Tag Archives: Familial Relationships

New for Upper Elementary – The Wild Robot; The Terrible Two…; Clatter of Jars

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wildrobot

Brown, Peter.  The Wild Robot.  NY: Little, Brown, and Co., 2016.  978-0-316-38199-4.  $16.99. 279p.  Gr. 3-6.

One stormy night, a ship of ROZZUM robots sinks near a tiny, uninhabited island.  Most of the robots go down with the ship, but one survives entry onto the island’s rocky coast and is activated by a group of playful otters. ROZZUM unit 7134 (or, Roz, as she is known to the reader) is designed for the civilized world and must quickly adapt to her new surroundings.  Fortunately, she has the ability to learn and adapt.  The animals are fearful of Roz and believe that she is a monster.  Over time, Roz learns to speak the animals’ languages, but they do not truly begin to accept her until she adopts a gosling whose mother she has accidentally killed.  Roz takes her role as surrogate parent seriously; she turns to the other animal mothers for advice on feeding and sheltering her new charge.  The island’s animals begin to offer help and advice as Roz raises “Brightbill”.  Although Roz is not supposed to feel emotions, any parent can empathize with the anxiety she feels when Brightbill must fly south for his first winter.  Eventually, the island’s peace is shattered by RECO robots with guns who are sent out by Roz’s manufacturer to retrieve all missing ROZZUM units.  The animals, who are used to surviving the cruelty of the animal world, band together to protect Roz, but they are no match for the RECOs.  However, the story ends on a hopeful note and hints at a possible sequel.  THOUGHTS:  This book is an intriguing cross between survival stories like Hatchet and robot stories like The Iron Giant.  It will have wide appeal among middle grade students and should be included in any library collection.

I really enjoyed The Wild Robot.  Roz and the island animals have distinct, almost human personalities, and the story is unexpectedly suspenseful.  This book is excellent for students making the transition from picture books to novels.  The chapters are short and generously illustrated.  The “animal-speak” featured in this story will also be easily understood by younger students.  Brief, action-oriented chapters (which often end with some kind of cliffhanger) make this book an appropriate read-aloud for teachers trying share the wonders of literature with their students.  The Wild Robot is truly something special.

Fantasy; Sci-Fi            Susan Fox, Washington Park School

terribletwo

Barnett, Mac and Jory John. The Terrible Two Get Worse. New York: Amulet Books, 2016. 978-1-4197-1680-5. 217 p. $16.95. Gr. 3-6.

The Terrible Two, Miles and Niles, are back at work in Yawnee Valley, pranking any and all…especially their favorite “goat,” Principal Barry Barkin. Unfortunately for the Terrible Two, their favorite target is unexpectedly taken away. Principal Barkin is removed from his job for his inability to control all the pranking, and is replaced by his father, former Principal Bertrand Barkin. Miles and Niles are excited to begin a new era of pranking the Barkins, but the elder Barkin turns out to be quite a formidable opponent. He refuses to acknowledge their pranks, so the boys become ineffective and down in the dumps. They decide that they must resort to desperate measures and recruit a temporary member to their team…Barry Barkin. In typical Terrible Two fashion, they come up with a winning plan that might go down in Yawnee Valley history as the best prank of all time. Barnett and John are their own terrific twosome, writing another hysterical story about Miles and Niles and their friendship. Kevin Cornell’s illustrations are fantastic, adding quirky and fun details to the story. THOUGHTS: Give this winner to your kids who like mixed text and illustration series (think slightly more sophisticated Diary of a Wimpy Kid) who like to laugh. It would make a fantastic read-aloud.

Humorous Fiction    Lindsey Long, Nye & Conewago Elementary Schools

 

clatterofjars

Graff, Lisa. A Clatter of Jars. New York: Philomel Books, 2016. 978-0-399-17499-5. 217pp. $16.99. Gr 3-6.

Camp Atropos is a place where children with singular talents flock for the summer. Their talents range from being able to identify frogs, to mindreading, to memory recollection, and many more, but not everyone at Camp Atropos possesses a talent. Jo, the camp director, is talentless but has a bustling black-market business copying and selling her campers’ talents. These mimic talents ultimately become her downfall when a group of campers from Cabin 8 discover what she’s up to and set out to expose her. Several children attend camp with their siblings, and these sibling relationships and rivalries take center-stage in this novel as well. Each chapter is narrated by a different camper, and that camper’s name as the chapter title helps keep the large cast of characters straight.  This book is the sequel to Graff’s 2013 title A Tangle of Knots, and several characters from that book make appearances in this story as well. However, it is not necessary to have read A Tangle of Knots to keep up with this title’s storyline.  THOUGHTS: This title will be popular with fantasy fans, and it’s also a good choice for students looking for a summer-themed read. Pair it with another camp title such as Louis Sachar’s Holes or with other summer adventure stories such as The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester or Three Times Lucky.
Fantasy    Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary, Southern York County

MS/HS Realistic Fiction – Saving Hamlet; Free Verse; Two Summers

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savinghamlet

Booth, Molly.  Saving Hamlet.  New York: Hyperion, 2016.  978-1-48475-274-6.  $17.99.  352p.  Grade 7 and up.

Former high school soccer star Emma Allen needs to reinvent herself after a team party disaster and a major summer theater equipment malfunction.  Emma gets her waist-length hair cut into a super-short, super-chic, pixie style, and suddenly, things begin to change.  Emma’s behind-the-scenes stage crew role has grown; after a classmate moves, she is named the stage manager of the school’s annual fall Shakespeare play.  Emma’s best friend, Lulu, is dealing with her own difficulties; she is put on lockdown by her conservative parents after being caught kissing another girl.  Lulu also blames Emma, in part, for her being cast as Ophelia in the school’s Production of Hamlet (Lulu desperately wanted the title role).  Josh, a handsome school athlete who gets the role of Hamlet, is terrible.  Emma and the other directors begin trying desperately to save what appears to be a cursed production.  

One evening, after a long day of rehearsals, Emma is distracted and falls through the stage’s trap door.  The fall takes Emma back in time to the Globe Theatre in 1601.  At the Globe, Emma is mistaken as a boy, which gives her the ability to observe the original Shakespeare production.  She is able to travel between the two worlds via the trapdoor and brings what she has learned from that production to the present day.  In the end, she also brings her knowledge of present day Hamlet to save the Globe’s production of the show.  THOUGHTS:  This enjoyable book seems to have it all; a school play, romance, time travel, and teen drama.  Emma is highly likeable, the characters are diverse without being stereotypical, and anyone who has ever been involved in school theater can agree that the story rings true.  I would recommend this book for all junior or senior high school libraries.  It may actually help to make Shakespeare “cool” again.

I enjoyed the fact that Emma is not an actor; this book gave well-deserved recognition to the people behind the scenes in a theatre production.  The book also touched on some of the deeper themes in Hamlet, and students who are reading the play for school might enjoy the insight Saving Hamlet can give.  Two of the characters in this book are gay, and the treatment of these characters is excellent; the characters are shown to be typical high school age students who have the same hopes and trials that any teen would have.  Emma is a witty and intelligent young lady.  I hope we see more of her in the future.

Realistic Fiction; Fantasy              Susan Fox, Washington Park School

 

freeverse

Dooley, Sarah. Free Verse. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016. 978-0399-165030. 335 pp. $16.99. Gr. 6-9.

Sasha lives in the grimy coal-town of Caboose, West Virginia, a place she and her older brother Michael can’t wait to leave.  But Sasha’s mother ran off when she was five, her father died in a mine accident when she was eight, and Michael just died fighting a fire.  It’s too much for one thirteen-year-old to manage, and Sasha struggles with anger and the foster system and this…place.  Fortunately for her, foster mom Phyllis stays steady and encouraging through Sasha’s rages and disappearances, and distant relatives she never knew live just next door.  She struggles and grows, thanks to careful, caring adults, and thanks to her discovery of poetry.  But when another tragedy occurs, will it all be too much?  THOUGHTS: A strong, finely told novel, the poetry and the prose delight and reveal Sasha’s character incredibly well. This is beautiful poetry and a strong award contender.  Recommended for middle school readers and up.

Realistic Fiction    Melissa Scott, Shenango High School

 

twosummers

Friedman, Aimee. Two Summers. New York: Scholastic, 2016. 978-1-338-03571-1. 355p. $7.99. Gr. 7-10.

Summer Everett can barely contain her excitement; she is going to spend her summer visiting her artist father in France! Since her parents divorced several years earlier, her relationship with her father hasn’t been close; he’s not much of a communicator. But, Summer’s looking forward to reconnecting with him, despite her mother’s qualms about the trip. Right before boarding her plane to France, Summer receives a phone call from an unknown caller. Should she answer the call? It is at this point that the storyline of Two Summers diverges. In one storyline Summer doesn’t answer the call and continues on her journey to France. In the other storyline, Summer answers the phone only to discover that her father is cancelling her visit, and she will have to stay at home in Hudsonville, New York over the summer. Though the settings for both storylines could not be more different, in both, Summer will find romance, discover a passion for photography and learn family secrets long hidden. THOUGHTS: This quick and enjoyable read is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary YA lit with a dash of romance. The alternating parallel storylines will keep readers engaged as they discover how Summer’s snap decision not to answer a phone call might change some elements of her summer vacation, but other parts of her vacation seem destined to occur, not matter what her location.

Realistic Fiction         Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg HS/MS

 

YA Realistic Fiction – Dodgers; Great American…; Highly Illogical…; When We Collided

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dodgers

Beverly, Bill. Dodgers. New York: Crown Publishers, 2016. 978-1-101-90373-5. 290pp. $26.00. Grades 10 and up.

At fifteen years old, East has never left Los Angeles. He works as a lookout in his Uncle Fin’s drug organization in a neighborhood known as “The Boxes.” But, after failing to warn his crew about a police raid, East is called up to redeem himself by running a special favor for Fin. East and three other boys, including his younger brother Ty, are tasked with driving to Wisconsin to murder a key witness. Beginning with a quick, but complicated stop in Las Vegas, the plans go tragically awry as the boys barrel headlong into the heartland in search of their mark. Along the way East realizes that maybe, just maybe, a different kind of life awaits him somewhere down the road. In depicting East’s cross-country journey, debut novelist Bill Beverly incorporates elements of crime fiction, travelogue, and classic coming-of-age stories. THOUGHTS: With a teen protagonist, Dodgers is an excellent crossover selection for readers looking to experience a poetically austere new voice in fiction. With frank depictions of drug dealing, violence, and urban survival, it is strongly reminiscent of the brilliant TV series The Wire.

Realistic Fiction      Amy V. Pickett, Ridly High School Library

 

greatamerican

Federle, Tim. The Great American Whatever. New York: Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2016. 978-1-4814-0409-9. 278 pp. $17.99. Gr. 8 and up.

It’s fair to say that Pittsburgh teen Quinn Roberts is not having a great junior year. His mom’s on disability, his father has unceremoniously ditched the family, and worst of all Quinn’s beloved older sister, Annabeth, died in a car crash on the day before Christmas break. Quinn has essentially suspended all contact with the outside world, until summer hits and record-breaking highs interrupt his personal record-breaking lows. Bolstered by his best friend Geoff, Quinn emerges from both his room and his shell. At a party, he meets cute, college boy Amir, who genuinely likes him back. Quinn, however, is less than forthcoming about his deeply sad back story; he’d rather “imagine how the ideal screenplay version of events would play out.” A cinematic thread runs throughout the novel; movie buffs Quinn and Annabeth were amateur filmmakers, with Quinn writing and Annabeth directing his scripts for “Q&A Production,” and an abandoned application for a student filmmakers’ competition brings the narrative full circle. This winning LGBT coming-of-age novel has just the right balance of tragedy, comedy, and reality. THOUGHTS: Tim Federle’s first YA novel, The Great American Whatever, is 2016’s answer to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. References to Pittsburgh locales such as Squirrel Hill and Kennywood will especially delight Pennsylvania readers!

Realistic Fiction    Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School

 

highlyillogical

Whaley, John Corey. Highly Illogical Behavior. New York: Dial Books, 2016. 978-0-525042818-3. 249 pp. $17.99. Gr. 9 and up.

Solomon Reed, age 16, hasn’t left his house in over three years. He suffers from agoraphobia and debilitating panic attacks, but he’s managed to build a safe and comfortable life for himself in his parents’ home. Enter Lisa Praytor, who remembers Solomon’s all-too-public 7th grade meltdown and takes a keen interest in befriending him. Lisa also has a keen interest in receiving a full ride to a prestigious psychology program. Her essay prompt: “My personal experience with mental illness.” Once Solomon allows Lisa into his life he enjoys the companionship, even coming out to her during one of their visits. Lisa values his friendship, too, ignoring the pangs of guilt she feels over quietly manipulating him for essay material. When Lisa invites her boyfriend Clark to join her daily visits with Solomon, everyone gets along swimmingly until unexpectedly complicated feelings arise. With humor balancing the more serious plot lines, Highly Illogical Behavior is a fresh spin on the tried-and-true formula of a staged relationship leading to real feelings. THOUGHTS: Although this endearing novel doesn’t have quite the literary gravitas of Whaley’s debut, Where Things Come Back, or the creative chutzpah of Noggin‘s head transplant, it will leave readers thinking about and feeling for Solomon, Lisa, and Grant.

Realistic Fiction     Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School Library

 

whenwecollided

Lord, Emery. When We Collided. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016. Print.  978-1619638457. 352p. $17.99. Gr. 9+

I had never heard of Emery Lord before, but after absorbing the drama and characters in When We Collided, I am eager to read her other titles. Free spirit Vivian has moved to Verona Cove for the summer with her artist mother. The idyllic beach town enchants Vivi from the start, and she quickly begins making friends, including five year old Leah Daniels, who happens to have a handsome older brother. Jonah and Vivi strike up a romance quickly, but they both have pasts that haunt them. Jonah, along with his older brother and sister, is trying to keep his family afloat after the death of their father. Their mother is present, but so severely depressed that she can hardly take care of herself, let alone her three youngest children. Readers slowly learn that Vivi is battling her own inner demons, and her relationship with Jonah is tried when she begins to lose the battle. Told in the alternating perspectives of Vivi and Jonah, the book is reminiscent of Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. The perspective of Vivi is powerful, and gives the reader a hint of the jumbled thoughts in her mind. The author concludes with a powerful note to her readers and resources for further reading on mental health. THOUGHTS: This is an excellent addition to the growing novels about mental health, and can help spark a good discussion among teens about various issues they face.

Realistic Fiction       Lindsey Myers, Shady Side Academy Senior School

Though this book is a hard read, it is also an important read.  Mental health issues still carry a negative stigma, especially in high school or a teenage setting. It can be hard for some students to grapple with these issues, including students going through them as well as their friends who simply want to help. Having books like this, that highlight depression and other mental problems, are great ways to spark conversations and discussions, and to lead teens to more resources. This is definitely a book that warrants more thought and discussion upon finishing, so make sure to suggest it to more mature teens who are ready for the subject matter, or a book club willing to tackle issues that might be uncomfortable to discuss.

YA Historical Fiction – Burn Baby Burn

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burnbabyburn

Medina, Meg. Burn Baby Burn. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2016. 978-0-7636-7467-0. 310pp. $17.99. Grades 8 and up.

In this gripping coming-of-age novel, Meg Medina brings 1977 New York City vividly to life with a potent backdrop of disco, the Son of Sam murders, women’s lib, arson, and civil unrest. In her senior year of high school, Nora López is looking forward to turning 18 and saving enough money to move out on her own, escaping her needy Mima and increasingly volatile younger brother, Hector. She’s excited about her new boyfriend Pablo (the cute stock boy at the bodega where she works), though the specter of a killer at large looms over their stolen moments together. Medina includes the murderer’s notes to law enforcement, one of the ways she ramps up the tingly sense of unseen danger around each corner. Meanwhile, Mima faces a layoff and Hector’s mood swings turn violent, just two more secrets that Nora tries to keep from Pablo and her best friend, Kathleen. Many readers will identify with Nora’s economic worries and her longing for a better future. At one point, Nora describes her friends as “beautiful in the face of fear”; it’s exactly how readers will think of Nora herself. THOUGHTS: With a strong historical setting and fully realized characters, this novel is a must-read.

Historical Fiction           Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School

 

“Maybe the things that scare us seem more powerful than they truly are when we keep them secret” (269).  It’s summer 1977 in Flushing, Queens.  It’s one of the hottest summers on record and the evil that lurks in the city is on the prowl.  It’s the summer of Son of Sam, and Nora Lopez worries about her long brown hair attracting the serial murderer, but that’s just the cherry.  Arsonists have taken to the city and during a city-wide blackout, businesses are looted and burned to the ground.  As Nora witnesses her troubled, pyro-loving brother burn down the neighborhood pharmacy, her fears of failure, family, and her future finally force her to face herself and the lies she’s been telling to protect her family from shame.  As Nora draws strength from within, she finally faces her broken family and future with inner-strength.  THOUGHTS: With a backdrop of disco, the Son of Sam murders, women’s liberation, and cultural tensions, Burn Baby Burn is a wonderful piece of historical fiction that reminds readers that everyone faces difficulties, but it’s how one stands up to those challenges that allows the future to unfold.

Historical Fiction     Erin Parkinson, Beaver Area MS-HS

Hot for MS Readers – Listen to the Moon; The Seventh Wish; Saving Wonder; Booked

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listentomoon

Morpurgo, Michael. Listen to the Moon. New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2016. 978-0-250-04204-0. 341p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.

Alfie cherishes fishing with his father, and it is during this activity that he hears a faint cry at St. Helen’s island. The island houses the “Pest House” where those sick are placed. When they find a girl, whose head is bleeding, they hurry back home. Dr. Crow treats the girl; they believe her name is Lucy.  She is feverish, half starved, and suffering from pneumonia. Later, cousin Dave finds a toy and a blanket with foreign writing. They wonder if Lucy is a Hun but pledge not to discuss this with anyone else, while gossip around town is that the girl might be a mermaid.

Once Dr. Crow brings a gramophone and classical piano music more is revealed regarding Lucy. Her father went to fight the war, and she continued school and piano lessons.  To feel closer to her father, she listened to the moon. Upon receiving a message that he had been injured, she leaves with her mother leaving their posh life in New York City to board a boat to England with hopes of greeting the injured soldiers.  THOUGHTS: The Pest House, Madhouse (where Alfie’s twin brother received treatment), and treatment of those with illnesses is a topic of discussion that reading the book can encourage.  The book allows for conversation about acceptance of others regardless of cultural differences. Topics with curriculum tie in include WWI, the Lusitania, U-Boats, and geography.

Historical Fiction (World War I)   Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

 

 

seventhwish

Messner, Kate. The Seventh Wish. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016. 978-1-61963-376-6. 224pgs. $16.99. Gr 4-6.

We wish on candles and stars and ask for things that aren’t ours, but what would you do if a fish granted you a wish? That is the premise for Kate Messner’s The Seventh Wish, but this book is so much more. Charlie is a girl with joyful ambitions: to be an improving dancer, a loyal friend, and to enjoy her family. Still, as with any teen, she has fears and struggles. The speaking fish that she catches and curiously releases with her first wish begins a series of events and a chain reaction that shows what she cannot control with a simple wish. The profound example of this revolves around her older sister, who gets mixed up in the drug scene at her college and now struggles to overcome her addiction. There are some tense moments- along with many touching, heartfelt and thoughtful scenes – who could wish for more?!  THOUGHTS: This book made headlines recently when Kate Messner had an author visit to a school cancelled because of the drug plotline in the story. I join those who would argue that the book is more essential to include in school discussions because of these themes. Readers can empathize and safely explore through literature, in this case with topics of peer pressure, battling addiction, being a family member of an addict, or exploring values of honesty and friendship. Also, I found that this could be a wonderful text for close reading and using Notice & Note Signposts. Best wishes!

Realistic Fiction; Fantasy    Dustin Brackbill, State College Area School District

 

savingwonder

Knight, Mary. Saving Wonder. New York, NY: Scholastic Press, 2016. 978-0-545-828932. 272 pgs. $16.99. Gr 4-8.

Curley Hines knows the power of words thanks to his grandfather and his best friend, but he puts them to the test in Mary Knight’s debut novel Saving Wonder. Living in a coal mining town, he has seen his share of tragedy and misfortune, but he loves his mountain and valley. When a new owner comes to take over the industry with his slick son, things start to change. Should they adapt and survive or take a stand and face down Big Coal that threatens everything? Saving Wonder doesn’t have easy answers, but it will open your eyes, leave room for debate, educate and inspire.THOUGHTS: This has plenty of classroom and home applications, prompting projects and new vocabulary lessons. I also found that the setting and characters were almost instantly identifiable, meaning that the author did a wonderful job capturing the voice of Curley and company. Saving Wonder is a great debut for Mary Knight, joining the recent ranks of authors like R.J. Palacio and Dan Gemeinhart as new favs!

Realistic Fiction     Dustin Brackbill, State College Area School District

booked

Alexander, Kwame. Booked. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 978-0-544-570986. 314 pgs. $16.99. Gr 5-8.

“Books are fun, Nicholas, he says, they’re like amusement parks for readers.” Despite the advice of his father, Nick Hall would rather do a lot of things than read the dictionary that his father published, especially play soccer. With a huge national tournament coming up against his best friend’s team, things seem to lead toward a sports genre ending; however, obstacles keep getting in Nick’s way, including the big fear of his parents splitting up. With a colorful assortment of characters and a lively novel-in-verse format, Kwame Alexander brings Nick’s world to life in Booked. It is definitely a fast and fun ride!  THOUGHTS: Booked is similar in style and content to Kwame’s award winning Crossover basketball poetry novel. But there are plenty of new concepts and plot twists to keep readers interested whether they are fans of soccer or poetry. The variety of verse, the awesome librarian, and the few lit concepts like malapropisms blend together for an enjoyable middle grade novel.

Realistic Fiction; Sports     Dustin Brackbill, State College Area School District

New for Middle School – The Nest; Awkward; Pax; The Thing About Jellyfish

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thenest

Oppel, Kenneth. The Nest. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015. 978-1481432320. 256p. $12.00. Gr. 5-8,

Steven is an anxious worrier with very vivid dreams. His baby brother Theo has been born with congenital defects which adds to his anxiety. When Steven is stung by a pale wasp and discovers that he is allergic, he begins having dreams of blurry creatures, which at first, he believes are angels who have come to heal the baby until it becomes clear that they are the very real wasps in the nest outside the baby’s window and their purpose is not as pure as Steven had first thought. He realizes how crazy it sounds, so decides he must defeat them on his own. This first person psychological thriller keeps the reader guessing who is good, who is bad, and what it really means to be perfect. THOUGHTS: A gripping novel that at times makes your skin crawl.  Definitely not a book for sensitive readers.

Thriller    Robin Bartley, Davis Elementary

 

awkward

Chmakova, Svetlana. Awkward. New York: Yen Press, 2015. 978-0316381321. 224p. $20.00 Gr. 5-8.

This graphic novel depicts the awkward adolescent years. Peppi moves to a new school and on her first day pushes away the first kid who tries to help because she’s afraid of being tagged a nerd. She immediately feels sorry and wants to apologize. Her art club and his science club feud over earning a spot in the upcoming school fair. Will she apologize? Will the groups learn to work together? Themes of kindness, diversity and understanding are woven through the book along with bright, fun illustrations. THOUGHTS: Awkward is a well written graphic novel with familiar themes which will resonate with middle readers.

Graphic Novel      Robin Bartley, Davis Elementary

 

 

pax

Pennypacker, Sara;  Jon Klassen, ill.  Pax.  New York: Balzer + Bray, 2016.  978-0-06-237701-2. 276 p. $16.99.  Grades 5-8.

Pax, the fox, has been a part of Peter’s life since he was a young boy.  Shortly after his mother died, Peter found the orphaned kit and the two became inseparable.  When the story begins, Peter’s father is going off to war (the time and place of the war is not specified).  Peter is sent to live with his grandfather and is forced to release Pax back into the wild.  Almost as soon as he arrives at his grandfather’s, Peter knows that leaving Pax was a huge mistake; Pax is completely domesticated and will never survive.  Peter decides to go back home, over three hundred miles, to find Pax.

This story is told in chapters that alternate between Peter’s and Pax’s points of view.  While Peter is hiking over rough terrain, Pax is barely surviving on his own since he has no idea how to hunt or find water.  Peter breaks his foot after a fall and is taken in by a war amputee named Vola, while Pax receives help from a group of foxes who teach him how to live in the wild.  Over the course of their journeys, the boy and his fox change.  Peter develops a newfound maturity, while Pax becomes wild.  Eventually, the two are reunited with each other and with Peter’s father, but nothing is the same as before.  THOUGHTS: Pax is reminiscent of many beloved boy and animal tales of the past, and it is destined to become a classic in its own right.  The spare, but eloquent, fox-speak used throughout the book conveys the horrors of war (maybe even more than human words).  This is a book that is accessible to everyone from middle grade students to adults.  Readers of all ages will cry over and love this story.

This story is beautiful both in content and its artwork.  Jon Klassen’s drawings are placed throughout the book; the simple charcoal drawings set the mood of different scenes throughout the story.  Anti-war messages in literature are common, but the same message from the viewpoint of animals is especially poignant;  the foxes speak of humans being “war-sick” because war causes them to forget their humanity and the value of living things. This story of a boy and his pet has a bittersweet ending, but students will be relieved to see that Pax does live at the end of the story.  That being said, other animals do not survive the coming war and there is a painful scene at the beginning of the book involving a baby rabbit killed in a trap at Peter’s home.  As a result, librarians might consider warning their more sensitive students that bad things do happen in the story.  Despite the tears that will surely fall, this is a breathtaking book that won’t easily be forgotten.

Fantasy (Animal)         Susan Fox, Washington Jr./Sr. High School

 

 

jellyfish

Benjamin, Ali.  The Thing About Jellyfish.  Little, Brown, & Company, 2015.  978-0-316-38086-7.  343 p. $17.00.  Gr. 5-8.

Franny Jackson and Suzy “Zu” Swanson had been friends for many years, but as the girls enter middle school, Franny joins a clique of popular girls leaving her bright, but different, friend behind.  Zu spends a great deal of time trying to find the “old” Franny that she used to know.  In the critical summer between sixth and seventh grade, Franny drowns while on a family vacation.  When Zu finds out, she simply can’t accept what the adults tell her, that sometimes these things “just happen.”  Faced with profound grief and emotions she can’t deal with, Zu almost completely stops talking.  One day, on a school field trip, Zu reads about the venomous Irukandji jellyfish.  She immediately decides that Franny must have been stung by this jellyfish because Franny was such a strong swimmer she never would have drowned. She immediately sets out to prove her hypothesis, writing a school research paper and secretly buying a plane ticket to Australia to visit a renowned expert on the Irukandji jellyfish.  Somehow, through the course of her 7th grade year, Zu comes out of her grief, and begins to find people who accept her for the odd and precious individual that she is.  THOUGHTS: The Thing About Jellyfish is a profound depiction of grief and the difficulties of growing up.  It tackles these subjects head on and the result isn’t always pretty or easy to read.  The character of Zu will speak to many students, especially students who have experienced a similar loss (or even just the loss of a friendship).  The significance to the book might be lost on fifth and sixth-graders, but junior high and even high school students will enjoy it.

The reviews for this book were glowing; Booklist, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, VOYA, and the School Library Journal gave it starred reviews.  My personal feelings were less enthusiastic.  Zu is socially awkward, but her behavior is not endearing; in many circumstances she is self-absorbed and thoughtless.  Her divorced parents and older brother are concerned but, apart from making Zu go to a counselor, they seem unwilling to expend the effort to reach Zu through her grief.  Perhaps this is a book that is so realistic it is disturbing.  Adults need to read The Thing About Jellyfish to decide if it is appropriate to give to the young people in their lives.

The format of this book, which is told in different parts matched with the scientific process is both unique and interesting.
Realistic Fiction         Susan Fox, Washington Jr./Sr. High School

New additions to favorite picture book series – Little Elliott, Big Family; Red; Dragon Moves in Again

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littleelliott

Curato, Mike. Little Elliot, Big Family. New York: Henry Holt, 2015. 978-0-8050-9826-6. 32 p. $17.99. Gr. K-2.

Little Elliot’s friend Mouse leaves to attend his family reunion with his huge family of relatives. Elliot decides to go for a walk while Mouse is away, on which he observes families of all shapes and sizes doing all kinds of things. Through Curato’s softly illustrated 2-page spreads, readers feel Elliot’s longing for a family. Just as sadness descends on him, Mouse reappears and has Elliot join in the family reunion. A framed photo at the end includes Elliot in Mouse’s extended family, subtly reminding readers that not all families are the same.  THOUGHTS: Read it for the adorable polka dot elephant readers fell in love with first in Little Elliot Big City, or read it for the deeper message of friendship and family – and how friends are often family too.

Picture Book      Lisa Weiss, Churchville Elementary School

 

red

Hall, Michael. Red: A Crayon’s Story. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2015. 978-0062252074. 40 p. $17.99. Gr. K-2.

Red is actually a blue crayon, but his bright red label says otherwise. He desperately tries to “be” red, attempting to draw red things, but, naturally, they just don’t look “right.” His parents and others try to help him be more red, even having him combine with other colors (but unlike red and yellow, he can’t make orange). By the end, with the help of a friend asking him to draw an ocean, he discovers his true self is indeed blue!  THOUGHTS: A unique spin on being unique, with its clever double meaning on how society assigns “labels”, younger readers will love the story at face value, while older students will appreciate the message of being true to yourself! Pair this with Frankencrayon, the newest by Michael Hall (imagine a Horrible Harry “stub people” type) and The Day the Crayons (Quit and/or Came Home). It could make for some great discussion among the K-2 set!

Picture Book     Lisa Weiss, Churchville Elementary School

 

dragonagain

Moore, Jodi. When A Dragon Moves In Again. New York: Flashlight Press, 2015. 978-1-936261-35-2. unpaged. $17.95. Gr K-2.

The “imaginary” dragon who wreaked havoc on a beach with a confused boy in Jodi Moore’s first book is back in the next great discussable book. Now the family is home, and a change is coming as a baby is on the way. The boy and dragon navigate a sea of emotions before and after the birth, often with energetic and chaotic results. The eruption finally happens when the dragon seems to side with the baby, and the boy demands that he get sent back. Moore captures a difficult stage for a child with honesty and curiosity; meanwhile, the playful illustrations by Howard McWilliam show more than words often can, including the dragon that may just exist in the house after all.  THOUGHTS: Jodi is a Central PA writer and does a fantastic job creating and sharing her work. Her energy is easy for the children to notice, and there is plenty of discussion questions and activities that can go with her books.

Picture book; Family      Dustin Brackbill, State College Area School District

YA Historical Fiction – X; The Hired Girl

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X

Shabazz, Ilyasah and Kekla Magoon. X. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2015. 978-0-7636-6967-6. 348 p. $16.99. Gr . 8 and up.

Much has been written about this fictional account of Malcolm X’s early life, co-written by his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, and recently recognized as a 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book. One reason for this book’s appeal is the powerful way in which it is written, from young Malcolm Little’s perspective as a twenty-something year old looking back at his childhood, his parents’ influence, and his journeys, literally and figuratively, ferrying between Lansing, Boston and Harlem. The texture of life in the segregated 1930s and 1940s is tangible and disturbingly so. Malcolm’s early life, in which he resorts to working as a messenger for a numbers runner, drinking, taking drugs, and avoiding arrest, is not celebrated; it does, however, provide essential context for the events that occurred in Malcom’s adult life, and while his parents preached his ability to become anything he desired, these tumultuous early years did in fact form the foundation for his influence later on. THOUGHTS: Winner of the 2016 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth/Teens and a 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, this is a highly recommended and a must-have title for middle and high school libraries.

Historical Fiction     Annette Sirio, Barack Obama Academy

 

 

HiredGirl

Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Hired Girl. Berryville, VA: Candlewick Press, 2015. 978-0-7636-7818-0. 388 p. $17.99. Gr 7-12.

In 1911, fourteen-year old Joan works tirelessly to appease her father and three brothers on their small family farm. Since her mother passed away, Joan has taken on all the household chores, and it seems the work will never end. Her cruel father doesn’t allow Joan any small luxuries; she’s not allowed to read, go to school, or even have visitors, and Joan wonders if her life will ever be anything but hard work and labor. Devastated after her father burns her secret stash of books, Joan runs away with nothing but a suitcase and the money her mother left her secretly sewn into her childhood doll. Joan heads to Baltimore, and a chance encounter leads her to live with and work for the Rosenbach family. Going by Janet, and insisting that she’s 18-years old, Joan finds herself cooking and cleaning, but also earning a wage of six dollars a week. Raised in the Catholic faith, Joan finds that working for a strict Jewish family to be both tiring and enlightening, especially as she works hard to hide her age and an affection for one of the Rosebach sons. Written as a diary, readers will find Joan a compassionate and relatable character, even if she seems a bit immature.  THOUGHTS: A worthwhile historical story, but younger readers might be deterred by the hefty size of this 388 page book.

Historical Fiction              Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

YA Realistic Fiction, Suspense, and an Adult Crossovers – Juniors; The Girl on the Train; The Fixer; The Last Good Day of the Year

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juniors

Hemmings, Kaui Hart. Juniors. New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons, 2015. 978-0-399-17360-8. 314 p. $18.99. Gr. 9 and up.

Although the teenage girls in this novel make progress in terms of self-realization and coming of age, it is difficult to sympathize with their angst when they are privileged rich kids, for the most part white, attending a school for Hawaii’s wealthiest families, and living in paradise-like settings with every comfort imaginable. The narrator, Lea, an actress’s daughter, is adjusting to her new school and environment while living in the guest house of one of Oahu’s wealthiest families. Not unfamiliar with the island, having lived there before spending time in California, Lea reconnects with her best friend and surfing partner, Danny. The two pair off, uncomfortably, with the teenage siblings who live in the big house. Whitney, who is Lea’s classmate, becomes her friend, although her genuineness is questionable for most of the novel. Whitney and Danny seem to be attracted to each other, causing Lea to question her relationship with him. Meanwhile, Whitney’s gorgeous, golf-playing brother, Will, hooks up with Lea. But Will has a long term girlfriend, another rich, gorgeous character, who Will’s family assumes will become his wife. Is he just using Lea? It is so obvious, it’s painful. THOUGHTS: Reading this novel feels like watching “The Real Housewives of …….” with teenage characters in place of adults. I believe my students would wonder why these characters struggle when they have more than most in terms of comfort beyond based necessities and live in resort-like luxury. As with Real Housewives, just because teenagers might enjoy reading this book, does not necessarily indicate its value.  It includes sex and alcohol use.

Realistic Fiction    Annette Sirio, Barack Obama Academy

 

GirlonTrain

Hawkins, Paula.  The Girl on the Train.  New York: Riverhead Books, 2015.  978-1-59463-366-9. 323 p.  $26.95.  Gr. 11 and up.

During her daily commute into London, Rachel Watson watches as the train passes by a particular row of houses, one of which is occupied by her ex-husband and his new family.  Another house is occupied by a seemingly happy couple that Rachel often sees together.  One day, however, Rachel sees the woman kissing a man who is not her husband.  Shortly thereafter, Rachel learns that the woman, whose name is Megan, went missing the same night Rachel paid her ex-husband and his family a drunken visit.  Unfortunately, she was so drunk that she can’t remember what happened during the night in question.  As she tries to recall her memories from that night and solve the mystery of Megan’s disappearance, she becomes entangled in the investigation and in the lives of everyone involved.  The story is told from alternating viewpoints, each chapter narrated by Rachel, Megan, or Anna (the ex-husband’s new mistress).  The constant change in perspective, as well as the constant plot twists and turns, cause the reader to question the innocence of multiple characters until the shocking end.  THOUGHTS: This gripping thriller is one of those books you won’t be able to put down until you’ve finished.  I would recommend giving this only to mature audiences, as it has its share of swearing and includes many adult themes, such as alcoholism, infertility, parenthood, and divorce.  There are also sexual scenes, although none of them are in explicit detail.  Some of my students have read this title in anticipation of the movie that is set to come out later this year, so this would be a good title to recommend to those who enjoy reading the book before seeing the movie.

Realistic Fiction       Julie Ritter, Montoursville Area High School

 

fixer

Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. The Fixer. New York: Bloomsbury, 2015. 978-1-61963-594-4. 372 p. $17.99. Gr. 9 & up.

Tess is used to covering things up.  Living with her grandfather, who is progressing further into dementia, has taught her that.  But when her long-absent sister Ivy shows up at their ranch, it’s apparent she can’t hide his condition any longer.  Ivy brings Tess to D.C., a world apart from Montana.  She’s enrolled in the prestigious Hardwicke Academy along with sons and daughters of the D.C. elite.  Tess quickly realizes that her sister is powerful — she’s what’s known as a “fixer,” someone who can make her clients’ scandals disappear and dig up dirt on political rivals.  The students at Hardwicke turn to Tess for similar services, but it isn’t until a friend comes to her with serious allegations about her father that she taps into her sister’s skill set.  The plot accelerates rapidly from here, and each bombshell tops the last.  Readers will stick with this page-turner until the end — and maybe wish there’s a sequel on the horizon.  THOUGHTS:  While some readers might scoff at the plausibility of the rapidly increasing high stakes and mysterious deaths, others won’t be able to put the book down.  The fast-paced suspense will appeal to binge-watchers of political dramas Scandal and House of Cards.  Give this one to students who enjoyed Ally Carter’s books.

Realistic Fiction/Suspense     Kristen Rowe, Plum Senior High School

 

lastgoodday

Warman, Jessica. The Last Good Day of the Year. New York: Bloomsbury, 2015. 978-0-8027-3662-8. 278 p. $17.99. Gr. 9 & up.

Ten years ago, Sam’s younger sister Turtle was abducted from right beside her just after midnight on New Year’s in their sleepy Pennsylvania town.  Sam’s family moved to Virginia soon after and promptly fell apart: her older sister fled to another state; her mother retreated into heavy self-medication before having a “replacement” child with her dad.  But circumstances force the family back to Shelocta and their old, rundown house.  Sam and her estranged childhood best friend, Remy, begin to wonder whether the man convicted of killing Turtle really did it.  As their investigation draws them closer together, Sam struggles with guilt over her unreliable memories, leading the reader toward what promises to be a dramatic ending.  

THOUGHTS:  This book isn’t as heavy on the twists and turns as some teens might like, but it is a compelling look into the lives of family members who have suffered a great tragedy.  Students who have lost siblings may find solace in Sam’s narration.  The mystery’s conclusion is somewhat puzzling and leaves unanswered questions, but teens who enjoy the ride more than the destination could overlook the weak conclusion.  Recommend to students who enjoy light mysteries and heavy emotions.

Realistic Fiction; Suspense    Kristen Rowe, Plum Senior High School

New Middle School Stand-alone Fiction

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chickens

Jones, Kelly. Illustrated by Katie Kath. Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer.  New York: Knopf, 2015. 978-0-385-75552-8. 216 p. $16.99 Gr. 3-6.

Moving from the city to her late-great-uncle’s house has changed 12-year-old Sophie Brown’s life. She finds a flyer in the barn from a farm supply catalog and writes them  letters. The novel is told through letters, lists, full page illustrations, newspaper clippings, broken typewriter like telegraph messages and even a comic and recipe.  Will Sophie and her family adjust to a new lifestyle? The novel can serve as a bridge to chapter novels for younger readers.  Thoughts: Moving presents a challenge to many students as Sophie learns to embrace her new situation demonstrating to readers that not all changes are terrible.

Realistic Fiction   Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

afterdark

Leck, James. After Dark. Toronto, ON: KCP Fiction, 2015. 97801-77138-1109. 252 p. $16.95 Gr. 5-8.

Charlie’s school year at a posh and private school ends differently than in the past. Instead of oversleeping and embracing a lazy summer, his summer shifts into restoring an old inn with his mother, sister, and movie star brother that will also serve as their home. All of a sudden Charlie notices that locals are becoming oddly sick and present with sunglasses. As much as he wishes to disregard beliefs from Mile Van Helsing, the local “conspiracy crackpot,” Charlie finds truth in the thoughts that either an unexplained epidemic or hybrid mashups of zombies and vampires will completely overtake the town. Will Charlie be able to help the town or will he succumb to the mystery?  Thoughts: Like Paolo Bacigalupi’s Zombie Baseball Beatdown readers are presented with a terrifying mystery that has ramifications beyond fear.

Supernatural; Mystery     Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

 

answers

Messner, Kate. All the Answers. New York: Bloomsbury, 2015. $16.99 978-1-61963-374-2.  248 p. Gr. 5-8.

In need of a pencil, Ava finds a basic blue pencil in the junk drawer at home. Normally, Ava struggles with test anxiety, but she notices when she takes her math test that the pencil can answer the questions. Ava later learns that the pencil will address fact based questions, and she shares this with her best friend Sophie.  The questions go beyond school questions and move onto crush questions and topics related to family members. Why is it that her mother calls her own father by his first name? In All the Answers, Ava learns that a magical pencil is not the way to find every answer. Ava learns more about friendship, family, love and trust, while discovering information about the pencil that she never dreamed to be possible. With a little bit of magic and a lot of heart, readers will connect to Ava and  her parents of opposite political belief, her academic goal setting brother, her sister who changes her name on a name tag since there are some many Emma’s in her classroom, her grandmother ready to pray for all in need, and her best friend with a zest for shopping, fashion and latest trends. Thoughts: With the increase use of technology and even lead pencils, students tend not to use a traditional wooden pencil outside of state testing exam. The book allows readers to ponder what they would do if they found a pencil with the qualities from the story.

Realistic Fiction; Magic    Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

 

henryhubble

Myer, Andy. Henry Hubble’s Book of Troubles.  New York: Delacorte, 2015. 978-0-385-744393. $15.99. 151 p.  Gr. 5-8.

Henry Harrison Hubble writes an old fashion journal and adds his clever cartooning skills, poetry and photography to the entries.  He has plenty to reflect upon from his days at Orville Crumb Middle School.  The journal entries range from missing the whale on their school field trip to trick-or-treating mishaps, getting sick at school, a misguided science presentation, and dancing difficulties. This book has humor and a fast pace to encourage the most reluctant of all readers to take delight in reading. Thoughts: Having students learn more about their family history can tie into this novel as Henry is named after President Harrison. Another topic could be  family heirlooms as Henry’s sure is unique.  Another topic of discussion can be social media awareness. At the end of the novel we learn that his journal was stolen and posted online for all to view leading to unwanted situations. A conversation about uses of social media can be linked to meaningful discussions.

Realistic Fiction   Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School