Plants are stationary, right? Plants Can’t Sit Still invites the reader to discover the many ways that plants move.  “Plants can creep.  They slither underground or crawl through tall grass searching for the things all plants need.” The descriptive language and bright pictures will intrigue young scientists and encourage them to explore the world around them.  For older students, focus on the descriptive verbs (easily identifiable with enlarged colored font) and personification.  The back matter provides more detailed information about the plants pictured in the book, a glossary, and a More Information section.

Starting with a description of the caterpillar’s body, this book continues with chapters on where to find caterpillars, their food, what they do, and a labeled diagram.  Simple text and colorful photos often with captions make this a good option for young readers.  Magnified images show the diversity and beauty of caterpillars.  Both academic and content vocabulary are bold in the text and defined in the glossary. Also contains a Table of Contents and an Index.

A good size for small hands to hold.

This book is part of the Survivors series, which are stories of bravery and survival at different times in history.

This particular story centers around Lily LeGrand, a Cajun girl in the mid 1800’s. She is a strong, feisty character, who overcomes the weakness of her deformed foot to save the rich plantation owner’s sons. Two of the boys are very unkind to her, but the third boy, Paul treats her as a friend and comes to her aid when the others torment her. As a result of his chivalry, his two brothers drag him into the alligator and snake infested swamp, planning to leave him there to teach him a lesson. Not only is his life in jeopardy, but his brothers become lost and are nearly killed by an alligator.

Cajuns are treated poorly in this time and place and they see little use in forming a search party for the lost plantation owner’s sons. But, Lily knows that Paul is a good person and strikes out alone to save him. In the process, she saves the others as well, gaining their respect and apologies.

This is a fast-paced story that will entertain young readers, while they are immersed in the lives of kids who lived over 150 years ago. Recommended.

A pun-filled book that begins with a rainy day recess show-and-tell is sure to make students gasp and giggle as they turn the pages.

Some of the puns might be a little over the readers’ heads (“that’s cheesy…Limburger” or”that’s gross…144 items”). But overall, it’s a humorous take on some come comments that might otherwise get one in trouble.

The illustrations fit the text nicely. They are clear and well-defined. Use this book when you are teaching a unit on humorous writing.

A Newbery Honor poet partners with a Caldecott artist to produce an illustrated poem written as an invocation – this is truly a powerful combination.
This is a book that needs to be examined and studied several times through. Each time, new details are discovered that further illustrate the short, but dramatic, poem and add depth to the simple and effective words.
The tone is quiet and contemplative. The illustrations are very well-done and can lead to a conversation about the method of scratchboard art, with its intricate details and mostly black and white colors.
This is a quiet, flowing book which should be savored and enjoyed fully – don’t hurry through it!

Fuddles has a perfect life until Puddles (you can guess the reason for his name), the puppy, enters his life. Fuddles is no longer the king of his domain – there is a messy, loud canine there to ruin his day. But, Fuddles changes his opinion of Puddles after a near-disaster with the neighbor dog.

Pictures convey the absolute disgust and disdain that Fuddles has for Puddles. The text is accessible and children will laugh out loud at the cat’s inability to escape the puppy’s slobbery kisses and adoration!

This is an extremely well thought out and organized book directed at kids and teenagers who tend to be quiet or introverted.  This reviewer tends to be quiet, but always in the middle of introversion versus extroversion, since I love crowds and lots of activity.  I wish I had had this book when I was a very quiet teenager, afraid to speak up in class.  One example of this advice is in Chapter 14, The Restorative Niche, which describes people who need to have alone time and how to create a space where they can go to recharge their batteries.  This was helpful for me as a parent, especially since I don’t need this as much as some of my children.

Each chapter presents different characters in everyday scenarios with their varying personalities and needs.  The author then goes on to show how these characters were able to overcome difficulties and be powerful.  At the end of every chapter, there is practical advice on how to deal with these situations. Most chapters also have a cartoonish infograph to make it light in its topics, such as finding a way to leave a party when uncomfortable.  

This is a book that one can read only a few chapters, picking and choosing, and still get a lot out of this book; although I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover.  My favorite chapter was Chapter 12, Changing the World the Quiet Way as it is helpful for Girl Scouts who are looking for Gold Award projects or Boy Scouts looking for Eagle Scout projects.  I highly recommend this book for students, introverts, parents, and teachers.

-Sherrie Barrett for Capital High School Library

We Know It Was You‘s intensity right at the beginning hooked this reader.  Someone was definitely  a psychopath!  We’re not talking blood and guts– this killer in this  works on an emotional level. Formatted as a detective’s log book with dates and times rather than chapters, this is a murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns.  As part of  the initial shock of an opening, readers meet Benny Flax, a nerd who attends the private Winship Academy in Atlanta.  Benny had started a club years prior where he investigates unusual events in the school.  The only other member of his club is Virginia.  While he wants to solve mysteries, she just wants to be part of them.  Throughout the story, these two will work as foils for each other until the mystery is solved.  While Benny and Virginia are as innocent as can be, readers need to be aware that there are definitely upper high school/adult content to the point where there were times this reader felt uncomfortable and wondered the purpose of the talk about sex and body parts.  It did not help the plot at all.  Because of this, a novel that could have been a starred recommendation dropped significantly to just an additional purchase and not really recommended.

A double homicide upsets the quiet Swedish village of Blackwater. The residents are left dealing with finding the murderer while dealing with their own personal issues. The two main characters, Annie Raft and Johann Brandberg, face communes and cults while coping with their issues of isolation and fear which is the main theme of the novel.

In this adult book, while the writing is very pretty, the plot is very confusing; the point-of-view was messy. The novel is translated from Swedish. There was character development, but it was lost in the flip-flopping of the characters’ stories. The reader’s full attention is required and multiple readings might be necessary in order to fully understand the plot development.
Final verdict: It is an interesting book, but, will leave the reader more confused than satisfied.

— Faith E.

This dystopian novel takes place after the Seventeen Days of destruction. Eliza, the second princess of England, must find her captured brother and sister and stop the man who killed her mother. Eliza, pretending to be one of “the evil people” sees how they evil people fight and rule. Thus, educating her to become more passionate for the people and the crown.

If you are looking for a literary read, this is not the book. However, if you are looking for an engaging, fun, fast-paced read, this is your book. Teens will be able to relate to the characters especially Eliza, who depicts a strong heroine, and her younger brother, who is a symbol for freedom and growing up. There are some very fun plot twists. The romance between Eliza and Wesley seems a bit unnecessary. The end is very powerful, but some of the impact of the ending is lost when the reader realizes that there will be a second book. This book is smartly-written and readers will enjoy the wild ride.

— Faith E.