Grades 5 & up
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BARATZ-LOGSTED, Lauren. The Education of Bet. 186p. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-22308-7. LC 2090497010. Gr 6-10–Orphaned at four, Bet and Will have been brought up by Will’s great-uncle. They were raised together, but not equally, since Bet’s mother was a maid who worked for Will’s parents. Still, the young people have come to think of each other as siblings. Now that they are 16, Bet wants to attend school and Will seeks to join the army. But in 19th-century England, this is not going to be easy. Will is an underage gentleman–he is expected to go to preparatory school. And as a young woman of no means, she cannot attend a school. But clever Bet hatches a plan so that they can both get their desires–they will swap places. Will joins the army and Bet cuts her hair, binds her breasts, and enrolls in his school–as Will. Baratz-Logsted’s writing has broad characterizations; a cheerful, modern tone without overt anachronisms; obvious plot points; a quick pace; and a tidy ending. This makes for a fun read without much depth. By the third page, readers know that Will and Bet share a father, even if the characters do not. As the story progresses, any hiccups in Bet’s plan are smoothed over with a minimum of fuss, and all loose ends are tied up neatly by the end. There is a long literary tradition of girls passing themselves off as boys to get further in the world, and while this is a pleasant enough version of that trope, it is not an essential addition to the canon.–Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT BARATZ-LOGSTED, Lauren. The Twin’s Daughter. 345p. Bloomsbury. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-513-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–Lucy Sexton lives a charmed, but relatively boring, life in Victorian London. Her writer father provides her with books to read and money to spend while her mother, a true lady, dotes on her only daughter with love and affection. Then a knock comes at the door that changes her life forever. Standing on the other side is a woman who is the spitting image of her mother. Helen Smythe is her name, and she is the long-lost twin of Lucy’s mother, Aliese. After being separated at birth, the sisters grew up in totally different situations. Aliese was raised by a family with wealth and promise while Helen lived in an orphanage and was forced to work. After the initial shock wears off, Aliese welcomes Helen into her family. After months of coaching, training, eating, and tailoring, Helen truly becomes Aliese’s double. All seems well until one cold winter day when Lucy comes home to find Helen and her mother in a bloody room–one dead and one alive. Lucy is sure it is her mother who has been spared, but as years pass, her certainty wanes. This suspense-filled story starts out as a basic mystery but quickly turns into a fast-paced thriller filled with murder and intrigue. Readers will also enjoy a love story as Lucy falls for Kit, her new neighbor. This riveting story will keep readers guessing until the very end.–Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR BARNETT, Mac. The Ghostwriter Secret. Bk. 2. illus. by Adam Rex. 240p. (Brixton Brothers Series). S & S. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7817-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0956-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-6–Middle schooler Steve Brixton has read all 58 of the “Bailey Brothers Mysteries,” which were written decades earlier, plus The Bailey Brothers’ Detective Handbook, which has become his guidebook for his own detective agency. He frequently refers back to these books, portions of which are reprinted (old typeface and all) in The Ghostwriter Secret. Steve’s first case, a missing diamond, is solved easily and seamlessly. He then becomes involved with his hero, the author of the books, MacArthur Bart, who has been kidnapped. An investigation ensues and Steve brings his friend Dana in to help. Before they know what happened, the boys have been kidnapped, too. Barnett has written a fun, adventure-filled book. This is a great choice for slow or reluctant readers.–Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City BASS, Rick, et al. The Creative Collection of American Short Stories. illus. by Yan Nascimbene. 272p. notes. CIP. Creative Co. 2010. Tr $28.95. ISBN 978-1-56846-202-8. LC 2008041479. Gr 9 Up–This anthology is a great introduction to the short-story form. It opens with an essay by Ray Bradbury in which he describes what some of the 17 stories meant to him as a young writer and explains how the diverse group of authors chosen helped define and develop the craft. The selections span more than 150 years of American writing and cover varied themes and settings. Ernest Hemingway, John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, and Alice Walker are among the featured authors. Nascimbene’s lovely watercolor illustrations complement each story. The visual layout of the book is pleasing with quotes from the text highlighted in color on each page.–Mari Pongkhamsing, St. Perpetua School, Lafayette, CA BELL, Hilari. Trickster’s Girl. 288p. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-19620-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-10–In this story set 100 years in the future, Kelsa, 15, is still reeling from the death of her father when she is approached by a strange, shape-shifting creature. He claims that he is Raven, the trickster from Native American mythology, and he needs her help to save the world. A biological plague is slowly killing all the trees on Earth, and they are unable to fight it because the leys, “underground currents of natural and magical energy running through the surface of the world,” are damaged. Due to humans’ misuse of the planet, the nexus points along the leys have become sluggish and, as a result, their very existence is threatened. Since humans created the problem, they have to fix it, which is why Raven approached Kelsa. Reluctantly, she agrees to help, but not all of the mythological world wants them to succeed. Many think the situation would be improved if humans no longer existed, and several forces try to stop Kelsa and Raven on their quest. In this plot (with its Avatar undercurrents), there are times when the magic performed by Raven seems to be a useful tool to progress the plot and not entirely believable within the context of the novel. However Bell adeptly explores the relationship between Kelsa and Raven. At first stormy and volatile, it slowly develops into a friendship based on trust. A satisfying conclusion is reached when what began as a journey to heal the Earth ends as a healing journey for Kelsa and her family.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY BEMIS, John Claude. The Wolf Tree. Bk. 2. 400p. (Clockwork Dark Series). CIP. Random. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85566-5; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95566-2; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89311-7. LC 2009018950. Gr 6-9–The Wolf Tree is a busy book with multiple characters, frenetic action, and a hodgepodge of plot points. It’s part steampunk, part American tall tale, and part pseudo-Native American legend. The story begins with readers learning that Conker, John Henry’s son who was thought to have died in The Nine Pound Hammer (Random, 2009) is alive, having been saved by Redfeather’s magical copper necklace. The siren, Jolie (who also disappeared at the end of book one), takes him to a secret spring to nurse him back to health. Meanwhile, Nat, Si, Buck, Marisol, Ray, and the children they rescued from the Pitch Dark Train are living an idyllic life in the Smoky Mountains. Ray finishes his training and becomes a full-fledged Rambler. Life is reasonably comfortable until a dying stranger with pasty gray skin and motor oil in place of his blood comes to Shuckstack speaking of a terrible Darkness that is consuming the towns of the prairies. Ray and Marisol leave to investigate the Darkness, and Sally, Ray’s sister, leaves to try and find her father. Meanwhile Conker and Jolie are trying to find the Nine Pound Hammer in order to repair it with wood from the fabled Wolf Tree that is a path into the spirit world. It is the only weapon that can destroy the Gog’s evil Machine, which is causing the Darkness. Ultimately there is too much happening, and it is difficult to invest in either the characters or the story line. Recommended only where the first book is popular.–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO BENNET, Olivia. The Allegra Biscotti Collection. Bk. 1. 256p. illus. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-4391-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-8–This book manages to make the wildly implausible seem possible. When Emma, 14, becomes the hottest new fashion designer for the Voguelike Madison magazine, she does it through hard work and the help of an old hand. She’s given herself the nom de plume “Allegra Biscotti” to cover up that she’s the girl the editor met at her father’s lace warehouse. Emma comes off as a believable teen. She likes a boy who seems unattainable and disregards Charlie, her supportive friend and accomplice in deception. Holly, her other BFF, has become part of an in-crowd Emma has no desire to join. But the luscious descriptions of the clothes Emma imagines are the best aspect of the book. Tiny sketches accompany most of them and add charm to the pages. Trying to come up with three alluring new designs, the protagonist lets her grades slide, gets in trouble with her parents, and ends up enlisting the aid of the capable Marjorie, an office administrator who was a professional seamstress. Emma, Marjorie, and Charlie are well rounded but other characters are vague, including the somewhat stereotyped editor and the snobby clique that attracts Holly. Still, kids interested in fashion are sure to become fans of the Allegra Biscotti collection.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA BIRDSEYE, Tom. Storm Mountain. 135p. CIP. Holiday House. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2130-5. LC 2010005768. Gr 4-6–Left on her own for a weekend, Cat, a precocious 13-year-old, finds herself drawn into a life-threatening adventure by her hyperactive cousin, Ty. Their eminent mountain-climbing fathers died during an expedition; now, Ty insists on scattering their ashes on the same mountain. Despite her protests, Ty begins his journey and Cat reluctantly takes the same harrowing steps to save not only him, but her beloved dog. These intrepid climbers face an avalanche, broken limbs, and snowstorms. Every incident comes to a neat conclusion, thus limiting tension that could prolong suspense. Vocabulary is mundane, dialogue is colloquial and fast-paced, and the story moves rapidly from scene to scene. The characters are never fully developed so they sound whiny and act foolishly rather than scared and emotionally conflicted. Mountain-climbing references abound, including how-to descriptions, serious climbing magazines, and survival details, making the book interesting on a technical level.–Tina Hudak, St. Albans School, Washington, DC BLACKWOOD, Gary. Around the World in 100 Days. 358p. Dutton. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42295-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-8–Phileas Fogg made the voyage in 80 days, and in this imaginative historical adventure his son, Harry Fogg, has made a wager of his own. In 1891, the exuberant young man has bet that he can circle the globe in a steam-powered automobile–the Flash–in 100 days. There’s much more at stake in this challenge than just the £6,000 prize. Free-spirited Harry is determined to prove that the automobile is the transportation mode of the future. His rigid and regimented father has reluctantly agreed to cover the cost of the wager, but there’s a condition: if Harry wins, he can pursue his motorcar dreams, but if he loses, he must get serious and pursue a professional career that his father deems more befitting an English gentleman. Accompanied by his gifted but quirky mechanic; an abrasive, foppish “minder” who’s there to make sure the rules of the wager are followed; and an intriguing female reporter, Harry and his crew face many obstacles. Some are natural, some mechanical, and some human. Most troubling is the fact that someone–most likely one of the passengers–is apparently trying to sabotage the Flash. Blackwood’s steampunkish romp has a touch of humor and a great deal of heart, which brings readers fully onboard as they feverishly turn pages in this race against the clock.–Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI BLOCK, Francesca Lia. The Frenzy. 258p. CIP. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-192666-2. LC 2009053453. Gr 8 Up–Liv went through more than mere pubescent changes on her 13th birthday, and as time goes on, she only feels like her true self when she is in the woods. While struggling to determine what really happened to her that fateful night, Liv, now 17, also grapples with being estranged from her parents, dating a boy they would not approve of, and keeping her best friend’s secrets. Once she learns the truth–that she is a werewolf–Liv must determine where she really fits. Does she belong with her pack or can she make things work with the guy she loves? While many of the werewolf traits are reminiscent of Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series (Little, Brown), the similarities end there. Block’s focus is not so much on the fact that Liv is a werewolf, but rather on how she deals with this information and how it impacts those she cares about. There are issues of friendship, difficulties with parents, questions about a love relationship, and even an underlying mystery about a string of serial murders that take place in Liv’s beloved woods. Block does a nice job of weaving all these elements into a solid story that makes a quick but engaging read for fans of supernatural fiction. Reluctant readers will enjoy this story as well because of its pacing and manageable chapters.–Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN BRENNAN, Caitlin. House of the Star. 288p. Tor/Starscape. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-2037-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 7-10–Princess Elen of Ymbria has always wanted to be a rider of a worldrunner–a magical horse that can travel safely on faerie roads between worlds. She is invited to Earth to stay at the House of Star, an Arizona ranch where these animals are bred. The only catch is that someone from the royal family of Caledon has been invited as well. Ymbria and Caledon have been at war for centuries and both worlds could lose access to the faerie roads if the fighting does not stop. Elen fears that the invitation is a trap to make her marry a Caledonian prince, so she runs away. She becomes lost and is saved by a worldrunner named Blanca who takes her to the House of Star where she discovers that the object isn’t marriage, but friendship, and that the Caledonian prince is a princess. Elen immediately distrusts Princess Ria and is determined to prove that she is up to something. The two guests bunk with Sara, a girl from Earth who tries to help them get past centuries of hate and prejudice. Can their mutual love of horses save their kingdoms from destruction? Brennan creates a magical world based around a realistic ranch setting. The two main characters are complex and avoid the common clichés about princesses. Fans of fantasy and horses will find an intriguing premise and a galloping plot.–Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT BRYANT, Jen. The Fortune of Carmen Navarro. 223p. further reading. discography. Websites. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85759-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95759-8; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89546-3. LC 2009043240. Gr 8 Up–In the mid-19th-century novella and subsequent Georges Bizet opera, Carmen’s feisty, independent spirit drives men to desperate actions. This modern-day adaption retains the fiery, self-determining heroine but adapts the rest of the story to Valley Forge, PA, with a teenage cast. Four voices alternate chapters: fortune-teller, singer, and high school dropout Carmen; her steadfast, practical best friend and fellow Spanish-speaker Maggie; Ryan, the dedicated military-school cadet (until he falls for Carmen, that is); and Ryan’s not-so-rule-bound friend Will. Bryant flavors both of the girls’ voices with the English grammar and sentence constructions of native Spanish speakers, giving both a Spanish accent with only very occasional use of Spanish words. Unfortunately, this is the only writing mechanism–beyond their points of view–that distinguishes the narrators’ voices. Throughout the novel, Carmen, true to her namesake, remains unchangingly headstrong and self-centered, and Maggie and Will exist primarily to observe their friends for readers. Ryan’s character develops the most as he morphs from a responsible straitlaced achiever into an unreasonably jealous and out-of-control lover. This quiet title has little action until its sudden, wild, gun-waving climax, and it’s overly dramatic and simplistic in the style of a soap opera (which is reasonable, given its roots), but nonetheless it makes a good addition to YA collections. The novel’s cultural issues plus its relatively short length equal a book that many teens–especially girls–will talk about.–Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library BUCKLEY, Michael. M Is for Mama’s Boy. Bk. 2. illus. by Ethen Beavers. 288p. (NERDS Series). Abrams/Amulet. 2010. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8986-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-7–Duncan (aka Gluestick) and his fellow NERDS are back for a second wacky caper. The fifth-grade superspies are called into action after a series of unusual bank heists, all committed by a masked criminal who appears to mesmerize his victims. They recognize their traitorous former comrade Simon (“Choppers”), whose ability to control minds with his enormous buckteeth is a useful skill for a would-be supervillain. Following his humiliating defeat in NERDS (Abrams, 2009), Simon has returned to seek revenge against his former teammates and, incidentally, to conquer the world. His adult ally in this fiendish plot is an obese computer whiz with an addiction to superhero comics. Albert, who still lives in his mother’s basement, yearns for real superpowers of his own. Simon promises to provide them–if his new minion can figure out a way to nullify the NERDS. Without their special powers, how can the NERDS foil Simon’s evil scheme? Like the first story, this one is presented as a secret spy file. Buckley periodically breaks page to address readers directly with humorously sarcastic comments and coded messages that must be solved before proceeding. The action-filled, black-and-white cartoon illustrations add to the fun. Fans of the first book will welcome this new adventure.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL BUFFIE, Margaret. Winter Shadows. 327p. glossary. CIP. Tundra. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-968-9. LC 2009938091. Gr 7-10–Two young women living in the same house but separated by time are struggling with similar difficulties when they begin seeing one another in visions. Cass is a modern-day teen grieving over her mother’s death and clashing with her new stepmother. In 1856, Beatrice is struggling with her own nasty stepmother, who is not only jealous of her father’s affection, but also holds Beatrice’s Cree ancestry against her. Both girls are grappling with depression and have fathers who are ineffectually dealing with the conflict in their households. At first, the teens fear they are losing their minds when they see the other but they form a bond based on Beatrice’s diary entries that Cass is able to read. Learning about each other’s lives helps these girls cope with their own situations and begin to understand if not like, their stepmothers. Told in alternating chapters, the story is slow to start, but the well-drawn characters will eventually capture readers’ attention. The details of daily life and racial politics in 1856 Manitoba, Canada, add weight to the story and the chaste romance between Beatrice and her two suitors will further draw in fans of historical fiction.–Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA BURGESS, Melvin. Nicholas Dane. 403p. Holt. Dec. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9203-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Nicholas Dane is a typically rebellious 14-year-old, but he is loyal to the bone to those he cares about. When his mother dies from an overdose, he is sent to the worst home for boys in Manchester, England. Once there, he is tormented, beaten, and battered continuously by his peers and the staff. The abuse lessens when he is befriended by Tony Creal, one of the heads of the Home. Unfortunately, Mr. Creal is a master manipulator and has a long history of sexually preying on his charges. During this time, efforts to find some family for the boy turn up a very wealthy uncle who knew nothing about Nicholas’s mother’s existence, much less Nick’s. The man is willing to pay for his nephew’s education, but is told that the boy is incapable of behaving or learning and would be most success if he stayed in the home. Torture starts up again, after Nick refuses to spend time with Tony. One day a friend from the old neighborhood appears in Nicholas’s division and saves him on some level. After a failed attempt to escape, the two flee and get involved with shady characters, running various errands for them. During this time, Nicholas erratically visits his mother’s best friend, telling her that he is doing fine. As Nicholas gets caught up in street life, he learns that his experience in the home was not an isolated one. Burgess is a genius in drawing readers into a compelling, dramatic, and candid read. He examines the dark underbelly of society and the powers that corrupt and exploit its youth, yet offers an ultimately positive and hopeful message. This book will stay with readers long after they put it down.–Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City BURGIS, Stephanie. Kat, Incorrigible. Bk. 1. 304p. (Kat, Incorrigible Series). S & S/Atheneum. Apr. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9447-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-9–Resentful of her stepmother, her secretive older sisters, and the whole code of ladylike conduct in early-19th-century England, 12-year-old Kat Stephenson takes action. She chops off her hair, learns to use her mother’s magical mirror, and fends off both well-meaning and threatening adults. Posing as a highwayman, she captures husbands for her sisters. There is more than a little wish-fulfillment here as the ignored younger sister–constantly criticized for her curiosity and impulsive behavior–discovers her exalted status while providing for her less-adept older siblings. The Regency world is drawn in broad strokes, and some secondary characters are more caricature than convincing, but the sisters–clearly close to the 21st century in their basic outlooks, even if Elissa, the eldest, fancies herself a Gothic heroine??are appealing and their relationship is believable. Regency romance and fantasy adventure all in one, this is a satisfying read and a promising beginning to a trilogy that is sure to be popular with middle school girls.–Kathleen Isaacs, Children’s Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD Gr 4-6–Seven fifth graders at Snow Hill School in Vermont learn a variety of life lessons, not necessarily from their textbooks, when they start the school year off with their new teacher. Short chapters are actually brief narratives by individual students and sectioned off by each month of the school year, beginning with September. From the students’ distinct voices readers come to understand the different personalities and backgrounds that define them. Peter, the prankster; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; and Jessica, the new girl in town who hides behind her favorite books, are just a few of the characters who shape readers’ vision of the classroom. As their narrative continues, readers realize that each child has a story that only begins in school; it’s the problems and conflicts that make up their home lives that come full circle because of a prank that results in tragedy. Mr. Terupt is that one teacher who really understands them, who always seems to be on their side, and who teaches them a valuable lesson no matter how much some of them try to shut him out. If the school year is a series of events, then Mr. Terupt is the catalyst that starts the chain reaction. The characters are authentic and the short chapters, some less than a page, are skillfully arranged to keep readers moving headlong toward the satisfying conclusion.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH CALAME, Don. Beat the Band. 390p. CIP. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4633-2. LC 2010006607. Gr 8-11–In this very funny sequel to Swim the Fly (Candlewick, 2009), Coop takes over narration duties as he and his best friends, Matt and Sean, return for their sophomore year. Right off the bat they are assigned partners for a semester-long health-class project. To his horror, Coop is paired with “Hot Dog” Helen, the school outcast, and assigned to research contraceptives. Immediately dubbed “Corn Dog Coop,” he is desperate for a way to salvage his social status. An upcoming Battle of the Bands presents the perfect opportunity for him to reveal his inner rock god and make a good impression on all the hottest girls. He recruits his friends into “Arnold Murphy’s Bologna Dare,” and they divide their time between rehearsals and hilariously misguided attempts to perfect their look. Meanwhile, the most popular girls in school enlist Coop to help them sabotage Helen, and he can’t find a way to extricate himself from their plot to humiliate her. When she joins his band as the much-needed lead singer, grudging respect turns to infatuation even as his guilt grows. The inevitable revelation and its aftermath are both gut-wrenching and touching. Subplots about the band’s cribbed demo tape and Coop’s father’s efforts to manage the group add depth to the story. Creative sexual slang and bathroom humor begin on page one, but Coop is mostly just talk. Messages about bullying and consequences of teen sex (included via the health project) add just the right note of gravitas to this rockin’ romp.–Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA CARD, Orson Scott. Pathfinder. 672p. S & S/Pulse. 2010. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9176-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1427-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–Card’s latest work of speculative fiction twists together tropes of fantasy and science fiction into something fine indeed. Rigg and his father are trappers by trade, but Rigg has been instructed throughout his 13 years in languages, sciences, history, and politics. The teen is therefore somewhat mentally prepared for the quest that his father thrusts upon him with his dying breath–to go to the capital city and find his sister. Both Rigg and his friend, Umbo, have a special ability that aids them–Rigg can see the paths of all living things, regardless of intervening obstructions or even time, and Umbo can seemingly change the movement of time itself. Needless to say, the two meet various friends and foes and can’t always tell which is which as they journey onward. Juxtaposed with this main story is an entirely different narrative, told in a page or two at the beginning of each chapter. This is the tale of Ram Odin, human pilot of a colony ship from Earth, traveling to a new world with the use of space-folding technology. The combination of science fiction and fantasy as well as a surprising revelation at the end harken back to genre classics like Robert Silverberg’s Lord Valentine’s Castle (HarperCollins, 1980) and Roger Zelazny’s Nine Princes in Amber (Doubleday, 1970). This novel should appeal to Card’s legion of fans as well as anyone who enjoys speculative fiction with characters who rely on quick thinking rather than violence or tales of mind-bending time-travel conundrums.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI CASTROVILLA, Selene. The Girl Next Door. 240p. WestSide. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-934813-15-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Jess should be enjoying his senior year of high school as class president, baseball star, and newspaper editor. Instead, he faces grim survival odds in his battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Narrator Sam, the girl next door in their Manhattan building, is his best friend and constant companion. She seduces him so that he won’t die a virgin, and they fall in love and cling to each moment together. Sam’s devotion to Jess wreaks havoc on the rest of her life. She isolates herself from other friends, ditches school to accompany him to the hospital, and lets her grades plummet. When she talks Jess into trying an experimental treatment, his health briefly improves and he begins spending more time with his buddies and with an ex-girlfriend, which sparks Sam’s intense jealousy. As if to prove his love, Jess proposes to Sam and, after bringing his mother around to the idea, the teens marry. Though there is never much hope for a happy ending, they learn some poignant lessons about faith, acceptance, and love. A subplot about Sam’s grief for her father, who died on 9/11, adds depth to her character, but Jess’s cold mother is much less believable and their wise housekeeper seems stereotypical. Gayle Forman’s If I Stay (Dutton, 2009) and Lurlene McDaniel’s Breathless (Delacorte, 2009) offer more nuanced depictions of both grief and illness, but this novel will hook reluctant readers with its emotional intensity and quick pacing.–Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA CAVE, Patrick. The Selected. 416p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-1573-7. LC 2010001861. Gr 9 Up–This futuristic novel alternates between the stories of Dominic, who is the sole remaining student at his English boarding school following a series of natural disasters that decimated much of the world’s population, and Adeline, a clone living centuries in the future whose connection with Dominic causes her to dream of his life in 2023. An old prophecy states that someone bearing Adeline’s description will save the world, though she doubts this, given a heart condition that makes her physically weak. Centuries earlier, Dominic struggles to assimilate with the military cadets who take over his school and to gain the affection of Ruth, the groundskeeper’s wild, fearless daughter. Cave has devised a unique premise and two likable protagonists, though the plot is convoluted and the connection between Dominic and Adeline unclear until the novel’s end, which may frustrate readers as their stories appear unrelated and disjointed until this point. The subplot involving Adeline participating in a fight-to-the-death reality show under an alias comes out of the blue and seems like a pale imitation of Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games (Scholastic, 2008). Sharp North (S & S, 2006), the self-proclaimed prequel/sequel to The Selected, should clear up a bit of the confusion by providing background for some of the characters who appear in the latter, and librarians/teachers should ensure that their library has the earlier book if they choose to purchase this one. –Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD CLARK, Catherine. Meanicures. 192p. Egmont USA. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-100-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-7–It’s Madison, Taylor, and Olivia against Cassidy, Alexis, and Kayley. Although the girls used to be friends, seventh grade has changed everything. Madison now refers to her former buds as “mean girls,” and after one episode too many in which she is embarrassed by them, she decides to do something about it. An odd hair stylist gives her the idea to perform a ritual involving the burning of relics of their past relationships, and suddenly things are reversed: Madison and her friends are mean ones, and the “mean girls” are falling all over themselves to be nice to them. Will a group manicure–er, “meanicure”–restore things to normal? Although it’s never clear what (if any) kind of magic is involved, and readers may have trouble distinguishing among the girls’ personalities, there are mildly amusing moments, as well as the sympathy factor, to draw tween readers.–Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI COLLINS, Brandilyn & Amberly Collins. Final Touch. Bk. 3. 222p. (The Rayne Tour Series). Zondervan. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71933-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 8-10–The series concludes in this novel with the promise of a fairy-tale ending: Shaley’s mom, a famous rock star, is preparing to marry her high school sweetheart, Gary Donovan, who is the teen’s father. After many years apart, the couple was reunited. The wedding day dawns, and things run smoothly until Shaley is abducted by a stalker recently released from prison. The majority of the novel follows her attempts to escape. The narration switches between Shaley’s account of the ordeal and a third-person account of the family’s response. This format maintains suspense and creates quick pacing likely to entice reluctant readers. The writing is clunky at times, and the novel’s religious themes sometimes feel heavy-handed. Students who appreciate a good thriller will likely forgive these flaws, though, and breeze through this page-turner.–Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY COLLINS, Tim. Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire: Because the Undead Have Feelings Too! illus. by Andrew Pinder. 336p. CIP. S & S/Aladdin. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1183-8. LC 2010010634. Gr 6-9–In many ways, Nigel is your average teenage boy next door. He spends most of his time worrying about getting a girlfriend, fitting in, and dealing with acne. But things are even more complicated for him since he is also a vampire. Transformed by a couple who wanted children, Nigel must spend the rest of his life as a 15-year-old. That wouldn’t be so bad if he were a vampire like Emmett or Edward Cullen, but he lacks their good looks, supernatural strength, and great sex appeal. Instead he is boring and unattractive, and suffers from acne breakouts when exposed to the sun. Then Nigel falls head over heels for the new girl in school. Now he spends his time plotting ways to get Chloe to notice he’s “alive” while writing pathetic poetry declaring his love. Originally published in Great Britain as Diary of a Wimpy Vampire, this book has a witty, laugh-out-loud story line and cartoon illustrations that are liberally sprinkled throughout. Readers will sympathize with Nigel and his teen angst, and the great ending makes this a satisfying and entertaining read.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY COMAN, Carolyn. The Memory Bank. illus. by Rob Shepperson. 263p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-21066-9. LC 2009046851. Gr 4-8–This combination of prose and pictures tells an unusual tale of dreams, memories, and separated sisters. After her awful parents abandon Hope’s little sister, Honey, the older girl winds up at the “Memory Bank,” where dreams and memories are catalogued and counted. A prolific dreamer herself, Hope is fascinated by the strange workings of the bank and hopes to find something there to reunite her with Honey. While details of the bank’s workings are a bit confusing and not especially engaging, it becomes clear that the bureaucracy stifles freedom and creativity. Honey’s story, told mostly through pictures, is more compelling as she joins a gang of joyful, mischievous children intent on bringing chaos to the repressive world of the Memory Bank. More than half of the book consists of full-page pen-and-ink and pencil drawings that propel the story as much as the text does. Each short section finishes with a dramatic sequence of illustrations depicting Hope’s dreams and Honey’s parallel adventures, most ranging from four to eight pages. Varied use of shading, line, and perspective makes each scene distinct as the plot progresses visually. As the parallel narratives begin to merge and the sibling reunion approaches, events become more involving. The novel ends with a dream shared by the two sisters, satisfyingly depicted through a 16-page series of illustrations. The format clearly recalls Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic, 2007) in its use of extensive illustrations, though in this case the story lacks the impact of the images.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR CONDIE, Ally. Matched. 369p. Dutton. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42364-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–In a story that is at once evocative of Lois Lowry’s The Giver (Houghton, 1993), George Orwell’s 1984, and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Condie introduces readers to the “perfect” Society. Cassia Reyes is a model student, daughter, and citizen. How could she not be when the Society has everything planned and functioning perfectly? All of her needs are met: food, shelter, education, career training, and even her future husband are selected by officials who know what is best for each individual by studying statistical data and probable odds. She even knows when she will die, on her 80th birthday, just as the Society dictates. At her Match Banquet she is paired with Xander, her best friend and certainly her soul mate. But when a computer error shows her the face of Ky, an Aberration, instead of Xander, cracks begin to appear in the Society’s facade of perfection. A series of events also shakes her dedication to Xander and puts her future in jeopardy. Cassia exhibits some characteristics of Winston Smith and Lenina Crowne in her silent rebellion against societal control and in her illicit friendship with Ky but ultimately, and more satisfyingly, she is more like Lowry’s Jonas. Her awakening and development are realistically portrayed, and supporting characters like Cassia’s parents and her grandfather add depth to the story. The biggest flaw is that the story is not finished. Fans of the Giver will devour this book and impatiently demand the next installment.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA CONNELLY, Neil. The Miracle Stealer. 230p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-13195-7. LC 2010000727. Gr 7 Up–When Andi Grant’s brother, Daniel, was three, he survived being buried for three days after falling down an old well. The residents of Paradise, PA, have prayed together for his life, rejoiced and praised God when he was recovered alive, and the townspeople slowly begin to believe that he could perform miracles. Andi, a teen who has always had solid faith, sees it begin to crumble as the pressures grow for Daniel to intercede with God. She is happy to see the mania stop after Daniel’s prayers are unable to save a dying woman, but three years later, he “assists” in the birth of a baby, and it starts again. This story is complicated, but Connelly paces it well. However, the novel might have a problematic religious stance for some readers. A few elements seem to suggest that Andi was punished by God as she and her boyfriend were considering having sex for the first time when Daniel fell down the well. An avid runner, she loses her leg during an attempt to stage an accident to debunk her brother. The main characters lack believability. Daniel’s mother has no problem with her three-year-old son being pressured into interceding for an entire town. Andi has little internal dialogue as she wrestles with her beliefs. Nor does she attempt to talk with anyone about the possibility of miracles. Daniel, as both a three- and a six-year-old, seems to be unfazed by the scads of believers who flock to him seeking help. If readers are not bothered by the lackluster attention paid to the deep questions raised and focus solely on the action, they could be satisfied.–Emily Chornomaz, West Orange Public Library, NJ CREAGH, Kelly. Nevermore. 543p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0200-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0203-4. LC 2009050033. Gr 7 Up–Cheerleader Isobel (another Bella?) becomes the reluctant partner of Goth Varen Nethers for an English assignment on Poe. Predictably, she falls hard for him, and he may not be a lost soul trapped between the real world and the dream world; psychologically abused by his father; or just a strange kid. There are so many dropped threads in the story that are just begging to be picked up in sequels that readers aren’t really sure what has happened and what hasn’t. The characters and story are interesting enough, however, to justify anticipation of further installments.–Corinne Henning-Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME CREMER, Andrea. Nightshade. Bk. 1. 454p. CIP. Philomel. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25482-6. LC 2009041078. Gr 10 Up–Calla Tor is the alpha female of her werewolf pack and is destined to wed the alpha male, Ren Laroche. While in the woods, she spares the life of Shay, the new boy at school whom she just can’t resist, and this act violates the laws of the Keepers. This may all seem familiar but what makes Nightshade new and refreshing is that the packs are ruled by the Keepers, who appear to be witches. Cremer has added a bit of superstition and the science of witchcraft that readers will find intriguing. However, they may feel that they have met these characters before even though the author has done a good job of contrasting their strong personalities with their weaknesses for temptation and stepped up the pace of the action. The segregation of the humans versus the werewolves might remind readers of Romeo and Juliet–or is it just a typical love triangle? Readers may find the world that is created here is more interesting than the characters. The end of the book is a cliff-hanger and interested readers will anticipate the second book, Wolfsbane. Mature scenes make this a better choice for older students.–Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI DAKIN, Glenn. The Society of Dread. Bk. 2. 320p. (Candle Man Series). CIP. Egmont USA. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-019-1. LC 2010023104. Gr 5 Up–Theo Wickland, 13, is adjusting to newfound freedom and responsibility following the death of his evil guardian, Dr. Saint. In The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance (Egmont, 2009), Theo discovered that he is a descendant of the Victorian era crime fighter The Candle Man and shares his ancestor’s ability to melt criminals with a single touch. Dr. Saint’s death left Theo the head of the Society of Good Works, an organization originally founded as a cover for Saint’s criminal enterprise. As a gesture to appease the remaining society members and to convince them to turn from crime to legitimate acts of charity, Theo orders the reconstruction of the tunnels under London that are the society’s primary mode of traveling. During the renovations, several of his friends are abducted by hideous creatures loyal to a mysterious new enemy. To rescue them and unravel a deadly plot, Theo must find a way to unify his remaining allies and former enemies into a new organization, the Society of Dread. This appealing contemporary fantasy has a fast-paced plot and enough inventive monsters and villains to captivate even the most reluctant readers. The only disappointment is Theo himself, whose glum nature, lack of practical knowledge, and fear of the unknown, while explained by his sheltered existence, nonetheless render him an unlikable protagonist. One hopes that he will grow in confidence and independence in future installments to become a hero whom readers can cheer.–Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD DASHNER, James. The Scorch Trials. Bk. 2. 361p. CIP. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-7387-0; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90745-3; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89611-8. LC 2010021189. Gr 7 Up–This dystopian novel begins where The Maze Runner (Delacorte, 2009) ends. Thomas and the rest of the group’s escape from the Maze and the horrifying creatures called Grievers has proven to be short-lived because WICKED, the group behind it all, has another trial in store for them. Sun flares have destroyed most of the Earth, and a virus called the Flare has ravaged its population. Infected people turn into zombies called Cranks that attack and eat one other. The kids are told that they have the Flare but if they succeed in surviving the second trial, they will be cured. With few supplies, they must travel across 100 miles of hot and scorched land within two weeks to reach a safe house to receive the cure. When Teresa, Thomas’s best friend and the only girl in the group, disappears, and he loses the ability to communicate telepathically with her, he and the other guys determine to find her. As they trek across the barren desert encountering crazed Cranks, the teens’ loyalty to one another and the group is tested. The fast-paced narrative and survival-of-the-fittest scenario is reminiscent of Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games (Scholastic, 2008). Although these characters aren’t quite as compelling and their made-up slang takes a little getting used to, each character’s personality is distinct. The unresolved ending will leave readers impatiently waiting for the conclusion to the trilogy.–Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton DE LINT, Charles. The Painted Boy. 448p. Viking. 2010. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01191-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–De Lint returns to the imaginary location of The Mystery of Grace (Tor, 2009) in this novel set in the American Southwest. Jay Li is a 17-year-old Chinese American transplanted from Chicago’s Chinatown to the desert. The title comes from the dragon tattoo on his back, which emerged from his skin when he was 11. Jay is a member of the Yellow Dragon clan, and, thanks to a mystical family inheritance, an actual dragon on a quest to protect mankind. His quest leads him to Santo del Vado Viejo, a town overrun by bandas, gangs, where he is taken in by Rosalie and Anna. Shortly after his arrival, it becomes clear that he is there to discover his dragon nature and to free the town from the gangs. Encounters with the “cousins” (animal spirits in human form), the gang leader El Tigre, and the mysterious Rita move Jay into an uncertain future that he only half understands. The novel travels back and forth between omniscient narration and Jay’s first-person journaling, and while the threads work together, they are sometimes repetitive and oddly juxtaposed. Minor discordant notes regarding cultural and local knowledge may jar readers familiar with the geographic areas or cultural communities; the mythologies of both Chinatown and Santo del Vado Viejo seem superimposed on the locales instead of emerging organically from them. Characterizations are sketchy, making it difficult to invest emotionally in the players. The moderate pace does not negate the dramatic action, however, and that may be enough for de Lint’s fans.–Janice M. Del Negro, GSLIS Dominican University, River Forest, IL DUFF, Hilary. Elixir. with Elise Allen. 336p. CIP. S & S. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0853-1. LC 2010022053. Gr 9 Up–Clea Raymond, 17, lives a charmed life. She travels the world with her best friend, Rayna, partying in countries near and far. Her mother is kept busy by her work as a United States Senator, but she loves her daughter with all her heart. And Clea has a cute guy trailing her every move–her bodyguard/voice of reason, Ben. Everything would be just perfect, except for the fact that her beloved father, a world-renowned surgeon, has gone missing while on a humanitarian mission in Rio. She can’t stop thinking about him and his disappearance, and one night she stumbles onto something that might help her find him. Looking through photos she took on vacation, Clea notices a strange man who lurks in the background of every picture. Then, she starts having dreams about him. She’s always a different woman in a different time period with him–and she always dies a brutal death. With the help of Ben, Clea travels to Rio to try and figure out the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and the identity of the stranger in her pictures and her dreams. This entertaining book has a good mix of romance and suspense with a little reincarnation thrown in for good measure. Clea is caught up between the love she feels for the mystery man and the feelings she starts to have for Ben. Yet she soon figures out that there’s more to this love triangle than she realizes. The fast-paced story will keep readers turning the pages until the very end, which hints of a sequel. Even those not impressed by the author’s star power will enjoy this tale of love across the ages.–Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR DURST, Sarah Beth. Enchanted Ivy. 320p. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8645-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0961-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Applying to one’s dream school is a stressful process, especially if the school is Princeton, as it is for 16-year-old Lily Carter. But Lily’s grandfather, an alumnus, has arranged a possible in for her: the Legacy Test. If she can pass the test by finding the Ivy Key, the exclusive Vineyard Club will guarantee her admission. The test turns out to be a means of introducing Lily to the “other” Princeton; a twin university in a parallel world inhabited by magical creatures. Tensions between the two worlds are strained, and the revelation of the Key soon brings the conflict to a head and forces Lily to confront some startling discoveries about herself, her mentally unbalanced mother, and the father who died when she was just a baby. While the story and the depiction of the magical world are fairly basic, Durst clearly enjoys spinning her supernatural ideas out of the architecture and lore of Princeton. Lily deals with the peculiarity of her situation in a believable manner, and her two potential love interests–a loner boy with orange-and-black hair and the handsome grandson of the Vineyard Club president–are charming. Fans of Lesley Livingston’s “Wondrous Strange” series (HarperCollins) may find this similar melding of the mundane and the magical appealing.–Christi Esterle, Parker Library, CO FALKNER, Brian. Brain Jack. 349p. CIP. Random. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84366-2; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93924-2; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89323-0. LC 2008043386. Gr 7 Up–Seventeen-year-old Sam single-handedly hacks into a large telecommunication company (thought to be impenetrable) and inadvertently takes out the world’s infrastructure in his attempt to cover his tracks. He is recruited by a secret government department staffed by former hackers to protect the Internet and is taken to San Jose, CA. They find a malicious presence on the web that could destroy the world and must work as a group to preserve life as we know it. The story takes place in the near future, and the technology has some interesting new enhancements, most notably neuro helmets that allow one to control a computer with one’s mind. On occasion the author provides too much detail about San Jose. Occasional use of non-American slang by American characters also detracts from the dialogue: “mates” is used instead of “friends,” food is described as being “tinned” rather than “canned.” Still, the nicely paced plot and well-crafted story arc make this a title worth recommending, particularly to boys who like technology or science fiction. This book will also have broad appeal since, despite the age of the main character, the content is appropriate for younger readers.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH FEINSTEIN, John. The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game. 266p. further reading. Websites. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86570-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96570-8; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89603-3. LC 2010019614. Gr 6-9–Intrepid teen reporters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are once again granted extraordinary access to the behind-the-scenes action at a major sports event. In the course of pursuing their journalistic duties, they meet a number of real-life celebrities including journalist Bob Woodward, legendary basketball coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Bobby Knight, politico Ed Rendell, golfer Phil Mickelson, and sports commentator Tony Kornheiser. Even Barack Obama works the kids into his schedule. Since the “mystery” (involving corrupt officials at the Army/Navy game) is not introduced until page 225, there is plenty of room for background on the service academies’ rivalry, as well as other seemingly random topics (a story line on Susan Carol’s participation in a swim meet, for instance, is dropped into the middle of the narrative, and abruptly abandoned). Even aspiring sports journalists will find it difficult to stick with this meandering effort.–Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT FISHER, Catherine. Sapphique. 460p. Dial. Dec. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3397-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–Picking up after the surprising revelations of Incarceron (Dial, 2010), Fisher abruptly returns readers to the dystopian world and its living prison. Still trapped inside, Attia and Keiro are doing whatever they can to survive on their quest to find the Outside. Finn, meanwhile, has escaped and is now preparing to take his place on the Realm’s throne. Not completely convinced, Claudia and Jared are attempting to groom Finn to take his place as Prince Giles. Things are almost on track when a Pretender makes a bid for the throne, threatening both Finn’s and Claudia’s lives. Amid the discordance in the Realm, Incarceron itself hunts for Sapphique’s famed glove, an object that may help the prison gain a human body. Now, Attia, Keiro, and the Warden are attempting to keep the glove from Incarceron, while Finn, Jared, and Claudia are trying to hold the Realm together from the Outside. Fisher again crafts a dark, interesting foray into vivid imagery, danger, surprising twists, and intriguing revelations. This story is not quite as strong as Incarceron, but return readers will nonetheless enjoy it; new readers should, however, be steered back to the first volume. Readers will be left breathless hoping for another installment to explore the repercussions brought on by everything that happens in Sapphique’s final chapters.–Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT GALANTE, Cecilia. The Sweetness of Salt. 320p. Bloomsbury. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-512-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–High school valedictorian and overachiever Julia feels that she has her life all figured out. She plans to be a lawyer like her father, who has lined up a summer internship for her, to be followed by pre-law at a college where she has been given a full scholarship. Julia has never questioned her parents’ overprotectiveness or their insistence on perfection in everything. This all changes when her older sister Sophie, who has long been estranged from the family, comes to her graduation and gives her a car and an invitation to visit her in Vermont, where she is renovating an old house and planning to open a bakery. Impulsively, Julia decides to take Sophie up on the offer and ends up spending the summer working on the house, meeting new people, and discovering some truths that her parents have kept from her. Julia also comes to understand herself better and to make her own decisions for her future. This is a quiet but powerful story, and the gradual revelations of family secrets make it an absorbing read. Both Julia and Sophia are complex, believable characters, and the slow development and strengthening of their relationship is one of the highlights of the book. Readers of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Catalyst (Viking, 2002) and Megan Frazer’s Secrets of Truth and Beauty (Hyperion, 2009) will appreciate this story, as will Sarah Dessen fans.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ GEE, Maurice. Gool. Bk. 2. 215p. (The Salt Trilogy). Orca. 2010. Tr $18. ISBN 978-1-55469-214-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–Gee begins the action immediately with Hari, the hero of Salt (Orca, 2009), being attacked by a creature from beyond this world. While he and the children with him escape, a part of the thing remains attached to his throat, slowly killing him despite everyone’s efforts to remove it. Xantee and Lo, Hari’s children, learn that this thing is a “gool” and that only if its mother is killed will the rest of it die. The only clue to annihilating it is an ancient story that told of a red star and a white star that must be destroyed first. Xantee, Lo, and Duro travel to the city that once was Belong in order to search for a book that might give the story in full and thus tell them what they must do. To get there, they rely on the help of “the people with no name” who dwell, unseen, in the jungles and on the Dog King, Hari’s father. While Gool is nominally the second book in the trilogy and includes many characters from that story, it stands on its own nicely. Gee has done a terrific job of describing his world, giving life to his heroines and heroes while making their foes truly frightening. This is fine speculative fiction, accessible to readers of horror, fantasy, or science fiction and worth a look by anyone who enjoys adventure that doesn’t trod the usual paths.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI GOODMAN, Shawn. Something Like Hope. 208p. Delacorte. Dec. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73939-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90786-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89752-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Shavonne, who has gone from one juvenile detention center to another since junior high, will be moving out of the system on her 18th birthday. Fury and frustration are huge obstacles she must conquer by coming to grips with a drug-addicted prostitute mother; abusive foster parents who allowed her to be raped; a father who died in jail; giving up her own baby to the foster-care system; and forgiving herself for an accident that injured her beloved baby brother. Her personal challenges are compounded by troubled and desperate fellow inmates; several cruel, manipulative, corrupt guards who beat and taunt them; and youth counselors without a clue, who hurt more than help. Luckily, the last embers of hope deep within Shavonne’s soul are flamed by one kind guard and an empathetic and straightforward counselor who successfully reaches through to her at the 11th hour. Shavonne’s first-person narrative captures readers’ attention and never lets go. Short, compelling chapters keep up the tempo as her shocking and sad past and present are revealed and her desire for a better future takes center stage. Readers will forgive the slightly pat ending, reassured that Shavonne is finally on the right track. Language and situations are appropriately coarse and startling for the setting, and those teens who applauded the urban survivors in Sapphire’s Push (Vintage, 1998) and Coe Booth’s Tyrell (Scholastic, 2006) will do the same for Shavonne.–Diane P. Tuccillo, Poudre River Public Library District, Fort Collins, CO GREENWALD, Lisa. Sweet Treats & Secret Crushes. 291p. CIP. Abrams/Amulet. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8990-0. LC 2009052208. Gr 5-8–As a blizzard bears down on New York City just in time for Valentine’s Day, a storm of a different kind is brewing in the apartment building above Chen’s Kitchen. Seventh-graders Olivia, Kate, and Georgia are best friends who are struggling to find common ground as their relationship begins to change. Olivia has liked Phillip Becker-Jacobs for two years, and she records everything he does and wears in her Observation Notebook. Kate flits from crush to obsessive crush, and Georgia stays quiet to avoid letting her secrets slip, even to her best friends. An unexpected snow day offers the girls a chance to reconnect by baking “magic” fortune cookies designed to help everyone in their building feel loved. As they deliver the treats, they discover many truths: about boys, parents, and one another. Greenwald’s second foray into the drama that is seventh grade delivers more than is implied by its saccharine title. The lives of the well-formed characters come alive against the backdrop of a New York City building where neighbors are strangers. Fortune-cookie fortunes become the plot’s catalyst, as chapters alternate among Olivia, Kate, and Georgia, offering readers varied perspectives on the events. This is a title that mothers and daughters can confidently read together without major blushing.–Colleen S. Banick, Tomlinson Middle School, Fairfield, CT Gr 8 Up–Ancient Irish myths and legends mix and mingle with the modern world in this fast-paced fantasy. Teagan Wylltson’s got her life in order. She has a great job at the local zoo and is heading toward a college scholarship. She doesn’t need boys distracting her from her plan. But then one day Social Services shows up with them, Teagan’s 17-year-old cousin, Finn Mac Cumhaill. Teagan’s mother is Irish and was brought to the States by a group of Irish Travelers, but she hasn’t had any contact with them for many years, until now. After her mother dies of mysterious causes and her father is abducted by truly evil forces, Teagan, her younger brother, and Finn set off on a dangerous and frightening mission to rescue him. Through the events that unfold both in the modern world and in the world of Mag Mel where Fear Doirich rules and the sprites and goblins live, Teagan’s family history unfolds, and she is able to make sense of incidents from her past that have always seemed puzzling. Hamilton has created characters who are quirky and complex. Their stories are tightly woven together and riveting, and readers will look forward to the next installment in the series.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA HARKRADER, L. D. Nocturne. 247p. CIP. Wizards of the Coast. 2010. Tr $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7869-5502-2. LC 2009054055. Gr 5-10–Abandoned as a baby and left in the care of Anatole, the most powerful wizard on Wicker Street, 15-year-old Flannery Lane is determined to find the answers to her mysterious past. Fearing that magic will be her undoing, Anatole limits her knowledge and practice of the arts, thinking he is protecting her, but he is not the wizard he once was and Flan’s magic is so strong that she takes matters into her own hands. She begins to run his shop and the townspeople have no idea that she is the one who is creating the charms, spells, and amulets they require, as well as secretly practicing and teaching herself what she can. Things seem fine until an evil presence threatens all that Flan holds dear and she realizes she is the only one with the power to make things right. Harkrader weaves a compelling tale of vampires and magic in an “old world” time period that perfectly sets the tone. The story is dark and eerie with plenty of fast-paced excitement, adventure, and even a little romance. Readers will root for this strong, resourceful heroine as she uncovers clues and solves her mysterious past. Not all the loose ends are neatly tied up, leaving room for a possible sequel.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY HAUTMAN, Pete. Blank Confession. 170p. CIP. S & S. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-1327-6. LC 2009050169. Gr 8 Up–This simple, engaging story opens with Shayne Blank sitting in a police station, about to give a murder confession. Hautman effectively employs flashback sequences and alternating narratives to enlighten readers as to the sequence of events that led to Shayne’s dramatic revelation. When high school junior Mikey Martin finds himself the target of a sadistic bully, he gains an unlikely ally in the quiet and mysterious new kid, Shayne. Quirky, with a tendency to let his mouth get him in trouble, Mikey masks his insecurities by wearing suits to school and exuding false bravado. His troubles start when he throws away a bag of drugs forced on him for safekeeping by his sister’s drug-dealing boyfriend. Consequently, Mikey is threatened with bodily injury unless he pays Jon $500 (the arbitrary replacement fee for the drugs). Shayne offers to help Mikey sort out his situation; unfortunately, Jon is an intransigent bully who refuses to listen to reason, resulting in several confrontations between him and Shayne that culminate in a violent showdown with shocking consequences. Hautman does a commendable job of handling tough issues such as bullying, domestic violence, and drug abuse, and he infuses tense situations with humor. In spite of a conclusion that feels too neat and somewhat forced, Blank Confession’s deft and timely exploration of bullying will find an eager audience among teens searching for gripping, realistic fiction. Steer readers who appreciated Michael Harmon’s Brutal (Knopf, 2009) and Courtney Summers’s Some Girls Are (St. Martin’s, 2010) to this novel.–Lalitha Nataraj, Chula Vista Public Library, CA HEGEDUS, Bethany. Truth with a Capital T. 263p. CIP. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73837-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90725-5; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89409-1. LC 2009040043. Gr 4-6–Eleven-year-old Maebelle is excited about spending the summer in rural Georgia with her grandparents, who are country music singers, until she discovers that her adopted African-American cousin, Isaac, who is a 10-year-old trumpet prodigy, has also been invited. Maebelle’s grandparents have inherited a home from an eccentric aunt who locked one wing of the house to hide a family secret. Maebelle desperately wants to uncover the mystery but is strictly forbidden to enter the area. The story begins slowly as the cousins vie for their grandparents’ attention and play with friends and neighbors. The last few chapters reveal the secret, which is connected to the original owners of the house, their slaves, and the Underground Railroad. The real story isn’t so much the mystery but the two very different cousins learning to get along and appreciate one another. The children are fairly well developed, and the grandparents are believable. However, the author has tried to make the characters sound Southern in their speech, but has done it in a way that detracts from the story rather than enhancing it.–Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC HILLS, Lia. The Beginner’s Guide to Living. 224p. CIP. Farrar. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30659-5. LC 2009019248. Gr 9 Up–With the sudden death of his mother, Will begins to question everything to find the meaning of life. He grieves as he searches through memory, religion, philosophy, art, and relationships. Still he is able to find no peace or happiness, except when he is with his new girlfriend, Taryn. Too soon that relationship, though vital, begins to wear thin as all Will finds are more questions and no answers. The Beginner’s Guide to Living is a novel of someone in true existential crisis. The teen is thrown by the loss of his mother, which he cannot understand. The book is his quest. Its strengths are the relationships. Each and every one feels authentic: the father with his sons, the brotherly rivalry, the couple, but all of that is overshadowed by Will’s need for answers. Beautifully written, this novel will appeal to teens who are deep thinkers and questioners.–Melyssa Kenney, Parkville High School, Baltimore, MD HOLDER, Nancy & Debbie Viguié. Crusade. Bk. 1. 480p. S & S/Pulse. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9802-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9808-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Jenn Leitner is part of a group of hunters who are working to keep humanity safe from the Cursed Ones. These vampires are charismatic and living in plain sight. Their leader has even appeared on television to assure the people of the world that they have no interest in killing humans, but are able to sustain themselves with animal blood. Only out-of-control, renegade vampires do those horrible things and give the rest of them a bad name. The United States has called for a truce with the Cursed Ones, but more and more often there are reports of cities under siege and humans being manipulated to do their evil bidding. The political intrigue and global scale of this story are what make it stand out. The vampires take on the role often played by alien races in science fiction. They have invaded and then brainwashed many humans to work with them and defend them with the promise of rich rewards. Jenn’s family dynamics also twist what might be a predictable story in a new direction. Her father, having grown up with radical parents, is terrified of rocking the boat and angering the Cursed Ones to the point that he puts family and friends in danger to protect himself. The fighting and plotting scenes are well written and, once hooked, readers will be anxiously waiting for the sequel.–Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA HOROWITZ, Anthony. Bloody Horowitz. 327p. CIP. Philomel. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25451-2. LC 2009044748. Gr 7 Up–These 12 stories are not for the squeamish as they include shudder-inducing scenes of burning flesh, dismembered bodies, electrocution, and death by squeezing in a massage chair. The terror strikes good and bad individuals equally, whether it’s a teen whiz kid in “Bet Your Life,” a do-gooder in “Plugged In,” or a spoiled brat in “The Cobra.” If there is a theme that runs through the anthology it’s that you can’t outsmart a haunting end and if you try, that may just be your downfall. The selections offer clever twists on pop-culture trends such as reality television and MP3 players. One story gives a nod to fellow horror writer Darren Shan. The book starts and ends with fictionalized arguments against publishing horror stories for children. Fans of the morbid will appreciate Horowitz’s seemingly unending imagination for the horrific, but alert readers may clue in to some plot twists early on. Teens looking for gruesome tales won’t be disappointed.–Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA JOHN, Antony. Five Flavors of Dumb. 342p. CIP. Dial. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3433-3. LC 2009044449. Gr 9 Up–When in a rush of uncommon bravado high school senior Piper offers to manage Dumb, her school’s most popular student rock band, her family thinks it must be a joke. A retiring student and member of the chess team, Piper is neither the stereotypical band manager nor a typical teen: she is profoundly hearing impaired. After she discovers that her parents have spent the majority of her college money to treat her infant sister’s deafness with cochlear implants, Piper’s quest to get Dumb a paying gig leads her to consider her managerial role as a potential source of income. John’s novel is written with a reverence for popular music–particularly the work of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain–and a respect for its ambitious teen characters. Although Piper’s hearing is a characterizing detail that could have been used solely to add a type of politically incorrect and screwball humor to the story, her abilities are seen as assets: while lip reading allows her access to public conversation, she is not above using sign language to obscure her intentions. The parallel attention to Piper’s hearing family and the strain her parents’ decision to treat her sister with cochlear implants adds to the greater story and informs the novel’s direction and ending in a satisfying way. Set in the Pacific Northwest, this rock-and-roll novel joins the ranks of Randy Powell’s equally thoughtful Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star (Farrar, 2003) and Blake Nelson’s Rock Star Superstar (Viking, 2004).–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston KING, A. S. Please Ignore Vera Dietz. 326p. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86586-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96586-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89617-0. LC 2010012730. Gr 9 Up–Vera Dietz and her troubled neighbor, Charlie, were best friends since childhood until they started to fall for one another junior year and everything broke apart. Evil Jenny Flick decides that she wants Charlie and that Vera is in the way. When Jenny offers Charlie oral sex and he refuses, she broadcasts his secret about his father’s domestic abuse to the whole school and blames Vera. In “retaliation,” Charlie reveals the fact that Vera’s mother was a stripper before she deserted the family and then starts a perilous relationship with Jenny. In chapters that alternate scenes in the present with “history,” plus various points of view, Vera’s story begins at Charlie’s funeral where she hides the truth about Jenny’s part in his death. It seesaws through her full-time job delivering pizzas while maintaining “A” grades, her upsetting relationship with Charlie, her conflicts with Jenny as well as her father, her romance with a 23-year-old coworker, and other complications. This oddly compelling page-turner is unfortunately rather flawed. When circumstances call for Vera to end her heavy drinking, she surprisingly just stops. Charlie’s ghostly presence manifests itself through hard-to-imagine replications. The perspectives of Vera’s father, dead Charlie, and the pagoda atop the town (yes, the pagoda speaks) minimally click. Vera’s father’s “flow charts” about dealing with life circumstances seem out of place. Yet, Vera is a strong character whom readers will root for throughout her ups and downs. Ultimately, this will be read by teens who like edgy contemporary books dealing with untimely teen death, such as Brooke Taylor’s Undone (Walker, 2008) or Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why (Razorbill, 2007).–Diane P. Tuccillo, Poudre River Public Library District, Fort Collins, CO KINGSLEY, Kate. Everything but the Truth. 291p. (Young, Loaded, and Fabulous Series). S & S/Pulse. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9400-8; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0950-7. LC 2010921794. Gr 9 Up–This book reads like an English version of Cecily von Ziegesar’s “Gossip Girl” series (Little, Brown). Love is in the air at the ultra elite St. Cecilia’s boarding school. Alice Rochester and Tally Abbott are on the prowl for the hottest and smartest guys around. Alice, who is struggling to get over a breakup with her boyfriend, has her head turned by a new (bad boy) beau, while Tally can’t resist her attraction to her English teacher. However, the two friends are up against some challenges, especially when the truth about love is often hidden in lies and secrets. Although the book starts off slowly, eventually the plot picks up a little. While Kingsley’s characters are shallow, she does allow them to grow, albeit very gradually. However, the ending is a bit rushed. Still, fans of the series will not be dismayed at the outcome. As per the protagonists’ lifestyle, the narrative incorporates strong language, drinking and drug use, and sexual themes.–Sherry Rampey, Gaston Branch Library, SC KUNZE, Lauren. The Ivy. with Rina Onur. 312p. CIP. Greenwillow. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196045-1. LC 2009042525. Gr 9 Up–As one of the smartest students at her high school and a star soccer player, Callie Andrews is used to achieving everything that she sets her sights on, including acceptance to Harvard University. She leaves everything she loves–her parents, her best friend, her boyfriend–in California to follow her dreams in Massachusetts. There is a lot of smoking, drinking, drugs, and sex in the book; none of it is overly gratuitous and seems to fit in a story about kids leaving their adults behind to try their hand in the real world of higher education. Readers will get to know Callie as she navigates the tricky world of college with its rules (written and unwritten) regarding relationships, friendships, and memberships. Along the way, she deals with backstabbing best friends, upper-class girls who are out to get her, and feelings for a certain boy across the hall–not to mention that pesky sex tape that was made and distributed without her knowledge by her ex-boyfriend. This is a lighthearted and quirky read, and although the characters are a bit one-dimensional and an alcohol-poisoning situation is a bit glossed over, this is a good read for older teens.–Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR LAIRD, Elizabeth. Crusade. 391p. Macmillan UK. Dec. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-330-45699-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up– Told from alternating perspectives, Crusade follows two boys as they come of age, Adam growing from landless peasant to squire, and Salim from a merchant’s son who shirks his duties to a doctor’s apprentice and hero. To Adam, Saladin is a terror, a devil, and Richard the Lionheart is the noble leader who will free the Holy Land from the savages who occupy it. To Salim, Richard is an illiterate barbarian, and Saladin the wise commander who will keep the invaders from taking his homeland. By chance, their paths intersect, opening their eyes to the possibilities that the members of the opposing army may not be as different as they’d always assumed. Both young men end up wishing they could have met at a time when friendship might have been possible between them. Steeped in historical detail, the adventure immerses readers in the daily life of the armies of the Crusades, showing the good and bad to be found on either side. Most of the supporting characters are well drawn; they show depth and believable motivation for their actions and their positions regarding the war they face. The different views on medicine, demonstrated by Salim’s Jewish master, a Palestinian-born Christian, and a British doctor, are particularly fascinating. The moral of looking to understand another worldview, particularly between Christians and Muslims, is timely in spite of its historical context.–Alana Joli Abbott, formerly at James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT LANDON, Kristen. The Limit. 291p. S & S/Aladdin. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0271-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0273-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-10–With personal debt out of control, the federal government monitors spending and forces families who exceed their limit to undergo stringent measures to correct the problem. One option is for their teenage children to be sent to a workhouse where they can earn money to help reduce the family debt. Matt, a math and computer whiz, is not concerned for himself because his parents are smart enough and rich enough to play by the rules–right? But the unthinkable happens and, despite the fact that he is only in eighth grade, he is whisked off to a facility. His considerable intelligence and skills make him a “Top Floor”; he lives in luxury and is given intellectually stimulating work. Still, Matt realizes he is in a prison, and, with his hacker skills and the help of other Top Floors, determines to discover the truth. The protagonist is for the most part likable, and his actions and reactions are age-appropriate. The supporting characters, especially his parents, are not fully developed but do not detract from the fast-moving plot. Tension builds nicely as the climax nears, but most readers will guess some of the workhouse secrets before Matt and his friends do, and the denouement is unsatisfying. While the most egregious wrongs are resolved, the very idea of children being forced to work for their parents’ economic sins is cheerfully accepted. This is better than Suzanne Wayne’s The Bar Code Tattoo (Scholastic, 2004) but not quite on par with Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Found (S & S, 2008). Fans of both books will enjoy it.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA LANG, Diane & Michael Buchanan. The Fat Boy Chronicles. 224p. Sleeping Bear. 2010. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-543-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-9–At 5 feet, 5 inches and almost 200 pounds by the time he turns 15, Jimmy Winterpock suffers every kind of indignity imaginable from classmates who think of him as less than a person. Jimmy’s adolescent point of view, delivered in journal form, is most authentic when describing life’s lows (his tormentors) and highs (the support he gets from his family and youth group). However, between those accounts are cracks in the teen voice and message-driven statements such as, “I looked up causes of obesity online, and one site talked about hydrogenated oils and trans fat, and how they weren’t in foods until the 70s. Now they’re in almost everything we eat, and that’s why there’s so much obesity.” Additionally distracting are the side plots in which Jimmy’s only friend, verbally abused when not being neglected, becomes obsessed with a local murder and Jimmy’s crush turns out to be a cutter. These serious psychological problems detract from the dramatic changes the teen decides to make in his own life, reducing him to a tragedy magnet instead of allowing his story to soar.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library LARSON, Kirby. The Fences Between Us: The Diary of Piper Davis. 317p. (Dear America Series). photos. reprods. Websites. CIP. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-545-22418-5; PLB $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-26232-3. LC 2009044972. Gr 5-8–In 1941 Seattle, Piper Davis is a typical 13-year-old in many ways: she enjoys spending time with her friends, listening to big-band music, and walking home from school with the boy she’s sweet on. Since her mother died when she was a baby, her father, pastor at the Japanese Baptist Church, has raised Piper and her older sister and brother. She has never found straddling the two distinct communities unusual; however, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, her world is turned upside down. Suddenly, families from her father’s church are being singled out: the FBI has no qualms about arresting American-born Japanese, and “No Japs” signs appear in downtown shop windows. Most of her school friends believe that the Japanese students should be expelled and can’t understand why Piper defends them, especially since her brother, Hank, was at Pearl Harbor. When her father announces that he and Piper will follow their congregation to the Minidoka War Relocation Camp in Idaho, she is furious that she is being uprooted from her friends and her home. Over the following months, though, she develops an appreciation for her father’s courage, and her previous acquaintance with Betty Sato deepens into a close friendship. While Cynthia Kadohata’s Weedflower (S & S, 2006) explores this infamous period in American history through the eyes of a Japanese-American girl, Piper’s convincing narration allows readers to appreciate the dilemma that occurs when individual rights seem to clash with national security. The thought-provoking themes are supplemented by a comprehensive historical note, photographs, and resources, and an abundance of online activities on the publisher’s site.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA LAURIE, Victoria. The Curse of Deadman’s Forest. Bk. 2. 425p. (Oracles of Delphi Keep Series). CIP. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73573-5; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90562-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89649-1. LC 2010008424. Gr 5-7–In this sequel to Oracles of Delphi Keep (Delacorte, 2009), Laurie places her characters at a crucial point in history: the buildup to the Nazi invasion of Poland, which triggered the beginning of World War II. Orphan siblings Ian and Theo are trying to fulfill the prophecy of Laodamia of Phoenicia and have become the center of a struggle to save humankind from devastating evil and violence. The brothers, who are in possession of certain magical abilities and objects, travel from Dover to Poland through a portal in search of the Healer, the third of six oracles, who will help them to save the world. In the process they face great danger at the hands of the evil Magus the Black and his equally malevolent siblings. While the attempt to connect ancient myth to modern historical events is interesting, the mythological connections include a mishmash of ancient Greece, medieval Christianity, and druidic Britain, and the connections fall flat. The sense of adventure is hampered by a meandering plot, wooden dialogue, and one-dimensional characters. The hint of romance is awkwardly presented and remains unresolved. Although the characters succeed in their quest for the Healer, the author has set up the ending for a sequel.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City LUPICA, Mike. Hero. 289p. Philomel. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25283-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-10–In a major departure from his YA sports fiction, the popular Lupica opts for a high-concept, high-octane action thriller. When the father he idolizes dies in a covert government operation, 14-year-old Billy Harriman is determined to find out who killed him, and why. In the course of his investigation he discovers that his father had superpowers, and that he has inherited them. Guided by a mysterious older man who identifies himself as Mr. Herbert, and supported by his wise and sassy girlfriend Kate, Billy begins to come to terms with his destiny. As his socially prominent mother assumes a leading role in the campaign of the presidential candidate his father had backed, Billy finds himself at odds with his father’s old friend (and mother’s current advisor). The teen eventually becomes convinced that Uncle John is allied with the forces responsible for his father’s death. After he uses his superpowers to thwart an assassination attempt on the candidate, he confronts Uncle John, who remains evasive about his involvement with the shadowy organization that seems to have targeted Billy and his family. With all the major issues unresolved at the novel’s end, the stage is set for a sequel to what looks like a surefire hit.–Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT Gr 7 Up–Through the eyes of her maid, readers get to know Princess Victoria during the year before she becomes queen. Down on her luck when the deaths of her parents leave her penniless and debt ridden, Liza finds employment at Kensington Palace. She quickly learns that Victoria is a virtual prisoner of her scheming mother and her mother’s lover, who seek to control the future queen through a regency. Liza initially thinks only of ways to gain favor and influence, and, ultimately, money, from Victoria, but she gradually comes to feel compassion for the lonely and ill-treated 17-year-old. The emotional growth of both young women is the heart of the story, and it unfolds naturally because of a riveting plot full of conspiracy, sexual abuse of servants, treachery, and a great love story. There are references to prostitution, abortion, apparent suicide, and murder, but they are not gratuitous. Liza’s riches-to-rags-to-almost-riches story and her development into a young woman of high moral purpose, and Victoria’s growth from a docile teen into a queen who would define an era, make this a great read.–Corinne Henning-Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME MCKAY, Sharon E. Thunder over Kandahar. photos by Rafal Gerszak. 264p. chron. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2010. PLB $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-267-6; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-266-9. LC C2010-903311-6. Gr 7-10–When her British and American-educated parents’ return to Afghanistan is cut short by a terrible attack, 14-year-old Yasmine is sent to Kandahar for safety. Instead, the driver abandons her and her friend Tamanna along the way, and they must travel on their own through Taliban-controlled mountains. Sometimes the story focuses on Yasmine, and sometimes on Tamanna, a bright but uneducated village girl with a limp inflicted by a drunken uncle whose gambling debts are to be paid by her marriage. Toward the end of their journey, the two encounter Tamanna’s twin brother, stolen years earlier and now a suicide bomber. Tamanna is shot, and Yasmine is left alone in Afghanistan, with no memory even of her own identity. Eventually she ends up in Pakistan. Though the survival story ends with the appearance of her grandfather and the return of some memories, the author provides a postscript imagining her characters’ more positive futures. In spite of unrelenting violence, along with grinding poverty, restrictive customs, and the horrors of war, what shines through this sad narrative is the love Afghans have for their country. The Canadian author of War Brothers (Puffin, 2008) traveled to Afghanistan and provides numerous credits for this gripping tale.–Kathleen Isaacs, Children’s Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD MCKINLEY, Robin. Pegasus. 397p. Putnam. 2010. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24677-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–By the terms of an ancient treaty, children of royalty in Balsinland are “bound” to a pegasus on their 12th birthdays, in a ceremony cementing friendship between the two. However, humans and pegasi cannot speak to one another without the help of specially trained magicians because the two species communicate in such different ways. So, when Princess Sylviianel comes to her big day, she is nervous about being bound to one of these strange, beautiful, incomprehensible creatures...until, in the middle of the ceremony, she discovers that she can mind-speak to her pegasus–and he can speak back. Such a thing has never been heard of in all the years of the alliance, but to Sylvi and her bond-friend it proves a wonderful gift by which they can promote better understanding between the two species. A few royal magicians, however, do not wish to see free communication develop between them, and they will do whatever they can to keep Sylvi and Ebon apart. This novel is reminiscent of McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown (Greenwillow, 1984) and other earlier works, and includes many of her trademarks, including a tendency to ramble through pages of description and backstory, sometimes even in the middle of a conversation. Still, the story is strong and fresh, and the characters are nuanced and believable. Fans will anxiously await the sequel.–Misti Tidman, formerly at Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY MCKINNON, Hannah Roberts. The Properties of Water. 169p. Farrar. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-0374-36145-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-8–Family tragedy lies at the core of this well-written story of a sister grappling with guilt, fear, and drastic life changes. When 13-year old Lace’s older sister, Marni, becomes paralyzed after jumping into the lake near their house, Lace finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Accustomed to Marni outshining her in swimming and in their social sphere, she suddenly finds herself the focus of attention in her sister’s absence. While Marni and Mom are in Portland rehabilitating, Lace and Dad carry on by themselves, and despite a steady undercurrent of sadness, the summer unfolds. Lace sketches at the pool, hangs out with her quirky friend Beth Ann, and blushes at the attentions of the handsome swim team captain. When caregiver Willa Dodge shows up to prepare the house for Marni’s return, Lace, resentful of the change Willa represents, fabricates a mystery around the newcomer and preoccupies herself with unraveling it. The first three-quarters of the story sees Lace keeping her pain just below the surface, and the overtly distressing scenes, like Lace’s first visit to the hospital, are tackled at the end of the book. Vibrant, descriptive prose and characters that are strong, original, and often comic save an emotional topic from becoming mawkish. Lace’s grief feels real, and the account of her family’s strength inspires. The story overall is surprisingly uplifting, and worth recommending to anyone interested in family dynamics and complex emotions.–Emma Burkhart, Springside School, Philadelphia, PA MADIGAN, L. K. The Mermaid’s Mirror. 308p. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-19491-2. LC 2010006771. Gr 9 Up–Lena has always been drawn to the sea and has spent her life on the Northern California coast watching her friends surf. As her 16th birthday approaches, she decides she is tired of sitting on the sand and vows to take lessons despite the fact that her father forbids it. The lure of the ocean becomes overwhelming as she starts sleepwalking and waking up at the shore. Then she spots what appears to be a woman’s head above the water’s surface. Had Lena seen a mermaid? What compelled her father to stop riding the waves and never again set foot in the ocean? Braving the deadly breakers at Magic Crescent Cove so she can see the mysterious figure again, she wipes out and nearly drowns, but the mermaid saves her and slips a small gold key in her hand. Now Lena must find out what it unlocks and try to solve the mystery of her past. What she discovers is an amazing underwater domain seen through a magical mirror. Madigan’s exquisite writing results in realistic characters and a compelling plot set in vivid scenery, making this tale extremely palatable. By the time Lena’s secret world is revealed, readers are fully committed to her story and, while the culmination may disappoint, this is one fantasy worth reading.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ MAGUIRE, Eden. Beautiful Dead: Arizona. 288p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-3945-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–A sequel to Beautiful Dead: Jonas (Sourcebooks, 2010). In life, Daria and Arizona were not close friends, or even acquaintances. But Daria has the ability to see the souls trapped in limbo, the so-called Beautiful Dead, and now she must help Arizona research the circumstances of her sudden demise. Looking into Arizona’s death, she discovers a previously hidden younger brother, a secret romance, and a motive for murder. Daria is dealing with her continuing grief over the death of her boyfriend, Phoenix, and chafing against the restrictions on their relationship: he is allowed 12 months on Earth to find out more about his death. The “Twilight” parallels begin to overwhelm the story; the teen couple is passionately in love, circumstances have forced them apart, there is an insurmountable divide between them, and the only possible reconciliation requires immense sacrifice. The behavior exhibited by Hunter, leader of the Dead, borders on abusive, and Daria’s meek acceptance of his control smacks of stereotypical gender roles. The climactic flashback and gun battle lack suspense, and the saccharine ending makes the tortured romance of the protagonists that much harder to bear.–Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library MAIZEL, Rebecca. Infinite Days. Bk. 1. 310p. (Vampire Queen Series). St. Martin’s/Griffin. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64991-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up–Lenah Beaudonte is an extremely powerful and ruthless vampire queen who is more than five centuries old. Unhappy with her vampire existence, she implores her vampire maker and lover Rhode to uncover an ancient ritual that can give her back her humanity. After hibernating for 100 years, Lenah wakes up as a human teenager enrolled at the exclusive Wickham Boarding School. Rhode has done everything to give her a new chance at life and in doing so has made the ultimate sacrifice–his own life. Mourning for him, Lenah seizes the chance to walk in the sunlight, have fun with friends, experience real emotions, and fall in love with a great guy. But Lenah knows that it is only a matter of time before her vicious coven opens her crypt and discovers her missing. Linked to her by dark magic, they will not rest until they find her, destroying the world she has come to love. Lenah is a unique and complex character whose emotions ring true. Her horrifying life as a vampire is revealed through a series of detailed and riveting flashbacks that are extremely effective in driving the plot and the decisions she makes. A promising start to a series, the story is filled with action, romance, longing, deception, and sacrifice. It will leave vampire fans thirsting for more.–Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School , NY MARGOLIS, Leslie. Girl’s Best Friend. Bk. 1. 208p. (Maggie Brooklyn Mystery Series). Bloomsbury. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-525-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-7–Twelve-year-old Maggie Brooklyn is a dog-walker and a wannabe Nancy Drew. She gets her first chance to sleuth when neighborhood dogs begin disappearing. The dognappings are mysteriously introduced in the prologue, but more crimes slowly appear as readers meet and get to know the protagonist. The pacing keeps kids looking for additional clues and gives Maggie a chance to prove what they suspect. Not only does she expose the thief, but she also solves a second mystery–her landlady’s missing fortune. That mystery weaves quietly in and out of the chapters as Maggie deals with the missing pets, her crush on Milo, her friend-enemy Ivy, and her busy schedule of dog-walking (plus, keeping it a secret from her parents). Characters are well-developed, typical preteens. Readers will easily identify with these seventh graders, and they will love the eccentric landlady who adds a bit of humor. Mystery fans will enjoy this lighthearted whodunit.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH MESSNER, Kate. Sugar and Ice. 288p. Walker. Dec. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2081-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-7–Claire Boucher is a busy seventh grader. She not only balances school with the responsibilities of work on her family farm, especially now that the maple sap is running, but also coaches young skaters at the nearby skating school. On the day that this delightful novel opens, she is rushing to get ready for the annual Maple Show. While she’s aware that a famous Russian skating coach will be scouting, she is not hopeful that he’s there for her. Competition terrifies her. But she lands her double toe loop and is offered a scholarship to the summer program at Lake Placid. But how can Claire ask her already busy parents to make the hour and a half drive three days a week? Does she really want to compete? Is she squandering her incredible talent if she chooses not to accept the offer? Messner has a flair for depicting engaging characters who are imperfect without being quirky. The dialogue between classmates and siblings is realistic, and the intergenerational or extended family relationships are interesting. The author shows the intensity of the world of competitive skating without dwelling on its rough edges, making it accessible not only to tween readers, but also to those who might have Olympic aspirations. There’s a neat little twist in the plot and an ending that is sure to both surprise and resonate.–Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ MITCHARD, Jacquelyn. Watch for Me by Moonlight. 283p. (The Midnight Twins Series). Penguin/Razorbill. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-277-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 7-10–Mallory and Meredith are now dealing with their little brother’s frequent emergency-room visits due to a mysterious illness, and Meredith’s romantic relationship with a ghost whose physical remains were found in Vietnam and returned to their town for burial. Mallory, who can see into the future, tries to determine if one of her brother’s many babysitters is the cause of his illnesses while also preventing her twin, who can see into the past, from trying to join her ghostly boyfriend on The Other Side. Cheerleading, prom, and other high school drama help to keep the story from being too dark, but also serve to make it formulaic. A multitude of characters and details from past books make this a title strictly for fans of the series.–Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD MOFFITT, Debra. Only Girls Allowed. 140p. (The Pink Locker Society). St. Martin’s/Griffin. 2010. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64502-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-8–Jemma and three other eighth-grade girls are invited to join the elite Pink Locker Society by way of a pink door in the back of their lockers. The PLS is a secret organization designed so that members can post quality advice on its website to girls at their school who have pressing questions about periods, bras, and boys. Jemma, the narrator, is unsure if she would be good at dispensing such advice, since she has neither started her period nor had a boyfriend. Rather, she has a desperate crush on Forrest, whom she has known for years, but who now makes her tongue-tied. Regretfully, he fancies Taylor, a girl who makes videos of others in embarrassing situations. Eager to impress him, Jemma ignores a basic rule and risks everything by leading Forrest through the pink door into the society’s secret office. Communication is a central theme as a hacker brings down the website, and a pilot video about the hacking incident is shown at a school assembly, bringing the PLS to the attention of Principal Finklestein, who is not pleased. He meets with the four girls and their parents, takes away their pink laptop, and threatens to suspend them unless they end the potentially inappropriate act of dispensing advice to other children. With its own engaging website, chick-lit appeal, and sequels to come, this is a promising series debut.–Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT MOSES, Sheila P. Joseph’s Grace. 160p. CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. Jan. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-3942-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0618-6. LC 2009048965. Gr 7-10–In this sequel to Joseph (S & S, 2008), Joseph Cross has just lost his cousin Jasmine, who was murdered by his crack-addict mother’s boyfriend. Suddenly, beginning his sophomore year of high school does not feel so important. Joseph lives with his aunt and uncle, who are lost in grief over their daughter; his father is still serving in Iraq; and his mother is miles away from recovery. And he no longer has Jasmine’s comforting voice and guidance to move him through the turbulent seas of school, grief, and girlfriends. Joseph does his best to regain traction, but every time he comes close, his mother steps in to stall the progress. Joseph’s story is sad, but Moses does not provide the necessary emotionality. Short, clipped sentences and limited vocabulary make his voice seem monotone, unemotional, and much younger than his 15 years. This creates a problem in determining audience. The tone also causes much of the story to fall flat, particularly Joseph’s relationship with his girlfriend, Valerie. And his naïveté belies his claims of time spent in the projects with his mother and her habit. This tale lacks the emotional resonance needed to carry it and lend it truth.–Naphtali L. Faris, Saint Louis Public Library, MO MYRACLE, Lauren. Violet in Bloom: A Flower Power Book. 366p. illus. Abrams/Amulet. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8983-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-6–Having established their “friends-forever” status in Love Ya Bunches (Abrams, 2009), the girls with the flower names find that there are just as many highs and lows in maintaining relationships as in starting them. Thoroughly attuned to girl world, Myracle’s spot-on, realistic moments include Katie-Rose’s bouts of insecurity in response to a manipulative classmate, Yasaman’s learning to stand up for herself and her friends, and Camilla’s suppressing her fear of hamsters to get closer to her crush. Violet’s conflicted emotions about visiting her mother in the hospital serves as a heartfelt balance to the madcap drama. The chat and text speak (“I haz date!!!”), slang (adorkable), blog posts, and occasional screenplay format established in the first book continue here, though the story can stand on its own. In other words, this is trademark Myracle, and those who heart her books will lurve, er, love this one too.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library NAYERI, Daniel & Dina Nayeri. Another Pan. Bk. 2. 392p. (Another Series). Candlewick. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3712-5; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5210-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-9–In this eerie fantasy, the second one set in the elite Marlowe school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the authors interweave Egyptian mythology with the story of a contemporary Peter Pan and a boarding-school counselor with an international gang of teenage boys (the Lost Boys), all of whom have had their right eyetooth pulled out with pliers by Peter’s sidekick, Tina. Wendy and John Darling, whose father is a professor and specialist in Egyptian antiquities at the school, discover that the copy of an ancient book, on loan from the British Museum, is magical and creates open gates to the Egyptian underworld. Because they leave a gate open, unresolved evil forces from legends begin to leak into the school. The synthesis of Egyptian mythology and Barrie’s story becomes interesting when it becomes clear that the mysterious new school nurse with the damaged eye is connected to both the Egyptian god of the dead and Peter’s nemesis, Hook, and that Peter is searching for the secret of eternal youth in the pyramids of the underworld. The authors succeed in creating a sense of danger that builds to a suspenseful climax. Although the setting is somewhat sketchy, with more of a suburban than an urban feel to the school, the characters are fleshed out more successfully, and Wendy’s love interests and her competition with Tina will help to hold readers’ attention. The authors have left the door open for a third book with their assertion that evil remains in wait in the school basement. Teens who like their fantasy layered and with multifaceted characters will enjoy this thought-provoking read.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City NICHOLSON, William. Rich and Mad. 384p. Egmont USA. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-120-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 10 Up–This novel, narrated with limited omniscience from the points of view of 16-year-old Maddie and her classmate Rich, describes both characters’ growing interest in romance and intimacy. When Maddie develops a crush on Joe, a popular guy who has been dating another girl for years, he seems to signal his interest by communicating with her through email, sending Maddie bons mots while encouraging her to keep their electronic relationship a secret. Meanwhile, Rich nurses a crush on Grace, Maddie’s distant, icy, and beautiful friend. As the lovelorn Rich and Maddie pine for the objects of their desire, Maddie, in a plot twist reminiscent of Jaclyn Moriarty’s The Year of Secret Assignments (Scholastic 2005), discovers that she has been used as a pawn by a friend involved in a dangerous romance, a finding that draws her closer to Rich. Although drawn as distinct individuals, the protagonists are hard to know; their thoughts and actions are told more than they are shown. When Rich and Maddie’s relationship grows intimate, Nicholson’s prose is distinctly romantic, though intellectualized, somewhat impersonal, and even mechanical. “She wants to please me. She gives me her body to please me,” thinks Rich, after a particularly steamy encounter. Nicholson does not shy away from sexual explication, a characteristic that distinguishes the novel. Just as Judy Blume’s Forever (Bradbury, 1975) has been lauded for its frankness but criticized for its clinical language, Rich and Mad might be similarly but guardedly praised.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston ORON, Judie. Cry of the Giraffe. 206p. map. glossary. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2010. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-272-0; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-271-3. LC C2010-903147-4. Gr 8 Up–A growing number of Ethiopian Jews, known as Beta Israel, relocate to Israel for a better life. To do so, they must travel more than 600 miles by foot across the desert, fighting thirst, scorpions, disease, and violent soldiers. This novel is based on the true story of 13-year-old Wuditu, one of the thousands who attempted this journey. Separated from her family after her father and sister take ill, this courageous girl (nicknamed “Giraffe” because of her long neck and stately composure) must fend for herself. Before she makes it to Israel, she is enslaved for two years. Oron’s novel exposes the injustice and degradation girls face around the world. Wuditu is held captive and raped, but manages to escape a life of prostitution. This book is less graphic than Patricia McCormick’s Sold (Hyperion, 2006), a novel of child prostitution in Nepal and for a younger audience, but it is sobering nonetheless. Canadian journalist Oron, who rescued the young girl on whom Wuditu’s character is based, writes her story in precise, formal prose, sympathetic yet distant. Her journalistic stance serves the story better during dramatic refugee scenes than during the quieter early chapters about life in the village. However, this is an example of masterful storytelling. Each chapter is skillfully organized and perfectly paced. The author weaves foreign words seamlessly into the narrative, defining them through context and never slowing down the story with exposition. Readers learn a great deal about Ethiopia while they are caught up in a riveting story.–Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College Queens, Long Island City, NY PEIRCE, Lincoln. Big Nate Strikes Again. illus. by author. 215p. HarperCollins. 2010. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-0-06-194436-9; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-06-194437-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-6–Peirce’s second book about Big Nate is clever and funny. For Mrs. Godfrey’s newest special project, a research assignment on a great American, the sixth grader gets paired with the perfect A-plus student, Gina. Horrible as this seems, something great also occurs–Nate is picked as a Fleeceball team captain and has a chance to win the coveted Spoffy (Sports Played Only for Fun) trophy. Unfortunately, he is late to the gym when players are chosen, and Gina is on his team. The pacing of the text and the black-and-white comic-book illustrations give the story a fun and carefree rhythm. Readers will be delighted to pick this up and find great characters who will stay with them.–Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City PERKINS, Stephanie. Anna and the French Kiss. 372p. Dutton. Dec. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42327-0. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Anna Oliphant has big plans for her senior year in Atlanta: hang out with her best friend, Bridgette, and flirt with her coworker at the Royal Midtown 14 multiplex. So she is none too happy when her father sends her off to boarding school in Paris. However, things begin to look up when she meets Étienne St. Clair, a gorgeous guy–with a girlfriend. As he and Anna become closer friends, things get infinitely more complicated. Will Anna get her French kiss? Or are some things just not meant to be? Perkins has written a delightful debut novel with refreshingly witty characters. There is strong language and mention of sexual topics that make the book more appropriate for older teens. The chapters are concise, and the steady pacing leading up to the “will they or won’t they?” moments will capture even reluctant readers. Teens will feel like they are strolling through the City of Lights in this starry-eyed story of finding love when you least expect it.–Kimberly Castle, Medina County District Library, OH POBLOCKI, Dan. The Nightmarys. 326p. CIP. Random. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84256-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94256-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89317-9. LC 2009050690. Gr 5-8–When seventh-grader Timothy is paired with the new girl, Abigail, for a school project, he doesn’t expect to find himself fighting against nightmares: his friend’s, his teacher’s, and his own. Suddenly, people who make Abigail angry are being haunted by their worst fears. But if she is causing the situation, why is she being haunted, too? And how can she make it stop? Timothy and Abigail discover that what is happening to them is somehow tied to a 60-year-old mystery of a missing girl, but the real cause of the terror taking over their town might be even older. Secrets–Abigail’s, Timothy’s, and even Abigail’s grandmother’s–must be revealed before the pair can defeat an ancient curse and put the Nightmarys to rest. Full of tense moments and atmospheric settings, this book will keep readers turning pages as quickly as they can. Poblocki keeps the suspense high as he slowly reveals the truth about who or what is in control. While the plot twists may be somewhat confusing, the strong characters and deliciously frightening action will keep fans of scary stories engaged to the end.–Karen E. Brooks-Reese, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA PRELLER, James. Justin Fisher Declares War! 135p. CIP. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-545-03301-5. LC 2009053641. Gr 4-6–Justin Fisher is lonely. Last year, he was the class clown; now, in fifth grade, he’s somehow turned into the class jerk. His antics in school and out are not getting him laughs–they’re getting him in trouble. As he is sent to the principal again and again, he becomes more and more desperate to fit in. Fortunately, with the help of an understanding teacher and a new friend, the boy learns how to be funny without being mean and saves the day at the school talent show. This quiet, universal story about a regular kid acting out who just needs a hand will make a good classroom read. Preller handles sensitive issues with dignity, and kids will identify with Justin’s eagerness to be liked and his snarky jokes. The book will be a particular hit with fans of Lenore Look’s Alvin Ho and Jerry Spinelli’s Maniac Magee.–Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ QUIMBY, Laura. The Carnival of Lost Souls. 342p. (A Handcuff Kid Novel). Abrams/Amulet. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8980-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-6–Jack Carr has never really belonged. A foster child who has been bounced from home to home, he has one constant in his life: his obsession with Harry Houdini. Jack’s luck changes when he goes to live with the professor, an old eccentric who is looking for a boy interested in magic. But all is not as it seems at the idyllic house. The professor had sold his soul to the Amazing Mussini, a magician of the dead. Jack suddenly finds that he is going to the Land of the Dead in place of the professor and is part of Mussini’s Traveling Carnival. His only wish: to escape before he joins the dead. But in his way are his own success at performing his handcuff act and the brilliant mind of Mussini himself. Quimby keeps readers feeling Jack’s tension and danger throughout the story. The Land of the Dead is a unique world with minotaurlike guards and bored dead people. The chapters are interspersed with excerpts in verse of a biography of Houdini. Though a little distracting, they do reflect what is going on in Jack’s mind and are perhaps supposed to represent the book Jack always carries with him. Readers are sure to look forward to future adventures of the Handcuff Kid.–Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA Gr 6-10–Tory Brennan, 14, lives on an island off the coast of South Carolina. Her newly discovered father works in science research for the University of Charleston, which is why she and her friends with similar pedigrees attend the ritzy prep school in town with the local aristocracy. Tory and her three friends, all boys, are science geeks and love to explore the outer islands where monkeys and other wildlife abound. While exploring a supposedly deserted lab complex, they discover the caged offspring of a wolf and German shepherd that has been diagnosed with parvovirus. Tory’s concern leads the group to rescue the pup with the notion of curing and saving it from science experiments. Tory knows that parvo cannot infect humans, but once the treatment begins the four teens start to experience symptoms that make them doubt her initial belief. Along the way, they also stumble upon a murder mystery dating back to the Vietnam War era that quickly becomes linked to the mysterious science experiments that are being kept hidden on the islands. What starts as a science mystery thriller takes a sharp right turn into the realm of science fiction with genetically altered DNA and superhuman senses that may cause more savvy readers to scoff. However, the fast-paced thrills, cool science, and great characters will create a flood of fans waiting for the next installment.–Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO Gr 8 Up–Levi Katznelson’s older brother, Boaz, is home after three years as a Marine. He has been changed by the experience, which emerges bit by bit through his behaviors but not through his words. That’s because he rarely speaks. He is home, in his room, and doesn’t come out often. The radio is on static. He won’t ride in cars. He won’t see his ex-girlfriend. Levi can hear him screaming at night. The book isn’t just about a traumatized soldier; it’s about how everyone he knows and cares about is impacted by his changes. When Boaz finally leaves the house and tells the family that there’s something that he must do, Levi follows him, not knowing his destination. During the several days that the brothers walk, he tries to reconnect to the brother he loved and possibly to save him from his internal torment. Reinhardt creates fully realized characters with terrifically precise and perfect details and dialogue that brings each moment alive to engage readers’ senses. Reading this book is like having a deep conversation with a friend on a long walk. The characters don’t seem like characters but feel bigger and more complex, and they live on after readers have turned the page. Reinhardt examines what it means to be a hero, the consequences of war, and what it takes to try to regain one’s humanity. A powerful and timely portrait of young men trying to make sense of their lives–Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA RINALDI, Ann. The Last Full Measure. 218p. bibliog. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-547-38980-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-8–In the summer of 1863, Tacy Stryker and the other residents of Gettysburg prepare for the Confederate Army’s offensive. While her two oldest brothers and her father are serving in the Union Army, the 14-year-old and her mother have been left in the care of her 21-year-old brother. David resents the leg injury that caused the militia to reject him and takes out much of his bitterness on his younger sister. As the Rebels begin to occupy Gettysburg, Tacy’s friend Marvelous, daughter of free Negroes, whose family is one of at least 400 “darkies” living there, comes to stay with the Strykers. When a Confederate soldier threatens to sell Marvelous into slavery, only the kindness of the commanding officer prevents her from being taken. Pa comes home from the front soon after with news of the terrible battle and the bodies waiting to be buried. When he is too ill to return to the field hospital, David and Tacy go in his place to help with the identification and burial. What seemed to be a safe way of assisting turns deadly when the brother of one of the buried turns up to claim him and David will not allow the man to illegally dig up the corpse. Unlike Lisa Klein’s Two Girls of Gettysburg (Bloomsbury, 2008), which focuses more on the months leading up to the event, the attention here is on the battle and its aftermath. Despite stilted dialogue, Rinaldi’s extensive research brings a piece of history to life, and her fans will not be disappointed.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA ROY, Léna. Edges. 164p. Farrar. Dec. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-35052-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–After the death of his mother, Luke’s father returns to alcohol after a long sobriety and is fast losing control of his life. Frustrated with having to take care of Frank and dealing with his own grief, 17-year-old Luke flees New York for Moab, UT, where he and his parents took frequent trips. He finds a job at the Moonflower youth hostel and lives among the travelers and free spirits. Ava, a student at Barnard, is learning to come to terms with her own alcoholism in an AA program that Frank attends. She hasn’t spoken to her parents since they sold her childhood home in Ohio to buy the Moonflower. After Ava saves Frank’s life, the two of them, along with their friend Charlie, decide to go to Utah. The story is told in Luke’s and Ava’s alternating points of view and broken into sections spanning five days of their lives, starting on a Friday and ending roughly a week later. In that time, the teens search for a higher meaning in life in the red rock, spires, and canyons of the area and the tenets of the AA 12-step program. The serendipitous connection between Luke and Ava, apparent early on in the book, will require readers to stretch belief. The device produces mixed results as the convergence of the characters is rushed at the end of the book and the magical realism thread as explanation doesn’t satisfy. Nevertheless, the teen characters are well defined, particularly Ava, and the author deftly evokes a mystical Moab setting.–Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA RUDNICK, Elizabeth. Tweet Heart. 264p. Hyperion. 2010. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3528-9. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Reading a novel written entirely in emails, tweets, and instant messages might seem daunting at first, but it works here. The format isn’t new–Lauren Myracle did it in TTYL (Amulet, 2004), followed by its two sequels, but it is unique and it hasn’t entirely caught on...yet. The plot itself is far from groundbreaking–girl (Claire), completely oblivious to the fact that her best guy friend (Will) has a crush on her, tortures him with stories of her crush (JD). Unable to express his feelings, Will concocts an elaborate plan: he pretends to be JD and starts tweeting with Claire under a pseudonym. She totally falls for it until the plan backfires and Claire hates him for tricking her, until she realizes that she has feelings for him. Despite the predictability of the story, this is a solid debut for Rudnick, who seems tuned in to how teenagers behave and what they want. She manages to take a typical story, write it in an atypical manner, and then spin it in such a way that allows readers to overlook the sometimes-confusing format. Perhaps the originality of the style is enough to save this book from becoming another run-of-the-mill teen romance.–Robyn Zaneski, New York Public Library SALDAÑA, René, Jr. A Good Long Way. 112p. Pi ñ ata. 2010. pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-607-3. LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up–A coming-of-age novel set in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Beto López is a high school senior who thinks that family rules no longer apply to him. Roelito, an A student, wants to be like his “cool” older brother, yet Beto’s bad habits of staying out late, skipping class, and making poor grades concern him. After a late-night confrontation with their father, Beto runs away from home. His first thought is to turn to Jessy, his best friend, for help and guidance. She wants out of her deplorable home life, too, but also wants to go to college and knows that being alone in the world and without plans is never the answer. The story unfolds during a 24-hour period and is advanced through the thoughts and feelings of the three main characters. Jessy wisely concludes that unless you have inner peace, running will not make your situation better. This fast-paced novel will make readers think about their own lives and responsibilities.–Sharon Morrison, Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library, Durant, OK SCHRÖDER, Monika. Saraswati’s Way. 233p. glossary. CIP. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-374-36411-3. LC 2009037286. Gr 5-7–With his talent for math, 12-year-old Akash dreams of escaping his dreary existence by winning a school scholarship. He and his widowed father, Bapu, eke out a precarious existence with their extended family in rural Rajasthan, a drought-plagued region of India. After Bapu’s death, Akash is sent to a quarry to work off his family’s insurmountable debt. He runs away and ends up living in the New Dehli train station. He forages through trash heaps to find food, joins a group of homeless children, and moves from one perilous situation to the next. In one of the most harrowing episodes, he and a friend sell drugs for a dangerous drug lord. Akash’s story is involving, yet the fast-paced plot outpaces character development, and the hopeful ending arrives abruptly. In an author’s note, Schröder briefly describes the plight of street children in India; she also adds interest with references to Vedic math and Hindu gods. Despite its good intentions, Akash’s story remains too thinly sketched to be memorable.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA SEEGERT, Scott. How to Grow Up and Rule the World. illus. by John Martin. 200p. (Vordak the Incomprehensible Series). CIP. Egmont USA. 2010. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-013-9. LC 2010011475. Gr 4-8–Evil mastermind Vordak the Incomprehensible shares his “evilosity” with aspiring supervillains in this hilarious spoof on superheroes. His comical narration features over-the-top self-congratulation matched by supreme contempt for readers and everyone else. He applies that bravado with great comic effect, sharing evil insights on everything from “choosing the lair that’s right for you” to the four basic options for costume color: “dark black, black, light black, and dark dark dark dark gray.” Each section goes beyond obvious jokes to explore all possible angles of satire. The “Bringing Out the EVIL” chapter, for instance, includes evil laughter tips, evil manners, “three ways to make your little brother look like an idiot,” and a description of Santa Claus as an evil genius. Comical black-and-white cartoons on nearly every page extend the humor. Many, like the “lemon-based-beverage” stand, work as stand-alone jokes. Vordak’s distinctive voice, peppered with alliteration typical of the genre, remains fresh and funny throughout. Pop-culture references and varied elements of grossness are sprinkled in regularly, along with 15 “commandments of incomprehensibility” and repeated references to “diabolically clever yet slow-acting death traps,” which get funnier each time. So does the ironic fact that despite his egotistical rants, Vordak is actually a completely unsuccessful supervillain. The humor, subject matter, and visual appeal should make this a top choice for fans of Jeff Kinney’s “Wimpy Kid” (Abrams) and Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Underpants” (Scholastic) as well as any readers who enjoy superheroes without taking them too seriously.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR SLADE, Arthur. The Dark Deeps. Bk. 2. 310p. (The Hunchback Assignments). Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73785-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90695-1; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89740-5. LC number unavailable. Gr 7-10–Modo is back with more bizarre shape-shifting, daring espionage, and exciting steampunk adventures. Mr. Socrates’s agents have been following the exploits of a French spy named Colette Chiyoko Brunet when she disappears unexpectedly. Modo and his partner from the first book, Octavia, are ordered to pose as husband and wife in order to investigate something referred to in Colette’s documents as the Ictíneo, or “new fish.” They suspect that this may be a new kind of boat, or mechanical narwhal designed to sink ships. What they don’t realize is that someone very dangerous is also on its trail. Modo and Octavia’s journey will lead Modo to the depths of the ocean and straight into another conflict with the Clockwork Guild. Modo is an innocent character who is easily teased and is very honorable. His tentative affection for the streetwise and reckless Octavia is touching, but, like Modo, readers aren’t sure that she can be trusted with his greatest secret: the deformity of his real face. In this book, readers begin to see that there is more to the stoic Mr. Socrates than was originally revealed. The only problem with the characterization is that the “bad guys” are simply evil, with little nuance of character. On the surface, this is a simple Victorian adventure that will be accessible to lower-level readers. However, there are allusions and references to some of great classic authors that will allow this novel to be an exciting read for those who want to mine more from its depths.–Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO SMILEY, Jane. A Good Horse. illus. by Elaine Clayton. 256p. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86229-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96228-8; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89415-2. LC 2009051264. Gr 6-8–Eighth-grader Abby Lovitt loves caring for her family’s nine horses. Her favorites are Jack and Black George, though she runs the risk of losing both. Black George is an excellent jumper, and after he and Abby win first place in a contest, he is sold for a considerable profit. The family receives a series of letters from a private investigator indicating that Jack’s mother fits the description of a stolen horse, meaning that she might have been sold to them without the true owner’s permission. The illustrations of horse equipment add some depth to the story; however, the plot falls flat. The level of depth Smiley uses to describe some details, as when Abby and her friends play the “Adverbs” game, will not engage most readers, and the laborious descriptions of Abby’s riding experiences will only appeal to avid horse lovers. The side stories involving Abby’s brother moving out because of their strict, puritanical father is confusing and the story of Abby and her friends acting out Julius Caesar might leave readers a bit lost. Instead of adding detail, these elements make for a murky, anticlimactic plot.–Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ SMITH, Alexander Gordon. Solitary. Bk. 2. 225p. (Escape from Furnace Series). CIP. Farrar. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-374-32492-6. LC 2009030843. Gr 7-10–Alex Sawyer, 14, is in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. He tried to escape the horrors of the underground prison known as Furnace in Lockdown (Farrar, 2009), and now he must battle the nightmare that is solitary confinement. The cells open from the top through a sort of manhole cover, and they are more like coffins standing on end than cells. Alex must fight the monsters and mutants that are his captors and tormentors, including the dreaded wheezers that have gas masks sewn to what should be their faces and the vicious rat and doglike creatures that spoiled their escape attempt. Alex’s friend Donavan was thought to be dead, but as it turns out is part of the horrors going on in the infirmary. There are several disturbing episodes when Alex is alone with his thoughts in his cell, and his fatalism or depression leads him to contemplate suicide. The rest of this story is fast paced and packed with nail-biting scenarios, and the gross-out factor is high in many sections. Alex is coaxed into a leadership role by some of the creatures and his friend Zee, who occupies an adjoining cell, and through their attempt at another escape, discovers what is really happening to inmates in the infirmary. This is a dark story with a dark ending, but the gritty action and compelling characters will have reluctant readers enthralled.–Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO SOLOW, Jennifer. The Aristobrats. 208p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2010. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-4258-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-7–Parker Bell has everything going for her as she begins eighth grade at the Wallingford Academy: a great tan, an impeccable Facebook page, designer clothing, perfect make-up, and the attention of an equally stunning boy. She and her three friends have earned their position at the top of the populadder with their long list of rules set to ensure perfection and admiration. Their status is jeopardized when the headmistress assigns Parker and her friends the task of producing the school’s conservative webcasts, a job normally done by a group of nobodies. Spending hours in the basement production studio seriously cuts down on the four friends’ glamorous life. Frustrated, they decide to produce an unusual webcast and must deal with the consequences. Despite the concluding positive message, which is not to care so much about status or what others think of you, the book may leave readers feeling disappointed. They get little opportunity to see the protagonists change for the better, giving the story an ultimately shallow resonance.–Mindy Whipple, West Jordan Library, UT STAUFFACHER, Sue. Hide and Seek. Bk. 3. illus. by Priscilla Lamont. 143p. (Animal Rescue Team Series). CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85849-9; PLB $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95849-6; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89704-7. LC 2009040073. Gr 4-6–The Carters are a close-knit and compassionate bunch. They run an urban wildlife rescue, which sets the stage for humorous adventures that play out amid other funny family situations. In this book, Halloween is approaching, and a young deer’s curiosity has gotten the best of him, leaving him wandering through the neighborhood with a plastic pumpkin stuck on his head. Aiding the deer is central to the story, but it’s actually one of several equally strong plot threads, which might prove a tad overwhelming for some slower readers. Still, the happy chaos is part of the book’s appeal, and the characters are the biggest treat of all. From Grandma Alice, who decides to wear an emerald ring from her suitor on her toe, to little brother Razi, who dresses up as “Find-It Man” to locate a wayward family puppy, the cast is quirky, warm, and engaging. Stauffacher has done a neat job of making readers feel as though they have been invited in for a piece of Mrs. Carter’s ginger cake and an afternoon of laughs. Lamont’s light and lively cartoon art is the perfect complement to the storytelling. An entertaining, feel-good read.–Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR STRASSER, Todd. Blood on My Hands. 274p. CIP. Egmont USA. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-023-8; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-239-3. LC 2010023901. Gr 8 Up–Callie’s friend tells her that their mutual friend Katherine is missing from the party and suggests that Callie check behind the ball field. Callie arrives on the scene only to find Katherine’s body lying in a pool of blood. She leans down and picks up the knife, realizing that she is now covered in blood, too. Just then, all of the kids from the party pour onto the scene and begin snapping cell phone photos of Callie holding the knife, standing over the corpse. Her brother has had his own brush with the law and is currently in prison so Callie runs and masterfully employs amazing disguises and subterfuge to outwit local law enforcement. The balance of the novel is spent jumping back and forth in time as Callie uncovers the events and motives that could possibly reveal the real culprit. The jumps in sequence are at times confusing, and the end is a little unsatisfying. It relies on a thinly developed lesbian subplot to create character motive: weak at best. Nonetheless, author recognition, the teen love of mystery, and a stellar cover will no doubt make this a well-circulating title.–Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL Gr 6 Up–Fans of Stroud’s “Bartimaeus Trilogy” (Hyperion) will cheer the return of the sarcastic, chatty, and mischievous djinni in this prequel. Or perhaps this should be termed a pre-pre-prequel as the setting is an alternate version of biblical times during the reign of King Solomon, where magicians command djinni and Solomon rides herd over the known world due to his possession of an all-powerful ring that causes everyone to cower before him. The Queen of Sheba, aware that Solomon is preparing to disrupt her country’s frankincense trade due to her refusal of his multiple marriage proposals, sends her most trusted guard, Asmira, to kill Solomon and steal the ring. Meanwhile, Bartimaeus has been humiliated because of his misbehavior and forced to work for Solomon’s henchman, Khaba, on his new temple. After an amusing incident in which Bartimaeus is caught in the form of a hippo while illegally using magic to lay stones for Solomon’s temple, he is sent to hunt other creatures who are disrupting trade routes. He encounters Asmira, traveling to Jerusalem under an assumed identity to accomplish her mission. How Bartimaeus ends up as her servant, and what they discover about the truth of Solomon’s power, makes this a delightful and fascinating book, and it’s likely to bring new fans to the original series. Bartimaeus is a wonderful creation, with his constant storytelling digressions delivered in the form of footnotes. But the new character, Asmira, is equally well rendered, with her keen ability with daggers providing her with much-needed self-defense. Definitely a must-purchase for most libraries.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO TARSHIS, Lauren. I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916. illus. by Scott Dawson. 87p. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-20688-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-7–An absorbing story based on the shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916. Chet Roscoe, 10, moves in with his uncle while his father looks for work in California. He works in his uncle’s diner and meets some local boys with whom he becomes friends. A story hits the papers about a shark attack about 10 miles away and their little town dismisses it as a fake, but a local fisherman begs to differ. The boys play a series of pranks on one another, but when Chet comes face to face with the shark in the river, the friends refuse to believe him, until they see it themselves. Black-and-white illustrations that resemble old photographs enhance the events of the story. Tarshis incorporates information about the real attacks and fictionalizes it, then follows the story with facts about the attacks and sharks. This is a gripping story that will hold the interest of reluctant readers.–Delia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ TUBB, Kristin O’Donnell. Selling Hope. 215p. further reading. Websites. Feiwel & Friends. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-61122-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-8–Magician Nick McDaniels and his 13-year-old daughter have been on the vaudeville circuit ever since his wife died. Spending her time on trains and in grubby boardinghouses, Hope longs to settle down in Chicago, their hometown, and desperately wishes for a blue notice telling them that their magician act is no longer wanted, but how would they support themselves? She needs money to tide them over until her father finds another line of work. In May 1910, Earth is about to pass through the tail of Halley’s Comet, and people are panicked. With the help of Buster Keaton, a lanky boy also on the circuit, Hope hatches the idea of selling anti-comet pills to gullible “Coins,” who will do anything to save themselves. Tubb uses rich historical material well in this clever story whose time line is a 17-day countdown to the comet catastrophe. Not only are Keaton and his family part of the scene, but so are Bert Savoy, a comedian in drag; Benjamin Franklin Keith, an impresario; and the Cherry Sisters, a dull act regularly pelted with rotten fruit. Wisecracks, most of them vintage, are interspersed in a way that makes readers feel Hope is muttering them in response to what is happening. In this lively first-person tale, Hope isn’t always completely believable because the language and vocabulary of her internal thoughts are sometimes too adult for a girl her age, even one with a father who spouts Walt Whitman. Still it’s a good show with heroes, villains, and heart.–Barbara Scotto, Children’s Literature New England, Brookline, MA VANDE VELDE, Vivian. Cloaked in Red. 127p. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5793-0. LC 2009051753. Gr 7-9–Vande Velde adds to her collection of twisted fairy tales with these eight versions of “Little Red Riding Hood.” Following a tongue-in-cheek author’s note in which the author analyzes the premise and characterization in the traditional tale, she asserts that “‘Little Red Riding Hood’ is a strange and disturbing story that should probably not be shared with children.” Her new, often creepy personalities and situations are created around the classic narrative and dialogue patterns. One story brings in the woodcutter as a villainous kidnapper of little girls while another introduces Granny as a werewolf. Sarcasm and satire are also present in a couple of the stories with the Brothers Grimm featured as bumbling sons of the woodcutter while in another the red cloak itself is personified to foreshadow the appearance of a notorious red cape belonging to a certain superhero of the 20th century. Through it all, the Little Reds of Vande Velde’s imagination prevail and outsmart each new challenge. Bizarrely comedic, this slender anthology will leave older readers with some “ha-ha” moments when reflecting on the absurdity of each new scenario and conclusion. A possible segue into creative-writing workshops and assignments or just another fun read.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI WARMAN, Jessica. Where the Truth Lies. 308p. Walker. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2078-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 8-11–Although she suffers from nightmares about fire or water that make her feel as if she is going to die, Emily Meckler, 17, knows she’s lucky. Unlike her friends’ parents, Emily’s are happy, still married, and obviously love their daughter. They attend therapy sessions with her, and Dr. Miller continues to suggest that something in Emily’s childhood may be the cause of her night terrors. Emily’s father is the headmaster at Stonybrook Academy in Connecticut, and the family has lives on its grounds, which Emily loves. What more could she ask for? Then supersmart bad boy Del Sugar, an adoptee who had lived in numerous foster homes, arrives, and he brings rebellion and truth into Emily’s life, changing her forever. Emily’s story is compelling. Over the course of the novel she has her first romance, with Del, and she becomes pregnant. And she discovers that her parents have hidden the truth of her past from her. The plot builds slowly and, for the most part, realistically. The main characters are well developed, and Emily’s thought processes as she mourns the loss of her child are particularly insightful and touching. Secondary characters add depth to the story. This book will be popular with fans of Sarah Dessen and Lurlene McDaniel.–Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL WEBB, Sarah. Ask Amy Green: Boy Trouble. 272p. glossary. CIP. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5006-3. LC 2009049041. Gr 5-8–All teen girls should have an aunt like Clover Wildgust. Luckily for 13-year-old Amy, Clover belongs to her. The 17-year-old is working for a lifestyle magazine during her gap year before college. She writes the “agony aunt” advice column but is not satisfied with simply offering ideas to love-struck teens–she much prefers fixing problems herself, taking on cheating boyfriends and cruel girls in stunts that are creative as well as effective. Amy is kept quite busy helping Clover with the column, taking care of her baby brother and sister, and weathering the challenges of her blended family. Will it all prove to be too much when a boy from her art class starts to take an interest in her? This novel is set in Ireland, which gives it extra culture points as well as some unfamiliar vocabulary. Who knew that the whiny rich girls in Dublin are called D4s? Most of what’s unclear is explained in context and a glossary is appended. This lively novel compares well to Louise Rennison’s Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (HarperCollins, 2000), although it doesn’t have the same quirky “explain it to the Americans” narrative voice.–Kathleen Meulen Ellison, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island, WA WHITE, Kiersten. Paranormalcy. 352p. CIP. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-198584-3. LC 2010007027. Gr 7 Up–First in a trilogy, this clever, must-have debut focuses on sassy Evie, 16, who calls the International Paranormal Containment Agency home. Armed with her unique ability to see through all paranormal “glamours” and her trusty pink taser, Evie bags, tags, and helps IPCA track and contain a variety of familiar creatures. Despite her unconventional life (no origin story, mermaid best friend, werewolf colleagues, etc.), she considers herself to be pretty normal–until shape-shifting elemental and extremely cute Lend breaks into IPCA looking for answers and ironically becomes one of the agency’s latest puzzles. The more pressing concern: Who’s been murdering paranormals? Lend’s arrival; fae ex-boyfriend’s (literally) hot, increasingly threatening advances; unsettling dreams; and a well-planned attack on the agency force Evie to face surprising revelations about IPCA and herself. White’s storytelling successfully balances the fun and the sinister. There’s an interesting mix of magic and technology. The pace is brisk with plenty of action. White’s faeries (not vamps) are the beautiful and manipulative paranormals to watch out for, a refreshing change for some readers. Characterization is consistent, though Evie is the most fleshed out. A perfect blend of normal/supernatural, she simultaneously doubts her genetic makeup while yearning for and worrying about typical teenage concerns. Featuring a clever, kick-butt heroine channeling both Buffy and a PG Sookie, this book will likely fly off library shelves.–Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ WHITEHOUSE, Howard. Bogbrush the Barbarian. illus. by Bill Slavin. 184p. Kids Can. 2010. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-55337-701-6. LC C2010-900208-3. Gr 4-6–Bogbrush is a mighty warrior of the well-muscled but small-brained variety, so when he sets off on a quest, it’s no wonder that he gets into trouble. Luckily, he is rescued from a nasty card shark by smart and lovely Diphtheria (an aspiring alchemist) and a small thief named Sneaky, who throw in their lots with Bogbrush. After a journey filled with bandits, ape-men, and evil magicians, they arrive in the City of Scrofula, where Bogbrush expects to pull an axe out of a boulder and be proclaimed king. This adventure is relentlessly brimming with jokes, puns, and snarky asides; even the chapter numbers are silly (the author seemingly fails to grasp basic numerical concepts). The text is scattered with informational boxes explaining vocabulary and other points, always with a joke thrown in. While many of these witticisms fall short of funny, enough do stick to make this book worth considering. Many readers will happily snicker through it, until the puzzlingly abrupt ending. Small black-and-white illustrations reinforce the broad humor. Fans of Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon (Little, Brown, 2004) will enjoy this story as long as they are ready for fare that is a bit more sly, bloody, and exaggerated.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library WHITTENBERG, Allison. Tutored. 192p. Delacorte. Dec. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73869-9; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90742-2; pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89577-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 7-10–College-bound Wendy Anderson, 16, and GED-seeking Hakiam Powell, 17, both African Americans, meet at an inner-city Philadelphia community center where Wendy volunteers as a tutor. Living and going to school in an upscale white suburb, she has felt the sting of prejudice and challenges her condescending father’s attitude toward his past and his race. Hakiam has drifted from foster care in Cincinnati to his cousin’s apartment where he is stuck taking care of her baby. Despite the teens’ vastly different backgrounds and aspirations, a tentative romance begins. Wendy’s intelligence, personal goals, persistence, and genuine concern for the baby’s welfare ultimately motivate Hakiam to find a job, a safe home, and the willpower to study for his GED. Issues of prejudice, socioeconomic disparities, and family conflict are presented in this engaging story. Wendy’s biased father and Hakiam’s negligent cousin offer provocative profiles in parenting. Although the teens glide a bit too confidently in and out of each other’s homes and neighborhoods, readers will savor the saucy verbal sparring between them, the star-crossed contrast in their backgrounds, and the upbeat ending.–Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC WILLIAMS, Gabrielle. Beatle Meets Destiny. 342p. Websites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5723-7. LC 2009035536. Gr 8-11–Australian high school senior Beatle (real name: John Lennon. Really.) is superstitious enough to head home early on Friday the 13th. There’s a greater likelihood of a car accident on that night and he doesn’t want to push his luck by staying out late. Also waiting for the tram is Destiny (last name: McCartney. Really.). The pair decide that fate has brought them together and go for ice cream. The relationship blooms, or would, if not for Beatle’s trusting girlfriend, Cilla, who happens to be best friends with his twin sister. Destiny has her own problems, related to purloined art materials, her astrology column in the local paper, and a job listing answered out of boredom that quickly turns creepy. The main story–Beatle and Destiny’s budding relationship and Beatle’s own entanglements–is a sweet, if complicated and ill-timed, romance, but the thread of the narrative gets lost at times amid interviews with twins, including Beatle and his sister, for a documentary and the constantly shifting focus from Beatle to Destiny. Still, the disparate plot points come together in a reasonably satisfying conclusion. An additional purchase for teens looking for a light romance with a smattering of drama.–Brandy Danner, Wilmington Memorial Library, MA WINSTON, Sherri. President of the Whole Fifth Grade. 276p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-11432-5. LC 2010006366. Gr 4-5–Brianna Justice is good at setting goals and knows what she wants for her future: to become fifth-grade class president and eventually be rich and famous with her own cupcake business and cooking show. She’s sure the former is the path to the latter and has been planning her election strategy all summer. When unscrupulous newcomer Jasmine runs against her, the competition takes an ugly turn with both girls trying underhand tricks in order to win. The story begins to resemble a Mean Girls of elementary school as Brianna makes one bad decision after another, turning into a rather unlikable character and nearly losing her friends in the process. She learns from her mistakes, however, and is able to turn both her friendships and the election around. The story will resonate with preteens navigating the ups, downs, and drama that come with the territory of many young girls’ friendships.–Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA WOODING, Chris. Havoc. illus. by Dan Chernett. 396p. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16045-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-9–This much-anticipated sequel to the hybrid novel/comic Malice (Scholastic, 2009) jumps immediately into fast-paced action. Best friends Seth and Kady hadn’t put much stock in the urban legend claiming kids who perform a certain ritual will be spirited away into the comic-book world of Malice, a dangerous place controlled by the villainous Tall Jake. But now Kady is trapped there, and Seth is the only one who can come to her aid–if he can find a way to get there. Through multiple points of view, Seth and his friends take readers through heart-pounding twists and turns as the adventures alternate between the steampunk setting of Malice and our world, where Tall Jake seeks to extend his reign. Reluctant readers will be drawn in by the simple writing style interspersed with pages of comic-book-style illustrations that propel the story forward. Characterization is a little thin, but that won’t deter those who are hooked on the book’s relentless action, mild horror, and inventive world-building. A satisfying conclusion to a compelling read.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA WOODRUFF, Elvira. George Washington’s Spy. 230p. bibliog. glossary. Scholastic. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-10487-6. LC 2009032700. Gr 4-6–In this sequel to George Washington’s Socks (Scholastic, 1991), the members of the Adventure Club are again transported by rowboat back in time to the American Revolution where 10-year-old Matt and the other boys get caught up in a Patriot spy ring while his younger sister and her friends are rescued by a Loyalist family. The boys are immediately sympathetic to the Patriot cause and agree to help deliver a message concerning the Battle of Dorchester, which they also happen to be learning about in school at the beginning of the story. The girls, on the other hand, are horrified to be staying with “the enemy,” but who is right and who is wrong becomes more complex as the story unfolds. The kids witness the Patriots doing terrible things to the Loyalists and realize that the Torys have reasons for staying loyal to England. Woodruff does an excellent job of conveying the complexities of war, particularly one that pits family against family in a very real way. This is a great introduction to the Revolutionary period, brought to life with historical figures and conflicts through the eyes of today’s kids. It also effectively humanizes those who were loyal to England. Alternating between the two sides, the story is fast paced, exciting, and informative.–Kerry Roeder, The Brearley School, New York City WOOLSTON, Blythe. The Freak Observer. 202p. CIP. Carolrhoda Lab. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6212-8; ebook $9.53. ISBN 978-0-7613-6544-0. LC 2010000989. Gr 8 Up–Sixteen-year-old Loa Lindgren’s family is emotionally splintered and drifting following the death of her younger sister Asta, whose Rett syndrome necessitated constant care and kept the family on a rigid schedule. Plagued by PTSD and nightmares about death, Loa clings to household chores, watching over her younger brother, and her beloved physics to rebuild a sense of normalcy. With no real plot, the novel feels fragmentary, mirroring the protagonist’s feelings of disconnection. Incidents such as the death of her classmate in the opening pages, Loa’s extra-credit physics project on the phenomenon of the freak observer (Boltzmann brain paradox), and her failed relationship with her debate partner are explained in chunks of narrative scattered throughout the text, which may confuse some readers. However, the author has created a likable narrator in Loa. Readers will root for a happy ending, though probably not be surprised by the deliberately ambiguous one that nonetheless hints at a hopeful future. Teens will either love or loathe the book with no middle ground likely for such a unique, disturbing, creative story.–Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD YANCEY, Rick. The Curse of the Wendigo. Bk. 2. 423p. (Monstrumologist Series). S & S. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8450-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8973-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Will Henry, assistant to monstrumologist Pellinore Warthrop, finds a woman at his doorstep who seeks Warthrop’s help in recovering her missing husband. He vanished while in search of a mythical creature known as the Wendigo, a vampirelike monster whose hunger for human flesh is insatiable. Will Henry and Warthrop travel to Canada to find Jack Fiddler, a Native shaman who was the last person to see Chanler alive. While he puts forward a supernatural scenario for Chanler’s disappearance, Warthrop is convinced that there is a rational scientific explanation for everything, even when faced with seemingly incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. His stubborn commitment to the rational is challenged by his own mentor, Dr. von Helrung, who is about to propose that the Monstrumology Society accept mythological monsters as real. Refusing to accept what Chanler has become, Warthrop ends up endangering not only himself and Will but also the only woman he has ever loved. The style is reminiscent of older classic horror novels, such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, mixed with the storytelling sensibilities of Dickens. The ever-present, explicitly detailed, over-the-top, disgusting gore, however, is very much a product of modern times. The Curse of the Wendigo is certain to be popular with fans of The Monstrumologist (S & S, 2009), and the horror genre in general, but the disturbing, cynical tone makes the most appropriate audience for this book uncertain.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO YOVANOFF, Brenna. The Replacement. 343p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-337-2. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–In this grim debut novel, the Doyles hide the terrible secret that 16-year-old Mackie is a changeling who was swapped for their real son when he was a baby. In their town of Gentry, there is an unspoken acknowledgment that a child is stolen every seven years in an uneasy bargain for the town’s prosperity. Mackie’s struggles to go unnoticed are made more difficult by his severe allergies to iron and other metal, his inability to set foot on consecrated ground such as his minister father’s church, and his tendency to become severely ill around blood. Now he is dying. When a classmate’s baby sister is abducted and a Replacement left in her place, Mackie is reluctantly drawn into the age-old rift between the Morrigan and the Lady, sisters who lead the two changeling clans who live underneath Gentry. Mackie agrees to help the Morrigan maintain the unwitting townspeople’s goodwill in exchange for a drug he needs to survive. Meanwhile, he and his friends plot to rescue Tate’s stolen sister from the Lady. Yovanoff’s innovative plot draws on the changeling legends from Western European folklore. She does an excellent job of creating and sustaining a mood of fear, hopelessness, and misery throughout the novel, something that is lightened only occasionally by Mackie’s dry humor and the easy charm of his friend Roswell. The novel ends with a glimmer of hope, though the grisly and disturbing images throughout may overshadow the more positive ending. Still, teens who enjoy horror and dark fantasy novels will no doubt flock to the shelves for Mackie’s story.–Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD ZINDEL, Lizabeth. A Girl, A Ghost, and the Hollywood Hills. 306p. CIP. Viking. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01159-9. LC 2009049291. Gr 8 Up–Holly comes home from boarding school knowing that her dad is now dating her aunt. Her deceased mom, who had inherited Goldmeyer Productions from her father, didn’t get along with her sister, and Holly dislikes and distrusts the woman. When her mother’s ghost appears, telling Holly that she was murdered by Aunt Claudia, the teen becomes consumed with planning her revenge. In the midst of all of this, Holly meets and falls for Ollie, a cute marine biology student at UCLA, and has a lot of escapades with her best friend, Felicia. This Hamlet-like story will appeal to avid and reluctant readers alike. With a Hollywood setting complete with shopping on Rodeo Drive, posh parties, and Porsches, the book reads like an episode of 90210. Holly is a strong character faced with tough decisions on how to handle this new family dynamic and a strange stepmom-to-be, along with juggling a newfound relationship with a guy she’s crazy about. While the arrival of Holly’s cousins is a bit silly and contrived, it is the catalyst for the re-enactment movie that brings everything to a head. Overall, this is a fun read that will appeal to fans of ghost stories as well as those who love a good problem or romance novel.–Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN ABRAMSON, Andra Serlin, Jason Brougham, & Carl Mehling. Inside Dinosaurs. illus. by Jason Brougham. illus. map. photos. Websites. ISBN 978-1-4027-7074-6; ISBN 978-1-4027-7778-3. LC number unavailable. BRUHN, Aron. Inside Human Body. illus. by Joel Ito & Kathleen Kemly. CIP. ISBN 978-1-4027-7091-3; ISBN 978-1-4027-7779-0. LC 2010002503. ea vol: (Inside Series). 49p. index. diags. bibliog. further reading. glossary. Sterling. 2010. Tr $16.95; pap. $9.95. Gr 4-6–The illustrations in these cool series titles are enhanced by 10 large gatefolds that allow kids to dig deeper into the topics and enjoy amazing illustrations. Each title clearly defines fact and theory, leaving puzzles for the next generation of scientists to solve. Dinosaurs is sure to fascinate future paleontologists as well as children who just like dinosaurs with plenty of riveting details and awesome art by the anatomical illustrator of the American Museum of Natural History. Human Body touches on each of the body systems and provides a highly detailed look at a human cell. This would not be the book to pick up to learn more about reproduction. While the reproductive organs are clearly identified and an illustration of a baby growing in the womb is included, there is no discussion of how the sperm and egg meet. The simplistic illustrations and lack of punch make this title less successful than the others. Hurricanes has eye-catching photographs, clear information, and heart-stopping first-person narratives. Tornadoes provides an exceptional description of the conditions required to form a tornado and includes a foldout of a spectacular photo gallery. With the one exception noted above, these books are entertaining enough to draw in reluctant readers and packed with enough information to attract kids who are familiar with the topics.–Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN ANDERSON, Stuart. Immigration. 229p. (Greenwood Guides to Business and Economics Series). charts. diags. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. Tr $55. ISBN 978-0-313-38028-0. LC 2010007888. Gr 9 Up–This title uses research and economic theory to explain the current situation in the U.S. as well as to posit possible solutions. After a brief overview of the history of immigration in the country, the topics of both legal and illegal immigration are covered in separate in-depth chapters. The special cases of high-skilled immigrants and refugees and asylees are dealt with in their own chapters. The debate over immigration, the challenges of assimilation, and contributions that immigrants have made to the American economy help complete a well-rounded overview of the subject. The conclusion’s unique question-and-answer format allows readers to find quick answers to controversial topics. The weakness of this format is that the issue, having been dealt with earlier in the text, does not always give the impression of being unbiased (even though it is) because the research behind the argument was presented elsewhere in the book. A reference to the section where the topic is dealt with in more depth would have been a particularly helpful addition to the conclusion. A useful and timely addition.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH ANDREWS, David. Business Without Borders: Globalization. map. chron. ISBN 978-1-4329-3933-5. LC 2010004097. HEALEY, Aaron. Making the Trade: Stocks, Bonds, and Other Investments. ISBN 978-1-4329-3931-1. LC 2010004094. HOLLANDER, Barbara Gottfried. Booms, Bubbles, and Busts: The Economic Cycle. chron. ISBN 978-1-4329-3932-8. LC 2010004095. –––– . Money Matters: An Introduction to Economics. map. chron. ISBN 978-1-4329-3929-8. LC 2010003996. ea vol: 56p. (The Global Marketplace Series). chart. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Heinemann Library. 2010. PLB $33.50. Gr 6-9–These titles cover a wealth of material in concise paragraphs with pertinent subheadings. They work well as broad but limited introductions to the subject of economic globalization. There are some accessible examples to aid in grasping such concepts as supply and demand, loans and interest, and monopolies. These include setting up a cookie business, the cost of blue jeans, and a great sidebar with Bill Gates front and center. Business Without Borders has the most clearly written, accessible content. It touches on currency, global trade, and purchasing power, and stresses that globalization is “a process that is still ongoing today.” Making the Trade reinforces the concept of balancing stock investments with an umbrella-versus-suntan-lotion example that has the great subtext of suggesting stock investment can be as risky as the weather. Hollander’s books are somewhat repetitive on such topics as supply and demand, inflation, and hyperinflation, and they are not as clearly written for the age group. They need further classroom explanation and discussion to understand some of these financial concepts. However, Booms includes an informative time line from 2001 to 2009. All of the texts “keep it real” by touching on economic cycles, with an emphasis on our current recession, implying that we are coming out of it at the time of publication and include excellent photos, charts, maps, and tables that help with the understanding of some sophisticated concepts.–Meredith Toumayan, The Governor’s Academy, Byfield, MA Gr 7-10–Comparing the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 to the 9/11 attacks, Bausum describes the events that would eventually lead the U.S. into the European conflict that ultimately became World War I. She then turns her attention to describing the destruction of civil liberties by President Wilson, Congress, and those in control of political power during the country’s campaign to “make the world safe for democracy.” Freedom of speech was especially limited by the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. Various government agencies and the courts encouraged citizens to spy on one another. Socialists such as Eugene Debs were tried, convicted, and given long prison sentences for speaking out against the war. Specific attention is also paid to the efforts of Edith Wilson and the president’s cabinet to deceive the public and hide his debilitating illness. Black-and-white archival photos and political cartoons are arranged in an artistic manner with informative captions. Red and blue backgrounds create a dramatic effect in the layout of the text. Appropriate quotations by various people of the time are displayed in elegant fonts. Make this unique and timely offering a definite first purchase.–Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS BAXTER, Roberta. The Northern Home Front of the Civil War. ISBN 978-1-4329-3911-3. LC 2009050015. –––– . The Southern Home Front of the Civil War. chart. ISBN 978-1-4329-3912-0. LC 2009050065. FAY, Gail. Battles of the Civil War. diags. ISBN 978-1-4329-3910-6. LC 2009050008. MCMANUS, Lori. Key People of the Civil War. ISBN 978-1-4329-3913-7. LC 2009050040. ROCHE, Tim. Soldiers of the Civil War. ISBN 978-1-4329-3914-4. LC 2009050064. ea vol: 48p. (Why We Fought: The Civil War Series). maps. discography. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Heinemann Library. 2010. PLB $32. Gr 4-6–The strength of these titles is that they explain the two main causes of the Civil War, i.e., slavery and states’ rights. Each chapter poses a question and then answers it. Sepia and black-and-white photos, reproductions, a few color paintings, and simple maps appear in all of the volumes. Photo selection is good, but the captions, printed on a blue-gray background, are hard to read and repeated in the texts. The various titles are so closely related that some images appear in more than one book and snippets of text are used verbatim. Battles correctly states that Texas seceded from the Union, but the accompanying color-coded map does not reflect this fact. Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or imprecise. In Northern Home Front, Baxter states that “more than 2.5 million acres of land was homesteaded.” She also states that “Letters galloped across the country with the Pony Express.” In Southern Home Front, the Hunley is said to have “snuck” across Charleston Harbor. By and large, these titles are factually accurate, but such small, but pervasive flaws diminish their value, making them secondary purchases. This entire set could have been incorporated into one volume. Jennifer Johnson’s Gettysburg; The Bloodiest Battle of The Civil War (Scholastic, 2009) is a better choice.–Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS BECCALONI, George. Biggest Bugs Life-Size. 84p. illus. maps. photos. bibliog. index. CIP. Firefly. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55407-699-4. LC C2010-900133-8. Gr 5-8–From the world’s longest insect, the 14-inch-long Chan’s megastick (requiring a foldout page to display its extended slimness) to the 7 1/4-inch wingspan of a giant helicopter damselfly, this compendium is a veritable Guiness Book of Buggy Bigness. The critters skitter across facing pages, complete with global distribution maps and quick lines of data (length, wingspan, etc.), and locations. Color photos of spindly legs, slender antennas, camouflaged bodies, and decorative wings abound. While this is a book about “big,” the text is serious about the subject. Beccaloni treats it scientifically, avoiding any sensationalism that casual browsers may be seeking. His careful introduction explains the inclusion of creatures that aren’t truly bugs, such as the giant vinegaroon and the Goliath bird-eating spider. Several pages of further information, a list of (adult) references, and an index are appended. A solid resource for lovers of the creepy-crawlies.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY BOBRICK, Benson. The Battle of Nashville. 132p. maps. photos. reprods. appendix. further reading. index. notes. CIP. Knopf. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84887-2; PLB $22.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94887-9. LC 2009054072. Gr 5-8–Background, strategies, and key individuals involved in the 1864 battle of Nashville come to life in this engaging piece of history. Starting on the eve of the fighting, the narrative then shifts back to examine the complex series of events leading to that moment, outlining the causes of the Civil War, key developments, and major figures. When the battle description finally begins, readers have a full understanding of the issues and conflicts that impacted the results so strongly. The history is fascinating, though occasionally oversimplified: it’s implied, for example, that the Underground Railroad formed in response to the Dred Scott decision. Compelling personalities such as Lincoln, Grant, and especially General George H. Thomas are effectively developed throughout the historical account. The conflict between Grant and Thomas over when to attack is riveting, as Thomas’s confidence and patience prove ultimately successful. Battle scenes are vivid, capturing the chaos and emotion involved, and military strategies, such as the innovative use of cavalry, are explained clearly. Plentiful illustrations from the period, including many portraits and several dramatic two-page paintings, help bring the period to life. Sources for all quotations are provided, though occasional assumptions are made about emotions and motivations. The author’s admiration for Thomas shines throughout, concluding with the postscript assertion that he “was the greatest patriot-soldier America had ever produced.” This informative title fills in a subject gap, since most Civil War books for youth provide only cursory mention of Thomas and Nashville.–Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR BOJANG, Ali Brownlie. South Africa in Our World. charts. ISBN 978-1-59920-444-4. LC 2009043163. –––– . Sudan in Our World. ISBN 978-1-59920-434-5. LC 2009052421. ea vol: 32p. (Countries in Our World Series). maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Smart Apple Media. 2010. Tr $28.50. Gr 5-8–South Africa contains relevant information presented in a visually appealing layout. Large, colorful photographs inform readers about the past, present, and future of the country. Text boxes called “It’s a Fact!” and “Going Global” impart pertinent facts such as statistics regarding the effects of the AIDS epidemic on the country and its youth. Famous South Africans are also highlighted, but students might find one of the entries confusing. It introduces Oscar Pistorius, a double-amputee runner who holds world records in many Paralympics events, but the photograph on the same page is of rugby star Bryan Habana. The issues South Africa has faced are not sugarcoated, and the book gives an honest view of apartheid, poverty, and government conflicts. At the same time, it is hopeful about recent changes, such as the hosting of the World Cup and the growing economy. Sudan follows the same layout while presenting a bleaker, yet still hopeful glimpse into the largest country in Africa and one of the poorest. Issues such as Civil War, fighting in Darfur, the government, and millions of displaced refugees continue to cripple the country and impede its advancement. While Sudan is rich in resources, its future remains uncertain. Both titles will appeal to children interested in learning more about Africa and those needing factual information for reports. They’re similar in scope and format to “The Changing Face of...” series (Raintree). –Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA BORGENICHT, David, Nathaniel Marunas, & Robin Epstein. The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Gross Junior Edition. illus. by Chuck Gonzales. 128p. appendix. Chronicle. 2010. pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7570-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-7–Not for the squeamish, this book advises readers on topics normally avoided in polite conversation, such as “How to Handle Nighttime Boogers” and “How to Survive Lice.” In the section covering bodily functions, a tongue-in-cheek chart of terms such as “Spew,” “Gack,” and “Gargle Gravy” are identified as “Barfonyms,” and are followed by factual tips on avoiding motion sickness. While a “Field Guide to Flatulence” distinguishes a “Butt Trumpet” from “The SBD,” a useful list of offending food choices is offered as “toot management.” Messages on good hygiene are paramount, but are presented in kidspeak, accompanied by cartoon illustrations that show the proper way to lift a toilet seat or where to direct a sneeze. A chapter for young pet owners helps readers to know the correct way to pick up dog poop or manage one’s cat’s hairballs. Chapters on school and outdoors cover problems such as handling bloody noses, getting pinkeye, or recognizing a tick bite. This title has plenty of boy appeal, though girls are featured in the illustrations and both may enjoy the appendix of recipes for fake blood and more. Adults will forgive the irreverent humor and terminology on the off chance that messages on sanitary practices and good hygiene are being absorbed.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY BURLINGAME, Jeff. John Lennon: “Imagine.” 160p. (American Rebels Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. discography. Websites. CIP. Enslow. 2010. PLB $34.60. ISBN 978-0-7660-3675-8. LC 2009040045. Gr 6 Up–It may seem like a stretch to include Lennon in a series called “American Rebels,” but he was a permanent resident of the United States from 1976 until his death in 1980. This attractive biography includes sidebars, wide margins, large type, and many photographs throughout. Burlingame maintains readers’ interest by writing in a style that is similar to People magazine. Jacqueline Edmondson’s John Lennon: A Biography (Greenwood, 2010) reads like an annotated chronology of his life, often described month by month, but rarely illuminates the man’s personality or his music. Imagine highlights Lennon’s inherited musical talent, creative skills at writing lyrics, and his early place in the musical scene in his hometown, Liverpool. Even though he was drawn into the drug scene and had marital problems, these issues take a backseat to contributions by individuals such as Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, who early on recognized their talent and set up concerts in England, Germany, and the United States. Readers learn of the screaming female fans, the band reaching the Top Ten record charts, and recognition that they were the most famous performers in the world. The worldwide reaction to Lennon’s murder attests to the love and enduring appreciation for his music.–Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY BURNIE, David. How Animals Work: Why and How Animals Do the Things They Do. 192p. diags. photos. index. DK. 2010. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-5897-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-8–This oversize collection of amazing photographs and descriptive captions will give browsers plenty to pore over. Eight general sections covering animal forms, movements, diets, families, and more are divided into seven or eight spreads loaded with examples and details. “Senses,” for instance, includes spreads on “Eyesight,” “Hearing,” “Seeing with sound,” “Taste and smell,” “Touch and motion,” and “Special senses.” Each spread includes an introductory paragraph, a large central photo, and a smattering of smaller photos and diagrams that provide examples of the variety within the topic. The ninth and final section begins with evolution and then presents 10 major animal groups. This section, much like a visual catalog, subdivides the groups according to a common characteristic; e.g., insects are grouped as “Partial transformers” and “transformers.” Dynamic photographs show birds in flight, slugs on a slime trail (shown from below), and lizards in mid-leap. Occasional double-page photos add variety and impact. Readers will spend hours drifting from one fascinating image to the next.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI CARSON, Mary Kay. Far-Out Guide to Asteroids and Comets. map. ISBN 978-0-7660-3188-3; ISBN 978-1-59845-191-7. LC 2009006484. –––– . Far-Out Guide to Earth. maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-3182-1; ISBN 978-1-59845-183-2. LC 2008049781. –––– . Far-Out Guide to Jupiter. ISBN 978-0-7660-3184-5; ISBN 978-1-59845-186-3. LC 2008050036. –––– . Far-Out Guide to the Icy Dwarf Planets. ISBN 978-0-7660-3187-6; ISBN 978-1-59845-190-0. LC 2009037810. ea vol: 48p. (Far-Out Guide to the Solar System Series). diags. illus. photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Enslow Elementary. 2010. PLB $23.93; pap. $7.95. Gr 4-6–Lively writing with specific facts systematically presented and plenty of dramatic space art and photography add up to a winning formula for these introductions to our planet and its solar neighborhood. Highlighting the satellites and space probes that have played such central roles in our exploration of the solar system, Carson offers a thrillingly alarmist view in Asteroids and Comets of the (relatively) small rocks and comets that hurtle through local space to, on occasion, collide spectacularly with Earth or other planets. In the second title, she explains how the Landsats and other satellites have led us to a better understanding of the inner and outer characteristics of Earth. The author then surveys our rapidly expanding knowledge of Jupiter and its teeming system of moons and describes our tentative first steps toward closer looks at the enigmatic Pluto and three other Pluto-like icy dwarfs beyond. Aside from misleadingly dense representations of the asteroid belt and of near-Earth objects in Asteroids, the illustrations are above average–a cogent and well-placed mix of astro-photos, processed images, speculative paintings, and portraits of space gear and scientists at work. Numerous sidebars, spreads of summary “Fast Facts” in each volume, and select lists of multimedia resources expand and support presentations that will appeal equally to casual readers and researchers.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library DRAKE, Jane & Ann Love. Yes You Can!: Your Guide to Becoming an Activist. unpaged. chron. index. CIP. Tundra. 2010. pap. $17.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-942-9. LC 2009938089. Gr 7 Up–Young people who want to effect change are guided by a sequence of nine steps and inspirational examples of grassroots activism. Step one, “I’m fed up,” describes the story of Peter Benenson, an Englishman whose outrage at hearing Portuguese college students had been jailed for drinking a toast to liberty in public ultimately led to the formation of Amnesty International. The story is followed by checklists that ask readers to choose behaviors to help define their own ethical self-portrait. Other steps cover summarizing a problem, finding support, being heard, setting goals, and overcoming obstacles. Each step, or chapter, includes a story, strategies, skills, and a time line of milestones and setbacks. Well-known historical activism, such as Rosa Parks’s defiance of the segregation laws and Mohandas Gandhi’s demonstrations of nonviolent civil disobedience alternate with anecdotes of smaller-scale activism, such as a teen who helped identify a phosphate problem in her hometown lake. The style is conversational and the tone offers realistic encouragement to teens looking to solve problems. Teachers will approve of the focus on the importance of developing writing and speaking skills, being mindful of one’s online reputation, and learning how to evaluate project efforts. This title will primarily serve as a how-to, although the time lines, an accessible index, and factual information about anti-smoking campaigns, recycling, and children’s rights make it a useful historical perspective of activism.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY EAMER, Claire. Lizards in the Sky: Animals Where You Least Expect Them. 98p. illus. photos. appendix. bibliog. further reading. index. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2010. PLB $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-265-2; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-264-5. LC C2010-901326-3. Gr 3-6–Eamer looks at animals living unexpected lives in unanticipated habitats. Birds and spiders underwater, snakes far out in the open ocean, fish on land, burrowing owls, and shrimp in the desert are just a few of the creatures introduced. The physiological adaptations they have made to survive are described; e.g., the gliding Draco lizard of the southeast Asian forests has thin membranes of skin on five to seven extra-long ribs that it opens and spreads to glide between trees when hunting tree ants or escaping predators. Text boxes with factual tidbits add to the narrative. The drawings and photographs on every page are in full color, but their jauntiness borders on overkill. Nevertheless, the content outweighs this design flaw. Overall, an enjoyable and fascinating title.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA EDMONDSON, Jacqueline. John Lennon: A Biography. 198p. (Greenwood Biographies Series). photos. appendix. bibliog. chron. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. Tr $35. ISBN 978-0-313-37938-3. LC 2010015232. Gr 9 Up–Since Lennon’s murder in l980, many books and magazine articles have attempted to portray this complicated man. Edmondson’s biography makes a valiant effort to be objective. The book reads like an annotated chronology of his life, often described month by month. Each chapter is followed by footnotes that draw heavily on two adult titles, Ray Coleman’s Lennon: the Definitive Biography (1992) and Philip Norman’s John Lennon: The Life (2008, both HarperCollins). Lennon was truly a man of many contradictions. He is known for his support of peace movements and yet he had turbulent relationships with his family and fellow Beatles. His volatile marriage with Yoko Ono, his business dealings, and his struggles with drugs and alcohol are covered in minute detail. The book points out that he was a creative person who experimented with overdubbing, sound effects, and technical tools. A few photos are scattered throughout. A brilliant chapter on the challenges of writing biographies is well worth reading before starting the book itself since it poses several questions about the personal and private lives of people and muses about whether it is necessary to understand an individual in order to appreciate his contributions. However, in terms of teen appeal, Elizabeth Partridge’s book (Viking, 2005) has a better narrative flow and is more accessible.??Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY ESTY, Amos. The Liberator: The Story of William Lloyd Garrison. 144p. (Civil Rights Leaders Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. Websites. CIP. Morgan Reynolds. 2010. PLB $28.95. ISBN 978-1-59935-137-1. LC 2009054290. Gr 7-10–This informative biography deftly describes the man and the times in which he lived. Born in Massachusetts in 1805, Garrison overcame childhood poverty to find work in the newspaper business as a writer and editor. A staunch Federalist, he used his newspaper to promote his political beliefs and, after hearing Benjamin Lundy speak in 1828, devoted his life to the abolition of slavery. Garrison disagreed with Lundy’s view of gradual emancipation and colonization and established The Liberator in 1831 to publish his views. He angered many people and his life was often threatened, but he remained committed to the cause. Esty places Garrison in context of the Mexican War, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott decision, and the beginnings of the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. The author notes that Garrison’s grandson, Oswald Garrison Villard, became one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Illustrated with full-color photographs and reproductions, the book contains extensive documentation and back matter.–Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges FORDYCE, Deborah. Afghanistan. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60870-149-0. LC 2010000311. KWEK, Karen & Jameel Haque. Pakistan. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60870-158-2. LC 2010000355. MALHOTRA, Sonali. Iraq. ISBN 978-1-60870-155-1. LC 2010006405. ea vol: 48p. (Welcome to My Country Series). maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. discography. Websites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. PLB $19.95. Gr 3-6–Beautifully illustrated revisions (Gareth Stevens). The history and government sections have been updated, but other coverage has undergone only minor changes. The books introduce the countries’ cultures, history, sports, religions, and foods. Other than a brief mention in the history section, there is no attempt to cover the complex military operations that have impacted this area within the past decade. While this may seem a glaring omission, it is refreshing to read material about these countries that doesn’t have a military focus. The writing is clear, except that a misleading statement in Iraq implies that Saddam Hussein led that country from 1968 to 2003, while he was leader from 1979 to 2003. The further-reading lists are current, and the websites, with the exception of one in Iraq, are kid-friendly. Maps are accurate, but appear at the end of the books instead of in the geography sections where they would be more easily referenced. These titles will work well for reports and will also be enjoyed by browsers.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI GAGNE, Tammy. Ways to Help Chronically Ill Children. ISBN 978-1-58415-919-3. LC 2010006535. GIBSON, Karen Bush. Ways to Help Children with Disabilities. ISBN 978-1-58415-916-2. LC 2010006537. ORR, Tamra. Ways to Help the Elderly. ISBN 978-1-58415-915-5. LC 2010006539. SAUL, Laya. Ways to Help After a Natural Disaster. ISBN 978-1-58415-917-9. LC 2010006538. ea vol: 48p. (How to Help: A Guide to Giving Back Series). photos. further reading. index. Websites. CIP. Mitchell Lane. 2010. PLB $21.50. Gr 5-8–While these titles are visually geared toward upper elementary or early middle school students, the readability level varies from fifth to tenth grade. The strong graphics and numerous pictures support struggling readers, but these students would need assistance with comprehension. The books are thoughtfully written, addressing concrete ideas of how to help without intruding and discussing sensitive issues such as how to use People-first language. Elderly is particularly strong as it is full of creative ideas for getting to know individuals in the older generation. All of the books highlight children who have volunteered in their own communities, drawing readers in with their stories. Photographs of children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds are sprinkled liberally throughout the texts. As schools move toward requiring service hours, these books would offer useful points of discussion.–Wendy Smith-D’Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD GERDES, Louise E., ed. 9/11. 227p. (Perspectives on Modern World History Series). charts. maps. photos. chron. further reading. index. Websites. CIP. Gale/Greenhaven. 2010. PLB $39.70. ISBN 978-0-7377-4793-5. LC 2010000264. Gr 8 Up–This comprehensive book includes articles about the evolution of the attacks and their aftermath, the emotional changes in New York City, the response of the international community post-9/11, and the experiences of American Muslims. The texts of a speech by former President George W. Bush and a document including one 9/11 terrorist’s instructions for future terrorists are also included. Articles address civil liberties, conspiracy theories, and environmental and health threats in an intelligent, well-researched, and evenhanded manner. Their high quality is consistent as they come from sources like the New York Times and the Washington Post. One might question why a book like this is needed if the articles are available online. This one is worthwhile because of its thoroughness and organization. The table of contents includes paragraph-long summaries of each chapter, which will be useful for students who are scanning the list, searching for a research angle. Excellent color photography on the cover and inside the book is emotional, but not sensational. Many of the pictures are not stock images of 9/11. For a small library, this book would be fine as the only 9/11 text.–Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College Queens, Long Island City, NY GRAYSON, Robert. Military. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60870-164-3. LC 2010007007. MARTIN, Claudia. Farming. ISBN 978-1-60870-162-9. LC 2010006895. –––– . Helpers. ISBN 978-1-60870-163-6. LC 2010006404. MEZZANOTTE, Jim. Police. ISBN 978-1-60870-166-7. LC 2010007006. ea vol: 64p. (Working Animals Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2010. PLB $19.95. Gr 4-7–Attractively designed and packed with information, these titles introduce readers to the highly trained and useful animals that serve humanity. From a rat on bomb patrol for the military, a farm dog guarding sheep, and police rescue bloodhounds to the miniature therapy horses in nursing homes, these volumes speak to the history and current uses of animals in the workforce, as well as the human needs that precipitate them. Extremely current, Helpers shows Paula Abdul walking beside 2010 American Idol participant Scott MacIntyre and his guide dog. The composition of each page is attractively set up with well-selected and -reproduced stock and historical photos. Qualifications, training, vocabulary, enhanced with true stories and directions into how readers can develop a career in fields associated with animals, are addressed.–Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA HARRISON, David L. Mammoth Bones and Broken Stones: The Mystery of North America’s First People. illus. by Richard Hilliard. 48p. maps. photos. bibliog. glossary. index. CIP. Boyds Mills. 2010. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-561-4. LC 2009020247. Gr 5-7–Harrison’s clear text investigates a long-standing question: “Who came first?” in the prehistory of the Americas. Did people cross on the Beringia land bridge on foot? Did they paddle or sail their way along the Siberia/Beringia coastline to Alaska and points south? And when did they arrive? Harrison begins with the Clovis people, whose beautifully fluted flint points set an artistic standard in the prehistoric Americas (and who were the first to be brought to the attention of the modern world), and goes on to record the efforts and finds of scientists searching for the cultures that preceded them. Photographs of digs, artifacts, and scientists at work and maps and realistic illustrations offer visual enrichment to the text, and a glossary will assist novices to the subject. Harrison concludes with up-to-date archaeological information and photos of recent digs, but admits that the precise answer to “first?” is yet to be found. Similar in reading level to Patricia Lauber’s handsome Who Came First?: New Clues to Prehistoric Americans (National Geographic, 2003), this intriguing addition is a solid find.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY JACOBS, Lynn F. & Jeremy S. Hyman. The Secrets of College Success. 198p. (Professors’ Guide Series). index. Websites. Jossey-Bass. 2010. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-0-470-87466-0. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–Full of practical and easy-to-implement tips, this handbook is written in brief segments, perfect for the short attention span of the YouTube generation. While covering the basics found in other “how to be successful in college”-type books (study skills, time management, test-taking tips), this one also has sections on other issues that students will likely face: how to get into a closed class, studying abroad, working with a professor, and getting one’s money’s worth. Topics are approached with humor, but there is a serious undertone throughout: college is expensive, so their philosophy in a nutshell is to do the work, make the grades, and graduate. This book deserves a place in high school libraries across the country. Many students are college-bound with no real idea what to expect once they enter the realm of higher education. Secrets would be a great tool to incorporate into an adviser/advisee program for students on a college track. Learning to implement some of the tips will make them more successful in college, and they will likely reap benefits during their high school tenure as well.–Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN JAMES, Kelle. Smile for the Camera. 397p. S & S. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0623-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0625-4. LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up–In 1978, James left her Maryland farm and abusive father to become a model in New York City. She lived at the Barbizon Hotel for Women for a few days and then was basically homeless. She and her scrappy, similarly aspiring friends squat in various unpleasant and unsafe places. She was hit on by all manner of disgusting men. James’s writing is understated, even simplistic. She tells the story of her younger self as if she weren’t very bright. The narrative flashes back to her childhood abuse so awkwardly there should be flashback theme music and a dissolving screen. James’s depiction of the underbelly and excesses of pre-Guiliani New York is fascinating–she even saw children in cages at Studio 54. Unfortunately, that’s the highpoint of the whole story. The action never engages. Life moved along slowly. Sure, things got worse then marginally better for the struggling model. And sure she had an abusive father. Both seem strangely diffuse, though–as if James holds the pain at arm’s length. Lead interested girls to Jeannette Walls’s excruciating and beautiful Glass Castle (Scribner, 2005) instead.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library JORDAN-FENTON, Christy & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Fatty Legs. illus. by Liz Amini-Holmes. 106p. map. photos. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2010. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-247-8; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-246-1. LC C2010-901180-5. Gr 4-8–This is a powerful and moving autobiographical account, set in the 1940s, of one headstrong girl from an Inuvialuit community in the Arctic Circle. Margaret desperately wished to attend one of the church-run schools that had been established in a town that was accessible only in the summer months. Her desire to learn the magic of reading was greater than her fear of the unknown or leaving her family and familiar way of life, and so her parents reluctantly agreed to allow her to attend for a year, which unexpectedly turned into two. At the school she was stripped of her Native identity and forced to conform in thought and comportment to the ways of the nuns and priests that ran the school. Hard labor in the gardens, laundry, cleaning, and helping in the local hospital all took their toll, but young Margaret was stubborn and clever, managing to find ways to stay strong and true to herself. Dark, expressive original paintings are dotted throughout the story and complement the serious tone of the narrative. The book closes with 15 pages of photographs from Pokiak-Fenton’s scrapbook. Readers are also granted a glimpse into the way of life of the Inuvialuit, a culture with close ties to the land and rich in tradition. Youngsters will identify with Margaret’s struggles and cheer her successes. An excellent addition to any biography collection, the book is fascinating and unique, and yet universal in its message.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA Gr 7 Up–Not just another book about the environment, this volume is organized around a five-stage concept of service learning: investigation, preparation, action, reflection, and demonstration. Each one is explained in detail with numerous examples of real teens making a difference in their communities. Other outstanding features include fact-filled sidebars, stories about scientists, full-color charts, and an abundance of high-quality photos. The book looks at bodies of water across the globe, including the Great Lakes, the Mekong River, and the Arctic Ocean. It addresses such topics as oil spills, droughts, floods, lack of clean drinking water, and plastic that litters beaches and forms gyres in the ocean. The reference section includes websites and an extensive bibliography tied to the stages of service learning. The authors focus on water resources but their techniques can be applied to other environmental issues. Earth science and ecology instructors will find this to be a valuable resource for planning active learning exercises.–Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges KYTHERA OF ANEVERN. Dragons & Fantasy. ISBN 978-1-936309-14-6. LC 2010004214. SORG, Eileen. Colored Pencil. ISBN 978-1-936309-15-3. LC 2010008420. WEIL, Linda. Lifelike Animals. ISBN 978-1-936309-13-9. LC 2010004213. ea vol: illus. by author. 64p. (Drawing Made Easy Series). CIP. Walter Foster. 2010. PLB $34.25. Gr 7 Up–Each book is written by an artist and includes an introduction and closing that add a personal touch to the lessons found inside. Organization is typical of art-instruction guides where tools and techniques are explained first. All three titles begin with the idea that drawing freehand is one way to go, but tracing and transferring are timesavers to be taken advantage of. While Dragons & Fantasy focuses on tracing with the use of a light box, the other titles also include information on how to use transfer paper and photocopies to get started. Colored Pencil is the only one in color. It provides clear, dark outlines of the compositions (tree frog, garden gnome, fruit bowl) intended for photocopying compared with the gray outlines in Lifelike Animals and the complicated sketches in Dragons & Fantasy. All three books devote several spreads to each lesson, allowing space for clear instructions paired with illustrations reflecting steps described. Lifelike Animals packs a lot of detail into lessons on drawing tigers, koalas, and meerkats, but Dragons is the most complex. In fact, the compact design of this series is a hindrance when it comes to the fabulous details of the dragons, fairies, and Minotaur. Completed fantasy drawings fill the page, but step-by-step illustrations are rather small. Overall, these books have enough strengths and visual appeal to earn a spot on most shelves.–Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO LABRECQUE, Ellen. It’s Cool to Learn About Countries: Pakistan. ISBN 978-1-60279-828-1. LC 2009049105. ORR, Tamra. It’s Cool to Learn About Countries: Bangladesh. ISBN 978-1-60279-829-8. LC 2009048879. RAATMA, Lucia. It’s Cool to Learn About Countries: India. PLB ISBN 978-1-60279-824-3. LC 2010000546. ea vol: 48p. (Social Studies Explorer Series). charts. illus. maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Cherry Lake. 2010. PLB $29.93. Gr 4-6–These somewhat cluttered books provide basic information about the country’s geography, culture, history, government, sports, economy, and food. The brief chapters are formatted as pseudo-scrapbooks. Language is informal yet stilted, often directly addressing readers as “social studies explorers.” The information is accurate, and Pakistan does an especially good job at describing the poverty and poor working conditions of many Pakistanis. The maps are very basic and inconsistent in format–in India, only the capital city is marked, while Bangladesh has three prominent cities shown but not identified. The Pakistan map only shows the capital, but the country is divided into states. All three books have activities (crafts, recipes, math, etc.), all of which have clear instructions. However, the format could be problematic for libraries as most activities are forms, complete with a picture of a pen. A large “STOP! Don’t write in this book!” is all that might prevent a child from filling them out. The bibliographies contain current books, and most of the websites are accurate and kid-friendly. These titles are similar to those in the “Welcome to My Country” series (Marshall Cavendish), but are not as cleanly formatted.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI MILLER, Heather. The Rolling Stones: The Greatest Rock Band. 112p. (Rebels of Rock Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. discography. Websites. CIP. Enslow. 2010. PLB $31.93. ISBN 978-0-7660-3231-6. LC 2009012296. Gr 6-9–Miller profiles each member of the band and chronicles the difficult times all five endured as children in Britain during World War II. Special attention is given to their early school days and their successes and failures. The author points up how they all became passionate fans of American blues music sung by Muddy Waters and others. The fact that they are the longest-sustained band, from their formation in l963 right up to today, more than 40 years later, can be attributed to several factors. They responded to the rebellious times of the 1960s with their music, lyrics, and stage antics. A refreshing final chapter describes the outside interests of each band member–Keith Richards as a movie actor, Mike Jagger as a movie producer, Charlie Watts as a jazz musician, and Ronnie Wood as a gallery artist. Brian Jones died, probably by suicide, after a lifetime of fighting psychological problems. Readers will welcome the attractive graphics and photographs throughout the book. Extensive chapter notes and back matter serve as valuable tools when researching the “Greatest Rock Band.”–Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY MITCHELL, Adrian, retel. Shapeshifters: Tales from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. illus. by Alan Lee. 144p. glossary. Frances Lincoln. 2010. Tr $22.95. ISBN 978-1-84507-536-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-9–This volume renders some of the more familiar of Ovid’s tales into a form accessible to today’s readers. Many of the stories demonstrate the folly of acting against the gods as the shapeshifting of the title is most often a divine punishment for overly proud mortals. Jove and his philandering also feature prominently as do the story of Dis and Persephone and several tales of Daedalus. Mitchell tells many of these myths in prose, others in various poetic forms, some more successful than others. The occasional lapses into present-day vernacular are surprising but don’t ruin the overall mood. Lee, most famous for his depictions of Tolkein’s works, does superb work here. His images of gods, demigods, mortals, and the natural world surround the text and, in a few instances, cover entire pages, giving life to the words. True to the stories, he does paint a bare-breasted nymph here and there. Mitchell doesn’t hesitate, either, to include some of the more gruesome tales, such as that of Erysichthon, a king cursed by Ceres who eventually ate himself. This gorgeous retelling should satisfy young people looking for tales from classical mythology.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MULLIGAN, Kate Siobhan. The Beatles: A Musical Biography. 177p. (Story of the Band Series). photos. appendix. chron. further reading. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. PLB $35. ISBN 978-0-313-37686-3. LC 2010014752. Gr 9 Up–For Beatle fans who want all the details of when and how the band developed and which records were instant hits and which ones barely made the charts, this is the book. In addition to such details, Mulligan describes how the group’s music shaped the culture of the l960s. The musicians’ rise to stardom coincided with the appearance of hippies, a time of youthful revolt against the Vietnam War, and “happenings.” The book gets bogged down by dwelling too much on the arguments among the fab four and the influence of drugs on their daily life. Despite their grueling schedules, endless press conferences, and screaming audiences, the Beatles left the world with beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics. Only nine photos are included, but an exhaustive chronology, list of recordings, further readings, and an index make this volume useful for research.–Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY Gr 5-9–Murphy lays out the stakes in this well-known story immediately: the fate of the revolution and the country itself rested with the man chosen to lead the Continental Army. He centers the story on Washington, arguing that the early battles in and around New York and New Jersey transformed him from an inexperienced if well-respected military leader into a formidable commander and strategist. Whereas purely chronological histories drag readers’ attention from one theater of war to another, Murphy concentrates on the troops directly under Washington’s command in the events leading up to the battles of Trenton and Princeton, so that each step or misstep is as riveting as if readers were following at the heels of “the old fox.” When the tide turns in the Patriots’ favor, it is with a sense of relief rather than as a fait accompli. Illustrations include reproductions of portraits and several good, clear maps showing battlefields and troop movements. An especially effective spread of Washington Crossing the Delaware is followed by an analysis of the artist’s theme of America’s diverse people fighting for freedom against all odds. The time line and index are thorough, and the list of websites is comprehensive. Notes and sources, instead of listed chapter by chapter, are listed “in order of importance.” A first purchase, even if your American Revolution shelves are packed.–Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM NAISH, Darren. Dinosaurs Life Size. 80p. illus. maps. photos. bibliog. glossary. index. Barron’s. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-6378-4. LC 2009943894. Gr 5-7–With images of bits and pieces of larger species to an entire 15.75-inch Pterodactylus, this album of assorted dinosaurs and other prehistoric critters will appeal to dinophiles. Readers have to keep their eyes peeled for the “Life Size” tags, as many of the featured creatures appear in smaller-scaled illustrations. Photos of some cute kids in cute poses are added for size comparisons, though many will find the juxtaposition annoying. (Just how old/big are these kids anyway?) The realistic, dramatic images are accompanied by paragraphs of data, some sorted into “How Big?” and “Where in the World?” boxes. Others give more details on body shape, skeletal makeup, and such. Arranged chronologically, the whole package is garnished with several fold-out pages, including a nice time line of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous worlds. A very brief glossary is appended. Despite an eye-catching cover, this is no replacement for, but an addition to, David Bergen’s more dramatic Life-Size Dinosaurs (Sterling, 2004) or Steve Jenkins’s simpler, handsome Prehistoric Actual Size (Houghton, 2005).–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY ORR, Tamra. We Visit Chile. ISBN 978-1-58415-888-2. LC 2010006562. TORRES, John A. We Visit Puerto Rico. ISBN 978-1-58415-892-9. LC 2010011987. –––– . We Visit the Dominican Republic. ISBN 978-1-58415-891-2. LC 2010006561. TRACY, Kathleen. We Visit Cuba. ISBN 978-1-58415-890-5. LC 2010006558. ea vol: 64p. (Your Land and My Land Series). maps. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Mitchell Lane. 2010. PLB $33.95. Gr 5-7–These volumes may be brimming with information, but they are also riddled with problems. Chile is the best of the lot. Orr’s writing style is clean and appropriately mature for the level of the text. Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic are written like bad junior-high essays, sprinkled with exclamation marks and ineffectual rhetorical questions using the second-person perspective. Tracy’s book is packed with a mishmash of facts about Cuba. The contents of the chapters overlap, making for a real organizational disaster. The writing is choppy, with few transitions to bridge different topics. There’s no conclusion; the text abruptly stops after the last paragraph, which is about Havana rather than a summary statement about the country. These books are a missed opportunity; they contain a respectable amount of material for reports, but the presentations are off-putting.–Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR PHY-OLSEN, Allene. Evolution, Creationism, and Intelligent Design. 171p. (Historical Guides to Controversial Issues in America Series). appendix. bibliog. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2010. Tr $55. ISBN 978-0-313-37841-6; ebook $55. ISBN 978-0-313-37842-3. LC 2010009743. Gr 10 Up–Phy-Olsen introduces this detailed enquiry into the historical and modern conflicts between science and religion by stating, “We have a problem!” She argues that the greatest losers in the debates among Darwinists, creationists, and proponents of intelligent design are America’s public school children, who get stuck in the middle. The following chapters address the history of science and religion from ancient Greece through the Age of Reason; Darwin’s work and the theory of evolution; and the use of Darwinism to support social programs like eugenics. They go on to discuss arguments for and against creationism and intelligent design, including major scientific and religious figures on both sides; major court cases involving the teachings in public schools; and the future of science and religion. Phy-Olsen retains a largely neutral stance, acknowledging the qualifications of experts on both sides, although slightly more weight is given to the proponents of evolution in reporting on court cases. She ends by suggesting that all students would benefit from more a comprehensive education in both science and the history of religion, and speculates about the future of religious education in schools. An appendix includes brief biographies of dozens of people mentioned in the text and a comprehensive annotated bibliography. An excellent choice for collections in need of material on this subject, and a good complement to Clay Farris Naff’s Evolution (Gale/Greenhaven, 2005).–Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM SILVEY, Anita. Henry Knox: Bookseller, Soldier, Patriot. illus. by Wendell Minor. 40p. maps. bibliog. chron. further reading. notes. CIP. Clarion. 2010. RTE $17. ISBN 978-0-618-27485-7. LC 2009045353. Gr 3-6–This is a beautifully illustrated introduction to a lesser-known Revolutionary War figure. As a child, Knox worked in a bookstore where he read about engineering and military history and became fascinated by machinery. He went on to open his own bookstore and specialized in works on military science. After fleeing Boston due to the intensifying conflict with British soldiers, he soon joined the Continental Army. He was then named head of artillery, though the army’s only artillery was 300 miles away at Fort Ticonderoga. Silvey emphasizes Knox’s obstinacy in the face of challenges. It was this spirit, she argues, that spurred him to oversee transport of 12,000 pounds of artillery over frozen mountains and lakes to General Washington in Boston. The narrative ends with his success. Further details on the war and on Knox’s life are provided in a time line. Silvey’s account is admiring but unornamented, and history buffs and future engineers especially will find some inspiration here beyond the biography report. Minor brings the arduous journey to life through vivid paintings of the Colonial figures and unforgiving landscape. Many are presented in striking spreads. Richard M. Strum’s biography (OTTN, 2007) is highly readable and more comprehensive, but Minor’s engaging paintings of a memorable incident will make a nice supplement to Revolutionary War units.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI SLOAN, Christopher. Mummies: Dried, Tanned, Sealed, Drained, Frozen, Embalmed, Stuffed, Tanned, Wrapped, and Smoked and We’re Dead Serious. 48p. map. photos. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. CIP. National Geographic. 2010. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0695-2; PLB $26.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0696-9. LC 2010008498. Gr 5-7–A gratifyingly grisly album of choice photos accompanies Sloan’s lucid, informative text as he describes not only the mummification processes but also individual mummies produced whether by intent or by chance. From the dried Beauty of Krorän in China to the bundled Lady of Cao in a Peruvian pyramid or the familiar Boy King Tut in Egypt, a global variety is offered to fascinated readers. An excellent appendix includes a map, a time line, and a glossary. A bibliography of adult material and three websites are included, but there are no suggestions for further reading that might list Sandra Markle’s fine Outside and Inside Mummies (Walker, 2005), Shelley Tanaka’s more difficult Mummies: The Newest, Coolest & Creepiest from Around the World (Abrams, 2005), Kelly Hall’s more tightly focused Mysteries of the Mummy Kids (Darby Creek, 2007), or, on a different slant altogether, Philip Manning’s intriguing Dinomummy: The Life, Death and Discovery of Dakota, a Dinosaur from Hell Creek (Kingfisher 2007). Even libraries that own these titles should find room on their shelves for Sloan’s well-written, heavily illustrated glimpse into the world of after-death preservation, either by accident or design.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY SPACE: A VISUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA . 256p. diags. maps. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. DK. 2010. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-6277-6. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-6–An eye-catching, if not exemplary, alternative for older single-volume compendia on the extraterrestrial universe such as David A. Aguilar’s Planets, Stars, and Galaxies (National Geographic, 2007). Space is a substantial outing that wedges hundreds of digestible blocks of text in at least three different type sizes and levels of detail on or around a huge array of space photos and art. Presented largely in the customary single-topic spreads, coverage is very broad, ranging from the practice of astronomy and the history of our ventures into space to the components of the solar system and of the cosmos at large. Earth, the Moon, and the Sun come in for full sections of their own, topics of recent interest such as “Space Tourism” and “Space Debris” earn spreads, and the information is current enough to include a reference to the mid-2009 installation of a new camera on the Hubble Space Telescope. The pictures are total eye candy, sharply reproduced on black backgrounds, varying in size from a few inches square to dramatic full spreads, and offering everything from sky maps and deep-space fields millions of light years across to cutaway views of spacecraft and close-ups of astronaut food. Still, that level of visual appeal is now common in nonfiction, the amount of material here that is new or not easily available elsewhere is relatively small, and the lack of any resource lists make this more suitable for casual enquiry and browsing than systematic study.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library SPANGLER, Steve. Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun. 160p. charts. photos. Greenleaf. 2010. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-60832-060-8. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-9–Messy, daredevil, tongue-in-cheek, and definitely boy-friendly, this collection of science explorations will energize a boring afternoon or a routine science lesson. Grouped loosely under the headings “The Power of Air,” “Kitchen Chemistry,” “Dry Ice,” “Gooey Wonders,” and “Don’t Try This at Home...Try It at a Friend’s Home!” the experiments emphasize the fun before the facts and are arranged under the headings “Let’s Try It,” “Take It Further,” “What’s Going on Here?” and “Real-World Applications.” Adult help will be necessary to guide elementary-aged children through the wordy instructions and the use of dry ice, power tools, and stoves. Sharp, full-color photos appear throughout, but they’re not always informative. Adults dominate the images with an emphasis on the author’s appearances on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Safety warnings are included at the front of the book, within experiments such as “Soup Soufflé” or “Naked Eggs,” and in the introduction to the “Dry Ice” section.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI TIBBALLS, Geoff. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Enter If You Dare! 254p. photos. index. CIP. Ripley Entertainment. 2010. Tr $28.95. ISBN 978-1-893951-63-1. LC 2010008997. Gr 3-7–Full of eye-popping, fact-filled oddities, Ripley’s encyclopedic compendium is fun for kids of all ages. The various categories include “Extreme Sports,” “Bizarre Mysteries,” “Body Oddity,” “Fantastic Food,” and “Amazing Science.” Within the pages, readers will discover strange but true stories and facts including a real-life Spiderman, a tree that paints pictures, and a chandelier made entirely out of gummi bears. Full-color spreads provide insight into the strange occurrences and stories found around the world. Miscellaneous lists are scattered throughout, and multiple images hold readers’ attention. A dramatic double foldout section of the disreputable world of vampires and two single foldouts that feature a time line of Coney Island’s sideshows and a tribute to the world’s smallest teenager in an actual-size photograph will spark the interest of those who are skeptics. Other highlights include “Ripley’s Research,” which provides historical facts, and “Ripley’s Revealed,” which offers a behind-the-scenes look at bizarre subject content. While secretly learning, readers will continuously browse the fun-filled pages and most definitely share their interesting discoveries with others. An entertaining addition to most collections.–Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ TWIST, Clint. The Oceanology Handbook: A Course for Underwater Explorers. 80p. chart. diags. illus. maps. CIP. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4874-9. LC 2009047105. Gr 4-7–The text is cleverly presented as a facsimile of an 1863 document purportedly written by a passenger aboard Jules Verne’s fictional submarine, the Nautilus. Definitions and descriptions of practical applications of oceanography are imaginatively presented on sepia-toned pages. The entries are brief but packed with information. One page displays the semaphore alphabet and includes a message for readers to translate. The answer is revealed in the “Solutions” section, which also contains the answers to the other challenges scattered throughout the text. Every page has illustrations; some, such as the maps of the currents and of the Earth’s plates, are in color. The chapter entitled “A Shifting Surface” contains a cleverly inserted “Publisher Note” that attests to the prescience of the writer when facts not known in 1863, such as the theory of plate tectonics, are presented. The detachable sheet of colored stickers and letter in an envelope on the marbled endpapers could be removed before the book is ready for circulation. Informative and engaging, this attractive title will appeal to browsers and be useful for reports.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA WARNER, Judith A. U.S. Border Security. 381p. (Contemporary World Issues Series). charts. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. discography. Websites. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2010. PLB $55. ISBN 978-1-59884-407-8. LC 2010009662. Gr 9 Up–This comprehensive text brings a 21st-century perspective to the issues involved in border security and the proposed solutions. The borders considered include the 95,000 miles of shoreline and defined air space, and the 327 official ports of entry. Specific issues in securing the physical land and water borders with Canada and Mexico are discussed separately. Chapters include “Background and History,” “Problems, Controversies and Solutions,” “Border Security in an International Context,” “Biographical Sketches,” and “Data and Documents.” The chapter of annotated print and online resources is especially thorough. In-text citations with complete reference lists at the end of each chapter make this resource most helpful for those conducting research or debating topics related to border security, human trafficking, drugs and weapons smuggling, or terrorism.–Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA WEBER, Jennifer L. Summer’s Bloodiest Days: The Battle of Gettysburg as Told from All Sides. 64p. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. Websites. CIP. National Geographic. 2010. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0706-5; PLB $27.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0707-2. LC 2009048213. Gr 4-7–Pulling readers headlong into the sights, sounds, and smells of the battle at Gettysburg, Weber paints a picture, rich in descriptive detail, of terrifying encounters, exhausted soldiers, and tedious waiting mixed with chaos and confusion. She outlines how this decisive showdown was actually more happenstance than strategy, and how General Lee’s defeat here, while it did not end the war, put him and the Southern army on the defensive for the next two years, never allowing them to gain back an advantage. While the three-day battle is described chronologically, the author begins with Lincoln’s famous address at the dedication of the memorial cemetery and then provides some context for the war, its causes, and basic highlights up until those fateful days in early July. The narration is occasionally confusing as it hops between the Northern and Southern perspectives as well as explaining troop movements, various commanders, regiments, and locations in and around Gettysburg. The text is interspersed with bits of first-person accounts, original photographs, and reprints of flyers and other primary-source material that make it an invaluable resource for students and teachers. A detailed time line, websites, and a bibliography are useful additions. Font sizes for captions and sidebars are small, which can be distracting, but overall this is an attractive, informative account of an important American event.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA WOLFE, Brian & Nick Wolfe. Extreme Face Painting: 50 Friendly & Fiendish Step-by-Step Demos. CD=DVD. 128p. w/DVD. photos. index. CIP. Impact. 2010. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4403-0270-1. LC 2010017861. Gr 6 Up–This is a guide for experienced artists ready to take their craft to the next level, instead of painting pictures on a face, like colors on a flat canvas. These instructions show how to use shading and highlights to shape a variety of frightening and whimsical forms. The authors open the book with basic information about materials, colors, and techniques. Then they demonstrate different projects, with the “friendly” faces first, and the “fiendish” ones in the back. Each entry has a full-page color photograph of the final product and smaller photos of each step in the painting process. Clearly written instructions appear below each photo. The book contains the standard faces, such as a butterfly mask, animal faces, and a clown face, as well as some unusual projects. Some of the fiendish visages are quite frightening. The book comes with an informative DVD where the authors demonstrate two of the face paintings from the book. As one brother does the painting, the other gives a running commentary of what he is doing and why. The projects in this book have more impact than those in the Usborne Book of Face Painting (Usborne, 2003), but are not necessarily harder to create. This is a great resource, especially for older children, teens, and adults.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Also in this Issue
Fiction
Nonfiction
BUYEA, Rob. Because of Mr. Terupt. 269p. CIP. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73882-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90749-1; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89615-6. LC number unavailable. HAMILTON, Kersten. Tyger Tyger. Bk. 1. (A Goblin Wars Bk.) 320p. Clarion. 2010. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-547-33008-2. LC number unavailable. MACCOLL, Michaela. Prisoners in the Palace: How Victoria Became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel. 367p. CIP. Chronicle. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7300-0. LC 2010008257. REICHS, Kathy. Virals. 456p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-342-6. LC number unavailable. REINHARDT , Dana. The Things a Brother Knows. 256p. CIP. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84455-3; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94455-0; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89762-7. LC 2009035867. STROUD, Jonathan. The Ring of Solomon: A Bartimaeus Novel. 398p. Hyperion/Disney. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2372-9. LC number unavailable. CARSON, Mary Kay. Inside Hurricanes. maps. photos. notes. discography. Websites. ISBN 978-1-4027-5880-5; ISBN 978-1-4027-7780-6. LC number unavailable. –––– . Inside Tornadoes. charts. maps. photos. notes. discography. Websites. ISBN 978-1-4027-5879-9; ISBN 978-1-4027-7781-3. LC number unavailable. BAUSUM, Ann. Unraveling Freedom: The Battle for Democracy on the Home Front During World War I. 88p. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. Websites. CIP. National Geographic. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0702-7; PLB $34. ISBN 978-1-4263-0703-4. LC 2010010631. KAYE, Cathryn Berger. Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands. with Philippe Cousteau & EarthEcho International. 151p. charts. diags. maps. further reading. index. Websites. CIP. Free Spirit. 2010. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-57542-348-7. LC 2010016589. MURPHY, Jim. The Crossing: How George Washington Saved the American Revolution. 96p. maps. reprods. bibliog. chron. index. notes. Websites. CIP. Scholastic. Dec. 2010. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-439-69186-4. LC 2009011561.
