Alexander, Kwame. The Crossover. 978-0544107717. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. $16.99. 240p. Gr. 6-12.
In this multiple-award-winning book, Alexander introduces us to Josh Bell, a 12-year old twin who’s a basketball phenom and budding rapper. Written all in verse, first person by Josh, we learn of his school career, social struggles, his hoop dreams, and his dad the loving former basketball star who guides the boys. But center stage in the story is Josh’s becoming-more- complicated-by-the-day relationship with his twin brother, thanks to girl troubles. This beautifully done book combines infectious rhymes, a wonderfully engaging and authentic story, fun and inventive vocabulary, and visual dazzle. Many of the poems are in “concrete” form, where font size, placement and other devices are used to accentuate the action. I loved reading this book and I predict your middle-grade through high school basketball fans will too.
Fiction told in Verse, Friendship, Basketball Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Rivers, Rivers. Finding Ruby Starling. New York: Arthur A. Levine, 2014. 978-0-545-53479-6. 294 p. $17.99. Gr. 6-9.
Mistaken identity in the digital age develops throughout the novel. Ruth is causally looking at an online site that matches all of the pictures on the internet and finds of yourself. The result brings pictures that look just like Ruth, but that clearly are not in her memory or country. She contacts Ruby, the look-alike, through e-mail and the story unfolds after many e-correspondences. It turns out that both girls are struggling as they get closer to reaching the age of 13. Friendships can seem fickle and crushes might be difficult to understand, but reaching out to a possible twin is a new concept that neither imagined. Is there anyway that these two really are twins? If so, will they ever forgive their mother? Is it possible that someone else is responsible for their separation? The novel unfolds through e messages and letters in rapid pace. Finding Ruby Starling is a Junior Library Guild selection.
Fiction, Friendship, Family, Identity Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School
Preller, James. Scary Tales: Nightmareland. New York, NY: Feiwel & Friends, 2014. 978-1-250-01893-9. 96 pages. $5.99 (paperback). Grades 3-6.
James Preller attempts the scary level of Alvin Schwartz and R.L. Stine without being either too gross, too gory, or too hard to read in this latest addition to the Scary Tales series. Aaron Wheeler is a normal kid looking for a cool new video game to play in this tale. He finds a mysterious game which seems to quickly draw him into the game, where winter and wolves and other evil things await. With the help from the outside, can he get out of the game alive? Nightmareland was my first venture into this series, but with the easy booktalk sell, there is a good chance it’s not my last.
Fiction; Suspense Dustin Brackbill State College Area School District
Ingalls, Ann. Biggety Bat: Hot Diggety, It’s Biggety! New York: Scholastic, 2014. 978-0-545-66263-5. 30 p. Grades PK- 1.
This fun new character flies through the night looking for a friend. Along the way he meets many of the creatures that live near his home, but all of them seem to have a friend except him. Biggety eventually meets some playful raccoon kits and spends time playing with his new friends. According to the end notes, this character is a Mexican free-tailed bat . Millions of these bats live under a bridge in Texas and come out at night to eat insects and put on a show for the waiting spectators. The colorful and friendly pictures will draw in the early reader, while the easy to read text will encourage them to greater reading success.
Easy Fiction Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy
Hills, Tad. Rocket’s 100th Day of School. New York: Random House, 2014. 978-0-385-39097-2. 30 p. $3.99 . Grades PK-1 .
The new addition of Rocket easy readers has arrived! In this sweet adventure, Rocket is gathering 100 items for the 100th day of school celebration. As he gathers the items, he stores them in his squirrel friend’s tree. When the day of the 100th day celebration arrives, Rocket counts his items and only has 95 things! His five acorns are missing! What happened to the acorns? How will Rocket solve his problem?
This book would make a great addition to your 100th day books and easy reader collection. The familiar characters and easy text will provide for a great experience for new readers. We love Rocket and friends!
Easy Fiction Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy
Frederick, Heather Vogel. Absolutely Truly. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014. 978-1-4424-2972-7. 355p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.
Trying to keep the Lovejoy’s Books running while everything in the family is falling to pieces is the main theme of this book. Throw in a mystery regarding an unsent letter in a first edition copy of Charlotte’s Web and a father having trouble with posttraumatic stress after an explosion of an IED in Afghanistan and you have a fantastic novel for middle grade readers. This chapter book is a page-turner with engaging characters. Many readers will be able to relate to the multitude of changes the characters have to make, from a move, to wanting to fit in and family and personal struggles. The chapter breaks are perfect for readers that like to pace themselves in that way. The dialogue is real, like true conversation and the descriptions provide a mode that leaves the reader able to insert some of their own imagination while reading. A perfect book that conveys some of the struggles our military children must face when their family members return home.
Realistic Fiction Denise Naumann, Eisenhower Elementary
Lord, Cynthia. half a chance. Scholastic Inc.: New York. 9780545035330. 224p. $16.99. Ages 8-12.
Lucy and her parents have moved….again. Lucy’s father is a professional photographer who doesn’t like to stay one place too long. This time they have moved to New Hampshire, where Lucy learns to love nature and make new friends, including Grandma Lila. Lucy quickly learns the way of the lake and what is involved in being part of the ‘Loon Patrol’. She also decides to take her chances at a photography contest her father is judging. This is a fantastic story of self-discovery as well as a story that introduces younger readers to the realities of dementia. This would make a great literature circle read!
Realistic Fiction Krista Goodzinski/Mars Centennial