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October 1, 2010

Fiction Series Roundup list.

Fiction

ANDERSON, Laurie Halse. Forge. 29 2p. map. glossary. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-6144-4. LC 2010015971.

Gr 6-10–This sequel to Chains (S & S, 2008) opens with Curzon, an enslaved teen who was freed from prison by Isabel, recalling his escape and anticipating the future. After an argument with Isabel about where they should go next, the 15-year-old battles the British at Saratoga and winters in Valley Forge with the Patriots. He reveals many details of the conditions endured by the soldiers during the winter of 1777-1778, including the limited food supply, lack of adequate shelter, and tattered clothing. When Curzon and Isabel meet again, they have both been captured and must devise a plan of escape once again. While the Patriots are fighting for the freedom of a country, these young people must fight for their personal freedom. This sequel can be read alone but readers will benefit from reading the first book, which develops the characters and reveals events leading up to the winter at Valley Forge. An appendix clarifies historical facts and real-life characters. A list of colloquial terms used throughout the novel is appended.–Denise Moore, O’Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

BADOE, Adwoa. Between Sisters. 205p. Groundwood. 2010. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-88899-996-2; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-0-88899-997-9. LC C2010-901682-3.

Gr 8 Up–Sixteen-year-old Gloria Bampo lives in Ghana and has just failed most of her exams. She can barely read or write English, thereby drastically limiting her options for the future. Her father is a staunch Christian and a deacon of the church, and no one will talk about her mother’s serious illness. Gloria’s sister, Effie, seems to have a secret life complete with a sailor boyfriend. When Gloria is offered the chance to work for a rich female doctor as a housekeeper and nanny, she is introduced to the nicer things in life. But circumstances get complicated quickly with new clothes, new friends, and a doctor’s attentions all creating their own temptations. The story provides a fascinating glimpse into a culture, but, unfortunately, does not grow from there. The characters are somewhat static and the introduction of concern about the AIDS epidemic of the early 1990s is forced. The pace of the novel is rather quick with problems introduced and then solved within a few pages only, which may, in part, be due to the clipped and bare-bones language. The conclusion of the story, as well, does not offer much resolution as the biggest conflicts are not really dealt with.–Naphtali L. Faris, Saint Louis Public Library, MO

BARNHOLDT, Lauren. One Night That Changes Everything. 242p. CIP. S & S/Pulse. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9479-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–Eliza’s parents are out of town for the weekend and the high school junior is looking forward to a Saturday night hanging out with her two best friends. Instead she discovers that her private notebook has been stolen; in it, she has written down all her fears since she was 12. Tyler, president of a secret society at school, is threatening to post it online, unless she does exactly as he says. He is exacting revenge for something she posted online about Cooper, a fellow society member and her ex-boyfriend. And what about Cooper? Whose side is he on? The evening turns out to be an all-night madcap adventure as the girls traipse all over the Boston area so that Eliza can kiss a hottie in a bar, pose in a bikini for an online posting, and more. In the end, she discovers that facing one’s fears isn’t so scary after all. This is a fun read in which parents are virtually nonexistent, high schoolers act a lot like college students, and readers waffle between rooting for the likable Eliza and thinking that she is so clueless that she half deserves what she gets. Like Reality Chick (2006) and Two-Way Street (2007, both S & S), Barnholdt has given readers another lighthearted window into contemporary teen life.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

BELL, Hilari. The Goblin Gate. 384p. CIP. HarperTeen. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-165102-1. LC 2009039666.

Gr 5-8–Beginning where The Goblin Wood (HarperCollins, 2003) ended, this story immediately throws readers into the conflict between the sorceress Makenna and her goblin band and the forces of the Hierarch, led by Master Lazur, a priest of the Realm of the Bright Gods. To escape certain death Makenna, the goblins, and the young knight Tobin fling themselves through a magical gate into the Otherworld. It soon becomes clear that there is something not quite right about the Otherworld and a plan to leave it is desperately sought. At the same time, Tobin’s young brother Jeriah learns that the Otherworld is deadly to humans and that Tobin has only a short time to live if he remains there. Master Lazur has the spells to recast the Gate, but will not divulge their hiding place. Jeriah vows to find them and save his brother and in the process uncovers an incredible years-old conspiracy. Whew! The nuances of politics and the nature of good and evil are well explored in this fantasy sequel. Through Jeriah’s eyes, readers learn that immense wrongs are often committed to achieve a greater good. However, this book does not stand on its own; in order to appreciate the action and intrigue, readers must be acquainted with the characters and backstory.–Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI

BENNETT, Holly. Shapeshifter. 256p. maps. glossary. Orca. 2010. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-158-6. LC 2009942219.

Gr 7 Up–In the time of Irish legends, there was the land of Eire and the Otherworld where magical beings lived and time was of no consequence. This story moves between these two worlds, mortal and immortal. Sive begins the tale as a young girl who has special gifts. She is a shapeshifter, able to take on the form of a deer, and a singer who is able to hold sway over anyone who hears her song. Unfortunately, she becomes an object of great desire for the most evil and powerful druid, Far Doirche. To escape him she exiles herself into the mortal world and must remain in the shape of a deer for many years. Readers who are unwilling to commit to a lengthy fantasy will welcome this well-told tale that draws on Irish legend, language, and geography to complete its setting and mood. The characters are numerous, but there is enough backstory that readers can keep track of their relationships. Fantasy fans will enjoy this tightly woven story and appreciate the map, pronunciation guide, and legend that round out the experience.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

BLACK, Holly & Justine Larbalestier, eds. Zombies vs. Unicorns. 432p. CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8953-0. LC 2010003732.
Gr 9 Up–This highly entertaining anthology contains 12 distinct stories brought together by two well-known YA authors. Though each tale has its own flavor, the snarky dialogue between the coeditors draws them together, in the end creating the feel of one long, continuous story. With Black defending the unicorn side of the debate and Larbalestier advocating voraciously for zombies, each team has six powerful stories to sway readers into joining one side or another. Though there are no weak selections in this amazingly well-put-together anthology, there are several standouts for each side. Queen of the Undead, Carrie Ryan, takes readers once again to the world of The Forest of Hands and Teeth (Delacorte, 2009) in the commanding “Bougainvilla.” Though there is some graphic language, Alayna Dawn Johnson’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” takes place in another immensely intense and thought-provoking zombie world. Diana Peterfreund wows readers by delving again into the dark world of Rampant (HarperTeen, 2009) with “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn,” proving Astrid is not the only strong female hunter out there. Conversely, Meg Cabot provides a funnier view of the beasts in “Princess Prettypants,” in which a unicorn literally farts rainbows. The debate is wrapped up with Libba Bray’s strong zombie tale, “Prom Night,” leaving readers with both hope and realism battling for dominance. This is a must-have for fantasy collections, though schools must be cautioned that there is strong profanity, a bestiality tale, and graphic scenes of both violence and sexual encounters.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

BLUME, Lesley M. M. Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate. illus. by David Foote. 288p. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86203-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96203-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-8–Miss Edythe McFate’s guidebook, “as told to” Blume, gives advice and answers to various questions about fairies, dwarves, goblins, etc. She also tells eight “true” stories set in modern New York City about children with fairy sight. The first tale is about the historic Algonquin Hotel, which for years has been the home of brownies until a new owner takes over. Olive, the daughter of the hotel chef, must help them relocate before Mr. Rex Runcible ruins them. In another tale, George sees a door in the Lincoln Tunnel that leads to a secret tunnel where dwarves pick rubies off trees. He decides to take one and turns into an old man. Miss Edythe McFate sagely warns that one should never steal from fairies. One of the later tales is about an ugly mermaid who can’t sing very well. She convinces the girl to help her catch the attention of the Staten Island ferry captain with disastrous consequences. Blume’s conversational narrative style is both entertaining and informative, if often on the darker side. Foote’s expressive, black-ink illustrations haunt every page and add to the magical feel of the book.–Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT

BOW, Erin. Plain Kate. 314p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16664-5. LC 2009032652.

Gr 4-8–When Kate’s wood-carver father dies, she is left to support herself with her woodworking talent while living in her father’s former market stall with a cat named Taggle. When Linay, a mysterious and magical stranger, comes to town and buys Kate’s shadow, he gives her the money she needs to escape her village home, where people are blaming her for the hard times that have fallen on them. It is rumored that her talent comes from magic, but Kate’s journey leads to unexpected consequences and danger for her and the Roamer family whom she joins. It’s up to Kate; her new friend, Drina; and Taggle to defeat Linay with their own magic, as they come to discover the truth about his past and his desire for revenge. Kate’s journey involves physical, mental, and magical growth, presenting a character who truly matures and changes over the course of her story, and the bittersweet conclusion reflects honest choices and Kate’s newfound strength. Supporting characters, from villagers to the tormented Linay, are presented realistically and move the story forward smoothly. Bow’s first novel shows a solid control of story and characters, and the careful and evocative writing reflects her work as a published poet.–Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI

BOWEN, Fred. Throwing Heat. 123p. Peachtree. 2010. pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-540-9. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-8–This is a quick, easy read with no aspirations beyond what it is: a traditional middle school sports novel. Eighth-grader Jack Lerner is proud of his 75-mph fastball, but has trouble controlling it. When his sister’s new boyfriend, a part-time college pitching coach, tells him to take something off his fastball and concentrate on spotting his pitches, Jack is initially resistant, but eventually comes to see the wisdom of the advice. A subplot having to do with a Ping-Pong tournament in which Jack and his friends are involved reiterates the theme that success in sports is more about refining your skills than overpowering your opponents. No overarching social issues are touched upon, and character development is minimal, but sports-minded readers should find the brisk pacing and simple vocabulary to their liking. As in other books in the series, a “Real Story” afterword describes how pro athletes dealt with issues similar to those faced by the characters in the book.–Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT

CALONITA, Jen. Reality Check. 288p. Poppy. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04554-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–Isn’t being famous every teenage girl’s dream? That’s what the best-friend foursome of Charlie, Kieran, Brooke, and Hallie thought when they signed up for a reality TV show based on their friendship in a small coastal town on Long Island, NY. What they didn’t expect was the lying, the backstabbing, and how scripted “reality” can become. Charlie is the focus of the show, the good-natured girl everyone loves. As filming begins, Brooke is instantly jealous and wants the limelight all to herself. The rift between the friends is heartbreaking for them, but juicy and just what the producers wanted. Soon each girl must decide if the show is worth their friendship or if they can they find a way to get out of the contract. Charlie and Brooke stand out as characters, whereas Hallie and Kieran aren’t developed enough to impact the drama. The story starts off slowly, but soon readers can really feel the tension. Teens will love the premise, and even though it might not be realistic, the emotions are. While fans of Calonita’s “Secrets of My Hollywood Life” series (Little, Brown) will enjoy this title, the countless pop-culture references will make it dated before it even hits the shelves.–Nichole King, Morgan Hill Library, CA

CHIMA, Cinda Williams. The Exiled Queen. 592p. (A Seven Realms Novel). Hyperion/Disney. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1824-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 8 Up–Seventeen-year-old Han Alister was once the Ragmarket street lord, skilled in thievery and lies. But now he’s traveling to Oden’s Ford to earn an education in the magical arts, and it will not be without peril. Despite the fact that the academy is known as “the great leveler,” there are students who have reason to hate Han, specifically the Bayar twins, Micah and Fiona, because he stole the Demon King’s amulet from their father, the High Wizard. To gain the upper hand on them, Han joins forces with a mysterious wizard he met in the dream world, but what this wizard asks in return may be more than the teen wishes to give. Meanwhile, Princess Raisa has fled from an arranged marriage with Micah Bayar. She and her loyal–and beloved–soldier, Amon, are also making their way to Oden’s Ford so that Raisa might receive a military education in order to become a stronger ruler. Raisa’s and Han’s paths have crossed in the past, but when they meet again their connection is more powerful than before. Chima has created an intricate world with a rich history, cultural prejudices, and complicated political dynamics. Her characters are multifaceted: no one is either completely evil or insipidly perfect–each has shortcomings as well as redeeming traits. Readers would do well to pick up the first book in this series before tackling this one, as there are some details that will be lost without knowledge of what transpired in The Demon King (Hyperion, 2009), but those who love a well-thought-out fantasy will enjoy this novel.–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

CLARE, Cassandra. Clockwork Angel. Bk. 1. 496p. (The Infernal Devices Series). CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7586-1. LC 2010008616.

Gr 9 Up–Readers of Clare’s “Mortal Instruments” series (S & S) will recognize the warlock Magnus Bane and the demon-killing Nephilim, but instead of modern-day New York, this book is set in Victorian London and takes a look at the historical role of the Shadowhunters (aka demon hunters). Tessa Gray, 16, has traveled from America to London to join her older brother. But instead of Nathaniel, she is greeted by the Dark Sisters, two evil women who kidnap her in order to develop her previously unrealized ability to change shape into another person. Their employer, a shadowy figure ominously referred to as the Magister, wishes to exploit Tessa’s great power. The teen is rescued by a group of Shadowhunters who are perplexed as to the origin of her ability and unsure about whether her nature is one of good or evil. Together they must discover the identity of the Magister and thwart his devious plot that threatens London. Vampires, warlocks, demons, and steampunk elements such as clockwork monstrosities abound in this supernatural offering. From the erratic and volatile–yet charming–Will to the bumbling and amiable inventor, Henry; to the ethereal and gentle Jem, Clare has made each character unique. The action-heavy plot takes off from the first page, propelling readers toward a dramatic conclusion that fails to answer all the questions raised during the course of the tale, leaving the door wide open for the next installment. Give this book to fans of Libba Bray’s A Great and Terrible Beauty (Delacorte, 2003).–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

COHN, Rachel & David Levithan. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares. 272p. Knopf. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86659-3; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96659-0. LC 2009054084.

Gr 9 Up–Dash and Lily, 16, find themselves on their own in Manhattan at Christmas. Dash is alone by choice–he’s told each of his divorced parents that he’s spending the holiday with the other, leaving them both to take vacations out of town. Lily’s parents are taking the honeymoon they couldn’t afford when they got married. They think that Lily is in the capable hands of her older brother, but he’s less interested in her than in his new boyfriend, and then he gets sick and spends most of the holiday in bed. He does, however, start in motion the activity that is central to the story. It involves a red Moleskine notebook with a list of literary clues that Lily leaves in the stacks at the Strand bookstore. Bookish and erudite Dash finds it and is intrigued enough to follow Lily’s lead and leave some clues of his own. The dares in the book’s title refer to innocent things such as going to various crowded places like Macy’s and FAO Schwartz to pick up messages. As the dares go on, the teens reveal more and more about themselves in the pages of the notebook, until they finally meet under the worst possible circumstances. While the words, ideas, and sentiments are not those of typical kids, they are not out of the realm of possibility for well-read teens. As they did in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (Knopf, 2006), the authors combine their talents to write an appealing book. It makes readers long to buy a notebook, begin filling its pages, and find a friend who might turn out to be more. This book will spend as much time off the shelf as Lily’s notebook.–Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL

COLLINS, Suzanne. Mockingjay. Bk. 3. 390p. (The Hunger Games Trilogy). Scholastic. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-439-02351-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7 Up–Following her subversive second victory in the Games, this one composed of winners from past years, Katniss has been adopted by rebel factions as their symbol for freedom and becomes the rallying point for the districts in a desperate bid to take down the Capitol and remove President Snow from power. But being the Mockingjay comes with a price as Katniss must come to terms with how much of her own humanity and sanity she can willingly sacrifice for the cause, her friends, and her family. Collins is absolutely ruthless in her depictions of war in all its cruelty, violence, and loss, leaving readers, in turn, repulsed, shocked, grieving and, finally, hopeful for the characters they’ve grown to empathize with and love. Mockingjay is a fitting end of the series that began with The Hunger Games (2008) and Catching Fire (2009) and will have the same lasting resonance as William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and Stephen King’s The Stand. However, the book is not a stand-alone; readers do need to be familiar with the first two titles in order to appreciate the events and characters in this one.–Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

CORRIGAN, Eireann. Accomplice. 296p. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-05236-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Looking for a way to differentiate themselves from all the other great students applying to prestigious universities, Finn and Chloe fake the latter’s disappearance in order to attract attention. Chloe conceived this plan after following the media frenzy over an abducted teen’s return to her family, sure that the now-famous Margaret Cook will be accepted to any college. Though plagued with doubts, Finn keeps a straight face while lying to everyone, occasionally sneaking out to check on Chloe, who is hiding in her vacationing grandmother’s basement. Despite having discussed every extenuating circumstance imaginable, the girls are stunned when police arrest Chloe’s friend Dean for her murder, a crime only they know he did not commit. They stage her return from her “kidnapping” with surprisingly few complications, but things are never the same between the two best friends. Describing events from Finn’s first-person perspective, Corrigan paints a complex portrait both of a family in grief and the emotions involved in deception. She deftly captures the way one mistake can lead to others, snowballing into a situation that seems insurmountable. Unfortunately, the story’s premise is a bit hard to swallow. With modern society offering so many other routes to becoming a celebrity, it’s hard to believe the teens would take this one. Readers who can get past that will find this well-paced, mature, psychological tale is impossible to put down.–Jennifer Barnes, formerly at Homewood Library, IL

CRILLEY, Paul. The Invisible Order. Bk. 1. 334p. (Rise of the Darklings Series). Egmont USA. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-031-3; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-064-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-8–This fantasy has all the right elements, weaving lore of the faeries, a classic quest, epic battles, a riddle, and a clever heroine into a fast-moving, suspenseful plot. Emily, 12, sells bunches of watercress to earn a penny or two to feed herself and her brother, orphaned when their parents disappeared a few years earlier. One morning, she is surprised to learn of a hidden war in the dreary streets of Victorian London. Emily is a True Seer, able to see the faeries. Corrigan, a pesky piskie left behind after the battle, involves her in the fight between the Seelie and the Unseelie, faeries in a war that began in 1666 with the Great Fire. Emily faces betrayal upon betrayal as she tries to save her kidnapped brother and figure out whom to trust and to help. Which group wants to subjugate humans, which one wants to coexist? And what are the real intentions of the members in the Invisible Order, a secret society that protects humans from the faeries? Emily must solve a riddle to find a magic stone that leads to a key to an underground London. Along the way she meets Merlin, learns she has been around for centuries, and discovers that her parents may be alive. Corrigan supplies some humor, while Emily’s friend Spring-Heeled Jack provides intimations of a budding romance. Intricate and layered, with a rapidly moving plot and an appealing and resourceful heroine, this book will have kids eagerly awaiting the next installment.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

CULBERTSON, Kim. Songs for a Teenage Nomad. 256p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2010. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-4301-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 8-10–All her life, 15-year-old Calle and her mother have moved from town to town as her mother has moved from relationship to relationship. The only constant in the teen’s life is music and the song journal she keeps to write down her thoughts and the memories inspired by tunes she was listening to at different points in her life. Calle has always kept to herself, never forming attachments, but in the northern California town of Andreas Bay, she finds herself making friends and feeling the first stirrings of love for Sam, a boy with secrets of his own. When she accidentally finds an old letter addressed to her from her father, a man who abandoned Calle and her mom when she was a baby, she begins to question everything her mother has told her about the past. Wrestling with these thoughts, the normal highs and lows of high school, and her developing feelings for Sam are enough to send the surprisingly stable teen into an emotional tailspin. She struggles to understand and balance her past and present, and find just where she fits in. This is an appealing, well-written book, and Culbertson captures the rhythms of teen life with realistically developed characters. Calle is smart, likable and genuine, and readers will root for her.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

CUSICK, John M. Girl Parts. 218p. CIP. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4930-2. LC 2009047399.

Gr 9 Up–With cold detachment, David views a classmate’s video blog while she deliberately downs a toxic cocktail. He and his peers seem unfazed having witnessed her online suicide. The adults, shocked out of their reverie, notice that their children are “disassociated” from the real world. David’s father, a techno tycoon, teams up with the school counselor to intervene. Enter Rose, an attractive robot girl designed to befriend David. She is beautiful, with silky hair and warm downy skin, and programmed to please. Electronic Rose will teach David how to love and feel again. No joke! Meanwhile, classmate Charlie is the antithesis of David. He and his botanist dad live off the grid on the outskirts of town. Charlie, a disheveled loner, rides a broken-down bike, and the school counselor labels him as depressed. He first suggests drugs and then a Companion, like David’s. Rose generates much desire in her boy, but no substance. He remains a selfish, spoiled jerk addicted to surround monitors that flow constant communication among friends, all the while simulating suggestive images. When David discovers that Rose is more Barbie than girl–she is without “girl parts”–he casts her aside and breaks her “heart.” Soon she takes up with Charlie and romance ensues. When the story digresses to Rose experiencing tender feelings and desiring “girl parts,” the narrative stumbles. David remains artificially connected, Rose develops contrived humanistic drama, and Charlie falls for her. What began as a smart and sexy cautionary tale is ultimately disappointing.–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

DE QUIDT, Jeremy. The Toymaker. illus. by Gary Blythe. 356p. Random/David Fickling Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-75180-3; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-75181-0. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6-8–The titular character does not long to bring joy to the hearts of children. Instead, he seeks to create a knife so sharp it can cut the heart from a living being, so he can transplant it, along with its life force, into one of his tiny mechanical dolls. The story, set in an imaginary 18th-century Germanic dukedom, begins with a short prologue describing the Toymaker’s workshop in the capital city. Readers are then plunged into the perils of Mathias, boy servant to Gustav, a conjurer in a traveling circus. Supernaturally skilled, Gustav boasts when drunk that he knows a very big secret. As he lies dying, the evil Dr. Leiter appears, clearly after the secret, which seems to be written on a tiny wad of paper Mathias retrieves from Gustav’s mouth. The plot then follows Dr. Leiter’s pursuit of Mathias through the countryside. Companions join the boy in his flight, none entirely trustworthy: Katta, an abused serving maid; Koenig, a mysterious gentleman-robber; and Stefan, a youth from a charcoal burner’s camp hidden deep in the forest. Dr. Leiter also has allies: Marguerite, a mechanical doll who can detect lies; and Valter, a superhumanly strong, indestructible, and sinister servant. Eventually the chase ends in a ruined monastery in the capital city, where the terrible secret is revealed at last: one that involves the Toymaker and could shake the dukedom to its foundations. With its choreographed fights, damaged bodies, flowing blood, and cliff-hanging chapter endings, the story will appeal to readers who like nonstop action.–Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams



DELANY, Shannon. 13 to Life. Bk 1. 320p. St. Martin’s/Griffin. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-60914-6. LC number unavailable.

Gr 8 Up–Jessica knows what it is like to lead a false life. Wrestling with the emotions surrounding the death of her mother, she is also keeping her best friend, Sarah, from learning the truth about her role in this tragic accident. Complicating matters, Jessica is drawn to the mysterious and good-looking new boy at school. Pietr Rusakova is unlike anyone she has ever met and seems to possess the ability to see right through her. But he is also troubled by a family secret that has major ramifications for his life. As the teens’ relationship intensifies, they are forced to face certain truths and come to grips with events that will change their futures. Delany spins an original story with great characters and a powerful plot that is full of twists and turns. It ends with a bang but there are times that the story seems to drag. Still, it’s an enjoyable read that will leave fans waiting for the next installment.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY

FELDMAN, Jody. The Seventh Level. 304p. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-195105-3. LC 2009021390.

Gr 5-8–Travis Raines thinks he is being considered for The Legend, a secret society at his middle school. He receives blue envelopes that are labeled, “For Your Eyes Only.” Over a couple of weeks, he is asked to complete seven puzzles and their corresponding tasks, and he must keep everything a secret. He also needs to do what he’s been told without getting into trouble, which is tough when people don’t take him seriously. Furthermore, some of the tasks have a cruel undertone. Could the messages really be from The Legend, or are they from an impostor group trying to get Travis in trouble? While the idea is exciting, the plot never quite reaches its potential. At times, the story is slow moving and even somewhat confusing. While Travis’s characterization is complete, the others lack depth. The book does have strengths, though: the puzzles are fun to solve, the mystery of the envelopes is appealing, and Travis is a likable protagonist.–Sarah K. Allen, Elko Middle School, Sandston, VA

FLETCHER, Susan. Ancient, Strange, and Lovely. 336p. S & S/Atheneum. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5786-7. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7-10–This book offers a wondrous mix of dystopic science fiction and magical fantasy. Bryn is grieving the loss of both of her parents. Her mother disappeared on a scientific mission and her father went to look for her. She and her younger sister are living with their aunt and coping as best they can. Then, one of the boxes sent by her mother before she disappeared turns out to have a dragon egg in it. Bryn isn’t sure what it is at first, just that she doesn’t want scientists to dissect it and destroy it. She ends up having to run away to where it all began in Alaska, where her mother disappeared. Can she outrun poachers, scientists, and other nefarious characters and find a safe place for the baby dragon? Fletcher has done an outstanding job of creating a believable place and space for this story to unfold. The plot flows smoothly and quickly with a lot of action. Bryn is multidimensional and realistically developed as are many of the minor characters. Room is left at the end for a sequel, but readers aren’t left hanging. All in all, this is an engrossing and imaginative read that will appeal particularly to fans of Robin McKinley or Anne McCaffrey.–Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ



FUSCO, Kimberly Newton. The Wonder of Charlie Anne. 266p. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86104-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96104-5. LC 2009038831.
Gr 4-8–When Charlie Anne’s mother dies, her cousin Mirabel arrives to take charge of her, her siblings, and their household. But the woman’s unremitting chore assignments and insistence on reading The Charm of Fine Manners send Charlie Anne to the barn, the fields, the river, and her mother’s gravesite to escape. Papa takes her older brother up north to try to earn money working on the roads, and Mirabel sends younger brother Peter to stay with relatives in Boston, leaving Charlie Anne even more inclined to befriend their new neighbors, the exotic pants-wearing Rosalyn and her ward, Phoebe, an African-American girl. The painful poverty and bigotry of the Depression era set the stage for Charlie Anne’s gradually increasing awareness of the impact and unfairness of prejudice and her power to make changes in the world and her own circumstances. The girl’s vinegar pie appears throughout the book as a symbol of her value to the family and her abilities, even as Mirabel’s own growth is reflected in her slow willingness to acknowledge Charlie Anne’s skill and her acceptance of Phoebe. Each character is distinct and adds flavor, but it’s Charlie Anne’s voice that resonates as she confronts both the hardships and unfairness of life, yet finds ways to change things for the better.–Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO

GILES, Gail. Dark Song. 292p. Little, Brown. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-06886-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 8-11–Ames Ford, 15, has a picture-perfect, posh lifestyle and a loving family. Her father has always been their rock, providing a steady income and a comforting embrace. But when he’s fired for embezzling from his clients during unstable economic times, everything comes crashing down. Suddenly the Ford household is filled with secrecy and arguments. As the family begins to fall apart, Ames finds herself rebelling against her good-girl image. Shoplifting, smoking marijuana, and sneaking out at night are her obvious cries for help, but they fall on deaf ears with her parents. Hurt and alone, Ames makes friends with 22-year-old Marc, who seems to understand her feelings. He is mysterious, confident, and controlling–and he carries a handgun. Suddenly, Ames is caught in a dangerous conflict in which she actually considers Marc’s plan to kill her parents. The descriptions of the family’s financial privations will translate for most teens, though what Ames will have to live without may seem overplayed to some. This fast-paced psychological thriller will leave readers disturbed, enthralled, and clamoring for more. Fans of the author’s What Happened to Cass McBride? (Little, Brown, 2006) will thoroughly enjoy this chilling account of a good girl gone bad.–Stephanie Malosh, Donoghue Elementary School, Chicago, IL

GRIFFIN, Adele. The Julian Game. 200p. CIP. Penguin. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25460-4. LC 2010002281.

Gr 8 Up–Raye Archer, a scholarship student at the prestigious Fulton School, can’t say no when popular girl Ella Parker approaches her for help with Mandarin. But what starts as peer tutoring turns into quasi-friendship when Raye offers Ella access to her secret weapon: a Facebook profile for gorgeous but imaginary Elizabeth Lavenzck, connected to the hot guys at MacArthur school, created with the help of her friend Natalya. When Ella wields Elizabeth for revenge on MacArthur heartthrob Julian, using Raye to pose for revealing candid shots of Elizabeth, she doesn’t anticipate that Julian might just fall for Raye. Griffin mines familiar territory–cyberbullying and mean girls–in a novel brimming with deception and manipulation. Readers will relate to Raye’s outsider status and sympathize with her as she becomes the new target for Ella’s revenge. While Raye’s friendship with Natalya at times seems underdeveloped and convenient, the book is tightly written and plotted, and its clever cover will help sell it to readers. While the mean girl behavior doesn’t approach that in Courtney Summers’s Some Girls Are (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2010), Griffin’s novel has much to offer readers looking for a twist on the typical prep school coming-of-age story.–Jennifer Barnes, formerly at Homewood Library, IL

GRIFFIN, Adele. Picture the Dead. illus. by Lisa Brown. 272p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-3712-6. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6-10–This highly unusual book is a combination of historical fiction, a ghost story, and a scrapbook. Jennie Lovell’s twin brother, Toby, and her fiancé, Will, have been killed in the Civil War, the latter under mysterious circumstances. Will’s brother returns home a battered, bitter young man with secrets that Jennie is determined to uncover. She is under the guardianship of her aunt and uncle, Will and Quinn’s parents, and they threaten to turn her out. She is mesmerized by a photographer who claims to be able to capture images from the spirit world, and she uses this relationship to explore the signs she believes Will is sending her, warnings that she must decipher carefully. In the end, it isn’t clear if the ghost of Jennie’s fiancé is real or a figment of her imagination, which makes the story all the more eerie. What is suspect, and frightening, is Quinn’s sudden interest in Jennie. The inclusion of family portraits, invitations, newspaper clippings, and letters from her scrapbook make the reading experience rich with texture. Serious readers of historical fiction will be pleased to discover a book with a unique perspective on such a well-represented period of American history as well as a good story with suspense and a determined heroine.–Nora G. Murphy, Los Angeles Academy Middle School

HARDY, Janice. Blue Fire. Bk. 2. 384p. (The Healing Wars). CIP. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-174741-0. LC 2009053446.

Gr 6-8–Mysterious relationships and unacknowledged royal heirs emerge in Hardy’s neo-futuristic sequel to The Shifter (HarperCollins, 2009). Because of her ability to shift pain, 15-year-old Nya is highly valuable to the evil dictator ruling her kingdom. She is even more coveted than the other healers, yet she and her underground revolutionary friends risk their freedom to fight the Duke’s wrongful power. While selling goods at the markets, she tries to help a desperate street urchin and gets captured by rogue kidnappers. She is taken to the capital city, where her captors intend to collect the bounty on her head from the Duke. After escaping, Nya is determined to save her imprisoned friends and sister. A series of high-stakes adventures ensues, with the teen using her unique ability to harness pain as her greatest weapon. Nya is a strong and capable heroine who struggles with moral dilemmas throughout this fantasy, yet the story falls flat. More questions are raised than answered, and readers may be confused by the complex rules and unexplained entities. Action sequences and the progression through time are awkward. All in all, this book is disappointing.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

HAWKINS, Aaron R. The Year Money Grew on Trees. 304p. diags. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-27977-0. LC 2009049703.

Gr 5-8–An old-fashioned quality permeates this story of a 14-year-old who is hornswoggled by an elderly neighbor in the early 1980s near Farmington, NM. Lured by the promise of gaining ownership of her apple orchard, Jackson agrees to conniving Mrs. Nelson’s proposal that if he does all the work and gives her the first $8,000 of proceeds, she will give him the deed to the land. The contract is signed at a lawyer’s office. Jackson is as wily as his neighbor, and he manages to gain a work crew of his sisters and cousins, overcomes his mother’s resistance, and is amazingly resourceful at handling each obstacle as it appears. The story will be especially appealing to those hoping to promote a solid work ethic and an economical attitude that the recent Wall Street woes have brought back to the fore. The focus on the tremendous amount of labor involved and the battle of man versus nature gradually heightens the suspense, as the possibility of success seems doomed. Closest to Gary Paulsen’s Lawn Boy (Delacorte, 2007) in its exploration of work, this novel is much more realistic and less tinged with fantasy elements. The pride Jackson feels in his ability to meet the challenges exemplifies the traditional values that permeate each page, and yet he is no hero; he is clearly in over his head and knows it, which rescues the story from being preachy or priggishly pompous. This is a book that is cutting-edge 2010 in its appeal to 19th-century values.–Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO

HENRY, April. Girl, Stolen. 224p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9005-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7-10–A trip to the pharmacy turns into a nightmare for Cheyenne Wilder, a blind teenager. Sick with pneumonia, she waits in the backseat of her stepmother’s car when someone steals it, unintentionally kidnapping her. Things become even more complicated when the inadvertent kidnapper, Griffin, returns home to his hostile father and his criminal cronies, who have their own designs on Cheyenne upon learning that her father is the president of Nike. Still sick and held captive, Cheyenne must use her other senses and intellect to break free and find help before it’s too late. The novel is a nail-biter with an unforgettable protagonist who smartly and bravely turns her weakness, and her captors’ underestimation of her capabilities, into an advantage. Henry illuminates the teen’s predicament using all of her intact senses, making every touch, sniff, and breath palpable. Cheyenne’s growing sympathy for Griffin, who becomes her protector, adds layers of complexity to this thriller, especially when she faces leaving him injured in the woods or slowing her own escape by saving him. Readers will be hard-pressed to put this one down before its heart-pounding conclusion.–Jennifer Barnes, formerly at Homewood Library, IL

HOLT, K. A. Brains for Lunch: A Zombie Novel in Haiku?! illus. by Gahan Wilson. 96p. CIP. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-629-9. LC 2010012958.

Gr 4-8–Middle school is hard enough for the living, but for Loeb it’s especially dreadful. He is a thoughtful zombie whose classmates are fellow zombies, Lifers (regular humans), and blood-sucking creatures known as Chupos. His school is a boiling pot of rivalries and segregations. Things get interesting for Loeb when the librarian (a Lifer) encourages him to read some of his haiku at open-poetry night. Subplots include a Lifer who is romantically interested in Loeb and tensions within the different groups that mount when one being mingles with another. The novel is told through a series of haiku, a form that is comically ideal for zombie dialogue. While the book appears to be an easy read, this poetic form will appeal to skilled readers who are comfortable navigating this narrative technique. The novel jumps right into the story, and readers are required to interpret the characters, setting, and situations quickly; the poetic form does not allow for detailed character and plot development and it is sometimes difficult to discern which character is speaking. Holt employs gross-out humor that will appeal to her audience: the zombies’ bodies are constantly falling apart and the novel begins, appropriately, with a haiku about eating brains, “Brains for lunch again/‘Stop moaning and just eat it.’/Lunch lady humor.” Wilson’s pen-and-ink illustrations complement the text and zombies are shown as creatures surrounded by flies, swarming with worms, and constantly struggling to keep their bodies intact. This intriguing book definitely has an audience–one that appreciates, quite literally, tongue-in-cheek humor.–Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

HUGHES, Mark Peter. A Crack in the Sky. Bk. 1. 416p. CIP. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73708-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90645-6. LC 2009043532.

Gr 6-10–In this first installment of a planned series, 13-year-old Eli lives in a postapocalyptic domed city run by InfiniCorp. The world has been suffering from global warming, but the corporation insists there is no reason to worry. It uses the power of the CloudNet to distract its citizens from signs that all is not as it should be. Because Eli is one of the few who can resist the CloudNet’s power, he is accused of being a “Fogger” (those who are accused of anti-InfiniCorp sentiments) and is sent to a reeducation facility where he is imprisoned and forced to work assembling T-shirts. He meets Tabitha, who is the only other slave who can fight the power of the CloudNet. Together they plot to escape. Taut pacing and interesting characters are offset by flawed world building. A map does add visual clarification to settings that aren’t fully fleshed out in the text (though, oddly, the location of the re-education facility is not indicated). Eli’s microchip-implanted pet mongoose functions as a deus ex machina, another symptom of sloppy world building. While this is a decent example of dystopian literature, it is not likely to win over those who aren’t already enthusiastic readers of the genre.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

HUNTER, Erin. SkyClan’s Destiny. 528p. (Warriors Series). maps. CIP. HarperCollins. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-169994-8. LC 2009053451.

Gr 4-6–Hunter continues the series with this book that unveils the future of the new Skyclan. Leafstar is uncertain of her leadership abilities. Though the Clan chose her to lead the mixed pack of cats that make up Skyclan, she wonders if her decision to include kittypets and Twolegs is weakening it. When Sharpclaw, her deputy, begins to keep information from her and override her authority, she questions whether she can trust him. Then there’s the growing affection between Leafstar and Billystorm, a day warrior who lives between two worlds. When the Twolegs ask for the Clan’s help to defeat their enemies and free their homeland, Leafstar must rely on Starclan to give her direction and wisdom to make a choice that might endanger them all. The author continues to generate interest in these cats and their battle to survive in the wild. The characters are skillfully developed, with a range of emotions and thoughts that draw readers into their dilemmas. Hunter provides a satisfying conclusion where the traits of maturity, compassion, loyalty, and strength are upheld as desirable. She demonstrates through Leafstar that being a leader does not require coercion or bullying but that humility and relying on others is vital to the welfare of all. The manga at the end is an added bonus, providing a mini-adventure in cartoon form. “Warriors” aficionados will bury their noses in this super volume and won’t emerge until they have whetted their appetites for the next installment with the sample chapters at the end of the book.–Debra Banna, Sharon Public Library, MA

KENNEDY, Kim. Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates. illus. by Greg Call. 218p. Abrams/Amulet. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9357-0. LC 2009011248.

Gr 4-6–Kennedy creates a quirky seaside community that reeks with ghostly surprises and odd souls. Misty Gordon, 11, has seen enough junk from the dead to last several lifetimes. Her parents own the Dearly Departed Antiques store in New England, and Misty yearns to ditch their secondhand spoils for more stylish accoutrements. When she reads the diary of Ashcrumb’s wealthiest citizen, mysterious events yank her further into the past. She learns that the town’s founding families hid an ugly secret that threatens to resurface. Guided by a psychic ghost, Misty races to locate three golden Greek statues ahead of a group of malicious, deceased town scions who seek resurrection and world domination. A sequel seems probable. The action moves briskly, and readers will want to solve the clues along with Misty and her sidekick, Yoshi. However, the characters lack development, and Kennedy sometimes fails to make their motivations and backgrounds clear. There are also extraneous plot threads such as the escaped mayonnaise-craving mental patient that have a tenuous correlation to the main story. For children who like Greek mythology and ghost hunting in a contemporary setting, there’s enough here, though, for an appealing adventure.–Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

KEPHART, Beth. Dangerous Neighbors. 192p. Egmont USA/Laura Geringer Books 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-080-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-106-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6-10–Although born 20 minutes after her twin sister, 17-year-old Katherine has always been the rescuer, the watcher, the caretaker of the two. When readers meet her, she is disconsolate from Anna’s death the winter before. She has plans to end her own life as her guilt and loneliness can’t seem to be assuaged. The story of her emotional journey is set against a colorful cacophony of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Katherine wanders through throngs of tourists, buskers, and hawkers. Her first plan, to jump from the rooftop of a balconied tower in the “Paris by Night” Colosseum, is stopped by Bennett, the baker’s boy whom Anna had loved. As Katherine struggles with her memories of the once-complete relationship with her sister that was forced to make room for a third, her feelings of alienation and her failure to protect the one she cherished most intensify, and she is drawn again and again into the false world of the Exhibition. Ultimately, it is through chance meetings with “dangerous neighbors” and caring strangers that Katherine begins to consider the possibilities of her own life going forward. Her forgiveness of Bennett and herself gives birth to a sense of hope and helps this tenderly crafted story end with a positive spin. Kephart has painted a vivid picture of the Exhibition. Readers can practically smell the roasted peanuts and feel the bruise of crowds shoving by as she creates a lively setting against which a quiet, desperate struggle is played out.–Karen Elliott, Grafton High School, WI

KRAMER, Stacy & Valerie Thomas. Karma Bites. 348p. Houghton/Sandpiper. 2010. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-547-36301-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6–A breezy narrative and likable characters keep this book fresh, even while it leans on timeworn conventions. Magic, absurd situations, unforeseen consequences, a mean girl, and celebrities all play a part. Trouble begins when Franny’s hair gets dyed orange. The 12-year-old’s Granny counteracts the color with a recipe from a box acquired from a monk in Bhutan. Despite Granny’s warnings, Franny asks the box to generate ideas for a smoothie, facials, and more to solve problems. She shuttles between best friend Joey, who hangs out with the pompom crowd, and her other BFF, Kate, a band geek. Her middle school is stratified, its hierarchy played out on the front stairs. At the top, Elodie won’t let others in the door. After Franny applies her recipe, goodwill and then chaos ensue. Joey and Kate become so buddy-buddy that they leave her out. Her attempt to get her dad back with her mom instead of his girlfriend ends with him slumped into depression. It takes a visit from the monk to straighten things out. The message–to discuss problems with those involved–is admirable. But the conclusion–that kids need cliques in order for middle school to run effectively and smoothly–is a bit disconcerting. Better not think about the plot too much. If you need another lightweight read, this one’s fun.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

LUBAR, David. The Big Stink. Bk. 4. 176p. (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie Series). Tom Doherty Assoc/Starscape. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2343-9; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2510-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6–Nathan is still searching for a cure for being half dead, not to mention trying to make it through gym class in one piece. The fifth graders are temporarily sharing a classroom with the eighth graders, including Ridley, a bully who has it out for Nathan and pretty much anyone else who happens to be around. To make matters worse, Nathan is starting to rot and the smell is becoming quite a problem, especially since only his two best friends know about his condition. And when he’s not worrying about Ridley or stinking, Nathan continues to spend his nights training as a spy for the Bureau of Useful Misadventures, where his zombie skills can be put to good use. This is a great choice for reluctant readers and anyone who enjoys humorous stories. Despite being filled with farts and vomit, ultimately it’s a sweet story about the importance of friendship, family, and doing the right thing. While it does reference incidents that occurred in previous books, it stands on its own.–Kerry Roeder, The Brearley School, New York City

LYGA, Barry. Archvillain. 192p. Scholastic. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-19649-9. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-7–Sixth-grader Kyle is smart, popular, and the planner of high-quality pranks. Then an encounter with a mysterious “space plasma” leaves him with cosmic intellect, super-strength, and the ability to fly. Kyle loves his new skills, but decides it’s safest to keep them under wraps. However, the plasma has brought something else as well–a strange boy whom Kyle strongly suspects is an alien. Mighty Mike has superpowers too–but he isn’t shy about exercising them in public. Mike quickly becomes a sensation with adults as well as kids, even though his good deeds don’t always go smoothly. Kyle resents Mike taking over his top-dog status and suspects that the newcomer may have more sinister schemes in mind. He plans a super prank to expose him, but things get disastrously out of hand. There is a subtle underlying message about perception vs. reality. Kyle is not a particularly admirable character. He is self-centered and frequently uses his newfound powers to manipulate people. Much of his vaunted popularity seems to rest on his ability to humiliate others, especially in setting up grudge pranks on request. His crowd is quick to switch allegiance when a new sensation comes along. The author takes some sly digs at popular culture as well. The question of Mike’s true identity is left unresolved. Is he an earnest, if somewhat naïve superhero or are Kyle’s rather cynical suspicions on track? Who is the good guy and who is really the archvillain? Tune in next time....–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

MCNEAL, Laura. Dark Water. 285p. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84973-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94973-9. LC 2009043249.

Gr 8 Up–The catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Southern California in 2007 serve as the backdrop for this compelling story of a forbidden romance with tragic consequences. In the inland farming community of Fallbrook, 15-year-old Pearl tells her story through a leisurely voice. She deals with her parents’ divorce; her cousin’s anger at his father’s suspected adultery; and, most significantly, her undeniable attraction to the alluring undocumented Mexican migrant worker Amiel, whose damaged vocal chords limit his speech but not his communication. Disaster is referred to throughout the narrative, filling readers with a sense of foreboding as Pearl’s persistence overcomes Amiel’s trepidation and the two draw together in an intense secret affair. All of this leads to a heart-pounding final act when the wildfire breaks out and Pearl must choose between family and romance, safety and uncertainty. The ramifications of the ill-fated decisions made by both Pearl and Amiel will surely spark strong discussion among readers. Both the plot and setting are grounded in rich, realistic detail; the author’s love for the town of Fallbrook shines vividly through lyrical descriptions of avocado groves and orange blossoms. While Amiel remains a somewhat mysterious figure, Pearl’s relationships with her family and friends are fully realized through her nostalgic recollections of simpler times. Drawn in by the appeal of clandestine love and looming disaster, teens will also be rewarded with much thought-provoking substance in this novel’s complex characters and hauntingly ambiguous ending.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

MARIZ, Rae. The Unidentified. 304p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-180208-9. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7 Up–In a startlingly plausible dystopian society, the school system has failed to the point that the government gives over control of national education to corporations. These conglomerates have banded together to create what are known as Game Centers. Here students like Katey Dade, or Kid, go to “school” in refurbished shopping malls. They swipe cards to get in and out, they carry issued cell phones with GPS trackers, they post continuously to profile pages and status feeds (similar to Facebook and Twitter), while administrators and corporate officials monitor their every move. Students who achieve the highest scores in games, set the coolest fashion trends, and gain the utmost popularity are “Branded,” instantly assisting the corporations to plug their wares. Kid coasts, never looking to become Branded, but then she is taken up by not just one corporate sponsor, but two, as a “trendspotter.” As she tries to balance new expectations with betrayals by lifelong friends and new relationships, Kid also begins to question the societal structure around her. Drawn to the prank-pulling group calling themselves The Unidentified, she longs for her previous anonymity and blissful ignorance of the shady dealings all around her. Well written and featuring a cast that most readers will find some sort of connection with, this novel is an impressive debut. Teens will immediately be able to see the connections to today’s technology-dependent society and imagine how the future could be eerily like the setting in The Unidentified. Kid takes readers through myriad emotions on her whirlwind tour as a “name” in the game, and readers will be fixated until the very end. Recommend this one to fans of Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games (Scholastic, 2008) and James Dashner’s The Maze Runner (Delacorte, 2009).–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

MORRIS, Gerald. The Legend of the King. 304p. (The Squire’s Tales Series). Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-14420-7. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-8–Camelot is in ruins, nearly all the famous Knights of the Roundtable are dead, and Arthur is no longer on the throne. Or is Camelot just waiting to rise again? In this final title in the series, Morris once again makes the adventure, excitement, and magic of King Arthur and his court accessible to every reader. Arthur’s illegitimate son, Mador, born to the great sorceress Morgause, has raised an army, the White Horsemen, and is massacring people across the countryside and blaming it on Arthur’s knights. At the same time, Camelot is infiltrated by spies and the scandal of Lancelot’s affair with the queen causes a division between Arthur and the great knight, though that is soon healed. And the door between the human and magical world closes. Through the mayhem, Arthur’s England triumphs, but at the cost of nearly everyone who has appeared throughout this series. Yet the ending is hopeful and still possesses the magic of the legends. As with the earlier titles, Morris does not shy away from love or violence, but instead stays true to the feel and premise of the original tales while building on them. Reading the previous books is a necessity to understand all of the characters, although a list of them and the books in which they appeared is helpful. An excellent end to a worthwhile and well-written series that can be recommended to reluctant and skilled readers alike.–Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

MULLER, Rachel Dunstan. Squeeze. 166p. (Orca Sports Series). Orca. 2010. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-324-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6-10–A fast-paced, compulsively readable book. Fifteen-year-old Byron; his dad; and his older brother, Jesse, are all into caving. When the boys’ father is called away on urgent business, their mother reluctantly allows them to go on a long-planned expedition without him. They are accompanied by Michelle, Jesse’s girlfriend, and Jesse’s sketchy college roommate, Cole. The action centers on a packet of documents that Cole carries with him into the cave. It contains personal information about students at the University of Victoria that could be used to steal their identities. Michelle, who works in the registrar’s office there, gets hold of them and confronts Cole, who takes off, abandoning the others and cutting off their escape rope. The plot creaks a little–the reasons given for Cole bringing the documents into the cave with him are not entirely convincing–but Byron’s actions in leading the trio to safety after his brother is injured are genuinely exciting. Information about caving is woven seamlessly into the narrative, and descriptions of the beauty of underground rock formations are often quite lyrical. With fairly simple vocabulary, short cliff-hanger chapters, and nonstop action, this is a great choice for reluctant readers.–Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT

MULLIGAN, Andy . Trash . 233p. appendix. Random/David Fickling Bks . Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-75214-5; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-75215-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10 –Three young teens, trash-picker living in the city dump of an unnamed third-world country, discover a mysterious bag one morning, triggering a chain of events that will change their lives forever. Raphael, Gordo, and Rat take turns nar-rating the story of how they uncover a network of political corruption and abuse of the poor. Each puzzle the boys solve leads to yet a new riddle for them to work out. The chase leads them throughout the city, exposing the great disparity be-tween the “haves” and the “have nots,” and the huge injustice this represents. Several run-ins with the police make it clear that getting caught means death for the three boys. They face moral dilemmas throughout and, ultimately, make good deci-sions. Their intelligence and characters make the condition in which they live seem even more unfair. While on the surface the book reads like a fast-paced adventure title, it also makes a larger statement about the horrors of poverty and injustice in the world. Occasionally the alternating viewpoints of the book become confusing, particularly when they switch mid-chapter. In spite of this, Trash is a compelling read. The action is riveting and the secret codes throughout will appeal mys-tery fans. Readers will be drawn to this title, and hopefully learn a little about the world outside their own country. Teens who enjoyed the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008) will find much to enjoy here.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH


MYERS, Walter Dean. The Cruisers. 123p. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91626-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-8–Because of what they’ve written in their alternative newspaper, The Cruiser, four eighth-grade friends are given an assignment rather than suspension. Classmates at the DaVinci Academy, a school for talented and gifted students, Zander, LaShonda, Kambui, and Bobbi are to be peacekeepers during a Civil War unit and prevent another war from breaking out. They use their newspaper to raise awareness and eventually ease tensions between the opposing factions, a group of white athletes who call themselves Sons of the Confederacy and a large population of African-American students and others who don’t want to associate themselves with racist sentiments. Adding to the tension is the threat of expulsion if the friends can’t prevent the fighting; their grades have been slipping and the administration is beginning to doubt their dedication to such a prestigious and competitive school. In the end the group prevails, but an assignment asks them to consider what would have happened if there had been no Civil War, and the students are reminded of the complexity of the situation, then and now. Once again, Myers integrates difficult and significant conversations into his work. The Cruisers, the first in a promised series, is marketed to a younger crowd than Monster () or Shooter (), for example, but is no less honest and raw. The premise is promising. –Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

O’CONNOR, Barbara. The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester. 168p. CIP. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. Oct. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-374-36850-0. LC 2009019249.
Gr 4–7–This well-crafted novel creates a charming mix of the commonplace and the extraordinary. On summer break, the likably mischievous Owen Jester has caught the biggest, best bullfrog in Carter, GA. However, “Tooley Graham” isn’t healthy, saddling Owen with a nagging guilt about keeping his new pet captive. Meanwhile, after hearing a crash in the night, the boy discovers that a Water Wonder 4000–a two-passenger submarine that has fallen off a passing train. He tries to keep his secret from everyone but his friends, but nosy neighbor Viola isn’t easily fooled. When she discovers the sub, the only way to keep her from alerting grown-ups is to let her in on the plan to take it for a spin. But there are problems. How will they move the heavy sub to the pond? Can they figure out how to drive it? And most importantly, how can Owen and his friends work with their archenemy? The plot is straightforward and efficient; the focus is always clear. Characterization is a strength–particularly memorable is Viola, who steals the show as an honest-to-goodness know-it-all. O’Connor deftly leads readers to ponder some big questions about friendship and disrupting the natural order. Beyond pleasure reading, the story lends itself nicely to use in a classroom setting. Appealing and authentic, this tale of summertime adventure will be a hit with readers year round.–Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

PECK, Richard. Three Quarters Dead. 193p. CIP. Dial. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3454-8. LC 2009049362.

Gr 6-10–Kerry, a sophomore at a top school, spends most of her time alone, feeling invisible. Suddenly and without reason, she is befriended by the three most popular and powerful girls in school. Feeling alive and important, and desperate to keep her new friends happy, she goes along with their pranks and plans, even when they are exceedingly cruel. When a car accident takes the queen bees’ lives, Kerry ends up socially dead. But several months after their funerals, she gets a strange text message. The mean girls are back, wanting to go out into the world, and needing her to make that happen. This is a compulsive page-turner. The fast-paced story is chilling on several levels. Kerry’s lack of self-confidence allows her to be used horribly, and it is hard to decide which is scarier–her caving in to peer pressure or her spending time with rotting ghosts. Peck can conjure up a scene with details so believable, you can practically smell and taste them. A small flaw is that he never quite nails modern teen girl-speak, which comes across as forced and is mixed up with old-fashioned phrases. But for horror fans seeking a thrill, those details may be trivial. This is a good choice for young teens who have run through all of the Caroline Cooney’s or Lois Duncan’s books.–Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT

RESAU, Laura. The Ruby Notebook. 373p. glossary. CIP. Delacorte. 2010. PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90615-9; Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73653-4. LC 2009051965.

Gr 9 Up–In this sequel to The Indigo Notebook (Delacorte, 2009), Zeeta and her single mother, who have spent each of Z’s 16 years in a different country, are teaching English and making friends in Aix-en-Provence. Z always buys a new notebook in each country and fills it with observations, thoughts, dreams, and the answers to questions she asks people. As a way of making friends and getting to know her new country, she interviews people everywhere she goes. France is proving to be most intriguing: Z befriends an elderly couple who offer her a mystery to solve; the love of her life, Wendell, is flying in to spend time with her; she becomes smitten with a young street performer; and she is suddenly being given meaningful gifts by an anonymous admirer. With a hint of mystery, a bit of romance, a touch of travel, and some coming-of-age, this book covers a lot of ground without ever feeling scattered or haphazard. Resau’s robust descriptions give readers a good picture of France and its people. Although one can guess where the plot is headed, teens will still want to go along for the ride, so enjoyable is the writing. The pace can be slow at times, even when Z and Wendell are sneaking about in tunnels below the town, trying to solve the mystery. But anyone who enjoys detailed settings and thoughtful narratives will be rewarded with this story.–Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT

SALES, Leila. Mostly Good Girls. 350p. S & S/Pulse. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0679-7. LC 2010007190.
Gr 9-11–Katie and Violet have been inseparable since seventh grade. The competition among the juniors at their all-girls private school is fierce, even between these friends. Violet doesn’t understand Katie’s recent decisions to keep her PSAT scores a secret, quit crew, get intoxicated, and date a guy who appears to be a loser. Violet is jealous that Katie can effortlessly do everything, making her question why she is seemingly throwing it all away. In an effort to rekindle their strained friendship, the girls publish an unauthorized parody of their school in the literary magazine that Violet edits. She takes the punishment that is doled out, but Katie does not comply with what is asked of her. With this turn of events, Violet finally learns what has been motivating Katie. Witty and unpretentious, Violet is a likable narrator. Some of her funniest reactions are in response to the dating advice Katie shares from a magazine she’s read. Each of the classmates has a discernible personality. The girls discuss crushes, fashion, and gossip, but Sales delves into more serious issues like the pressure to be perfect and how it can manifest itself. Suggest this one to readers who enjoy the writing style of Ally Carter. A strong debut that is not be missed.–Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD

SCIESZKA, Jon, ed. Guys Read: Funny Business. illus. by Adam Rex. 256p. HarperCollins/Walden Pond. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196374-2; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196373-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5-8–Building on the success of Guys Write for Guys Read (Viking, 2005), Scieszka continues his mission to take the “reluctant” out of readers with this first volume of the “Guys Read Library.” For this title, Scieszka invited some of today’s top writers of children’s fiction to contribute a humorous short story. Not surprisingly, the resulting compilation has something for everyone. Looking for a story heavy on the ick-factor? Suggest Jack Gantos’s “The Bloody Souvenir,” in which the Pagoda brothers return to wreak more havoc. David Yoo’s “A Fistful of Feathers” features a bloodthirsty turkey intent on destroying the narrator’s life. Eoin Colfer offers an autobiographical piece that shares how his younger brother was his real-life inspiration for Artemis Fowl. Kate DiCamillo and Scieszka team up to offer a hilarious correspondence between Joe and an author who knows how to hold her own with unmotivated students. While these shorter stories may not have the liveliness of the authors’ full novels, each one is solid, and more importantly, it offers an introduction to that author’s style and voice. Don’t be surprised if students come seeking longer works by David Lubar, Christopher Paul Curtis, and other contributors after sampling them in this collection. Scieszka promises future volumes featuring other genres, among them nonfiction, sports, and action/adventure.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

SHERRY, Maureen. Walls Within Walls. illus. by Adam Stower. 348p. bibliog. Web sites. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-176700-5. LC 2010009494.

Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old CJ, his nine-year-old sister Brid, and six-year-old Patrick Smithfork resent leaving Brooklyn for Manhattan, even though they are pleased that their dad’s video-game company has struck it rich. Finding a wall, a painting, and a book behind a grille in their historical Fifth Avenue apartment, the children start to decipher clues that send them on an architectural treasure hunt. Their neighbor Eloise Post hopes that the hunt will reveal the whereabouts of her father’s lost fortune from the 1930s. The man left a book of poems by Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and others that lead to seven famous structures around the city. This debut novel is a breathtaking romp, focusing on the work of little-known master tile mason and architect Rafael Guastavino. Sherry’s passion will make readers fall in love with New York and the poems that portray its many personalities. Full-page illustrations appear throughout. There is a majesty to the author’s juxtaposition of monument and poem, although this grandeur masks some of the book’s irregularities. The third-person perspective shifts in a way that distances readers from the main characters and impedes character development. Secondary figures are sometimes sketched lightly, although the implied sequel may develop them more fully. Similar to “The 39 Clues” (Scholastic) books or Michael D. Beil’s “The Red Blazer Girls” (Knopf), this story incorporates many subplots but lacks a tidy narrative. Nevertheless, readers will relish being tourists on this treasure hunt, no matter what. Pick it up and watch for the sequel.–Caitlin August a, Stratford Library Association, CT

SPRINGER, Nancy. Possessing Jessie. 88p. CIP. Holiday House. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2259-3. LC 2009031638.

Gr 7-10–Jessie is grief-stricken after her brother’s death. Her mother has become unresponsive, refusing to eat, and has not spoken to Jessie since the accident. All her life, the teen has failed to win her mother’s attention and now she has an idea. Become Jason, dressing in his clothes, adopting his speech patterns and strut. At first it is difficult but as time goes by, it becomes easier especially since her mother is finally talking and paying attention to her. The more Jessie pretends, the more Jason’s persona comes forth, until finally she has no choice. Jason, the more dominate sibling, is trying to reclaim his life. The ending is abrupt, leaving readers with an eerie, creepy feeling. Springer has written a twisted story, and while characterization is weak and the story line can be frustrating for those readers who need resolution, this tightly woven novel is fast-paced and will be of interest to readers who like light horror.–Sharon Morrison, Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library, Durant, OK

STRAHAN, Jonathan & Marianne S. Jablon, eds. Wings of Fire. 512p. Night Shade. 2010. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59780-187-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–Wings of Fire is a successful book on many levels. It celebrates dragons in all their infinite variety with vigor and enthusiasm, tenderness, and sympathy. The stories range from classic fantasy to science fiction to steampunk, and the contributors represent a who’s who of extraordinary talent: Peter S. Beagle, Charles De Lint, Roger Zelazny, Ursula K. Le Guin, Orson Scott Card, and on and on. Two original works by Holly Black and Margo Lanagan are included, along with stories tied to popular series like Anne McCaffrey’s “Dragonriders of Pern” and Naomi Novik’s “Temeraire.” Themes explored include sacrifice, honor, love, betrayal, family, etc. Many of the selections have adult language, violence, and sexual situations. The editors have pulled together an amazing work that does just what a great collection should do–it whets the appetite and makes readers ravenous for more.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

SUPPLEE, Suzanne. Somebody Everybody Listens To. 245p. Dutton. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42242-6. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7 Up–You don’t have to be a fan of country music to fall in love with Retta Lee Jones and her inspiring quest to be a country singer. Supplee avoids the oversentimental star-crush often typical of wannabe stories by creating honest characters one might meet in any hometown: anxious parents, stranger turned guardian angel, boy-next-door, fun best friend, young men and women chasing dreams. After graduating high school, Retta Lee stakes everything she has on moving to Nashville to break into the music business. Each step forward, however, seems to take her two steps back–back toward a sad family life and the boy she had a crush. Moving forward toward her dream becomes elusive after her fragile support system falls apart through no fault of her own. But Retta Lee doesn’t give up. She reminds herself of the country artists she’s admired all her life and takes inspiration from their trials and tribulations and eventual success. Supplee opens each well-paced chapter with a brief profile of popular singers, providing continuity and interesting tidbits about the royals of country music. Retta Lee’s innate kindheartedness; her aspirations in a highly competitive field, always tempered with good old commonsense; and her burgeoning talent make her an immensely likable and believable character who steadfastly follows her dreams in a world often inured to such high hopes.–Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

TANNER, Lian. Museum of Thieves. 312p. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73905-4; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90768-2. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-8–In the city of Jewel, children are chained to their parents or to the Blessed Guardians from birth until Separation at age 16. Now the Grand Protector has lowered the ceremony to age 12, and the Blessed Guardians are furious. When a bomb interrupts 12-year-old Goldie Roth’s Separation Day, she takes advantage of the chaos to run away, ultimately finding her way to the Museum of Dunt. Its four Guardians teach her how to survive on her own, how to steal, and how to live within the mysterious institution, which is much bigger than it seems, since it is constantly changing and home to all of the long-ago perils that filled Jewel back when it was the dangerous city of Dunt. When local politics endanger the existence of the Museum and its Guardians, and release war, plague, and other horrors on the city, Goldie and Toadspit have to come up with a plan for defeating the forces within in order to preserve the existence of Jewel. Tanner creates an enticing world, and the action picks up rapidly when Goldie enters the Museum. Readers are drawn into Jewel’s past and present, learning along Goldie and wishing that they could acquire some of her nearly magical talents. A fun read and an intriguing start to a new series.–Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI

TWAIN, Mark & Don Borchert. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Undead. 304p. Tor. 2010. pap. $13.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2729-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6-8–Borchert’s adaptation of the classic tale offers very little in the way of new twists and turns. All of the memorable moments and characters of the original story are here–Huckleberry Finn, Aunt Polly, Becky Thatcher, Injun Joe. Readers follow them through the well-known story. That is actually the strength of the book. Unfortunately, credit for great storytelling goes to Twain. Borchert’s introduction of zombies, which are called the “Zum,” is his major contribution to the novel, and he fails to give sufficient background about them. They are introduced sporadically and with little lasting effect. The concept for the book is an interesting one, but the author fails to stray very far from the trusted script of Twain and take advantage of uncharted waters.–Greg Stone, Oak Mountain Middle School, Birmingham, AL

WASSERMAN, Robin. Wired. Bk. 3. 383p. S & S/Pulse. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7454-3. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–This final volume in the trilogy that began with Skinned (S & S, 2008) neatly wraps up the dystopian tale of human consciousness downloaded into mechanical bodies. Lia has become a spokesperson for the mechs, trying to work with BioMax to improve public sentiment. To this end, she agrees to a guest starring role in a “vidlife,” the future’s equivalent of reality TV programming, where viewers get to vote on everything from who the actors fight with to whom they kiss. Riley, brought back to life in a body that looks like his original human one, and Lia have worked to maintain their relationship even though the new body has created some awkwardness between them. Lia’s sister, Zo, and rivals Auden and Jude are also heavily involved as it becomes clear that something sinister is happening, not only with the Brotherhood, but also at BioMax. Over the course of the series, the characters have gone through many changes. Zo’s integration into Lia’s closely knit mech world is particularly effective here. While it’s hampered by a handful of continuity errors, particularly the author’s failure to explain how the mechs are able to charge themselves in the dead zone without the wireless web of energy they rely on at home, this is still a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The ending will leave readers pondering the nature of humanity. As with much series fiction, this title does not stand alone. Purchase where the earlier two volumes have been popular.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

WERLIN, Nancy. Extraordinary. 393p. CIP. Dial. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3372-5. LC 2010002086.
Gr 8 Up–Phoebe Rothschild meets Mallory Tolliver when they are in seventh grade. Mallory, a pariah among the popular set, is saved by Phoebe, who rejects the clique and embraces the new girl as her best friend. Four years later, when the girls are juniors in high school, Mallory reveals the existence of her half-brother, Ryland, who is 24 and irresistible. He is one of the fey, as is Mallory, and he uses fairy glamour for diabolical ends; dialogues between the Faerie Queen and Mallory and the Faerie Queen and Ryland reveal that the fey have deadly plans for the unsuspecting Phoebe. Ryland informs the Queen that Phoebe will be easy to seduce but Phoebe, even though bound by magic, still manages to resist submitting fully. Real-world conversations and settings are distinctly rendered, as are Phoebe’s glimpses of Faerie, and although the intermittent dialogues with the Faerie Queen sometimes feel stilted, they provide critical backstory. The denouement flounders ever so slightly in overexplanation, but the carefully nuanced, often sensual prose delivers a highly effective narrative. Characterizations are arresting and complex: Phoebe, thoughtful and loyal, is bravely compassionate; Mallory, divided and determined, elicits reluctant sympathy; and Ryland, controlling and manipulative, is scarily realistic. Werlin’s intricately constructed plot combines fairy lore, family history, and coming of age in an engrossing, often suspenseful story that moves smoothly to its inevitable end. Phoebe’s intellectual and emotional transformation from ordinary to extraordinary is of her own volition, which makes her the compelling force of this bittersweet fairy tale.–Janice M. Del Negro, GSLIS Dominican University, River Forest, IL

WESTERFELD, Scott. Behemoth. Bk. 2. illus. by Keith Thompson. 496p. (The Leviathan Trilogy). CIP. S & S/Pulse. Oct. 2010. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7175-7. LC 2010009755.

Gr 7 Up–This book continues the hard-driving, action-packed adventures of Alek, heir to the throne of the Austrian empire and current British prisoner of war, and Deryn Sharp, a midshipman assigned to the Leviathan. Their loyalties to their respective governments and philosophies are tested as their friendship grows; Alek is an Austrian Clanker and Deryn an English Darwinist. After the Leviathan is damaged by a German attack, Alek and his personal guard escape the airship and join a revolutionary group dedicated to the overthrow of the sultan of Istanbul. Meanwhile Deryn has been sent to sabotage a key military blockade in the Istanbul harbor. But true havoc doesn’t ensue until the teens are reunited. This dynamite novel incorporates factual events of the early months of World War I: the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Churchill’s confiscation of an Ottoman Empire warship, and the instability and revolution within the Empire. However, the elements of steampunk, biological and mechanical technology, sheer over-the-top adventure, and great storytelling make this a must-have addition to any speculative fiction collection. Thompson’s sumptuous full-page illustrations capture the goings-on and contribute to the cinematic feel of the book.–Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

WILLIAMS, Lori Aurelia. Maxine Banks Is Getting Married. 352p. CIP. Roaring Brook. Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-513-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7-10–Maxine Banks’s friend Tia has just gotten married and moved away, and Maxine decides that she wants to do the same so that she can get away from her mother and her mother’s domineering live-in boyfriend. She convinces her boyfriend, Brian, also 17 and still in high school, that they should get married. To get permission, since they are underage, they tell their parents that Maxine is pregnant. With no idea what this commitment will entail, Maxine steamrolls over all of Brian’s doubts and questions. Everything falls apart, however, when Maxine finds out that Brian has become involved with their neighbor, Shell, and that she is, in fact, pregnant. Wondering how she’s going to pay the rent and other bills after she kicks him out, she gets a reprieve from an unlikely source–her father-in-law. He’ll cover all her expenses and give her some extra money if she will keep his middle-school-aged niece, Demonee. Maxine agrees and tries to help the surly, troubled girl. The title is misleading since Maxine gets married and separated within the first 100 pages. The remaining story is about her life after the separation. Although the teen matures a bit from the foolish and somewhat selfish girl she was in the beginning, most of the characters are one-dimensional and stereotyped. The late addition of Demonee’s possible homosexuality seems designed to add another demographic group to the mix. This wordy, often repetitious novel may appeal to some girls, but the lack of action will limit its readership.–Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL

WOON, Yvonne. Dead Beautiful. 480p. Hyperion. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1956-2. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7 Up–Renée Winters, after being inexplicably called into California’s Redwood forest, walks right up to the spot where both of her parents lay dead after suffering apparent heart attacks. Stranger still, their mouths are stuffed with gauze and coins are scattered about their bodies. The teen is put under the care of her estranged grandfather, who sends her to Gottfried Academy, a boarding school devoted to Latin, philosophy, and a strange mix of sciences, located across the country in Northern Maine. There, she meets fellow student Dante and is intensely drawn to him–and he to her. A series of suspicious events occurs throughout the first semester as Renée and Dante grow closer and students mysteriously die. Woon slowly–yet suspensefully–reveals that children who die and are left unburied for 10 days wake up part alive and part deceased. Undead. Gottfried Academy exists to teach both the living and the Undead about this transformation and the rules concerning it. Dead Beautiful could be described as Twilight at Hogwarts. Despite numerous parallels to Stephenie Meyer’s saga, Woon pulls off some interesting twists and captures readers with the romantic connection between Renée and Dante. This novel will be an easy sell to readers who are still dying for more paranormal, forbidden, chaste romance. Woon sprinkles in some philosophical ideas that set the story apart from others in the same genre. Riveting and different, it is a real page-turner.–Emily Chornomaz, West Orange Public Library, NJ

WYNNE-JONES, Tim. Rex Zero: The Great Pretender. Bk. 3. 224p. CIP. Farrar. Nov. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-36260-7. LC 2008055569.

Gr 5-8–When Rex Zero finds out that his family is moving yet again, he is devastated. Although the move is only across town, it means that he will start middle school at Connaught instead of at Hopewell with James, Buster, and Kathy. The four friends decide that regardless of the Ottawa City Council’s views on zoning, Rex should attend Hopewell as planned. His records have already been sent over there, and when he offers to take his enrollment paperwork to the new school for his mother, she gratefully accepts: the chores of moving households and raising a family of eight are exhausting. In 1963, it is easy enough for the boy to make his enrollment paperwork disappear and to use the crosstown buses to get to Hopewell. The deception is successful for a while, but Rex learns in the process how taxing the life of a pretender can be. Complicating matters are a budding romance with one of his classmates, threats from a bully and his sidekicks, and a secret laboratory experiment that his older sister is conducting in the back shed. Family dynamics and friendships are skillfully fleshed out, with fully developed characters to whom readers will readily relate. The humor of Rex’s first-person narration does not diminish Wynne-Jones’s ability to deal with tough issues candidly, and the resolution fully satisfies. This title does stand alone, but it will be most appreciated in libraries where Rex already has a strong following.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Nonfiction

ANGEL, Ann. Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing. 120p. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. notes. CIP. Abrams/Amulet. Oct. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8349-6. LC 2010005558.
Gr 9 Up–It was 40 years ago this October that the rock singer died from an overdose of alcohol and drugs at the age of 27. From interviews with her friends and letters that Joplin wrote home, Angel pieces together her subject’s short life, contrasting her conservative upbringing in a small Texas town with the wild 1960s, vividly portrayed both in descriptions and in excellent-quality, full-color and black-and-white photos on almost every page. Joplin’s husky, passionate singing voice was appreciated by other musicians and by her audiences. She loved to sing the blues with the misery and pain that dominated the lyrics. Bessie Smith and Odetta were her heroines. The author points out that despite the fame and fortune that she achieved, Joplin was basically insecure and in need of acceptance. This book is well researched with more than 100 notes referring to specific quotes from friends, family, and magazines. Teens will be intrigued by the life of this cult figure. Her memory has been kept alive by her recordings and an off-Broadway show, Love, Janis, based on letters she wrote to family and friends during her career, which continues to be staged throughout the country.–Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY


ARONSON, Marc & Marina Budhos. Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science. 176p. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Clarion. Oct. 2010. Tr $20. ISBN 978-0-618-57492-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–This meticulously researched, brutally honest, compelling book offers readers a different way to look at many events over the past 200 years or so. The title says it all. From the slave trade through abolition; from revolutions (American, French, and Haitian) to the Louisiana Purchase; from the decline of honey to the rise of saccharine, these events and many more are directly traced to the cultivation and production of sugar cane around the world. With a focus on slavery, Aronson and Budhos demonstrate how this one crop, with its unique harvesting needs, helped to bring about a particularly brutal incarnation of slavery. What makes this such a captivating read is that the book has a jigsaw-puzzle feel as the authors connect seemingly disparate threads and bring readers to the larger picture by highlighting the smaller details hidden within. Primary-source materials such as photographs, interview excerpts, and maps are included throughout, making this an indispensable part of any history collection. The chapter entitled “How We Researched and Wrote This Book” will be of particular interest to teachers and librarians.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

BURNIE, David. Dinosaurs. ISBN 978-0-7534-6414-4.
HYNES, Margaret. Oceans & Seas. maps. photos. ISBN 978-0-7534-6415-1.
ea vol: 48p. (Navigators Series). diags. illus. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Kingfisher. 2010. Tr $12.99. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Both attractive volumes sport one topic per spread, fragmented texts consisting mainly of captions, color photos, and artwork that is almost 3-D in appearance. Glossaries and indexes and a final page pointing the way to further resources in books, films, websites, and museums appear in each title. Both books also contain a few quotes from scientists embedded in the heavily illustrated pages and a definition that drips down one outside margin of the spread and a website address down the other. An occasional slip occurs (shrimp do not live “deep in the mud”), but in the main, these are bits of eye candy that will gather a minimum of dust on library shelves.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

CHATZKY, Jean. Not Your Parents’ Money Book: Making, Saving, and Spending Your Own Money. illus. by Erwin Haya. 165p. chart. map. glossary. Web sites. CIP. S & S. 2010. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9472-5. LC 2010008840.

Gr 5 Up–Written in a light, somewhat jocular tone and sprinkled with amusing but eye-opening and conversation-starting quotes from 12-, 13-,and 14-year-olds, this book is sure to hold readers’ attention. The content includes how you get money, via allowances and jobs, and notes the difference between cash-only and paychecks. Tracking typical teen expenditures, both long-term and short, is juxtaposed against keeping money in checking, savings, and money-market accounts. Parents’ cash flow, adult salaries, and costs of goods such as minivans are all touched upon. As the young people’s quotes make clear, they have both funny and inaccurate understandings in this area. The concepts are presented simply enough for the middle school crowd, but are just as important for older teens, especially when it comes to a breakdown of deductions on a paycheck and thinking about investing for college savings. There is a section on smart shopping and credit cards. Fascinating facts include the history of the development of money from cows to cowrie shells to coins and paper, as well as such tidbits as the fact that germs in mucus can live on bills from 10 to 17 days. Chatzky’s presentation is engaging, with a lengthy glossary at the back and all the words highlighted throughout the text. Cartoons appear on almost every page, adding humor and some additional material. Critical information is provided to keep young people from being taken advantage of financially, such as how to avoiding overdraft fees on a checking account. Overall, the healthy financial attitude of only-spend-what-you-have is promoted throughout the book.–Meredith Toumayan, The Governor’s Academy, Byfield, MA

FLYNN, Mike. The Ultimate Survival Guide. illus. by Mike Phillips. 138p. (The Science of Series). charts. diags. maps. photos. index. Macmillan UK. 2010. pap. $13.95. ISBN 978-0-330-46725-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-8–While most children are not likely to be stranded on the polar ice caps, or become lost in the Sahara among the Bedouin, there is fun in speculating about what if...? This title is introduced by Ben Fogle, an adventurer who so loved the Canadian wilderness as a child that he grew up to hack through jungles, row a small boat across the Atlantic, and spend a year on an uninhabited island. Some of the survival tips offered in this attractive book may relate to exotic environments, but most are shown to have applications in anyone’s backyard. Six chapters cover topics such as knowing where you are and where you’re going, coping with extreme temperatures, finding food and water, communicating for help, and essential survival gear. The kid-friendly format contains factual information amid colorful illustrations and photos. Each chapter has activities such as how to make a sun compass, a pizza-box oven, or a water filter from natural materials. Real survival stories from history appear as spiral-notebook pages in each chapter, such as a doctor who didn’t tell anyone he was going fishing and became caught under a boulder, or the well-known account of the soccer team whose plane crashed in the Andes and was portrayed in Piers Paul Read’s Alive (Harper Perennial, 2005). Tips, warnings, and trivia will keep unmotivated readers engaged, and a final quiz will test their new survival knowledge.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

JOHNSON, Rebecca L. Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures. 64p. charts. diags. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Millbrook. Oct. 2010. RTE $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7613-4148-2. LC 2009049603.

Gr 5-9–The Census of Marine Life was conducted globally between 2000 and 2010 by more than 2000 researchers, and this book takes readers with the scientists from the shallows to the ocean depths in their quest to identify species. Picture-book size and packed with exhilarating photographs of astonishing underwater creatures, the narrative describes the work of the scuba divers, often using the second-person voice for immediacy. These census takers used such tools as light boxes to count and capture nighttime reef creatures and an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) where necessary. They also extracted DNA from various creatures in order to construct a library of ocean life and made contour maps of the ocean floor using sound waves. Text boxes explain technical concepts such as chemosynthesis, marine snow, moving plates, DNA, and water pressure. Pungent quotes from marine scientists are sprinkled throughout. Sometimes there’s so much information on each spread that it’s almost distracting, but the photos are excellent in quality and plentiful. This engaging volume is fun for browsing, useful for assignments, and inspiring for budding marine scientists.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

LOCRICCHIO, Matthew. Teen Cuisine. photos by James Peterson. 208p. chart. illus. index. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. Tr $22.95. ISBN 978-0-7614-5715-2. LC 2009046847.

Gr 8 Up–With an emphasis on fresh, healthy, and made-from-scratch dishes, this title offers up a wide array of recipes from breakfast to dessert and everything in between, illustrated with fantastic photography. The recipes are all formatted in steps titled “On your mark…Get set…Cook!” The chapter headings are all show-business related–“Star-studded Salads and Dressings,” “Red Carpet Desserts”–but it isn’t clear why. Also, several recipes call for other recipes to be made first: the hummus calls for “sesame sauce” that is featured on another page and the mashed potatoes call for roasted garlic butter, which also appears on another page. Most teens don’t want a three-page recipe for burgers. Better choices include Rozanne Gold’s Eat Fresh Food: Awesome Recipes for Teen Chefs (Bloomsbury, 2009) and Megan, Jill & Judi Carle’s Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat (Ten Speed, 2004).–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

MOONEY, Carla. Amazing African Projects You Can Build Yourself. illus. by Megan Stearns. unpaged. (Build It Yourself Series). map. chron. glossary. index. Nomad. 2010. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-9346704-1-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6–This book has an enormous amount of information, covering history, occupations, ethnic groups, daily life, geography, recreation, music, and more. The introduction includes a full-page, labeled map of Africa and the surrounding waters. Each chapter is easy to understand, with just enough facts to give readers a picture of this fascinating continent. “Words to Know” boxes appear in each chapter, resulting in more than 200 highlighted words with definitions. The book includes well-known topics (Nile River, rainforest, savanna, ancient Egypt, etc.) as well as natural wonders, minerals, wildlife, and challenges such as AIDS and hunger. Additional sidebars provide information on beadwork, Kente cloth, Adinkra printing, shantytowns, 2010 World Cup, and more. The 25 projects require easily obtainable materials and can be completed in two to seven steps. All are illustrated with black-and-white drawings. Children will learn how to craft a golden amulet, a leopard mask, a basket, a Mancala game, rock paintings, a Masai beaded necklace, an African rain stick, and more. Adult assistance is suggested when using a stove or knife. Fascinating trivia further enhances the experience, such as the double meanings of Zulu bead colors, the more than 1000 different languages spoken in Africa, and how in Ethiopia tables are covered with flatbread that diners break apart to wrap around their food. This title will be useful for assignments and/or programming ideas.–Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

PEARCE, Q. L. Stonehenge. 48p. (Mysterious Encounters Series). map. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gale/KidHaven. 2010. PLB $27. ISBN 978-0-7377-4572-6. LC 2009021360.

Gr 4-6–This slight book begins with a description of Stonehenge and includes a few details on its construction, the geological source of the stones, and a brief reference to current archaeological thinking on the meaning of the site. The map is cramped and difficult to read, and the entire first chapter lacks clarity. The greatest appeal of this book lies in the second and third chapters, in which the various theories about who built Stonehenge and why are discussed. The theories range from evil sorcerers to aliens to crop circle connections, although each one is only briefly discussed.–Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

ROCKLIFF, Mara. Get Real: What Kind of World Are You Buying? illus. by Ryan Hayes. 112p. illus. bibliog. further reading. index. Web sites. Running Pr. 2010. pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-3745-0. LC 2009928293.
Gr 6 Up–Rockliff outlines how mass consumerism is harming our planet, and specifically how teens can use their purchasing power to enact change. She cites examples of products that teens use frequently (high-tech electronics, clothing, junk food, etc.) and explains how their production often harms the people who make them, the environment, and, potentially, the end consumer. She explains that a chocolate bar was most likely made with cacao beans harvested by exploited workers, and that a cell phone contains enough heavy metals to seriously harm our groundwater. She covers (un)fair labor practices, environmental pillaging, factory farming, excessive marketing, local vs. corporate stores, and the pervasive throwaway mentality that drives the whole cycle. The author’s in-your-face approach makes her points while still engaging readers–she is never didactic or overbearing. She encourages teens to make a difference in their world by making small changes to things they do already–buying fair-trade chocolate or saving up for an organic cotton T-shirt. The pop-art illustrations are clever and illustrative of many points. The impressive bibliography provides lists of documentaries, websites, books, articles, and other sources to help teens find out how their favorite products came to be (and came to be so cheap). Learning more about how these products are made just might make some teens think twice about their buying habits.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI


SHAPIRO, Ouisie. Bullying and Me: Schoolyard Stories. photos by Steven Vote. 32p. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-0921-0. LC 2010000754.
Gr 3-8–Thirteen young people representing a variety of ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds tell about their experiences. Shapiro retells their stories of not only the act of bullying itself, but also the steps they took to deal with it and the effects it had on their lives. From Jean, who was picked on for facial burns, to Mariah, who was new to school and had a hard time making friends, these brief accounts all resonate with the same theme–the inner strength of the individuals and their response to the bullying. Each story is accompanied by a short commentary from a psychologist who offers advice or support about handling these situations, from ignoring perpetrators to telling a trusted adult. With very little background or context for the young people, it is difficult to muster up much of an emotional response to this litany. Photographs are included on each spread, and there are some tips for dealing with bullies at the back of the book. Teachers and librarians could find some nuggets of information to mine with students, but all in all, this is a fairly generic entry in the burgeoning field of bullying literature.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

SHECTER, Vicky Alvear. Cleopatra Rules!: The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen. 128p. illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Boyds Mills. 2010. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-718-2. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6 Up–Julius Caesar was “a player,” Marc Antony a “good ol’ boy.” Caesar Augustus, once a “snot-nosed, knobby-kneed, pimply-faced peon,” presents himself as a “stud” after defeating Antony at Actium. Cleopatra started life as a “bookish nerd.” Readers are either going to love or hate the popped-up tone of this well-documented history of “the original teen queen.” Shecter packs it full of irreverent metaphors (“Egyptians believed that a soul without a body was like a hotdog without a bun”) and up-to-date recontextualizations (referring to the Donations of Alexandria: “Imagine the outrage if the vice president of the United States suddenly gave away parts of Alaska”). Short chapters with banner headlines every few paragraphs organize Cleopatra’s action-packed life into easily processed pieces, and the slangy style may mitigate the effect of the unfamiliar proper nouns. Medium-size photographs of objects and images such as movie posters, book illustrations, and paintings proliferate, one per page. A modicum of pronunciation assistance is offered, but there is an unfortunate shortage of maps. However, sidebars with sometimes-silly factoids (games, cosmetics) help round out this view of Cleopatra’s life. Respectably lengthy endnotes refer to an even-more-respectable biography–readers are pointed to Suetonius, Tacitus, and Herodotus as well as excellent modern works on the subject. Most importantly, Shecter addresses and questions preconceptions about Cleopatra that have proliferated throughout Western culture since Plutarch. Whatever one thinks of the style, the scholarship is sound: in this case, a spoonful of Pop-Rocks may help the Ptolemies go down.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

STONE, Tanya Lee. The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie: A Doll’s History and Her Impact on Us. 136p. photos. bibliog. index. notes. Viking. Oct. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01187-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–In the prologue, Meg Cabot describes her desire for a Barbie and her mother’s reluctance to purchase one, basically summing up the conflict surrounding the doll since its introduction in 1959. Readers learn about Mattel Toys and the background behind Barbie’s concept and development, how it was a solution for girls who wanted to imagine adult roles rather than just play mother, and details about inventor Ruth Handler. But more than that, Stone reveals the pathos behind so many relationships of girls with Barbie: those who cherished her and those who were negatively influenced. Was she a destructive role model or just a toy? Experts disagree. In this balanced overview, both sides of the quandary are addressed. Barbie’s different roles, graduating from nurse to surgeon, stewardess to pilot, and always a woman of her own means, reflect societal changes over the past 50 years as well. Numerous black-and-white photos feature the doll in her various incarnations, while eight center pages deliver color versions as well as images of Barbie-inspired art. Inset quotes appear on a Barbie handbag icon. The author maintains her signature research style and accessible informational voice and includes extensive source notes and bibliographical information.–Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library


STROBEL, Christoph. Daily Life of the New Americans: Immigration Since 1965. 168p. (Daily Life Through History Series). photos. bibliog. chron. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. Tr $49.95. ISBN 978-0-313-36313-9. LC 2010000437.

Gr 11 Up–Strobel highlights different aspects of immigrant life over the past 45 years, including modes of coming to the U.S., employment, culture and family units, discrimination, and involvement in politics, while carefully noting that immigrants, even those from the same culture, may not share the same experiences. Students doing research will find thought-provoking statements and similarities among people of the past and today. The chapter on politics and policy includes laws and a brief commentary on the effects they have on immigrants and nonimmigrants alike. Endnotes follow each chapter, and the bibliography reflects the author’s use of a variety of sources ranging from personal interviews to monographs and websites. By inserting statements from the personal interviews, the author personalizes the subject. Though the book is somewhat repetitive at times, Strobel’s passion for his subject comes through without being overbearing. Despite the availability of other titles about the topic, the focus of this one sets it apart from those that have a more global perspective. Black-and-white photographs, relevant and appropriately captioned, are sprinkled throughout. This insightful work is a suitable addition for schools with AP or other college preparatory programs.–Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY

TURNER, Glennette Tilley. Fort Mose: And the Story of the Man Who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial America. 42p. diags. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Abrams. 2010. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-4056-7. LC 2009052205.

Gr 4-8–In the 18th century, some Africans escaped slavery in England’s southern colonies to find freedom in the Spanish colony of Florida. As a leader of St. Augustine’s community, African-born Francisco Menendez helped establish Fort Mose, the first free black community on North American soil. Turner does an excellent job of explaining how the residents of Fort Mose probably blended African, English, and Spanish traditions to create a unique–and uniquely American–culture. Her careful choice of words and images demonstrates that drawing such conclusions about early American history can be difficult when written records are hard to find and sketchy at best. For instance, a 16th-century sketch of a Florida Timucua Indian village is juxtaposed with a 20th-century photo of a West African village. Captions explain that Menendez “would have been familiar” with the design of these African buildings. The text also elaborates on how Fort Mose buildings probably combined Native American and African architectural elements. An afterword explains that Fort Mose no longer stands, but its site is included in Florida’s state-park system. Turner describes her research in an author’s note. This is a useful addition to libraries with strong African-American history collections, and for teachers and librarians looking for unique stories about colonial America.–Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

VRY, Silke. Trick of the Eye: Art and Illusion. 89p. diags. reprods. Prestel. Oct. 2010. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-3-7913-7026-2. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6–From the Parthenon to the Mona Lisa to the Op-Art of the 1960s, images and text reveal the many ways our eyes play tricks on us. Perception of size and color is discussed using standard optical illusions, but this book includes much more. Anecdotes, such as the story of dueling Greek painters Zeuxis and Parrhasius, and unique reproductions, like portraits with altered facial features, lend excitement. The author has taken an interactive approach, filling the pages with questions, puzzles, and project ideas (a few ideas call for readers to draw in or cut something out of the book). Text explains the images, which are large and clear. The broad range of styles represented and the fun of the interactive approach will no doubt appeal to young art lovers and curious kids alike.–Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

WEITZMAN, David. Skywalkers: Mohawk Ironworkers Build the City. 124p. diags. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. notes. Roaring Brook/Flash Point. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-132-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6-10–This is an account of the Mohawk ironworkers who “toiled at the edge of the possible” in the construction of bridges and skyscrapers. It opens with a chapter on the cultural history of Southern New England’s “People of the Flint.” After decimation by European diseases in the 1600s, the Mohawks regrouped along the border of New York and Canada, where the men worked as boatmen transporting furs to trading posts. In 1886, construction began on the Victoria Bridge, with Mohawks supplying the timber and stone. With the construction of additional bridges, they made the shift from unskilled laborers to skilled ironworkers. As the steel industry expanded in the early 1900s, Mohawks were poised to be an invaluable workforce in the construction of taller and bigger bridges and buildings. Inevitably, there were some disasters, namely the Quebec Bridge collapse in 1907 that killed scores of men. Weitzman’s depiction of this event is both moving and evenhanded. Mohawk ironworkers began branching out to construction sites in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and especially New York City, where they participated in the construction of the Empire State Building and other skyscrapers. Weitzman displays an obvious respect for his subject, and he deftly handles the more technical details of ironworking. Abundant archival photos and primary-source quotes lend realism and drama to the text. This winning blend of architectural history, anthropology, and American Indian achievement compares favorably to series such as “Building History” (Lucent). It will be especially useful for report writers.–Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA

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Fiction Series Roundup

We had such a positive response to our listings of new titles in ongoing fiction series that we’re offering it a third time. We hope it continues to be helpful to you. Trev Jones

BARROWS, Annie. Ivy + Bean What’s the Big Idea? Bk. 7. illus. by Sophie Blackall. 131p. (Ivy + Bean Series). Chronicle. Nov. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-6692-7. LC 2010008258. Gr 1-3

CARMAN, Patrick. The Crossbones. Bk. 3. 209p. (Skeleton Creek Series). Scholastic. Sept. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-545-24994-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 6 Up

COLFER, Eoin. The Atlantis Complex. Bk. 7 . 357p. (Artemis Fowl Series). Disney. Aug. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2819-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-8

DONBAVAND, Tommy. Claw of the Werewolf. Bk. 6. 117p. Aug. 2010. ISBN 978-0-7636-4638-7. LC 2010004398.
–––– . Flesh of the Zombie. Bk. 4 . 128p. Apr. 2010. ISBN 978-0-7636-4637-0. LC 2009039356.
–––– . Skull of the Skeleton. Bk. 5. 116p. Aug. 2010. ISBN 978-0-7636-4635-6.
ea vol: (Scream Street Series). Candlewick. pap. $5.99. Gr 3-6 LC 2010004748.

GIBSON, Marley. The Counseling. Bk. 4. 248p. (Ghost Huntress Series). Houghton/Graphia. Sept. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-39307-0. LC 2010009055. Gr 7-10

HARVEY, Alyxandra. Out for Blood. 292p. (The Drake Chronicles Series). Walker. Dec. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2169-3; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2168-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up

HILL, Bonnie Hearn. Gemini Night. unpaged. (Star Crossed Series). Running Pr. Oct. 2010. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7624-3672-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 7-10

HOFFMAN, Mary. City of Ships. Bk. 5. 356p. (Stravaganza Series). Bloomsbury. Jun. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-491-7. LC 2009048837. Gr 7 Up

KIBUISHI, Kazu. The Cloud Searchers. Bk. 3. illus. by author. unpaged. (Amulet Series). Scholastic/Graphix. Sept. 2010. pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-545-20885-7. LC 2009942987. Gr 4 Up

LAFEVERS, R. L. The Wyverns’ Treasure. Bk. 3. illus. by Kelly Murphy. 154p. (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist Series). Houghton Harcourt. Oct. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-31618-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-5

THE LOST ISLAND. Bk. 8. ISBN 978-1-893951-59-4.
SHOCK HORROR. Bk. 7. ISBN 978-1-893951-58-7.
SUB-ZERO SURVIVAL. Bk. 6. ISBN 978-1-893951-57-0.
WINGS OF FEAR. Bk. 5. ISBN 978-1-893951-56-3.
ea vol: 128p. (Ripley’s Bureau of Investigation Fact or Fiction? Series). Ripley. 2010. Tr $4.99. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-5

MEAD, Richelle. Spirit Bound. Bk. 5. 489p. (Vampire Academy Series). Penguin/Razorbill. May 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-250-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up

MOULD, Chris. The Smugglers’ Mine. Bk. 4. illus. by author. 176p. (Something Wickedly Weird Series). Roaring Brook. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-388-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-6

RUE, Nancy. Tournaments, Cocoa & One Wrong Move. Bk. 3. 252p. (Real Life Series). Zondervan. Oct. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71486-9. LC 2010023289. Gr 7-10

SANDERSON, Brandon. Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens. Bk. 4. 292p. Scholastic. Dec. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-439-92557-0. LC 2009041040. Gr 5-8

SINGLETON, Linda Joy. Magician’s Muse. Bk. 6. 290p. (The Seer Series). Flux. Oct. 2010. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-1957-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-8

SHEPARD, Sara. Heartless. Bk. 7. 274p. (Pretty Little Liars Series). HarperTeen. Jun. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-06-156616-5. LC 2009044190. Gr 9 Up

TANIGAWA, Nagaru. The Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya. Bk. 3. tr. by Chris Pai. 214p. Little, Brown. July 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03886-7; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03887-4. LC 2009042692. Gr 8 Up

YOYO. Vermonia 4: The Rukan Prophecy. Bk. 4. illus. by author. unpaged. (Vermonia Series). Candlewick. Nov. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4063-2263-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 5 Up

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