The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin

Winston Breen loves puzzles. When he buys his sister a box at the local antique store, he is amazed to find part of a puzzle inside. The two children decide to solve the puzzle with the help of a public librarian and some disturbing adults who seem to want any prize for themselves.

Berlin, a puzzle creator, said he wrote the kind of book he wanted to read as a kid. The book is filled with logic puzzles for added enjoyment, but the reader does not need to solve the puzzles in order to understand the story.

Readers can print out copies of the puzzles from the book's website (click on the book title--hopefully it has linked correctly!) so they don't need to write in the book!

This book is a lot of fun--I booktalked it with 4th and 5th graders and then had them do one of the puzzles from the book. The puzzles have different complexity, so all readers can feel successful on at least some of them. (OK, I admit it--I didn't get them all correct!)

Good for grades 3 and up, and at least some middle school readers.

Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

Tess deals with the tragic, accidental death of her young sister Zoe by writing her a letter. She chronicles her life since the hit and run accident, including a summer romance. She also tells Zoe stories about their family before she (Zoe was born) and about the things Zoe used to do. Finally, Tess addresses the day that Zoe died, Sept.11, 2001, and her guilt over what happened to Zoe.

I LOVED this book too!

Strengths: A great way to write this novel about finding your place in the world as a teenager and as the survivor of a lost family member. Teens will relate to the problems that Tess deals with, from how long it takes to get ready in the morning, to trying drugs and sex for the first time. Many will relate to the family situations involving Tess’s step-dad and her real dad as well. Deals with the different ways people cope with a loss.

Concerns: Sex and drugs. Again. This book had more drug use than A Certain Slant of Light, but I don’t think readers will be terribly shocked at the characters’ use of marijuana. It only touches briefly on sex and not in much detail.

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

Helen has been haunting people for 130 years when, for the first time, human eyes see her. James haunted a piece of land until he inhabited the body of a teenager named Billy. As he learns more about himself and struggles to make Billy fit into a dysfunctional family that consists only of Billy and his older brother, James falls in love with Helen. He then convinces her to inhabit the body of Jenny, who is part of a dysfunctional family that seems perfect from the outside. Together they find out new things about their past and learn the secrets of Billy and Jenny.

I LOVED this book!

Strengths: Teens will love the love story between Helen and James. They will also love to hate the families that they have become part of (especially Helen’s). The fact that it is a story with supernatural elements will appeal to many.

Weaknesses: The supernatural element is a great twist to this love story, but it is sometimes confusing. Why does Helen cleave to people, while James haunted a place? How did James figure out how to possess human bodies and then how to finally leave for good?

Concerns: Sex and drugs. I am more concerned with the sex part, although it does not go into any detail, they sure “do it” a lot.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl is told from the perspective of a self-described 15-year-old high school geek with a comic book obsession. His story documents much of the drama and trauma that high school students face, including bullying, friends moving on to new cliques, first time experience with girls and attraction, and the difficulties of a blended family. Throughout the novel, Fanboy develops a new sense of trust for his family and friends as he creates his own graphic novel and slowly shares it with the important people in his life. In doing so, his relationships become more adult and his understanding of himself improves. He grows up a little bit. The book incorporates the mention and discussion of many graphic novels and comic book series, even posing the ideas of collecting versus pleasure reading against one another.Grades 9-12

Originally posted on the Best Books blog by Jennifer Parry-Hill at 10:43 AM on Feb 5, 2008

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

This book is a must have for all middle schoolers. Greh Heffley is a 6th grader who wants to make his mark in the school. In his attempts of making his mark his has tried weightlifting, creating the ultimate haunted house, trying for class treasurer, and trying to bet the World Record for the biggest snowman. However his attempts never work because he is always caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Middle school readers can relate to the typical teenage problems. The author is clever is using cartoons to play up the humor of the book.

Originally posted on Best Books by Ms. Monroe at 12:11 PM on Jan 2, 2008

The Re-gifters by Mike Carey

The Re-Gifters by Mike Carey is an engaging graphic novel that will surely delight young middle school students. A Korean American teenager Dixie plans to attend a martial arts tournament coming up in their neighborhood. Unfortunately, Dixie uses her entry-fee money to buy an expensive gift for her crush Adam. Soon after that gift is regifted and regifted with surprising plot twists. This graphic novel is a great addition to any middle school library. Students will be able to learn from Dixie's mistakes and realize money won't buy you happiness.

Originally posted on Best Books by Jackie G. at 9:39 AM on Jan 24, 2008

The Daring Book for Girls by Miriam Peskowitz

There is so much information contained in these 279 pages. Everyone has some gaps in their learning and this is the book to fill those gaps. The book contains some information for a variety of ages: slumber pary games, famous women, how to change a tire, and Latin root words. There is something for every elementary and middle school girl.

Originally posted on the Best Books Blog by CWasserman at 1:15 PM on Jan 2, 2008

A Companion title to the The Dangerous Book for Boys

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The last of the Harry Potter's series ends your wait for all the answers and finally brings together everything. Is Harry ready to risk it all to find the truth? What lies in the future for Harry and his friends?

Originally posted on the Best Books blog by Ms. Monroe at 2:29 PM on Jan 3, 2008

What are your student reactions? Anyone had anything interesting from your kids on this one, now that the whole series is over...?

Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

The third book of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" leaves you wanting more in this love triangle saga. As always Bella is in danger, but this time she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob. She knows her decision may start up a struggle between vampire and werewolf. Graduation is around the corner and the Cullen's agreed to make her a vampire. A choice between life and death. An aging life with her family and Jacob or a forever life in death with Edward without her family and Jacob. Is her love worth a breaking the treaty between the vampires and the werewolf?

Originally posted on the Best Books blog by Ms. Monroe at 2:47 PM on Jan 3, 2008

Our mission

Welcome to the NC Prose and Cons book blog. The Prose and Cons blog has been created for the library professionals in the area to chat and discuss current titles for our collections. This is the place to ask questions, share about how a book is received by your students as well as bring up little annoying quibbles you may have - but lets remember to be nice! We are professionals and this is our opportunity to share our thoughts and concerns.

If you want to join, please email Betsy Crone croneh@gcsnc.com and please tell me how you are related to our library community. I'll send you an invitation and ...ta da... you'll be able to chat with us.

...a special thanks to Tricia Goodman at Sternberger Elem. for her suggestion of Prose and Cons as our clever title!