If you are going to buy it for your library, you’ve got to be prepared to buy the whole series, and warn your patrons that this is most definitely the kind of series that one really needs to read in order.  This book alone does not stand on its own feet — it’s more like a mid-season episode of a TV series.  The reader who picks this up to read without having read the earlier books must constantly work at piecing together what’s going on, always well aware that there’s more they don’t know.  That being said, the action is good, the themes of good v. evil (and trying to figure out which is which) are good, the characters seem likeable (though not terribly well-developed in this title alone).

The characters are likable and believable, and facing issues a lot of kids would relate to:  feeling dumb because of school struggles.  For the kids who can’t personally relate, this book is the kind of story that will give them insight into struggles that others face, and help them develop empathy.  The one element of the story that I, as a teacher, did not find believable was that Ally, a fifth grader, has up until now managed to keep all of the adults in her life from knowing that she can’t read.  Though there might have been a time when students could hide such things by acting out like Ally does, our educational world has become so driven by testing data, that there’s no way she would now be in a new school for even a month without someone conducting a reading fluency test.  But kids aren’t going to clue into that, and many may like to think that others are in the dark.  The best thing about this book is that it makes it really clear that Ally is smart, despite her dyslexia.

It’s the second book in a series (and by the looks of things, the middle book of a trilogy), but it reads decently, even if one hasn’t read the first book.  It’s obvious to the reader that there is history among the characters, which might encourage someone who likes this one to go back and read the other, but there’s enough explanation offered so that this book stands okay on its own, without leaving the reader constantly trying to fill holes to figure out what’s going on.  It’s set in late-nineteenth-century London.  The main character, Jem, is a young boy on his own, trying to make his way in the world however he can.  Jem becomes aware that there’s been a rash of children going missing, all within the same neighborhood, and he enlists the help of expert bogler, Alfred, dragging him out of retirement, and offering his services as bogler’s boy, which basically translates as bogle bait.  The team must put themselves in danger and figure out why there have been so many bogles in such close quarters (apparently highly unusual behavior for bogles) in order to save the city from this plague.  It’s engaging, and just scary enough.

Most people totally take for granted the food that arrives in their grocery story.  They also probably feel that their store gives them a large variety of fruits, vegetables and grains.  But many, many facts in The Story of Seeds will surprise readers and more than likely push them to try new varieties that are offered and/or buy from farmer’s markets and co-ops.  Only 150 of the 12,000 plant species are grown for sale in the world today.  Because of this, seed varieties have gone extinct.  This book examines both the factors that have led to this condition as well as the pioneers in cultivation and preservation that are trying to retain what we have left.  Who would have thought that seeds were a goal for capture in World War II?  Would one believe that there is a Doom’s Day Seed Vault in a mountain in Norway?  There is much to be said to the complexity of the world of seeds.  This book would be fabulous for a student wanting to research a unique topic.

Henry has the perfect life, or so it seems.  Born into the riches of Medina (aka land of Bill Gates and friends), he has made all the right moves to prepare himself for  Harvard Law School and a career as a politician.  With girlfriend Catharine by his side, this power couple couldn’t be stopped—until dark eyed, dark haired Anne Boylen crashes into their lives.  Henry’s whole being flips out whenever Anne appears.  There’s nothing he can do to stop his passion for everything that is different about Anne.  Though Anne is not the type of person who will bend over  to fit into a new crowd, to please Henry she is led into situations that totally compromise her.  The constant tension in the book is whether they will make it through together or apart.  A play on the love story of the real Henry VIII and Anne Boylen, readers can wonder how far the author will stray from history while being whipped up in some over the top lusty lines.  There is no outright sex but foreplay abounds.  Some will see this as too “oh, my” while others will drink it up like they did for Bella and Edward.  It could be a fun addition to most high school libraries.

At first glance you might think this is a picture book for grade schoolers, but you’d be wrong. Oh, small children might sit still while you read it to them, but on a deeper level, this is an allegory poking fun at uneducated, simple people.

The story is told in three parts. Part one, the LEEKS, tells about how uneventful a leek’s life is in the vegetable garden. So, when a cow comes along telling them he is Santa they get very excited. The cow invites them to come home with him. “The leeks line up, orderly and disciplined, and one after the other they squeeze through the fence.” Right into the waiting cow’s mouth.

In part two, the CARROTS, in the garden are laughing at the leeks and their demise. Then the carrots begin to worry the reindeer might come and eat them, too. After long discussion where nothing is accomplished, one carrot suggests digging a tunnel a escape from the reindeer. The plan is carried out in teams. The carrots’ tunnel soon runs into a colony of bats. At first the carrots are worried the bats might eat them, but the bats are friendly. The bats are going to a party. The carrots ask if they can come along. No problem. The bats and carrots emerge from the tunnel in a warren full of wild rabbits.

In part three, MIXED VEGETABLES, off in another section of the garden a leek named Romeo finds a carrot named Julienne. They spend their nights whispering together, away from the other vegetables, until one dawn they are discovered. The Leeks are against the Carrots and vice versa. Then the other vegetables from the garden get involved in the insults. Romeo and Julienne sneak away.The vegetable garden is a battle zone. The gardener sees the aftermath and turns the smashed vegetables into soup. And the cow and a rabbit enjoy Romeo and Julienne.

Perceval Barrier’s illustrations are all done in varying shades of orange and green with cartoon conversation bubbles, in addition to the regular text.

Scooby and the gang spend the week at the Tumblewee Ranch.  The owner, Slim Jim, explained to them that someone was stealing his best horses.  Of course Scooby and the gang offer to help solve the problem and as a cover they join a rodeo clown class.  It is no surprise that Shaggy and Scooby are naturals when it comes to goofing around.  Shaggy and Scooby put their rodeo skills to good use and catch the horse thief.  The story follows the standard Scooby mystery story line and is sure to capture the interest of Scooby fans.

The twins Carlos and Carmen are tired of all the rain and can’t wait to go outside again to play. They’re thrilled when they wake up and the rain has stopped.  When they look outside, however, they find their yard covered in water.  The twins make the most of this unexpected development by jumping, spashing, and playing in the water until they are muddy and soaked.  Knowing they can’t go inside in such a messy state, they call their Mom outside.  Instead of being upset, their parents join in the fun, turning an inflatable mattress into a home-made water slide.  They made up for 3 days of rain with a week’s worth of fun in one morning.

These Hispanic characters intersperse the text with short phrases in Spanish. All Spanish terms and phrases are translated into English in the back of the book.  A fun engaging story with energetic characters that is sure to interest young readers.

This title introduces the reader to the land, animals and culture of Bangladesh.  By focusing on the uniqueness, strengths, and challenges of living in Bangladesh the book provides students a good opportunity to find connections and notice differences with their own life.  Maps, graphs, fun facts and vivid colorful photographs help to keep the reader engaged.

Contains Table of Contents, Fast Facts, Glossary, Learn More and Index.  A level 5 Blastoff Reader.

To take care of his or her amazing body, a child needs to eat well, keep moving, fight germs, enjoy fresh air, stay clean, and sleep well.  This title separates these concepts into individual chapters.  The large, easy-to-read text is organized into short segments on each set of pages. Images are colorful and engaging.  This is a good title for young independent readers needing short texts.

Contains Table of Contents and Glossary of bold terms, but lacks an Index.

Also in the series Looking After Me: How Do We Move?; Going to the Doctor; and Going to the Dentist.