Hulme, John and Michael Wexler The Glitch in Sleep, 254 p. Bloomsbury, 2007. At the tender age of nine, Becker Drane unknowingly applied for a job with The Seems, the behind the scene peoples who take care of everything that we of The World take for granted. After an apprenticeship, intensive training and some time as a Briefer, Drane has worked his way up to Fixer, the most important job of all of the Seems. But his first job may also be his last, as he is called upon to fix a Glitch - and not just any Glitch, but one in Sleep. If Becker can't find the Glitch, then the World will go into a Ripple Effect, causing upheavals and problems and conflicts that may never be resolved. A perfect bit of highly entertaining fantasy that you need right now! EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

17 December 2007

Flaherty, A.W. The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating, illustrated by Scott Magoon. PICTURE BOOK Houghton Mifflin, 2007. A little girl leaves on a long trip to visit her grandmother in Scotland. Along the way, she keeps throwing her breakfast oatmeal overboard, which attracts the attention and appetite of a fast-growing sea worm, who follows her all the way to Loch Ness. This whimsical look at the origins of the Loch Ness monster and the importance of eating your oatmeal is fun to read for a younger audience. EL - ADVISABLE

Jenkins, Steve Living Color. PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin, 2007. This bright, colorful book goes through some of the many colors found in the animal kingdom and the different reasons animals have for those colorings. Young readers will be fascinated by the color and teachers of older students can easily use the information in teaching about the animal kingdom. EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Strickland, Brad Grimoire: Tracked by Terror 182p. Penguin, 2007. Language-G; Sexual Content-G; Violence-G; This book is second in the Grimoire Series. Jarvey Milton lost again in the pages of the Grimoire. He goes through a world where almost every one acts in a play. Then he goes to a world with animal guards and a mysterious hunt. This is a great book for elementary students. There isn't one swear word in the entire book. Lots of action and mystery makes this book a great read. EL -ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: RH

Williams, Maiya The Hour of the Cobra, 290 p. Amulet (Harry Abrams), 2006. Xanthe, Xavier, Rowan and Nina are back for further adventures. They are going back in time with Aunt Agatha on a special mission to Ancient Egypt. The conflict between Xanthe and Xavier, however, escalate to a point where the twins cause a split in the time stream and they find themselves in an alternate reality. Only they can figure out how to repair the damage and save everyone from their original home. This novel is quite a fitting sequel to the original Golden Hour. It is a fine piece of adventure fantasy with some good lessons on sibling warfare thrown in. EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Regan, Dian Curtis Cam's Quest, 334 p. Darby Creek, 2007. Princess Quinn's father is determined to have her married off - and soon. So she suffers through endless balls meeting endless prince's who do absolutely nothing for her. But Quinn in pinning for Adam, the boy she left behind in the world above. Meanwhile, Cam, the wizard's apprentice is cast loose from his home; he wants so badly to offer for Quinn's hand, buts dares not, because he has no idea of his family and origins. The answers for both teens lie in the world above. It has been a long time since the original publication of Princess Nevermore, and I honestly thought thee would never be a sequel. Thank goodness Ms. Regan proved me wrong. Cam's Quest is a nice adventure tied up in a romance with just the right amount of magic and danger. MS - ADVISABLE

Ligelaar, Liz Pretty Tough, 246 p. Since one fateful day in the school cafeteria, sisters Krista and Charlie have hated each other with visible vehemence. Now Charlie has been recruited to join Krista's beloved soccer - Krista's senior year, the year she is supposed to be a star. But, Charlie is every bit as good as Krista and has been specifically recruited to transform the team in to a true powerhouse. The two seem to have a truce on the field, but unless the original feud is finally settled, they may ruin everyone's chances of a successfully season, besides ruing any chance they might have of being loving sisters. Good soccer, and great drama about sisters and friends and high school in general. There is some talk of teen drinking and Krista's boyfriend is trying to pressure her into sex, but otherwise it is superb. Ms, HS - ADVISABLE

Lee, Tanith Indigara, 195 p. Firebird (Penguin), 2007. Jet has been dragged to Ollywood so that her sister can play a tiny part in some new movie. Along with her robot dog, she finds herself propelled into an alternative world that has been built around the plots of a few SciFi movies that never really made it. Now they have to figure out how to return to their own world before their alternate counterparts muck everything up for good. Disjointed, half-baked, general unreadability and a hearty smattering of swear words, combine to make this an easy NO!

Shannon, George Rabbit's Gift, illustrated by Laura Dronzek. PICTURE BOOK. Harcourt, 2007. Rabbit is lucky to find an extra turnip in the depths of winter and decides to share his bounty. Each animal recipient in turn, passes the turnip on to someone else who might need it more. Thought to be originally told in China, version and translation of this simple, yet folktale have also been found in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. A very nice addition to a winter picture book collection. EL - ADVISABLE

Fox, Mem Where the Giant Sleeps, pictures by Vladimir Radunsky. PICTURE BOOK. Harcourt, 2007. Dreamy pictures take you through a magic world, where not only does a giant sleep, but all of the characters of fairyland are curled up tight for a good night's sleep, except for the elves, who are busy making a quilt for a sleepy child. The fantasy drawings and I Spy-like narrative make this a perfect book for a small child. EL - OPTIONAL

Yolen, Jane Baby Bear's Big Dreams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. PICTURE BOOK. Harcourt, 2007. Baby Bear is tired of being little and thinks of all the things that he will choose to do when he is a grown-up bear, in just a year or two. A bright, fun look at the life and "freedom" of an adult from the perspective of a small child, who may have been "No" just a few too many times. EL - ADVISABLE

Schertle, Alice Very Hairy Bear, illustrated by Matt Phelan. PICTURE BOOK. Harcourt, 2007. The very hairy bear revels in the joys of bearhood, unitl his no-hair nose gets so cold when he settles down for his long winter nap. This short, quick, cute book could be read aloud to an elementary classroom to show what bears do and spur talk of hibernation and life slowing down for winter. EL - ADVISABLE

Weeks, Sarah Bunny Fun, illustrated by Sam Williams. PICTURE BOOK. Harcourt, 2007. Bunny is stuck inside on a rainy day, but that doesn't stop him and his friends from having a whole lot of fun and an equal share of mischief. And when the rain disappears, the fun continues outside. Not only bunnies, but small children and their mommies can learn much from this book about have fun with a few props and a lot of imagination. EL- OPTIONAL

Atkins, Jeannine Anne Hutchinson's Way, pictures by Michael Doling. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2007. Anne Hutchinson and her family want to practice their religion as they see fit, but their minister in the new world has other ideas. Anne holds her owm meetings and refuses to stop even through threats and intimidation. Anne is jailed for her teachings and eventually the family leaves the colony to find a place where they can worship in peace. A true and simple retelling of the story of one of America's first heroines. A good addition to a picture book lesson on American History. EL, MS - ADVISABLE

13 December 2007

Wallace, Bill The Legend Of Thunderfoot,150 p. Aladdin Paperbacks. Language - G, Sexual Content - G, Violence - G; On the day of his Naming, the young roadrunner accidentally lands right on top of a baby rattlesnake. It bites, and his feet swell. They are HUGE! What other choice did his parents have but to name him Thunderfoot? After meeting some new friends, he learns that he can deal with the challenges he has and move on. This is a very cute book, and very clean. I enjoyed it, but it is definitely meant for younger audiences. It is well written, and easy to understand. An excellent book all around for younger kids. EL - ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: RG

Lennon, Joan Questors, 359 p. McElderry Books. Language - G, Sexual Content - G, Violence - G; Madlen, Bryn, and Cam, three children from three different worlds, receive notes telling them their mother, whom they never knew, wanted them. They are in for a surprise that is bigger than they can imagine when they find out that they are siblings and they are supposed to save the worlds. And, without further ado, they are whisked off…but someone doesn't want them to succeed. This was a good book, and pretty much clean as well. There wasn't any violence, really, and there were only a few swear words throughout the entire book. I enjoyed this book very much. EL, MS - ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: RG

11 December 2007

Bloor, Edward London Calling, 304 p. Random House. Language: PG-13, Violence: G. Martin Conway is a shy boy with few friends. He is constantly bullied by the other 7th graders at the prep school that he hates, but is forced to attend by his mother. When his grandmother dies, leaving him a mysterious radio, his mundane life is filled with adventures both in the presnt and in the past. This book was entertaining and historically interesting, but I had a hard time staying interested. It moved a little too slowly to keep me engaged. MS - OPTIONAL. Teacher Reviewer: JS

Cabot, Meg Jinx, 262 p. HarperCollins, 2007. Jean "Jinx" Honeychurch has moved to New York City to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins, whom she hasn't since she was little. Her cousin Tory, Jinx's same age, should be a friend and mentor, but instead seems to harbor a huge grudge, even a hatred for Jean, instead. Things always seem to go wrong for Jean, and Tory wants the power that she thinks Jean has, even if she has to kill Jean to get it. As much as I had a great time reading this book, I can't ignore the fact that chapter three contains a large amount of swear words and an healthy dose of alcohol use, drug and sex mentions and that throughout the rest of the novel "Oh, G-" seems to be the exclamation of choice. I guess Ms. Cabot wanted to adult up her novel, but instead she just put it out of the hands of a huge number of fans. You can definitely pick another witch book that is just as clever and not so "edgy" HS - OPTIONAL

Hopkins, Cathy Discount Diva, 167 p. Kingfisher (Houghton), 2007. Tori loves to shp with her friends, but they have money and she doesn't have quite as much. She's managed to hide this fact from them for a long time, but now her family is in deep trouble and her Zodiac Girl mentor is telling her to come clean - that her friends are the key to solving the family crisis. But Tori isn't quite ready to place that much trust in them. The Zodiac Girls books are quick and sweet, but have a good message about finding the best in yourself and solving your problems. Plus, they are in paperback already. MS - ADVISABLE

Spinelli, Jerry Eggs, 220 p. Little, Brown, 2007. Young David's mother dies and now he lives with his grandmother, and sees his busy father occasionally. Primrose, a teen, lives in a small, dirty house with only her mother and makes a space for herself in a rusted out junk car. The two meet unexpectedly and despite their age difference, form a shaky friendship, based more on mutual mistrust, than any genuine desire to be friends. But some how the two need each other. This is one of those books that adults will think kids should love. And maybe some of them will, but not for the same reasons as the adults. I personally found it disappointing. EL, MS - OPTIONAL

Lawrence, Michael The Underwood See, 370 p. Greenwillow (Harper), 2007. Naia and Alaric Underwood are the victims of and the creators of different cracks and conections in their realities and the two (or more than two) are about to meet again and set more events in motion. With the help of the mysterious Aldous U., Naia is supposed to learn more, but she doesn't know about Aldous' personal agenda and timeline. The secrets of the realities are better revealed in this complicated, but rewarding finale, but that doesn't mean that everything will be neatly wrapped up. These books are definitely for students with unplumbed depths - the journey may take some brain work, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. If you have the first two, buy this one now. If you don't have them already, buy them in paperback. MS - OPTIONAL

Scott, Michael The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, 369 p. RandomHouse, 2007. Twins Sophie and Josh Newman are caught up in a deadly encounter between the forces for good and evil, right in the middle of the bookshop that Josh works in. Josh's employer, Nick, and the twins survive the encounter, but Nick's wife is kidnapped and it looks as though the bad guys have won the day. But the twins are part of a greater story - and they are the key to keeping the forces of evil at bay. This is not the Nicholas Flamel that J.K. Rowling brought to the world's attention, but instead, we have a powerful, active agent for the side of good in modern America. Characters and creatures from myth and reality abound, so students who really want to understand will be well-advised to "know their stuff". But the action and adventure is plenty enough to engage those who just enjoy a great piece of fantasy. MS - ESSENTIAL

Sutherland, Tui Avatars: Shadow Falling, 356 p. The God pantheons of the avatars are determined to have their chosen representatives to get on with their fight to the death, but the human-reborn avatars, are not all so sure. Gus (Polynesian war god Oro) and Diana (the Greek Diana) are smitten, but a secret deal has her promised to the reborn Amon (Egyptian). Meanwhile, Kali (the Indian goddess) has some of her memories and her trainer is determined to have her kill off all of the others. Complicated, but lots of fun. This is teh second in the series. MS - OPTIONAL

10 December 2007

Lennon, Joan Questors, 359 p. McELderry (Simon and Schuster), 2007. Three children are taken from the lives they know, thrown together in a strange place and then told that not only are they siblings, but that their destiny is to save all three of their worlds. Thus begins the journey of Madlen, Bryn and Cam, three teens sent across the dimensions to find "something", not even their mentors know what. Tight and action-packed, this novel is a perfect piece of fantasy fiction (except for four swear words). Instead of spreading the story out through a trilogy, all three worlds and all three problems are very neatly wrapped up within one fascinating book. The good is just good enough and the bad is just bad and just crazy enough to satisfy the readers. EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

Morris, Taylor Class Favorite, 279 p. Simon and Schuster, 2007. Sarah Thurman's mother announces to all the school that Sarah has "become a woman", with the delivery of roses to her at school. Now Sarah is trying to live down the embarrassment. Plus, besides feeling alienated from her best friend, she also has a new girl town who seems to be kind of clingy. Sarah thought this might be the year that she could actually win the place of "Class Favorite", but now she's not sure she wants anyone to know her name. An extremely cute and apt lesson for tweens and teens. MS - ADVISABLE

Gould, Emily and Zarren Jaffrey Hex Education, 182 p. Razorbill (Penguin), 2007. Sophie's parents have dragged her from the twinkling lights of LA to the dark and dank town of her Dad's childhood - Mythic Massachusetts. They have been called back sop that her horror movie-making dad can help rescue the depressed town and turn around its tourist industry. What Sophie doesn't know, however, is that she is the final and most powerful member of this generation's coven; and her powers are needed right now to save the town for possible destruction. Cute, fun and a good little witch story. MS - ADVISABLE

Gerber, Linda The Finnish Line, 205 p. Penguin, 2007. Maureen Clark has left her Park City stomping grounds for a trip to the ski-jumping mecca of Finland - not only to perfect her skills, but to get out from under her famous skiing family's shadows. Between classes and flirting, she's not so sure she is going to succeed in her dream to be one of the first female ski jumpers in the Olympics, but she sure is going to try. Meanwhile, the daughter of her host family seems to have a grudge, and the cute boy who wants to help seems to have a hidden agenda. A bit complicated, but a pretty cute romance. Now I have to go back and check all of the rest of the books in the series!MS - ADVISABLE

Schmidt, C.A. Usefool Fools, 262 p. Dutton (Penguin), 2007. Alonso's mother is an important part of the medical clinic in their tiny, dirt-poor Peruvian town. On the tenth anniversary of the clinic's opening, she is murdered by guerillas of the Shining Path revolutionary movement. Now Alonso and his family are cast adrift, especially as the wealthy doctor who has funded the clinic is not so sure he will ever reopen it. And his beautiful daughter, who is Alonso's best friend, in unsure what to do, or if she can do anything to help Alonso's struggling family. The path of a revolutionary seems to be his only choice, even though they are the ones who destroyed his family in the first place. Very little has ever been said in the US about the war and corruption and agonies of the villagers of Peru of the 1980's. A very good addition to a world fiction collection, but I am not sure it will find an audience on its own. MS - OPTIONAL

Hopkins, Cathy Brat Princess, 193 p. Kingfisher (Houghton Mifflin), 2007. Teenaged Leonara is a full-blown, wealthy brat. Spoiled rotten, bad-mannered and bad-tempered, she is only concerned with what the world can give her. Then one day she is whisked off to teen boot camp, with the blessings of her parents. She tries every trick in her Leo brain, but the leaders of the Zodiac Girl program have bigger tricks on their side. Leonara has some very hard lessons to learn, including the need to open up and let someone else in. The Zodiac Girls series are perfect little paperback "pink books"; a little fluffy, but the message is really there. MS - ADVISABLE

Carter, Timothy Epoch 299 p. Flux, 2007. Vincent is innocently participating in the school science fair when he spots an elf. His curiosity leads him to discover that the epoch for humans is about to end. The humans were supposed to escape through magic portals, but an evil mega corporation has masked the portals, because the owner has a hidden agenda, which includes a major antipathy towards humans. The elves and fairies that Vincent encounters have been hiding from the demons who cleanse the earth at the end of each epoch, but they are willing to risk it all to help Vincent. I know the plot sounds kind of weird and demony, but if you like weird demony stuff, then you will like this one. In paperback now. MS - OPTIONAL

Lenhard, Elizabeth Chicks with Sticks (KnitWise), 256 p. Dutton (Penguin), 2007. Scottie loves everything about her life: her family, her boyfriend and her knitty friends. She would prefer that everything stay exactly the way it is. But of course life happens and nothing Scottie does seems to help things stay the way she wants them to. The Chicks are learning and growing and Scottie will need to change her thinking about what "perfect" means, in order to remain happy as the world keeps moving around her. If you can stand listening to Scottie whine for more than 200 pages, before she finally GETS it, then by all means keep right on with this one. Otherwise, if you have the series, wait for this one to come out in paperback. MS - OPTIONAL

Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, 482 p. Hyperion, 2007. Lord Ombra has not been defeated, but Peter and his friends do not yet know that important fact. They will have to journey to the slave country of Rundoon to find the truth of Peter's parentage, the truth behind starstuff and the StarCatchers and for a final confrontation with Ombra. Back on Never Land, things do not stay peaceful. Pirates, natives and Lost Boys will have to band together in order to survive a deadly enemy - and the final defeat will take everyone's cooperation. Stay with this finale through a slow start and you will be richly rewarded with an action-packed adventure. MS - ESSENTIAL

5 Dec 2007

Nilsson, Per Seventeen; Pages: 263, Language- R Violence- PG 13, Sexual Content- R. Jonatan is seventeen, has a good girlfriend, and a good mother. His father left when he was very young and Jonatan hasn't seen him since. Jonatan has always wondered why his father left and has always been sad by it. We first meet Jonatan when he is lying on a Hospital bed with his long gone father by his side. His father begins to tell his unconscious son what he should have told him long ago about his past and how he was as a seventeen year old in the seventies. But one questions still remains, why is Jonatan lying on a Hospital bed in the emergency room? - I did not like this book. There were several times I wanted to pick it up and throw it across the room. This book described way too much. The swearing was way too excessive and I did not like it. HS, NO. Student Reviewer: AN

Cornish, D.M Foundling Pages: 433 (But 120 of those pages is a dictionary/ almanac at the back of the book. So really there is 313.)) Published by: The Penguin Group; Language: PG; Violence: PG 13; Sexual Content: G, - Rossamund is a young orphan boy with a girl's name. He lives at Madame Opera's Estimable Marine Society with many other orphaned girls and boys. Rossamund is finally chosen to leave the orphanage and go on his way, but instead of being chosen to be a sailor like the other girls and boy had been he was chosen to be a lamplighter at High Vesting. His journey to High Vesting becomes more and more difficult than he ever imagined. Will he still be a lamplighter or will he choose different? I loved this book. It was very hard to put down. Full of suspense, black trades, and many more monsters of all kinds. MS HS ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: AN

2 December 2007

Portis, Antoinette Not A Box PICTURE BOOK HarperCollins, 2006. A young bunny is repeatedly asked why he is sitting on, standing in or otherwise engaged with a box and each time the bunny patiently replies that it is NOT a box., showing the reader what he sees from his perspective. This highly creative and super-imaginative book is a gem among picture books. Not only will you want one for your library, but probably also for each of your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces. EL - ESSENTIAL

Knock, Knock! PICTURE BOOK Dial (Penguin), 2007. Fourteen well-known children's illustrators gather again (Why did the Chicken Cross the Road) , this time to give their take on the classic knock-knock joke. The variety of illustrations and the silly jokes make this a surefire hit for almost any library. EL - ESSENTIAL

Barner, Bob Dem Bones, PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 1996. Mr. Barner pairs his brightly colored collages with not only the original spiritual text, but also with short, accurate descriptions of each set of bones, from the foot up to the head. This book maybe be a bit old, but it is definitely not dated. If you don't have it, even in the middle school, then you need to get it. EL - ESSENTIAL, MS - ADVISABLE

Sinykin, Sheri Giving up the Ghost; Pages 227; Published by: Peachtree, Language: PG, Violence: PG Sexual Content: G- Davia is thirteen and is scared of almost everything but especially the chance of her mother's cancer coming back. Davia and her parents go to Louisiana for the summer to help take care of her Great- Aunt on her old plantation. Louisiana and the neighboring states are still stricken with grief and destruction after Hurricane Katrina. Davia and her parents have a rough time at first with Aunt Mari because of her sharp tongue and mean backhand. Davia is still as scared as ever and gets even more when she meets Emilie, a young ghost from the nineteenth century who lives in the Big House on her Aunt's plantation. Will Davia help Emilie find a way to rest in peace and learn about her family history before her Great- Aunt passes on? This was an amazing book one of the best I have read yet this year! I could not put it down. Full of suspense and scary moments this book grabbed my attention from the very start. Completely amazing. It also shows how many people went and helped after Hurricane Katrina and how it affected everyone. Amazing book. MS, HS- ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer: AN