Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on June 5th, 2012 Author: Uschan, Michael V. Illustrator: Series: People in the News Publisher: Lucent Books ISBN: 9781420503098;
142050309X Year Published: 2010 Price: $33.45 Grade Level: 7-9 Rating: A
- Author: Uschan, Michael V.
- Grade Level: 7-9
- ISBN: 9781420503098;
142050309X
- Length: 96 p.
- Price: $33.45
- Publisher: Lucent Books
- Rating: A
- Series: People in the News
- Year Published: 2010
In the “rags to riches” biography, we read about Tyler Perry who raised himself up from an abusive childhood to a playwright/actor/ movie producer who helps others cope with life struggles. So strongly did his faith nudge him to help others who were abused, that Tyler Perry wrote his first play, I Know I’ve Been . . . → Read More: Tyler Perry
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on June 1st, 2012 Author: Woog, Adam Illustrator: Series: People in the News Publisher: Lucent Books ISBN: 9781420502336 Year Published: 2010 Price: 33.45 Grade Level: 6-9 Rating: R
- Author: Woog, Adam
- Grade Level: 6-9
- ISBN: 9781420502336
- Length: 104 p.
- Price: 33.45
- Publisher: Lucent Books
- Rating: R
- Series: People in the News
- Year Published: 2010
First pick in the 2008 NBA draft Derrik Rose had his fantasy come true when he was selected by the Chicago Bulls. Born and raised in Chicago, the people of Chicago were equally pleased to have a hometown boy on their team. Raised as much by his older brothers as by his mother, Derrick was . . . → Read More: Derrik Rose
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on May 28th, 2012 Author: Ritter, Christie Rose Illustrator: Series: Countries of the World Publisher: ABDO Publishing Company ISBN: 9781617831188 Year Published: Price: $35.64 Grade Level: 6 and up Rating: R
- Author: Ritter, Christie Rose
- Grade Level: 6 and up
- ISBN: 9781617831188
- Length: 144 p.
- Price: $35.64
- Publisher: ABDO Publishing Company
- Rating: R
- Series: Countries of the World
South Africa — next to the United States, it probably has the biggest mix of people than any other country. As pointed out, there are 11 official languages, nine of which are African, at least seven different tribes, a variety of racial backgrounds, resulting in a variety of spiritual beliefs, forms of art, food, music, . . . → Read More: South Africa
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on May 23rd, 2012 Author: Blashfield, Jean F. Illustrator: Series: Enchantment of the World Publisher: Children's Press ISBN: 9780531253083 Year Published: 2012 Price: 39.99 Grade Level: 5 and up Rating: R*
- Author: Blashfield, Jean F.
- Grade Level: 5 and up
- ISBN: 9780531253083
- Length: 144 p.
- Price: 39.99
- Publisher: Children's Press
- Rating: R*
- Series: Enchantment of the World
- Year Published: 2012
Whenever I can get my hands on an “Enchantment of the World” series country book, I’m a happy librarian! As with others I own, this book is thorough in content, and loaded with colorful snapshots, maps, and drawings to help you feel like you just visited the country. It’s those facts that students need for . . . → Read More: Australia
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on May 23rd, 2012 Author: Wroble, Lisa A. Illustrator: Series: Life: A How-To Guide Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 9780766034396 Year Published: 2012 Price: 31.93 Grade Level: 7-12 Rating: A
- Author: Wroble, Lisa A.
- Grade Level: 7-12
- ISBN: 9780766034396
- Length: 128 p
- Price: 31.93
- Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Rating: A
- Series: Life: A How-To Guide
- Year Published: 2012
This is one of those books that may never be checked out — not that students don’t need it, but because they may be embarrassed to check it out. Enslow did a decent job covering the topics of what stresses young people out, what happens to your body if you don’t cope well with stress,and . . . → Read More: Dealing With Stress
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on May 21st, 2012 Author: Halls, Kelly Milner Illustrator: Spears, Rick C. Series: Publisher: Millbrook Press ISBN: 9780761362043 Year Published: 2012 Price: 20.95 Grade Level: 4 - 8 Rating:
- Author: Halls, Kelly Milner
- Grade Level: 4 - 8
- ISBN: 9780761362043
- Length: 64 p.
- Price: 20.95
- Publisher: Millbrook Press
- Year Published: 2012
- Illustrator: Spears, Rick C.
“Alien Investigations” explores UFO sightings, landings, crashes, aliens, and, admittedly, some hoaxes, based on interviews and photographs. Beginning with the first UFO report filed with the U.S. military in 1947 near Mineral, Washington, the book is organized by spacecraft shape, landings, alien types, and hoaxes. Some cases in other countries are included, but most were . . . → Read More: Alien Investigation: Searching for the Truth about UFOs and Aliens
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on May 3rd, 2012 Author: Korman, Gordon Illustrator: Series: Griffin Bing Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 9780545320597 Year Published: 2012 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 3-6 Rating: A
- Author: Korman, Gordon
- Grade Level: 3-6
- Series: Griffin Bing
- ISBN: 9780545320597
- Length: 247 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Rating: A
- Year Published: 2012
“Showoff” is book 4 in the Griffin Bing series, so fans of “Swindle,” “Zoobreak,” and “Framed” will be excited there is more to come. The venue is a Mall Dog Show, where chaos erupts with Luther ruining the chances for 3-time winner, Electra, of defending her title in the upcoming Global competition. The boys devise . . . → Read More: Showoff
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on April 30th, 2012 Author: Vernick, Audrey Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780547595542 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 7-8 Rating: A
- Author: Vernick, Audrey
- Grade Level: 7-8
- ISBN: 9780547595542
- Length: 312 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Rating: A
- Year Published: 2011
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 . . . → Read More: Water Balloon
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on April 27th, 2012 Author: Katie Marsico Illustrator: Series: Contemporary Lives Publisher: ABDO Publishing Company ISBN: 9781617833243 Year Published: 2012 Price: $33.96 Grade Level: 6-9 Rating: Recommend
- Author: Katie Marsico
- Grade Level: 6-9
- ISBN: 9781617833243
- Length: 112 p.
- Price: $33.96
- Publisher: ABDO Publishing Company
- Rating: Recommend
- Reading level: Grades 6-9
- Series: Contemporary Lives
- Year Published: 2012
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 . . . → Read More: Lady Gaga Pop Singer & Songwriter
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on April 17th, 2012 Author: Sonneborn, Liz Illustrator: Series: Enchantment of the World Publisher: Children's Press ISBN: 978-531253120
0531253120 Year Published: 2012 Price: 39.00 Grade Level: 5-8 Rating: R
- Author: Sonneborn, Liz
- Grade Level: 5-8
- ISBN: 978-531253120
0531253120
- Length: 144 p.
- Price: 39.00
- Publisher: Children's Press
- Rating: R
- Series: Enchantment of the World
- Year Published: 2012
As is true with all of the country books in the Enchantment of the World series, this book on Iraq would be the perfect source for a country report. Geography, climate, language, religion, government are all detailed here. A section on “Fast Facts” near the end of the book adds specific detail on elevation, average . . . → Read More: Iraq
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on April 15th, 2012 Author: Higgins, M. G. Illustrator: Series: Travel Team Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN: 9780761383246 Year Published: 2012 Price: 21.75 Grade Level: 6-9 Rating: A
- Author: Higgins, M. G.
- Grade Level: 6-9
- ISBN: 9780761383246
- Length: 115 p.
- Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
- Rating: A
- Series: Travel Team
- Year Published: 2012
- Price: 21.75
Like the sport books by Orca Publishing, this short novel will appeal to reluctant boy readers who want an easy-to-read book featuring older characters. 17-year old Sammy is usually the hardest-hitting member of his baseball team. However, when his team signs up for a wooden-bat only tournament, Sammy finds himself in a hitting slump, unable . . . → Read More: Power Hitter
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on March 25th, 2012 Author: Moss, Marissa Illustrator: Moss, Marissa Series: Amelia's Notebooks Publisher: Simon and Schuster ISBN: 9781442423312 Year Published: 2011 Price: 12.99 Grade Level: 4-6 Rating: R
- Author: Moss, Marissa
- Grade Level: 4-6
- Illustrator: Moss, Marissa
- ISBN: 9781442423312
- Price: 12.99
- Length: 160 p.
- Series: Amelia's Notebooks
- Publisher: Simon and Schuster
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2011
This notebook-style book is two summer stories in one: Amelia’s Longest, Biggest, Most-Fights-Ever Family Reunion, and Itchy-Twitchy, Lovey-Dovey Summer at Camp Mosquito. In the first story, Amelia, and her sister Cleo meet their father for the first time. Amelia is distraught as she’s not sure she likes her father, and even worse, Cleo bonds with . . . → Read More: Amelia’s Summer Survival Guide
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on March 13th, 2012 Author: Lankford, Ronald D. Jr. Illustrator: Series: Issues That Concern You Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning ISBN: 9780737749540;
0737749547 Year Published: 2011 Price: 35.75 Grade Level: 7-12 Rating: R*
- Author: Lankford, Ronald D. Jr.
- Grade Level: 7-12
- ISBN: 9780737749540;
0737749547
- Length: 128 p.
- Price: 35.75
- Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning
- Rating: R*
- Series: Issues That Concern You
- Year Published: 2011
An excellent resource for any health class, “Junk Food” editor Ronald D. Lankford calls on guest authors, experts in the field, to write entries throughout the book. Filled with up-to-date (2011) statistics, the author cautions the reader that many junk food companies know that the “best way to sell junk food is to make them . . . → Read More: Junk Food
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on March 12th, 2012 Author: Anderson, M. T. Illustrator: Series: The Norumbegan Quartet Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 9780545138840 Year Published: 2011 Price: 17.99 Grade Level: 5-7 Rating: A
- Author: Anderson, M. T.
- Grade Level: 5-7
- ISBN: 9780545138840
- Length: 324 p.
- Price: 17.99
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Rating: A
- Series: The Norumbegan Quartet
- Year Published: 2011
Book 3 of the Norumbegan Quartet, “Gut and Bone” is a mystery/sci fi puzzling the reader as to who to trust. This “just in the knick of time” adventure continues the story of Brian and Gregory, who enter an alien body in the name of avoiding an alien attack on earth. This book, for science . . . → Read More: The Empire of Gut and Bone
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on March 7th, 2012 Author: Gidwitz, Adam Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Dutton Children's Books ISBN: 9780525423348 Year Published: 2010 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 4-7 Rating: R
- Author: Gidwitz, Adam
- Grade Level: 4-7
- ISBN: 9780525423348
- Length: 256 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2010
“Grimm” is an understatement! This extension of the traditional Hansel and Gretel story adds plenty of blood and gore to appeal to the middle readers. Based loosely on the Grimms’ fairy tales Faithful Johannes, Hansel and Gretel, The Seven Ravens, Brother and Sister, The Robber Bridegroom and The Devil and His Three Golden Hairs, this . . . → Read More: A Tale Dark & Grimm
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on February 20th, 2012 Author: Brimner, Larry Dane Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Calkins Creek ISBN: 9781590787663 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.95 Grade Level: 8 - 12 Rating: R
- Author: Brimner, Larry Dane
- Grade Level: 8 - 12
- ISBN: 9781590787663
- Length: 112 pgs.
- Price: 16.95
- Publisher: Calkins Creek
- Year Published: 2011
- Rating: R
This offers a thorough look at the Civil Rights movement through the opposing eyes of Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and the Commissioner of Public Safety “Bull” Connor. These giants of the 1950 and 60′s came head-to-head in the multiple conflicts such as the Bethel Baptist Church bombing, the Woolworth department-store lunch counter sit-in, attacks by the . . . → Read More: Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on February 14th, 2012 Author: Allison, Jennifer Illustrator: Series: Gilda Joyce series Publisher: Dutton ISBN: 05254422129;
9780525422129 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 5 - 7 Rating: R
- Author: Allison, Jennifer
- Grade Level: 5 - 7
- ISBN: 05254422129;
9780525422129
- Length: 288 pgs.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Dutton
- Rating: R
- Series: Gilda Joyce series
- Year Published: 2011
This is my second Gilda Joyce mystery, and I have to agree, along with my middle-school readers, that Jennifer Allison makes reading entertaining! In this mystery, Gilda’s mom is about to re-marry, and her fiance is not someone you as a reader trust. A creepy story, Gilda’s psychic instincts guide her investigations of this new . . . → Read More: Gilda Joyce: The Bones of the Holy
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 25th, 2012 Author: Erskine, Kathryn Illustrator: Megged, Semadar Series: Publisher: Philomel Books ISBN: 9780399255052 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 5 - 7 Rating: A
- Author: Erskine, Kathryn
- Grade Level: 5 - 7
- Illustrator: Megged, Semadar
- ISBN: 9780399255052
- Length: 247 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Philomel Books
- Rating: A
- Year Published: 2011
14-year old Mike, who is afflicted with dyscalculia, (a math disability) is being raised by a brilliant father who continually tries to cultivate Mike’s love for math and engineering. While he goes off Romania for work, Mike’s father sends him off to rural Pennsylvania to live with distant relatives Moo and Poppy. This small town, . . . → Read More: The Absolute Value of Mike
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 22nd, 2012 Author: Colasanti, Susane Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Viking ISBN: 9780670012244 Year Published: 2010 Price: 17.99 Grade Level: 8-12 Rating:
- Author: Colasanti, Susane
- Grade Level: 8-12
- ISBN: 9780670012244
- Length: 241 p.
- Price: 17.99
- Publisher: Viking
- Year Published: 2010
“So Much Closer” is the story of a journey. Initially Brooke, who is a senior in high school, thinks her journey is the transition she makes from living with her mother in New Jersey to living with her father in New York City. This she does to follow her crush, Scott Abrams, who has moved . . . → Read More: So Much Closer
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 18th, 2012 Author: Cole, Steve Illustrator: Wu, Amy Series: Hunting (Bk. 2) Publisher: Phelomel Books ISBN: 9780399252549 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 5 - 7 Rating: A
- Author: Cole, Steve
- Grade Level: 5 - 7
- Illustrator: Wu, Amy
- ISBN: 9780399252549
- Length: 265 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Phelomel Books
- Rating: A
- Series: Hunting (Bk. 2)
- Year Published: 2011
In this sequel to Z. Rex, thirteen year-old Adam, and his video game-making father, are once again on the run from hyper-evolved dinosaurs. It’s technology-gone-bad in this thought-controlled video game, where Adam and his brainy dad try to rid the world of dangerous velociraptors. This is the perfect series for kids who love video games . . . → Read More: Z.Raptor
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 7th, 2012 Author: Cook, Eileen Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Simon Pulse ISBN: 9781442413252 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 9 - 12 Rating:
- Author: Cook, Eileen
- Grade Level: 9 - 12
- ISBN: 9781442413252
- Length: 256 p.
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Simon Pulse
- Year Published: 2011
After her mother dies, Hailey’s father sends her away to an elite boarding school in Vermont. Here Hailey is a top student, is dating the son of two celebrities, and is favored by all her teachers. But Hailey goes through a “bad girl” streak, making risky decisions, damaging school property, skipping school, and cheating on . . . → Read More: The Education of Hailey Kendrick
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 3rd, 2012 Author: Yancey, Diane Illustrator: Series: Science Behind Sports Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning ISBN: 9781420502930;142050293X Year Published: 2011 Price: 33.45 Grade Level: 7 - 12 Rating: R
- Author: Yancey, Diane
- Grade Level: 7 - 12
- ISBN: 9781420502930;142050293X
- Length: 112 p.
- Price: 33.45
- Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning
- Rating: R
- Series: Science Behind Sports
- Year Published: 2011
Each year the 7th grade science classes do a “physics of sports” report in the spring. This book will be perfect for anyone who chooses basketball as their topic (especially chapter 5 titled “The Physics Behind the Moves.”) Other chapter topics include The Discipline of Training, Sports Medicine, High-Tech Equipment, Bodies in Motion, and The . . . → Read More: Basketball
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 2nd, 2012 Author: Raschka, Chris Illustrator: Raschka, Chris Series: Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 0545298776; 9780545298773 Year Published: 2011 Price: 17.95 Grade Level: 4 - 6 Rating: A
- Author: Raschka, Chris
- Grade Level: 4 - 6
- Illustrator: Raschka, Chris
- ISBN: 0545298776; 9780545298773
- Length: 342 p.
- Price: 17.95
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Rating: A
- Year Published: 2011
Caldecott winner Chris Raschka (Yo! Yes!) tries his hand at writing in this debut novel, flooded with illustrations. Norman Normann (born to Orman and Norma Normann) is in academic trouble, so his parents hire a tutor, Balthazar Birdsong, to help prepare him for an entrance exam. This bird-nosed tutor’s first advice is to read the . . . → Read More: Seriously, Norman!
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on January 2nd, 2012 Author: Nunn, Robin Illustrator: Series: Publisher: ISBN: 9781862058439 Year Published: 2010 Price: 24.95 Grade Level: 7 and up Rating: A
- Author: Nunn, Robin
- Grade Level: 7 and up
- ISBN: 9781862058439
- Length: 144 p.
- Price: 24.95
- Year Published: 2010
- Rating: A
A coffee table book, really,”William & Kate: Celebrating a Royal Engagement” has a misleading title. Admittedly, the photographs of the royal family and Catherine Middleton are both stunning and engaging, but there is very little about the relationship between William and Catherine. As a matter of fact, just as the photographer/author begins to build on . . . → Read More: William & Kate: Celebrating a Royal Engagement
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on December 23rd, 2011 Author: Illustrator: Frieden, Sarajo Series: Publisher: Chronicle Books ISBN: 9780811866545 Year Published: 2010 Price: 18.99 Grade Level: Railsback, Lisa Rating:
- Grade Level: Railsback, Lisa, 3-6
- Illustrator: Frieden, Sarajo
- ISBN: 9780811866545
- Length: 208 p.
- Price: 18.99
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Year Published: 2010
This novel for young artists features, fourth grade Noonie, feeling alone in the world. Her mother died when Noonie was five and her father is off on archeology digs, so Noonie lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. Not a great student, Noonie doodles during class and lands herself in the principal’s office far . . . → Read More: Noonie’s Masterpiece
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