Elementary Fiction – Ranger in Time; Wolf in Snow; Steppin’ Out; Beautiful Birds

Posted on September 14, 2017 by pslamediaselectionreview

Messner, Kate. Ranger in Time: Journey Through Ash and Smoke. Scholastic Press, 2017. 978-0-545-90979-2. 124 p. $17.99. Gr. 2-5.

If you don’t know Kate Messner’s Ranger in Time series, you’re missing out! A little bit Magic Tree House and little bit I Survived…, this series features a time-travelling dog, Ranger. He lives in present day and failed search-and-rescue training due to his love of chasing squirrels, but he’s often called to help kids in dangerous situations at different times in history. His training comes in handy, as does his love and trust in humans. In this story, Ranger is called to help Helga, a young girl from Norway whose family has moved to Viking Age Iceland. Helga is strong and resourceful, and at first Ranger seems to receive more help from Helga than the other way around. When Helga’s pregnant mother goes into early labor and a nearby volcano shows signs of eruption, Helga and Ranger venture out together to find Helga’s father, gone to a nearby meeting over a day’s travel away from home. Ranger helps Helga out of a very dangerous situation and the whole family stays safe. Messner’s series is fast-paced, full of adventure and historically accurate details, and of course, lovable Ranger. She includes an excellent Author’s Note in each book with information about her research process and travels. THOUGHTS: Hand this one to dog lovers who are looking for a good adventure. They won’t be disappointed.

Action/Adventure Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

Cordell, Matthew. Wolf in the Snow. Feiwel and Friends, 2017. 978-1-250-07636-6. Unpaged. $17.99. Gr. K-3.

A lovely tale of courage and kindness, this story is perfect for sharing one-on-one. A little girl in a red coat heads home from school and gets lost in a snowstorm; the same storm separates a wolf pup from his pack. The little girl finds the wolf pup struggling in the snow and helps him find his way back to his howling pack, even though she is tired and the wolves could do her harm. When they find the wolf pack,

Cordell amps up the drama with a two-page spread of opposite vignettes: the wolf pup’s golden eyed mother versus the wide-eyed girl holding the pup. The wolf mother inspects her unharmed pup and understands the little girl’s kind gesture. She sets off for home, even more tired than before, and shortly after collapses in the snow. In a show of repaid kindness, the wolf pack surrounds her and howls to attract the attention of the little girl’s family and dog who are out searching for her. The story ends with both little ones safely returned to their families. Cordell’s story is basically wordless aside from a few howls and huffs from the little ones; expressive faces and beautiful colors tell the story. Kids might make comparisons to Little Red Riding Hood but I think the little girl’s coat color is a coincidental choice since red stands out in the white snowstorm. Help them find the beauty in the story’s kindness and they will want to read it again and again. THOUGHTS: A simple story that will find a happy home in most libraries.

Picture Book Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

Oliver, Lin and Tomie DePaola. Steppin’ Out: Jaunty Rhymes for Playful Times. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2017. 978-0-399-17434-6. Unpaged. $17.99. Gr. Pre-K – 2.

What awaits eager children when they step out of their homes in the morning? A world of possibility and exploration, of course! Set to simple, catchy rhythms and rhymes by Lin Oliver, we journey to the library, the mall, the car wash, relatives, the playground and more. The classic art style of Tomie DePoala captures a wonderful array of children’s faces and colorful scenes which bring the poems to life. Many of the quatrains and free verse will have you tapping out the rhythm as you read – which is exactly the point of the journey. So step out of your usual poetry collection and step into familiar yet new world of an early learner. THOUGHTS: This would go well with Kindergarten or Pre-school units about towns and places. It also does an outstanding job of representing diverse children in the illustrations; even while the poems remain fairly neutral in their voice. Classic DePaola at work!

811, Poetry Dustin Brackbill, State College Area SD

Del Rizzo, Suzanne. My Beautiful Birds. Pajama Press Inc., 2017. 978-1-77278-010-9. Unpaged. $17.95. Gr. 1-3.

The memories of a child refugee are often full of fear, confusion, uncertainty, and sadness. When Sami escapes from his Syrian village, those feelings are there, as well as concern for his beautiful pigeons that he kept as pets. The birds couldn’t flee with them, but Sami holds onto the belief that they got out safely. The worry keeps Sami from adapting to his new surroundings, until some new birds arrive one day and bring the most important need for refugees: hope. Suzanne Del Rizzo, a Canadian author and artist, does a remarkable job of capturing the thoughts of Sami in limited text and bringing the visuals to life with amazing clay, acrylic, and mixed media scenes. The details of the artwork along with the heartfelt topic make this a beautiful story that you won’t soon forget. THOUGHTS: The afterword by the author reminded me that there aren’t many books to explain the life of a refugee for younger readers. There is much to their lives that kids can connect and empathize. Plus, an art teacher would have to be captivated by this conceptual creation!

Picture Book Dustin Brackbill State College Area SD

YA Fiction – Loving vs. Virginia; The Cruelty; Frostblood

Posted on May 31, 2017 by pslamediaselectionreview

Powell, Patricia Hruby. Loving vs. Virginia. Illustrated by Shadra Strickland, Chronicle Books, 2017. 978-1-4521-2590-9. 260 pp. $21.99. Gr. 7 and up.

“Here in Washington my name is Mrs. Loving. / That is one good thing about Washington, D.C.” (181). In 1963, at the height of the Civil Rights movement, 24 states had laws making interracial marriage illegal. In 1958, five years prior, Mildred Jeter, a black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, who grew up together on Passing Road, Central Point, Caroline County, Virginia, married in Washington D.C. Upon their return to Caroline County, they were arrested in the middle of the night by the Sheriff. They were found guilty of miscegenation and sentenced to one year in prison or a suspended sentence for 25 years so long as they left Caroline County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. They returned to Washington D.C. but did not give up their fight. For nine years they fought for the freedom to love one another publicly, through marriage, in their home, Caroline County, Virginia. On June 12, 1967, Richard and Mildred Loving were granted the ability to return home when the United State Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Lovings. “Upholding the Virginia laws amounted to ‘legalized prejudice’ and relegated the Negro to second-class citizenship” (232). The Lovings’ 14th Amendment Right would no longer be denied. THOUGHTS: Loving vs. Virginia is one of the most amazing historical fiction/documentary novels/novel-in-verse available for young adults. It beautifully captures the Lovings’ relationship and the prejudice and discrimination they fought daily while highlighting the love of family and spirit necessary to forge on in a fight that seemed hopeless. This is a must-have for all high school libraries.

Historical Fiction (Novel-in-Verse/Documentary Novel) Erin Parkinson, Beaver Area

This is the best historical, documentary novel I’ve read in awhile. It literally gave me goosebumps as I read about Mildred and Richard Loving, especially when Mildred writes a letter to Attorney General Bobby Kennedy about their situation; all I could think was, “You Rock!” It’s hard to imagine that interracial marriage was once a felony in almost half of the United States and that the last miscegenation law wasn’t abolished until 2000. This novel is eye-opening and beautifully written and illustrated. It shares the story of love overcoming all without being sappy or romantic. It takes a little known court case that was crucial to Civil Rights and presents it in a very understandable setting: two people just want to be married and live in the home they’ve known all their lives. The interspersed primary sources are excellent and add just enough for context and connections. The timeline at the end and the notes add to reader’s understanding. I read about the film Loving earlier in the year and thought it sounded interesting. Now, I have to see it. It’s a shame the Lovings never lived to see the full impact they made on our society.

Bergstrom, Scott. The Cruelty. Feiwel & Friends, 2017. 978-1-250-10818-0. 384 p. Gr. 9 and up.

With the roles reversed from the Taken movies, The Cruelty begins by building the backstory of Gwendoyln Bloom’s life with her father before he disappears. Upon her father’s disappearance, though not always believable, Gwendoyln transforms from average high school student to mafia/mob spy infiltrator after her father goes missing. Instead of trusting the authorities, Gwendolyn follows a series of clues left behind by her father. THOUGHTS: Readers looking for a fast-paced, though not necessarily realistic, action-packed adventure around the world will enjoy The Cruelty. Though the ending is somewhat resolved, it absolutely sets up book two, and readers will anxiously await more of the story.

Action/Adventure Maryalice Bond, South Middleton School District

Blake, Elly. Frostblood. Little, Brown Books, 2017. 978-0-316-27325-1. 376 p. Gr. 9 and up.

With action, adventure, revenge, and a little bit of romance all set in a fantasy world of frost and fire, Frostblood does not disappoint! Readers will devour this book and won’t be able to wait for book 2, Fireblood, release! The twists and turns of the story are unexpected, and one cannot easily predict how the story will end. There certainly is something for everyone in this genre-blending YA book!

Fantasy Maryalice Bond, South Middleton School District

We’re Back…Time for some 2017! Elementary/MS Series Fiction – You Choose; Sleuths of Somerville; Dark Waters

Posted on May 22, 2017 by pslamediaselectionreview

You Choose: Haunted Places. Capstone, 2017. 112pp. $23.99 ea. Gr. 3-7.

Chandler, Matt. Alcatraz. 978-1-5157-2580-0.

Doeden, Matt. The Queen Mary. 978-1-5157-2578-7.

Alcatraz contains 42 choices and 15 endings while The Queen Mary contains 33 choices and 14 endings. The other books in this set are Tower of London and The Winchester Mystery House. A reading of Alcatraz may find readers wanting to learn more about The Warden’s House, “Machine Gun” Kelly, Al Capone, Robert Stroud, “The Birdman,” escape attempts, and tourism of the island. Topics including the roles in history that boats played, the reported hauntings, and various locations on a ship can be obtained in readings of The Queen Mary. Throughout the books, primary source photographs and diagrams are included. The epilogue details the locations and significances in history. Following the epilogue readers have a detailed timeline, a glossary questions to explore, suggestions to read more and Facthound information to continue researching the topic. THOUGHTS: At our library we already have numerous books from the You Choose series. Students enjoy these books and often ask if there is a reading test to go along the book. Since there are multiple choices and/or possible ending possibilities, I ask the students how the test questions would be answered. They understand the unique reading experience in these books is highly engaging, but not best measured with a test.

Action/Adventure Beth McGuire, Hempfield Area School District

Jakubowski,Michele. The Sleuths of Somerville. Stone Arch, 2017. 978-1-4965-3207-7. 144pp. $18.99 ea. Gr. 4-6.

Mick’s Buried Treasure. 978-1-4965-3178-0.

Secrets in Somerville. 978-1-4965-3175-9.

These books are fast paced. In Secrets in Somerville, the main character children yearn for excitement one might experience in a large city. Jace and Evie walk into the diner as new residents to Somerville and that is unexpected. Even more unusual is that they will be living in the old Potter house. Excitement builds when a resident’s dog, Rex, is missing. The novel Mick’s Buried Treasure begins in a hot September. The town has a resurgence of community pride after connection to Lincoln is unearthed. When the friends overhear the kindness of Mick and his buried treasure, they are off on a quest to solve the mystery first placing clues together. Jace is going to learn more about his family and the strength of friends. THOUGHTS: Mystery fans will gravitate towards this fast paced series. The books contain a glossary in addition to questions for discussion and writing, which can also be used as a teaching tool.

Mystery Beth McGuire, Hempfield Area School District

Gilbert, Julie. Dark Waters: Into the Storm A Mermaid’s Journey. Stone Arch, 2017. 978-1-4965-4171-0. $25.99. 155pp. Gr. 5-8.

India Finch didn’t know about her “mer” heritage until spending the summer with her grandfather. Growing up biracial has been difficult for India, but this new information is still difficult for her to process. With the threat of a hurricane, India wants to warn the mer. The Pizza Plus worker is actually the sea witch who has a past with India’s father. While warning the mer of the plan of the sea witch, India saves Evan, her crush, underwater with CPR. There is an epic battle.What happened with her father all of those years ago? This book also contains full colored artwork, a glossary, and discussion and writing questions. There are currently three other books in the series: Fire and Ice: A Mermaid’s Journey, Neptune’s Trident: A Mermaid’s Journey, and The Sighting: A Mermaid’s Journey. THOUGHTS: Currently there are three other books in the series: Fire and Ice: A Mermaid’s Journey, Neptune’s Trident: A Mermaid’s Journey, and The Sighting: A Mermaid’s Journey. Dark Waters is ideal for students that enjoy Donnelly’s Deep Blue series and Tera Lynn Childs Forgive My Fins.

Fantasy, Action/Adventure Beth McGuire, Hempfield Area School District

Upper Elem/MS Fiction – Secret Coders; Spirit Animals; Charlie Joe Jackson; Best Friends…

Posted on March 13, 2017 by pslamediaselectionreview

Yang, Gene Luen and Mike Holmes. Secret Coders: Paths and Portals. New York: First Second, 2016.978-1-62672-340-5. $18.99. 94 p. Gr. 3-6.

Readers have a chance to write the programming codes throughout the book and take delight in a programmed turtle. Eni, Josh, and Hopper look forward to working with the school janitor, Mr. Bee, and learning more about technology. In the past Mr. Bee was a professor and in charge of The Bee School. When Hooper doesn’t answer what helped her with her homework, the principal has the rugby team closely watch them. The trio doesn’t want to upset Mr. Bee that they lost the turtle known as Little One. At the end of the novel, Mr. Bee is captured by the rugby team and principal. The artwork throughout the novel is in shades of green and black. THOUGHTS: This is the second book in the series and will be continued with Secret Coders: Secrets and Sequences. There is a website to visit as well: www.secret-coders.com. The website includes a video lesson on coding and downloadable activities.

Graphic Novel Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Auxier, Jonathan. Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts: Book 4 The Burning Tide. New York: Scholastic, 2016. 978-0-545-83214-4. $12.99. 181 p. Gr. 3-8.

Meilin is caused great pain when the dark Wyrm infection controls close friend and fellow Greencloaks, Conor. Conor rallies “The Many” to fight against Meilin and the others trying to save the universe. Meilin continues to distrust Kovo since she had troubling experiences with him in the past. Abeke like Meilin is battling matters of trust while struggling with the capture and betrayal of her Spirit Animal. Are the Redcloaks to be trusted during this final battle? The book allows for unlikely heroes and even at times an opening for readers to cheer for those thought to be on the dark side. THOUGHTS– There is a happy moment in the return of a character missing for quite some time in the series. It is impressive how character from books ago weave into the story. The series continues to deliver action and adventure for readers.

Fantasy; Action/Adventure Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Greenwald, Tommy. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Growing Up. Illustrated by J.P. Coovert. New York: Roaring Books Press, 2016. 978-1-62672-169-2. $13.99. 173 p. Gr. 5-8.

Charlie Joe is not thrilled to share his birthday with middle school graduation. In fact, Charlie Joe is not happy getting older and having more responsibilities. This book is told in chapter format going back to the start of the day and sprinkled with flashbacks to other milestone events. The book is peppered with humor at a pool party, air hockey championship, baseball game, and dog tricks. Charlie Joe has a few bonus tips for the readers before the book concludes.

THOUGHTS– This is the sixth and final book in the Charlie Joe Jackson series. Fans of Janet Tashjian’s The My Life Series (Henry Holt) series are sure to like this series as well.

Realistic Fiction Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Vrettos, Adrienne Maria. Best Friends for Never. New York: Scholastic, 2016. 978-0-545-56149-5. $16.99. 229 p. Gr. 3-6.

Hattie was perfectly content living in Brooklyn, NY, and spending time with her best friend, but now her father has an opportunity to take over a dentist office in Trepan’s Grove, Massachusetts. Hattie has made new friends over the summer, but she feels like she can’t wear the clothes she really likes or share her reading interests. Hattie is warned not to fall into a jinx at her first fall harvest. After seeing a classmate face betrayal from friends at school, Hattie is inspired to write a friendship pact. Her new trio of friends sign the pact, but something very odd happens shortly making them forget Hattie. At school she is assigned to be partners with Zooey, the girl who was betrayed by friends at school. While Hattie would like their history project to focus on the local lore of the Harvest Jinx, but Zooey sees the topic of colonial women to be more important. Through research and the help of Maude, an 18 year old of town prodigy now already a professor, will the jinx be broken? THOUGHTS– The book celebrates acceptance of the individual. Since writing adds an element of magic, another good book to partner with Best Friends Never is All the Answers by Kate Messner (Bloomsbury, 2015).

Realistic Fiction Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Upper Elementary/MS – Sybil Ludington; Eureka Key; Flying Lessons; Jingle

Posted on February 9, 2017 by pslamediaselectionreview

Abbot, E.F. Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Rider (Based on a True Story series). New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2016. 978-1-250-06835-4. 192 p. $15.99. Gr. 3-6

Sybil Ludington is part of a spy family during the Revolutionary War. Her father, in charge of a unit of militiamen, needed help with the war effort. Sybil and her sister write notes in code to communicate with other regiments. Her mother and sisters save the house from invasion by outsmarting the British spies. When someone is needed to gather her father’s men to fight, sixteen-year-old Sybil braves numerous dangers, riding by herself through the night to sound the alarm. THOUGHTS: A very interesting book about a period in time not many know about. I love the non-fiction aspect of it! There are historical photographs and pictures throughout the book depicting scenes and items (a coal scuttle for example) so the reader is given a better sense of what it was like.

Historical Fiction Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

Thomson, Sarah L. Secrets of the Seven: The Eureka Key. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016. 978-1-61963-731-3. 240 p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.

Middle schooler Sam Solomon is really smart, but really bored. He uses his brains to hack the school bell to play music from his favorite video game, and to access the principal’s computer to change his best friends grades. His teachers and parents are worried that this behavior will turn into real trouble. So when Sam wins The American Dream contest and gets to spend the summer on a trip across the country, everyone is hopeful for a positive change. Sam and the other contest winners, brainy Martina and elusive Theo, set off to Death Valley, California, ready to explore seven natural wonders of America. At each stop, the trio will solve puzzles and use clues from the nation’s history to find seven piece of a powerful artifact. But at the first stop, things don’t go very well, and Sam, Martina and Theo find themselves in the middle of a very powerful mystery. They soon discover that they hold the key to unlocking a secret from America’s past, and that there are people out there that will do dangerous things to keep it a secret. THOUGHTS: A fun, approachable read for fans of any Rick Riordan book or the National Treasure movies.

Adventure Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

Oh, Ellen Ed. Flying Lesson & Other Stories. New York, NY: Crown Books, 2017. 978-1-101-93459-3. 216 pp. $16.99. Gr. 4-8.

As the cry for more diverse books in children’s literature starts to see results, this collection of short stories edited by Ellen Oh, cofounder of We Need Diverse Books, should gain prominent attention as an exemplary work. The ten short stories capture important and ordinary moments of youth across the country, allowing the reader to hopefully see themselves as well as the lives of other ethnicities and viewpoints. From Matt de la Pena’s hoop obsessed teen to a poor struggling obedient son from Kelly Baptist to Tim Federle’s slightly neurotic and obsessed girl facing a secret Santa dilemma, each story is immediate, empathetic, and engaging. Other distinguished authors include Jacqueline Woodson, Kwame Alexander, and Grace Lin. As Oh says in her foreward, “… our stories are unique, just like we are.” With inspiration and a closing sample from Walter Dean Myers, we have a warm and readable look into the many lives whose stories are diverse yet connected, often through the power of books. THOUGHTS: Great for both read alouds and ideas for writing prompts, I would recommend this book to classroom teachers who want to show perspective and point of view. Plus, hopefully, it will open the readers to new ways of understanding and valuing each other.

Realistic Fiction; Short Stories Dustin Brackbill, State College Area School District

Korman, Gordon. Jingle (A Swindle Mystery). New York: Scholastic Press, 2016. 978-0-545-86142-7. $16.99. 199 pp. Gr. 3-7.

Griffin Bing, Ben Slovak, and their crew are back at it in Jingle, a Christmas themed Swindle mystery. After receiving letters thanking them for volunteering for the Colchester family’s Santa’s Workshop Holiday Spectacular, an annual holiday event presented by the wealthy Colchester family for the town of Cedarville, Griffin, Ben, and the gang are horrified that their holiday and winter break plans have been ruined, and it’s all Logan’s fault. Facing the daily misery of dressing like an elf and working with their nemesis, Darren Vader, the group determines this will be the worst Christmas ever; of course that is until the prize of the the spectacular, the Star of Prague, goes missing, and Griffin, Ben, and their friends become prime suspects. Going from elf to robbery suspect doesn’t exactly make for the best break ever, but it does allow Griffin to get back to his “plans”. Knowing that this time they aren’t to blame, the friends set out to clear their names and figure out who really stole the Star of Prague. Of course, they get arrested and into their own trouble along the way (what’s a tiny bar fight when you’re in middle school), and have to deal with their own personal (Logan not getting into the North Star Players) and family (Hanukkah vs. Christmas) problems. THOUGHTS: This was my first Swindle mystery and was very easy to understand even though I hadn’t read the previous seven titles. This is a fun, fast-paced mystery for upper elementary and middle school students. The interaction of the friends is both a great example of friendship and a lesson in when to say no or question “the plan”. Gordon Korman once again delivers a winner.

Mystery Erin Parkinson, Beaver Area MS/HS

Middle Grades Fiction – Beetle Boy; Winter’s Bullet; Goldi & the Three Vamps; US Spec. Forces

Posted on November 18, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Leonard, M.G. Beetle Boy. New York: Scholastic, 2016. 978-0-545-85346-0. 270 p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.

Darkus is sure that his father would not abandon him, but his father is missing nonetheless. As he lives with his uncle and navigates bullies at school, Darkus makes two good friends in Virginia and Bertolt. With his friends, Darkus sets off on a dangerous mission to protect special beetles and find his father. The villain, Lucretia Cutter, an avant garde designer and scientist studying beetles, could be a fiction best friend of Dodie Smith’s Cruella de Vil from The Hundred and One Dalmatians. At the end of the novel suspense is high as the villain escapes leaving an opening for the next book in the series. Included for readers, following the story, is an insect related dictionary. THOUGHTS: It might be a good idea to ask students who have ever had a pet beetle to get their attention and then promote this novel. An ideal read-a-like is the book In Search of Goliathus Hercules, a book that I reviewed for PSLA in March 2014 – https://pslamediaselectionreview.edublogs.org/2014/03/01/march-2014-bob-fiction-reviews/.

Adventure; Mystery Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Osborne, William. Winter’s Bullet. New York: Chicken House, 2016. 978-0545- 853446. $18.99. 221 pp. Gr. 5-8.

Fifteen-year old Tygo Winter is brave but alone since his Dutch parents were killed and his older sister was taken away (and likely dead). He is hated and hunted by the Resistance for his work for Oberst Kruger, chief of the Gestapo’s “Plunder Squad” of Amsterdam. The Nazis use the ruse of “safekeeping” to loot valuables from Dutch homes, but Tygo has no choice in the matter. His expert locksmith father had worked for Kruger rather than watch his family be killed. Now it’s Tygo’s turn, and the Resistance may kill him as they did his father. Kruger has fittingly named him “Frettchen” (ferret) and keeps careful tabs on everything Tygo does, says, or thinks. While searching yet another Dutch home, Tygo finds a girl hiding in the chimney. He keeps the knowledge to himself (or so he thinks) but returns when he realizes who she is and what she may have: the “Red Queen” diamond that Kruger wants for Hitler himself. Meanwhile, Tygo learns of a secret weapon Hitler has commissioned, a weapon that can destroy New York City. All of this comes together in the last days of the war, and Tygo is an important part of it all. THOUGHTS: This offers a look at an important time in World War II history, the gains and losses of the final days of the war. Tygo’s desperate situation sheds light on the Plunder Squad, the Resistance movement, the atomic bomb, and Argentina’s support of the Nazis. Readers get to know Tygo, but only scratch the surface with other characters, despite Osborne’s occasional narrative switch from Tygo to Kruger or Heinrich Muller. The fact that Osborne has long been a screenwriter explains the fact that this novel reads like a movie. Despite this, middle school readers will be drawn to the topic and enjoy the action.

Historical Fiction Melissa Scott, Shenango High School

Sutton, Laurie, and C. S. Jennings. Goldilocks and the Three Vampires: A Graphic Novel. North Mankato, MN: Stone Arch , 2017. 978-1-4965-3783-6. 33 pp. $17.99. Gr 3-6.

This isn’t your grandparents version of Goldilocks, but it sure makes for an interesting adventure! In the Far Out Fairy tale, we find the spunky, dark skinned Goldi acting more like a tomb raider than a nosy porridge eater. She is searching for King Arthur’s treasure and cherishes the traps and tricks that await her. Finding three treasure rooms, Goldi begins to borrow some items when she hears some surprising voices just waking up from the dead. The vampires are historical, somewhat hysterical, and only slightly evil as they chase Goldilocks away. Though she certainly hasn’t learned her lesson, with more adventures likely ahead. THOUGHTS: I think it’s worth getting the whole Far Out Fairy tale series for the crazy hybrid comparisons to the originals. The end pages after the story are also valuable, as they include the original tale and comparison to the new twist, plus some great visual questions and a glossary.

Graphic Novel; Fairytale Dustin Brackbill, State College Area

Manning, Matthew K., and Jeremy Enecio. U.S. Special Forces: Ghosts of the Night. North Mankato, MN: Stone Arch, 2017. 978-1-4965-3475-0. 90 pp. $17.99. Gr 4-7.

Go behind a special ops mission in Afghanistan with this realistic military adventure. The story starts out of sequence, with the special forces team and its rescued reporters trapped in a possibly haunted house. Then, through various viewpoints, readers learn brief backstories and see the action unravel. There are several moments to consider military decisions and realize the danger and threats which affect soldiers and civilians every day in war zones. This eye opening narrative will end too quickly, with many unanswered questions for readers to ponder and discuss. THOUGHTS: There are nonfiction texts from Capstone to connect those who want more information. Also, readers and librarians should realize that there are casualties in this book. While not graphic, and fortunately glossed over, a pilot, a soldier, and several combatants are killed in action. Still, this story is a fair way to bring those realizations to life for early chapter book readers.

Action/Adventure; Military Dustin Brackbill, State College Area

Middle Grades Sci-Fi/Fantasy – Firefly Code; Hawking’s Hallway; Seventh Wish

Posted on November 15, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Blakemore, Megan Frazer. The Firefly Code. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016. 978-1-61963-636-1. 340p. $16.99. Gr. 3-7.

Megan Frazer Blakemore author of The Water Castle (2013) has written another timeless modern twist of science fiction and fantasy found throughout her latest novel The Firefly Code. The setting is a utopian community named Old Harmonie. Turning 13 years old is a significant day where those learn if their DNA is natural or designed. For example, parents can opt to dampen undesirable traits found in their children. The other special event on their 13th birthday is that they reveal their latency or skill. Mori’s great-grandmother was an important scientist with the founding of the community, and Mori’s friend Theo finds inspiration there.The five main characters are about to learn truths they did not imagine. How will they handle reality?THOUGHTS: The book makes readers think about self-modifications. What makes it okay to modify not more than 30 percent of the DNA? This is a book to suggest to readers that adore science fiction work of Lois Lowry or S.A. Bodeen that feature a dystopian society.

Science Fiction Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Shusterman, Neal. and Eric Elfman. Hawking’s Hallway (Accelerati Trilogy Bk. 3). Los Angeles: Disney, 2016. 978-142314805-0. 361p. $16.99. Gr. 6-8.

Magical items are with Edison. Mitch’s father helped the Accelerati steal hundreds of millions of dollars which was one cent from every bank account. This action of his father deeply troubles Mitch. On top of this, the time left to save the world is fourteen days. Nick’s father and brother have a mind wash to forget about him. Is there any way that they can recall what really took place? At this point the characters get to see both the good and bad parties in action. THOUGHTS: This book is necessary for your libraries so that students can continue with this engaging series. The book is creative and can spark readers to learn more about inventors and inventions and they just might make their own!

Fantasy Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Messner, Kate. The Seventh Wish. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016. 978-1-61963-376-6. 228 p. $16.99. Gr. 6-8.

Charlie is a passionate about Irish dancing, but misses her older sister Abby, who is away at college. Charlie is encouraged to ice fish with hopes to win a contest so she could use the prize of money towards her feis in Montreal. While fishing not too far out on the ice, Charlie hears the small fish that she catches ask her to have a wish if she will release the fish. At first she wishes not to have a fear of ice and for a certain boy to like her. When her mother applies for a full time nursing positing, Charlie goes out to find the fish and make another wish. Her mother complains about having to send more money to Abby for her textbooks. Her third and fourth wishes are for her friends. One is that Dana will do well with her language test, and the other is that Drew finds success during basketball tryouts. Once again Charlie is off to find the wish granting fish with emerald eyes. Her family is rocked when they receive a call that Abby is ill due to heroin. With her mom’s nursing background it makes her daughter’s decisions harder to handle. While at the treatment center, Charlie sees fellow dancer Leah there visiting her mother. The next wish is that Abby gets better and has the insurance cover the treatment. Her sister drives Charlie to the dance competition and is appalled to learn that Abby took her remaining money and has not returned. Abby has overdosed and is now at the Albany Medical center. At this point Charlie is done wishing. THOUGHTS: Messner’s All the Answers was one of the titles that I reviewed last year for PSLA and found students gravitate towards that book. Unfortunately, the statistics show that the use of heroin for young people is increasing. While not the only focus of the book, the element allows a window for discussion of this important topic.

Realistic Fiction; Fantasy Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

YA Graphic Novels – Delilah Dirk; Nameless City

Posted on November 15, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Cliff, Tony. Delilah Dirk and the King’s Shilling. New York: First Second, 2016. 978-162672-1555. $17.99. 265 pp. Gr. 5-12.

In this sequel to Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant (2013), Cliff continues the rapid-pace action, character insights and talented artwork. Delilah and her partner Selim continue their exploits in exotic locales, but Selim’s cautionary words can’t stop Delilah from striking back at a British soldier who has wounded her pride. The soldier, in turn, lets Delilah take the blame for his own unsavory activities. Thus Delilah and Selim return to Britain to clear Delilah’s name. And, though she grew up there as Alexandra Nichols, she is as uncomfortable in society as Selim and finds it difficult to keep her alter ego hidden from her mother. There is much to enjoy in characters and artwork, and Cliff leaves the ending open for further adventures. THOUGHTS: This is a lively story with excellent art connections, interesting to any fan of art or graphic novels. Cliff acknowledges his at times inaccurate portrayals of early 19th century London, making this more a story for adventure-seekers than history buffs. Even readers who pick this up casually will likely enter into Delilah and Selim’s story.

741.5 Graphic Novels Melissa Scott, Shenango High School

Hicks, Faith Erin. The Nameless City. New York: First Second, 2016. 978-1-62672-157-9. 232p. $18.74. Gr. 5-10.

Erzi wants the boys to defend the city and be ready for war. Kaidu’s father asks about his mom and is shocked to learn that grandfather died six years ago, and mother is the tribe leader. His estranged father gives him a gift of a knife. Rat doesn’t initially like Kai and certainly doesn’t want him to run faster than she can. On the third day in the city Kaidu asks her to teach him to run, and he will bring food in exchange. It takes 27 hard days of training to get close to him. Kai loves all of the books the monks have, but Rat doesn’t know how to read. She shares that she is not lucky and her parents are dead. Eventually she asks for boots, but wearing boots belonging to another class could lead to major disputes. Rat overhears an assassination plan and risks it all to share this with Kai. Will the assassination be thwarted? THOUGHTS: Be sure to add this fast paced and heartfelt graphic novel to your collection and share with your students. Students will be impressed with the first book to start the series.

Graphic Novel, Adventure Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Elementary/MS Action/Adventure – Masterminds; Mutt’s Promise

Posted on October 25, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Korman, Gordon. Masterminds: Criminal Destiny. New York: Balzer & Bray, 2016. 978-0-06-230002-7. 311 p. $16.99. Gr. 4-8.

The kids of Serenity, New Mexico, are back and determined to find out the truth out the experiment that gave them life. Their “parents”—really scientists who cloned several children from criminal masterminds and then raised them in an idyllic community to settle the nature vs. nurture debate once and for all—have been lying to them their whole lives, and now they want answers. They set off on a cross-country adventure that finds them stealing vans, breaking into homes, and doing whatever they need to do to survive and stay off the grid. Eventually, they end up back in Serenity which is oddly abandoned…and a few familiar faces give them the biggest surprise yet. This is the second book of at least three (Korman tweeted that book 3 will be out in spring 2017). The first book was a bit better, but the second book keeps readers guessing and anticipating the next step in the adventure. THOUGHTS: Fans of Korman’s other adventure sets (the Titanic trilogy, the Everest triology) will enjoy this new offering.

Action/Adventure Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools

Salamon, Julie. Mutt’s Promise. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016. 978-0-525-42778-0. 231 p. $16.99. Gr. 3-6.

Mutt thinks that she’s found a safe home for her and her puppies. Mr. Thomas, the farmer, is nice enough and his foreman’s son, Gilbert, is a loving, wonderful friend. Life is great until the weather turns cold in Pennsylvania and Gilbert’s family must follow the farm work and move to Florida. Mr. Thomas decides he can’t take care of a whole dog family and finds homes for Mutt’s puppies. Happy and Alegre go to live with a little girl and her family, and Luna and Chief are taken by Raymond, a mean man who runs a puppy mill. There, Luna and Chief meet a whole group of new dogs who are dirty, hungry, and depressed, except for new pal Charlie who still has some of his old spunk left in him. The three of them hatch a plan to escape and bravely run away one day. Eventually, weeks later, they are rescued by a local animal society and adopted by Marty “the magician” who gives them a warm bed, lots of food, training, and most of all…hope and love. Gilbert’s family reappears in the end and everyone has a happy ending, although Salamon is clear to include information in an author’s note that not all puppy mill dogs have happy endings and that dogs are best served when we “adopt, not shop.” Living in PA, most of us are likely familiar with puppy mills and this would be a great book to open discussions with children about adopting animals. THOUGHTS: Give this heart-warming book to dog lovers or teachers who are looking for a new read-aloud.

Action/Adventure Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools

MS Fantasy – Lilliput; Broken Ground

Posted on July 25, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Gayton, Sam. Alice Ratterree, Ill. Lilliput. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree, 2015. 978-1-56145-806-6. 251p. $16.95. Gr. 4-8.

Lily has tried many times to escape from Lemuel Gulliver and has failed in over 30 plans. Gulliver is working to finish his book about his travels called Book of Travels, and Lily is his proof of the tiny inhabitants of Lilliput. As they are staying in a room about Plinker’s Timepieces, it is Finn who discovers Lily. Since Finn was an orphan, Plinker purchased Finn and makes him his apprentice and in charge of winding his devious clocks that can move quickly when wanted or even explode. Finn must wear a waste-not-watch which tightens if he does not use timely wisely. Lily is able to disengage the watch. Lily now sees the sights of London. In their travels they meet a kind chocolatier named Mr. Ozinda, who helps them plan an escape for Lily to find her home. Part of the plan is to rescue the Swift bird from the clock and obtain Gulliver’s Book of Travels. While well planned out, not all goes according to plan. Violence takes place, and while Gulliver makes his apology, his life is lost, and Plinker is put in jail. Lily makes it back home safely, and Finn starts an adventure on board with Mrs. Ozinda. The book is constructed with a prologue, three parts, an epilogue, and an afterword. Detailed black and white illustrations are throughout the novel. THOUGHTS: The adventure and intrigue allow the reader to devote time to this book. Lilliput has the potential to spark an interest in learning more about the original Gulliver’s Travels.

Fantasy; Action/Adventure; Classic Retelling Beth McGuire, Wendover MS

Schwab, Victoria. Broken Ground. New York: Scholastic, 2016. 978-0-545-87695-7. 186p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.

Broken Ground continues the adventures of Meilin, Rollan, Abeke, and Conor in book two of Fall of Beasts, a strand of the best selling Spirit Animals series. The Greencloaks face huge difficulty in trying to heal Conor from the Wyrm. They also observe another concern as the bonds with Spirit Animals are getting looser everywhere. The heroes are divided into two groups. Conor fights, becoming snake-like, and Meilin hears voices as they travel in the cave. Rollan needs to be less aggressive and not challenge the sea while he and Abeke work together. Through their missions it is evident that enemies come in all shapes and sizes. There is a new group to the heroes called “The Red Cloaks.” Members of this group wear an animal mask and oppose Zerik, but much is still a mystery regarding the group. At the castle in Stetriol, Tasha summons one of the Great Spirit Animals, Ninani, the swan. If Tasha accepts, she will be the first Greeencloak from Stetriol. Rollan relates to the magnitude of her decision, as he thought often about his choice and mentorship from his friend the late Tarik. While they wish to keep Tasha’s calling a secret, it is not kept long whatsoever and the city rejoice with the news and launches fireworks. THOUGHTS: Add this book to your collection! Allow students to read the books in whatever order they wish (though you may want to assist some students with the order). Since the series is written by familiar authors to your students, you may want to consider shelving the books by series or creating a special sign or bookmark helping the students locate the novels as they move through the series.