Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN (library bind): 978-1-4169-4102-6
Price: $15.99 #pages: 152 Call number: FIC DUR
This historical fiction provides a fascinating glimpse into the 17th century slave trade activities by the Spaniards in Cartagena, Colombia, South America. It is based on the true lives of the Jesuit priest Pedro Claver, his interpreters and benefactress.
A dangerous adventure follows Calepino, a thirteen year old African slave boy who speaks eleven languages and his work as an interpreter for Claver and as an aide to a doctor in a leper colony. Although Calepino would rather stay behind the castle walls and read Cervantes all day, his work helping the doctor leads him to betraying the ones he trusts and helping slaves escape.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
At first, her parent's divorce wasn't too bad since they only lived four blocks apart in Cincinnati, Ohio. But when her father moved into Grandpa's farm after Grandpa died, it was a whole 42 miles away!
JoEllen became two persons: a city girl named Ellen enjoying fashion, baseball, and old movies with her mother during the week and then a country girl named Jo going to the country fair and visiting the bookmobile with her father on the weekends.
Finally, she decides she has had enough and merges the two lives together by introducing her city friends to her country cousin, creating new organic dishes, changing her clothes and hair and spending time enjoying the things she likes most.
The whole coming of age experience is written in simple free verse poems that describes the two lifestyles magically ("Farm Nights & "Cincinnati Nights").
JoEllen became two persons: a city girl named Ellen enjoying fashion, baseball, and old movies with her mother during the week and then a country girl named Jo going to the country fair and visiting the bookmobile with her father on the weekends.
Finally, she decides she has had enough and merges the two lives together by introducing her city friends to her country cousin, creating new organic dishes, changing her clothes and hair and spending time enjoying the things she likes most.
The whole coming of age experience is written in simple free verse poems that describes the two lifestyles magically ("Farm Nights & "Cincinnati Nights").
Monday, October 20, 2008
Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: Historical fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN (library bind): 13-978-1-4169-1171-5
Price: $16.99 #pages: 346
Call number: FIC Had
Annotation:
Against the backdrop of the Triangle Waist Company Fire, one of the worst workplace disasters in history before 9/11, the threads of the lives of three young women are woven together telling a story of the struggle for women's suffrage, the plight of immigrants in America, and the fight for fair labor practices and decent working conditions. Bella is a new immigrant from Italy who has come to America for work to try to save the lives of her starving family back home. She must rely on others to help her with everything and she is cheated and victimized by most of them. Yetta, a Russian Jew, lives with her sister and is consumed with the new union movement. Jane, a bored socialite, begins to educate herself and is exposed to the young, immigrant working girls during their strike. Her encounter with Yetta during picketing eventually leads Jane to meet Bella and to translate a sad, devastating letter from Italy for her. Jane’s compassion for Bella’s situation stirs her to bring the young woman to her home to comfort and nurse her in her grief. When Jane eventually breaks from her father, she runs to the Triangle factory and her friends who shelter her. Finding a job as governess to the daughters of one of the Triangle owners, Jane learns first hand about the life of a working girl on the lower East Side. In the harrowing final pages, all three young women find themselves at the Triangle factory on the day of the fire. Sadly, many lives are lost. Margaret Haddix has always been able to write a good page-turner and this is no exception. Uprising reaches another level, however, because of her emotional involvement with the characters. As in her earlier book,Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey, this one will haunt you long after the final chapter.
Recommended grade levels: 7 and up
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN (library bind): 13-978-1-4169-1171-5
Price: $16.99 #pages: 346
Call number: FIC Had
Annotation:
Against the backdrop of the Triangle Waist Company Fire, one of the worst workplace disasters in history before 9/11, the threads of the lives of three young women are woven together telling a story of the struggle for women's suffrage, the plight of immigrants in America, and the fight for fair labor practices and decent working conditions. Bella is a new immigrant from Italy who has come to America for work to try to save the lives of her starving family back home. She must rely on others to help her with everything and she is cheated and victimized by most of them. Yetta, a Russian Jew, lives with her sister and is consumed with the new union movement. Jane, a bored socialite, begins to educate herself and is exposed to the young, immigrant working girls during their strike. Her encounter with Yetta during picketing eventually leads Jane to meet Bella and to translate a sad, devastating letter from Italy for her. Jane’s compassion for Bella’s situation stirs her to bring the young woman to her home to comfort and nurse her in her grief. When Jane eventually breaks from her father, she runs to the Triangle factory and her friends who shelter her. Finding a job as governess to the daughters of one of the Triangle owners, Jane learns first hand about the life of a working girl on the lower East Side. In the harrowing final pages, all three young women find themselves at the Triangle factory on the day of the fire. Sadly, many lives are lost. Margaret Haddix has always been able to write a good page-turner and this is no exception. Uprising reaches another level, however, because of her emotional involvement with the characters. As in her earlier book,Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey, this one will haunt you long after the final chapter.
Recommended grade levels: 7 and up
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Paper Towns by John Green
Quentin Jacobsen is an honor student, a band geek (although he doesn’t actually play an instrument), and an all-around good guy. In fact, he is his parents’ “greatest accomplishment,” and that’s saying something, as they are both highly skilled psychologists. But there is something that Q’s parents don’t know—Q is practically obsessed with his neighbor and friend-from-afar, the awesomely awesome Margo Roth Spiegelman. Margo makes a dramatic reappearance into Q’s life for one exciting night, and then mysteriously disappears. It’s up to Q and his closest friends to decipher the clues and track her down before it’s too late. Along the way, Q learns that Margo is not the girl he thought she was and he learns a few things about himself, as well.
Witty, authentic dialog. Appropriate for high school.
Witty, authentic dialog. Appropriate for high school.
Z is for Zeus by Helen L. Wilbur
Each letter of the alphabet is used to represent a character or event from Greek Mythology. Each letter has a poem that adds charm to this picture book. On the side is a more detailed description of things such as the Underworld, Fates, and Olympus. Although it is a picture book, younger students would not understand all the details given in this book. It is an excellent pick for teachers to share as they teach Greek Mythology or students to enjoy as they read Percy Jackson and the Olympians
You Know Where to Find Me
This contemporary novel incorporates many social issues such as alternative lifestyles, suicide, depression, obesity, substance abuse, and self-esteem, but yet it does not seem exaggerated.
Laura and Miles are biological cousins but they grow up more like sisters in a wealthy part of Washington, DC.
They are very different superficially: Laura is thin, pretty, popular, smart and rich while Miles is fat, ugly, likes to eat, drink and smoke. Laura has many friends and is accepted to Georgetown. Miles is a year behind in school, and has only one friend. That's why Laura's suicide stuns Miles and she spends time searching for a reason while slowly falling into a deeper hole. Eventually, only her faith in herself and friends she did not realize that cared help her rebuild her life.
Laura and Miles are biological cousins but they grow up more like sisters in a wealthy part of Washington, DC.
They are very different superficially: Laura is thin, pretty, popular, smart and rich while Miles is fat, ugly, likes to eat, drink and smoke. Laura has many friends and is accepted to Georgetown. Miles is a year behind in school, and has only one friend. That's why Laura's suicide stuns Miles and she spends time searching for a reason while slowly falling into a deeper hole. Eventually, only her faith in herself and friends she did not realize that cared help her rebuild her life.
Harlem Summer by Walter Dean Myers
Sixteen year old Mark Purvis is an aspiring sax player, who had rather be jamming with his band than finding a summer job, the request of his parents, which prevails. As an assistant at The Crisis, a magazine for the 'New Negro,' Mark rubs shoulders with Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen, and he is invited to a party at Alfred Knopf's place. Mark's making money, but not enough, and when piano player fats Waller entices him and his buddies to make some fast cash, Mark finds himself crossing gangster Dutch Schultz.
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
In The Host, Stephanie Meyer tells the story of Wanderer, a Soul whose race survives by traveling from planet to planet and taking over the bodies of the inhabitants. When the Souls come to Earth, Wanderer is placed in the body of Melanie, who refuses to lose her consciousness. For the first time, Wanderer’s race of Souls seems to be succumbing to the habits and emotions of the race that they are taking over, becoming more human. Told in first person narrative by Wanderer with insertions by Melanie, the story describes a world in which humanity is infectious and the definition of what is right and what is wrong can change.
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
The four Penderwick sisters are back at home in this endearing sequel. This time , though, the adventure is getting serious. woderful aunt Claire comes for a visit but offers the dreadful thought that it's time for the girl's widowed father to start dating! YIKES! One bad date and the horrible stoies of awful literary steip-mothers haunt the sisters until they decide this datin stuff must stop. An emergency MOPS (Meeting of the Penderwick Sisters) meeting must be held. The "Save-Daddy" plan is hatched and goes into action in true Penderwick fashion. That's to say elaborate plans are made but only partially fulfilled and it sort of end in a fun but silly mess.
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series will not be disappointed as they join freshman Percy Jackson (half human, half Greek god) on his fourth quest. As Camp Half-Blood becomes increasing concerned that Luke will try to enter camp, Annabeth is chosen to go on a quest to find Daedalus’s workshop and prevent Luke from finding Ariandne’s string which will allow a user to navigate through the maze. Annabeth takes Percy, Tyson, and Grover on an action filled quest that will leave fans count the days until May 5, 2009 when the fifth book will be released.
All Shook Up by Shelley Pearsall
13-year old Josh Greenwood is forced to move from Boston to Chicago to live with his divorced dad for a few months while his mother goes to Florida to help her mother recover from a fall. When he arrives at the airport he is shocked to discover that his dad has lost his job selling shoes and has become an Elvis impersonator complete with jet black hair and sideburns. As Josh starts the 7th grade at the new school, he is desperate to blend in and worries constantly that the other kids will discover what his dad does for a living. And to make matters worse, his dad's new girlfriend has a daughter, Ivory, who is in his class at school and who could spill the beans anytime. The situation comes to a head when Josh's dad is invited to perform at a program at his school and he goes too far trying to keep "Elvis" from showing up at his school.
Strengths: Humorous and told in a very realistic middle school voice where the main concern is fitting in and avoiding being embarrassed by your parents. It deals with very serious issues in a believable way. This book should appeal to boys as well as girls.
Weaknesses: Some of the readers may not be aware of who Elvis was and the impact he made on the world.
Strengths: Humorous and told in a very realistic middle school voice where the main concern is fitting in and avoiding being embarrassed by your parents. It deals with very serious issues in a believable way. This book should appeal to boys as well as girls.
Weaknesses: Some of the readers may not be aware of who Elvis was and the impact he made on the world.
Triskellion
Author: Will Peterson
Title: Triskellion
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3971-6
Date: 2008
Price: $16.99
# Pages: 368
Call Number: F PET
Annotation: "A sense of foreboding sets in the moment fourteen-year-old twins Rachel and Adam arrive from New York to visit their English grandmother. The station is empty, village streets are deserted, locals are hostile, and even their frail Granny is oddly distant. And what about the bees that appear to follow a mysterious force? It all seems tied up with the Triskellion-- an intertwining symbol etched in chalk on the moors. With a growing sense of danger and white knuckle suspense, the twins are compelled to unearth a secret that has protected the village for centuries, one that reveals a shocking truth about their ancestors-- and themselves."
Strengths: Incorporates history into the book. Includes such topics as runes, archaeology, and genealogy.
Weaknesses: Ending does not answer all of your questions.
Title: Triskellion
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3971-6
Date: 2008
Price: $16.99
# Pages: 368
Call Number: F PET
Annotation: "A sense of foreboding sets in the moment fourteen-year-old twins Rachel and Adam arrive from New York to visit their English grandmother. The station is empty, village streets are deserted, locals are hostile, and even their frail Granny is oddly distant. And what about the bees that appear to follow a mysterious force? It all seems tied up with the Triskellion-- an intertwining symbol etched in chalk on the moors. With a growing sense of danger and white knuckle suspense, the twins are compelled to unearth a secret that has protected the village for centuries, one that reveals a shocking truth about their ancestors-- and themselves."
Strengths: Incorporates history into the book. Includes such topics as runes, archaeology, and genealogy.
Weaknesses: Ending does not answer all of your questions.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Author: Parker, Robert
Title: Edenville Owls
Publisher: Philomel Books Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-399-24656-2
Price: $18.00 #of pgs: 194 Call number: FIC PAR
Annotation: It is 1945, the end of World War II, and 8th grader, Bobby Murphy takes on two major challenges: (1) help free his teacher, Miss Delaney, from the clutches of a sinister stranger and (2) keep the Owls (his coachless, junior high basketball team) which he does by taking on the unofficial role of coach in addition to his player role. After witnessing an altercation between his teacher and a strange man, Bobby decides that he must get involved. With Owls' support, he investigates the stranger and ultimately saves his teacher from her abuser. This is a mystery that plays out to the end. Readers will like 14 year-old Bobby who is a true problem-solver and a champion of doing the right thing. His stock phrase, "I'll figure it out," is testimony to his relentless belief that challenges are meant to be solved. The author's carefully crafted dialogue between Bobby and his special friend, Joanie, is meaningful and wise for their ages. Lastly, using Bobby's thoughts as a launching point, the author effectively depicts the culture of post World War II ear.
Strength: heart-pounding suspense, poignant coming of age moments.
Title: Edenville Owls
Publisher: Philomel Books Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-399-24656-2
Price: $18.00 #of pgs: 194 Call number: FIC PAR
Annotation: It is 1945, the end of World War II, and 8th grader, Bobby Murphy takes on two major challenges: (1) help free his teacher, Miss Delaney, from the clutches of a sinister stranger and (2) keep the Owls (his coachless, junior high basketball team) which he does by taking on the unofficial role of coach in addition to his player role. After witnessing an altercation between his teacher and a strange man, Bobby decides that he must get involved. With Owls' support, he investigates the stranger and ultimately saves his teacher from her abuser. This is a mystery that plays out to the end. Readers will like 14 year-old Bobby who is a true problem-solver and a champion of doing the right thing. His stock phrase, "I'll figure it out," is testimony to his relentless belief that challenges are meant to be solved. The author's carefully crafted dialogue between Bobby and his special friend, Joanie, is meaningful and wise for their ages. Lastly, using Bobby's thoughts as a launching point, the author effectively depicts the culture of post World War II ear.
Strength: heart-pounding suspense, poignant coming of age moments.
Author: Cooney, Caroline B.
Title: Diamonds in the Shadow
Publisher: Delacorte Press Date: Sept. 2007 ISBN: 978-0385732611
Price: $16.99 #of pgs: 228 Call number: FIC COO
Annotation: Diamonds in the Shadow introduces you to two families: The Finches who live in suburban Connecticut. They are good people, but naïve about the task they about to undertake. You will also meet the battle-scarred Amabo family of African refugees who are temporarily living with the Finches. These two families come together as the Finches agree to host the church-sponsored family from Sierra Leone. At first skeptical, teenage Jared warms quickly to the Amabos, especially to Mattu who is adjusting well to American life. The two boys bond quickly. On the other hand, sixth grader Mopsy loves her new friend Alake. However, as hard as Mopsy tries, Alake does not respond to anything Mopsy says or does, and has chronic nightmares. To confirm a growing suspicion about the family, Jared and Mopsy snoop through a box that is supposed to be the remains for Matte’s grandparents and discover uncut diamonds. They begin noticing how this family doesn’t really seem to act like a family at all. While the Amabos are adjusting to their new life and happy to escape their terrible past, a killer lurks closely watching their every step. Suddenly, both families find themselves in terrible danger.
Strength: Incredible plot! Great characters! A story that you will not want to end! Grabs
you at the end!
Title: Diamonds in the Shadow
Publisher: Delacorte Press Date: Sept. 2007 ISBN: 978-0385732611
Price: $16.99 #of pgs: 228 Call number: FIC COO
Annotation: Diamonds in the Shadow introduces you to two families: The Finches who live in suburban Connecticut. They are good people, but naïve about the task they about to undertake. You will also meet the battle-scarred Amabo family of African refugees who are temporarily living with the Finches. These two families come together as the Finches agree to host the church-sponsored family from Sierra Leone. At first skeptical, teenage Jared warms quickly to the Amabos, especially to Mattu who is adjusting well to American life. The two boys bond quickly. On the other hand, sixth grader Mopsy loves her new friend Alake. However, as hard as Mopsy tries, Alake does not respond to anything Mopsy says or does, and has chronic nightmares. To confirm a growing suspicion about the family, Jared and Mopsy snoop through a box that is supposed to be the remains for Matte’s grandparents and discover uncut diamonds. They begin noticing how this family doesn’t really seem to act like a family at all. While the Amabos are adjusting to their new life and happy to escape their terrible past, a killer lurks closely watching their every step. Suddenly, both families find themselves in terrible danger.
Strength: Incredible plot! Great characters! A story that you will not want to end! Grabs
you at the end!
Author: Jinks, Catherine
Title: Evil Genius
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-015-205988-0
Price: $17.00 #of pgs: 486 Call number: FIC JIN
Annotation: This complex, engrossing tale of deception features Cadel, a 13-year old super-brain, who is being groomed for world domination. His mentor is his psychologist, the mysterious Thaddeus. Before entering this new "school" Cadel created the most spectacular traffic jam in Sydney. He also managed to cause all his classmates to fail their finals. His parents send him to this special school where he takes courses in such things as "Copying Skills" and "Accounting" which really are tutorials in embezzlement and lying. Cadel finds himself involved in multiple webs of intrigue, which, along with his own efforts to manipulate faculty and fellow students, result in numerous fatalities. He is a sympathetic anti-villain.
Strength: multiple layers of deception create a masterful plot; fanciful science fiction
Weakness: some may be turned away by the length of the novel, 486 pgs.
Title: Evil Genius
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-015-205988-0
Price: $17.00 #of pgs: 486 Call number: FIC JIN
Annotation: This complex, engrossing tale of deception features Cadel, a 13-year old super-brain, who is being groomed for world domination. His mentor is his psychologist, the mysterious Thaddeus. Before entering this new "school" Cadel created the most spectacular traffic jam in Sydney. He also managed to cause all his classmates to fail their finals. His parents send him to this special school where he takes courses in such things as "Copying Skills" and "Accounting" which really are tutorials in embezzlement and lying. Cadel finds himself involved in multiple webs of intrigue, which, along with his own efforts to manipulate faculty and fellow students, result in numerous fatalities. He is a sympathetic anti-villain.
Strength: multiple layers of deception create a masterful plot; fanciful science fiction
Weakness: some may be turned away by the length of the novel, 486 pgs.
Author: Hill, Kirkpatrick
Title: Do Not Pass Go
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Date: 2007 ISBN: 9781416914006
Price: $15.99 #of pgs: 229 Call number: FIC HIL
Annotation: Do Not Pass Go is the story of Alaskan high-schooler Deet: a good kid who has to take a leadership role in his family because his parents, although loving, are a bit flighty and irresponsible. Deet feels burdened by having to be the “adult” at home and these emotions are compounded by his growing alienation at school. When his father is arrested for drug possession and ultimately sent to prison, Deet’s first thoughts are not about his family, but about what the kids at school are going to think of him. Reality finally sets in, however, when Deet's family-life has to change radically as a result of the arrest. At first Deet is angry with his father for “ruining his life,” but soon Deet slips into a pattern of visiting his dad in jail every afternoon, while his mother learns to be the family bread winner. Eventually, Deet’s view of prisons and prisoners begins to change as he starts to see the people in prison through his father’s eyes. Through their stories, Deet sees the hopelessness of prison life as well as the reality that rehabilitation is not always possible. However, along the way, Deet also learns to have sympathy for people whose lives have followed an almost inevitable path while also realizing that something positive may come from his father’s incarceration after all.
Strength: Realistic characters and story. Serious subject matter is treated honestly and
tastefully.
Title: Do Not Pass Go
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Date: 2007 ISBN: 9781416914006
Price: $15.99 #of pgs: 229 Call number: FIC HIL
Annotation: Do Not Pass Go is the story of Alaskan high-schooler Deet: a good kid who has to take a leadership role in his family because his parents, although loving, are a bit flighty and irresponsible. Deet feels burdened by having to be the “adult” at home and these emotions are compounded by his growing alienation at school. When his father is arrested for drug possession and ultimately sent to prison, Deet’s first thoughts are not about his family, but about what the kids at school are going to think of him. Reality finally sets in, however, when Deet's family-life has to change radically as a result of the arrest. At first Deet is angry with his father for “ruining his life,” but soon Deet slips into a pattern of visiting his dad in jail every afternoon, while his mother learns to be the family bread winner. Eventually, Deet’s view of prisons and prisoners begins to change as he starts to see the people in prison through his father’s eyes. Through their stories, Deet sees the hopelessness of prison life as well as the reality that rehabilitation is not always possible. However, along the way, Deet also learns to have sympathy for people whose lives have followed an almost inevitable path while also realizing that something positive may come from his father’s incarceration after all.
Strength: Realistic characters and story. Serious subject matter is treated honestly and
tastefully.
Author: Riordan, Rick
Title: Lightning Thief
Publisher: Hyperion Date: 2005 ISBN: 9781415662984
Price: #of pgs: 375 Call number: FIC RIO
Annotation: This fast paced adventure which combines ancient Greek mythology with modern day appeal is narrated in first person by the main character, Percy (Perseus) Jackson. Percy is a twelve year old boy about to be kicked out of school for the third time when he finds out he is the half mortal son of a Greek god. He is then sent on a quest to recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt which leads to an action packed story.
Strength: Fast-paced, action packed and funny. Book one in the Percy Jackson and the
Olympians series.
Title: Lightning Thief
Publisher: Hyperion Date: 2005 ISBN: 9781415662984
Price: #of pgs: 375 Call number: FIC RIO
Annotation: This fast paced adventure which combines ancient Greek mythology with modern day appeal is narrated in first person by the main character, Percy (Perseus) Jackson. Percy is a twelve year old boy about to be kicked out of school for the third time when he finds out he is the half mortal son of a Greek god. He is then sent on a quest to recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt which leads to an action packed story.
Strength: Fast-paced, action packed and funny. Book one in the Percy Jackson and the
Olympians series.
Author: Mass, Wendy
Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co Date: 2006 ISBN: 0316058297
Price: 15.99 #of pgs: 289 Call number: FIC MAS
Annotation: A week before his thirteenth birthday, Jeremy fink receives a package in the mail from his father who died five years ago. The package contains a wooden box with the cryptic message "The Meaning of Life" engraved on the top. Unfortunately, the box has an intricatelocking mechanism and the keys have been lost. Jeremy and his friend Lizzy, embark on a quest to find the missing keys. This brings them into contact with many interesting characters who share their ideas about the meaning of life.
Strength: Refreshingly optimistic story with two strong main characters - one a boy and
the other a girl.
Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co Date: 2006 ISBN: 0316058297
Price: 15.99 #of pgs: 289 Call number: FIC MAS
Annotation: A week before his thirteenth birthday, Jeremy fink receives a package in the mail from his father who died five years ago. The package contains a wooden box with the cryptic message "The Meaning of Life" engraved on the top. Unfortunately, the box has an intricatelocking mechanism and the keys have been lost. Jeremy and his friend Lizzy, embark on a quest to find the missing keys. This brings them into contact with many interesting characters who share their ideas about the meaning of life.
Strength: Refreshingly optimistic story with two strong main characters - one a boy and
the other a girl.
Author: C, Kashmira
Title: Keeping Corner
Publisher: Hyperion Date: 2007 ISBN: 9780786838592
Price: $15.99 #of pgs: 281 Call number: FIC SHE
Annotation: Keeping Corner is the story of a young girl named Leela who has been sheltered and spoiled her entire life. She and her family live in a small village on the border of India and Pakistan (around 1918-19) where Leela focuses most of her attention on jewelry, clothing and her pending arranged marriage to a boy she hardly knows. She has no use for or interest in school, learning or the growing unrest in her country between the British colonists and the people of India; many of whom live in poverty. Rather, Leela spends her days looking forward to the presents and adoration that she will receive when she gets married. But when Leela's new husband dies and her life changes forever. Instead of being showered with attention and expensive baubles, she finds that she must "keep corner" for an entire year. During this period of isolation, Leela must shave her head and give away her most prized possessions in preparation for the life of mourning she will now be expected to live for the remainder of her life. However, it is only during this period of seclusion that Leela's eyes are opened to the plight of her countrymen, the political unrest that is shaking her nation and the wave of excitement being started by the non-violent protests of a man named Gandhi.
Strength: Historical fiction with sympathetic and interesting characters. Topics relating to
multiculturalism and social justice are explored with honesty and wit.
Weakness: Unfamiliar terminology
Title: Keeping Corner
Publisher: Hyperion Date: 2007 ISBN: 9780786838592
Price: $15.99 #of pgs: 281 Call number: FIC SHE
Annotation: Keeping Corner is the story of a young girl named Leela who has been sheltered and spoiled her entire life. She and her family live in a small village on the border of India and Pakistan (around 1918-19) where Leela focuses most of her attention on jewelry, clothing and her pending arranged marriage to a boy she hardly knows. She has no use for or interest in school, learning or the growing unrest in her country between the British colonists and the people of India; many of whom live in poverty. Rather, Leela spends her days looking forward to the presents and adoration that she will receive when she gets married. But when Leela's new husband dies and her life changes forever. Instead of being showered with attention and expensive baubles, she finds that she must "keep corner" for an entire year. During this period of isolation, Leela must shave her head and give away her most prized possessions in preparation for the life of mourning she will now be expected to live for the remainder of her life. However, it is only during this period of seclusion that Leela's eyes are opened to the plight of her countrymen, the political unrest that is shaking her nation and the wave of excitement being started by the non-violent protests of a man named Gandhi.
Strength: Historical fiction with sympathetic and interesting characters. Topics relating to
multiculturalism and social justice are explored with honesty and wit.
Weakness: Unfamiliar terminology
Author: Smith, Roland
Title: Peak
Publisher: Harcourt Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-15-202417-8
Price: $15 #of pgs: 246 Call number: FIC SMI
Annotation: Peak Marcello is 14 and has a passion for climbing, so much so that he is arrested for scaling tall buildings. His family makes a deal with the judge to send him to live with his father, who is preparing for a Himalayan expedition to climb Mount Everest. Peak could be the youngest climber to reach the summit. His father's motives for wanting to join the group are less than fatherly as he is using the trip for financial gain and publicity. While preparing for the climb Peak works under a Sherpa for training and befriends Sun-jo, a Nepalese boy his own age. As the climbers are about to make final preparations an overzealous Chinese police captain searches them for passport and underage violations. Mix the dangers of mount climbing, family issues, international cultural struggles and Peak's difficult decision concerning all of those issues and you will find this story well-crafted.
Strength: Well crafted plot development; exotic setting; cultural diversity; adventure
Title: Peak
Publisher: Harcourt Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-15-202417-8
Price: $15 #of pgs: 246 Call number: FIC SMI
Annotation: Peak Marcello is 14 and has a passion for climbing, so much so that he is arrested for scaling tall buildings. His family makes a deal with the judge to send him to live with his father, who is preparing for a Himalayan expedition to climb Mount Everest. Peak could be the youngest climber to reach the summit. His father's motives for wanting to join the group are less than fatherly as he is using the trip for financial gain and publicity. While preparing for the climb Peak works under a Sherpa for training and befriends Sun-jo, a Nepalese boy his own age. As the climbers are about to make final preparations an overzealous Chinese police captain searches them for passport and underage violations. Mix the dangers of mount climbing, family issues, international cultural struggles and Peak's difficult decision concerning all of those issues and you will find this story well-crafted.
Strength: Well crafted plot development; exotic setting; cultural diversity; adventure
Author: Wolf, Allan
Title: Zane's Trace
Publisher: Candlewick Press Date: 2007 ISBN: 9780763628581
Price: $16.99 #of pgs: 177 Call number: FIC WOL
Annotation: Zane's Trace is the story Zane Guesswind, a young man whose teenage
years are made all the more difficult by the fact that his family is troubled by mental
illness, substance abuse and suicide. To make matters worse, Zane has epilepsy, is an
outsider in school and has to live with his aging and crotchety grandfather who treats
Zane, at best, with contempt. As a way of working through his pain and expressing how
he feels, Zane writes and draws obsessively with permanent markers all over his bedroom
walls until one day his frantic scribblings seem to start coming true. First, the bully at
school, who won't give Zane a break, suddenly moves away the day after Zane wishes,
(in writing on his wall), that he'd just disappear. The story quickly changes gears,
however, when, believing he has similarly caused the death of his grandfather, Zane
steals his father's car, (a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda), and begins a 300+ mile trek to
Zanesville, Ohio. There, Zane plans to shoot himself at his mother's graveside, using the
heirloom pistol that she used to kill herself when Zane was only a child. Along the way,
he picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, Libba, and meets motley, and even ghostly, cast of
characters, each of whom helps Zane come to terms with which he is and the hand that
life has dealt him.
Strength: Written almost entirely in free verse, this novel is fast paced, funny and
poignant. It handles serious subject matter with intelligence and honesty without
becoming maudlin. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and readers instantly care
what happens to them.
Weakness: Limited profanity and serious subject matter. However, all topics are handled
tastefully.
Title: Zane's Trace
Publisher: Candlewick Press Date: 2007 ISBN: 9780763628581
Price: $16.99 #of pgs: 177 Call number: FIC WOL
Annotation: Zane's Trace is the story Zane Guesswind, a young man whose teenage
years are made all the more difficult by the fact that his family is troubled by mental
illness, substance abuse and suicide. To make matters worse, Zane has epilepsy, is an
outsider in school and has to live with his aging and crotchety grandfather who treats
Zane, at best, with contempt. As a way of working through his pain and expressing how
he feels, Zane writes and draws obsessively with permanent markers all over his bedroom
walls until one day his frantic scribblings seem to start coming true. First, the bully at
school, who won't give Zane a break, suddenly moves away the day after Zane wishes,
(in writing on his wall), that he'd just disappear. The story quickly changes gears,
however, when, believing he has similarly caused the death of his grandfather, Zane
steals his father's car, (a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda), and begins a 300+ mile trek to
Zanesville, Ohio. There, Zane plans to shoot himself at his mother's graveside, using the
heirloom pistol that she used to kill herself when Zane was only a child. Along the way,
he picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, Libba, and meets motley, and even ghostly, cast of
characters, each of whom helps Zane come to terms with which he is and the hand that
life has dealt him.
Strength: Written almost entirely in free verse, this novel is fast paced, funny and
poignant. It handles serious subject matter with intelligence and honesty without
becoming maudlin. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and readers instantly care
what happens to them.
Weakness: Limited profanity and serious subject matter. However, all topics are handled
tastefully.
Author: Pfeffer, Susan Beth
Title: Life as We Knew It
Publisher: Harcourt Date: 2006 ISBN: 0152058265
Price: $17.00 #of pgs: 352 Call number: FIC PFE
Annotation: A frighteningly plausible tale of an asteroid hitting the moon and throwing
the Earth off its axis causing violent earthquakes, massive tsunamis, an increase in
volcanic activity and millions of deaths. The book follows Miranda, a high school aged
girl and her family as they prepare for the worst. The world as we know it is changed.
Miranda is no longer worried about the everyday concerns of a normal teenager as she
now has to fight the elements, starvation, and disease in a daily struggle for survival.
Journal writing keeps Miranda focused and keeps the reader enthralled waiting to see if
there is a future for this family and others.
Strength: Well depicted characters and believable plot development.
Title: Life as We Knew It
Publisher: Harcourt Date: 2006 ISBN: 0152058265
Price: $17.00 #of pgs: 352 Call number: FIC PFE
Annotation: A frighteningly plausible tale of an asteroid hitting the moon and throwing
the Earth off its axis causing violent earthquakes, massive tsunamis, an increase in
volcanic activity and millions of deaths. The book follows Miranda, a high school aged
girl and her family as they prepare for the worst. The world as we know it is changed.
Miranda is no longer worried about the everyday concerns of a normal teenager as she
now has to fight the elements, starvation, and disease in a daily struggle for survival.
Journal writing keeps Miranda focused and keeps the reader enthralled waiting to see if
there is a future for this family and others.
Strength: Well depicted characters and believable plot development.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Crutcher, Chris Deadline
Publisher: Greenwillow Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-06-085089-0 Price: $16.99 #of pgs: 316 Call number: F Crutcher
Annotation: Ben Wolf has gotten the ultimate punch in the gut. He’s eighteen years old, a senior in high school, when he finds out that he has an incurable blood disease. He orders his doctor not to tell anyone (and because he’s of legal age he gets away with it) and he sets out to have the best year possible.
Ben has his reasons for making the decision not to tell anyone. His mother is bipolar, with nightmarish manic and depressive cycles. Ben has no idea how his mother will react to the news, except it won’t be good. His father has all on his plate that he can handle. Ben also wants to be treated normally – he doesn’t want to be known as the "dying kid." Finally, he wants to do some
things that he would never have had the nerve to do otherwise – such as playing football (at 123 pounds) and seeing how far he can go with Dallas Suzuki.
So Ben plays football with his brother, starts a relationship with Dallas, and continually irritates his government teacher by pointing out how bigoted he is. To Ben, "somehow I knew my chances aren’t about living, they’re about living well" (p. 10) and that’s what he does.
Strength: Theme -- the idea of getting the most out of life. Crutcher's characters are also very appealing.
Weakness: Crutcher does hit a lot of problems in this novel but I think he does it successfully.
Cover Appeal:
The cover has a picture of boy upside down -- appropriate since Ben's life has been turned upside down. It would be appealing for both boys and girls
Publisher: Greenwillow Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-06-085089-0 Price: $16.99 #of pgs: 316 Call number: F Crutcher
Annotation: Ben Wolf has gotten the ultimate punch in the gut. He’s eighteen years old, a senior in high school, when he finds out that he has an incurable blood disease. He orders his doctor not to tell anyone (and because he’s of legal age he gets away with it) and he sets out to have the best year possible.
Ben has his reasons for making the decision not to tell anyone. His mother is bipolar, with nightmarish manic and depressive cycles. Ben has no idea how his mother will react to the news, except it won’t be good. His father has all on his plate that he can handle. Ben also wants to be treated normally – he doesn’t want to be known as the "dying kid." Finally, he wants to do some
things that he would never have had the nerve to do otherwise – such as playing football (at 123 pounds) and seeing how far he can go with Dallas Suzuki.
So Ben plays football with his brother, starts a relationship with Dallas, and continually irritates his government teacher by pointing out how bigoted he is. To Ben, "somehow I knew my chances aren’t about living, they’re about living well" (p. 10) and that’s what he does.
Strength: Theme -- the idea of getting the most out of life. Crutcher's characters are also very appealing.
Weakness: Crutcher does hit a lot of problems in this novel but I think he does it successfully.
Cover Appeal:
The cover has a picture of boy upside down -- appropriate since Ben's life has been turned upside down. It would be appealing for both boys and girls
Morgenroth, Kate ECHO
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 2007 ISBN 1-4169-1438-2 Price: $16.00 #pages:137p Call number: FIC MOR
Annotation: The story begins with a scene (not explicit) in which Justin witnesses his 12-year-old brother inadvertently killing himself. Fast-forward one year, and Justin, guilty, angry, and guided only by a voice in his head, readies himself for school, endures bullying classmates, and suffers a painful encounter with his former girlfriend. Then, during an angry confrontation, he watches his former best friend tumble down the school stairs. The following acts of an unstable mind will surprise most readers and frustrate some.
Strengths: Students who enjoy psychological novels will enjoy this one, which shows one young man's struggle to live a "normal" life, but who's life will never be normal again.
Weaknesses: Justin's situation gives little hope.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 2007 ISBN 1-4169-1438-2 Price: $16.00 #pages:137p Call number: FIC MOR
Annotation: The story begins with a scene (not explicit) in which Justin witnesses his 12-year-old brother inadvertently killing himself. Fast-forward one year, and Justin, guilty, angry, and guided only by a voice in his head, readies himself for school, endures bullying classmates, and suffers a painful encounter with his former girlfriend. Then, during an angry confrontation, he watches his former best friend tumble down the school stairs. The following acts of an unstable mind will surprise most readers and frustrate some.
Strengths: Students who enjoy psychological novels will enjoy this one, which shows one young man's struggle to live a "normal" life, but who's life will never be normal again.
Weaknesses: Justin's situation gives little hope.
Dessen, Sarah Just Listen
Publisher: Viking Date: 2006 ISBN: 0670061050 Price: $18.00 #of pgs: 371 Call number: FIC DES
Annotation: Starting her junior year, Annabel Green is ostracized by her friends because she will not confront her former best friend –mean and vindictive Sophie-- about what happened with Sophie’s boyfriend at a summer party. Annabel does not want to disappoint her mother who is recovering from depression, so she continues to model part-time. She goes along with her family’s cheerful attitude that everything is fine even though there is strife caused by her older sister deciding not to pursue a modeling career and her middle sister’s severe anorexia. Annabel struggles throughout the story to avoid confrontation at all costs and shield her friends and family from any unpleasantness. This coping strategy has always worked before, but now seems to make things worse. As her friendship with the school’s most obnoxious loner, Owen, develops, her carefully structured world begins to fall apart and keeping silent about issues no longer works. Owen, a part-time dj at a community radio station, dealing with his own anger
management, tries to broaden Annabel’s music taste. He exhorts her to "Don't think, or judge. Just listen." With his advice and unfailing honesty, she begins to realize that recognizing her emotions and dealing honestly with issues and people is not as devastating as she feared.
Cover: Somewhat boring: partial side view of young girl with an IPOD in her jeans pocket.
Publisher: Viking Date: 2006 ISBN: 0670061050 Price: $18.00 #of pgs: 371 Call number: FIC DES
Annotation: Starting her junior year, Annabel Green is ostracized by her friends because she will not confront her former best friend –mean and vindictive Sophie-- about what happened with Sophie’s boyfriend at a summer party. Annabel does not want to disappoint her mother who is recovering from depression, so she continues to model part-time. She goes along with her family’s cheerful attitude that everything is fine even though there is strife caused by her older sister deciding not to pursue a modeling career and her middle sister’s severe anorexia. Annabel struggles throughout the story to avoid confrontation at all costs and shield her friends and family from any unpleasantness. This coping strategy has always worked before, but now seems to make things worse. As her friendship with the school’s most obnoxious loner, Owen, develops, her carefully structured world begins to fall apart and keeping silent about issues no longer works. Owen, a part-time dj at a community radio station, dealing with his own anger
management, tries to broaden Annabel’s music taste. He exhorts her to "Don't think, or judge. Just listen." With his advice and unfailing honesty, she begins to realize that recognizing her emotions and dealing honestly with issues and people is not as devastating as she feared.
Cover: Somewhat boring: partial side view of young girl with an IPOD in her jeans pocket.
Franklin, Emily The Other Half of Me
Publisher: Delcorte Press Date: 2007 ISBN: 0-385-90449-0 Price: $16.00 #of pgs: 247
Call number: FIC FRA
Annotation: Jenny is a struggling artist with many doubts about herself. The biggest doubt is whether her family cares about her interest as much as their athletic pursuits. She has known all her life that her biological father was sperm donor. Her mother was concerned that she might not have a family and wanted a child very much. The mother soon married and had three other children. Jenny has young twin sisters who are very much alike and enjoy each other’s company; she also has a younger brother who is quiet and very athletic.
Her long time love interest begins to pursue her and encourages her to pursue the donor registry to see if she has a sibling from Donor 125. She does and the girl comes for a surprise visit, much to the dismay of some in her family. When the new girl wins over the family, she is crushed and sees that they are not alike as she had hoped. The end of the story is realistic and one that reader will accept.
Strength: The plot surrounds the feeling of not fitting into your family; like you are an odd ball. New love and jealousy is a popular reading theme with our students. Definitely a chick lit book.
Weakness: Not sure if students are interested in sperm donors, but they will like the need to feel like you fit in your family.
Cover appeal: Bright yellow cover with empty, split-in-half egg shell.
Publisher: Delcorte Press Date: 2007 ISBN: 0-385-90449-0 Price: $16.00 #of pgs: 247
Call number: FIC FRA
Annotation: Jenny is a struggling artist with many doubts about herself. The biggest doubt is whether her family cares about her interest as much as their athletic pursuits. She has known all her life that her biological father was sperm donor. Her mother was concerned that she might not have a family and wanted a child very much. The mother soon married and had three other children. Jenny has young twin sisters who are very much alike and enjoy each other’s company; she also has a younger brother who is quiet and very athletic.
Her long time love interest begins to pursue her and encourages her to pursue the donor registry to see if she has a sibling from Donor 125. She does and the girl comes for a surprise visit, much to the dismay of some in her family. When the new girl wins over the family, she is crushed and sees that they are not alike as she had hoped. The end of the story is realistic and one that reader will accept.
Strength: The plot surrounds the feeling of not fitting into your family; like you are an odd ball. New love and jealousy is a popular reading theme with our students. Definitely a chick lit book.
Weakness: Not sure if students are interested in sperm donors, but they will like the need to feel like you fit in your family.
Cover appeal: Bright yellow cover with empty, split-in-half egg shell.
Draper, Sharon November Blues
Publisher: Atheneum Date:2007 ISBN:1-4169-0698-3 Price:$17.00 #of pgs:316 Call number: FIC DRA
Annotation: This sequel to Battle of Jericho; however, it is not necessary to have read that book first. Life doesn't go as planned in this realistic novel about a sixteen year old girl named November who has so many positive future plans, a great family, good friends, and is respected by her teachers. When she discovers she is pregnant 2 months after her boyfriend, Josh, died from a pledge stunt gone terribly wrong, she is truly unprepared and recognizes that she is so not ready to have a child. Josh's cousin Jericho, is having a very difficult time after the death of his best friend, Josh; he gives up his trumpet to play football. To add to the problems the father of the baby's parents find a way out of their depression by trying to adopted the baby. Too keep the subplots going we have an overweight, bullied girl who becomes a good friend to both November and Jericho. The ending was climatic, realistic and satisfying. A must read for both boys and girls.
Strength: characterization is well-developed, plot is fast paced
Weakness: dialogue is somewhat artificial or stifled
Cover Appeal: beautiful girl with a serious expression and a football player looking at the stands
Publisher: Atheneum Date:2007 ISBN:1-4169-0698-3 Price:$17.00 #of pgs:316 Call number: FIC DRA
Annotation: This sequel to Battle of Jericho; however, it is not necessary to have read that book first. Life doesn't go as planned in this realistic novel about a sixteen year old girl named November who has so many positive future plans, a great family, good friends, and is respected by her teachers. When she discovers she is pregnant 2 months after her boyfriend, Josh, died from a pledge stunt gone terribly wrong, she is truly unprepared and recognizes that she is so not ready to have a child. Josh's cousin Jericho, is having a very difficult time after the death of his best friend, Josh; he gives up his trumpet to play football. To add to the problems the father of the baby's parents find a way out of their depression by trying to adopted the baby. Too keep the subplots going we have an overweight, bullied girl who becomes a good friend to both November and Jericho. The ending was climatic, realistic and satisfying. A must read for both boys and girls.
Strength: characterization is well-developed, plot is fast paced
Weakness: dialogue is somewhat artificial or stifled
Cover Appeal: beautiful girl with a serious expression and a football player looking at the stands
Anderson, Laurie Halse Twisted
Publisher: Viking Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-670-06101-3 Price: $17.00 #of pgs: 250 Call number: FIC AND
Annotation: Sixteen-year-old Tyler is just completed his community service hours given to him by a judge after he wrote, misspelling many of the words, on his high school building. He is in love with Brittany, the most popular girl in school, whose father is his father's boss and whose brother is the leader of the group of athletes who constantly harass him . When Brittany makes a play for Tyler after drinking heavily at the party without adults, Tyler does the honorable thing and walks away, but Brittany is drunk and has no idea what shame awaits her. The events that follow are realistic and in Anderson's style of an important lesson learned the hard way. Twisted are the families, the way of thinking, and acting in this suburban high school.
Strength: Fast paced; funny, clever dialogue
Weakness: High School language and situations may be to explicit
Publisher: Viking Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-0-670-06101-3 Price: $17.00 #of pgs: 250 Call number: FIC AND
Annotation: Sixteen-year-old Tyler is just completed his community service hours given to him by a judge after he wrote, misspelling many of the words, on his high school building. He is in love with Brittany, the most popular girl in school, whose father is his father's boss and whose brother is the leader of the group of athletes who constantly harass him . When Brittany makes a play for Tyler after drinking heavily at the party without adults, Tyler does the honorable thing and walks away, but Brittany is drunk and has no idea what shame awaits her. The events that follow are realistic and in Anderson's style of an important lesson learned the hard way. Twisted are the families, the way of thinking, and acting in this suburban high school.
Strength: Fast paced; funny, clever dialogue
Weakness: High School language and situations may be to explicit
Bruchac, Joseph The Way
Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-1-58196-062-4 Price: 16.95 #of pgs: 156
Call number: FIC BRU
Annotation: One TP (trailer park) after another, Cody LeBeau remains unpopular and teased, often retreating into a fantasy world where he is always the unsung, no super-powers, martial art yielding hero. Long River High School seems to be no different, as Cody endures more torture at the hands of the jocks. To Cody’s shock, he is greeted one afternoon at home by his mother and a stranger that she introduces as Uncle John, her brother. John has come to stay with the LeBeaus while he trains for an Ultimate Fight Contest being held at the local Native American owned casino. Uncle John begins to teach Cody about "The Way" – not necessarily of the fist or fighting but a way of life that helps bring Cody into himself as a practitioner of self-healing and self-awareness.
Strength: high interest for boys, Native Americans, and those who don't feel they "fit in", contemporary issues/school violence
Weakness: time passes very quickly in this book, leaving the reader to wonder what has happened in between and why Cody "picks up" so quickly
Cover Appeal: Teenage non-white male on the cover with a bear paw and yin/yang symbol
Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing Date: 2007 ISBN: 978-1-58196-062-4 Price: 16.95 #of pgs: 156
Call number: FIC BRU
Annotation: One TP (trailer park) after another, Cody LeBeau remains unpopular and teased, often retreating into a fantasy world where he is always the unsung, no super-powers, martial art yielding hero. Long River High School seems to be no different, as Cody endures more torture at the hands of the jocks. To Cody’s shock, he is greeted one afternoon at home by his mother and a stranger that she introduces as Uncle John, her brother. John has come to stay with the LeBeaus while he trains for an Ultimate Fight Contest being held at the local Native American owned casino. Uncle John begins to teach Cody about "The Way" – not necessarily of the fist or fighting but a way of life that helps bring Cody into himself as a practitioner of self-healing and self-awareness.
Strength: high interest for boys, Native Americans, and those who don't feel they "fit in", contemporary issues/school violence
Weakness: time passes very quickly in this book, leaving the reader to wonder what has happened in between and why Cody "picks up" so quickly
Cover Appeal: Teenage non-white male on the cover with a bear paw and yin/yang symbol
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