Tag Archives: Fiction

YA Fantasy – HP & the Cursed Child; Labyrinth Lost; Ghosts

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harrypotter

Rowling, J.K., John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. New York: Scholastic, Inc, 2016. 978-1-33809-913-3. $29.99. 343 pp. Gr. 6-12.

The eighth book in the Harry Potter series is set nineteen years after the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, taking readers back to the enchanting world of wizards. Harry, Ron and Hermione all work at the Ministry of Magic, balancing careers with their family life; all have children attending Hogwarts. In his first year at Hogwarts, Harry and Ginny’s youngest son, Albus, is sorted into Slytherin, and instantly befriends Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpious. The two seclude themselves from others and grow up mostly as outcasts. As Albus enters his teen years, he struggles with having famous Harry Potter as a father, and Harry struggles to understand his adolescent son. Meanwhile, a time-turner is uncovered at the Ministry of Magic, and Amos Diggory pleads with Harry to travel back and save his son Cedric. Fans of the original series will love the journey back in time, happy to meet old characters and new. THOUGHTS:  The play format might seem sparse to seasoned Harry Potter readers, but fanatics and fans alike will love traveling back to Hogwarts to see what Harry, Ron, and Hermione are up to.

Fantasy        Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

 

lablost

Córdova, Zoraida. Labyrinth Lost. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Fire, 2016. 978-1-4926-2094-5. 324 pp. $17.99. Gr. 8 and up.

Alejandra just wants to be a normal Brooklyn teenager who hangs out with her friends, goes to concerts, and definitely does not come from a long line of brujas (witches). Instead, she’s a burgeoning encantrix whose Deathday ceremony (a chance to connect with and be blessed by her ancestors) is fast approaching. So Alex, who hates her magic, devises a risky plan to perform a spell that will cast out her powers. When the spell backfires, Alex’s whole family disappears into the spirit realm of Los Lagos. With the help of cute but mysterious Nova, Alex opens a portal to Los Lagos so she can rescue her family. Suddenly, everything depends on the powers she’s never bothered to hone. It’s truly a bruja‘s odyssey, complete with challenges, obstacles, and tricksters. The cliffhanger ending will either frustrate readers or entice them to read the forthcoming sequel. THOUGHTS: Cordova has crafted a fully realized world and a beguiling mythology that more than compensates for the novel’s slightly slow start (Alex’s family doesn’t disappear until nearly a third of the way into the book’s 300+ pages).

Fantasy Fiction        Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School Library

 

ghosts

Telgemeier, Raina. Ghosts. New York: Graphix, 2016. 978-0-54554-062-9. $24.99. Gr. 6-12.

Cat and her family are moving to Northern California. The salty sea air there is better for her younger sister Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. While her family is excited for the change, Cat is sad to leave her friends back in Southern California and anxious about her new town which is said to be very haunted. Cat and Maya’s neighbor, Carlos, takes them on a ghost tour through town, and an encounter with the spirits leaves Maya hospitalized. Cat is determined to keep her sister safely away from the ghosts, but when Maya returns home, she is determined to see them again. Cat is scared, and not just of ghosts; Dia de los Muertos is coming up, and meeting with the many ghosts may be too much for Maya. Telgemeier once again creates an excellent middle grade graphic novel that explores tough issues through relatable text and beautiful illustrations. For those who loved Telgemeier’s previous books Smile, Drama and Sisters, this will be another popular graphic novel in your Middle School. THOUGHTS: An exciting opportunity to incorporate a supplemental text and a graphic novel into a language class that studies Dia de los Muertos. Students really relate to and love Telgemeier’s story and artwork. While relatable to tweens and teens, readers also get a chance to explore cultural traditions they may not be familiar with.

Paranormal Fantasy        Victoria Schoewbel, Friends’ Central School

YA Dystopian – Black River Falls; The Rains

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blackriverfalls

Hirsch, Jeff. Black River Falls. New York: Clarion Books, 2016. 978-544-390997.  $17.99. 328 pp. Gr. 7-12.

The residents of Black River, New York, have been hit with a virus (specifically, Lassiter’s Viral Retrograde Amnesia), which leaves them physically healthy but robbed of their past memories of family, occupation, and self.  Seventeen-year-old Cardinal Cassidy is writing this book as a letter to his older brother in college to explain the drastic changes in their town and family (both parents were infected).  As an uninfected person, Cardinal is now best friends with his former bully, Greer, and in a mountain camp in the quarantined city they try to protect younger infected children from falling victim to the increasingly lawless city.  Piecing together their pasts or their futures would be helpful too.  A green-haired girl they call Hannah joins them, and they deduce that she came to Black River to be infected and forget…but what?  As time goes on, the government wants to erase the existence of the disease and the city, and Cardinal and his friends are caught in the crossfire.   THOUGHTS: This is an odd book to categorize.  The setup is appealing and seems to promise either action or thoughtful introspection about memory and identity.  Instead, the intriguing premise falls flat; the book lacks both action and depth of insight.  While Hirsch does offer some action, it’s not until the final chapters. He does attempt thought on character choices (seeing how happy she is, Cardinal chooses not to reveal his mom’s sometimes happy, sometimes painful past to her; when immune Cardinal has a chance to be infected and thus forget his own awful memories, he chooses to keep his life as it is).  Ultimately, a quote from Cardinal himself sums up the book: “I…got moving without any real destination in mind” (301).  The book is refreshingly free from explicit relationships or language, and the action, while deadly, is handled with care.  Recommended for collections where stand-alone dystopian fiction is in high demand.   

Dystopian       Melissa Scott, Shenango High School

 

therains

Hurwitz, Gregg. The Rains. New York: Tor Teen. 2016. 978-0765382672. 352 pp. $17.99. Gr. 8 and up.

Something is terribly wrong in the isolated community of Creek’s Cause, home to 16-year old Chance Rain and his older brother, Patrick. A recent meteor shower has unleashed a “Dusting” of malignant spores that infected everyone over age eighteen. With eyeholes bored straight through their skulls, the Hosts waste no time in capturing, caging, and transporting the town’s children to parts unknown. Some of the kids seek shelter at the high school and try to organize a resistance. But with Patrick’s eighteenth birthday just a week away, the Rains and Patrick’s girlfriend, Alex, decide to go in search of help. On the way, they discover that what’s happening in Creek’s Cause is only a prelude to infection on a much greater scale. Incorporating elements of classic zombie and alien invasion stories, The Rains gets off to a gruesome start and a quick pace that Hurwitz maintains throughout. The brothers’ race against time adds extra suspense to this YA horror series-starter. THOUGHTS: It’s the best of all the recent zombie novels, and it’s recommended for fans of Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin series. Hopefully the sequel isn’t far behind!

Dystopian (Zombies)      Amy Pickett, Ridley High School

 

 

New YA Fiction (Gr. 9+) – Shallow Graves; Unexpected Everything; It’s All Your Fault

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shallowgraves

Wallace, Kali. Shallow Graves. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2016. 978-0-06236-0620-7. $17.99. 360pp. Gr. 9-12.

Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave, clinging to a man who was unburying her and killing him in the process. She doesn’t remember who killed her or how she died, but she knows the man who woke her was a murderer. Now Breezy is wandering, not dead but not alive, trying to discover all she can about the year that’s passed since her unsolved murder. One thing’s for sure, Breezy can sense when someone has murdered, and she can kill them with a touch of her hand. Her mysterious peculiarity leads her to a youth ministry, where she hopes to find friends but finds only demon hunters instead. On the run, Breezy teams up with some interesting, paranormal creatures to escape the hunters. While Breezy’s murder storyline is engaging and there’s an interesting mix of paranormal with reality, Wallace doesn’t commit to any particular plot line. Readers are often confused about what’s going on and why they should care. THOUGHTS: There’s potential here for a good mystery, but the story and characters end up flat.

Paranormal Mystery; Horror      Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

 

unexpected

Matson, Morgan. The Unexpected Everything. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2016. 978-1481404549. 528 p. $17.99. Gr. 9 and up.

Andi has lived her life in the public eye, always worrying about how her appearance, actions, and reactions will affect the political life of her Congressman father. She has a longtime set of friends that act more like her family, since her mother died a few years ago and Andi’s father focused even more attention on his political agenda. Now, the summer before her senior year, Andi is prepared to leave home and attend a Young Scholars Program at John Hopkins University, and she can’t get out quick enough. Suddenly, a scandal rocks her father’s world, and all of Andi’s summer plans are null and void. Desperate for a job, she interviews for a dog-walking position and soon finds herself juggling 3-4 active canines multiple times a day. She takes an interest in one young man and his dog, and a beautiful summer romance begins, but could she find something more with the shy, sweet young writer, who, of course, is dealing with his own demons? The characters are well-drawn and likeable, especially Andi’s group of fun and feisty friends. The romances can seem a bit cliche at times, but what high school romance is not fraught with angst and sighs of longing, with parties on the beach and chiseled bodies? Yet, Matson gives depth and space to Andi’s father throughout the story, and his development seems to mirror that of his daughter’s and separates this novel from the normal teen romance. THOUGHTS: This is an excellent summer romance book and would be perfect for teens who think they know what they want, but are wondering if something can be found on a distant and uncharted horizon.

Realistic Fiction     Lindsey Myers, Shady Side Academy Senior School

This was a sweet yet slightly imperfect read for a summer break. The characters were fun, but the story was drawn out a bit too much at times, and might lose the attention of a more reluctant reader unable to make it through the 500+ pages. Parts do include text message exchanges between the friends, and these are hilarious and fast-paced, giving the reader a break from the heavy inner monologue going on at times. I will probably be recommending this to mostly freshman, sophomores and juniors, as it is a bit young for seniors.

 

fault

Rudnick, Paul. It’s All Your Fault. New York, Scholastic Press, 2016. 978-0545464284. 304p. $19.99. Gr. 9 and up.

Rudnick’s novel reads a bit like a Disney Channel movie, with a dash of PG-13 action mixed in, which makes for a fun and easy read. Caitlin Singleberry is one of 9 siblings and has been homeschooled her whole life. She loves her knee socks and singing in her family’s group, the Singing Singleberries. She does, however, have a movie-star cousin/former best friend who their mothers decide is in need of Caitlin’s help. The aptly-named Heller is the star of a new movie based on a popular book series (think Hunger Games meets Harry Potter), and must participate in numerous public events. Due to past indiscretions, her production team and mother need someone to watch over her and keep her on the straight and narrow. Who better to do this than Caitlin, who sees herself as a good, Christian, law-abiding girl? What ensues is a fast-paced romp that might help Caitlin realize what she needed in life all along. Rudnick slowly reveals what happened between Heller and Caitlin to end their friendship, though this technique does seem a bit contrived at times. Yet, Caitlin and Heller both face inner demons, and young adults will appreciate the authentic portrayal of teen issues, even if the experiences the girls go through might not be relatable.  THOUGHTS: The plot does move fast and the writing is fresh and fun, so reluctant readers will eat this up.

Realistic Fiction   Lindsey Myers, Shady Side Academy Senior School

Against my better judgement, I did find myself enjoying this novel. I did love Disney Channel movies as a child (and I sometimes feel nostalgic for them as an adult!), so this novel was a simple and fun read after a summer heavy with non-fiction. I found myself laughing out loud at times, and thoroughly engrossed in the antics of the two young protagonists. There is some alcohol use involved, which raises it above the level of the Disney movie, where characters sometimes never even kiss. I can see younger students enjoying this, and will probably be recommending it to my freshmen this fall.

New YA Fiction (Gr. 7-12) – Stars Above; Cure for the Common Universe; The Lie Tree; 12 Days of Dash and Lily

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starsabove

Meyer, Marissa. Stars Above. New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2016. 978-1-25009-184-0. $17.99. 400pp. Gr. 6-12.

Just when you thought The Lunar Chronicles had come to an end, Meyer publishes this fantastic collection of short stories! A compilation of previously published and never before published stories, Stars Above brings together favorite characters from the entire Lunar Chronicles series.  Stories take place before, during, and after the series and answer questions such as: How did Cinder arrive in New Beijing? What was Wolf’s childhood like? And what happens to Wolf and Scarlet? Cress and Thorne? Cinder and Kai? The real gem of the collection is Meyer’s new story, Something Old, Something New, which will have many fans swooning. THOUGHTS: A great addition to any library where the Lunar Chronicles reigns, plus a wonderful bonus collection for fans of the series.

Fantasy; Story Collection     Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

 

cure

Heidicker, Christian McKay. Cure for the Common Universe. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016. 978-1-48145-027-0. $17.99. Gr. 7-12.

Sixteen year old Jaxon spends a lot of time inside playing video games. So much time that he often fights about it with his dad and stepmom, who think he’s too antisocial and reclusive. One such fight has Jaxon storming off to the carwash, and while there, he meets the most amazing, incredible girl, Selena, and scores a date with her at the end of the week. But, when Jaxon gets home, he finds out his parents are sending him away to video game rehab. Determined to get out in time for his date, Jaxon is willing to lie and cheat his way out, even if it means hurting his fellow rehabbers in the process. A slew of video game references, ranging from uncommon to super popular, will appeal to readers of all ages. Jaxon and the other teens he’s in rehab with aren’t just struggling with video game addiction, but other common issues teens face on a day to day basis. THOUGHTS: A fun, refreshing read that will fit in nicely next to anything by Ernest Cline or Cory Doctorow.

Realistic Fiction     Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

 

lietree

Hardinge, Frances. The Lie Tree. New York: Amulet, 2016.  978-1-4197-1895-3. 377 p.  $17.95.  Gr. 7 and up.


When Faith Sunderly’s father, a renowned naturalist, is accused of faking his most famous discovery, the family flees to the fictional island of Vane to escape the rumors.  Shortly thereafter, Faith’s father is found dead, a suspected suicide, and Faith is determined to prove that he was murdered.  Her investigation leads her to her father’s most prized specimen, a mysterious tree that only bears fruit when lies are spread.  After spreading a lie of her own, Faith eats the fruit and begins hallucinating and having visions of secret truths.  Convinced that she can use the tree to discover the truth about her father, she continues spreading lies and eating the fruit.  What she doesn’t anticipate is that her quest to solve her father’s murder may put her directly on the murderer’s radar.  THOUGHTS: I had a hard time classifying this book, as it has elements of fantasy, history, science, and mystery and would therefore resonate with a variety of readers.  The book would serve as a great discussion starter on creationism vs. evolution or on customs and rituals of the late nineteenth century (the era during which the book is set).  It is also a clear portrait of the extreme sexism that prevailed during this time, for Faith is incredibly intelligent and yet society restricts her from doing much of what she desires to do.  Because the book includes philosophical themes (for instance, the way rumors can spread like wildfire and cause major repercussions), it may be better suited to stronger readers.  However, fans of historical fiction, fantasy fiction, and books with strong female characters will thoroughly enjoy this title.

Historical Fantasy          Julie Ritter, Montoursville Area High School​

 

12days

Cohn, Rachel and David Levithan. The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2016. 978-0-399-55380-6. $12.97. 224p. Gr. 6 and up.

The follow-up to Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares is not one to miss. Life has been complicated for the teenage couple, starting with a beloved grandfather falling ill. Now, busy schedules and difficulties communicating threaten to push Dash and Lily apart. The Christmas-loving Lily isn’t even remotely in the holiday mood. Can her brother (who, adding to the chaos, is moving out to live with his boyfriend) and Dash restore Lily’s holiday cheer? Or is it gone forever? THOUGHTS: It was painful to see one of my favorite couples in trouble! If you haven’t read the first novel, this new one will still be fun to read, although you likely won’t be as invested in the outcome. This book got me laughing with Christmas puns (a pair in a partridge tree), a friendly attack dog, and glitter that seriously maims a bunch of ice skating librarians.

Realistic Fiction  Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

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

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masterminds

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

 

mutt

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

Adult Crossover (HS) – Only Love…; Wrecked; You Will Know Me

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onlylove

Tarkington, Ed. Only Love Can Break Your Heart. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2016. 978-1-61620-382-5. 307 pp. $26.95. Gr. 10 and up.

As a young boy growing up in late 1970s small-town Virginia, Rocky Askew idolizes his rebellious older half-brother, Paul. Rocky is also infatuated with Paul’s beautiful but secretly troubled girlfriend, Leigh. Following a rift with their father (“the Old Man”), Paul kidnaps Rocky from elementary school with a subtly threatening but unclear motive. After delivering a cigarette-sick Rocky home, Paul runs away with Leigh and literally disappears. Leigh returns home months later but doesn’t seem sure of where Paul is, or if he’s even alive. Meanwhile, Rocky is seduced by an older neighbor named Patricia, and the far-reaching ripples of Black Monday lead to the Old Man’s downfall. Debut author Ed Tarkington then throws a catastrophic wedding, a high school production of Equus, and a ritualized double murder into the mix of this virtuosic literary achievement. Narrated with a reflective tone by an adult Rocky looking back, it has echoes of To Kill a Mockingbird, true crime, the music of Neil Young, and recent crossover standout My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh. At its core, Only Love Can Break Your Heart is a book about love: love between brothers, fathers and sons, first loves, and people and places. It’s also about how love can be manipulated to make people do inexplicable, terrible things. THOUGHTS: Reading Only Love Can Break Your Heart is just like hearing a forgotten favorite song from adolescence: every word is perfectly right and every note rings true.

Historical Fiction; Adult Crossover      Amy V. Pickett, Ridley HS

Because of this adult novel’s sexual content (namely Rocky’s relationship with Patricia), I recommend reading it before deciding whether to add it to your library’s collection for teens. Even if you opt not to recommend it to students, all of the literary allusions and nostalgia make it a wonderful choice for a teacher book club. Alex Award winners are really tough to predict, but Only Love Can Break Your Heart‘s fraught coming-of-age storyline could make it a contender!

 

wrecked

Padian, Maria. Wrecked. New York : Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. 9781616206246. 357 pp. $17.95. Gr.10 and up.

In her powerful and thought provoking novel, Wrecked,  Maria Padian examines the complexities of an on-campus sexual assault. The events of the night in question are revealed in flashbacks interspersed throughout the novel. But, the focus of the story is on Haley and Richard, the roommates of the victim and the perpetrator who become embroiled in the school’s investigation into the incident. Their budding romance is tested as they are immediately thrown on opposite sides of the story. Though neither Haley nor Richard are close friends with Jenny and Jordan, they become uneasy participants in the unfolding inquiry and drama. The truth of what occurred is hard to determine; each character in the book perceives the truth through the lens of their own personal views and experiences. The novel sheds light on the pervasive self-absorption of many of the characters which reveals their lack of empathy for their fellow student. And, the situation is further complicated by the campus culture of binge drinking and easy hookups. The specter of social media harassment adds fuel to the drama.  This novel is recommended for older teen readers due to the mature themes, but it does present an important topic for discussion for students of both sexes.  THOUGHTS: A compelling look at a very serious topic and a timely read, especially in light of recent news coverage of campus sexual assault cases.  The author manages to convey a powerful message about consent that all young people must understand.

Realistic Fiction      Nancy Summers, Abington Senior HS

 

youwillknowme

Abbott, Megan. You Will Know Me. New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2016. 978-0-316-23107-7. 345 pp. $26.00. Gr. 10 and up.

To fill the Olympic-sized hole in your life, look no further than You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott. It’s an adult crossover thriller set in the world of competitive gymnastics. Fifteen-year old Devon Knox has set her sights on Senior Elite status and, potentially, the Olympics. Her parents, Katie and Eric, are ultra-involved in both Devon’s training regimen and the gym where she trains: the boosters, the equipment, the coaching staff, and the gossip. Just weeks before Senior Elite qualifiers, Ryan (the boyfriend of beloved but volatile assistant coach Hailey) is found dead in an apparent hit-and-run. It’s both a tragedy and a huge disruption to Devon’s training plan. As her parents wrestle with how to proceed, police involvement suggests that maybe Ryan’s death wasn’t so accidental. Told from the point-of-view of full-time gymnastics mom, Katie, and set in the tense days following the accident, You Will Know Me has all the elements of a page-turner: a dazzling but largely opaque sport, a very cute but very dead guy, and the secrets of a teenager nicknamed “Ice Eyes.” THOUGHTS: With the amazing success of Simone Biles and the entire U.S. Gymnastics team, now is the perfect time to get this crossover thriller into the hands (and onto the devices) of teen readers!

Realistic Fiction; Mystery/Suspense; Adult Crossover     Amy V. Pickett, Ridley HS

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

YA Mystery – With Malice; Study in Charlotte

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malice

Cook, Eileen. With Malice. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 978-0-5448-0509-5. 316 pp. $17.99. Gr. 9 and up.

When Jill Charron wakes up in the hospital, she has a broken leg, a head injury, and absolutely no memory of the last six weeks. She pieces together that she and her best friend, Simone, were in a car crash while on their Adventures Abroad trip to Italy. Simone died in the crash, and now Jill stands accused of deliberately killing her, fueled by a lifetime of jealousy. A media frenzy surrounds the case, recalling the real-life investigation and trial of Amanda Knox for the 2007 death of her roommate in Perugia, Italy. Cook fleshes out the sensational media attention on Jill through news excerpts, eyewitness accounts, Justice for Simone blog posts, and police interview transcripts. Jill is a sympathetic but necessarily distant main character; readers will pull for her as she strives to recover from both her physical injuries and her memory loss. With the exception of Anna, Jill’s tough-talking rehab roommate, the supporting characters are stereotypical (e.g., the Italian tour guide is a lothario who romanced both girls). That aside, this novel’s strength is its portrayal of a lifelong female friendship that may have gone horribly wrong. Did Jill resent playing second fiddle to vivacious Simone enough to harm her? Did she take the wheel of the car “with malice aforethought” or was it simply a tragic accident? Will her own memories make her wish she could forget again? THOUGHTS: Students who enjoy reading about the intricacies of memory disorders, mysteries, and the nuances of female friendship will enjoy With Malice by Eileen Cook.

Mystery      Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School

 

studyincharlotte

Cavallaro, Brittany. A Study in Charlotte. New York: Katherine Tegan Books, 2016. 978-0062398901. 336 p. $17.99. Gr. 9+.

The first in a planned trilogy, A Study in Charlotte introduces many young fans to both the story of Sherlock Holmes and the talented writer Brittany Cavallaro. Unlike some retellings of Sherlock Holmes, this story imagines that Holmes and Watson were real people, and their descendents are following in their respective footsteps. Teenager Jamie Watson has earned a rugby scholarship to a private school in Connecticut, so he sadly leaves his mother and sister behind in London. Though not pumped to be in the States (or near his father, who lives close to the school), Jamie is excited by the fact that Charlotte Holmes, the youngest of the Holmes clan and already known for her detecting abilities, attends the school. After meeting her at a poker game, the two quickly become friends, especially after a fellow classmate is murdered and they both are prime suspects. Jamie is quickly thrown into Charlotte’s world of science, espionage, and intrigue. The characters are interesting yet sometimes slow to evolve from cliches into unique individuals; Charlotte seems rather two dimensional at first, and I was happy Cavallaro slowly gave her more nuances as the story grew. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes’s rampant drug use, Charlotte does fight drug addiction and relies on Jamie to draw her out of her shell, as he relies on her to bring excitement to his life, wanted or not. THOUGHTS: Though slow to start, the story does pick up the pace quite a bit and ends with a bang. Readers will be eager to read the original tales, and anticipate the next installment in the trilogy.

Mystery       Lindsey Myers, Shady Side Academy Senior School

Though I have never been an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes or the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I did find myself enjoying the novel and the adventure aspect of the story. Since reading this novel does make me want to revisit the originals, I can bet that our students will feel the same way! I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of this novel, which I am sure will attract many teens.

MS Fantasy – Lilliput; Broken Ground

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lilliput

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

 

broken

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.

Fantasy; Action/Adventure    Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Animals Series – Survivors: The Gathering Darkness; Dog Chronicles

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Hunter, Erin and Laszlo Kubinyi. Survivors: The Gathering Darkness #1: A Pack Divided. New York: HarperCollins, 2015. 978-0062343338 . 278p. $16.99. Gr. 4-8.

This is the first book in the brand new Survivors: The Gathering Darkness series, brought to us by bestselling author of the much loved Warriors series about cats. The protagonist, Storm, is a female “fierce” dog member of the Wild Pack. Within the pack there are rivalries and conflict that create tension in the story and keep readers turning the pages. The confrontations from pack members cause Storm to doubt herself and have vivid nightmares. Hunter continues to write high quality adventure with full character development and emotional depth. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy, adventure, and animals, this volume contains a nice pictorial guide at the end to the dozens of Seekers, Warriors, and Survivors series. THOUGHTS: Even as an adult reader I find myself completely sucked into this fantasy world and enjoying every minute. I’d recommend readers start with the first 6 Survivor series books to get background on this story arc. Then, be prepared for your readers to complain that they must wait until summer 2016 to read the next Survivors: The Gathering Darkness book. Everything Warriors and Survivors are very big with fourth graders at my school.

Adventure, Animal Fantasy     Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School

 

finder

Hart, Alison. Finder: Coal Mine Dog. (Dog Chronicles) Atlanta: Peachtree, 2015. 176p. 978-156145-8608. $12.95. Gr. 4-8.

Finder, a mountain cur, narrates this story of a terrible coal mine disaster that killed 256 coal miners. At the story’s start, however, he is training, unsuccessfully, to be a hunting dog. He sees his human family this way: “Uncle trains me. Aunt scolds me. Thomas loves me.” It is the bond between fourteen-year-old Thomas and Finder that is the root of the story. Thomas is living with his aunt and uncle since his parents’ deaths, and he’s willing to help to make ends meet in tough 1909, Cherry, Illinois. He unhappily obeys his uncle’s wish that he leave school and begin work in the coal mine. His one solace is that Finder can accompany him. The next few months prove startlingly harsh for the physical labor, negative health effects, and unrelenting debt, but they also provide new friends, a solid bond between Thomas and Finder, and a maturing for Thomas. When a fire starts in a coal car in the mines, it grows to disastrous proportions, and many men are killed or trapped. Thomas and Finder are inside the mine and help many of the men; some who live, some who die. The ending would make the protagonist of Korman’s No More Dead Dogs proud—Finder and Thomas emerge from the mines, injured but offered new positions on the mine safety team. THOUGHTS: This is the third book in a stand-alone series, Dog Chronicles. Titles include: Darling, Mercy Dog of World War I (2013) and Murphy, Gold Rush Dog (2014). This is a decent upper elementary and middle school series that includes the grit of life as well as the joy of dogs. A teacher’s guide is available from Titlewave.

Historical Fiction      Melissa Scott, Shenango High School