A Dog Named Doug by Karma Wilson is a fun, loosely rhyming read. There is some alliteration that can be a bit of a tongue twister. Matt Myers, the illustrator, is creative in tying his pictures into the words, but sometimes the illustrations impeded the text. It took me a bit to figure out that the mountains were standing in for the letter M for several words. As a read aloud, this would be a fun book, but as a book for beginning readers to check out, decoding the words that have pictures as the letter could be a challenge.
What I Leave Behind by: Alison McGhee
Will deals with all of his emotions, troubles, and thinking by walking. Ever since his dad died 3 years ago, he’s been walking to try and rid of the past and make sense for what he’s feeling. Will has many people in his life that he cares about and who care for him in return. One friend, Playa, has been in his life since early elementary school. Although they are not in constant contact with each other, they still have a connection. When Will learns that Playa was raped at a party one night, he feels a sense of guilt – thinking he may have been able to stop it. After the incident he decides to show Playa his care and concern by bringing small gifts to her doorstep. In addition to trying to take care of Playa, he begins to spread small acts of kindness to others in his life. Although Will thinks this is caring for those in his life, it is also a great way to help him deal with the loss of his dad and the emotions that brings about.
The book is more of a novella than a full length novel. The text is written on every other page with Chinese characters on the facing pages. The text is written in small chunks throughout. It is a very fast read and would probably appeal to struggling readers. The book discusses the sensitive topics of suicide and rape, but does so in a way that is relatable and realistic. The book is appropriate for grades 8-12.
A Werewolf Named Oliver James
On his way home from band practice, Oliver missed the bus, people started screaming which confused Oliver. Then he discovered he was a werewolf. As he finds out all the wonderful thing he can do, he realizes his mom will be upset that he is late. Would his parents be mad for being late or would they be afraid of Oliver?
Knock Knock
Knock Knock is a hilarious book about a bear getting ready to settle down for his yearly hibernation. His friends all dropped by and throw him an impromptu party but all Bear wants to do is sleep. The book is full of knock knock jokes that will entertain the audience.
A Valentine For Frankenstein
At the town’s Valentine’s Day Bash, the monsters give Frankenstein a hard time for not being “monster” enough. At the bash, though, Frankenstein receives a secret valentine. Follow along to find out which monster likes Frankenstein just the way he is. It is well illustrated with bright colors. An easy reader with a subtle moral.
Jack B. Ninja
Jack B. Ninja is a new twist on the nursery rhyme Jack Be Nimble. Using a ninja theme, Jack needs to find the treasure chest. There is a surprise ending. It rhymes and flows easily. I found it to be a good read aloud book.
The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily
With apologies to 12th century romantics Abelard and Helouise, Laura Creedle’s The Love Letters of Abelard and Lilly is a romantic story that skims the surface of complicated issues such as ADHD, Autism, divorce and possibly depression. Unrealistically, Abelard and Lilly end up in the principal’s office after breaking into a classroom at their school. After a passionate kiss while awaiting their detention sentence, the two students who have known each other since elementary school obviously are following their loins. Eye-rolling high school aged drama slowly carries the story until Lily has to decide to have a surgery or run away from home with Abelard. The mother’s decisions at the end are even more far-fetched and leave this reader wondering how an editor led the author down this path. This story will be pulled because of its title but I’m don’t think teens will really enjoy it’s trite writing.
The Stand-In
The Stand-In features Brooks, a kid from a working class family with a dead beat dad, who is desperate to get out of town and attend an Ivy league school. Having no money, he volunteers to be a stand-in for a schoolmate’s cousin who got stood up for Homecoming. He planned to do this for free, as a favor, but when he receives a $300 tip, he decides he can earn college money escorting other rich 1% girls in the area. With the potential to earn this kind of money, he’ll be able to hire a tutor to help raise his SAT scores. Columbia University might be within range, after all. His escort business booms, but to keep up the momentum, he makes some minor deceptions, and cuts a few moral corners. And then he meets the unhinged Celia, and the captivating Shelby.
The Stand-In has a young male as the protagonist, which is unusual for many YA novels., and this male POV may appeal to male students.
This fast-faced, hilarious story is a fun read.
Two Summers
Two Summers tells two stories of one summer. In one story, Summer Everett fails to answer a phone call from her father as she prepares to catch a plane to France, where her dad is living the artist life. Upon arrival, she discovers that he’s gone to Berlin and she is left with his friends who are house sitting.
In the other story, Summer answers the phone before getting on the plane, and realizes her summer is Paris is off. Disappointed, she resigns herself to a summer at home.
We see two perspectives: Summer in the French countryside, among sun-kissed fields of lavender. And another Summer in upstate New York, amid familiar settings, but facing a real surprise.
In each version of her summer, she falls in love and discovers new things about herself, including a terrible family secret.
This is a fun read.
Survive Crash
Crash is the story of a girl, Gloria, who on her flight home from losing an important music competition, crashes in the middle of the Arizona desert. Some of her fellow passengers are dead; others injured. Some head across the dessert looking for help. Faced with the realization that all of her technical ability at violin will not help her in this desperate situation, she must rely on her survival instincts, as the chance of rescue is remote.
While this is not the best written novella (there are some awkward sentences and some mildly unrealistic plot turns), the story is action packed. There is a certain amount of gore, a bit of romance, and the story will appeal to readers who enjoy adventure. The reading level is such that it is an appropriate book for both middle and high school students.
Crash is part of the Survive series, but the titles are stand alone.