Truth or Dare

Dee, Barbara. Truth or Dare.
September 20th 2016 by Aladdin 
E ARC from Netgalley

Lia is so uncomfortable with the idea of spending several weeks at camp with her more mature friends that she bails at the last minute and asks to spend the time at her Aunt Shelby's. Ever since the death of her mother in a car accident, her father has handed over many child rearing tasks to the aunt, who is a bit quirky. She decides that it's time for Lia to get a bra, and since this is part of her problem with her friends (who make a big deal about getting their periods), she reluctantly agrees. Once she gets back home, she has all manner of problems with her friends, who have started a Truth or Dare game over the summer that never ends well. Her friend Marley is disenchanted with the other girls as well, and is irritated that Lia is hanging out with them. Eventually, Lia comes to an understanding with her aunt, and comes clean with her friends. 
Strengths: The girl drama is very valid, and I liked how the mother's death and the resultant moving on were portrayed. Shelby was a very nuanced character, and I loved her back story with Val and how that was resolved. Dee is a great writer, and has a knack for writing about the experience of middle grade girls. She does an especially good job at including relationships with various adults. 
Weaknesses: I'm not entirely sure that girls are really that interested in bras and periods. Neither of my girls have any memory of trauma involved with bras, or any kind of competition with their friends about changes in levels of maturity. These are not topics that are covered often in middle grade literature, but I wonder if that's because while girls want and need the information about puberty, they don't necessarily want it to be included in fiction. 
What I really think: While I think that girls would be fine with reading this, I don't know that it would be helpful for boys, because they might come away thinking that all girls care these matters more than they do. Since I encourage all of my students to read any of the books in our library, I am debating purchase. In reality, I think few boys would pick this up, so I may buy a copy. 

Cartoon Saturday- Animals, animals, animals

Lombardo, Constance. Mr. Puffball: Stunt Cat Across America (#2)
September 27th 2016 by HarperCollins 
ARC from Young Adult Books Central

Mr. Puffball is tired of endangering life and fur by being a stunt cat, so decides that he and El Gato will do a movie together. Producers are vaguely interested in them to do Mac and Cheesy's Excellent Adventure, but would really rather have the suave, British Benedict Cumbercat and Jude Claw. To prove that they are the better actors to cast, Mr. Puffball and El Gato agree to do a test reel of their adventures across the U.S. They manage to travel from California to Coney Island, eating junk food and having narrow escapes from all manner of humorous situations. 

This is an extremely clever book which reframes the history of Hollywood in cat terms. From Purramount Studios to Director DeMew, there are countless references and jokes to film culture, both old and knew. Does Benedict Cumberbatch know how he has been immortalized?

The places that Mr. Puffball and his crew visit across the U.S. will give readers who have not had a chance to travel a good introduction to some of the scenic and historical sites of interest in our country. Of course, Mr. Puffball's antics in those places are the real fun. 

Notebook novels continue to be popular, and there are even a number of them that involve cats: Watson's Stick Cat, Myracle's Fashion Kitty, and Surovec's My Pet Human (not to mention the graphic novel versions of Hunter's Warriors books). Mr. Puffball is a great addition to this list of books to keep cartoon loving cat fans happy. 

The first book in this series was WAY more popular than I thought it would be. The students just don't get the jokes, which is a shame. 

Stilton, Geronimo. The Famouse Fjord Race (Geronimo Stilton Micekings #2)
July 26th 2016 by Scholastic Paperbacks 
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Geronimo dreams of getting his very own mouseking helmet, the highest reward a mouseking can receive, but since he is a lowly village scholar, his chances of winning one are slim. There is a big drakar sailing competition, and Geronimo gets dragged onto the boat against his will. He gets terribly seasick! There is his family honor to uphold, the lovely Thora to impress, and a finnbrew theft mystery to solve. On top of all of that, there is salted cod fish ice cream to be consumed! Whether he wants it or not, the mild-mannered Geronimo is off for an adventure on the high seas!

With full-color illustrations and bold, fun font, Geronimo is a popular choice with readers who like goofy, unlikely stories. Frequent mention of gross food and a wide array of creative interjections ("Fjords and fiddlesticks!" "Great groaning glaciers!") will keep youngsters laughing until the very last page. 

Hand this to fans of Dav Pilkey, Jarret J. Krosockza, and Matt and Jenny Holms, but keep a list handy-- there are so many Geronimo Stilton books and your readers might want to catch them all!

I just file these under "things I don't understand"-- I find them difficult to read, and weirdly politically incorrect at times. The Italians must have a different sensibility about things. I have two struggling readers who adore these so much that I try to keep them supplied. 

Guy Friday- The Courage Test, Pyramid Hunters

Preller, James. The Courage Test
September 13th 2016 by Feiwel & Friends
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

William Merriweather Miller's parents are divorced, and he's not taking it well, especially since his dad is dating. When his father "forces" him to accompany him on a trip following Lewis and Clark's trail so he can finish a book, Will has to spend more time with his father than he would like. On their way, they pick up a pregnant 15-year-old girl who is trying to get to her cousin's house. They also meet up with a friend of the dad's, Ollie, a lawyer with Nez Perce heritage who is also interested in the trail. Will meets a bear and survives, does some white water rafting, discovers some secrets about his mom, and learns some things about his father as well. 
Strengths: I agree with Preller that the father-son dynamic is underexplored in middle grade fiction. This is usually because all the parents are dead. It was nice to see a road trip with a father, and the Lewis and Clark connection is fun. 
Weaknesses: This was a bit uneven, with journal entries with historical information, although the length is good. Linear formats are very important in middle grade fiction. I also wasn't wild about the sub story with the girl that they picked up-- not bad, just a distraction from the other things going on. 
What I really think: I'm debating purchase.  I do like the cover, and road trip books generally do well, so probably will. I think this will circulate well. 

Vegas, Peter. The Iron Tomb (Pyramid Hunters #1)
August 2nd 2016 by Aladdin
Public library copy

Sam is on his way to Egypt to spend his summer with his uncle, who is an Egyptologist. His parents on dead. On the plane, he meets Mary, whose father is very wealthy. Sam's uncle doesn't meet him at the airport, and when he gets to his uncle's apartment, there is a cryptic note, but no uncle. With the help of Hadi, a teen cab driver, Sam and Mary try to unravel the mystery of what happened, they get entangled in an older mystery involving Mary's grandfather. 
Strengths: Lots of good information about Egypt past and present, lots of action and adventures, tweens traveling around on their own and saving the world. Everything you could want in a middle grade book. Will purchase.
Weaknesses: Felt oddly lukewarm about this, given its many fine components. This felt like something I've read before. Northrop's Tombquest was better, Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas (October 11th 2016 by Philomel Books) was similar, if in a different setting. I guess the whole concept of children whose parents are dead so they go spend time with an aunt or uncle and get dragged into conspiracies against which only they can fight successfully really needs something super fresh to interest me. 
What I really think: This will find readers because of the action and the ties with ancient Egypt, but it made me want to reread Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax!

The Initiation (Lock and Key)

Pearson, Ridley. The Initiation (Lock and Key)
September 20th 2016 by HarperCollins
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Moria and James Moriarty live in Boston, in a mansion on Beacon Hill. Their mother is gone, and their father is an elusive character, so when James is attacked in his bedroom, the siblings don't quite trust that the event is an "initiation" for Baskerville Academy. Since their father claims to have to travel, he enrolls Moria in the school as well, so she is at hand to observe everything her brother does and to report on it. James' roommate is none other than Sherlock Holmes, a rather bombastic character who makes a big show of telling James everything about himself. When the school has the Moriarty family Bible stolen, the administration is quite upset, since the family founded the school. James and Sherlock, with Moria's help, set out to investigate, and find themselves being involved in a bigger mystery than they could have imagined. Tensions run high, and the roommates often don't get involved. Moria has some information that James doesn't have, so when their father is killed when he falls off a step ladder, she is suspicious and alerts James and Sherlock that they should be very careful when investigating. 


Like Andrew Lane's Death Cloud, this portrays a young man who already has his investigative technique down, but doesn't have that many cases under his belt. Unlike the Lane series, Sherlock is a rather unpleasant character. Moriarty is the focus here, and his sister's observations help us to understand why he is motivated to later become a career criminal. 

Boarding school stories are always popular, and Baskerville Academy is rather fun. It is a bit odd that it is set in the US, but this story does not take place in the 1800s-- it has been firmly resettled into modern times, although it took me a while to realize that! While there is some discussion of Sherlock's family, there's no indication that the characters are descendants of Arthur Conan Doyle's characters. They are the characters from those stories, but brought into the modern day. This is a bold and interesting move on Pearson's part, and adds a much needed twist to characters that have been written about quite a bit. 

While it is sometimes confusing to have the story narrated by Moria, this also gives a dash of novelty, and also gives us some distance from James, who does turn out to be a horrible unlikable character in the Holmes canon. 

Readers who have read Doyle and the plethora of Holmes stories will need to pick this up, but it is also a good way to introduce new readers to a venerable character and his amazing powers of deduction. 

I don't know if I will buy this one-- I vastly prefer the Lane series, and this one was a bit long and confusing. There were a lot of details that slowed down the story, and I often forgot that Moria was investigating. I was also rather put off by the name "Moria"-- I kept thinking of Tolkien or misreading it as Moira. If you've ever read a book and had to replace a name like "Melchiades" with "Mike" so you didn't stumble over it every time you hit it, you'll understand the frustration. Or maybe not. 

Two Naomis

Rhuday-Perkovich, Olugbemisola and Vernick, Audrey. Two Naomis.
September 13th 2016 by Balzer + Bray
ARC from Young Adult Books Central

Naomi Edith is living with her father, Tom, since her parents divorced and her mother has gone to California to be a costume designer. Her father isn't very organized about things, and meals are a haphazard affair, but they get along. Naomi Marie's parents are also divorced, but her father lives close by and often spends time with her and her young sister Brianna. When Valerie, Naomi Marie's mother, and Tom start dating, the two Naomis have to learn to put up with each other. Brianna is young enough that she is just glad to have more people around her, and doesn't have a problem with two girls having the same name-- she occasionally refers to them as "black Naomi" (Marie) and "white Naomi" (Edith). The two families spend a lot of time together, hanging out at both of the bakeries that the girls love, and even enroll the girls in a "Girl Gaming the System" coding class. There are some problems along the way, but the families are a strong support network for each other, and the girls eventually learn to like each other. 

There are so many books out right now that deal with the death of a parent or some other horrible tragedy that has befallen a middle grade family, so it was extremely refreshing to read about a problem that many middle school students actually have: divorce and remarriage. While neither Naomi was tremendously enthusiastic about the their parents remarrying, they were okay with it, but had understandable problems that were resolved after a lot of hard, thoughtful work. 

I almost wish that a city were specified, because the setting was very vivid. The families don't have cars but rent them, and they go to the bakeries a LOT. I loved that Naomi Marie hung out at her local library and was involved in African Dance, and her little sister when to a Little Nubians play group, while Naomi Edith had her own interests and friends. Not surprisingly, since the book was a collaborative effort by two middle grade authors, there was a lot of discussion about how to get along with others and appreciate their differences even if you don't embrace them. 

The inclusion of the computer coding class for the girls was fantastic! I wish that more readers would investigate the different coding languages that are out their and try their hand at it. 

Perfect for fans of realistic fiction like Naylor's Alice series or Margolis' Boys Are Dogs that includes light drama, Two Naomis is a great book to show students that life can be challenging but isn't impossible to figure out. 

Do have to say that I found this a little confusing, since both voices were very similar, and there was a cognitive disconnect between the expected audience (10 year olds) and the very tiny font. Perhaps the finished copy won't have that problem. 

Pink, Randi. Into White
September 13th 2016 by Feiwel & Friends
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Toya and her brother Alex are in a school with very few other Black students in Montgomery, Alabama. Toya has so many problems, including being bullied by aggressively Black Deante, that she prays to Jesus to be turned white. Jesus appears to her and grants her wish, although to her family, she still appears Black. Her family situation is not terrific, since her father wanted a big, expensive house, and her mother resents the fact that she can't home school Toya because she needs to work to afford the house. For a while, Toya manages (as Katarina) to befriend two popular but mean white girls, Amelia and Amera, and attract the attention of the popular Josh, but after Josh attacks her at a party, she learns more about why Deante acts the way he does and realizes that she would rather remain Black, despite the difficulties. 
Strengths: This was an interesting book about putting oneself in someone else's shoes. 
Weaknesses: This was definitely more of a Young Adult book, with a few sexual references and some more mature language. I was also a little disturbed by the frequent disparaging references Toya makes to her hair and her body. There are some issues with eating that are disturbing as well, with Amelia and Amara not eating enough, and Toya perhaps eating too much. 
What I really think: I'm not sure what this book was trying to accomplish. At any rate, it is one to consider for high school readers, but not middle school ones. 

It's good to know that I didn't imagine that this had issues. Here is the School Library Journal review, which I have copied from the Follett Titlewave web site. 

School Library Journal (September 1, 2016)

Gr 9 Up-After a terrible day at school, and humiliated by a fellow African American student, LaToya Williams decides she wants to be white. As a devoted Christian in Montgomery, AL, she calls upon Jesus to make her "anything but black." Miraculously, she wakes up with the features of a white girl. Her recent change is apparent to outsiders but not her family. For a brief moment, Toya lives life as a white teen and experiences different treatment from the kids at school and people in town. This troubling novel grapples with several conflicts, such as racism, colorism, and economic struggles within the black community. These sensitive topics, as well as rape, are ill portrayed and bleak. Although the ending tries to tie up loose ends, such as the protagonist reclaiming her beauty and speaking out against prejudice and her offender, the conclusion is resolved too quickly. Reading this would be a disservice to the targeted audience or those experiencing similar conditions as Toya. The underdeveloped characters and outlandish plot do an injustice to the issues explored in this work. Language and tone are also not authentic considering the narrator's age. VERDICT Not recommended for any collection.-Briana Moore, Elmont Memorial Library, NY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Mark of the Plague/ The Littlest Bigfoot

Sands, Kevin. Mark of the Plague
September 6th 2016 by Aladdin
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

After the death of his master, Benedict Blackthorne in The Blackthorn Key, Christopher Rowe is trying to keep alive in London during the plague. His friend Tom has access to food, since his family runs a bakery, but there's very little business to bring in money. When someone breaks into the shop, Christopher is thrown into a realm of intrigue involving the plague and several secret societies. He starts by looking for a treasure that has supposedly been left to him, but soon is embroiled in finding out information about Melchior, a plague doctor who is going about London dressed in a smoking bird mask prophesying deaths with accuracy. There is another doctor, Galen, who claims to have a cure for the plague but doesn't want money for it. Many quacks are around, but they all want money. When Galen's cure works on a magistrates daughter, he is given Christopher's workshop to use and funded by the plague charity to produce more of his cure. There's something fishy about this, and Christopher, along with Tom and new addition, Cripplegate alumna Sally, are bound and determined to find out why. 
Strengths: This is not a fantasy, even though the cover and length (540+ pages) would lead one to believe this. Solid historical novel that addresses lots of information about the plague and the political machinations during London in the 1660s. Compelling read all the way through.
Weaknesses: Sometimes the tone of the character's speech seemed too modern, but I'd rather have that than fake, stilted language. 
What I really think: My library doesn't have much of an audience for this, and The Blackthorn key hasn't circulated well even though it was the 2015 Cybils middle grade fiction winner.


Weiner, Jennifer. The Littlest Bigfoot. 
September 13th 2016 by Aladdin 
Copy provided by the publisher

Alice has high powered parents who are ashamed of their daughter's ineptitude and unconventional looks. They try any number of schools for her, but no matter where she goes, Alice manages to get in trouble. Eventually, they send her to a boarding school in the woods-- The Experimental Center for Love and Learning. Alice fits in a little better there, and her roommates (Riya, who fences, and Taley, who is severely allergic and adenoidal) at least aren't actively mean to her. Alice manages to do okay with the lessons, and makes friends with the camp cook. Eventually she meets Millie, who has wanted to investigate the Center. Millie is a Bigfoot, but like Alice, doesn't meet her parents expectations. She loves to sing and be loud, which Bigfoots (or, more politely, Yare) don't normally do, and she longs to be on the stage. She and Alice become fast friends, but the Yare are still being stalked, especially by a boy in town, Jeremy, who is obsessed with the creatures. Eventually, Alice teachers Millie to have more confidence in herself, and brings her to the director of the school, Lori, and introduces her as a cousin with a glandular issue. Things go well for a while, and when news about Millie gets out, the participants at the Center rally around her and celebrate the fact that everyone has some fraction of "freak" within themselves. 
Strengths: Middle grade books with positive messages are always needed. Weiner, the author of books for adults, tackled the subject about body image in response to her own daughter's concerns, and her daughter gave her input on the book. 
Weaknesses: I couldn't quite tell if the Center (which was described as very ... New Age, earthy/crunchy) was good or bad, and there were some comments about people that were not positive, in particular, the description of an older teacher, and the description of the overweight cook. These descriptions undermined the message a bit for me, and the over-the-top actions of Alice's parents also watered down the message.
What I really think: The fantasy element of this might be more appealing to younger readers. By middle school, girls who are interested in "drama" usually want more realistic stories. I can see this being one that 4th and 5th grade readers really like. 

MMGM-- The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero

McCormick, Patricia. The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero
September 13th 2016 by Balzer + Bray
ARC from Young Adult Books Central

There is no end to stories that could be told about the bravery of ordinary people during World War II. It it, however, somewhat of a surprise that Bonhoeffer's story has not been told for young readers.

Growing up in a prosperous, educated German household in the early part of the 20th century, Dietrich had seven brothers and sisters who all excelled at whatever activities they were passionate about. Dietrich was the quiet child who was frequently alone. Family life was idyllic until World War I, when one brother, Walter, was killed, and the other brothers had to serve as well. After the war, Dietrich pursued religious studies, even though his family had that he would do something with his musical talents. He managed to travel quite a bit and found that he enjoyed working most with the underprivileged. He also was ecumenical in his views, something not necessarily shared by his Lutheran compatriots at the time. As Hitler came to power, Dietrich felt that the clergy really needed to step in to make sure that people weren't hurt. Ultimately, this ended with Dietrich becoming involved in a plot to kill Hitler with his brother, two of his brothers in law, and some others. 

Written by Patricia McCormick, a master of research, The Plot to Kill Hitler is interesting because it not only covers that historical event, but the philosophy and theology that lead to a mild-mannered pastor being involved in it. Long an inspiration for social activists, Bonhoeffer's message that to not combat evil is also evil is a timely one, and his story is one that deserves to be heard by a new generation. 

The narrative of this is fast paced, and is a study in the contrasts that were so prevalent in German society at this period in history. The photographs that are included are often heartbreaking-- the picture of Bonhoeffer with his siblings and mother, her face barely visible because she is looking down lovingly at her children; a shadowed picture on Bonhoeffer's desk and piano, painfully tidied; a class picture with Bonhoeffer as a teacher surrounded by children in high spirits. Before WWII, Germany was considered one of the best places to study many topics, and this is something of which the students who are familiar with the Holocaust might not be aware. 

This is an excellent addition to a number of new books about different facets of the Holocaust that include We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman, The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose, and Hitler's Last Days: The Death of the Nazi Regime and the World's Most Notorious Dictator by Bill O'Reilly.

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe and What Are You Reading? day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.





Other Stuff I Read This Weekend:

• Cabot, Meg. Royal Wedding Disaster (May 10th 2016 by Feiwel & Friends)
• Callaghan, Cindy. Lost in Ireland (March 1st 2016 by Aladdin)
• Dairman, Tara. Stars So Sweet. (July 19th 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers)
• Feinstein, John. The DH (September 6th 2016 by Knopf Books for Young Readers)
• Patterson, James (Grabenstein, Chris). Jacky Ha-Ha (March 21st 2016 by Little, Brown and Company)
• Santopolo, Jill. Wedding Bell Blues (Sparkle Spa #8)
• Shusterman, Michelle. Dead Air (Kat Sinclair Files #1)

The Book You're Not Supposed to Have (Timmy Failure #5)

Pastis, Stephan. The Book You're Not Supposed to Have (Timmy Failure #5)
September 27th 2016 by Candlewick Press
ARC from Baker and Taylor

Timmy's mother is about to get married to Doorman Dave, but is not happy with him after his exploits of Book Four, so she bans him from being a detective until school is out. He must do better in school, practice piano, and behave himself. Timmy immediately sets out to find an alternative office, which he sets up in a display storage shed at a hardware store. His cousins Larry and Merry are staying with him, and they cause further complications. When Rollo goes missing and a teacher's strike causes school to go far into the summer, Timmy knows that he has to keep up with his detective business no matter how much trouble it gets him into. 
Strengths: I have students who love this series SO much that I bribe them to get their grades up by offering to hold onto the ARC for them until they can get caught up. This is a notebook novel with easy to understand plot, well-defined characters, and age-appropriate vocabulary. Goofy, yes, and the polar bear is IMAGINARY, but these books are okay. 
Weaknesses: Not my personal favorite. Timmy is obnoxious. 
What I really think: Six book is plenty for ANY series. Wrap up Timmy, Mr. Pastis, and start on another series, please. 

Klein, Jen. Shuffle, Repeat.
May 3rd 2016 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

June isn't happy that her mother has chosen to move out into the country, especially since she has arranged for June to ride into school with her best friend's son, the jockish and obnoxious Oliver. June is ready to be done with high school and move on, but Oliver is reveling in what he considers to be the best days of his life. The two are at odds over everything, especially music. June is dating Itch, and getting along well enough with him, but when the two break up, June fails to inform Oliver, who punches Itch when he is seen kissing another girl int he school hallways. There is definitely a connection between June and Oliver, but they are too involved in other high school activities and their futures after high school, to take the time to really do anything about it until prom rolls around. 

This book had some interesting insight into how high school students view their school experiences. June is done with school. She enjoys hanging out with her friends (including Shaun, who is gay, and Darbs, who is a bisexual Christian), and has to deal with her divorced parents, but feels that high school is just a stepping stone to greater things. Her father is off working on his acting career, but forgetting about her in the process. Oliver's parents are also having trouble, and his relationship with Ainsley is uneventful, but high school is what gives him his identity and his place in the world. Both are understandable views, and it's interesting to see them played against each other. 

There are so many stories about people who hate each other at first and then fall in love, and I was concerned that this would be rather trite. I was pleased that it managed to spin June and Oliver's story a slightly different way, and that the bulk of the book was not about them pining for each other only to fall in love and have something rip them apart, like so many other books are. The inclusion of music will add appeal to many readers. 

I've always been a big fan of teen literature from the 1950s, and Shuffle, Repeat had some of the same qualities-- up-to-the-minute descriptions of current trends in fashion, technology and social mores set against the unchanging angst that is senior year! Put this one in a time capsule as a perfect description of high school life in 2016!

This is definitely a young adult book, and while there isn't a lot of drinking or any instructional sexual activity, there is plenty mentioned, and very sensitive readers might want to try books by Sarah Dessen or Jennifer E. Smith instead. 

Dumbness is a Dish Best Served Cold/ Animal BFFs

Benton, Jim. Dumbness is a Dish Best Served Cold (Dear Dumb Diary, Deluxe)
June 28th 2016 by Scholastic Press
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Jamie Kelly is back (in this full color edition) and ready to help her friend Isabella, who is worried about her family finances because her father has lost his job. Jamie is sure that working with Isabella and Angeline the group can come up with a fabulous, food-related money maker, and eventually decide that colored paper plates with divisions for how much of each food group one should eat would be a great idea. Jamie underestimates how much hope Isabella is putting in the plate idea, and eventually lies to her that they have someone who wants to put the plates into production. This causes quite a rift, but Angeline manages to come up with a soda based salad dressing that saves the day. 

While Jamie never really outgrows her snarky, frenzied demeanor, she does have the best interests of Angeline in mind, and tries very hard to help her friend. The appeal of these books rests in the frenetic pace and sheer goofiness of the situations-- Jamie lets out loud burps, has a friend named Dicky Flartsnutt, and illustrates her fantasies about principal training that includes coffee balloon fights. 

Readers who have outgrown Park's Junie B. Jones and her antics or Danziger's Amber Brown will love Jamie sometimes misplaced exuberance and will be thrilled with the full color art. Along with Marissa Moss' Amelia books, Barstow's Ellie McDoodle and Ignatow's The Popularity Papers, the Dear Dumb Diary series is an easy choice for readers who like goofy notebook novels. 

My personal objection to this is the repeated use of the word "dumb" which was anathema in my household when the girls were young. These books have more appeal to elementary students-- I have a few books in my library that reluctant readers occasionally pick up, but they are not particularly easy books to read. These strike me as more of a book fair purchase than a school library one, although this title has a hardcover edition. 

Andrus, Aubre. Five Minute True Stories: Animal BFFs
July 26th 2016 by Scholastic Nonfiction
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

This collection of simple tales of animal friendship is filled with adorable pictures of a number of animal pairs from around the world. A monkey and pig, horse and cat, and even an elephant and dog are showcased. While the stories aren't that remarkable, the pictures are endlessly fascinating, especially ones of a very small rat and a very large dog!

The text is set off in beige boxes that help separate the words from the pictures for easier reading, and the use of additional colorful backgrounds make the design of this book one that would be very appealing if used as a read aloud. 

This is a larger book than Scholastic's usual nonfiction offering, but includes the same quality photographs and writing geared to elementary school students. If this shows up on a classroom wish list at a Scholastic book fair, definitely donate a copy to your child's classroom... but make sure you and your child get a chance to look at the wonderful photographs first! 

Friday in the Library

There is testing going on in the library, so I'm closed to students. There is always a lot of work that I can do when this happens. So far I've:

• Finally gotten a purchase order for processing supplies entered and worked on the Demco order. This has taken about two weeks so far!
• Realized that Noodletools has completely changed its log in and site.
• Sent frantic e mails to colleagues who helped me log in to the site.
• Put together a Google Slides presentation about researching and using Noodletools.
• Commiserated with math teachers that  Virtual Math Manipulatives don't work on any of the new computers. 
• Put in Help Desk Tickets on any number of computer issues.
• Hunted down students at lunch and made sure they have something to read since they have overdue books. 
• Alphabetized all of the reshelving. There are four shelves of a cart full of books-- and I had a volunteer in yesterday. When she left at noon, the carts were empty!
• Unboxed 400 new books and started to finish the processing they need.
• Decided which books I need to take home and read this weekend. 

We have a cross country meet on Saturday, but on Sunday I am going to read a bunch of books AND NOT REVIEW THEM. 

Ah, the freedom. There are a lot of books in series, and just a few things I haven't read before ordering them, like the book I read last night:

Watson, Jude. Sting (Loot #2)

August 30th 2016 by Scholastic Press

March and his friends find out that Darius invested their money with someone who has run off with it, so they are destitute. Hamish helps them out, and they try to steal back some stones for a buyer who will generously fund them. There are lots of funny moments, such as when they make a fake casting call at a country club in order to distract someone long enough to steal a jewel. The first book, Loot, has been really popular, and this book doesn't disappoint. 

And that's all the review I'm going to write. Hahahahaha. 

Off to make sure 8th graders have books, then on to putting series and genre labels on new books. Whew.

Guy Friday- Top Prospect

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe and What Are You Reading? day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.





Volponi, Paul. Top Prospect
September 1st 2016 by Carolrhoda Books
E ARC from Edleweiss Above the Treeline

After Travis' older brother Carter is signed with the Gainesville Gators football team, Travis is thrilled. He also feels a little abandoned, so when he has the opportunity to show off his own football skills to the coach, he does. This results in him being given a verbal offer of his own scholarship in five years, which pushes him to become a more public figure and improve his game. This doesn't make Carter happy, and we hear from his point of view occasionally as well. The boys' father, who lives in California with his new family, rarely makes it to see them, but does talk to them on the phone, rarely with pleasant results. Carter sees first hand what pressure college sports can put on the players, especially when he befriends Alex, who has gotten some perks from local businessmen. This practice comes under investigation even as Travis is starting to benefit from it. Over the course of two years, Travis starts to see that while being a college player in the national spotlight can be attractive, there are many down sides as well. 
Strengths: Ridiculously tickled that Volponi has written a solidly middle grade book with more mature themes but not mature language. If there were 30 sports books of this quality published every year, it still wouldn't be enough. I loved the close family relationships, the aspirations for college, the football (which was in depth enough that I didn't understand some of it-- sad, but that's my rule of thumb for "good" when it comes to sports. Am I lost at points? Awesome!), and the edgy, suspicious practices of the college football coach that are uncovered. A must purchase for every middle school and high school library. 
Weaknesses: I almost didn't read this because Carolrhoda impressed me as a nonfiction publishing house that turned out hack fiction. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Glad I took a chance! 
What I really think: I have so many readers who ask for and read sports books voraciously. This had sports and serious but not overly sad issues. Mr. Volponi can be added to our list of authors to whom we deliver dinners as long as they use their time to continue to write great books!

Walters, Eric. The Art of Picking Up Girls
September 6th 2016 by Razorbill (Paperback)
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Graham's family has moved from a small town to a much bigger city at the beginning of his senior year, and he's not pleased. He's never been the "new kid" before, and he's not looking forward to it. Fortunately, Ethan Frost is assigned to be his guide as punishment for having been out drinking. He's taken a fall for the football team, and they're not supposed to be seen with him, so he needs a new friend and wingman. Thus begins Graham's social whirl. Ethan likes to go to parties, clubs, and even AlAnon meetings, where he tells amusing stories (aka: lies) to girls in order to get them to go out with him. Once they do, he's never seen again. Graham doesn't think this is right, but has to admit that it's fun. Ethan is very smooth, and has clever ways to pick up girls, even if he never manages to really connect with any of them. Graham, unfortunately, does. After cruising a farmer's market and meeting Raine, he is attracted to her honesty and her passion for good causes. He's stuck being "Dakota", though, and even though he breaks Ethan's rules, sees her again. He gets involved in some animal rights activity that really changes his mind about things. What will he do if Raine finds out?
Strengths: Walters is a big force in Canadian Young Adult literature, and his Rule of Thr3e series has made it to the US, but his work usually doesn't. This is a huge shame. He writes solid, interesting books, often involving sports. This was particularly good. Ethan is completely reprehensible, but still very, very charming. It's easy to understand why Graham goes along with his plans. The fact that Graham ultimately doesn't agree with the dishonesty and is able to have a good relationship with Raine is fantastic. I would have this to high school boys in a heart beat. Very good stuff-- fun, but in the end will make them think. 
Weaknesses: A little too much drinking for my taste, although Graham usually abstains. Also, this might be difficult to get in hard cover in the US. 
What I really think: Very much enjoyed this and am curious to see what Mr. Walters writes next!

Girl on a Plane

Moss, Miriam. Girl on a Plane.
September 13th 2016 by HMH Books for Young Readers 
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Anna's father has been stationed in Bahrain, and instead of moving every few years, she goes to a boarding school back home in England. In 1970, she's heading back to school. Other flights have been high jacked, and she even jokes about the fact with her family. When an armed Palestinian comes down the aisle of the airplane she is on armed with a gun, she knows it is no laughing matter. The plane refuels in Beirut but doesn't take on any more food or water, and is forced to land at a Palestinian's Revolutionary airstrip in the desert in Jordan. Anna makes friends with the two boys in her row-- David, a boy about her age, and Tim, who is younger and very frightened. Conditions quickly worsen on the plane, with food and water becoming scarce, temperatures rising or falling intolerably, and the guerrillas constantly threatening the passengers. The guerrillas are negotiating with England for the release of a political prisoner, and Anna knows it is very likely that if the prisoner is not released, the plane might be blown up. One of the high jackers is part English, and tells Anna his story to help her understand why he is involved in such a violent assault on so many people. Eventually, the passengers are freed and make their way home. 

Strengths: This was very well done. Even though very little happens, the details of survival on the plane make this a gripping page turner. I especially like the author's description of how her real experience was different from the book, and I thought that the details she added to the fictional version were good choices. I enjoyed her relationship with David and Tim, and thought that Anna's understanding of the young Palestinian's plight was admirable. Very, very well done. Even though general tone of the book captured a tiny bit of the narrative style of books from the 1970s-- this reminded me vaguely of Watson's Other Sandals (1966).
Weaknesses: There is an implied rape, but nothing is explicit and this is fine for middle school. Another reviewer on Goodreads thought this wasn't quite as gripping as it could have been because of the British tendency to be reserved, but that's what I liked best. I was especially fond of the diplomat's wife at the end who takes Anna in and lets her have her bath and rest in peace instead of fawning all over her. The expectation that one is supposed to remain calm and deal with things instead of freaking out is MUCH more helpful than the expectation that one is supposed to fall apart!!!
What I really think: Excellent addition for middle school and high school libraries, although I like the original cover better. 

#WNDB Wednesday- A Long Pitch Home

Lorenzi, Natalie Dias. A Long Pitch Home
September 6th 2016 by Charlesbridge
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Bilal's family must leave Pakistan suddenly after his father is arrested. His mother and two younger siblings are able to leave, but his father must wait for a visa. They move to Virginia, to stay with an aunt and uncle who have a teen boy, Jalaal. Since Bilal's main interest in Pakistan was playing cricket (and he was very good), his uncle signs him up right away for a baseball camp. Missing his father and finding that the English spoken by his teammate is very different from the English he learned in school, Bilal struggles to fit in. Another new kid on his baseball team, Jordan, also struggles. Since her father is deployed in Afghanistan and she would rather be back home in the midwest, she tries to make friends with Bilal, but the boys on the baseball team don't want a girl on their team, and make fun of Bilal when he hangs around her. School is difficult, and Bilal has to spend some time in an ESL unit, while his younger sister takes to the language much more quickly. Skype visits with his father are nice, but Bilal gets tired of waiting. When Pakistani cricket star and government hopeful Omar Khan comes to the US, Bilal jeopardizes his team's tournament success to get the man's attention, which is influential in getting his father back home. 
Strengths: This had a lot of good details about what it is like to move to a different country. Skyping with his father, having to learn a new game, missing friends and life in his first country (and that's a helpful phrase to know) all are things that children in the US who were born here need to know about. I liked the inclusion of the cousin who was well-versed in the ways of the US, as well as the younger sister who settled in so much more easily. Using sports as a way to introduce this topic to readers is a great idea. 
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more details about why his father was having trouble in Pakistan, and about cricket. 
What I really think: I know that many people balk at the idea of people from other cultures writing from the perspective of a character from another culture. However, until we see more great writers like Gita Varadarajan, it's very helpful for my students to have diverse books written by writers who try to get the details correct and check them with people from the culture about which they are writing. I think Carol Marsden does a particularly good job, as does Lorenzi. I will be buying this. 

Interestingly, I am able to access Barnes and Noble and Amazon at school until 6:00 a.m. I guess this means I should not work on book orders during the day! (Not that I usually have time, but occasionally I want to look up the next book in a series for a child. Luckily, Goodreads is not yet blocked!)

Hashimi, Nadia. One Half from the East
September 6th 2016 by HarperCollins

I reviewed this one for School Library Journal. 

http://www.slj.com/2016/08/reviews/books/one-half-from-the-east-by-nadia-hashimi-slj-review/






Reynolds, Jason. Ghost
August 30th 2016 by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books 

Also reviewed this one for School Library Journal. 

http://www.slj.com/2016/08/reviews/books/middle-grade-xpress-reviews-september-2016/ (Scroll down.)