YA Fantasy…Six of Crows; The Shadow Behind the Stars

Posted on February 2, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Bardugo, Leigh. Six of Crows. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2015. 978-1-6277-9212-7. 480 p. $18.99. Gr 9-12.

Kaz Brekker, aka Dirtyhands, is the most infamous criminal in Ketterdam. As a notorious master of lockpicking, disguise, and thievery, Kaz leads a gang of misfits known as the Dregs. Each member is unique: Inej, trained as an acrobat is known as The Wraith; Nina, a Grisha Heartrender, can manipulate internal organs; Jesper, is a gambler with a secret; Matthias, a prisoner, is trained to hunt and kill Grisha, and Wylan, is a boy with a penchant for explosives. When Kaz is offered a small fortune for breaking a prisoner out of the impenetrable Ice Court, he knows only the right crew can help him pull off the job. So, Kaz and the Dregs set off towards the frozen city of Fjerda, uncovering dark and deadly secrets along the way. Leigh Bardugo outdoes herself in this outstanding, well-crafted story that takes place two years after the best-selling Grisha Trilogy. Told from five different narratives, the life, and often heartbreaking history, of each character is drawn out as the story progresses. THOUGHTS: An excellent addition to the world of YA fantasy; look for the next book in the series to hit shelves in September 2016.

Fantasy Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

Bardugo, Leigh. Six of Crows. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, 2015. 978-1-62779-212-7. 465 p. $16.99. Gr. 9-12.

Six of Crows is the story of six young people who have been offered the chance to pull off the greatest (and possibly riskiest) heist in history. Ketterdam is a city ruled by the Merchant Council; however, rival gangs rule the streets, brothels, and gambling houses. When presented with the opportunity to rescue a prisoner from the most secure prison imaginable, Kaz Brekker can’t resist. He assembles the best crew he can: “A convict with a thirst for revenge, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager, a runaway with a privileged past, a spy known as the Wraith, and a Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.” There’s also Kaz himself, an expert lock pick, illusionist, and thief who takes calculated risks. Bardugo expands on the world of the Grisha trilogy and sends readers on a journey into a world that blends magic and mystery with heist and suspense. Readers will like the well-developed characters and their interactions, rooting for them along the way. Bardugo leaves readers with an unresolved ending, which will have them anxiously awaiting Crooked Kingdom. THOUGHTS: Six of Crows was the most enjoyable fantasy novel that I have read in the past few years. It may be one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in the past few years. Kaz Brekker is the anti-hero that you can’t help but like. Magic, suspense, danger, mystery, romance, and a heist, what’s not to love?

Fantasy Graig Henshaw, Littlestown Senior HS/Maple Avenue MS

Hahn, Rebecca. The Shadow Behind the Stars. New York: Atheneum, 2015. 978-1-4814-3571-0. 240 p. $17.99. Gr. 7 and up.

Chloe, the youngest of the three sisters, or three Fates, tells the story of what happens when a human comes to their world. The three Fates are immortals, the ones who shape lives, and they live alone on a Greek island. Aglaia, the mortal, has a tragic story, and the Fates getting involved with her can lead to disaster. The Fates know this as they also know they can’t change destiny. The story of Aglaia is the most interesting part to read and has a darkness much like any traditional Greek Tragedy. THOUGHTS: Hahn has a beautiful, poetic style. This book will appeal to students interested in Greek mythology but not many others because it reads a bit dry due to lack of adventure.

Mythology Rachel Gutzler, Wilson High School

New YA Hi/Lo from Epic Press – Time of Death

Posted on January 25, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Anderson, Josh. The Tunnel (Time of Death series). Minneapolis: Epic Press, 2016. 978-1-68076-064-4. $22.50. 208p. Grades 9+.

Are some things, no matter how terrible, horrific or unbearable, destined to happen no matter what choices you make? If you could go back in time to alter your future, would you do it? This is exactly the opportunity Kyle Cash is give in Josh Anderson’s The Tunnel, part of the Time of Death series. After smoking weed and taking shots of tequila before school one morning, Kyle wrecks into a school bus causing all of the students and the driver on board to die. When given the chance to travel back to 1998, before he was born, to talk his dad into stopping him from making this fateful mistake, Kyle jumps at it. But, he soon is forced to ask himself if it’s worth all of the risk? Will it work, or will the Kyle of 2015 still end up in in prison? THOUGHTS: The Time of Death series is a great set of books for struggling readers who don’t want to show their peers that they struggle. The cool topics hook readers, and the short chapters with larger print makes the time spent reading fly by. I would definitely put this in the hands of a student who needs a good book and some confidence.

Realistic Fantasy Laura Ward, Fox Chapel Area High School

MS series Fiction continuation – Urban Outlaws

Posted on January 21, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Black, Peter Jay. Urban Outlaws: Blackout. Bloomsbury: New York, 2015. 978-1-61963-592-0. 291 p. $16.99 Gr. 4-8.

In the second book of the Urban Outlaws series, a major computer virus has spread. Obi believes that his uncle changed the will of his parents after his parents died in a plane crash and asks his friends for help locating the document. In their quest to capture the crushingly powerful computer virus, the group meets Hector, a young adult who knows a ton about computers and believes that he can trap the virus. But, the group wonders if they should trust Hector, which leads to conflict. THOUGHTS: With characters lacking a traditional family, they come together to help solve a major computer virus showing that hard work pays off. This is the second book in the series, and I would advise that students read the books in order.

Action/Adventure Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Upper Elementary/MS Series Fiction – Curious Cat Spy Club; The Quirks; Dance Divas

Posted on January 18, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Singleton, Linda Joy. The Curious Cat Spy Club. Chicago: Albert Whitman, 2015. 978-0-8075-13767. 245 p. $14.99. Gr. 3-6.

Becca lives at the Wild Oaks Animal Sanctuary and has a group of friends known as Sparklers. When Becca is chasing their zorse, Kelsey helps to stop the creature from fleeing by sharing her father’s homemade cookies. Becca is grateful for her help and makes sure that her mother calls Kelsey’s parents so they understand why the cookies did not make it to the Veteran’s Hall. It is the unlikely sound of cats in a dumpster that ties the crew of Kelsey, Becca and then Leo, an aloof boy from their class that loves robots, together. It seems that too many pets are missing. Their club meets in secret at the Skunk Shack. Their friendship will be challenged and also grow as the mystery becomes more intense. Thoughts: This book is the perfect start to a series for upper elementary and middle school readers in need of a detective story that is not overly scary.

Realistic Fiction; Mystery Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Soderberg, Erin. The Quirks and the Quirkalicious Birthday. New York: Bloomsbury, 2015. 978-1-61963-370-4. 199 p. $13.99. Gr. 3-6.

Join the next installment in the series as the twins prepare for their tenth birthday. For the first time, they will have a party and can each invite ten guests since they have been living in Normal, Michigan, for a few weeks. Who will they invite and how will they agree on the location and special events for the party? In their quest to solve the Quikalicius Birthday Hunt from their grandfather, the two will learn how to work together and when to tell a joke. In a way, the series reminds you of Savvy by Ingrid Law as most of the family members have certain powers. Full page and smaller black and white illustrations advance the narrative. Thoughts: With a family and mixed special abilities, I think of this book as a perfect read for students who have older sibling devouring Ingrid Law’s Savvy. With powerful abilities, students could also relate the characters to various comic book characters.

Realistic Fiction Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Berk, Sheryl. Dance Divas: Showstopper. New York: Bloomsbury, 2015. 127 p. 978-1-61963-575-3. $15.99. Gr. 3-6.

Enter the sixth novel in the series as Miss Toni decided that the dancers will have time off during the week of President’s Day. While used to having the finest costumes available, this time the dancers will have to make their own costumes based upon the card they select. Gracie selected the joker card and has difficulty narrowing down her costume. To fuel her dream, Anya and her mother live thousands of miles away from her father and brother. Rochelle and her family invited them over for Christmas, but it wasn’t the same. They are preparing for the dance competition in Las Vegas. Anya and her mother fly out to LAX and learn that her brother passed his driver’s test. During her week, the teacher is practicing merging ballet and hip-hop. At what could be her last performance in Las Vegas with her dance troupe, she learns that her brother was seriously injured when driving. What will happen next? Thoughts: While a sixth in the series, I think a student could read the books in any order and take delight reading the books.

Realistic Fiction Beth McGuire, Wendover Middle School

Series Enders – Manners & Mutiny; Winter

Posted on January 6, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview

Carriger, Gail. Manners & Mutiny (Finishing School Book 4). New York: Little Brown and Company, 2015. 978-0-316-19028-2. $18.00. 317p. Grades 9+.

Sophronia is in her final year at Mme. Geraldine’s Finishing School for girls and like most students approaching graduation, she is nervous for what lies ahead. After being betrayed by Felix Mersey in Waistcoats & Weaponry, she is now even more unsure of her feelings toward him and Soap, the adorable sootie- turned werewolf. One thing that is for sure is that Soap is set on marrying Sophronia. Sophronia finds out that her secrets about her future employment aren’t as well kept as she’d like and that her friends are even better at keeping secrets than she would ever have imagined. THOUGHTS: Manners & Mutiny is a great conclusion to this fun series with appearances by a lot of familiar characters like Monique, Veive and Sophronia’s older sister Petunia.

Steampunk Laura Ward, Fox Chapel Area High School

Meyer, Marissa. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles Bk. 4). New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2015. 978-0-312-64298-3. $22.99. 823p. Grades 9+.

Two words: emotional rollercoaster. That is the only way to describe Marissa Meyer’s Winter, the conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles. Every time you think that Cinder and her ragtag team of revolutionaries are going to finally overthrow the evil Queen Levana of Luna, something happens: the group gets separated, someone is captured, someone is taken over by a Lunar using their brainwashing power. Every. Single. Time. All 800 plus pages. Every time you get hope; it is dashed away. This is action-packed and keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. THOUGHTS: This is a fantastic conclusion to the series. It’s a fun and fresh take on classic fairy tales, complete with a happy ending – even if it rips your heart apart time and time again getting to the happy ending.

Fantasy Laura Ward, Fox Chapel Area High School

Meyer, Marissa. Winter. New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2015. 978-0-3126-4298-3. 832 p. $22.99. Gr 6-12.

In this excellent final installment of the popular Lunar Chronicles series, readers are introduced to Princess Winter, step-daughter of evil Queen Levana, in this Snow White like tale. While Princess Winter has the same mind control ability as other Lunars, she refuses to use it, which over time has driven her to hallucinations and memory lapses. Guarded by the handsome guard Jacin, Winter is kind to all and the people of Lunar adore her, which only heightens Queen Levana’s jealousy and hatred. After teaming up with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, the team works together to infiltrate the castle and end Levana’s treacherous reign. Like the previous titles in the Lunar Chronicles, Meyer’s fairy tail references are subtle and the fast-paced plot will appeal to readers of pretty much any genre. Meyer gives each of the popular character couples plenty of page time to satisfy shippers and romance fans. THOUGHTS: Winter is about 300 pages longer than the previous books in the series, so die-hard fans will be satisfied until the very end. For those of us sad to see the series end, don’t fret quite yet; Meyer is releasing a collection of Cinder themed short stories in February, called Stars Above, which will feature previously published stories and new content, as well.

Fantasy Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

New early chapter series…Little Rhino

Posted on November 3, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Howard, Ryan and Krystle Howard. Little Rhino: My New Team. New York: Scholastic, 2015. 978-0-545-67490-4. 96pp. $4.99. Grades 2–3.

Rhino rushes home from third grade every afternoon to play backyard baseball with his grandfather. But one day, Grandpa James has a big surprise: he’s signed Rhino up to play in a real baseball league! Rhino can’t wait to wear a real jersey and hat like the pros! He’s excited for his first day of practice until he finds out the class bully, Dylan, is on his team. Rhino must learn how to be a good teammate and a good sport, even when he doesn’t get along with all the players on his team. This is the first title in a beginning-chapter-book series written by Major League baseball player Ryan Howard and his wife. The Howards do a nice job balancing on-the-field baseball action with interpersonal dynamics all young readers must learn how to deal with. This title tackles sportsmanship, bullying, standing up for yourself, and making new friends all while centering on the excitement of playing on a sports team for the first time. This title has been especially popular with my second and third grade boys.

Sports Fiction Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary, Southern York County

Howard, Ryan and Krystle Howard. Little Rhino: The Best Bat. New York: Scholastic, 2015. 978-0-545-67493-5. 96pp. $4.99. Grades 2–3.

In this second title in the Little Rhino series, Rhino is excited to receive a brand new bat from Grandpa James for working hard both in the classroom and on the baseball field. Rhino can’t wait to use the bat in his team’s first official game on opening day! But when he returns to the dugout after practice one afternoon, his new bat is missing. Mysterious clues start appearing in Rhino’s cubby at school, and it’s up to Rhino to piece them together if he wants his bat back before the team’s season opener. This title is a solid follow-up in the series, and like the first book, it strikes a balance between game-time action and off-the-field interactions with Rhino’s family and friends. While the first title focused on good sportsmanship, how to handle bullying, and how to make new friends, this title centers on personal responsibility, owing your actions, and treating all members of a team with respect.

Sports Fiction Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary, Southern York County

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series – Fairest and An Ember in the Ashes

Posted on September 9, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Meyer, Marissa. Fairest. New York: Rampion Books, 2015. 978-1-250-06055-6. 220 p. $17.99. Gr. 6-12.

What makes someone a monster? Queen Levana’s dark, twisted and somber history is finally revealed in the companion book to the wildly popular Cinder series, and she is much more than a typical villain. Years before Cinder is even born, Levana is in an accident that leaves her permanently disfigured. Gifted in “glamour”, Levana changes her physical appearance and finds herself second in line to the Lunar throne after her parents are murdered. Horribly self-conscious and in love with palace guard Evret, Levana glamours him too, and he and his daughter Winter move into the palace. Soon, her older sister, Princess Channary, becomes Queen and produces an heir, Selene, while Levana’s relationship with Evret becomes increasingly strained. After the unexpected death or Channary, Levana finds herself Queen Regent, and after sitting on the throne, realizes she craves the crown, and devises a dark way to become Queen. Readers will finally discover the grim, selfish actions that created the jealous, vain, and cruel Queen Levana, as well as some background into the childhood of Selene and Winter. As a bonus, readers will be delighted to find the first 3 chapters of Winter at the end of the book.

Fantasy, Science Fiction Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

Tahir, Sabaa. An Ember in the Ashes. New York: Razorbill, 2015. 978-2-59514-803-2. 446 p. $19.95. Gr. 9-12.

Tahir’s strong debut easily stands out as one of the best young adult novels of 2015. Laia lives with her brother and grandparents in an oppressed, brutal world where swearing loyalty to the Empire is the only way to stay alive. When a masked force invades Laia’s home, kidnapping her brother and murdering her grandparents, Laia decides to risk her life and join the rebellion to save her brother. She enters Blackcliff Academy, the military school where the empire’s assassins are trained, and meets Elias, one of the elite students, whose dedication to the school and it’s ruthless leader, the Commandment, strongly waver. Through dueling narratives, Tahir brings Laia and Elias to life, and creates a glittering line of hope and love in a dark, eerie world. Interweaving political intrigue, incredible world-building, and nods to historical cities like Rome, Tahir creates action and drama that will make readers have trouble putting this one down. The success of this debut has lead to a sequel, which will be publish in Spring 2016. Give this one to fans of The Winner’s Curse or Red Queen series.

Dystopia, Fantasy Vicki Schwoebel, Friends’ Central School

A Little Fantasy, Horror, and Series Wrap-ups

Posted on September 15, 2014 by pslamediaselectionreview

Ward, Rachel. The Drowning. New York: Chicken House, 2014. 272 p. 978-05456-27719. $17.99. Gr. 9+.

Carl wakes up with no knowledge of who he, what he is doing laying soaking wet on the river bank, or who the boy is that is being zipped up into the body bag beside. Upon arriving home from the hospital he begins to understand that he, his brother, and an unknown girl were involved in a bizarre and tragic incident that left him in the hospital and took his brother’s life. As Carl’s memories of that night resurface he begins to realize that his brother’s death was not an accident. When his brother’s dripping corpse begins to haunt him and tell him that he needs to finish the job, he is thrust into a battle against time to save the life of the only girl who has ever meant something to him. This book is a quick and enthralling read for reluctant readers. The short and suspenseful chapters encourage readers to read just one more page to see how Carl deals with his menacing, dead brother. The Drowning is a different read from Ward’s Numbers trilogy and is a favorite among Mary Downing Hahn fans.

Horror Melissa Daugherty, Sharon City Schools

Taylor, Laini. Dreams of Gods & Monsters. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2014. 624 p. 978-0316-134071. $19.00. Gr. 9+.

The much anticipated conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy does not disappoint. Karou is still at odds with her feelings for Akiva. She has not come to terms with his actions against her family, but she has accepted that they must combine forces in order to stop Jael’s disturbing plans to take over the human world. The story actually begins hours after Days of Blood and Starlight with Eliza, a new character with a mysterious secret that can help the misbegotten and chimaera save humanity. Karou, Akiva, Zuze, Mik, Ziri and Liraz and the rest of their ragtag group fight unlike ever before as the misbegotten enter Uzbekistan under the disguise of angels sent to save mankind.

Taylor does an excellent job of tying up loose ends and sets the scene for a companion series that is sure to follow. Fans of Mik and Suz will be pleased with the large amount of story time the couple receives and will appreciate Suz’s humorous one liners. The writing in this series is truly beautiful and sometimes even poetic – “Once upon a time, an angel and a devil pressed their hands to their hearts, and started the apocalypse.” Elizabeth’s character seems a bit too convenient, but it provides the answers that the chimaera and misbegotten need and also sets the pace for the yet to be announced new series.

Fantasy Melissa Daugherty, Sharon City Schools

Clare, Cassandra. City of Heavenly Fire. New York: Margaret K. McElderberry Books, 2014. 725 p. 978-1442-416895. $24.99. Gr. 9+.

The sixth and final installment in Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series ends in the same fashion as the previous books in the series, which is with a slight cliffhanger. Shadowhunters from institutes across the world are being kidnapped or murdered. Sebastian has figured out a way to turn Shadowhunters into killing machines, free of morals, willed to do his evil bidding, and left with no memories of their loved ones or previous lives. Relationships end, relationships begin, and beloved characters are killed as Clary, Jace, Alec, Izzy, and Simon enter Sebastian’s new realm, Edom, or what we refer to as the underworld, to try and defeat him once and for all. New characters, Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorne, are introduced and the storyline is set for Clare’s next series, The Dark Artifices.

This one was lengthy and covered a lot of different plot lines. The story goes back and forth between New York, the Los Angeles Institute, Ildris, and Edom. Cassandra Clare packs the perfect combination of wit, romance, and drama with lyrical lines that almost drip with emotion. My students who were already fans of the series loved this one and are already counting down till the release of Lady Midnight, which is the first title in the new Dark Artifices series. I especially like how Clare draws in characters from her other series, such as The Infernal Devices, and gives readers a glimpse into how those characters are doing. There is also a lot of Magnus in this one, which in my opinion, is a major plus.