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.