Marley and her best friends, Leah and Jane, have a long-standing tradition of surprise water-balloon attacks — one surprise attack allowed per year.  They also love to play Monopoly, using their own, revised rules.  It’s this long-term, BFF friendship that’s at stake when Marley’s parents split up.  Her life crumbles as she is to spend the summer at her Dad’s; Dad has arranged for her to spend the summer babysitting bratty twins.  Marley loses her entire support group when her best friends dump her for their thespian friends.

Author Audrey Vernick manages to add plenty of humor and tender moments to keep the dismal storyline going.  As can be predicted, Marley and her father bond by the end of the summer, with Dad saying, “We’ve been helping each other get through a really difficult time. I’m not sure you realize that you’ve been helping me a lot too….I never pictured there being any genuine up-side to being in this situation, but I think it’ll give us a chance to get to know each other in a different way, a meaningful one.”

This proves to be true.  Marley and her father’s relationship is strengthened because of the divorce.  A budding romance with her neighbor, Jack, and “taming the twins” also give Marley inner strength.

Butterflies and moths are much alike.  This very informative book compares differences in wing color, time of most activity, their look at rest, body shape, antennas, and the process of changing from caterpillar to adult.  Also discussed, are the many ways in which they are similar.  There is a short quiz and additional facts in the back with a glossary, index, and suggested books for further reading.

This is the most recent of Amelia’s notebooks.  Amelia has two best friends – Nadia, from her old home in California, and Carly, at her new home in Oregon.  When Nadia comes for a visit, Amelia expects her best friends to like each other.  They don’t.  Amelia doesn’t understand why and feels caught in the middle.  The hand-lettered text, doodles, conversation bubbles, and side notes give the feel of a real journal.  Although the setting is middle school, the focus on friendship is appropriate for elementary as well.  It contains a good message on how many problems with friends are made, and can be solved, with words.

Josh Gregory gives a concise summary of the events that lead up to, and leaders who shared in, one of the pivotal conflicts of the Civil War.  He provides an unbiased look at both Union and Confederate leaders and decisions.  After descriptions of events, a map is included to illustrate the proceedings of the three day battle.  The layout is pleasing and attention getting.  Every page has an illustration or an additional information box.  Although the reader level is about 6th grade, learners from upper elementary to middle school will find useful information.  Included are two pages of influential people, a timeline, internet links to primary sources, books, websites, a glossary, and a comprehensive index.

Beginning with two True/False statements, each chapter also presents a question which will be answered within the book.  The Wampanoag, who settled in what is now Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts, are among the earliest to live in North America.  Wampanoag sachem, or chief, Massasoit was leader when pilgrims arrived in the fall of 1620.   Another known Wampanoag, Squanto, had been captured in 1614, taken to Spain, worked for a shipbuilder in London where he learned English, and then returned to America in 1619.   Squanto, helped the pilgrims survive their first winter.   Although the book’s focus is on the Wampanoag people, the information presented is disjointed and confusing.  One illustration and caption of Pequots is never explained in the text.  Today, modern Wampanoag people value their history and are working to preserve their native language and traditions.

This is a 128 page well-researched and clearly written non-fiction book about the Iraq War with a target reading audience of 6-12th grade.  The facts presented in each chapter are well documented in the chapter notes at the back of the book and information is easy to locate with the thorough index and glossary.  The photography is good quality and there is a basic map of Iraq included.

This is a 48 page biography of Michael Jackson written for juvenile readers.  There is an Accelerated Reader test for this title (level 5.8, 1 point).  This book provided good coverage of Michael’s accomplishments as an artist and philanthropist.  His legal problems were reviewed briefly in a direct but appropriate manner for a young audience.  I would recommend this book for readers aged 10 to 17.  I especially enjoyed the ample collection of photos of Michael over his lifetime.  At the end of the book, there is a time line, index, bibliography and list of resources for more information.

This is a very current biography on pop sensation Lady Gaga.  The book offers insight on Lady Gaga’s early days, and portrays her as someone who had and still maintains a close relationship with her family.  The book offers up well-sourced information on Lady Gaga’s philanthropic activities, and shows her to be someone with great empathy for others.  The author touches on Lady Gaga’s sexuality, and issues with drugs and alcohol in a factual way.

I found the book to be well written and informative without that recitation of facts feelings you sometimes get in biographies.  The author portrayed her subject in a human light, seeing through the extravagant trappings of the pop star.

Ancient Rome: An Interactive History Adventure opens with a brief intro as to the approximate dates Ancient Rome existed and some basic info as to who ruled, life, culture and so on.  The interactive part then begins whereby the reader may choose from three different scenarios, the life of a Roman soldier, a Roman businessman, or a Roman woman.  From that choice, the reader can choose different options.  Personally, it’s not my cup of tea.  I find Ancient Rome a fascinating subject and would happily read short stories about these same characters.  Flitting from page to page is disjointed and I don’t find it nearly as satisfying.  Some students love it, and ask specifically for this type of book.  I’m thinking this book  will be popular with more reluctant readers.

Moon Over High Street will attract the attention of readers who enjoyed Tuck Everlasting.  While reading this book by Natalie Babbitt I understood why she has received many awards for her writing.

The story was set around 1965, but it was not outdated at all.  Although the main character, 12-year-old Joe, lost both of his parents when he was a baby, time wasn’t spent dwelling on his loss.  The story was upbeat and moved at a relaxing speed.

In the end, a potentially life changing decision was made when Joe’s grandmother listened to what he had to say.  By believing in him, the family grew closer and better.  If someone needs a reading break from life threatening drama, this could be the book for them. (By Jamie Kenny).

This book is difficult to categorize as it appears to be written for a target audience of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade but has content which makes it inappropriate for that age.  A border who becomes pregnant by a man she just met and who happens to be in and out of jail because he steals, and a grandmother who is prone to cursing and taking the Lord’s name in vain are a few issues of concern.  None of the book’s characters use proper grammar, including the teacher.   The story is about a 10 year old girl named Mary Mae, who is excited about the wonders of science and particularly about the fossils and dinosaur unit they are studying in school.  Her parents are fundamentalist Christians who consider their interpretation of the Bible to be scientific proof that the world is only 6 thousand years old.  When Mary Mae questions this, her mother withdraws her from school to “home school her Bible”.  In the end, Mary Mae’s mother is convinced to let her return to school but the resolution is weak.  I do not recommend this book.

This is one in a series of 10 non-fiction books about Native American Tribes.  This book is perfect for elementary and young middle school students who are researching Northwest Coast Indians and would be especially helpful for writing a report.  This book is well-written with interesting and engaging facts and pictures depicting the culture, traditions and ways of life.  I would like to buy this entire collection to add to our library.

Girl in the Arena does have similarities to Hunger Games – strong female protagonist who will fight to the death to save her family.  But this dystopian novel is set in current times, with a ne0-gladiator league that rivals the NFL.  Lyn wants nothing to do with the gladiator culture – not shocking after losing 6 previous fathers.  But she really liked the 7th father and this time more is at stake.  Claiming her 7th father cheated during his last match, the gladiator company, called “Caesar’s”, will take away everything promised to her mother–her house, future inheritances from the deaths of her husbands, everything.  And, during the last battle, the winner, Uber, took Lyn’s bracelet that had fallen from her father’s wrist in the match.  This meant Lyn would have to marry Uber.  Whether she wins or loses, she will save her family and herself if she becomes the first woman gladiator fighter.  Add in a little romance and an autistic brother that sees of the future and this is a pretty good story despite the annoying dash marks used instead of quotation marks.  Recommended as one to get to continue to satisify those who liked Hunger Games.

Coe Booth continues the story of Tyrell (2006), a boy whose constant struggle living in the Bronx should be bringing him down.  But he remains optimistic.  Tyrell’s father comes home from jail and Tyrell hopes the family can pull it together enough to get his younger brother out of foster care.  But Tyrell’s dad and the people he’s living with remain connected to illegal activity and Tyrell finds out his mother slept around while his father was in jail.  Physical abuse, drug use, and sexual activity abound.  Tyrell’s language is much more raw in this new chapter of his life.  It may be realistic, but it’s probably too harsh for most school libraries.

I loved this book.  It’s an exciting adventure set in a simpler day and age–and a treat to read after the recent flood of dystopian novels.

When Polly Portman dies, and leaves her prize-winning pie crust recipe to Lardo, her portly cat, pie bakers far and wide begin a frantic search for the recipe that is bound to give them a victory in the baking contest that Polly has dominated for years.

Polly’s niece, Alice, inherits Lardo, but can’t figure out how a cat can reveal a recipe.

With their bikes to get them around town, Alice and her friend, Charlie, set out to solve the mystery, basing their search on methods perfected by TV hero Sky King.

Middle grade students will enjoy the adventure, and the whole family will enjoy the great pie recipes, (those of Aunt Polly, no doubt) that conclude each chapter.

Dalton Rev is a man with a mission.  He’ll do whatever it takes to find out who killed Wesley Payne.  Well, sort of.  Dalton is a seventeen year old 007, coming into a school steeped in bribery, cliques and now murder covered up as suicide.  This story reminds me a lot of the movie Pulp Fiction – everything is overstated and understated at the same time.  Sean Beaudoin’s writing is farcical, yet drives home the hypocracies in every high school.  Tongue in cheek glossary and “Salt River High Clique Index” push this so far over the edge that it boomerangs back as crafty and witty.  Upper level high school boys and a few girls who are rather witty themselves and so “done” with the high school scene find this funny.  Others may see it as over the top annoying.  Additional selection.

This is a wonderful biographical series of powerful women over the ages. Agrippina is one of 6 women featured in this series of six books. The other books include Cleopatra, Mary Tudor, Catherine De’Medici, Marie Antoinette, and Cixi. I now have 4 of the 6 in this series for my school library and would like to get the remaining 2 books. Students discover one of these books and then come back for the rest. The format and illustrations which accompany the text engage the reader and bring these biographies alive.

This is the final book in the Hard Pan trilogy and it is a wonderful, entertaining and clean read for 4th – 7th graders.  The main character is Lucky, a spunky and smart 6th grade girl who has been adopted after her mother dies.  She lives in a small desert town of under 50 people ,which she dearly loves.  Her adopted mother, Brigitte, is French and has a cafe which she runs from their trailer home.  All is well until the health department comes on the scene to shut them down since they operate out of their home rather than a commercial kitchen.  The whole town rallies to solve this problem and in the meantime, Lucky deals with a bully, a sweet budding first love who has to go away for the summer, and challenges with her absent father.  The characters are well developed and grow through the book and the illustrations compliment the storyline.   It’s no wonder that the first book in the series The Higher Power of Lucky, won the 2007 Newberry Medal.

In this sequel to Quillblade, Missy and Lenis find themselves continuing aboard the Hiryu aiding the Captain in his quest to defeat the demon lord.  Along the way, they find a mysterious boy who may hold the key to their past and the explanation of their powers that they have been searching for.

The writing is very descriptive and provocative; the reader feels the emotions of the characters and connects with them on a deeper level.  The fast-paced plot will keep the reader constantly wondering what could possibly happen next.  The first of this trilogy is a must read to fully understand this sequel.   This novel, a blend of Asian culture and science fiction, will guarantee a thrill ride for the reader.

— Mike S.

Do zombies exist?  Did they used to?  The Alden children are spending some time at the Winding River Lodge as guests of their grandfather’s friend.  While there, dinner is outside and storytelling commences at dark at the fire pit.  An old legend is told that there used to be a zombie a long time ago who haunts the place.  In the middle of the night, Benny is awakened by the hooting of an owl who is being disturbed.  He gets up and sees someone walking around with a flashlight.  He’s convinced it’s the zombie.  Each day the children discover clues that confuse them.  The so-called zombie is actually a man hiding out from investors that he’s bilked.  Afraid to show his face during the day, he’s out golfing in the dark.  Usually the Boxcar Children mysteries have a little more intrigue than this one did; it fell a little flat.

Social Networking by Marcia Amidon Lusted is written in an easy-to-understand language.  There is nothing too technical in this book and it was very interesting to read about the creation of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.  If you use a social network, it is especially interesting learning how and why the sites got started.  This book was published in 2011 and it might go out of date in a few years as technology changes.  The book is very informative and could be used as a resource because it includes a timeline. (By Jamie Kenny)

While Nate and his Aunt Philomena are ever on the hunt to find out what happened to Nate’s parents, they come across a guivra (dragon) and a faun – Mr. Sylvan – who has sent for Nate and Aunt Phil to get their help with the local lone unicorn who has been acting strangely lately. Then who should appear but “their black sheep of a cousin” Obediah who want the Fludd Family BOOK OF BEASTS. Obediah will trade information on the where abouts of Nate’s parents for the Book of Beasts. The Fludd Family legacy is to protect the beasts of this world, much like Hagrid does for the creatures at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter book series, and are sworn to protect the book at all costs.

Includes: excerpts from the Book of Beasts on 7 different unicorns.

Malcom and his best friend, Dandy, order an Ecto-Handheld-Automatic-Heat- Sensitive-Laser-Enhanced Specter Detector. Although Malcom’s grandmother warned the boys not to go to the haunted house down the street, they took the Specter Detector to the haunted house to detect spirits. Once the ghost started calling out, “It creeps, it creeps,” Malcom cried out in fear, “What creeps?” The ghost responded, “Your underwear!” and gave him a giant wedgie. When the boys ran the entire way home, they didn’t realize the ghost had followed them, only to bother Malcom’s annoying sister. This scary story will entice many young readers. It also comes with a page of the top five ways to detect a ghost, spirit, or poltergeist.

As The Secret Ingredient by Laura Schaefer builds, the reader learns that the true secret ingredient in anything good is friendship.  The main character, Annie, works at her grandmother’s tea shop when she enters a contest for creating the best scone recipe.  There are several recipes throughout the book which could be fun for girls to try.  Even though the girls in the book are entering ninth grade, I think this would appeal more to sixth  graders.  It took me awhile to get into the story line, but about three quarters of the way through, I realized the story was like good tea…a slower process but relaxing in the meantime and worth the wait in the end. (by Jamie Kenny).

This is one of 6 in the Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames.  Cixi certainly deserved that title as a brutal and temperamental Empress of 19th Century China.  This biography tells the story of her life and brings up some issues still in dispute about some of her fabled dastardly deeds.  Fascinating and well-written, this book informed me about a figure from history that I knew nothing about.  The pictures engaged me well and were relevant to the facts shared in the book.  I really like this series and have students requesting these books specifically.