on the development of this civilization is emphasized. From the very beginnings in agriculture to the development of a sophisticated irrigation system, the river was a significant factor in the formation of Egyptian civilization. The building of the great pyramids and the art of mummification are also mentioned. A detailed discussion of the everyday lives of the rich and the poor provide valuable insight. These books are good starting points for research or for students interested in learning about the ancient world.–Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX

BAILEY, Diane. Tattoo Art Around the World. ISBN 978-1-4488-4618-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-4622-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-4625-2. LC 2010048428.
GERBER, Larry. Getting Inked: What to Expect When You Get a Tattoo. ISBN 978-1-4488-4616-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-4621-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-4625-2. LC 2010045970.
NAGLE, Jeanne. Why People Get Tattoos and Other Body Art. ISBN 978-1-4488-4617-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-4620-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-4623-8. LC 2011000276.
SPALDING, Frank. Erasing the Ink: Getting Rid of Your Tattoo. ISBN 978-1-4488-4615-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-4619-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-4624-5. LC 2010045920.
ea vol: 64p. (Tattooing Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen. 2011. PLB $30.60; pap. $12.95; ebook $30.60.
Gr 7 Up–These hi/lo titles provide solid information and engaging visuals. Each volume has bright, full-color photos and illustrations, showing readers the range of tattoo art. The photos are well selected, and they don’t focus on current celebrities, who would quickly date the books. The tone of the writing is serious but not stuffy, encouraging anyone considering a tattoo to give much thought to the idea. Struggling readers should not have trouble reading these well-written and well-researched volumes. While not necessarily of high appeal to browsers, the books will be attractive to teens researching tattoos. There is a fair amount of subject overlap across the four volumes; if budgets are tight, purchase Getting Inked. For larger libraries or where interest is high, all four volumes would be positive additions.–Melissa Rabey, Frederick County Public Libraries, MD

BOURSIN, Didier. Origami for Everyone: Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced. 160p. diags. photos. CIP. Firefly. Dec. 2011. Tr $29.95. ISBN 978-1-55407-958-2; pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55407-958-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3 Up–Though most (possibly all) of the photographs and step diagrams for these 68 paper-folding projects are recycled from Boursin’s earlier collections, he has both revised the instructions and commentary and grouped the models according to estimated difficulty. After an extensive opening tutorial of folds and bases adorned with savvy general folding tips, he offers a randomly ordered assortment of aircraft, animals, stars, ornaments, and spinners–many with nondescriptive names like “Overflight” (a very simple airplane) or “Imaginary Voyage” (a more complex one). All of the entries feature pictures of finished models in arty tableaux and particularly clear two-color diagrams that use standard origami notation. Typically, some require scissors or glue to create, and despite suggestions for adding eyes or other identifying decorations, many are more abstract than realistic. Still, a collection in which even a string of cutout paper dolls is rated “Intermediate” will have plenty to offer novice folders, and the author’s lighthearted, fanciful outlook gives this extensive sampler a bright and inviting tone. There is no bibliography, but Boursin does carefully note whether his creations are inspired by known inventors or by traditional designs.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library

BURLINGAME, Jeff. The Titanic Tragedy: The Price of Prosperity in a Gilded Age. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60870-450-7; ISBN 978-1-60870-722-5. LC 2010041560.
MARSICO, Kate. The Montgomery Bus Boycott: Milestone of the Civil Rights Movement. ISBN 978-1-60870-447-7; ISBN 978-1-60870-719-5. LC 2010033906.
––––. The Texas Polygamist Raid: Religious Freedom versus Child Welfare. ISBN 978-1-60870-449-1; ISBN 978-1-60870-721-8. LC 2010016038.
ea vol: 112p. (Perspectives On Series). photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2011. PLB $39.93; ebook $39.93.
Gr 8 Up–These three titles offer excellent, thorough, and accurate information for reports or for general reading. Titanic examines safety issues in the shipping industry in relation to the importance of profit, the historical background of the Gilded Age, the effects of privilege on the survivors of the disaster, the economic impact on those less well off, and the way the disaster affected future regulation of the shipping industry. Bus Boycott explores the way that the boycott and resulting Supreme Court decision ruling that segregation of Montgomery’s bus system was unconstitutional led to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement while relaying the risks taken by those who participated in and supported the boycott. Texas Polygamist Raid contrasts child welfare with the importance of freedom of religion. The information in each book is presented clearly and in an interesting manner with first-person accounts and relevant photographs and drawings. Special sidebar sections provide brief background on social and economic history, such as the one in Titanic that compares costs of tickets in 1912 to the value of today’s dollar.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

CHEMERKA, William R. The Alamo from A to Z. illus. by Wade Dillon. unpaged. chron. CIP. Pelican. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4556-1461-5. LC 2011012269.
Gr 3-6–This book depicts historical facts about the Alamo and the people involved. “Bowie,” “Crockett,” “Dickinson,” “Houston,” and “Travis” appear, as do lesser-known individuals such as Joe, Travis’s slave, and Eulalia Yorba, a local woman who was asked to tend to the wounded Mexican soldiers. Colonel Francisco Quintero and General José Urrea are names from Santa Anna’s army. Liberty is taken with Damacio Ximenes, which is an alternate spelling of Jiménez, to accommodate the letter X. “Flag,” “Independence,” “Veramendi House,” “Women of the Alamo,” and the “Zapadores” are a few of the entries that aren’t people. Each letter (curly and swirled) is given its own page and a brief, factual explanation. Dillon creates realistic animated depictions of the people in traditional clothing done in pencil, ink, and marker. A time line from February 23, 1836 to March 6, 1836 brings the book to a close. An easy-to-read resource for those unfamiliar with Texas history.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

COLLARD, Sneed B., III. Global Warming: A Personal Guide to Causes and Solutions. 62p. charts. diags. photos. bibliog. glossary. index. Web sites. Lifelong Learning. 2011. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-9785367-7-0. LC 2010936333.
Gr 6-9–After a quick introduction and opening discussion of the basics and impacts of global warming, Collard identifies the causes, challenges, and related issues and examines the complex issue of what needs to be done. He suggests various solutions and gives global examples to support his arguments. His knowledgeable and persuasive tone convinces readers that change is necessary and achievable. He cites the key to global warming as “the pursuit and production of energy,” and calls on citizens to transform and overhaul our energy and transportation systems and redesign our cities. Large, captioned photographs and relevant charts and graphs depicting cogent statistics appear throughout. The informative text is broken into columns, making the extra-wide-page format easy to read. More than eight pages of references give students many further-research options. Sidebars provide supplementary material such as viability of hydrogen fuel cells and differences among hybrid vehicles. Personal narratives written by a vegetarian and a man constructing his own eco-building are included. For students seeking more background on the topic, Neil Morris’s What If We Do Nothing? (World Almanac Library, 2007), aimed at grades 7 and up, provides a good overview of causes and effects. An excellent resource for reports and debates.–June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA

DUBOIS, Michael, Jane Price, & Katri Hilden. The Not-for-Parents Travel Book: Cool Stuff to Know About Every Country in the World. 208p. maps. photos. reprods. index. Lonely Planet. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-742-20814-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6– With “Not-For-Parents” superimposed across the cover, this entry will lure certain readers in. Beginning in Canada and heading into the Southern hemisphere, linear readers will then go east to Europe and eventually wend south to Africa and then east again, ending in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Each country receives equal treatment, from tiny Eritrea to the world’s superpowers. All are given a single page that includes a header with a consistently small map and basic information, plus the local word for “hello.” The remainder of the page is a hodgepodge of unusual and odd tidbits about the country. Each page is composed mainly of briefly captioned illustrations and photos that often don’t do justice to their subject. Topics include movie references, animals, transportation, music and instruments, natural resources, food, religion, history, and more. Some captions are emphasized in a color text box with a heading such as “Crazy Fact,” “Hideous History,” “Funky Food,” “Amazing Animals,” etc. A closing world map has an accompanying alphabetical list of countries with coordinates, but it is so small that individual countries are almost lost. The maps often have no reference points so orientation is difficult. Cities and regions are cited but not shown on the maps. The sometimes distorted information makes this a book strictly for browsing. –Carol S. Surges, Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI

GERSZAK, Rafal with Dawn Hunter. Beyond Bullets: A Photo Journal of Afghanistan. photos by Rafal Gerszak. 128p. maps. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-293-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Gerszak spent more than a year embedded with troops on the front lines in Afghanistan, learning about and experiencing firsthand the war on terrorism. After this powerful experience, he then lived among Afghan civilians in order to explore the war from their perspective, learning to love and appreciate both the culture and the country that has been ravaged by multiple conflicts and invasions. Beautiful, provocative photographs are combined with explanations and journal entries to provide a complete portrait of his time in Afghanistan. The book does not shy away from sharing the darker side of war, with photos of injured soldiers, dogfights, and suffering civilians all included, and through detailed descriptions these potentially difficult images are given context and meaning. Having visited hospitals, individual homes, refugee camps, and much more, Gerszak enables readers to see a side of the war that is rarely shared in the media, and, even less frequently, in a book directed at young adults. The photos tell a story all on their own, but the added narrative draws readers in and gives them a front-row seat. Share or display this title with a variety of nonfiction and fiction titles about other American wars, such as Walter Dean Myers’s Fallen Angels (Scholastic, 1988) or Philip Caputo’s 10,000 Days of Thunder (S & S, 2005) as a means of humanizing war.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

GLASSER, Debbie & Emily Schenck. New Kid, New Scene: A Guide to Moving and Switching Schools. 112p. photos. CIP. Magination. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-1039-8; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-1038-1. LC 2011013608.
Gr 5-8–Students making the transition to new schools, new communities, or new homes will always experience a bit of anxiety, and this self-help book offers practical advice on how to make those changes smoother. The ideas and suggestions are sound and practical, if not occasionally generic and repetitive. The basic mantra is to keep a positive attitude, be flexible, and try new things, whether they be joining a sports team, trying out for a play, or simply saying hello to one friendly face. Similar advice could be given to just about anybody experiencing any kind of social anxiety, whether the situation is new or comfortably familiar. There are some useful suggestions about the importance of maintaining old friendships and how to balance the pushes and pulls between old friends and new. Unfortunately, the writing sometimes becomes pedestrian, with the zippiest and most engaging part coming in the introduction, with comparisons being made between new situations and being an actor in a movie facing a new script, a new set, and an unfamiliar cast. There are descriptions and quotes from “real” kids who have had similar experiences, but there is an almost Stepford-like quality to them that doesn’t quite ring true. Bulleted lists, quizzes, and notebook and movie-script sidebars add details, and the eye-catching layout will keep students flipping through the pages.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

GREEN, Dan. Algebra & Geometry: Anything but Square. illus. by Simon Basher. 128p. (Basher Science Series). glossary. index. Kingfisher. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6627-8; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-6597-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–This creative team introduces the components of algebra and geometry as cartoon-style characters. The book begins with a brief introduction to the subject of mathematics and Pythagoras. Then, the concepts are grouped together in eight chapters, including “Counting Crew” (Roman numerals, base 10, etc.), “Graph Gang” (vector, line, etc.), “Shape Sisters” (perimeter, area, etc.), “Trig-Athletes” (sine, cosine, etc.), and “In the Round” (circle, pi, etc.). Each chapter begins with an introduction and then the concepts are presented on a spread. One page features a drawing of the concept’s character, while the opposing page provides a brief introduction to its characteristics and personality. The author describes a Mobius strip in detail, but never calls it by name. There is some crossover between this title and Green’s Math: A Book You Can Count On (Kingfisher, 2010). The information is presented in a chatty tone. For example, Negative Number is introduced as living in, “…chilly, subzero zone. It’s brrr, no doubt!” and is portrayed as an ice cube holding a thermometer. Along with the narrative, which is written in the first person from the concept’s point of view, basic information and key facts are provided in bullet points. This book is certain to appeal to number lovers and would be an effective supplement to a mathematics curriculum.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

HALLS, Kelly Milner. In Search of Sasquatch: An Exercise in Zoological Evidence. 48p. illus. map. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-25761-7. LC 2011005785.
Gr 4-6–Fans of mythical creatures and mysteries will get a kick out of this book. While not as effective in documenting the research process as Scott Reynolds Nelson and Marc Aronson’s Ain’t Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry (National Geographic, 2007), this book does a fair job of presenting the evidence for Sasquatch through stories of people who have dedicated their lives to finding the cryptid. Evidence for its existence might leave many kids unconvinced, but they will likely be entertained anyway. Black-and-white and muted color illustrations and photos of people, lush forests, clues, and Sasquatch itself are scattered throughout, breaking up what could otherwise be a text-heavy book. Readers who find their curiosity piqued will be rewarded in the end; the back matter includes a well-designed map of sightings in America and Canada, as well as information that will facilitate further research. The book makes an appealing individual reading experience, but the short chapters and lively narrative also make for an engaging read aloud, especially for groups of children transitioning to longer books or more sophisticated subject matter.–Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

HERMAN, Debbie. From Pie Town to Yum Yum: Weird and Wacky Place Names Across the United States. illus. by Linda Sarah Goldman. 108p. map. bibliog. Web sites. Kane/Miller. 2011. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-935279-79-2. LC 2011920391.
Gr 3-6–Herman has traveled across the country looking for place names that she finds to be unusual. She includes all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. There are explanations of how several of these towns got their names and a sketchily drawn map that shows the location of the state capital. A sidebar includes additional information, such as the date of statehood and places of interest to visit. However, these sights rarely appear on the map. Childlike pen-and-ink sketches are somewhat humorous, but don’t really add much information. While some students may find the topic mildly interesting, this volume is an additional purchase.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

HOLMES, Thom. Evolution. 109p. (Science Foundations Series). charts. diags. illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Chelsea House. 2011. PLB $35. ISBN 978-1-60413-338-7. LC 2010015738.
Gr 7-9–A solid, competent history of the evolution of ideas and the theory of evolution itself. Indeed, the rather dryly written book could easily be used as a basic textbook on the topic. The information-packed text begins with the very beginning: establishing the geologic time scale, via Hutton and Lyell, and going on to include Darwin’s momentous work. Classification follows, and leads ultimately to adaptation and the evolution of new species. There is no mention of intelligent design, and the penultimate chapter deals specifically with human evolution. An extensive bibliography is included, as is a list of further references. Maps and data boxes accompany several diagrams and a few desultory photos (that seem like textbook afterthoughts). Certainly not for browsing or easy light reading, but definitely of use to teachers or serious researchers.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

HUNTER-GAULT, Charlayne. To the Mountaintop: My Journey Through the Civil Rights Movement. 198p. (A New York Times Book). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. Roaring Brook/Flash Point. Jan. 2012. Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-605-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–As one of two students who, on January 9, 1961, integrated the University of Georgia, the author comes across as a prescient young woman who knew what she wanted and was willing to brave life-threatening situations to get it. Alternating between her personal experiences in getting an education–a struggle from elementary school on–and the broader history of the movement, she offers a clear perspective on the Civil Rights Movement from 1959 to 1965 that is both informed and passionate. The prose is vivid and well composed, extended ably by black-and-white photographs of school integration, the Selma march, the Freedom Riders, and the March on Washington, among others. Concluding with a detailed time line running from 1787 to 2009 and with the full text of several New York Times articles covering civil-rights issues, the end matter also includes a sound bibliography, lengthy index, and quotation notes by chapter. Not as accessible as Ellen Levine’s Freedom’s Children (Putnam, 1993), this is still a solid, well-written, well-researched title.–Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

JORDAN-FENTON, Christy & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. A Stranger at Home: A True Story. illus. by Liz Amini-Holmes. 124p. map. photos. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2011. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-362-8; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-361-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–In this sequel to Fatty Legs (Annick, 2010), in which Margaret Pokiak described her first time away at a residential school, the girl now describes her assimilation back into her Native world. At 10 years old, she returned home to her remote Arctic village after being away for two years to be educated by priests and nuns. The thrill of reuniting with her beloved family was quickly muted by the realization that she had lost most of her native language and her taste for traditional food. She felt very much a stranger to those she loved most and was generally considered an outsider by everyone now because of her different clothes and her inability to speak Inuvialuktun. Barely recognizable to her siblings, unable to effectively communicate with her mother, her only bridge to this now unfamiliar world was her father, who also attended the residential schools and spoke English. While it may not have the same drama and tension of the first memoir, this tale provides a compelling and moving story of a girl searching for the strength to find her place in the world. The writing is unpretentious and accessible, and readers who enjoyed the first book will find this an interesting follow-up. Vivid paintings are a beautiful accompaniment to the storytelling. Photographs from Pokiak-Fenton’s own collection add important points of reference for readers looking to visualize the characters and the unique setting of the Arctic Circle. A welcome addition to biography collections.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

LAMPRELL, Klay. Not-for-Parents London: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know. 96p. diags. illus. maps. photos. reprods. index. Web sites. Lonely Planet. 2011. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-74220-816-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up–Incorporating the format of a DK “Eyewitness” book and the irreverence of a history lesson taught by Monty Python, this volume is chock-a-block with facts and trivia about the city. In the spirit of rambling discovery, there is no particular order to the organization. Each page introduces an aspect of London that is either historical (the mystery of Jack the Ripper), cultural (pop music), or iconic (Big Ben). Information about Harry Potter, Brick Lane, the London Eye, and graffiti artist Banksy helps to keep the book from reading simply like a nostalgic retrospective of a city populated by Cockneys and Pearly Kings; it shows London to be a contemporary metropolis still honing its character nearly 2000 years after starting out as a Roman fortified port. A “Want more?” feature at the bottom of each page provides a link to a website for further investigation. In keeping with the tone of the book, the sites are quirky, a little bit touristy, and educational on the sly. The artwork incorporates photographs, cartoons, maps, reproductions of famous paintings and statues, and plenty of voice bubbles. This book is strictly for pleasure, and will certainly be received as such. While proudly declaring that it is not a guidebook, Not-for-Parents London could be used as a checklist for anyone preparing to visit the city (or in need of a Cockney rhyming slang dictionary).–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

LLEWELLYN, Claire & Clare O’Shea. Cooking with Fruits and Vegetables. ISBN 978-1-4488-4844-7. LC 2010039333.
––––. Cooking with Meat and Fish. ISBN 978-1-4488-4845-4. LC 2010039337.
ea vol: 48p. (Cooking Healthy Series). charts. diags. map. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen. 2011. PLB $27.95.
Gr 5-8–These books pair facts about the featured food, including where it is eaten, with eye-catching photos. However, in spite of the series title, several of the recipes in Fruits and Vegetables call for large amounts of heavy cream or butter. Meat and Fish has simple and clean illustrations of the animals and where the different cuts of meat come from. Each title starts with appetizing information about balanced diets–what to eat and how much of it. Each course (section) has an overview of the vegetable group or meat, followed by recipes from all over the world. They vary in difficulty from easy “Mashed Potatoes” to a more difficult “raspberry Pavlova”; however, the cooking directions are clear and straightforward. Cooking terms, such as blanching, are defined and illustrated. Both books are profusely illustrated with full-color photos. Students who are learning to cook will appreciate these excellently organized reads.–Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT

MENDEZ, Sean. One World Kids Cookbook: Easy, Healthy and Affordable Family Meals. 96p. maps. photos. index. Interlink. 2011. Tr $20. ISBN 978-1-56656-866-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Ice cream was invented in China around 2000 BCE. Delicacies like roasted ants are eaten in some parts of Colombia. Mendez offers up such tantalizing facts to introduce featured recipes from respective countries in this delightful procession of international culinary dishes. Occasional proverbs, such as the adage from Mexico “Conversation is food for the soul” or the Filipino aphorism “Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls,” are included in the prelude to each highlighted recipe as are a flag and map showing the region where the recipe originated. Wonderful color photos resonate with a National Geographic vibe as they portray faces, places, and foods from across the globe. Myriad international cookbooks for kids have some great recipes, but few provide such a wealth of eclectic information to enhance the cultural aspects of food in addition to providing safety tips, tasty tips, and national facts. A foreword by famed chef Ferran Adrià sets the tone for this serious approach to fun when learning to cook well-loved foods. One World Kids Cookbook is a suitable literary appetizer for global nutrition or cultural studies.–Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME

OLLHOFF, Jim. Indian Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-722-7. LC 2010041628.
––––. Japanese Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-723-4. LC 2010042019.
––––. Mayan and Aztec Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-724-1. LC 2010042976.
––––. Middle Eastern Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-725-8. LC 2010042977.
ea vol: 32p. (The World of Mythology Series). map. photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. ABDO. 2011. PLB $27.07.
Gr 5-7–Despite the strange choice of anime and high-fantasy-style cover art, these books offer solid introductions to the stories, cultures, and gods and goddesses of four regions. Ollhoff writes in a clear and engaging fashion, presenting complex issues in a way that will be easy for youngsters to grasp. He is sensitive to the continuing impact of the stories on modern cultures, in the case of Japan, India, and Mexico and Central America, never presenting the legends as exclusively relics of the past. Middle Eastern Mythology, on the other hand, covers a wide range of Mesopotamian and Canaanite legends and stories that are presented as tales from long ago; there is only one mention of the Hebrews as a tribe, and any additional information about Jewish legend and culture is presumably left for another entry in the series. The photographs and reproductions of art tie directly into the texts; the short biographies of various gods in each book will be helpful to beginners. Strong additions.–Alana Joli Abbott, formerly at James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

PRINGLE, Laurence. Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution. illus. by Steve Jenkins. 102p. map. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Boyds Mills. 2011. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-723-6. LC 2011920604.
Gr 5-8–Pringle’s exemplary title offers a carefully researched and clearly written history of the evolutionary process and real-time examples of evolutionary events. “Evolution is, simply, change over time.” From floating continents and isolated islands to the formation of fossils, natural selection, and the deductions of Charles Darwin, the lucid text offers a clear understanding of an ongoing natural phenomenon and the light that recent discoveries have brought to bear on it. Clear, color photos complement the text, as does Jenkins’s nifty artwork. Pale blue information boxes pop up on occasion, as do a couple of maps. Simpler, and far more lively than Thom Holmes’s dry Evolution (Chelsea House, 2011), more difficult than Steve Jenkins’s own elegant Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution (Houghton Harcourt, 2002), and more solid than Robert Winston’s somewhat fragmentary Evolution Revolution (DK, 2009), Pringle’s intelligent and eye-catching book is an engaging, readable lodestone for researchers.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

RELOTA, Agatha. Carla and Leo’s World of Dance. illus. by Thierry Perez. 112p. Thames & Hudson. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-500-51560-0. LC 2010936752.
Gr 3-6–Ten-year-old Carla and her friend, Leo, sign up for ballroom-dance classes. As they learn the Viennese waltz, foxtrot, swing, merengue, mambo, cha-cha, rumba, salsa, and tango, their teacher offers information on the history and culture of these dances. The format has a comic-book, poster-art style with the print highlighted in rectangular colored shapes. The bold, linear illustrations of the dancers fill the pages as Carla and Leo demonstrate the steps with grace and zest. The two young people are trendy and attractive whether in their costumes or in everyday clothes. Carla, in particular, with her big eyes and Betty Boop-type lips, has a manga quality and could just as easily be 16 as 10. This is not a how-to manual but a celebration and introduction to the diverse dances. The enthusiasm of these two characters is infectious, and the slick artwork captures the elegance and drama of these movements and makes them look like lots of fun.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

SCHANZER, Rosalyn. Witches!: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem. illus. by author. 144p. bibliog. index. notes. CIP. National Geographic. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0869-7; PLB $27.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0870-3; ebook $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0888-8. LC 2011012989.
Gr 7-9–Schanzer succinctly re-creates the hysteria, confusion, and tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials in this compact and evocative overview. In a conversational tone, she poignantly describes the religious fervor of the Puritans and the ease with which neighbors and family members accused one another (and even domestic animals) of witchcraft. From the “testimony” of witnesses, to the courtroom proceedings, and to the eventual realization that the accusations and trials were nearing epic in proportion, the author effortlessly guides readers through this bizarre moment in American history. Several theories regarding the causes for the witchcraft hysteria and the “fits” experienced by many of the accused are addressed, but no definite answers are promoted or advocated. Primary-source material consisting of courtroom testimony is woven throughout the narrative; spelling is modernized, and occasional passages are abridged for better understanding. The “What Happened Next” final chapter details the often-tragic ends for the unjustly accused; information on the accusers and the officials is also included. Schanzer’s top-notch stylized black-and-white illustrations highlighted with small touches of red extend and enhance the text.–Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

SHANGE, Ntozake. Freedom’s a-Callin Me. illus. by Rod Brown. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Amistad. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-133741-3. LC 2010050515.
Gr 4-8–The team who created We Troubled the Waters (HarperCollins, 2009) now presents a series of poems and paintings that express the hope and frustration of enslaved people trying to navigate the Underground Railroad. Using dialect to convey a Southern cadence, Shange’s poems communicate powerful emotions. Fear, resolve, anger, and hope all show up at various times. The book depicts a variety of experiences, from a slave who wants to escape, to a loved one who tries to convince him to stay; a man who changes his mind midway, to others who survive the journey. Along the way, the escapees meet white people who hurt or kill as well as those who help in large and small ways. These poems are a cry from the heart. They express the spirit that compelled people to take desperate measures to find freedom, people who viewed death as preferable to bondage. The expressive, impressionistic paintings capture attention with their bold strokes and vivid coloring. Generally indistinct faces and dramatically posed bodies command the eye. A few graphic images make this book best suited to upper elementary or older readers. This is an excellent resource to use with fictional titles such as Patricia Polacco’s January’s Sparrow (Philomel, 2009) or Christopher Paul Curtis’s Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic, 2007).–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

SIY, Alexandra. Bug Shots: The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly. illus. by photomicrographs by Dennis Kunkel. 40p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Holiday House. 2011. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2286-9. LC 2010024063.
Gr 4-6–Insects are virtually on trial in this unusual introduction. The book begins by suggesting that readers “Join the FBI–become a Fellow Bug Investigator”–study the insects’ “mug shots,” read their “rap sheets,” and decide if they are good or bad. After offering general information on classification, anatomy, numbers of species, etc., successive chapters focus on the “suspects,” comprised of five large insect groups: true bugs; beetles; butterflies and moths; bees, ants, and wasps; and true flies. Each chapter describes the group’s outstanding characteristics, as well as the distinctive physical and/or behavioral characteristics of representative species, their diet, harmful or beneficial effects on humans, and so on. The title concludes by declaring the malaria-transmitting mosquito “guilty” and honeybees “innocent,” and suggests further avenues for study. Photomicrographs of the insects or body parts illustrate the text on every page; all are brightly colored to highlight anatomical features. Extended captions offer additional information and cite the rate of magnification. The text is clearly written, and the photomicrographs are remarkably detailed (the hairs on a water strider’s leg are magnified more than 2000 times in one photo). While CSI-obsessed kids might enjoy this different way of learning about insects, the arch tone wears a tad thin and seems at odds with the hyperscientific images. Noel Tait’s Insects & Spiders (S & S, 2008) and Diane Swanson’s Bugs Up Close (Kids Can, 2007) are more straightforward introductions.–Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

SLOAN, Christopher. Baby Mammoth Mummy: Frozen in Time!: A Prehistoric Animal’s Journey into the 21st Century. photos by Francis Latreille. 48p. charts. diags. illus. maps. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. National Geographic. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0865-9; PLB $26.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0866-6. LC 2010044003.
Gr 5-7–A startling discovery, a theft, and a global procession of forensic sites all play a part in this scientific look at a great paleontological find. From CAT scans to the use of surgical cameras, the mummy of a baby mammoth found dislodged from Siberian ice undergoes veritable CSI treatment in the Netherlands, Japan, the U.S., and in her Russian homeland as scientists scramble to discover her historic age (42,000 years), her chronological age (32 days), her diet (mother’s milk), and the cause of her demise (suffocation in mud). Sloan’s clear, readable text follows this journey in nicely defined stages, with explanations along the way for possibly unfamiliar processes. Plentiful photos, a pair of maps, some diagrams, and colorful artwork accompany the information. The whole is rounded out by a look at little “Lubya’s world,” the possible causes of mammoth extinction, and the possibility of re-creating “the Mammoth Steppe,” complete with mammoths. Further-reading and online resources are adult, and the brief glossary consists mostly of technical terms. Baby animals are appealing in and of themselves, and the tragic death and scientific “resurrection” of this tiny tusker will attract researchers and general readers. Team this title with Sandra Markle’s elegant Outside and Inside Woolly Mammoths (Walker, 2007) and/or Windsor Chorlton’s look at the Jarkov discovery in Woolly Mammoth: Life, Death, and Rediscovery (Scholastic, 2001) for a look into a not-so-distant past (when New York City was buried under a mile of ice).–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

STIEFF, Barbara. Earth, Sea, Sun, and Sky: Art in Nature. tr. from German by Cynthia Hall. illus. by Michael Schmölzl. 88p. photos. Prestel. 2011. PLB $14.95. ISBN 978-3-7913-7048-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–A conversational writing style combines with many color photographs and drawings to convey information about art inspired by nature. In the beginning, Stieff describes the historical development of gardens and how they are an art form. She moves on to provide many examples of how art is found on land, in water, and in the air. The photographs, which range in size, further illuminate the text. Throughout the work, references are made to activities detailed in the final section. These projects, which include making daisy soup, learning some water games, forming seed balls, and creating pictures in water, encourage readers to look at or create art. One project recommends growing runner beans, which the text cautiously notes are edible when cooked but toxic when consumed raw. This title will appeal to children and adults who enjoy learning about art as well as teachers, who will find material here for art lessons and science extensions.–Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

VRY, Silke. Red-Yellow-Blue: Colors in Art. tr. by Cyntha Hall. 96p. illus. photos. reprods. notes. Prestel. 2011. PLB $14.95. ISBN 978-3-7913-7053-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-8–With an emphasis on the historical use of color in fine art, Vry touches on the meaning of colors, the emotions they evoke, and how they have been created. The fascinating material is organized into sections identified by various hues. Attention is given to black (and white), red, blue, yellow, green, orange, violet, pink, brown, and gold. References are made to numerous samples, which have been copiously reproduced throughout the work. Though detailed, the text is lively and invites reader participation through the inclusion of interactive questions (answers are appended) and supplemental art activities. Children can create a color wheel, stained-glass window, rose-colored glasses, or paper-doll clothing. A helpful two-page guide identifies the art. In addition to being a good choice to broaden the depth of library collections, Red-Yellow-Blue includes some practical tips on working with color. After finishing this selection, readers will be left with a new appreciation for colors in art.–Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

WOLFE, Helen. Terrific Women Teachers. 118p. (Women’s Hall of Fame Series). photos. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Second Story, dist. by Orca. 2011. pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-1-897187-86-9. LC 20119000776.
Gr 6-8–This collection of biographical sketches includes well-known educators like Annie Sullivan Macy, Maria Montessori, and Christa McAuliffe, as well as lesser-known but equally fascinating women like Indonesia’s Raden Ayu Kartini and Afghanistan’s Malalai Joya. Their stories are interesting and often inspiring. Unfortunately, the writing is marred by slightly awkward language (“many students with physical disabilities can enjoy whatever activities they would like”), some inaccuracies (the life span of Kartini, from 1879 to 1904, is listed as being “more than 150 years ago” and the Holocaust is defined as the “time in history when Hitler and the Nazis were trying to conquer the world”), and confusing comparisons (“You certainly wouldn’t have found any cell phones” in Marva Collins’s orderly Westside Prep in the 1970s). Nevertheless, this is a fun collection of portraits of women who generally don’t receive as much biographical attention as they should. Each chapter contains at least one black-and-white photograph of its subject and several sidebars explaining details like ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome, or Nazi deporation.–Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

E-Mail This Link

Enter recipient's e-mail:

Close

Email

Print |

Reprint/License |

Subscription |

RSS |

Share