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).