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July 1, 2011

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Fiction

ADA, Alma Flor & Gabriel M. Zubizarreta. Dancing Home. 160p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. July 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-0088-7. LC 2010013229.
Gr 3-6–Margie is proud to be an American, born in the United States. Her parents were born in Mexico and so was her cousin, Lupe, who has come to stay with Margie’s family in California. At first Margie is excited, but that enthusiasm dissipates when Lupe is placed in her classroom. She doesn’t speak English, and Margie’s teacher expects her to translate for her. A couple of classroom bullies seem bent on belittling the cousins’ heritage. Margie is relieved when Lupe is transferred to a bilingual class, leaving a desk near her for the newest classmate, Camille. The girls become great friends. When they’re given a journal assignment, Camille models what it’s like to have a passion as she thinks, researches, and writes about dolphins. Lupe stays after school to learn folkloric dances, and the book concludes with a performance that helps Margie understand how American she is and how her Mexican heritage fits into her identity. This story will assist readers in embracing their own heritage and developing an appreciation for their classmates’ backgrounds. It’s an enjoyable offering (and a great read-aloud) that will capture readers’ attention and have them rooting for the cousins and their friendships and family relationships. A Spanish-language edition, Nacer Bailando, is available simultaneously.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

ALTEBRANDO, Tara. Dreamland Social Club. 394p. Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42325-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–When Jane and her brother inherit their late mother’s childhood home in Coney Island, the siblings and their dad leave London and move into it. There they experience a shockingly different culture filled with roller coasters, dwarves, bearded girls, and mermaids. Struggling to find her place in their new, unconventional high school, Jane stumbles upon a secret social club that her mother founded years earlier. As this discovery raises even more questions, she searches for answers from Leo, a strangely familiar tattooed boy. They explore the mysteries surrounding her family’s carnie past with a set of hidden keys belonging to the amusement park. This book does a wonderful job of pairing eccentric details concerning Coney Island’s past with a whimsical undertone. Any teen who has felt like an outsider in a new environment will devour this book.–Stephanie Malosh, Donoghue Elementary School, Chicago, IL

ALVAREZ, Julia. How Tía Lola Saved the Summer. Bk. 3. 147p. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86727-9; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96727-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89766-5. LC 2010024010.
Gr 3-6–Fifth grade was a trial for Miguel, but summer holds the promise of carefree days and baseball. However, when he learns that his mother’s friend, Victor, and his three children–all girls–are coming to stay for a week, he is sure that his entire vacation will be ruined. And to top it all off, he sustains an injury that threatens to bench him during the big game. But Tía Lola comes to the rescue, employing her wisdom, charm, and creativity to ensure a fun and memorable summer for everyone. With a playful sprinkling of Spanish phrases, this third installment takes readers on another delightful adventure with this alluring character. The third-person narrative is brimming with heartwarming fun and includes captivating splashes of magical realism. Within the subplots, Alvarez deftly touches on the feelings of children affected by divorce and the intricacies of blended families. Fans of the earlier “Tía Lola” books will not want to miss this one, but it can certainly stand on its own.–Debbie Lewis, Alachua County Library District, FL

ANDERSON, M. T. The Empire of Gut and Bone. Vol. 3. 324p. (The Norumbegan Quartet). Scholastic. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-13884-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–At the end of The Suburb Beyond the Stars (Scholastic, 2010), Brian and Gregory passed through a portal to the world of the Norumbegans to enlist help in defeating the Thussers, who have defied the rules of the game that was supposed to settle the ancient conflict between these two peoples. To their dismay, Brian and Gregory discover a lazy, morose people who have no desire to revive the rules. The Norumbegans now live within an alien body, deceiving themselves from facing the fact that they have descended into squalor. Their servant automatons are now revolting, however politely, against them. Brian and Gregory are flung into the role of detectives as they try to solve the murder of the Norumbegan Regent and save the life of their automaton troll friend Kalgrash, who is suspected of the crime. Anderson has done nothing less than create a true American fantasy with inspiration from a mythological New England settlement. He has fashioned an ongoing work that is a worthy successor to the books of Susan Cooper and Lloyd Alexander. It also doesn’t hurt that the author’s wit is running on all cylinders here, and he never squanders an opportunity to unleash amazing verbal pyrotechnics. This book is not for readers new to the quartet, but as the penultimate book in the series, it offers a thrilling conclusion.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO

BENZ, Derek & J. S. Lewis. Grey Griffins: The Relic Hunters. Bk. 2. 349p. (The Clockwork Chronicles). Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04519-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Teenagers Max, Ernie, Natalia, and Harley, aka the “Grey Griffins,” combine their differing talents to battle the forces of evil. They attend Iron Bridge Academy, a special school where battle strategy might just be more important than mathematics. The consequences of many of the events in The Brimstone Key (Little, Brown, 2010) play out in this volume, including the fact that the Grey Griffins are growing apart from one another. There are hard feelings after the death of a classmate, and Max is concerned that he might not be able to call upon his partners as he used to. Can they work together to learn more about the “Paradox Engine,” a machine that has the power to open up a portal to the Shadowlands? There are very few fantasy-fiction tropes that don’t make it into this book. Steampunk style abounds, with airships, aviator goggles, and clockwork robots, but then so do the Knights Templars. Many kids at the Academy walk around with shape-changing familiars that are frequently hard to control, and there also seems to be a war between the humans and the changelings who are slowly losing their humanity as their faerie blood becomes stronger. A zombie army also makes an appearance. Any one of these elements would probably make for a great book. Together, it feels as if they’re fighting for readers’ attention.–Kathleen Meulen Ellison, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island, WA

BIRDSALL, Jeanne. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette. 296p. Knopf/Borzoi. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85851-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95851-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89898-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–With Father and Iantha and little stepbrother Ben off to England for a honeymoon, and Rosalind away at the Jersey shore, Skye is feeling the heavy responsibility of being the OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick) as she, Jane, Batty, and their friend Jeffrey head to Maine with Aunt Claire for two weeks. Disaster strikes early on when Aunt Claire severely sprains her ankle. Fortunately, a kindly and interesting neighbor, Alec McGrath, and his friend Turron Asabere, both musicians, step in to help. Nevertheless, Skye is still feeling stressed and inadequate, concerned about Batty’s safety near the water and exasperated by Jane, who is struggling with her latest Sabrina Starr novel, intended to be a love story requiring a survey on the subject from everyone she meets. Jane’s own first love is an annoying skateboarder, Dominic, whose only saving grace is his endearing little sister, Mercedes. But, as Jeffrey is drawn to Alec and his piano, and Batty, too, discovers her own budding musical talent, the vacation is progressing nicely until Jane’s chopping off her hair in response to Dominic’s rejection sets off a chain of events with dramatic and heart-wrenching consequences. The plot pivots on an almost incredible coincidence, but Birdsall’s skillful handling so engulfs readers that it comes across as entirely possible, and the resolution is totally satisfying. This continuation of the Penderwick family saga has all the fine qualities of the previous books: well-drawn, distinctive characters; humor, both subtle and hilarious; rich language; and an engrossing, well-paced narrative. While it stands alone, readers will eagerly look forward to the next installment.–Marie Orlando, formerly at Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

BLOOMBERG, Georgina & Catherine Hapka. The A Circuit. 242p. Bloomsbury. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-641-6; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-634-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Middle-class Kate works at Pelham Lane Stables outside New York City so that she can afford riding lessons. Tommi’s affluent family supports her equestrian passion as a pastime but not her ambition to become a professional rider. Zara, the daughter of a famous rock star, arrives at the stable from Los Angeles and immediately creates chaos. She breaks the rules, almost permanently damages another rider’s horse, and then allows someone else to take the blame. She spends most of her time either angry at her stressful, privileged life or sorry for herself because she thinks no one likes her. Each time she messes up, she wants another chance, and those around her keep accommodating her. The girls even lie for her and betray the trust their trainer has in them. The authors have effectively portrayed young people who do not take responsibility for their reckless behavior and avoid the consequences even if it requires lying. This is a fast-paced, high-interest story. Kate and Tommi are appealing girls whose family dilemmas and devotion to their riding are believable. Zara is a Lindsay Lohan type in equestrian apparel. The decisions made by the characters could provide an excellent opportunity for discussions about personal responsibility, and the rivalries and day-to-day activities in the horse world are effectively captured.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

BOWEN, Fred. Real Hoops. 120p. (A Fred Bowen Sports Story). CIP. Peachtree. 2011. pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-566-9. LC 2010030360.
Gr 4-9–High school freshmen Ben and Logan have been friends and basketball teammates for a long time. Hud is a flashy player who has honed his skills in pickup games at a local recreation center and bristles at the strict rules of a coach who doesn’t appreciate his penchant for “French Pastry”–a fancy streetball style of play. As team captain, Ben has to convince Hud not to quit and to follow the rules. This easy-to-read book has a nice blend of game action, lessons in discipline, and even some actual history of Holcombe Rucker Park in New York City, famous for its All-Star list of some of the greatest names in basketball. Bowen knows sports and his audience, and he scores again with Real Hoops. –Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

BRAY, Libba. Beauty Queens. 400p. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-439-89597-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Whip-smart social commentary, surreal plot elements, and feminist themes come together in this bizarre and brilliant story about a group of beauty pageant contestants stranded on a remote island after a plane crash. Undaunted by disaster, the teens hone their survival skills as they practice dance routines and pageant interviews, while a ruthless corporation secretly plans to use them as pawns in an arms deal with an insane dictator. Beneath an entertaining veneer of witty dialogue and comic absurdity lies a thought-provoking exploration of society’s expectations for how young women should look, feel, think, and act. Wry footnotes lampoon the media and pop culture, while hilariously scripted “commercial breaks” interrupt the narrative, leading readers to question the pervasiveness of self-improvement products that make consumers feel inadequate. Using multiple points of view to tell the story, Bray rises admirably to the challenge of developing a large cast of characters. Each pageant contestant possesses much more than surface-level beauty, and even the most stereotypically ditzy girl offers unique and unexpected strength. Readers from all backgrounds will identify with the representation of various religions, ethnicities, and sexual orientations among the characters. Occasional strong language and a frank approach to sex may make this novel most appropriate for older teens. The empowering theme of self-acceptance and the affirming message that women should not underestimate themselves or others makes this novel a potentially life-changing book for budding feminists.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

BROACH, Elise. Missing on Superstition Mountain. illus. by Antonio Javier Caparo. 272p. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9047-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Superstition, AZ, is the new home of Simon, Henry, and Jack Barker. The family inherited a house from an adventurous relative, Hank Cormody, for whom Henry is named. The boys know they are not supposed to explore Superstition Mountain, but when their cat runs away, they chase her up the mountain. They feel its eerie, oppressive atmosphere even more when they discover three human skulls. With the help of Delilah Dunworthy, a girl in the neighborhood, the brothers begin to investigate the stories full of mysterious disappearances and lost gold mines. Determined to identify the skulls, the clue hunters head back up the mountain for another dangerous sortie. Henry finds some of his great-uncle Hank’s bravery and begins to appreciate Delilah’s contributions. The dialogue is functional and the characterizations are broad. But for the most part, this book is a series opener with the associated deficiencies. Many of the adults’ motives seem unclear or mysterious. Children will be pleased by the mountain climbing and clue-finding aspects, but until the next books arrive, there is much they won’t know about this fascinating setting and its secrets. Black-and-white pencil drawings augment the story.–Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

BROOKS, Martha. Queen of Hearts. 214p. Farrar. Aug. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-34229-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–It is 1940, and Canada, along with the rest of the world, is at war. Marie-Claire, 15, lives on a farm with Maman, Papa, and her younger brother and sister. Never easy, life gets much harder after down-on-his-luck Oncle Gérard comes to stay and then dies from tuberculosis in the local infirmary. Soon, Marie-Claire and her siblings are diagnosed with TB and consigned to the same institution. Adventuresome and headstrong Marie-Claire is confined to a bed next to painfully cheerful Signy and told to be a “patient patient.” When her brother dies just before Christmas, Marie-Claire must come to terms with the blame she has placed on herself for having taken him to visit their Oncle, as well as her father’s inability to deal with what has happened to his children. The novel provides an intriguing glimpse into the now-unfamiliar world of TB sanatoriums. From a scene in which the women tan naked to soak up the sun to Marie-Claire’s stolen moment spent flying a kite by moonlight with her new love, the story is played out in small moments, sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes sweet, and always poignant. Brooks masterfully re-creates a TB sanatorium through the protagonist’s experience and believable characters. A well-drawn, innocent, yet compelling work of historical fiction.–Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ

BUSH, Penelope. Alice in Time. 196p. CIP. Holiday House. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2329-3. LC 2010023666.
Gr 7-10–At 14, British teen Alice doesn’t see how her life could get any worse. She can’t converse with her mother without shouting, the resident mean girl has made school a nightmare, and even her relationship with her only friend, Imogen, is strained. Having never forgiven her mother for her parents’ divorce or her brother for being born and ruining her life, Alice is convinced that moving in with her father and his new wife would make everything better. After heated arguments with Mum and Imogen–in which both rightly call Alice out for being selfish–she leaves her house in a fury. An unusual spin on the merry-go-round leads to Alice waking in the past. With the opportunity to relive the most significant time in her life as a 14-year-old in a 7-year-old body, she realizes that she can change her future. Discerning readers will quickly recognize that her own attitude played a role in creating her misery, but will keep reading to see if she can come to that conclusion herself as she observes and experiences the same events with older eyes. The first-person point of view prevents the narrative from being overtly didactic, and most of Alice’s observations upon returning to her now-altered present are realistic and satisfying. The confidence she gains and the lesson that she can take control of her actions and reactions will resonate with readers.–Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

BUSHNELL, Candace. Summer and the City. 409p. (A Carrie Diaries Novel). HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-06-172893-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–This novel picks up where the first Sex and the City prequel, The Carrie Diaries (HarperCollins, 2010), leaves off. Carrie Bradshaw has left her hometown behind, prepared to spend the summer before her freshman year at Brown taking a writing class at The New School. Upon arriving in Manhattan, she meets Samantha Jones, a true New York woman who essentially adopts this little sparrow of a person and inducts her into the high life, including a relationship with a much older man, famous writer Bernard. While Carrie’s dalliances with Bernard are not always believable, her newfound friendship with the opinionated feminist Miranda Hobbes is. Their conversations about the opposite sex, while more frank than those in most YA literature, are in turn honest, probing, and comical. In addition to introducing readers to well-known characters from the book and TV series, this title offers up compelling secondary plotlines. Carrie’s writing peers accurately capture the breadth of a collegiate writing class, from students with raw talent to those whose work is purely derivative. While this book clearly has a built-in audience of adult readers and older teens who are fans of the show and Bushnell’s adult books, there’s also something here for anyone who has ever wished to build a fabulous new life and, especially, for aspiring writers.–Jennifer Barnes, Malden Public Library, MA

CARTER, Aimée. The Goddess Test. 304p. Harlequin Teen. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-373-21026-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–To fulfill her dying mother’s request, Kate Winters and her mom move from New York City to Eden, MI, where Kate will finish her senior year and her mother will live out her last days. Though her primary concern is spending time with her mother, Kate attracts the attention of several of the students in her small high school, including mean girl Ava. When a prank on Kate backfires, resulting in Ava’s death, Kate makes a deal with the mysterious Henry in order to save Ava’s life, which ultimately results in Kate agreeing to spend each autumn and winter with him at Eden Manor. There, she discovers that Henry is actually Hades, who has been looking for a suitable replacement to co-rule the underworld ever since Persephone left. The only problem is that the prior 11 candidates have all died trying to pass the tests set up by the council of deities, and Kate is Henry’s last chance to remain alive as ruler. Though most of the characters are not as well developed as Kate, it is obvious that her mother’s long battle with cancer has prepared her for the tests she is to face and the possibility of co-ruling the underworld. Carter’s liberal take on the myth of Hades and Persephone is unique. Many girls will be drawn to Kate’s budding romance with the brooding Henry in this evenly paced paranormal romance.–Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ

CHALTAS, Thalia. Displacement. 368p. Viking. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01199-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Struggling to cope with her grief over her sister’s sudden death, Vera runs away to the desert mining town of Garrett. Soon after her arrival, she moves into an abandoned house and settles into a routine that includes doing odd jobs for Milo, a potter, and minor bookkeeping for Lon, a cute, half-Hopi to whom she feels an instant attraction. The 17-year-old also indulges in her passion for geology, going on long, sweaty rock-hunting hikes. All of these activities temporarily distract her from her pain, but at night, alone in her home (nicknamed “the Hovel”), she bitterly recalls the actions of her neglectful, absentee mother (“the Moth”) and composes postcard messages to her older sister, Carole, in which she blames her for not preventing Amy’s death. Vera buries the postcards under her bathroom floor, where they serve as a not-so-subtle metaphor for her own state of mind. Visions of her sister’s ghost, as well as a tragic turn of events in Garrett, force Vera to confront her grief head-on. Using spare verse rife with emotional depth, Chaltas beautifully maps out Vera’s journey from profound sadness to eventual redemption. Readers who appreciated Morgan Matson’s Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour (S & S, 2010) and Jandy Nelson’s The Sky Is Everywhere (Dial, 2010) will pick this novel up in a heartbeat.–Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, CA

CHILDS, Tera Lynn. Fins Are Forever. 272p. CIP. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-191468-3; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-191469-0. LC 2010023069.
Gr 6-9–In the opening pages of this charming sequel to Forgive My Fins (HarperCollins, 2010), half-human, half-mermaid Waterlily has her life planned out. As of midnight on her 18th birthday, she will renounce her title as future queen of the undersea kingdom of Thalassinia in exchange for life on land with her human true love, Quince. Her only concern? Passing her SATs. Then a turn of the tides brings bratty cousin Doe to her doorstep. Exiled without her Mer powers for acting on her grudge against humanity, Doe must learn to appreciate the human world before being welcomed back to the sea. And it’s Lily’s responsibility to teach her how to do so. All is going swimmingly until an unexpected blast from Lily’s past washes ashore and proposes an unorthodox way to unite the two worlds. Now Lily is caught in a riptide between what her heart wants and what her head knows is right. Childs has crafted a delightful tale populated with likable characters and imaginative settings. With mermaid fiction on a rise in popularity, this bubbly, lighthearted romance is sure to make a splash.–Alissa J. LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

CLEMENTS, Andrew. Troublemaker. illus. by Mark Elliot. 160p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-4930-5. LC 2010045018.
Gr 4-6–Clayton Hensley wants to be exactly like his older brother, who just got out of jail for wielding his own brand of trouble. When he uses his free art period to draw the principal as a donkey, he makes sure he’s the talk of the school, showing off on the way to the office. But, when Clay reveals the drawing to Mitch, he’s in for a surprise. Not only is his brother not proud, but he’s also disappointed. Mitch wants Clay to turn his life around. The problem is, Clay isn’t sure he can do it, or if he even wants to. Being good isn’t any fun at all. Or is it? Clements forms interesting parallels between choice, habit, and repute, asking the questions: Can people change their reputations? And, is having fun at the expense of someone else really fun? Occasional pencil drawings of Clay’s antics highlight the best parts of the story. Clay will encourage kids who want to forge a new path, placing their own brand on doing the right thing. An inspiring and comical read.–Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

CLIPSTON, Amy. Roadside Assistance. 246p. Zondervan. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71981-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Seventeen-year-old Emily Curtis has lost her faith in God. After her mother died from cancer, her father, bankrupt from the medical bills, had to sell the family automotive business, and the two move in with her wealthy aunt, whose generosity unnerves her. A self-proclaimed motorhead, Emily is happier repairing cars than hosting pool parties, and she feels inadequate compared to her beautiful and popular cousin. Fearful that others are judging her, she distrusts people’s good intentions. When a romance blossoms with next-door neighbor Zander, her lack of confidence and spiritual questioning threaten to sabotage her newfound happiness. Then an accident forces her to reevaluate her relationship with God and count her blessings. Interspersed throughout the thoughtful first-person narrative are the emotional letters Emily has written to her dead mother, describing her isolation, grief, and wavering faith. Adult author Clipston deftly tackles her first YA novel with insight and understanding about grief and God. A worthy addition to Christian fiction collections and a meaningful recommendation for teens dealing with similar issues.–Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Northampton Community College, Hawley, PA

CRISPIN, A. C. The Price of Freedom. 610p. (Pirates of the Caribbean Series). Disney. 2011. RTE $27.95. ISBN 978-1-4231-0704-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–First mate Jack Sparrow, 25, forsakes the honest life of a merchant seaman to become a pirate. Crispin weaves a detailed fantasy backstory of his adventures as a (usually) dedicated employee of the East India Trading Company in the 1700s. Jack treats men well, delights in strong women, and is true to his word. The beginning pages tell of a “lost city” shrouded by fog, invisible to sailors, and the home of a vast treasure of gold. When a pirate attack results in the death of the captain, Jack Sparrow, with his trademark swagger and dandified dress, takes over and finds himself dealing with Cutler Beckett, an ambitious executive of the EITC. Jack promises to help find the hidden island for a substantial cut of the gold, and it is this search that drives much of the story. There is plenty of drinking and wenching interrupted by bouts of swordplay and rich descriptions of life at Shipwreck Cove. The action moves briskly along at most points, enriched by sophisticated vocabulary, for these pirates ingest rum, strut insouciantly, and rest above the futtock shrouds. Jack’s moral compass is shown to be true when he frees a cargo hold of slaves, and as punishment finds his ship set ablaze and headed to the bottom of the ocean. A desperate appeal to Davy Jones resolves the issue (though it costs Jack his soul), and the book ends where the movies begin: with Captain Jack Sparrow at the helm of The Black Pearl. Sure to be popular.–Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

CROUCH, Katie. The Magnolia League. 348p. CIP. Little, Brown/Poppy. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-07849-8. LC 2010042997.
Gr 11 Up–After the sudden death of her mother, Alexandria Lee, a 16-year-old hippie, moves from the communal farm in California where she was raised to live with her flawlessly beautiful and suspiciously young-looking grandmother in Georgia. There Alex learns that she is the heir of a legendary and powerful society called “The Magnolia League”–a group of gorgeous, powerful, seemingly perfect women and girls. Alex is not sure she fits in: she is hardly skinny, loves environmental causes, and sports vintage rock T-shirts. As she becomes more involved in the secretive society, she inexplicably extinguishes a wildfire without touching it and, after drinking a vitamin water spiked with a strange mixture of herbs, she gets over her ex-boyfriend overnight. Eventually she learns the Magnolias’ secret: for years the order has employed a powerful local family of hoodoo practitioners to cast spells that keep the ladies beautiful and flush in wealth and status–so long as they never leave Savannah. Alex struggles to remain true to her convictions as she transforms into a slim and breathtakingly beautiful Magnolia. A newfound love leads her down a path of temptation to employ hoodoo tricks to keep the romance alive, even though she knows it is wrong. Everything comes to a head on the evening of Alex’s coming out in Savannah society, when she learns a dark secret her grandmother has kept from her since her mother’s death. The book offers a compelling story with likable and well-developed characters. Moreover, with the perfect mix of humor, romance, mystery and the supernatural, it provides ample entertainment yet leaves room for a sequel. While some readers might find the switch from first person to third person between chapters awkward, the technique helps explain secrets to readers while Alex remains in the dark.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

CULBERTSON, Kim. Instructions for a Broken Heart. 304p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-4302-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Things are going great for Broadway-obsessed Jessa Gardner. She’s on the right track to getting into a good college, what with her AP classes, SAT prep, sports, part-time job, and roles in all the school plays and musicals. Then she catches her boyfriend making out with another girl. To make matters worse, Jessa and Sean are slated to tour Italy with the drama club, along with the girl he was caught kissing. Luckily, her good friend Tyler is there for her. Her best friend, Carissa, has given her a package entitled the “Top Twenty Reasons He’s a Slimy Jerk Bastard,” complete with instructions for getting over Sean, most of which force her to step outside her comfort zone. At times, they are funny and liberating, as when she throws an orange soda in Sean’s face. At other times, Jessa just embarrasses herself, and readers are left wondering why Carissa would ask her to do such things and why she would blindly comply. In the end, though, Jessa realizes that Sean wasn’t the perfect boyfriend she had made him out to be. In the process, she does a lot of soul-searching, realizing that she doesn’t really know who she is or what she wants to do with her life. This is a scary realization for the goal-driven teen, but a necessary one to help her grow. Although the book meanders and teeters on melodrama, ultimately it’s a good choice for girls who have had their hearts broken and thought they would never be able to pick up the pieces.–Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, Columbus, NJ

DALTON, Michelle. Sixteenth Summer. 285p. S & S/Pulse. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2344-2; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2345-9. LC 2010938330.
Gr 7 Up–Anna thinks her upcoming summer is going to be just like her previous ones–surviving the heat of her Dune Island, GA, home by going to the beach; working in her family’s ice-cream shop where she invents some popular flavors; and spending time planning her escape when she graduates. However, everything changes when she sees Will, a summer tourist (or “shoobee,” as the locals call them), at the annual end-of-school bonfire. Anna and Will’s relationship moves slowly, heating up with the temperature and hitting some rough patches as Anna tries to prevent herself from getting hurt at summer’s end. Though equally smitten, Will is more philosophical–they should enjoy the time they have; maybe the relationship will survive beyond August and maybe it won’t. Anna’s first-person narration is appealingly genuine as she experiences the emotionally potent highs and lows of first love and reexamines her own self-image and life expectations with newfound perspective. The teen characters, and their interactions, are well drawn, as is the vividly described island setting. Pleasant and languid, and unfolding at the pace of an unhurried summer’s day, this novel will appeal to girls who like their romances sweet and non-paranormal.–Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL

DE VRIES, Maggie. Somebody’s Girl. 164p. (Orca Young Readers Series). CIP. Orca. 2011. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-383-2. LC 2010941923.
Gr 3-6–Martha is an exasperating yet sympathetic nine-year-old whose life is thrown into a tailspin when her adoptive parents announce that they are having a baby. She is bereft, furious, and maddeningly self-centered. She misses her perfectly groomed mother, who doled out homemade afterschool snacks and always chaperoned her dinners with her birth mother. Martha shrinks from Linda’s smoky breath and her desperate hugs, but is hurt when she announces that she is getting married, moving away, and anticipates bringing up a baby with her fiancé. She has alienated her friends, and is scornful of Chance, a foster boy. She suspects that their teacher put them on a project together because they don’t live with their birth parents. Being adopted and being a mere foster child are vastly different in her view, and she is impatient that her teacher does not understand that. Martha is enthralled by the natural world, though, and fish, and Chance shares her obsession, so their joint project earns rave reviews. De Vries does not play down how prickly Martha is, yet when the child acknowledges her selfish behavior and welcomes the new baby, she demonstrates that maturing is hard work. The story is beautifully written, and Martha and Chance are particularly authentic and robust, though even minor characters are deftly drawn. Although the book has a strong appeal to those interested in fiction about open adoptions, it deserves a wide audience because it is so well told.–Deborah Vose, East Middle School and South Middle School, Braintree, MA

DEE, Barbara. Trauma Queen. 256p. S & S/Aladdin Mix. 2011. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0923-1; ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0930-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8–Showing up for the first day at Crampton Middle School dressed for Pajama Day is only a bad thing if Pajama Day happened a month earlier. Marigold, who makes quite an impression in her monkey-print pajamas, is loathe to admit that she could have read the school’s documentation, preferring to blame her performance-artist mother. Becca’s art has been the cause of many problems and confrontations, including a very public performance about the mother of Marigold’s best friend, which forced them to move. Her well-meaning but intrusive mother continues to embarrass her, particularly when she starts an improv club at school and several eighth graders sign up for it. Marigold experiences the shifting allegiances and infighting among her classmates but in the end makes friends and comes to appreciate her over-the-top mother, with help from her wise and supportive grandmother. Often funny, the story also shows how looking at people in a new light can change one’s opinion of them.–Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, Alberta, Canada

DIAMAND, Emily. Flood and Fire. Bk. 2. 351p. (Raiders’ Ransom Series). CIP. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-24268-4. LC 2010023544.
Gr 5-8–In this follow-up to Raiders’ Ransom (Scholastic, 2009), readers are plunged right back into the action as Lilly and Lexy try to escape raider territory and sail home to Lilly’s fishing village. Instead, they travel to Cambridge and then to London, where a battle between the English and the Viking-like raiders is raging. Much of 23rd-century England is under water, and technology, being blamed for the breakdown of society, was banned long ago and is considered evil. Yet because of its power and rarity, Lilly’s late-21st-century gaming console is an object of desire for the raiders, and Lilly’s raider friend Zeph is forced to choose between his loyalty to his friends and to his Family. Readers will sympathize with his dilemma but it’s the fast-moving plot and the wild-and-woolly post-technological setting that will keep the pages turning. The game console AI, a conceited and high-maintenance personality, provides invaluable assistance and comic relief, and its aid in battling a malfunctioning military computer’s marauding robots results in a vivid finale against the backdrop of a flooded but still-vibrant London. Fans of the first book will be satisfied with this exciting sequel.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

DRAGO, Ty. The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses. 469p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-4785-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-10–One morning, 12-year-old Will Ritter discovers that his cranky old neighbor, his math teacher, and the assistant principal of his school are all rotting corpses, and that they want him dead. Rescued by a mysterious new classmate, he ends up at Haven, the secret hideout of the Undertakers–a group of kids between the ages of 12 and 18 who can actually see the corpses and are attempting to rescue kids like Will, just coming into their Seer abilities. Will discovers that his dead father, evidently the only adult Seer, started the Undertakers with the help of Tom and Sharyn, former street thieves turned remarkably competent leaders. There’s a lot going on here: weird aliens, a possible angel, cool gadgets and potentially magical weapons, and Will, who is Every Kid, only with skills that develop extraordinarily fast. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Harry Potter, with bug-filled corpses. Fans of comic-book heroes and video games will not be disappointed, and will be eager for further adventures. Fast paced and surprisingly moving.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

ERSKINE, Kathryn. The Absolute Value of Mike. 256p. Philomel. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25505-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–Mike’s father, a brilliant engineering professor, is disappointed that he does not have a brilliant, mathematically inclined son and is forcing him to spend the summer working on remedial math and engineering projects to get him ready for high school. When he is offered a university teaching job in Romania, Mike ends up staying with his great-aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania. Moo can barely see, and Poppy is catatonic since the death of their son. Mike becomes involved in a project to help Karen, a local teacher, adopt a child from Romania. However, the country’s adoption laws have changed, and now she has just three weeks to scrape together $40,000 for adoption fees, so Mike and the rest of the town work together to help her. Before he realizes it, he is in charge of the whole operation. It’s a huge undertaking for a 14-year-old as it involves a web campaign, eBay marketing, and a town festival. Now if only he can get Poppy out of his armchair and working on the artisan boxes he promised to sell before his son’s death, they might just make their deadline. The eccentric characters’ over-the-top behaviors border on the ridiculous, and kids will be laughing throughout much of the novel. Unfortunately, the story ends before enough money is raised. While parts of the novel are heartwarming, the ending is likely to leave readers frustrated.–Melyssa Kenney, Parkville High School, Baltimore, MD

FERRAIOLO, Jack D. Sidekicks. 312p. Abrams/Amulet. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9803-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Bright Boy, sidekick of Batman-like superhero Phantom Justice, aka Trent Clancy, rescues a beautiful female hostage from the clutches of evil Rogue Warrior, but is powerless to conceal his erection that is all-too-obvious in his yellow tights–a costume that the live helicopter news feeds show he has clearly outgrown. His humiliation extends even to the kindergartners at his exclusive private Manhattan school and Phantom Justice is inexplicably unsympathetic, telling Bright Boy, aka Scott, to “control it.” Their nemesis, Dr. Chaotic, escapes from prison and with his sidekick, Monkeywrench, provokes a confrontation. In the dustup, Monkeywrench is revealed to be a girl–Scott’s classmate Allison–but she also discovers his identity. Long story short, they fight and flirt, fall for each other, and soon learn to prefer quiet conversations and kissing to fisticuffs. Two sections of white font on black pages reveal that Phantom Justice is a fraud, in cahoots with his evil counterparts, paid by giant corporations to stage their fights so as to provide them with free publicity–all those live helicopter news feeds. Further, PJ coldly plans to murder the troublesome sidekicks, just as he’s disposed of other collaborators he no longer needed. This is a fast-reading, cleverly told, entertaining tale, sort of a graphic novel without the pictures. Although loose ends abound, the fun is in the boy-meets-girl story. Readers will be entertained and will hope for a quick sequel to fill in the gaps.–Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA

FINN, Mary. Belladonna. 384p. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5106-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–When Thomas Rose returns from school in disgrace because he can’t learn reading and writing, he faces an uncertain future. In 1757, a man needs a trade like his wheelwright father or glover grandfather, and the 15-year-old shares neither interest. His life takes a surprising turn when he meets a young woman who has come to rural Lincolnshire in search of her horse, Belladonna. Hélène, who is French, has adopted the name Ling since the two countries are at war. Intrigued by her stories of dancing atop the snow white horse as part of a circus troupe, Thomas decides to help. They locate Belladonna, sold to a rich family by George Stubbs, who was hired to paint the son’s portrait. Stubbs’s fascination with the animals has earned him the name “horse butcher.” To understand equine anatomy, he sketches them as he strips layers away from a carcass, and he makes Thomas his assistant. Thomas, who narrates the story, slowly learns about how Ling lost her mother and brother and helps her succeed in stealing Belladonna. Many subplots and minor characters weigh down the tale. While Stubbs’s production of drawings for his classic Anatomy of the Horse is recounted in graphic detail, the book assumes readers’ knowledge of subjects such as press gangs, apprenticeships, and prejudice against Gypsies. Historical romance fans will know that Ling and Thomas will reunite eventually. Those who concentrate on that central plotline will enjoy the journey, but others may get bogged down on the way.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

FISHER, Catherine. The Dark City. Bk. 1. 376p. (Relic Master Series). CIP. Dial. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3673-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5 Up–In this quartet opener, Galen is a relic master who has recently lost his powers, and he must rely on his apprentice Raffi, whose mystical abilities are still developing. They are sent on a quest by a bandit lord who wants them to find a nonhuman Sekoi thief in exchange for the return of a precious relic. The Sekoi seems to be traveling to the city of Tasceron, which has been plunged into perpetual gloom. Galen hopes to find a cure for his condition in this city that was once home to the relic masters and is now a stronghold of the Watch. Along the way they meet Carys, a young woman who claims to be journeying to Tasceron to rescue her father from the Watch but who is in fact a spy. Fisher’s flawed characters are more accessible than fantasy heroes with incredible powers. In this moody book full of mist, swamps, and darkness, the threat of the Watch hangs over the secret relic masters and innocent villagers alike. Besides the Watch, the characters face challenges ranging from mystical riddles to fearsome creatures. The author’s earlier successes and the general popularity of dystopic fiction should guarantee an audience for this one. On top of all that, it’s a great read.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

GARCÍA, Cristina. Dreams of Significant Girls. 256p. CIP. S & S. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7920-3. LC 2010002585.
Gr 10 Up–At a posh Swiss summer boarding school in 1971, three very different girls share their problems and dreams: Ingrid, a wild, sexually liberated Midwesterner; Vivian, a Jewish Cuban-American aspiring chef; and Shirrin, an Iranian noblewoman and mathematical genius. Writing in turn, their characters are fully developed and believable. Each voice is wholly individual, as are their disparate approaches to the impending freedoms and perils of adulthood. Loosely analogous to Ann Brashares’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” (Delacorte) and Zoey Dean’s “A-List” series (Little, Brown), this title is more mature and subtle than merely a rich-chick friendship story. The glamour element is tempered by the historical and European context, as is the feminist approach to sexuality–a major element of the novel, including oral sex, equestrian orgasms, masturbation, and abortion. There’s a touching side story as well, involving the pasts of Ingrid’s former-Nazi father and Vivian’s Warsaw Ghetto-survivor dad. With its 1970s patina and 1983 epilogue (post Iranian Revolution, crafted to increase readers’ concerns about Shirrin), the novel reads like an adult book being marketed to teens. Despite the occasionally far-fetched situations and rather flat supporting cast, this is nonetheless a title that many mature young women will appreciate.–Rhona Campbell, formerly at Washington, DC Public Library

GHISLAIN, Gary. How I Stole Johnny Depp’s Alien Girlfriend. 176p. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7460-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–With a decidedly European sensibility, this French import takes readers on a madcap, quirky adventure with nerdy 14-year-old David Gershwin, who quickly falls for Zelda, a hard-case patient in his father’s therapy practice. Zelda appears to be suffering from the delusion that she is a warrior from the alien planet Vahalal and must meet with her “chosen one,” Johnny Depp, in order to save her Amazonian race from extinction. Beautiful and feral, Zelda has an emotionally stiff manner and brash, violent behavior; even her wardrobe of designer bathing suits seems to come straight from 1930s sci-fi serials. David uses his life’s savings to bribe his (sort of) stepsister, sophisticated urbanite Malou, into taking them on a boozy road trip to gate-crash a Parisian party where Depp is rumored to be going. What Zelda doesn’t count on is developing feelings for David before she has a chance to meet up with her on-screen idol. The already-strange novel takes a turn toward the surreal at the end. An interesting debut, shorter and more accessible than Libba Bray’s Going Bovine (Delacorte, 2009), this novel should appeal to mature YA readers looking for short, humorous, action-packed science fiction.–Madigan McGillicuddy, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, GA

GOODMAN, Alison. Eona. 637p. Viking. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-670-06311-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Pulled from the obscurity of the salt mines and into the dangerous life of a Dragoneye, Eon became the first female to bond with one of the ancient dragons of the Empire of the Celestial Dragons in centuries. As the second book opens, she has cast off her male disguise and joined forces with the beleaguered young emperor and his army in an attempt to take back the throne from his corrupt uncle, Sethon. Unfortunately, this also means that Eona, as she is now called, must find a way to work with her former enemy, Lord Ido, the Rat Dragoneye. This book is every bit as dynamic and powerful as Eon (Viking, 2008). Goodman’s world-building is at once mesmerizingly beautiful and viciously treacherous, and Eona must discover her true allies in order to save the kingdom and the dragons. Recommend this title to fans of Tamora Pierce and Naomi Novik.–Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

GREGORY, Kristiana. Cannons at Dawn: The Second Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart. 256p. (Dear America Series). maps. photos. reprods. CIP. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-545-21319-6; PLB $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-28088-4. LC 2010032431.
Gr 4-8–Gregory picks up Abigail Stewart’s tale where she left off in The Winter of Red Snow (Scholastic, 1996). The 12-year-old’s father joined the Continental Army in 1778. It’s now 1779, and Abigail and her family follow it when they are left homeless by a house fire. She pens her diary over the next three years, describing in great detail the rigors of camp life as they walk behind the troops up and down the mid-Atlantic colonies. She matures from a girl into a young woman and marries a soldier named Willie. The romance blooms slowly, but convincingly, and Abby is pregnant at the conclusion. Her voice matures as the story proceeds and carries the range of emotions one would expect from a thoughtful teenager. This is an unromanticized yet engaging portrayal of civilian camp followers, whose lives were extremely difficult, uncertain, and dangerous. The terrible conditions of the winter of 1779-’80 are highly detailed–the Army and its followers survived more than 26 snowstorms with low rations and few clothing supplies. Gregory does an excellent job of describing the “life goes on” mentality that families adopted. Couples married, children were born, people of all ages died from illnesses and accidents. Historical events such as alliances, battles, sieges, and other military maneuvers are intertwined with the telling of these everyday events. The “Dear America” website has many interactive features (crafts, recipes, artifacts, etc.) that help bring authenticity to Abby’s fictional life.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

GURTLER, Janet. I’m Not Her. 304p. Sourcebooks/Fire. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5636-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–It’s hard for Tess not to be jealous of her older sister. Kristina is beautiful; she’s popular and outgoing, with a promising volleyball career. When Kristina is diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer and must undergo chemotherapy, their mother’s desire to keep up appearances makes Tess’s life even more painful. Her mother throws parties and goes shopping to avoid dealing with the reality of Kristina’s illness. Her dad spends all of his time at work and her sister slips into depression. In the meantime, Tess is trying to keep up her grades and create a piece of artwork to submit to a contest that could lead to a scholarship to her dream school. Tess’s transformation is subtle, believable, and satisfying. The author seamlessly develops complexity in all of the characters as they all respond differently to their grief. Tess’s former best friend seems to gloat at Kristina’s diagnosis, while the kids in the popular crowd, whom Tess had previously dismissed, reach out to Tess, and her former academic rival, Clark Trent, becomes her protector at school. Tess’s journey is both rewarding and painful as she develops the courage to stand up to her parents to break them out of their denial and she begins to appreciate her own beauty and strength. This quick and heartbreaking read realistically shows how one person’s illness affects an entire community.–Rachael Myers-Ricker, Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY

HALPERN, Julie. Don’t Stop Now. 224p. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64346-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–It’s the summer before college, and Lil is ready to take it easy. She has money from her bat mitzvah and a partner in crime: her best friend, Josh. Her plans are thwarted, though, when a high school acquaintance, awkward Penny, leaves a phone message for Lil saying only, “I did it,” and disappears. Lil is torn between her desire for a drama-free summer and a conscience that won’t let the message go. Calls from the missing girl’s parents, the police, and the FBI don’t help, either. Lil and Josh take matters into their own hands and try to find Penny themselves, helped by more phone messages from her. As the two drive from Chicago to Portland, OR, they try to figure out if they are just friends or more. Throughout, Penny’s diary entries interrupt Lil’s first-person narrative to paint a picture of an insecure young woman in an abusive relationship. When Josh and Lil finally find her, all three have changed in positive ways; however, their overall motivations don’t make a lot of sense, so the book’s resolution lacks impact. At times the story suffers from detailed accounts of the kitschy tourist traps the teens visit along the way, and Penny’s heady story line never really gets the kind of attention it deserves. Still, Josh and Lil have the kind of carefree trip that many readers will find enviable and about which they will enjoy reading.–Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

HAN, Jenny. We’ll Always Have Summer. 291p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9558-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9560-9. LC 2010046670.
Gr 10 Up–In this conclusion to the trilogy, Isabel and Jeremiah are about to marry. Their families think they’re too young and suspect that Belly is pregnant, an assumption that she, understandably, finds irksome. A virgin, she sees marriage as an act of defiance under the circumstances, and that’s deep, for her. Readers know nothing of her personal ambitions (she’s just finishing her freshman year at college) beyond teasing the affections out of Jeremiah and his older brother, both of whom are smitten with her. When Conrad shows up unexpectedly, Belly returns to the dilemma of the earlier books: Which one shall I choose, since both choose me? This is a bit cloying, as is the implication that the search for a life partner begins and ends next door. The Fishers and the Conklins raised their children together, Belly’s the only girl (she has an older brother), and she has been looked after like a little sister by all three boys. As for the other characters, Taylor offers a sensible counterpoint to Belly as someone who questions her decision, but who winds up being just what she needs: a friend. Taylor makes her laugh, and offers comic relief as her wedding planner. The tension over whether or not this event is going to happen is well plotted. Both boys adore the protagonist, but in the end neither wants to fawn over her, which makes each a stand-up guy in his own right–and so much harder to choose between. While some might enjoy its fairy-tale essence of children turning into life mates, others might ask whether this series offers young women a path to independent adulthood beyond marrying Mr. Right.–Georgia Christgau, Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY
HARMON, Michael. The Chamber of Five. 208p. CIP. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86644-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96644-6; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89641-5. LC 2010021077.
Gr 10 Up–Jason Weatherby is a rich kid. He attends a prestigious school for the gifted, and his father is a congressman. Only Jason isn’t gifted, and neither are any of the other members of the elite group of five boys who run the school. The Chamber is a powerful springboard to prestigious colleges and powerful positions. Carter Logan is its cruel, and some would say sadistic, leader. He uses his position to force members to do unspeakable things to other students to get their compliance or to get them kicked out of the school. He makes a girl strip to the waist, and he forces one boy to perform oral sex while photos are taken to spread around campus. Jason wants none of it, but the repercussions for noncompliance could be too great and his abusive father is siding with The Chamber. Now things are turning even more ugly and violent, and Jason becomes determined to bring down the group and expose it for what it is. This book is gritty and powerful, and will have readers transfixed. The short chapters, fascinating characters, and page-turning action makes this book an excellent choice for reluctant readers.–Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO

HARRISON, Michelle. 13 Curses. 486p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04150-8. LC 2010022850.
Gr 5-8–Harrison returns to the world of fairies in this follow-up to 13 Treasures (Little, Brown, 2010). Two separate story lines about Rowan and Tanya, who can see fairies, run parallel and then intersect in the final pages during the search for the 13 charms from the bracelet introduced in the first novel. Unlike that book, this story seems way too long and complex for most kids, and then accelerates to an almost frantic pace when fairies challenge Rowan to find the 13 charms in order to save her brother, who was taken from her by the fairies. Tanya, the protagonist in the first book, becomes her ally. The search, which should have been difficult, seems almost ridiculously easy, and readers are left wondering about what the first three fourths were really all about. It is also never clear what the title means. Although this is an interesting and fresh look at the world of fairies, 13 Curses is too bogged down with depressing detail, giving way to a quick, unsatisfying conclusion.–Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

HAWKINS, Rachel. Demonglass: A Hex Hall Novel. 359p. Hyperion. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2131-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–If Buffy and Spike had had a love child, she might be Sophie; she’s pretty, snarky, kick-butt, and…demonic. She has just survived her first year at Hecate Hall, “a.k.a. Juvie for Monsters,” and has reluctantly begun to come to terms with her paranormal nature. When her previously absentee father demands her presence at the headquarters of the Prodigium Council, the summer holidays really heat up for Sophie and her blood-sucking best friend, Jenna. Archer Cross, the demon-hunter-in-training on whom she had an ill-advised crush, reappears, seemingly on a mission to destroy her, and her father begins to groom her to be his successor as head of the Council and announces her betrothal to Cal, the 19-year-old groundskeeper of Hecate Hall. It’s all just too much for one 16-year-old to deal with. Quick, sarcastic humor spices up the “does he like me or is he just using me to kill my demon father” angst. Girls who like their spooky stuff with a touch of frothy sweetness rather than drunk straight from the vein will find this novel delicious. Recommend Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy (HarperTeen) or Brenna Yavanoff’s The Replacement (Penguin, both 2010) for those looking for slightly darker selections.–Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

HOWELL, Troy. The Dragon of Cripple Creek. 389p. CIP. Abrams/Amulet. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9713-4. LC 2010034362.
Gr 5-8–Kat Graham loves gold–she even has a gold tooth–so when she sees a sign for the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour in Cripple Creek, CO, she persuades her father to take a short detour en route to his new job in California. While on the tour, Kat sneaks away from the group, tumbles down a shaft, and makes a startling discovery: Ye, an ancient dragon surrounded by a hoard of gold. Gold, Ye explains, is what remains of dragons after they die, and Ye is the last of his kind. Though touched by his story, Kat can’t resist keeping a nugget for herself and ends up sparking a national sensation as various forms of human greed and ambition collide in a second gold rush. Featuring among other things a cool private eye, a nasty investigative reporter, and a tragic accident that has left Kat’s mother comatose, Howell’s debut novel is often a bit too crowded for its own good, but the book provides some interesting discussion points on the themes of greed, mortality, and wonder.–Christi Esterle, Parker Library, CO

HOWSE, Emily. Zitface. 204p. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5830-2. LC 2010011819.
Gr 6-9–At 13, Olivia Hughes knows what she wants to do with her life, and has already launched an acting career by landing parts in several commercials. Suddenly, on the day of her biggest audition yet, she gets a zit. Not only does she have to be treated by a dermatologist for her worsening skin, but she also has to deal with other stresses: a strained relationship with her mom, her feelings for a new boy in town, growing distant from one of her best friends, and an upcoming visit to her dad and his new girlfriend. As if this isn’t enough, she is suddenly being scrutinized for every mark that appears on her face. The girl who seemed to have it all slowly starts losing it all, but in the end, that might not be such a bad thing. Olivia discovers that growing up is not always fun, but that she can learn from every experience. Howse provides a believable look at many common teenage problems, treating issues such as self-esteem, body image, divorce, and personal relationships. At times funny as well as heart-wrenching, Zitface conveys a wonderful message that people are not always what they seem and offers a story that readers can connect with and from which they can draw hope.–Rebecca Webster, Warren County Middle School, Front Royal, VA

IGNATOW, Amy. The Popularity Papers: The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang. Bk. 2. illus. by author. 208p. Abrams/Amulet. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9724-0. LC 2010930192.
Gr 4-6–Julie and Lydia are back with a brand-new dilemma. Just one month before entering junior high, Lydia’s mother announces that she has taken a job in London for six months, leaving Julie with the task of becoming popular on her own while her best friend makes new friends and explores a new city. As in The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (Abrams, 2010), the girls communicate often in handwritten notes or via email. Ignatow explores their individual personalities and develops them further through social interactions in their respective schools. Julie struggles with becoming one of the Bichons, an in-group, while Lydia corrals those she considers to be outcasts to try to boost their popularity. Creative illustrations abound, showcasing each character’s unique style. This is a great recommendation for reluctant readers and fans of Jeff Kinney’s “Wimpy Kid” books (Abrams), Rachel Renée Russell’s “Dork Diaries” (S & S), and Jim Benton’s “Dear Dumb Diary” books (Scholastic).–Lia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ

JOHNSON, J. J. This Girl Is Different. 316p. CIP. Peachtree. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-578-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Add a few years to Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl (Knopf, 2000), remove the mystical aura, plop her in northern New York state, shore up her liberal credentials (e.g., with a build-your-own geodesic dome home), mix in a healthy dose of self-righteousness, a dash of cynicism, a libido, and a hot South Asian boyfriend who is “a crunchier, leaner version of Kumar from Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle”...and voilà! Meet Evie. As a homeschooler entering senior year in the arena of a public high school, this stridently independent protagonist starts an anonymous blog to shed light on injustice, from the cheer squad coach who takes body image to the extreme to the teacher who may–or may not–be having an affair with a student. The ensuing chaos mixes with romantic comedy to culminate in a melodramatic resolution reminiscent of certain ’80s John Hughes flicks, but Evie does undergo a degree of character reform through the process. Most of the figures surrounding this stubborn narrator lack depth, Evie’s histrionics can be over-the-top, the writing is uneven, and sometimes noncontextualized pop-culture quotes jump out discordantly. Because of the novel’s incorporation of First Amendment issues in this era of Web 2.0, it is worth most high schools’ second tier of purchases.–Rhona Campbell, formerly at Washington, DC Public Library

JONELL, Lynne. Emmy and the Rats in the Belfry. illus. by Jonathan Bean. 384p. Holt. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9183-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–Emmaline Addison, the girl who communicates with rodents, is back with her recipe-loving, bewhiskered friend, Ratson. In this third critter adventure, two mysterious letters arrive from Schenectady. The first invites Sissy to a reunion with her long-lost Ratmom. The second asks Emmy to visit her great-aunts. These letters are actually part of a diabolical plot masterminded by evil Miss Barmey, Emmy’s former nanny-turned-rat. She plans to kidnap Sissy and use the rat’s magical kisses to restore herself to human form. Once transformed, she will take revenge on Emmy (and her little rats too). Now Emmy and friends must rescue Sissy, find the real Ratmom, stop Miss Barmey’s dastardly plot, and prove to her parents that she is indeed a responsible daughter. Predictably, good prevails over evil. Just the same, readers will cheer when Miss Barmey and henchman Cheswick Vole find themselves behind bars. Although some background is provided, readers unfamiliar with Emmy’s previous adventures may be confused. Additionally, the length may intimidate reluctant readers. Still, fans of the protagonist will delight in this quirky, imaginative tale. Bean’s very batty flip-book art adds to the fun.–Alissa J. LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

KAGAWA, Julie. The Iron Queen. Bk. 3. 368p. (The Iron Fey Series). Harlequin Teen. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-373-21018-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Meghan Chase is turning 17 in the real world while her boyfriend, Ash, the “Ice Prince,” lives on forever like all Faeries. After her last quest, Meghan thought that her time with the fey, her enemies, was over. Despite her wishes and hopes, she gets a rude awakening when she discovers that a new Iron King is bringing Nevernever to the brink of complete destruction. After the battle with the Iron King, Machina, Meghan and Ash were exiled from Nevernever, banned from ever returning again. But with the return of the Iron King, the Winter and Summer armies, led by Oberon and Mab, need Meghan’s help and lift their exile judgment. Will Meghan find the courage to stand up for Nevernever again? Will her feelings for Ash get in the way of her mission? Meghan’s struggles are intricately laid out in this constantly moving tale of true love and dedication. Sequencing of events is perfectly lined up to keep readers wanting more. And despite being part of a series, it stands on its own.–Kathryn Kennedy, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

KENT, Trilby. Stones for My Father. 170p. CIP. Tundra. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-252-3. LC C2010-903163-6.
Gr 5-7–This meticulously researched novel about a white Afrikaner girl caught up in the Boer War at the turn of the 19th century brings to light a hitherto overlooked aspect of South African history. Corlie Roux is living with her harsh mother and younger brothers on an isolated farm in what was the South African Republic (now Mpumalanga). As the war reaches their farm, they flee, but are captured and interned in a concentration camp. The privations, hunger, and disease leading to the death of many children, including Corlie’s brother, are described in some detail. Kent tackles the challenge of depicting the complex relationships between Afrikaner colonists and English imperialists, and also the relationships of both these groups to the indigenous Africans. The narrative is occasionally overwhelmed by background detail and multilingual information (English, Afrikaans, and Zulu). Although the author does an admirable job of explaining the meanings of words in context, a glossary and pronunciation guide would have been helpful. Kent uses the racist terms that Afrikaners would have used to describe indigenous Africans and Indians, while softening them with descriptions that are more respectful. There is no explanation of their deeply insulting nature. Corlie’s relationship with a Zulu boy and her concern for him and his family portrays an independent-minded and unusual girl, and the powerful scene in which he is taken away and she tries unsuccessfully to get her mother to save him captures the reality and tragedy of South African racism. Corlie’s own life takes an unexpected turn when she learns about her origins and has to fend for herself in the direst of circumstances. Corlie will comfortably find a place alongside the heroines in Patricia Reilly Giff’s historical novels.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

KESSLER, Jackie Morse. Rage. 228p. Houghton/Graphia. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-44528-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Rage is the companion novel to Hunger (Houghton, 2010), which looks at anorexia through the lens of Famine. Missy is a cutter. She cuts not to enjoy pain, but rather to control it. After she has been publicly humiliated, the Horseman Death appears, offering her the opportunity to fill in for one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She accepts the position of War by taking the symbol of the office–the sword–and galloping off on the red steed that she dubs Ares. In her new role, she travels the countryside studying conflict and learns the role of War in maintaining peace. After each adventure with Ares and her fellow Horsemen, Missy tumbles back into her high school life as though nothing has changed. Although the myth offers a unique spin on the cutting genre, it seems a bit underdeveloped here: War is never fully unleashed, and readers never see Missy’s high school peers witness her new station. Purchase where the first book has been popular.–Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

KRAUS, Daniel. Rotters. 451p. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73857-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90737-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89558-6. LC 2010005174.
Gr 9 Up–It’s a hot day in Chicago when Joey Crouch’s mother is hit by a bus and killed. The 16-year-old is forced to move to small-town Iowa with a hermitlike father whom he has never met. Life is hard; his father disappears for days at a time from his squalid, unfurnished home, and at school Joey becomes the victim of bullies and a self-righteous faculty. When he discovers that his father is a grave robber, Joey decides that he wants to be a part of this clandestine and ancient profession. Through this morbid but shared interest, he begins to learn the truth about his father’s relationship with his mother, and why his dad never settled down. With abhorrent descriptions of corpses, and all of the repulsive, vile things that happen to our bodies once we are placed under the ground, Rotters is darker than your typical coming-of-age story, but, nonetheless, is still a gripping and emotional tale. Joey’s disillusionment with his life, culminating in a disturbing revenge scene and succumbing to the depraved side of digging, makes it all the more rewarding when he comes to understand the gravity of his mistakes and what is really important. Kraus’s exquisite grasp of the English language makes the descriptions come to life, greatly enhancing the story. The pacing and depth make it a good choice for those interested in offbeat tales, such as Libba Bray’s Going Bovine (Delacorte, 2009).–Devin Burritt, Jackson Memorial Library, Tenants Harbor, ME

MCCAUGHREAN, Geraldine. The Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen. 336p. CIP. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200806-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Cissy, 12, lives for the days when letters arrive from Miss Loucien, her free-spirited former teacher turned traveling actor. When diphtheria breaks out in her 1890s Oklahoma town and a freak accident destroys her house, Cissy’s silver lining comes in the form of evacuation into the care of Miss Loucien and the Bright Lights Theater Company. An amnesiac captain, a pregnant leading lady, and an actor who speaks only in Shakespearean quotes are a few of the motley crew aboard the Sunshine Queen, the old steamboat that the troupe calls home. Spunky and lovable Cissy fits right in with the cast of characters and saves the day on more than one occasion when gamblers, swindlers, and overeager sheriffs cross their path. Life on the boat has an almost magical quality; despite regular catastrophes and brushes with death, everyone survives unscathed and ready for the next escapade. Colorful literary devices enliven the prose: “a great tidal wave of Boredom rolled in from the eastern horizon, then broke over the school roofs.” The plot itself takes a while to gather steam, but once it does, it churns its way through adventure after rollicking adventure, with a culminating feat of derring-do that will leave readers cheering.–Emma Burkhart, Springside School, Philadelphia, PA

MCCRITE, K. D. Confessions of April Grace. Bk. 1. 290p. (In Front of God and Everybody Series). Tommy Nelson. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-40031-722-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–In this story set on a farm in the Ozarks during the 1980s, third-grader April Grace is an observer of human nature. She watches the various people in her daily life, such as her soap-opera-obsessed sister who’s more interested in make-up and clothes than in doing her chores. April’s patient, nonjudgmental parents don’t always do what she thinks they should. For example, when her widowed grandmother starts dating a shifty ex-rancher from Texas, they aren’t even suspicious, telling April not to think negatively. Just because they try to be Christian and pattern their lives along the lines of St. Francis Assisi’s Prayer for Peace doesn’t mean they should close their eyes when her grandmother is in danger of marrying a con artist. Well-developed characters and humorous writing will engage readers wanting to know how it will all turn out. Serious subjects, such as an eating disorder, are handled sensitively, and the religious aspects of the story are subtle. This is a book to hand to readers who enjoyed Jennifer L. Holm’s Turtle in Paradise (Random, 2010) and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Faith, Hope, and Ivy June (Delacorte, 2009).–Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL
MACHALE, D. J. The Black. Bk. 2. 416p. (Morpheus Road Series). S & S/Aladdin. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-6517-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-10–MacHale continues the trip along Morpheus Road in this action-packed thriller about the afterlife. In this installment, high school sophomore Cooper has been sent to his family’s vacation home to escape retribution from some nasty characters. What happens is far worse: an evil spirit named Damon causes Cooper to die in a boating accident. The teen finds himself in an area of the afterlife called the Black and discovers that he is the one chosen to aid Damon in exacting revenge upon those who wronged him and free him from captivity. In exchange, Cooper will be given back his life. Cooper wants to live, but knows that Damon will cause great harm if he is freed. Damon is also threatening to kill Cooper’s friend, Marshall, who is still alive and unaware of his death. How Cooper handles this dilemma makes for an absorbing read. Often a little over-the-top, the narrative is intriguing enough to hook even reluctant readers. After all, who doesn’t wonder what happens to us after we die? MacHale has created some intriguing and fantastical answers to that question.–Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

MANDELSKI, Christina. The Sweetest Thing. 352p. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-129-7; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-253-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Sheridan Wells, aka “Cake Girl,” would rather spend Friday nights decorating her tasty creations at her grandmother’s bakery than going to parties. Content behind the counter, the Michigan teen’s junior year is turned upside down when her chef and restaurateur dad lands his own cooking show on ExtremeCuisine TV. Now she’s expected to move to New York City and maybe even spend time in front of the camera herself. More importantly, however, that means she won’t be in her hometown if and when her long-absent mother finally decides to return. Self-absorbed and melodramatic, Sheridan is believable, but only mildly likable. Her romantic interests are less realistic and behave more like 40-year-old men than teenage boys. Nonetheless, there is plenty of family and relationship drama, and the goings-on might appeal to nondiscriminating teens.–Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

MEYER, Carolyn. Cleopatra Confesses. 304p. diag. bibliog. chron. Web sites. CIP. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8727-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2245-2. LC 2010025989.
Gr 7-10–This fictional memoir of Egypt’s alluring, mysterious queen resonates with historical authenticity, plausible emotional dilemmas, and passion for power and survival. Living among a cast of both historical and fictional characters, Cleopatra narrates her story from age 10 in 59 BC to her death at age 39. A Greek descendant of Alexander the Great, she is portrayed as a keen observer of her father’s oppressive rule and unpopular submission to Rome; as an intellectual who studies the papyrus scrolls in the Library at Alexandria and learns the language of the Egyptian people; as a patient, shrewd competitor among her siblings for Ptolemy XII’s throne; and as an adolescent who seeks friendship on her own terms with Charmion, a loyal court dancer who later reveals their shared lineage. Key events in history are captured in this riveting, personal tale that seeks to fill gaps in documentation with realistic dialogue, descriptions of daily routines, daring marketplace adventures, royal excursions up the Nile, and poignant reflections on the fear and anxiety of living among a ruthless, ambitious family. Readers will savor the angst and “confessions” of an adolescent Cleopatra who secures a place in history as a charismatic, determined royal who raises an army against her brother after being banished from Egypt and who forges political and romantic liaisons with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony to save Egypt and herself. A rich assortment of characters, places, and events is woven into this appealing, well-paced, informative examination of Cleopatra’s dramatic life and times.–Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC

MILLER, Sarah. The Lost Crown. 448p. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. Web sites. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8340-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–This story of the last months of the Romanovs is told from the perspectives of the four grand duchesses: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia. It is not an easy book to read—Russian names and nicknames, among other things, present constant challenges, but for dedicated readers, it is well worth the effort. The four points of view begin as virtually indistinguishable from one another, but emerge as strong, separate voices as the lives of the Romanovs become more and more circumscribed. Miller asks her readers to view events through the eyes of these girls while also applying the lens of historical perspective. Thus, Rasputin is loved and revered by the Romanov sisters. The grand duchesses lead, by their own account at least, a fairly Spartan life in the palace, which would hardly be the opinion of the Bolsheviks. They are surprised by the animosity that their beloved peasantry feels toward them, and are shocked by the small acts of cruelty perpetrated on them by their guards. The Lost Crown is a wonderful way to demonstrate that all history–not just historical fiction–has a point of view, but it is also a finely crafted, character-infused novel that leaves readers wishing it could have ended another way for the Romanovs. Miller includes many vintage photographs, an epilogue, author’s note, glossary, and cast of characters. A finely wrought and complex novel.–Corinne Henning-Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

MOULTON, Erin E. Flutter: The Story of Four Sisters and One Incredible Journey. 200p. CIP. Philomel. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25515-1. LC 2010014507.
Gr 3-5–A moderately successful blending of a tender family story with a hair-raising adventure. Nine-year-old Maple feels unsettled when a monarch butterfly–out of season in chilly October Vermont–lights on the kitchen window; shortly afterwards, her mother goes into premature labor and baby Lily is born, small and weak. When feisty Maple overhears her father saying, “I am praying for a miracle,” she believes that if she can only collect water from the fountain of the legendary old woman in the mountain, she’ll have her miracle. Maple’s first-person voice is authentic as she plots the dangerous journey and argues with her older sister who thinks it’s too risky. Determined to save the baby, Maple won’t be dissuaded, and eventually the sisters escape their grandmother’s watchful eye and embark on an action-packed adventure that includes the hazards of a raging river, an encounter with a black bear, and poachers shooting deer–and almost the sisters. The use of the monarch butterfly, which appears several times during the journey as a sort of guardian spirit (and eventually accompanies them to the hospital), feels a little artificial, and some of the figurative language is awkward: “My throat twists like tree roots that have stood too long together.” But the page-turner of a survival story, and the ultimate resolution that love, in this case a family’s love for a baby, is the true miracle, will offer a satisfying read.–Caroline Ward, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

NAYLOR, Phyllis Reynolds. Incredibly Alice. 278p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7553-3. LC 2010036982.
Gr 9 Up–This book picks up where Alice in Charge (S & S, 2010), left off. Alice begins her second trimester of senior year with the realization that she’s never competed for anything before. In an effort to make the most of her remaining time, she decides to try out for one of the lead roles in the school musical, but landing it means cutting back on her other activities and meeting new people. Will she be able to stay faithful to her boyfriend, Patrick, while he’s at college? And what will happen next year, when Patrick studies abroad in Spain and her friends are all at different schools? Although it’s refreshing to read a YA novel in which the female protagonist is smart and funny and has a good relationship with her family, readers new to the series will long for something more exciting from Alice and her one-dimensional friends. Very little happens in this installment; the plot lacks focus and drags along slowly. The resolutions are too neat, and the writing walks a fine line between being sunny and saccharine. Purchase for avid fans of the series.–Rachael Myers-Ricker, Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY

NEIMARK, Gillian. The Secret Spiral. 208p. CIP. S & S/Aladdin. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8040-7. LC 2010020974.
Gr 4-6–For 10-year-old Flor Bernoulli, life is about to spin out of control. Literally. She loves indulging in the conically shaped pies from the shop around the corner in her New York City neighborhood, but she’s about to find out that Dr. Pi is a lot more than a baker: he is guardian of the Spiral, can peek around the corners of time, and is being chased by someone who wants to steal the fire, the spark that keeps the world alive. With changes in time and space through Dr. Pi’s magical hat, Flor travels to Paris (and meets her father for the first time), encounters the keeper of the fire, and helps save strange Mr. Bit and Mr. It. In the midst of these happenings, she discovers a book about her family, learns that they have always been intertwined with the Spiral, and sees that it is writing her life story as her adventures ensue. It is a journey of self-discovery for Flor as well as an attempt to save the Spiral. The characters are unique, such as thin Mrs. Plump, who believes that everyone should consume tea and toast and ends up on this strange journey, but it’s difficult to get attached to them. The novel lacks in excitement, especially since the true villain doesn’t show up until the epilogue. The book reads as if attempting to teach some math facts through a story, yet the math is not specific enough to learn from and the story ends up feeling contrived.–Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

NOJIRI, Housuke. Rocket Girls: The Last Planet. tr. from Japanese by Alexander O. Smith. 210p. CIP. Viz Media/Haikasoru. 2011. pap. $13.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-3765-8. LC 2010053691.
Gr 7-9–Shy, academic Akane is the latest “rocket girl” to be recruited by the Solomon Space Association, a new program that keeps the cost of space travel down by using very small orbiters. Their recruits are all petite teenaged girls who wear skintight space suits. At one point, an American astronaut wonders, “What is this, some kind of anime?” Though the cute-girls-in-space scenario is a little gratuitous, the story sticks mainly to the science of space flight and the suspense of the girls’ risky trips. The facts and figures may go over the heads of many teens, but the book reads about as fast as a manga (it has been adapted for an anime) and should appeal to both manga and science-fiction fans.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

NYLUND, Eric. The Resisters. 212p. Random. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86856-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96856-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89926-3. LC 2010019230.
Gr 5-7–Ethan Blackwood is enjoying seventh grade in secure, comfortable Santa Blanca. Like his friends, he is looking forward to the big test that will determine his high school placement. His older sister has already been accepted at Vassar and Ethan hopes for M.I.T. However, there are subtle hints that life in the “neighborhoods” isn’t quite what it seems. There are picture-perfect Victorian houses and backyard barbeques, but middle-school soccer games are played using massive nuclear-powered suits. Furthermore, any place outside the community is off-limits, except on carefully supervised field trips. Ethan learns the truth when he meets two young outsiders, Felix and Madison. Fifty years earlier, they tell him, Earth was overrun by the telepathic Ch’zar. Using mind control, the aliens absorbed all human adults into the Collective where they became slave laborers for the invaders. Children were immune to the Ch’zar influence, but only until they reached puberty. So, the “neighborhoods” were established to provide artificial families where kids could be kept safely under control until they were ready for absorption. The two want to recruit Ethan into the Resistance movement against the Ch’zar–but can he really trust them? Ethan, Felix, and Madison are multidimensional characters with authentic emotions and realistic attitudes and motives. This book mixes considerable background exposition with fast-moving action. While the immediate plot issues are resolved, there are plenty of threads left dangling. Middle school boys will enjoy the high-tech battle action and will look forward to the next installment.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

O’CONNOR, Sheila. Sparrow Road. 247p. CIP. Putnam. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25458-1. LC 2010028290.
Gr 5-7–Twelve-year-old Raine O’Rourke cannot understand why her single mother has abruptly decided to leave their Milwaukee home and her beloved Grandpa Mac to live and work for the summer at an old Lake Michigan estate. Sparrow Road, once an orphanage, is owned and run as an artist colony by stern, enigmatic Viktor Berglund, who imposes strict rules of conduct such as silence until dinner, and Raine is further restricted from leaving the premises, even as her mother and Viktor make mysterious trips to town. She tries to make the best of the situation, exploring the attic where vestiges of the orphanage give her fodder for her own writing, as she uses slim clues to create the persona of orphan Lyman Chase. With help from Diego, a wise and kindly artist, and flamboyant craftswoman Josie, Raine begins to adjust until the real reason for her mother’s decision is revealed: the father she has never even heard of lives nearby and wants to meet and get to know her. What follows is a thoughtful coming-of-age story that explores old and new relationships and conflicting family loyalties as Raine learns important things about herself and is left to make a serious decision about her father. Adding interest to this novel, set in a time before computers and cell phones, is a touch of mystery surrounding the orphanage, and Josie’s brainchild of an Art Extravaganza that brings townspeople and former orphans back to Sparrow Road. Lyrical writing in this first-person narrative, good character development, and a sympathetic heroine will keep readers absorbed.–Marie Orlando, formerly at Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

OSTOW, Micol. What Would My Cell Phone Do? 272p. Penguin/Speak. 2011. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-14-241469-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In this light, charming novel, 16-year-old Aggie copes with a move from Florida to Alaska, body image issues, and an overbearing, appearance-obsessed Spanglish-spouting mom. It’s easy to see why the teen would try to hide her personality behind a nondescript wardrobe and more outgoing friends, and when she isn’t making self-depreciating comments about her “borderline-oversized butt” or reminiscing about her old life in her friend Chloe’s shadow, she is dodging her mom’s attempts to give her a makeover. Starting her new school, Aggie instantly develops a crush on a guy who may or may not be taken. She also loses her cell phone and tracks it using GPS–but instead of reclaiming the phone, she waits to see where it goes. The adventuresome phone becomes her role model as she attempts to take more chances in life. This part of the story, while entertaining, stretches credibility and lacks resolution. However, the romance is satisfying and Aggie’s relationship with her mother is always entertaining. When difficult family secrets come out, readers will sympathize with the protagonist and cheer her on. The depiction of a teen adjusting to a new town and school after reluctantly relocating is believable. Readers who like funny fiction with a little romance thrown in will enjoy this story.–Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Unified School District

PALEY, Jane. Hooper Finds a Family: A Hurricane Katrina Dog’s Survival Tale. 144p. photos. HarperCollins. July 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-201103-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Hooper is a happy dog until Hurricane Katrina leaves him without a family and a home. Having survived the storm, he must now make the best of his new situation–living with new people in New York City. Based on a true story, this novel is a touching tale of a rescue dog. It chronicles Hooper’s scary ordeal of being stranded, his rescue, and his introduction to a family whose father–still mourning the loss of his own beloved dog–is reluctant to welcome a new pet. The beginning may be a little intense for more-sensitive readers, but the book has a happy ending, and kids looking for dog stories will love it. The Hurricane Katrina aspect is interesting and could lead to good discussion. Children will enjoy the pictures of the real Hooper in the back matter. A good purchase for most collections.–Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA

PATRICK, Cat. Forgotten. 292p. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09461-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–London Lane, 16, exists in a state of “remembering” her future but not her past. She has a highly structured life, using notes and messages to help her remember events both important and trivial, from her class schedule and homework to what she wore the day before. Only her mother and friend Jamie know London’s unusual secret. Thus, despite her strange condition, she is a typical teenager who tries to stay under the radar at school. London’s orderly life gets shaken when she meets Luke, a new student to whom she is immediately drawn. As she has no “future memory” of him, she expects he will not be an important part of her life. Then, as their relationship grows, the mystery of her memory condition deepens. With Luke’s steadfast support and help, the strange circumstances that led London to forget the past rise to the surface. This unique tale is quirky and funny and simultaneously offers readers a romantic mystery with intrigue. Patrick has created true-to-life characters in London and Luke, yet places them in a newly imagined scenario. While readers may at times join the memory-impaired protagonist in her confused state, ultimately this fresh twist results in an enjoyable read.–Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

PAULSEN, Gary. Flat Broke: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Greed. 128p. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. July 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-385-74002-9; PLB $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90818-4; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89869-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-9–In this follow-up to Liar, Liar (Random, 2011), 14-year-old Kevin has lost his allowance for a month thanks to his lying habit, so he has to find a way to make some cash. As quick as a wink, he puts his business savvy and his creativity to work and gets poker games going, delivers homemade cookies to a college campus, and starts a beauty service (with his big sister’s help), among other initiatives. The money begins to flow in, but so does the trouble; not everyone is thrilled with Kevin’s schemes, including the campus cops, his friends, and a local business owner. Throughout the book, business lessons are woven in by the clever narrator. Fans of the first book will enjoy this quick, fun lesson in cause and effect.–Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

PEARSON, Joanna. The Rites & Wrongs of Janice Wills. 224p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-19773-1. LC 2010029348.
Gr 8 Up–This novel, structured to include the field notes of an aspiring anthropologist reporting on the American adolescent to the editor of Current Anthropology, pleasantly repackages a somewhat predictable teen story arc with wit, solid writing, and able characterization. Gangly small-town Southerner Janice, 16, has pegged everyone in her high school into labeled categories, but what she reports about her contemporaries eventually becomes less scientific and more personal as she seeks self-realization, triumph over the ruling mean girl, and, of course, a boyfriend. Janice’s disdain for the annual Miss Livermush Pageant, which pits high school juniors from all over the county in competition for a scholarship and coveted social queen status, doesn’t stop her from participating to keep her friend Margo company and to report on the strange tribal practices from an insider’s point of view. Janice has her first ??almost-kiss” with her friend Paul, but it’s her crush, cool Jimmy Denton, who lures her to her first high school keg party. Their kiss is a disaster, and her relationship with Margo, who confronts her about her detached, judgmental style, crashes as well. Janice strives to change, writing the best darn Livermush essay the pageant folks have ever seen and parading onstage in a fancy blue dress with the other finalists for the talent and interview portions of the contest. By participating in the local rites of adolescence, she rights her own wrongs and begins to see her peers as more than just members of anthropological cliques.–Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

RALLISON, Janette. My Unfair Godmother. 339p. CIP. Walker. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2236-2. LC 2010025482.
Gr 6-10–Tansy Miller, 17, doesn’t realize what a jerk her boyfriend is until she hears police sirens and the sound of his motorcycle driving away from the scene of a crime–without her on the back. From there things get even worse; she’s tricked into implicating him to Hudson, the police chief’s hunky son. She’s been grounded indefinitely by her father, who she is now living with for the first time since she was seven. On top of all that, she is soon visited by her fairy godmother, Chrysanthemum Everstar, and Clover, a leprechaun. Unfortunately, her godmother is still in training, and the leprechaun cares more about visiting the pub than helping Tansy out of the difficult situations that Chrissy keeps putting her in. As Chrissy and Clover keep bungling Tansy’s wishes, the teen encounters Robin Hood and his Merry Men before she is sent to the Middle Ages to live out the “Rumpelstiltskin” fairy tale. Tansy knows that in order to escape her fate, she’ll have to promise the king’s baby to the horrible little man, but what if she could find a way to change the ending so that she could escape back to modern times. Fortunately for Tansy, Hudson is with her throughout. The fracturing of different fairy tales makes this story a bit more interesting than a standard teenage romance, and the ending hints at a sequel.–Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR

RENNISON, Louise. Withering Tights. 288p. glossary. HarperTeen. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-179931-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Rennison introduces Georgia Nicholson’s cousin, Tallulah Casey, a girl just as funny and introspective as Georgia herself, if not more so. Tallulah is on her way to a performing-arts school on the Yorkshire Moors–this fact alone has her beside herself thinking about Cathy and Heathcliff. This will be her first time away from home–she’ll be on her own with no parents, no little brother–and plans to discover her inner artistic talents and keep her knobby knees tightly under wraps. Tallulah soon meets a fun group of girls as well as Cain, the local cad; Alex, the local swoon-worthy boy; an owl; and Charlie, a boy with potential–and a secret. Readers will be laughing at the teen’s adventures and her journey toward artistic greatness during her summer at Dother Hall. Will she end up with Charlie? Does she really hate Cain–or does she secretly “feel funny” around him? Will Alex ever see her as anything but a 14-year-old? Tallulah is a vivacious and hilarious character who will speak to every girl–she’s not the most popular or the most beautiful, but she has her own wonderful talents that others start to recognize. This is a wonderful start to a new series that will attract Georgia’s many fans as well as bring in new readers, who will fall in love with Tallulah and all of her quirks. A definite must purchase for all libraries.–Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR

RUE, Nancy. Limos, Lattes & My Life on the Fringe. Bk. 4. 241p. (Real Life Series). CIP. Zondervan. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71487-3. LC 201100000.
Gr 6-10–Tyler Bonning is surviving her high school years by doing her own thing and trying her best to not care what anyone else thinks. But once she’s nominated for prom queen as a joke, courtesy of the rich popular kids known as the Ruling Class, she can’t help but be hurt. She decides to run with it, creating a campaign with promises to make prom more affordable for all who attend. With help from super cute Patrick and strange but sweet Valleri, Tyler has an actual chance of not only getting a wallet-friendly prom, but also of opening up to those around her. It’s all quite stressful, until she stumbles across a strange book that gives her a lot of good advice in a non-preachy way. Tyler is a far-from-perfect heroine who is almost off-puttingly fierce, making the glimpses of her soft side all the more sweet. However, the story’s spiritual sections seem to be an afterthought. After Tyler realizes that the book she found on the bus writes itself in response to her private thoughts, she doesn’t actually open it up much. On the other hand, the light sprinkling of spiritual elements broadens the audience to those who might not otherwise pick up “Christian Fiction.” A pleasant, predictable read.–Emily Chornomaz, Camden County Library System, Camden, NJ

RUNHOLT, Susan. Adventure at Simba Hill. 274p. (A Kari and Lucas Mystery). Viking. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01201-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Runholt’s newest book starring 14-year-old friends Kari and Lucas finds the sleuths on another globe-trotting adventure. This time they’ve tagged along with Kari’s Uncle Geoff, an archaeologist, to Kenya. Almost immediately, the girls hear their favorite three words, “It’s a mystery,” when they learn that ancient artifacts may have been unearthed and stolen from Simba Hill. Lucas’s photographic memory and Kari’s strength in reading people are put to the test as they must weave their way through an assortment of suspects and clues. Rich landscapes and the cultures, animals, and peoples of the country are interwoven seamlessly, which allows readers to feel as if they have been transported to the continent with the young detectives. The typical teen vernacular and the quick friendships they make with local young people Anya and Sam will make this story accessible for reluctant readers. Once again, the perfect sprinkling of danger, clues, intrigue, and friendship makes this a satisfying mystery to be savored.–Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

SHEINMEL, Alyssa B. The Lucky Kind. 202p. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86785-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96785-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89866-2. LC 2010027967.
Gr 9 Up–Life has been good to high school junior Nick Brandt, the only child of happily married parents, and winning the heart of the girl of his dreams, Eden Reiss, only makes things sweeter. But then Nick receives some surprising news: he’s not really an only child. His dad had a baby with his high school sweetheart, and the child was given up for adoption. Now an adult, Sam Roth reenters his biological father’s life and, in doing so, disrupts Nick’s. He’s angry at Dad for keeping this secret and confused about how this knowledge will affect his relationship with Eden as it weighs heavily on his mind as they have their first sexual experience. Sheinmel deftly navigates the subtle complexities of her protagonist’s concerns, especially the way he withdraws from Eden. There’s a tenderness in their relationship, as well as in his friendship with his best buddy, Stevie, that is reminiscent of Steve Kluger’s My Most Excellent Year (Dial, 2008). Teens will relate to Nick even though he exaggerates the severity of his situation; his parents have accepted the past just fine and Sam’s entrance doesn’t cause any drama outside of that which Nick has read into it. The first-person narration is honest and compelling, and the book’s thoughtful nature will appeal to readers who like more introspective realistic fiction.–Jennifer Barnes, Malden Public Library, MA

SHEINMEL, Courtney. All the Things You Are. 256p. CIP. S & S. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9717-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9719-1. LC 2010010090.
Gr 6-8–Carly Wheeler goes to a private school; has a best friend, Annie; and a mom who is a stylist for the cool Lovelock Falls soap opera. Her life is breezy and fun until the FBI arrests her mother for embezzlement. After that, the 12-year-old struggles with her feelings about her mom and what she did, and her yearlong prison sentence. Annie no longer talks to her, and Carly and her stepfather have to move into an apartment. The quick-paced book, which resembles Terri Fields’s My Father’s Son (Roaring Brook, 2008), is written in an easy style and features interesting relationships. It is accurate about the process of arrest and about prison and doesn’t skimp on many of the resulting issues that come up with friends, family, and neighbors. The conclusion is realistic yet positive. An above-average addition.–Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA

SMITH, Clete Barrett. Aliens on Vacation. illus. by Christian Slade. 272p. (The Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast Series). Hyperion/Disney. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3363-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-7–Instead of enjoying summer hanging out in the Florida sunshine, Scrub has been shipped clear out to Washington state to work at his grandmother’s space-themed inn. He quickly realizes that the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast is not merely a clever name. Grandma’s guests are actual aliens–from outer space–looking for a relaxing holiday on our quaint backwater planet. Grandma and Scrub try to provide appropriate Earth disguises for excursions, but it’s tricky for tentacled, three-eyed, or 10-foot-tall travelers to pass through unobtrusively. The local townsfolk are leery of Grandma’s New Age lifestyle and her unusual guests who don’t speak English well and have odd customs and mannerisms. Scrub’s new friend Amy seems particularly determined to solve the mystery of the inn’s clientele–and, unfortunately, her dad is the town sheriff, who would relish an excuse to close Grandma down for good. When the growing suspicion boils over into mob action, it’s up to Scrub to save his grandmother’s secret–and her livelihood. This deceptively lighthearted tale includes plenty of chuckles. Scrub’s chaotic campout with three rowdy juvenile aliens is especially funny. Each chapter is headed by an amusing illustration of a “Tourist”–often in Earth disguise. There is also a powerful message about tolerance and responsibility. The town’s mounting prejudice and fear creates an atmosphere of conflict, and the final confrontation with the terrified crowd is genuinely tense. A good choice for young science fiction fans, with special appeal to middle-school boys.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

SMITH, Emily Wing. Back When You Were Easier to Love. 296p. CIP. Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42199-3. LC 2010013469.
Gr 8 Up–It’s the beginning of the school year, and Joy’s boyfriend, Zan, has graduated early and abruptly gone to a California college without leaving her his contact information. Befuddled and still obsessed with him, she enlists the help of his friend Noah to help find her lost love and put some closure to the relationship. After a road trip to California, which concludes with an exciting zinger and a new romance, Joy gains insight into herself and learns important lessons about judging people at face value. Set in a fictional Mormon community in Utah, this is a tame romance heavily peppered with religious values; e.g., kissing is forbidden in this town. Joy’s first-person narrative features flashbacks showing that the relationship was based on the couple’s view of themselves as nonconformists in a town of the faithful. Joy’s character is particularly well drawn–the author gives readers the perfect image of a girl who can think of nothing but her boyfriend to the detriment of her other relationships. The story moves quickly and will resonate with religious teens, those who relish the idea of being outsiders, and, for that matter, any fan of romance.–Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA

STAHLER, David, Jr. Spinning Out. 288p. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7780-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Stewart and Gerry (aka Frenchy) are from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds, but their friendship is fueled by their misfit status and their daily pot-smoking “pit stops.” When they audition for the roles of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, their leader/follower relationship is cemented, and they surprise everyone with their talent. Their theatrical prowess, however, masks serious issues: Frenchy is trying to deal with his soldier-father’s recent suicide, and Stewart’s obsession with sabotaging the power company’s wind turbines is evidence of his mental illness. When his increasingly erratic behavior puts both teens in danger, Frenchy is forced to admit to Stewart’s schizophrenia and risks his own life to get him help. These teens have much more to them than meets the eye. The slow unraveling of their secrets provides insight into the often-complicated lives of adolescents bent on hiding their private demons from the world. Secondary characters, though less well developed, add depth to the story, and the adults exhibit a true desire to better themselves and/or to help the struggling protagonists. The relationships that develop between them and the boys add credibility. The narrative moves logically to its denouement, and the fast pace will keep readers interested in the conclusion. Religious epithets, derogatory terms (e.g., “faggot,” “douche bag”), curses, slang, and raw language abound, adding a realistic feel to the dialogue. A good choice for broadminded young adult collections.–Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, The Naples Players, FL

STANLEY, Diane. The Silver Bowl. 320p. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-157543-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Adventure, magic, subtle romance, betrayal, and monstrous curses take this book far beyond the typical scullery-maid-makes-good tale. Peasant girl Molly sometimes sees things before they happen, a fine enough reason for her unloving and poverty-stricken father to get rid of her. At age seven, she is abandoned at the door of Dethemere Castle, where she finds work in the kitchen. After years of hard labor, “Gentleman Servant” Thomas takes her under his wing, promoting her to silver polisher, where she is tasked with shining the most beautiful, intricately designed bowl she has ever seen. The minute she touches it, she is filled with intense warmth and sees visions of the demise of the royal family. The rumors of a curse are true. It’s becoming more and more powerful, and only she can stop it from destroying the royals. Stanley blends historical fiction and fantasy seamlessly, and her clear, rich language envelops and transports readers. Molly’s relationships with handsome Prince Alaric and the kind-hearted stable boy are textured and layered with emotion and dutiful devotion. The protagonist’s no-nonsense attitude is balanced by her big heart and a sweet, sharp sense of humor, making her a heroine readers will relate to and cheer for to the satisfying end.–Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

STOLARZ, Laurie Faria. Deadly Little Games. Bk. 3. 297p. (A Touch Novel). Hyperion/Disney. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3160-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8-11–Another elaborate setup, another love triangle, another intense but chaste teen relationship–this series desperately needs something to make it stand out in the crowd of paranormal romances, but this installment isn’t it. After the events of Deadly Little Lies (Hyperion, 2009), Camelia is happily dating Ben, but her thoughts wander back to Adam despite their messy history. Then she begins channeling menacing messages such as “you deserve to die.” Ben has a “psychometric” ability to sense thoughts through touch, and he knows that his girlfriend is hiding something–namely her increasing concern that Adam is the target of these messages. Camelia claims she just wants to protect Adam from an apparent stalker, who ramps things up by scrawling threats on his door and mailing clues to a malicious crossword puzzle. Meanwhile, Camelia’s Aunt Alexia is in a mental institution, and the teen believes that what seems like mental illness may actually be a form of psychometry. Chapters alternate with transcripts of therapy sessions between a doctor and an anonymous patient, which builds some tension in the lead-up to the revelation of the stalker’s identity. Though Stolarz briefly recaps the events of the first two books, the chain of events may confuse readers who are new to the series. Psychometry is a beguiling premise, but with its lack of real tension or emotional resonance, this novel is essentially Twi-Lite–right down to the supernatural hottie sneaking in through Camelia’s bedroom window. Recommend Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver instead (Scholastic, 2009).–Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA

STRAHAN, Jonathan, ed. Life on Mars: Tales from the New Frontier. 336p. Viking. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01216-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Strahan has assembled an impressive collection of original stories, written in a more traditional science-fiction style than most of the dystopian novels that have dominated the genre of late. Each of the 12 acclaimed authors has imagined human life on Mars (or almost on Mars) and the challenges people would face trying to tame the Red Planet. While all of the stories are good, standouts include Cory Doctorow’s “Martian Chronicles,” in which virtual reality becomes as important as RL and teens liberate the masses from corporate machinations. Rachel Swirsky’s “The Taste of Promises” challenges our definition of life and love. And Nancy Kress’s “First Principle” imagines the lengths humans might need to go to adapt to another planet and just what that means for our definition of human. Like all good science fiction, these stories, though set in the future and chock-full of scientific discoveries and innovations, are about the human condition and about relationships. By setting them in novel circumstances, the authors are able ask questions like: What makes a person a person? What are the limits of brotherly love? Are humans more than their circumstances? And what allegiances do we owe to our dreams and our promises? Teen fans of traditional sci-fi will not want to miss this collection.–Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

SUMA, Nova Ren. Imaginary Girls. 348p. Dutton. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42338-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–After discovering the body of a classmate while swimming in the local reservoir, Chloe, 14, is sent away to live with her father, instead of with the older sister who raised her. Two years later, Ruby comes to get her back. When she returns to town, London is no longer dead and Chloe starts to see the true nature of the mysterious power her sister holds. What begins as a fairly straightforward story twists and turns its way into something far more sinister and dark. Ruby’s hold on the town initially seems to be the hold that all popular, beautiful girls have, especially when seen through the lens of a younger sister. As the story progresses, Chloe sees that Ruby’s power is something else entirely, and not entirely natural. Despite this, Ruby will go to any means necessary to protect Chloe, and the teen starts to question the bonds of family and loyalty as she realizes exactly what that means. The creepy intensity grows slowly, building an atmospheric piece that draws readers in and holds them through unexpected developments. Some readers may want more explanation of the fantastical elements, but the unsettled feeling of the ending fits perfectly with the tone and mood of the rest of the narrative.–Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

SUMMERS, Laura. Desperate Measures. 250p. CIP. Putnam. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25616-5. LC 2010023210.
Gr 4-7–This debut novel, told in alternating chapters by 13-year-old twins, Vicky and Rhianna Davies, recounts the desperate measures three siblings take to keep from being split up by the foster care system. The sisters are very different, with Vicky looking after her learning disabled twin as well as her younger brother, Jamie, who has behavioral issues. When their mother’s death puts their father on a course that ends with his imprisonment, the kids are placed with foster parents. A difficult pregnancy in that home means that they will be separated, and they decide to run away to an elderly aunt’s cottage. They are able to elude authorities and some teen bullies, and all ends on a hopeful note. While the narrators’ voices ring true, the plot is predictable and the secondary characters, especially the unsympathetic social workers, are stereotypical. This novel is reminiscent of Cynthia Voigt’s Homecoming (Ballantine, 1983), with a similar plot, a strong female teenager as the leader, a feisty and obstreperous younger brother, and a sister in need of caretaking. Perhaps because Homecoming was written in the less dangerous time of the 1980s, the Tillermans’ journey seems more believable. That the Davies children get as far as they do, with the help of adults who don’t notify the police, seems harder to fathom. The book’s real appeal lies in the well-developed, sympathetic character of Rhianna; through her, readers begin to understand issues around being learning disabled and different.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

WALLACE, Rich. War & Watermelon. 184p. CIP. Viking. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01152-0. LC 2010041043.
Gr 6-9–August 1969 is a confusing time in the life of Brody Winslow. In episodic chapters, he offers an endearing, straightforward account (with occasional poetry) of his worries about starting junior high, about girls and his own social status, and about the chance that his brother, Gary, could go to Vietnam. Frequent references to the music, pop culture, and politics situate readers in the time and place, as the New Jersey teen hangs out at the public pool with his friend Alex, listens to the latest hits on the radio, and tries not to screw up at football practice. Wallace clearly aims to give young people a means to experience this historic summer through the eyes of a kid also just dealing with adolescence. Early in the book, Gary takes Brody to Woodstock, where they encounter the traffic, mud, hippies, and drugs; later on Gary is arrested at an antiwar vigil in Rochester. The narrative can at times seem convenient or didactic, but Brody’s experiences at awkward dances, at football practice, and as buffer between his constantly arguing dad and brother will ring true. Sports fans will appreciate the play-by-play football action and Mets references, and music fans might be inspired to look up Joan Baez or Sly and the Family Stone. This novel is less nuanced and complex than Gary Schmidt’s The Wednesday Wars (Clarion, 2007), though the references to drugs, nudity, drinking, and occasional raw language suggest older, reluctant readers.–Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CA

WHALEY, John Corey. Where Things Come Back. 232p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1333-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1335-1. LC 2010024836.
Gr 8 Up–Cullen Witter, 17, lives in dull, dreary Lily, AR. He is desperate to escape his small town but is fearful that, like so many others, he’ll never do so. His world is turned upside down by a flurry of activity and interest that the sighting of a supposedly extinct Lazarus woodpecker brings to his town, by the devastating and unexplained disappearance of his 15-year-old brother, and the death of his drug-addicted cousin. Simultaneously, Benton Sage, a young missionary, jumps to his death while searching for the meaning of his life. The lives of Cullen and Benton’s roommate at the University of Atlanta, Cabot Searcy, collide and meld into one well-crafted narrative; however, it will take patience on the part of readers to find out how the stories and characters are connected. The powerful plot elements allow readers to have empathy for the Witter family and understand their painful ordeal. The characters’ reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and yet they continue to hope for Gabriel’s return. Cullen is an eloquent, thoughtful narrator, and, solemn as it is, the book is not without humor. The pacing is deliberate, but the ending is worth the wait, making a promising statement about faith and taking one day at a time: “We don’t have to be anxious about everything. We can just be. We can anticipate that the day will probably have some good moments and a few bad ones, and then we deal with it.”–Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

WHITE, Ruth. You’ll Like It Here (Everybody Does). 272p. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73998-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90813-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89860-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Sixth-grader Meggie Blue, her mom, grandfather, and older brother must flee yet again when townspeople discover that they are really aliens from the planet Chroma. They leave North Carolina in their Carriage, a vehicle that transports them long distances in a short time. They arrive in Fashion City, a universe parallel to Earth but one in which everyone lives in lockstep under the authority of “the Fathers.” Curfews, monotonous factory work, dull computerized lessons, and “rehabilitation” are the order of the day. Everyone copes by taking mind-numbing Lotus pills and repeating their mantra, the book’s title. Through their neighbors, the Blues learn that the Fathers are really corporate fat cats who suppress defiant and unique behavior in order to maintain their own power, and the two families, aided by Meggie’s quick thinking, manage to escape to a Utopian-like society where their differences are no longer an issue. White’s short, often humorous, well-paced chapters–some from Meggie’s or David’s points of view–will entice readers, especially those steeped in sci-fi lore. The dialogue is believable, the contemporary cultural references (e.g., Justin Bieber, Disney channel) ring true, and the Blues are generally well-developed characters. However, the novel’s laudatory themes of personal freedom and individualism evolve into heavy-handed messages. The ending is predictable, and the characters’ going off to a world where they can now “celebrate our differences instead of discouraging them” is a bit too precious. Readers used to the subtleties of Lois Lowry’s The Giver (Houghton, 1993) or fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix’s darker, antitotalitarian Among the Hidden (S & S, 1998) probably won’t “like it here.”–Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, The Naples Players, FL

WHITTEN, A. J. The Cellar. 288p. Houghton/Graphia. 2011. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-23253-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Heather and Meredith are traumatized when their father dies in a car accident, and Heather feels responsible as the accident was her fault. While they are struggling to heal and carry on in the aftermath, their emotionally absent mother, a real-estate agent, rents the house next door to a mother and son who happen to be zombies. Meredith senses something off about their new neighbors immediately and starts having disturbing dreams. The son, Adrien, takes a liking to Heather (or, rather, senses that he can exploit her pain). When they are cast as Romeo and Juliet in the school play, Adrien and Heather start to become very close. Meredith is nonplussed by this, and rightfully so. Things go south from there. The characters are one-dimensional, the dialogue is forced, and the situations are clichéd.–Kristina Weber, Bernotas Middle School, Crystal Lake, IL

WRIGHT, Bil. Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy. 240p. S & S. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-3996-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Carlos Duarte, 16, has tremendous confidence. He does what he does and makes few apologies–and what he does best is makeup. The teen is fearless in his determination to realize his dream of becoming a makeup artist to the stars. His first job is at the FeatureFace counter, the premiere makeup company in Macy’s flagship store. He is sure that this job will launch him into the stratosphere of fame, but pride and ambition cause him to take action without considering the consequences. Carlos struggles to develop a sense of accountability, and making his life more difficult are his sister’s abusive boyfriend and his own one-sided crush on a boy in school. Readers will simultaneously root for and marvel at this fascinating character, though their support will be tested by his mean-spirited comments. Unfortunately, Carlos tends to overwhelm the plot and the other characters, who fall a little flat in his shadow. It is a relief that Wright does not give the story a tidy ending, opting instead to leave a few strands untied. After all, Carlos still has places to go.–Naphtali L. Faris, Youth Services Consultant, Missouri State Library, Jefferson City, MO

YANG, Dori Jones. Daughter of Xanadu. 337p. glossary. CIP. Delacorte. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73923-8; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90778-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89727-6. LC 2009053652.
Gr 7-10–Princess Emmajin, the granddaughter of the Great Khan Khubilai, is not interested in suitors; she would rather be a soldier in her grandfather’s fearsome army. She spends many hours training in secret with her cousin until she makes a surprise appearance at her grandfather’s special contest. He is so impressed with her that he gives her a special assignment: to befriend the visiting foreigner, Marco Polo, and seek out the weakness that will allow the Mongols to conquer all of Christendom. She does not count on becoming smitten with the traveling merchant, however, and his talk of courtly love and Western philosophy have her rethinking her values and her goals. Daughter of Xanadu offers rich descriptions and vivid depictions of fictional characters and historical figures, making them charming and believable. A colorful and compelling read.–Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

ZADOFF, Allen. My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies. 304p. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-036-8; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-256-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-9–Being alone on the catwalk of his high school theater suits Adam Ziegler very well. Since his father’s untimely death two years earlier, he wants to avoid all social contact. However, during production week of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he encounters Summer, a lovely young actress who, despite the unwritten rule that techies and actors don’t mix, seems to be interested in Z–zits and all. Derek, the arrogant student production designer, does his best to thwart his efforts, but when Z manages to save the show, he finds the courage to overcome his fears and step out of the shadows, both literally and figuratively. Fast-paced and filled with humor, Zadoff’s latest title is sure to appeal to fans of Glee and other performance-based TV shows. However, while the beginning of the novel introduces some interesting characters, including a maligned girl-techie and an over-the-top gay director, Mr. Apple, the story quickly descends into melodrama: Mr. Apple has a career crisis and walks out; incompetent Derek has a meltdown when the lights all blow, and fast-thinking Adam manages to save the day. And of course, “all’s well that ends well.” While the language is far less raw than that in David Stahler, Jr.’s Spinning Out (Chronicle, 2011), another novel that revolves around a high school theater scene, it is also less thought-provoking, and many of the characters, especially the adults (except for Z’s mother), are stereotypes. The short chapters will appeal to reluctant readers, but the story is basically fluff and not worth the price of admission.–Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, The Naples Players, FL

Nonfiction

BECKER, Peggy Daniels, ed. Going Green. 110p. (Issues That Concern You Series). diags. illus. photos. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. Gale/Greenhaven. 2011. PLB $35.75. ISBN 978-0-7377-4495-8. LC 2010027954.
Gr 7-9–Twelve essays present the pros and cons of going green, including the opinions of those who do not believe that global warming is a problem and that there is no need for environmental activism. The introduction draws readers’ attention to large-scale natural disasters such as the Santa Barbara and the Exxon Valdez oil spills that shaped public opinion and motivated citizens and government officials to take action to save the environment. A short history of the environmental movement in the United States is followed by a series of articles, reprinted from other sources, debating topics that include global warming, reducing and reusing, recycling, and buying locally raised produce. Each essay begins with information about the author and a short summary of the article. Color photographs, charts, and graphs illustrate each selection, and terms are defined within the text. It should be noted that authors offer strong statements that some readers might find extremist and include the use of slang such as “pimp out” and “jones.” Additional information and statistics about going green and what readers can do if they are interested are appended. The volume concludes with a list of organizations concerned with issues debated in the book. This volume could be utilized by teachers to spark classroom debate and research.–Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

BEKER, Jeanne. Strutting It!: The Grit Behind the Glamour. 78p. photos. CIP. Tundra. 2011. pap. $17.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-224-0; ebook $17.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-258-5. LC C2010-902063-4.
Gr 6-9–From the foreword by model Coco Rocha to the assertion that America’s and Canada’s Next Top Model reality series is mainly “entertainment,” an industry veteran offers readers a more realistic view of high-fashion modeling. While there’s no denying that top models can earn big bucks, Beker reminds readers that for each Linda Evangelista, Tyra Banks, and Gisele Bündchen there are hundreds of hopefuls who never become household names. She is also quick to point out that the work can be glamorous but for the top models it is also a game of genes and tremendously hard work. Biographical sketches and black-and-white photographs appear throughout. Excellent, age-appropriate information for readers with a passion for fashion in a well-designed format.–Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

BIAL, Raymond. Rescuing Rover: Saving America’s Dogs. photos by author. 80p. reprods. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-34125-5. LC 2010025123.
Gr 4-6–Bial introduces man’s best friend and informs readers about the poor treatment that many of them receive from puppy mills, backyard breeders, pet stores, and some owners. He tells of his own experiences adopting pets and shares heartrending and touching stories. Full-color photos appear on every page; many scream to readers to avoid places that hurt animals and go straight to animal shelters instead. Looking at the Champaign County Humane Society in Illinois, the author shows what those veterinarians, technicians, and volunteers do to prepare a dog for a happy life in the home of a caring owner. Packed with information about the history of dogs and animal-welfare organizations, the book also introduces some individuals who do foster care and work for the ASPCA. Bial suggests a seven-step process on how to adopt. The suggestions for further reading are divided among younger readers, older readers, and adults.–Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition. 154p. photos. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. notes. CIP. Roaring Brook/Flash Point. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-449-3. LC 2010032687.
Gr 7-10–Gangsters, guns, and political battles–this book has them all–and presents them in compelling prose. Blumenthal opens with the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, then traces the history of the temperance movement from the Puritans through the signing of the 21st Amendment. Important individuals are given the spotlight, some well-known like Al Capone and Carrie Nation, others more obscure but equally essential, such as Senator Morris Sheppard, the Father of National Prohibition. The author also adds a fascinating epilogue that examines the effects of the era, both positive and negative, including advances in technology and progress in legislative theory. Black-and-white period photographs and reproductions of propaganda material add immediacy to the text. The breadth of the well-researched material makes Bootleg a substantial resource for reports; a deep bibliography and copious source notes provide ample opportunities for further study. However, this book is also a lively read and an excellent choice for displays and booktalks. The subtitle alone will pique readers’ curiosity. –Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Mr. Sam: How Sam Walton Built Wal-Mart and Became America’s Richest Man. 186p. diags. photos. reprods. bibliog. index. notes. CIP. Viking. July 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01177-3. LC 2010049520.
Gr 5-8–What is promoted as a biography offers much more in the form of a history of Wal-Mart and the evolution of sales and merchandising in American stores over the second half of the 20th century. Frequent black-and-white snapshots provide a visual overview, but the more than half a dozen graphics showing the distribution of income for typical American families from 1918 to 2008 don’t have a clear connection to the text. Extensive notes offer a visual history of the evolution of the Wal-Mart logo along with citations, revealing that Blumenthal relied heavily on Walton’s autobiography. This story is more about his work, his drive, and his success than about his family or outside pursuits. For more personal details, suggest Sally Lee’s biography in the “People to Know Today” series (Enslow, 2007).–Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

BOS, Jan Willem. Romania. tr. from Dutch by Shannon Davidson. ISBN 978-1-881508-86-1. LC 2009034604.
KADZIOŁKA, Jan & Tadeusz Wojciechowski. Poland. tr. from Dutch by Jeske Nelissen. ISBN 978-1-881508-89-2. LC 2009035350.
LANG, Stephan. Hungary. tr. from Dutch by Wilma Hoving. ISBN 978-1-881508-88-5. LC 2009033276.
PRAZDNY, Bronja. Bulgaria. tr. from Dutch by Louisa Spenceley. ISBN 978-1-881508-85-4. LC 2009032670.
ea vol: 48p. (Looking at Europe Series). maps. photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Oliver. 2011. PLB $24.95.
Gr 3-6–These books provide detailed information with mixed results. Poland and Hungary, first published in the Netherlands in 2004, have good-quality, well-chosen full-color photos that complement the texts. The narratives are interesting and flow smoothly. There is some concern about currency of information, but they fare better than Romania and Bulgaria, which were originally published in 2008. In Romania and Bulgaria, the photos are of similar quality but do not work as well with the texts. There are several discussions that beg for an illustration that is sadly lacking. (None of the books show a picture of the country’s flag in the section that describes it.) In addition, some photos of people contain speech bubbles that appear to be an attempt at humor but do not mesh with the serious nature of the presentations. The texts are choppy and not engaging. All of the books contain information about the country’s history, towns and cities, people and culture, education, cuisine, transportation, economy, nature, and tourism. Even with these concerns, the level of detail is good for report writers. Purchase if you need more resources about these countries.–Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

BREZINA, Corona. America’s Recession: The Effects of the Economic Downturn. ISBN 978-1-4488-1296-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-2360-4. LC 2010016915.
LEW, Kristi. Food Poisoning: E. Coli and the Food Supply. ISBN 978-1-4488-1293-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-2359-8. LC 2010020092.
TASIAN, Sarah K. Swine Flu. ISBN 978-1-4488-1292-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-2358-1. LC 2010027070.
ea vol: 64p. (Headlines! Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen. 2011. PLB $29.25; ebook $29.25.
Gr 7 Up–These well-written titles will be great starting points for students doing research or good sources for teens wanting to learn about these timely topics. The authors offer comprehensive overviews of the topics, but the texts are laden with jargon and subject-specific vocabulary, despite the publisher’s “High/Low” designations. The books include many photos and sidebars as well as excellent and accessible further-reading suggestions and bibliographies. These titles will support many types of assignments.–Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY

BUCHHOLZ, Rachel. How to Survive Anything: Shark Attack, Lightning, Embarrassing Parents, Pop Quizzes, and Other Perilous Situations. illus. by Chris Philpot. 176p. photos. CIP. National Geographic. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0774-4. LC 2010028045.
Gr 5-9–Buchholz doles out hilarious and handy advice for suffering though both natural and man-made catastrophes. Part survival guide and part self-help book, it provides honest, tongue-in-cheek answers to questions teens may be reluctant to ask out loud, in addition to imparting disaster preparedness strategies. It’s a clever, winning combination. Superb full-color digital illustrations and photographs and a lively, conversational tone will catch and keep readers’ attention, and the list-heavy layout is fun to read and easy to understand. The author includes everything from avalanches and shark attacks to life’s embarrassing moments. Fascinating factoids break up the text. This is a much-less-daunting read than Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht’s The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Chronicle, 2007), but it is just as informative. Fans of Tracey Turner’s Deadly Perils and How to Avoid Them (Walker, 2009) will enjoy this useful offering.–Kelly McGorray, Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn, IL

BUCKLEY, A. M. Anarchism. PLB $27.09. ISBN 978-1-61714-788-3. LC 2010039861.
GIMPEL, Diane. Monarchies. PLB $27.09. ISBN 978-1-61714-792-0. LC 2010045194.
MARCOVITZ, Hal. Dictatorships. PLB $27.09. ISBN 978-1-61714-791-3. LC 2010045569.
VANDER HOOK, Sue. Communism. PLB $24.95. ISBN 978-1-61714-789-0. LC 2010045572.
–––– . Democracy. PLB $27.09. ISBN 978-1-61714-790-6. LC 2010039490.
ea vol: 160p. (Exploring World Governments Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. ABDO. 2011.
Gr 9 Up–As a collection, these books cover their topics in depth, including historical global background on each type of government. They have balanced viewpoints that reference specific periods and current figures, such as Julian Assange, whose WikiLeaks site is “structured like an anarchist community.” These types of examples bring the content into the here and now for students. The volumes are informative and succinct, without overloading readers with extraneous facts. That said, it would be most beneficial to have at least a basic understanding of the past two centuries of history in order to follow the delineation of the world leaders who exemplify the different types of governments. Monarchies are given a general global survey, with careful detail given to absolute versus constitutional varieties. The British monarchy is referenced throughout. The authors consistently discuss how any given type of government impacts that country’s relationships with its neighbors and the world and investigate how it impacts the lives of its citizens, in both positive and negative ways. The material is up-to-the-minute and conveys the overall sense that governments are always in flux. Communism includes some interesting points on whether, and how, communism can survive the influx of capitalist elements, as is happening in China, and as was seen in the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Extensive source notes, a thorough “Quick Facts” section, a glossary, and intriguing photos round out the presentations.–Meredith Toumayan, The Governor’s Academy, Byfield, MA

CADUTO, Michael J. Catch the Wind, Harness the Sun: 22 Super-Charged Science Projects for Kids. 224p. diags. illus. map. photos. index. Web sites. CIP. Storey. 2011. Tr $26.95. ISBN 978-1-60342-971-9; pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60342-794-4. LC 2010051169.
Gr 5-8–The promised activities are only part of what this title has to offer. The serious topics of global warming and energy production, use, and conservation are combined with a self-empowerment, can-do message. The inclusion of stories, humor, full-color photos, and cartoon illustrations and diagrams keep the presentation lighthearted. Each chapter begins with background information followed by the projects that range from the intensive bicycle-powered generator to a simpler energy-conservation board game. Several activities, such as the “Personal Solar Power” kit, require a considerable number of specialized supplies, tools, and adult help, while others, like the “Party-Balloon Wind Gauge,” do not. Each activity concludes with a series of extension ideas that encourage scientific and creative thinking. Young people or “Green Giants” who have made significant differences to the environment are highlighted. Clear photos and step-by-step instructions modeled by real students accompany the activities. Extensive back matter includes sources for supplies, lists of environmental organizations, and a list of endangered animals by continent. With its solid science and inspirational stories and quotes, this is a great guide for classrooms, youth groups, and motivated individuals.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

CARLILE, Molly. Sometimes Life Sucks: When Someone You Love Dies. 190p. Web sites. Allen & Unwin. 2011. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-1-74237-188-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–Through a series of vignettes, Carlile offers advice on to how to cope with loss. The discussions concern death in all its forms–young and old, sick and healthy, accidental, sudden, and expected. The author uses stories about specific circumstances to explain the feelings one sometimes encounters–guilt, sadness, disorientation, helplessness, etc. A former palliative-care nurse and counselor, she uses quotes from young people to demonstrate to readers that they are never alone in these circumstances, and the insights they share are helpful and encouraging. In addition, each chapter contains sidebars that give constructive steps to understand and address their grief. This book clearly and repeatedly tells readers that death enters everyone’s life in unwanted and unexpected ways and that they should reach out to others to help deal with its effects. Although the writing is fairly straightforward, American kids may be stymied by many of the Australian terms and all of the help sites listed at the back of the book are Australian based.–Joanne K. Cecere, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Central Valley, NY

COMPOINT, Stéphane. Buried Treasures: Uncovering Secrets of the Past. tr. from French by Graham Robert Edwards. photos by author. 80p. illus. maps. CIP. Abrams. 2011. RTE $19.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9781-3. LC 2010021626.
Gr 4-8–A French photographer briefly introduces a variety of archaeological discoveries from around the world. The primary focus is on ancient sites, some fairly well-known such as Pompeii and Easter Island, while others are a bit more obscure, including Cahuachi, the site of giant drawings in Peru and Chile, and Zeugma, a site in Turkey now underwater due to recent dam construction. A more cryptic inclusion is the glacier bear or “mythic blue bear” from Alaska, as it is neither ancient nor a buried treasure. Entries are generally four to six pages, with beautiful color photographs of artifacts, archaeologists at work, and the surrounding areas; an introduction; and lengthy photo captions. The information is fairly generic, almost cursory at times, and really more of a teaser than anything else. The layout is attractive with large, glossy pages that highlight the photographs and could attract general browsers. Short biographies on each of the archaeologists are included, but no other source material or further information is provided. Libraries looking for a coffee-table book with some interesting tidbits to tantalize their readers may find this a good choice, but report writers or serious enthusiasts will have to look elsewhere.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

CONNOLLY, Sean. Fundamentalism. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-1877-8. LC 2010023610.
MCGREGOR, Harriet. Globalization. charts. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-1878-5. LC 2010023630.
WOOLF, Alex. Terrorism. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-1881-5. LC 2010023633.
ea vol: 48p. (Global Issues Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Central. 2011. PLB $26.50.
Gr 5-8–These brief books are a bit dated now as Osama Bin Laden is featured prominently in Fundamentalism and Terrorism. However, their emphasis on providing overviews, coupled with approachable texts, will make them useful to those who need a jump-start on the topics. Chapters are divided into the history, causes, impact, responses, media attention, and future of the featured subject. Every chapter offers a “Stop Press” page that features a “Case Study.” For instance, in Terrorism, the chapter on the impact of terrorism has a spread on one of the survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Lengthy glossaries are helpful inclusions, but the indexes are paltry. Color photos abound and help to make these good browsing books. Information for research can be found, but will prove either initial or supplemental, depending upon how much is needed.–Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

DURANGO, Julia. Under the Mambo Moon. illus. by Fabricio VandenBroeck. unpaged. glossary. CIP. Charlesbridge. July 2011. RTE $12.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-723-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-278-6. LC 2008007255.
Gr 4-7–Celebrating the diversity of Latin American music and dance, the poems in this slim yet richly layered collection present a lyrical narrative told from the perspective of Marisol, who has just celebrated her quinceañera and who is helping her father mind his music store. Readers follow the teen as she greets people and describes their specific musical inclinations with poems that vary in style, tone, and format. The illustrations create a contrast between the characters’ “normal” lives and their musical lives. For example, black-and-white pencil drawings introduce the characters through Marisol’s voice in simple prose poems. The individuals are described doing ordinary things: shopping, getting off the bus, skateboarding. These pages are followed by cheerful acrylic color illustrations that accompany poems showing Marisol’s customers writing songs, playing various instruments, and dancing the mambo and cumbia. Each poem displays a sense of community and celebration. An author’s note gives background information about the origins and influences of Latin American music and a glossary offers definitions for the more obscure music and dance terms. A sparkling addition to any library.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

FEINSTEIN, Stephen. Solving the Air Pollution Problem: What You Can Do. 128p. diags. ISBN 978-0-7660-3347-4. LC 2010002348.
GORDON, Sherri Mabry. Green and Clean Energy: What You Can Do. 128p. reprods. ISBN 978-0-7660-3348-1. LC 2010000828.
WATSON, Cindy. Unloved and Endangered Animals: What You Can Do. 128p. reprods. ISBN 978-0-7660-3345-0. LC 2009001372.
WROBLE, Lisa A. Food for a Greener Planet: What You Can Do. 112p. ISBN 978-0-7660-3349-8. LC 2010022077.
ea vol: (Green Issues in Focus Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Enslow. 2010. PLB $31.93.
Gr 6-9–Tackling a variety of green topics, these titles range from good to merely okay. “What You Can Do” appears on the cover of each one, but the quality, location, and presentation of this information varies greatly. Air Pollution is the best of the bunch as it contains a full chapter of proactive and practical ways that kids can make a difference. Minor problems show up in several titles: a mislabeled photograph, choppy sentences, confusing narrative, and some vagueness. The information is here, but it isn’t consistently served up in the best package. There are plenty of quality titles on these topics available, including Robert Gardner’s “Team Green Science Projects” (Enslow) series. Consider Air Pollution; skip the rest.–Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

FRIEDMAN, Lauri S., ed. Cyberbullying. 114p. ISBN 978-0-7377-5117-8. LC 2010034506.
–––– . The Death Penalty. 143p. map. reprods. ISBN 978-0-7377-4938-0. LC 2010030748.
ea vol: (Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints Series). charts. diags. photos. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Greenhaven. 2011. Tr $35.75.
Gr 6 Up–In the first book, chapters consider whether or not cyberbullying is a serious problem, whether it should be considered a criminal offense, and how it can be prevented. The latter section discusses whether or not electronically monitoring teens’ online communications prevents cyberbullying or destroys trust and if stricter school policies could prevent it. One case discussed is Meier vs. Drew. Lori Drew posed as a teenage boy to woo and then harass 13-year-old Megan Meier. Drew was charged but not convicted in Missouri where the offense occurred because it happened on MySpace, which was based in Beverly Hills, CA. The jury’s verdict came with a recommendation of probation and large fine rather than jail time. The fact that Megan Meir committed suicide was not even part of the issue. The actual trial was for fraud for creating a false profile on MySpace. In this article and all of the others, the information is stark and factual. The details for or against any particular viewpoint are left to readers to consider and decide. The second book addresses whether or not legality of the death penalty deters crime or if life in prison would be a better alternative. Other chapters address the justice and humanity of execution. The final chapter asks if murderers deserve to be treated as human beings. Both books include questions before each chapter; photographs of actual cases, cartoons, and graphs; and prompts to evaluate the authors’ arguments. Useful for research and debates.–Donna Marie Wagner, George West High School Library, TX

GRAYSON, Robert. Managing Your Digital Footprint. ISBN 978-1-4488-1319-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-2290-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-2343-7. LC 2010025746.
MILLS, J. Elizabeth. Creating Content: Maximizing Wikis, Widgets, Blogs and More. ISBN 978-1-4448-1322-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-2293-5; ISBN 978-1-4488-2348-2. LC 2010026860.
POPEK, Emily. Copyright and Digital Ethics. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-1323-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-2294-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-2345-1. LC 2010027018.
RANDOLPH, Ryan. New Research Techniques: Getting the Most Out of Search Engine Tools. ISBN 978-1-4488-1321-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-2292-8; ISBN 978-1-4488-2344-4. LC 2010016912.
ea vol: 48p. (Digital and Information Literacy Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Central. 2011. PLB $26.50; pap. $11.75; ebook $26.50.
Gr 5-8–Footprint includes brief case studies of people who posted information online and experienced either success or difficulties as a result. Ethics offers 14 titles for further reading, 7 of which are adult titles. The information contained in each book is adequate, but there is a distinct lack of diversity in the images. Titles in the “Super Smart Information Strategies Series” (Cherry Lake) are better choices.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

HAMERNIK, Harry. Cartoon 360°: Secrets to Drawing Cartoon People and Poses in 3-D. illus. by author. 128p. photos. index. CIP. Impact. 2010. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60061-913-7. LC 2010022902.
Gr 3 Up–Going from initial sketch to inked and colored finished art, the scope of this book reaches far beyond the usual how-to-draw guide. Readers may choose to imitate the author’s demonstration figures, but Hamernik’s primary focus is on teaching aspiring artists how to create characters and then draw them consistently in a variety of poses. Through clearly drawn, step-by-step drawings and straightforward written instructions, he shares not only basic methods, but also tips and tricks for conveying personality, style, and emphasis. Professional techniques and vocabulary are explained throughout. Instructional language is positive and conversational, and the book is nicely put together, with plenty of white space and relevant examples. Designed for success, Cartoon 360° will be especially useful as an introduction to animation.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

HENRY, Sally & Trevor Cook. Eco-Crafts. ISBN 978-1-4488-1582-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-1611-8. LC 2010027715.
–––– . Making Masks. ISBN 978-1-4488-1583-8; ISBN 978-1-4488-1613-2. LC 2010024763.
–––– . Making Mosaics. ISBN 978-1-4488-1585-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-1617-0. LC 2010024765.
–––– . Making Puppets. ISBN 978-1-4488-1584-5; ISBN 978-1-4488-1615-6. LC 2010024761.
–––– . Origami. ISBN 978-1-4488-1586-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-1619-4. LC 2010025458.
–––– . Papier-Mâché. ISBN 978-1-4488-1587-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-1621-7. LC 2010024762.
ea vol: photos by authors. 32p. (Make Your Own Art Series). glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2011. PLB $25.25; pap. $11.75.
Gr 4-8–This assortment of how-to books contains directions with accompanying color photographs illustrating the processes involved. Each book opens with an introductory section identifying supplies and crafting tips, followed by a dozen or so projects. Crisp photographs show the finished projects. The amount of time needed to complete them is noted, along with clean-up times. Eco-crafts offers projects that help to support and protect wildlife as well as those that feature reused materials. Some of the activities require a craft knife, drill, saw, matches, blender, or electric iron. Safety precautions and adult supervision are included here as well as in the other titles. Making Masks details ways to construct masks from cardboard, box lids, and papier-mâché. Tiles used to assemble art projects in Making Mosaics are created from colored paper, card stock, fun foam, shells, and fabric. Sock, glove, shadow, and stick puppets are among the types described in Making Puppets. The paper figures in Origami are for experienced crafters. While basic steps are explained in the introduction, those challenging steps must be mastered in order to move on to later projects. Animals, jewelry, a piñata, bowling pin soldiers, and a monster are included in Papier- Mâché. Scout groups, summer camp leaders, teachers, and individual crafters will find plenty of workable ideas in these volumes. With clearly worded directions, they contain a nice mix of new ideas along with some of the more commonly found tried-and-true crafts.–Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

HOLDEN, J. T. Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland. illus. by Andrew Johnson. 112p. Candleshoe. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-9825089-9-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up–Since it first appeared in print in 1865, Alice in Wonderland has inspired and enchanted adults and children. This slim collection of verses styles itself as the “lost rhymes” that shed light on the subject of Wonderland and the world of the looking-glass. Revisiting beloved creations such as the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, the Walrus and the Carpenter, Holden leads readers down the rabbit hole and starts up the tea party again: “‘No room!’ cried the Hatter. ‘No room!’ cried the Hare./Please join us at once! There is no room to spare!” Holden’s dense verses seem forced when compared to Carroll’s classic whimsy. Alice samples the cake that makes her grow larger: “How curious the morsel slides/Along the stretching throat!/How scarcely does the hall of doors/Accommodate the bloat.” Johnson’s cartoonish black-and-white drawings also miss the mark. Young readers are best advised to stick with Carroll’s original and skip this collection of muddled verses.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

HUEGEL, Kelly. GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens. 2nd ed. 229p. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Free Spirit. 2011. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-1-57542-363-0; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-1-57542-704-1. LC 2010048196.
Gr 7 Up–Although this new edition uses the same basic format and employs most of the text of the 2003 title (Free Spirit), it is still one of the best guides available for queer teens and their allies. In the same 11 chapters, Huegel unflinchingly and clearly explains what young adults, parents, and educators want and need to know. There is also a good, expanded chapter on transgender issues and another about life after high school. The book is enhanced by interesting sidebar facts and “been there” quotes from young people, with one quibble about the latter: many of the quotes remain the same but the names have been changed, apparently to modernize the text. The book also includes an updated glossary and list of resources, comprised of both books and organizations. An excellent choice for libraries of all types.–Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield

ISSITT, Micah L. Goths: A Guide to an American Subculture. 159p. (Guides to Subcultures and Countercultures). photos. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2011. Tr $35. ISBN 978-0-313-38604-6; ebook $35. ISBN 978-0-313-38605-3. LC 2010048010.
Gr 9 Up–This is an exceptionally interesting book for readers who are intrigued by Goth culture. A time line is provided, going back to A.D. 238 and moving through the centuries to Germany’s largest dark music festival in May 2010. The text is filled with all sorts of information, including an extensive Goth history, an exploration of this subculture’s music, an examination of fashion and beauty, and an overview of Gothic-inspired films and writing. In addition to an extensive annotated bibliography, the book includes biographical sketches of major Goth figures and interviews with influential personalities. It is well written, well organized, and extensively researched. The one shortcoming is its lack of illustrations, except for a very few small black-and-white photos. Still, this is a great book for teens who want to know about Goth culture.–Carol Jones Collins, Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, NJ

JACKSON, Donna M. What’s So Funny?: Making Sense of Humor. illus. by Ted Stearn. 64p. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Viking. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01244-2. LC 2010041042.
Gr 4-6–This title looks at various aspects of humor, including history, types, cultural and gender differences, the physiology of a laugh, types of laughs, artificial laughter, animals and humor, and, finally, how to develop jokes and share them. The stories and quotes from experts plus carefully selected examples clarify the information and keep the chapters light. Insets supplement each topic; e.g., in the “Laugh Tracks,” texting shortcuts for laughter are included. Humorous black-and-white cartoons are scattered throughout, amplifying the content. Researchers and budding comedians will find plenty of useful material.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

KING, Bart. The Big Book of Spy Stuff. illus. by Russell Miller. 304p. bibliog. glossary. CIP. Gibbs Smith. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4236-1874-4. LC 2010035248.
Gr 4-8–This primer is long, but the margins are wide and the type is large. Chapters cover everything from serious topics like high-tech espionage and surveillance to sillier subjects such as the best (and worst) secret names ever, the best-dressed agents, and everything in between. There is even a chapter on animal spies. Ancient and current (to 2010) techniques are explained. A humorous, chatty tone is maintained throughout; it’s slightly more Get Smart than James Bond. Black-and-white cartoons add even more humor. A terminology list is included, as is an extensive bibliography. Unfortunately, there is no index. While the jokey tone can wear thin, this is a helpful introduction for future secret agents, especially those who will appreciate the author’s sense of humor.–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

KIRKPATRICK, Katherine. Mysterious Bones: The Story of Kennewick Man. illus. by Emma Stevenson. 60p. maps. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. notes. CIP. Holiday House. July 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2187-9. LC 2009025575.
Gr 6-9–This carefully researched, gracefully written, attractively formatted book explores the discovery of the 9000-year-old Paleoindian whose nearly complete skeletal remains caused an uproar in both scientific and Native American circles. Accompanied by superb gouache paintings done in warm ambers and golds with accents of black, the lucid text recounts the struggle of scientists to handle the bones and run specific DNA and carbon-dating experiments on them, all the while facing the outrage of Native American tribal groups envisioning another exploitation of ancestral remains. Lawsuits were set in motion under the auspices of the Native American Graves Protection and Reparation Act (NAGPRA) and the opposing sides battled for years before the scientists were given a moderate go-ahead to approach the bones in a monitored, respectful manner. Kirkpatrick’s measured tones record the early findings preceding the lawsuits and speculates on what the recent testing might reveal, also presenting data from other Paleoindian discoveries. Stevenson’s carefully detailed drawings echo the warmth of the dust jacket and keep perfect step with the informative pattern. Pair this title with Patricia Lauber’s Who Came First?: New Clues to Prehistoric Americans (National Geographic, 2003) to fuel fascinating discussions on the prehistoric settlement of the Americas. A sterling work of scholarly quality.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

LOURIE, Peter. The Manatee Scientists: Saving Vulnerable Species. photos by author, et al. 80p. (Scientists in the Field Series). further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-15254-7. LC 2010009739.
Gr 5-8–Lourie’s readable text follows the efforts of research scientists in Brazil, West Africa, and Florida as they attempt to determine the habits, habitats, and behaviors of three large sirenians, two of whom live in very remote and often primitive areas. The fieldwork on West African and Amazonian manatees is complicated by the very murky water in which they live (Floridian manatees get pellucid aquamarine waters but more propeller slashes) and is further complicated by the fact they are hunted for food to supplement inadequate diets in isolated areas. The African studies are compounded by a variety of national political issues and some social unrest. Lourie’s lucid reportage is accompanied by clear color photos of the scientists at work in drowned rain forests, crystalline springs, muddy rivers blocked by dams, in the lab, and from the air. Quotes are imbedded as well, with Lucy Keith remarking patiently, “You have to really like challenges to do research in Africa,” and Fernando Rosas in Brazil explaining why local people love manatee meat. “They eat fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so any change in this diet is welcome.” This is a living, breathing window into the watery world of manatee studies, with eager scientists pursuing the preservation of stressed sirenian populations with determination and grit.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

MCGOWAN, Chris. Dinosaur Discovery: Everything You Need to Be a Paleontologist. illus. by Erica Lyn Schmidt. 48p. photos. glossary. index. CIP. S & S. 2011. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-4764-6. LC 2009044604.
Gr 4-6–A baker’s dozen of prehistoric critters gets full spreads with large realistic illustrations, fact boxes, captions, species data, and an informative paragraph or two. Potentially unfamiliar terms are highlighted in bold type and defined in the glossary. The usual suspects (Allosaurus, T. rex, etc.) are represented, as is a new kid on the block (Sinosauropteryx) and some interesting neighborhood folk (Pteranodon, Ichthyosaurus, etc.). While many dinophiles will simply dine happily on these eye-catching pages, others will focus on the variety of experiments. Using mostly materials that might be on hand or readily available in building supply centers, the activities ask readers to check chicken bones for strength, discover the physics behind armored tails, record the insulating capabilities of feathers, and make fake fossils, among other things. The photos on these pages give the impression that the activities are simple, but a caveat (buried on the second page along with the CIP) states they are designed to be performed with the “help and supervision of a parent or other adult.” This maximally unobtrusive location means it will never be noticed by eager experimenters, and will lead to some frustration. No mention is made of proper disposal of items like leftover glue and plaster of Paris, and there are no diagrams for some terms in the glossary (zygapophyses, for example.) Take a second look at Peter Larson and Kristin Donnan’s Bones Rock! (Invisible Cities, 2004) but remember, this will be a book that gathers little dust.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

NARDO, Don. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. 96p. (World History Series). maps. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Gale/Lucent. 2011. Tr $33.45. ISBN 978-1-4205-0326-5. LC 2010032960.
Gr 5-9–Temujin has a role in our cultural imagination as the ruthless leader of sweeping Mongolian hordes. Using new scholarship, Nardo paints a more nuanced and sophisticated picture of a man who united several nomadic clans and then went on to found history’s largest empire. Starting with his early childhood and ending with the death of his grandson, Kublai Khan, the book focuses on Genghis Khan’s empire building and leadership, including his code of laws and justice. The book features several color photographs of present-day Mongolia period reenactments, as well as artistic representations from the era. Frequent in-text anecdotes and pull-out boxes bring the time and people to life. Several detailed examples are given of Genghis Khan’s bravery, ingenuity, and compassion, drawing readers in and showing more depth to the man than they may be used to. Nardo includes quotations from several scholars while still keeping the book engaging and accessible for a wide variety of readers.–Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

PIMM, Nancy Roe. Colo’s Story: The Life of One Grand Gorilla. 78p. (The Columbus Zoo Books for Young Readers Series). diag. maps. photos. bibliog. further reading. notes. CIP. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-9841554-4-6; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-9841554-5-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–In 1956, the first gorilla was born in captivity, and her birth has had a dramatic impact on the handling of large primates in zoos throughout the world. Pimm describes how the Columbus Zoo’s staff watched and studied Colo’s every stage of development. If it were not for the affection they held for her, the tuberculosis scare in the Great Ape House in 1963, when Colo was nearly seven years old, would have resulted in mass annihilation. Veterinarians at Ohio State University recommended shooting “all the infected primates before the disease could spread to more animals.” But “because of Colo,” the zoo’s director said, “I couldn’t do it.” Instead, Dr. Savoy consulted with various agencies and the animals were given the same TB medicines as those given to humans. Colo grew, mated, and gave birth, as have her offspring and their offspring. She is currently the oldest gorilla in captivity. Dian Fossey visited the Columbus Zoo to share her insights about gorillas. As a result, the caged enclosures were taken down and a habitat similar to that found in the wild was constructed. Black-and-white and color photos appear on every spread, and end matter includes “Colo’s Family Tree” and “Colo’s Family Scrapbook.” This clearly written book will appeal to children interested in zoos and gorillas.–Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

REEF, Catherine. Jane Austen: A Life Revealed. 208p. bibliog. index. notes. Clarion. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-37021-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Reef beefs up what little is known about Austen’s life by blending in social history and substantial descriptions of her novels. While the author’s writing style is clear and unaffected, the book lacks organization. The text jumps from topic to topic, sometimes within the same paragraph, all without the benefit of headings and subheadings. For example, Jane and Cassandra’s friendship with Martha and Mary Lloyd, Mary’s attack of smallpox, smallpox statistics in general, symptoms, the side effects that Mary experienced, and the Lloyds’ relationship to the Fowles family are covered in that order in three paragraphs. Reef includes extensive source notes and a selected bibliography. Still, there is at least one major factual error. Early in the book, Reef writes, “No one knows Jane Austen’s views on religion….” In truth, there are dozens of references to Austen’s strong Christian beliefs in letters she wrote and in things that other people wrote about her. Also, she wrote at least three long, characteristically eloquent prayers. Flashes of bias show up, too. When Reef describes a time when Austen learned the news that she had to move from her home, she writes, “Anyone would assume that Jane wrote to Cassandra right away….” Later, Reef refers to Austen’s assessment of a sick niece as “cold-hearted.” Occasional black-and-white illustrations are lackluster. Consider Juliane Locke’s England’s Jane: The Story of Jane Austen (Morgan Reynolds, 2005) instead.–Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC

SEQUEIRA, Michele & Michael Westphal. Cell Phone Science: What Happens When You Call and Why. 174p. (Barbara Guth Worlds of Wonder Science Series for Young Readers). charts. diags. illus. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Univ. of New Mexico. 2011. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-0-8263-4968-2. LC 2010028600.
Gr 6-9–The book sets out to help readers understand the complex science behind these devices. The first chapter provides an introduction to the device and its history, ranging from flag waving and smoke signals to the current smart phones (not listed in the index or glossary). The following chapters discuss all aspects of the phone from the outside in (plastic shell, semiconductor chips, software, call transmission, batteries, and more).The final chapter, “Thank you for turning OFF your cell phone,” addresses some of the safety issues concerning this technology and why users are asked to turn their phones off on planes and in hospitals and the possible medical risks associated with their use. Lastly, privacy issues are mentioned. The book features clear explanations, easy-to-read text, and colorful photographs and illustrations on almost every page. Boxed areas and information in the margins supplement the text. Students interested in learning the story of the science behind their cell phone will be well rewarded with this title.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

SIEBERT, Charles. The Secret World of Whales. illus. by Molly Baker. 109p. photos. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7641-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Siebert shares fascinating tales about whales in folklore, literature, and history and then focuses on the incredible value of these loving, intelligent mammals with an interesting form of communication. He discusses the similarities between the brains of whales and humans as well as other scientific research. The effect on whales of human contact is a theme. For example, sonar and underwater air guns (to drill through the ocean floor) can cause whales to have internal bleeding and become stranded on beaches. Colorful illustrations outlined in ink support the fascinating, often poetic text. Black-and-white and color photos are included as well, some so clear that readers can even see the veins in the hand of a woman touching a baby gray whale.–Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

SMITH, Alison. 101 Fun Things to Do with Your Dog. 160p. photos. index. CIP. TFH. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-7938-0630-0. LC 2010036104.
Gr 4-8–Smith opens with practical, basic commands–sit, down, stay, fetch, drop, come, etc. Participants are encouraged to stimulate both the mental prowess and physical dexterity of their canine companions. There are games and activities to ward off boredom, including flying discs, treat bobbing, and playdates. Some activities can involve the whole family. For those who wish to go beyond informal backyard fun, there are competitive opportunities, such as agility, obedience flyball, showing, rallies, and even dancing. For each undertaking, a set of symbols indicates the number of animals and people needed and whether it is an indoor or outdoor activity or both. Excellent color photos show a diverse assortment of breeds enthusiastically engaged in each endeavor. Although every dog may not want to become a skateboarder or soccer star, most would enjoy a party time with some special doggy recipes, such as barking banana cookies or savory slobbers. From massages to tug-of-war, humans and their dogs will find lots of enjoyable moments together using this entertaining manual.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

SMITH, Sharon J. The Young Activist’s Guide to Building a Green Movement + Changing the World. 224p. charts. photos. further reading. index. Web sites. Ten Speed. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-58008-561-8; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-1-60774-016-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Many green guides focus on the small things that people can do to help the environment, but this title takes a different approach. Instead of providing tips on switching off lights and using public transportation, the author provides a how-to guide for initiating grassroots change on a large scale. The content is practical and thorough, covering everything from creating an action plan and recruiting people to lobbying politicians, fundraising, and holding protests. In addition, stories of youth “eco-heroes” are spotlighted throughout the text, providing inspiration and evidence of successful student activism. The writing style is clean, uncluttered, and easily accessible to a wide audience. Charts, sidebars, photos of the Brower Youth Award winners, and special features add visual interest. A must-have for any student interested in green issues.–Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

SOENNICHSEN, John. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. 179p. (Landmarks of the American Mosaic Series). bibliog. chron. glossary. index. notes. CIP. Greenwood. 2011. Tr $35. ISBN 978-0-313-37946-8; ebook $35. ISBN 978-0-313-37947-5. LC 2010040299.
Gr 9 Up–This volume covers the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, concentrating on the events leading up to the passage of 1882’s Chinese Exclusion Act. The book focuses heavily on the California Gold Rush and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, detailing how white workers felt about their Chinese counterparts and how politicians responded to anti-Chinese public sentiment. It then covers further legislation affecting Chinese immigration, Chinese-American civil-rights issues, and the eventual relaxing and repeal of such laws. Short chapters are clearly organized and well sourced. Nearly half the text is back matter, including biographies of key figures, several primary-source documents, and an annotated bibliography. The methodical analysis of the events leading up to the passage of the Exclusion Act helps students discover how the passage of such a law could happen. Coupled with the appended material, this volume makes a comprehensive resource on the early history of Chinese immigration and the systematic harassment these immigrants faced.–Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

STALDER, Erika. The Look Book: 50 Iconic Beauties and How to Achieve Their Signature Styles. illus. by Ana Carolina Pesce. 127p. photos. index. Zest. 2011. pap. $18.99. ISBN 978-0-9819733-8-8. LC 2010936582.
Gr 7 Up–This book profiles 50 past and present beauty icons, focusing on their unique “look” and including a quarter-page glossy photo. Instead of covering the full process of each woman’s beauty screen, a single attribute–eyes, lips, brows, skin, or hair–is highlighted. Featured looks include Marilyn Monroe’s juicy, red lips, Angelina Jolie’s cat eyes, Jennifer Lopez’s glowing skin, and Kate Winslet’s no-makeup makeup. Clear and succinct instructions for achieving each look appear on the facing page. The presentation is clean, with enough information to satisfy, but not overwhelm. The accompanying illustrations of lip-pencil lines, eye-shadowed lids, etc., are particularly effective. An illustrated lineup of makeup brushes describes how each tool is used. There is a fair representation of ethnic divas, though most are from the latter half of the 20th century: Grace Jones, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Lucy Liu, to name a few. A few of the selected photos are poorly chosen, either unflattering or failing to showcase the described feature, but this is a minor blemish. The overall presentation is fun and playful. Teens will enjoy trying new looks and learning a bit of style history in the process.–Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

STOUT, Glenn. Yes, She Can!: Women’s Sports Pioneers. 117p. photos. appendix. bibliog. further reading. Houghton/Sandpiper. 2011. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-547-41725-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–This is an excellent source for inspiration, with good examples of people following their dreams. The five athletes included came from various backgrounds and time periods: Gertrude Ederle, swimming star of the 1920s; Louise Stokes and Tidye Pickett, track stars of the 1930s; Julie Krone, successful jockey in the 1980s; and Danica Patrick, winning Indy car racer in the 2000s. Each woman had her own battles to win and obstacles to conquer along the way. Important mentors and influences are cited. Through descriptive detail, Stout has a way of making readers feel as though they are actually in the water or on the muddy racetrack, etc. He makes each tale exciting and suspenseful–even for children who may know the outcome. An extensive “Sources and Further Reading” section includes a reference to fYouTube videos of the races of Krone and Patrick. While all subjects other than Stokes and Pickett have had several individual biographies written about them, this book is a unique collection about five inspiring female athletes–and it is a sure winner. A black-and-white photo of each woman in included.–Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

THORNTON, Denise. Living with Cancer: The Ultimate Teen Guide. No. 30. 208p. (It Happened to Me Series). photos. glossary. notes. Web sites. CIP. Scarecrow. 2011. Tr $40. ISBN 978-0-8108-7277-6; ebook $40. ISBN 978-0-8108-7278-3. LC 2010044140.
Gr 7 Up–Written primarily for teens surviving cancer, this guide is chock-full of advice, tips, and firsthand accounts. The views of teens with a sibling or a parent battling the disease are also presented. Honest and heart-wrenching, this title doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the disease. Chapters are broadly organized, focusing on topics that include the initial diagnosis, treatment, family, friends, self-image, and school, among others. One chapter of particular interest is about camps that offer medical and emotional support. Source notes and additional resources at the end of each chapter are extensive. Sidebars highlight topics such as celebrity battles with cancer, books and movies featuring characters with the disease, or more scientific information, such as the fact that the first bone marrow transplant was done on a teen. With a few exceptions, the material is current and relevant, and the many black-and-white photos are dynamic and well chosen. Read cover-to-cover, the personal anecdotes become overwhelming at times; taken in smaller chunks, this is a valuable resource, reminding those affected that they are not alone. This title provides a nice complement to Cancer Information for Teens: Health Tips About Cancer Awareness, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment (Omnigraphics, 2009), which offers more in-depth medical information while Living with Cancer better addresses the emotional needs particular to teens.–Ragan O’Malley, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, NY

VAN VLEET, Carmella. Seven Wonders of the World: Discover Amazing Monuments to Civilization. illus. by Farah Rizvi. 119p. (Build It Yourself Series). further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Nomad. 2011. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-93-467082-8; pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-936313-73-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–This volume incorporates hands-on projects and activities with facts as it introduces the wonders of both the ancient and modern worlds, such as the Great Pyramid, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the Colossus of Rhodes (ancient), as well as Petra, the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal (from the modern list). Each chapter discusses the geographic and historical significance of the monument, as well as specifics about its construction such as materials used and dimensions. Textual material is clearly written and will hold readers’ interest but the accompanying projects are uneven both in terms of relevance and clarity. For example, in the chapter about the Great Pyramid, the project is a “Royal Ship Puzzle,” although King Khufu’s Royal Ship is only mentioned in a sidebar. Many of the projects require materials not easily acquired, such as plaster of Paris and craft sand. In addition, some of them fail to include warnings for adult supervision, such as a hanging garden made out of an empty milk jug that does not include any prompting for special care when using sharp scissors to poke holes through the heavy plastic. Overall, an uneven offering about an interesting topic.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

WERNER, Sharon & Sarah Forss. Bugs by the Numbers. unpaged. Blue Apple. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-061-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–“Art by the numbers” takes on new meaning in this rewarding book, complete with foldout flaps, carefully shaped and color coordinated to maximize their visual impact. This companion volume to Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types (Blue Apple, 2009) uses numbers instead of letters to depict its subjects. An ant features a combination of 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s to form its tripartite body; a cockroach skitters in a mad rush of 168’s (the total number of hours, says one caption, a decapitated roach can survive before it dies of thirst). A nifty foundation of factoids marches artistically along the flamboyant color silhouettes at the bottom and sides of the oversize pages, or clamor here and there on the skillfully designed flaps, while tiny sentences of text whisper across white spaces like miniature passing eddies of air. The female mantis, made from 180’s to reflect the number of degrees its head can turn, the authors state reassuringly, only eats its mate 20 percent of the time. A warning note informs children that hungry bedbugs “can travel 100 feet to feed.” Data aside (no matter how fascinating), it is the colorful graphic artwork that will capture casual browsers, letting them soak up the hues and the shapes and the skittery numbers, all the while absorbing information effortlessly.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

WILLIAMS, Ann-Marie. Learn to Speak Dance: A Guide to Creating, Performing & Promoting Your Moves. illus. by Jeff Kulak. 96p. index. CIP. OwlKids. Sept. 2011. Tr $22.95. ISBN 978-1-926818-88-7; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-926818-89-4. LC 2010943321.
Gr 5-8–Humans are hardwired to move rhythmically, and this introduction takes readers from dancing alone in one’s room to finding a personal style and performing on stage. Jaunty computer graphics on every page add to the strong text, which, in its own right, glides from explaining how and why music moves us and beyond. Text boxes cite examples of different types of music–modern, pop, rock, rap, classical, etc. Specific tips on creating a stage in a backyard or room, making costumes, and conquering stage fright, as well as publicity, making a video, and fundraising, are included. The chapter on styles features one-page descriptions of “African,” “Ballet,” “Ballroom & Salsa,” “Bollywood,” “Flamenco,” “Broadway,” and more and will help dance newbies identify their favorites. The index uses such broad categories such as “Performing” (costumes, lighting, etc.), “Instruction” (classes, muscle memory, etc.), and “Dance Terms and Concepts” (attack, plié, time, etc.). A sparkling addition to performing-arts sections.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

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