New Series Nonfiction…Straight Talk About; Ecosystems Inside Out

Posted on November 2, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Bow, James. Binge Drinking (Straight Talk About series). New York: Crabtree, 2015. 978-0778722045. 48p. $30.60. Gr. 7-12.

In the series, Straight Talk About…topics are discussed in detail. A table of contents introduces the sensitive information to readers. Chapters begin with a clear definition of the topic coupled with pictures and individual personal statements relating to situations teens have encountered when facing the specific issue. The author effectively uses the text to talk to readers in an effort to make authentic connections. Photographs are bright, carefully placed, and whenever possible, symbolic in representing text. A feature specifically helpful from a purchasing standpoint is how the book takes into consideration timeless photos, meaning there are few photos of human subjects, focusing on the subject matter. It creates a longevity of the book making it last longer on the library shelves. Subheadings are clear, important words are bold-faced and further defined within text as well as in the glossary. Because the intended audience is students aged 12 and up, there are other resources listed in the back of the book relative to teens in both the United States and Canada as well as frequently asked questions with detailed answers. Informative and straight to the point, these nonfiction resources are perfect for a struggling teen or a student who is researching specific topics.

The series includes Dealing with Loss, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, and Digital Dangers. Because the books are only 48 pages, students will easily find what they are looking for in researching them. The table of contents outlines what exactly students are looking for. It cannot be stressed enough how the photographs and images in the book are timeless. Too often libraries have resources that are outdated not only because of content, but even more because of the images that turn away readers. The authors did this series justice in being forward thinking and non-judgmental.

362.2; Social Issues Brooke Gerlach, Manheim Central MS

Cohen, Marina. Deserts Inside Out. New York: Crabtree, 2015. 978-0778706274. 32p. $27.60. Gr. 4-6.

Ecosystems Inside Out is a series filled with short bursts of information about particular biomes throughout the world. Within each double page spread, readers will learn about the animals inhabiting the ecosystem, the keywords hierarchy of its inhabitants, and relationships between the plants and animals that live there and the nonliving resources found there. Text features are obvious and include bright fonts, bold-faced vocabulary, and subheadings. Even more the author gives the reader an activity to extend and enrich. Locator maps help readers visualize the place in the world the biome is found. The text digs deeper with an “Eco Up Close” section providing readers with facts enriching topics discussed. The glossary is thorough and provides definitions students will clearly comprehend. There is a list of additional resources if readers are in need of more information.

Educators will find these resources as a phenomenal extension piece for their science units. Students will be able to learn the basics of the biome, while also enriching their knowledge. The pictures of the biomes and that animals are vibrant and timeless. Taken in the peak seasons for all of these biomes, the photographs and the way they are graphically placed, draws attention to the brilliance in the visuals. Not only will educators embrace the text structure of the books, giving the ability to use each section as one piece to aid in both remediation and enrichment, but also the ability to introduce material initially. Additional titles include: Wetlands, Rain Forests, Grasslands, Oceans, Islands, Tundra, Rivers and Lakes, Mountains, and Forests. This series is a must have resource for any middle school collection.

577.7; Ecosystems Brooke Gerlach, Manheim Central MS

Beginner Readers…Anna & Elsa: Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic

Posted on October 30, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

David, Erica. A Warm Welcome ( Anna & Elsa: Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic series , Book 3). New York: Random House, 2015. 978-0-7364-3289-4. 122 p. $9.99. Gr. 1-3.

Princess Anna and Queen Elsa have set out to help a neighboring queen who they believe is in trouble. They travel to Summer Land, also known as Eldora, to see if the queen needs help controlling her powers of heat and fire, since the rumors state that the land is stuck in eternal summer. Along the way, Olaf keeps everyone cool with his hugs, but Elsa’s magic doesn’t seem to work in this hot, dry land. After crossing a treacherous desert, the friends reach the capital city and find out that all is not as it seems.

This is the third book in the Anna and Elsa: Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic series for beginner readers. These books are popular with the first and second grade crowd. The larger font and colorful illustrations will appeal to a reluctant reader. Frozen books are always popular, but these well written adventures encourage readers to jump from smaller books to a chapter book format. They also have uplifting themes of friendship and caring that make them worthwhile for any beginning reader.

Fantasy Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy

David, Erica. The Great Ice Engine ( Anna & Elsa; Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic series, Book 4). New York: Random House, 2015. 978-0-7364-3431-7. 123p. $9.99. Gr. 1-3.

There is commotion in the center of town, and Anna and Elsa go to see what is happening. They see Oaken, the large happy store owner we met in the Frozen movie. Oaken has used lots of spare parts to invent an ice cutting machine. When Kristoff sees how fast it is, he challenges Oaken to a contest, man vs. machine. Anna helps Kristoff “train” for the contest. When they finally compete, Oaken and the ice machine are the winners. The next day all of the ice harvesters disappear. Anna ,Elsa and Olaf search for them fearing that they have been kidnapped. Will the snow storms erase their tracks? Will they find them in time?

In this fourth installment of the Anna and Elsa: Sisterhood is the Strongest Magic series, inventive ideas are at the center of the story. Oaken’s Rube Goldberg-like invention is run by his pet mouse, Lars, and put together with a lot of spare parts. When Kristoff loses to the machine, Oaken suggests that they work together to harvest even more ice. This is a good compromise between man and machine. Working together, they ultimately problem solve to save poor Lars the mouse who is exhausted. Frozen meets the Maker movement!

Fantasy Donna Fernandez, Calvary Christian Academy

The Shadow Cabinet…Book 3 Shades of London

Posted on October 15, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Johnson, Maureen. The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London, Book 3). New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015. 978-0-399-25662-2. $17.99. 376p. Gr. 8 and up.

The Shadow Cabinet, Book 3 of Johnson’s Shades of London series, picks up where The Madness Underneath ended. Stephen is dead; Charlotte is dead; Callum has run off, and Rory is trying to figure out what has happened. Rory is determined to find Stephen’s ghost, but since she is still supposed to be missing, Thorpe, the group’s new head, refuses to allow her to search. Instead she is to remain unseen, but, per usual Rory, she can’t do that. Instead, she follows a lead to Highgate Cemetery. With that lead literally dead, Rory, Jerome, her ex-boyfriend, and new team member, Freddie Sellars, begin to follow clues surrounding Jane, Rory and Charlotte’s therapist (and kidnapper) and the cult-ish past with siblings Sid and Sadie Smithfield-Wyatt who supposedly died in 1973, along with their followers; all except Jane. As the team searches for clues, Charlotte, and Jane, they realize that more than just ghost hunting is at stake; black magic is ruling this investigation and only Rory can save Stephen, but at what cost. THOUGHTS: This is a fabulous murder-mystery story, with a bit of paranormal thrown in for good measure. It may be the best volume of the series thus far.

Paranormal Mystery Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City

Undertow…a new Sci-Fi series for YA Readers

Posted on September 29, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Buckley, Michael. Undertow. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. 978-0-544-34825-7. 384 p. $18.99. Gr. 8 and up.

Lyric Walker was just fourteen when the Alpha emerged from the Atlantic Ocean and set up a makeshift camp on the beach near her Coney Island home. Not only was she an eyewitness to their arrival, she also learned that her own mother was an “original” Alpha scout sent ahead to learn about the humans. Three years later, six Alpha teens are slated to integrate Lyric’s high school, and she is assigned to help their crown prince assimilate. Hanging out with the fiercely proud heir to an underwater warrior culture is every bit as dangerous as it sounds. Lyric’s romantic feelings for Fathom don’t simplify things; neither do the aggressively anti-Alpha protestors who surround her school every day. Lyric and her family are soon in a race against time to escape Coney Island before their identity is revealed, mob rule takes over, or worse. THOUGHTS: Undertow will capture your attention from the moment you see the cover art and hold it all the way through the final page. This is YA sci-fi adventure at its finest, with more to come in Raging Sea, due out in February!

Science Fiction Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School

Undertow has broad appeal for both boys and girls. After I showed the novel’s arresting book trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-GlaEqPf_w) my students were lining up to read it! With all the echoes of immigration, the Cold War, and Civil Rights issues throughout the book, there are countless opportunities for a rich book discussion. A generous excerpt, educator guide, and more are available at the Undertow Trilogy web site (http://undertowtrilogy.tumblr.com/).

Animal Faces…Scholastic Discover More series

Posted on September 15, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Arlon, Penelope and Tory Gordon-Harris. Animal Faces (Scholastic Discover More series). New York: Scholastic, 2015. 978-0-545-79121-2. 32 p. $7.99. Gr. K-3.

This book explores the faces of many different wild animals. Some of the areas explored in this text include senses, mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and amphibians, and fish. An index, table of contents, and reference to a digital companion book are included.

590; Animals Anastasia Hanneken, School Lane Charter School

Young readers will really enjoy the bright illustrations and topics covered in this book. In my media center, animal books are always a hit, especially with my youngest students. The text is presented in small blurbs rather than large paragraphs. This makes reading this book especially easy for K-3 level. This book is recommended for any library in need of a nonfiction animal book for the K-3 audience.

The Heir…Book 4 of The Selection

Posted on September 8, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Cass, Kiera. The Heir. New York: HarperTeen, 2015. 978-0-06-234985-9. 346 p. $18.99. Gr. 7 & up.

The fourth book in The Selection series begins two decades after King Maxon chose Queen America to be his wife during the Selection, a made-for-TV competition that plays out like a tamer version of “The Bachelor.” Since then, Maxon has eliminated the country’s caste system, but the kingdom is far from peaceful. To attempt to distract from unrest across the country, Maxon and America persuade their daughter, Eadlyn, to conduct her own Selection. Eadlyn reluctantly agrees, vowing to spend at least three months vetting potential suitors. While Eadlyn’s mother America, born into near poverty, brought a healthy dose of skepticism to the fairytale world of the royal family during her Selection, Princess Eadlyn has no such experience in the real world. Eadlyn is a distant and arrogant narrator, unlikeable compared to her mother. She frequently reminds herself and others how “powerful” she is, but she just seems bossy. Eadlyn seems to have a vague and naive understanding of how difficult it must have been for her father to eliminate the castes, and the limited opportunities people still face a generation later. I had hoped that some of the gentlemen competing for her affections would open her eyes to the problems common folk face in her realm, but so far there has been only flickers of enlightenment. Nevertheless, the possibility that the princess may find love will attract teens who love romance. The book ends abruptly without a resolution, undoubtedly leading to another book. Fans of the first three books will root for Eadlyn to open her heart to not only some of her downright adorable suitors but also her suffering subjects.

Dystopian Romance Kristen Rowe, Plum Senior High School

New from Ally Carter – All Fall Down, Embassy Row Book 1

Posted on July 7, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Carter, Ally. All Fall Down (Embassy Row Bk. 1). New York: Scholastic, 2015. 978-0-545-65474-6. $17.99. 310p. Gr. 7 and up.

Grace Blakely is sure of three things: she’s not crazy; her mother was murdered, and one day she will find the killer and make him pay. These are the only absolutes Grace has as her world changes once again three years after her mother’s death. With her father deployed and her brother at West Point, Grace must live with her grandfather, the United States Ambassador to Adria. Having spent summers in Adria for most of her life, Grace is familiar with Embassy Row and the rules of life in the embassy, but that has never before stopped Grace. With her return to Adria, Grace is constantly reminded of her mother, who grew up in the embassy, and is haunted by memories of her mother, her murder, and the subsequent fire that Grace witnessed three years ago. During a “mission” in the abandoned Iranian embassy, Grace overhears two people secretly meeting, one of which she recognizes as the “Scarred Man” who murdered her mother. After multiple run-ins with “the Scarred Man”, one of which he refers to her by name, Grace’s determination to avenge her mother’s murder heightens, as do her memories of her mother, her death, and the fire. When she tries to share this information with her grandfather and Ms. Chancellor, his assistant, they inform Grace that the man she has been running into is Dominic Novak, the Prime Minister’s Head of Security, a man who could never have murdered her mother because it was an accident, and this is not the first man Grace has accused of murdering her mother since the accident. With new found friends, Noah and Rosie, and old friend Megan, Grace sets out to avenge her mother’s death. As Grace is continually haunted by that night and told that she is only imagining a murder, she learns more about the secret lives led in Adria on and off of Embassy Row and learns the truth behind her mother’s death and life. Ally Carter once again weaves mystery, thrills, reality, and fabulous characterization into the first book in a new series about life on Embassy Row and the realities behind the façade.

Mystery Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City

I loved Ally Carter’s series Heist Society, so I was very excited to read All Fall Down, Book 1 of her new Embassy Row series. Grace is a fabulous female protagonist who struggles with memories of the death of her mother after witnessing it and the fire that destroyed her only stability. Upon her return to Adria, she is haunted by memories of her mother. As Grace tries to cope with these memories and her need for vengeance, she is continually told by her grandfather, Ms. Chancellor, his assistant, and Alexi, his brother’s best friend who lives at the Russian Embassy, that her mother’s death was an accident, not murder. Yet, Grace cannot accept this; she knows someone killed her mother, and she will stop at nothing to find him and make him pay. Through Grace’s actions, reactions, and memories, the reader is often left questioning whether or not Grace truly witnessed anything or is she just trying to cope with her mother’s death by creating a story from her memories. She does not appear to be a reliable narrator, but as the novel progresses the reader realizes that perhaps Grace has a point and is the reliable narrator. Maybe it’s everyone else who is unreliable and hiding the truth from Grace? The supporting characters are intriguing and established just enough for future storylines either about them or their embassy.

One final note – I wanted Grace to be more spiteful and fight more against her grandfather and Ms. Chancellor. I felt that she gave in a bit too much, but after finishing the novel (which I did not want to end), Grace made perfect sense.

Red Queen

Posted on June 25, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Aveyard, Victoria. Red Queen. New York: HarperTeen, 2015. 978-0-605-85200-6. $17.99. 383p. Gr. 9 and up.

Mare Barrow is a Red, the lowest class of citizen in Norta. Silvers, who rule Norta, do not bleed red blood like the reds. Instead, they bleed silver and have powers that allow them to control elements of nature, the mind, and others. Living in the Stilts, Mare has learned to thieve her way through life to provide for her family. As she nears her eighteenth birthday and conscription (a life in the army due to lack of skill), she has accepted her future until her best friend, Kilorn, loses his apprenticeship and must enter conscription, a fate that caused him to lose his father and family at a young age. Mare has always felt the need to protect Kilorn, so she sets out to steal enough to buy their freedom. An attack by the Scarlet Guard, a Red rebel group, ruins her plan to escape and her own family’s future, so Mare does the only thing she knows and runs. As she pickpockets outside of a tavern, she’s caught, but instead of being punished her capture gives her a tetrarch, a silver coin worth much more than the pennies Mare has stolen. Soon after this encounter with Cal, a royal servant arrives at the Barrow home for Mare. Mare is taken to Summerton, the royal’s summer home, where she is to serve the royal family and high houses. With conscription no longer looming over her, Mare accepts a life of servitude, but during Queenstrial, Mare falls from a balcony into an electrified dome and is not burned up. Instead, lightning surges from Mare, and she almost kills Evangeline, the front-runner for future queen. Mare shouldn’t have powers; she’s a Red, yet she just summoned lightning and electricity. The royals must cover up Mare’s powers because Reds cannot be equal to Silvers, and they cannot kill her because too many questions would arise. Queen Elara creates a ruse around Mare, which she must play along with to protect her family. Within the day, she is betrothed to Prince Maven and learns that Cal, the man who caught her stealing outside of the tavern, is actually the king’s first son. As Mare is schooled in all things Silver, she learns of the evil living in the royal family and high houses and their need to maintain power. When approached by the Scarlet Guard to fight against the Silvers, she accepts and learns that her betrothed, Maven, is also a sympathizer and has joined the Scarlet Guard. As they work together to learn more about the guard and help them rebel against the Silver ruling class, Mare learns that trust should not be given lightly and anyone can turn at any moment.

Fantasy Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City SD

Red Queen (to me) is a mash-up of The Selection by Kiera Cass, The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, and Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini. It’s fantastical due to the powers that Silvers possess but also very realistic. Aveyard does a great job providing characters to love, hate, root for, and root against, while maintaining the reality of the world: a ruling class enslaving those “less than them”. The need for rebellion is clear in the novel, but Aveyard does not shy away from the intensity needed for change to occur nor the pitfalls and defeats found in revolution. The Scarlet Guard do not win; evil wins, which then leads the reader to consider our world today and how we govern ourselves, treat one another, and think about why people chose to commit evil acts against others. Red Queen is an excellent debut novel. Aveyard has set the bar high for her follow-up novels and the remaining pieces of this anticipated series.

The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence

Posted on June 16, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Lee, Stan and Stuart Moore; Andie Tong, Illustrator. The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence. New York: Disney Press, 2015. 978-1-42318-085-2. 480 p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.

Steven Lee is a Chinese American teenager whose family has sent him on a tour of Hong Kong to learn about his cultural heritage. One day, his group visits a museum and the tour leader disappears. He follows her screams and ends up in a secret room underneath the museum. He finds the woman, Jasmine, and a misguided war contractor named Maxwell. Maxwell has released a mysterious power tied to the Chinese zodiac into the world. This force finds hosts, each one born during a different year of the zodiac, and Steven is suddenly endowed with the powers of the tiger. Both Jasmine and Maxwell are “dragons”, the leaders of the zodiac, and the dragon force is split uncomfortably between the two. The bulk of the novel is about the battle between Jasmine and Maxwell to form teams out of the people who have been taken over by the zodiac force (and have the powers of the different animals in the Chinese zodiac). Of course, Maxwell wants to use the force to increase his personal power and rule the world.

Many parts of the book are predictable, if not unrealistic. Maxwell’s faction is well-funded and organized. Jasmine’s faction doesn’t have a lot of resources, and the new zodiac recruits are poorly trained. Somehow, Jasmine’s group seems to prevail in every encounter with Maxwell’s Vanguard Force. The end of the book involves an epic battle between the two forces that doesn’t end with a clear winner, setting the stage for a sequel. This book is the first volume in a trilogy, and the second book will be published in late October 2015.

Convergence is notable for many reasons. First of all, it is co-written by Stan Lee, the King of the comic book super hero. The writing is fast-paced and exciting, even if it doesn’t get into a lot of character development. Andie Tong’s classic comic-style illustrations lend excitement to the story line; fans of comic book art will love the action packed drawings. Each member of the different factions has a unique personality and students will identify with many of them in a variety of ways. Finally, this book may be an important bridge between graphica and traditional novels. Fans of graphic novels may finally have a book they can get into! This book will be very popular with reluctant teen readers.

Paranormal Fiction; Illustrated Novel Susan Fox, Washington Jr. /Sr. High School

Resurrections…the conclusion to the Blood of the Lamb trilogy

Posted on April 23, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview

Hager, Mandy. Resurrections. New York: Pyr, 2014. 978-1-61614-909-3. $17.99. 361p. Gr. 9 and up.

In the dramatic conclusion to the Blood of the Lamb series, readers find Maryam hospitalized, recovering from a broken arm. Before a full recovery, she is snuck back into the camp and reunited with Ruth but quickly learns Lazarus is being transported to the mainland of the Confederated Territories to settle. Feeling the veritable shock of his betrayal, Maryam begins planning her own escape. Fabricating an account of her homeland, she volunteers for deportation. Given time on this new island, she will build a raft, sail to Onewēre, and disprove the Apostle’s absurd teachings and vicious lies when she reveals the cure for Te Matee Iai. She believes the most difficult part will be leaving Ruth, who decides to stay after the discovery that she’s with child. When a storm causes a landslide to bury her raft, Maryam believes she has failed. Only moments later does she discover Lazarus has found his own sailing vessel and has come to rescue her. She must abandon her rage and resentment and believe he is a worthy friend. The two set sail for Onewēre, formulating a plan as they canvas the open water. When they are discovered by Father Joshua and Lazarus’s mother, her ultimate betrayal accompanied by an unforeseen power struggle may create bedlam the island people will never recover from.

Hager explores the issues of social oppression, religious persecution, and maltreatment of foreigners through the thrilling exploits of captivating, valiant characters.

Science Fiction Christine Massey, JWP Middle School

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