You Go First

Kelly, Erin Entrada. You Go First
April 10th 2018 by Greenwillow Books
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Charlotte lives near Philadelphia, and Ben lives in Louisiana. They've never met, although they have played online Scrabble together on many occasions. When they both have particularly bad weeks, Ben calls Charlotte, and they actually talk. Having one good friend is helpful to both of them in getting through their weeks. Charlotte's somewhat older father has had a serious heart attack and is in the hospital, and Ben's parents have told them that they are getting a divorce. Combined with the normal middle school drama both are experiencing, (such as Ben's attempts to run for a school office even though he is regularly bullied) these new additions to their world are almost overwhelming. Despite the distance that separates them, they are able to help each other navigate the tricky waters of adolescent life.

Kelly gives a believable reason for the two to have connected on line, and there is some discussion of online safety, even though Charlotte later makes some bad decisions and sets off for the city on her own. Technology is present in many children's lives today, so it is realistic to include it, but hard to do so in a way that won't become dated very soon. (Myspace or pagers, anyone?)

The problems that both children face are ones that are fairly common. Parents become ill, many parents get divorced, and other children at school are not always kind. It is good to see that both Charlotte and Ben do have some caring adults in their lives, but sometimes a friend can offer much different help from an adult.

Readers who enjoy introspective books that cover serious topics, such as Buyea's Because of Mr. Terupt, Bauer's Almost Home, Palaccio's Wonder and Sonnenblick's Falling Over Sideways will enjoy learning how Charlotte and Ben deal with the difficulties that life hands them.

That said, I've found it difficult to get students to check out Kelly's Blackbird Fly, Hello, Universe and  Land of the Forgotten Girls. I think this is because the books move rather slowly. Puzzle books also don't do well in my library, so I will have to debate purchasing this title, as much as I like Kelly's work.

Bone's Gift Blog Tour

BONE’S GIFT BLOG TOUR!

Monday, April 9 YA Books Central 

Tuesday, April 10 Ms. Yingling Reads

Wednesday, April 11 Unleashing Readers

Thursday, April 12 The Brain Lair AND Genrefluent

Friday, April 13 Always in the Middle

Smibert, Angie. Bone's Gift
March 20th 2018 by Boyd's Mill Press
Copy provided by publisher

Bone is not as ladylike as her Aunt Mattie expects a girl to be in 1945-- she'd rather wear dungarees and play outside with her friend Will than dress up like her cousin Ruby. She still misses her mother, who died in a flu epidemic, especially now that Bone seems to be manifesting a familial "gift" that her cousin has warned her might have killed her mother. When she touches an objects, she gets flashes of what happened to its former owner while in contact with it. Her grandmother might know some answers, but Bone's father has cut off most communication with her. When a professor comes into town collecting stories for a WPA project, Bone uses this as an excuse to touch base with her grandmother and get some answers. Times are hard in the coal mining town, and Bone watches as her friends start working in the mines or going off to war. When both her own father and her uncle choose to go as well, things become even more dire, and Bone is more motivated than ever to figure out what really happened to her mother, and what will happen to her.
Strengths: There were lots of good details about life in this place and time. Coal mining is a brutal way of life that made going off to the war seem like a better idea, and I've not really seen that reflected in any middle grade literature. The family dynamics, with Bone and her father living in a boarding house, Bone living with her aunt when her father went off to war, and the alienation between the aunt and the grandmother are all very realistic. I was glad that Ruby and Bone started to get along a little bit, and that Bone was able to solve some of the mystery of why her aunt was so mean.
Weaknesses: There were some parts of the story that seemed unresolved, but this is the first book in a trilogy. I imagine we will hear more about Will's selective mutism, Bone's gift, and her grandmother's background in further installments.
What I really think: I'm not a huge fan of paranormal books, so it wasn't quite my cup of tea, but I can see this book being a good choice for readers who do like the idea of magic and magical gifts and need to read a book set during World War II.

The Stone Girl's Story

Durst, Sarah Beth. The Stone Girl's Story
April 3rd 2018 by Clarion Books
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Mayka was made by Father, a master stone mason who has since died. She lives in the mountain with her family of stone creatures, but as their markings wear off with age, the creatures are in danger of slowing completely down, like Turtle, whom Mayka mourns. In order to restore him and keep the other creatures alive, Mayka decides to travel to the city of Skye, where father lived, in order to find another stone mason. Along with two birds, Risa and Jacklo she gets into the town only to find out there a stone festival in in the works, and everyone she meets acts a bit oddly and tells her to have her "keepers" ask for a stone mason. Jacklo goes missing, and when he is found, he is in the care of a stone mason to whom Garit is apprenticed. Unfortunately, Siorn has carved mark in Jacklo to make him obedient, and Mayka worries that all of the stone creatures are in danger. She finds out several secrets about Father and why he left, and learns more about a stone war that tore the community apart. With the help of her friends, old and new, she learns to trust in her own abilities to care for her family.
Strengths: This is a very solid, fast moving fantasy with good world building and intriguing characters. It's a great length for elementary students who want to read up-- my children would have loved this in about 2nd grade, when Magic Treehouse books became too easy.
Weaknesses: I'm never a fan of epilogues, so I could have down without the scene where Garit and Ilery come to the mountain to visit Mayka once they are grown up. Most readers will be glad to find out what happened later, but I like to make up my own endings!
What I really think: This has some similarities with Durst's The Girl Who Could Not Dream,  but isn't quite as exciting as The Journey Across the Hidden Islands. I'm not sure I have readers for this, but it's definitely a good fantasy book for readers who don't want something too scary.

Lauren, Ruth. Seeker of the Crown.
April 3rd 2018 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
ARC provided by the publisher

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:
"Valor risks everything to protect her friends in this second book in a thrilling fantasy series that's Percy Jackson meets Frozen.

One month has passed since Valor broke her twin sister Sasha out of jail. But the girl who imprisoned her to begin with—Princess Anastasia—has gone missing. The queen, desperate to find her daughter, asks Valor and Sasha to track Anastasia down and bring her home.

But just as the girls and their friends embark on the search, the queen also vanishes, throwing the realm into utter chaos. If Valor can't restore order, she risks getting sent back to prison . . . and tearing her newly reunited family apart once again. She must rely on people she can't quite trust, as well as her own instincts, to protect the people she holds dear." 

Strengths: Valor and twin Sasha get along better in this book, and Valor is more likable. There are lots of twists and turns, changes in alliances, and lots of good world building and details about what's going on.
Weaknesses: Nothing really fresh. Vaguely Nordic fantasy kingdom, political intrigue, sisters working together against evil. Readers who like this sort of book need a LOT of similar titles, but I'm always looking for something that will have a new twist.
What I really think: I enjoyed Prisoner of Ice and Snow, but just couldn't get into this on the night that I read it. I will definitely buy it because the first one has been popular. 

MMGM- Crash

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Always in the Middle and #IMWAYR day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.


Favreau Marc. Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America
April 10th 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ARC received from publisher at ALA

This nicely formatted book provides an understandable overview of some of the causes of the Great Depression, and the effects that it had on the people of the US. We have reached a point where students in middle school don't have a great understanding of this period of time-- they don't really even understand 9/11! When I was growing up, there was still a lot of talk about how hard things were, from not only my grandparents, but my parents as well. This is important information for students to know.

I especially liked that this included some information I'd not really seen gathered before. There was a nice description of Herbert Hoover's contributions to US politics before he got sucked into the vortex of the Depression and his name was forever tied with "Hoovervilles". The stock market crash and the dust bowl are well explained, but there are also chapters on the African American and Hispanic America experience about which I have not read before. I find the CCC fascinating, and knew several men who were involved in this work, although there could have been a little bit more about other WPA programs. The book ends with a bit of information about Father Coughlin and segues nicely into World War II.

Period photographs, many by Dorothea Lange, as well as reproductions of posters and flyers, give much needed visuals for readers who can't fully comprehend how bad the Depression was. A complete index and sources notes round out this well done book.

The Summer of Broken Things

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. The Summer of Broken Things.
April 10th 2018 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Avery is a well-to-do 14-year-old who loves to play soccer. Her father must spend the summer in Spain for work, and her mother is staying to run her decorating business. Something is wrong with this situation, but Avery isn't quite sure what it is. Kayla is two years older and lives in a small town not too far from Avery's posh town. Her father was injured in an accident before he was deployed, leaving Kayla and her mother to live with her mother's folks while her mother tries to make ends meet with her nursing home job. Kayla isn't well liked at school because she is awkward and unattractive. The two girls were friends under odd circumstances when they were young, and Kayla is approached to come to Spain to be a companion for Avery. Neither girl is all that excited about it, but Kayla is glad to see the wider world. Things go wrong from the beginning-- Avery loses her passport, the apartment in Spain isn't great, Avery won't go to the Spanish language class the girls are both enrolled in, and a dark family secret that affects both families emerges. Avery throws herself headlong into passionate self pity, and Kayla cuts off contact with her very supportive family for a while. Even Avery's father is affected. When the three attempt a road trip to do some sight seeing, there is a medical emergency, and the girls have to work together to get through it. Eventually, they both come to the realization that life goes on no matter what has happened in one's life.
Strengths: Haddix is a local author, so there is always great demand for her books. This is definitely more young adult than many of her titles, in that it is more introspective and sad, but doesn't have inappropriate situations or content. It was interesting to see lives in Ohio portrayed from both ends of the economic spectrum.
Weaknesses: Avery was a horrible child, spoiled and self centered, and the situation with the family secret was not handled well by anyone. The descriptions of Kayla seemed half a bubble off (as someone who identifies more strongly with the working poor), especially when she loses weight over the summer. It was good to see her become more confident, though.
What I really think: This is rather lengthy (about 400 pages), and my readers tend to like there travel books to be a little happier. I may wait to purchase this, since I don't think it will have as many readers as Haddix's other work. High school libraries will definitely want to investigate.

How You Ruined My Life

Strand, Jeff. How You Ruined My Life
April 1st 2018 by Sourcebooks Fire
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Rodney's father left, so he and his mother struggle to get by. When his well-to-do aunt and uncle decide to take a three months' long cruise, his cousin Blake is sent to go to high school with him. It's bad enough that Rod has to share his tiny room with his cousin, but when Blake finally arrives, it is with a ton of stuff and an attitude that Rod should be his servant. Rod, who is very busy with his band, Fanged Grapefruit as well as his girlfriend, Audrey, isn't pleased. As Blake does more an more sneaky things to Rod, he also tries to ingratiate himself with all of Rod's friends, to the point where Blake throws animals guts in his own face so he can blame it on Rod! On the other hand, he gets some awesome gigs for the band, but he also turns Audrey against Rod. His head spinning, Rod isn't sure what his cousin's evil plan is, only that it is evil, and he must find some way to stop him, even if it is by sort-of kidnapping him and attempting to drive him across the country! Will the cousins ever be able to make peace?
Strengths: This was VERY funny. I was reading it on the plane coming back from ALA Midwinter, and laughed so much that I ended up reading a lot of it to my travel companion! This wins absolute first place for lists of rock band names. The plot was amusing, moved quickly, and was just a lot of fun. I especially appreciated that the main character was a high school junior, but there wasn't anything inappropriate. It's so hard to find books like this for my more mature readers. Very nice balance.
Weaknesses: Younger readers might be a little confused by what Blake is doing. I have had to explain the concept of "gaslighting" to teachers, so students might not understand what Blake is trying to accomplish, other than being annoying.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing a copy, and a bit miffed that it's in paperback! Follett does have a prebind available.

Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth

O'Connor, Sheila. Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth
April 3rd 2018 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Purchased copy

Reenie, her father, and her brothers Billy and Dare move from Missouri to live with their grandmother in Minnesota in 1968 because their mother's cancer treatments bankrupted the family. Reenie and her brothers all have jobs, and they are saving up to pay for Billy's college tuition at the University of Missouri so that he can be deferred from the draft. It's unusual for a girl to have a paper route, even with her brother, so local thugs Rat and Cutler give her a hard time, but she gives as good as she gets, which only escalates their feud. One of Reenie's customers is Mr. Marsworth, but he will not answer his bell. Reenie starts leaving him lengthy letters, and he returns brief, typewritten letters in response. He encourages Reenie to go to the library, make friends with another new girl on the street, and eventually, to go to the beach near the lake house he owns to give her something to do. She still persists in writing, especially when she finds out that Mr. Marsworth was a conscientious objector during WWI, and she will try anything to keep Billy from going to Vietnam. With the encouragement of her new pen pal, Reenie has her brother write a letter to the newspaper, visit a center to help him with his application, and apply to a Quaker college Mr. Marsworth attended. As the summer wears on, Billy's situation becomes more pressing, the family must make plans for the future, and secrets from the past are revealed.
Strengths: This is an interesting topic, and one which I am very happy to see represented in literature. Aside from Kurlansky's Battle Fatigue, and Qualey's Hometown (M.E. Kerr's Slap Your Sides is WWII) I can't think of another book that does. There are lots of good descriptions of every day life in 1968, and the letter format makes sense within the context. I liked that the plight of the conscientious objector in several other conflicts was addressed. The family secret caught me by surprise, but made sense and was resolved in an interesting way.
Weaknesses: There is a lot going on in this book, which dilutes the central message. I could have done without the mother's death or the bullying from the local thugs, and Reenie would have done well to learn from Mr. Marsworth's brevity. Her "handwriting" was somewhat wearing to read.
What I really think: This will be a popular choice for the 1960s unit our seventh grade does, and will get checked out a bit more frequently than other titles about this time period because of the appealing cover.

Following Baxter

Kerley, Barbara. Following Baxter
(Cover Art by Gilbert Ford)
April 3rd 2018 by HarperCollins
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Jordie, whose father has been living in an apartment over the family garage since her parents have separated, really wants a dog. Her mother always says no, so Jordie is excited when Professor Reese moves next door with a large dog acquired when a friend had to leave the country suddenly. The professor is very busy with her experiments and setting up her lab in her basement, so she's more than happy when Jordie offers to walk the dog, whom they name Baxter. Baxter is everything Jordie could want in a dog, and she's thrilled to be able to spend every day after school with him, accompanied by her younger brother, TJ. The two children eventually find out the nature of Professor Reese's experiments, and even help with some of them, When the professor goes missing, though, they need to find her without letting their parents know what is going on.

Next to jet packs, teleportation is probably the most enthralling way to travel! I can't think of another middle grade books that addresses this, and I appreciated how much detail was given to how objects would have to be broken down and reassembled. At one point, a cockroach is teleported accidentally, and the discussion about how it fares afterwards is very interesting.

While it's a bit of a stretch that Professor Reese would end up with a job, it's a nice thought that she would come to the aid of a friend so quickly. It's also nice to see her becoming friends with the neighbor children so quickly; does anyone take baked goods to welcome new neighbors anymore? The parents certainly check up on Jordie and TJ, but it's refreshing to see children given a bit of freedom and responsibility. The parents' living arrangements give them lots of opportunities to support the children, but also give the children a little wiggle room to sneak out from time to time.

The science is handled nicely; I'd definitely categorize this as science fiction rather than fantasy. Professor Reese has a job at a college that includes meetings and classes, and it's good to see a woman shown in a high level science job. In real life, she would probably have college students serving as her lab assistants, but Jordie and TJ do a good job in that role, as well as with walking Baxter.

This is somewhat reminiscent of Bunker's Felix Yz, Kade's Bot Wars,  Boyce's Cosmic or Scaletta's The Winter of the Robots in that there are adventures with some scientific twists, but the inclusion of a dog as well as Professor Reese sets this off in a category all its own.

I'm debating purchase for my library-- the mystery is a bit week, and I don't think the cover will entice my students to pick this up. It's just not quite the right flavor of either dog book or science fiction. Definitely take a look at it, though.

Love Double Dutch!

Spicer-Dannelly, Doreen. Love Double Dutch
April 3rd 2018 by Random House
E ARC graciously provided by author upon request

Kayla and her friends jump double dutch and plan to spend the summer in their Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood preparing for the National Jump-off at Madison Square garden. Kayla knows she's good enough, so when her parents, who have been fighting a lot, tell her that they are sending her to her aunt's in North Carolina for the summer, she's crushed. There's nothing to be done, however, and Kayla and her little brother Cameron are ensconced at their Aunt Jeanie's large and beautiful home in a well-to-do neighborhood. It's been deciding that while Cameron and the younger cousins are going to be helping install a pool in the yard, Kayla and her cousin Sally will be attending a summer sports camp. Sally, with whom Kayla has fought in the past, isn't thrilled about this, but Kayla is glad to see that there is double dutch! She signs up for a team with Sally before she finds out that her cousin was kicked off her team, the Bouncing Belles, and that the teammates are all very mean to her. Sally reluctantly agrees to participate, and Kayla rounds up Marissa and Tina to complete the team. The other girls haven't jumped before, but intensive practice, along with Kayla and Sally's superior skills, bring the team up to speed. The Double Deuces are able to perform well enough at the local competition that sponsors are willing to send them to the competition in New York... if the Belles combine with the Deuces. With the help of two coaches who have a history of their own, all of the girls are able to come together and assemble a routine for the national championship.

In addition to excellent details about double dutch, a sport which seems to be enjoying a resurgence, there is a lot of very good friend and family drama. Judging from the number of my daughters' friends who had parents who divorced during their children's middle school years, this is a life changing event that affects many middle grade readers. Visiting cousins for the summer also comes with challenges, especially when the North-South dichotomy that is so much a part of the African-American experience comes in to play. I did especially enjoy that, for a change, the socioeconomic status of the family in the South an improvement over the family in the North! Usually, the "big city" offers more advantages than the usually rural South, so this was a nice twist.

The meanness, jockeying for social position, and competing over boys that occur in so many of the interactions that tweens have are realistically portrayed. Kayla has a crush on Charlie, but not just because he's cute. She also likes his confidence, and he is undeterred that she is not pink and sparkly like her cousin. There are some sweet scenes, like the one at a school dance, that will definitely appeal to lots of middle grade readers.

The sports details are excellent, and I learned a lot about the different facets of competition, from timed jumps to putting together routines. While it seemed slightly unusual that girls new to the sport would be good quickly enough to travel to a national competition, it makes for an intriguing story line. There was also some information about step-dancing that might intrigue some of my readers, since there are some teams at our high school. Double dutch is not popular in my area, but since so many of my readers like sports books, I think they will enjoy the aspects of jumping that are similar to other sports-- teamwork, grueling practices, and competition.

My least favorite part of the book was probably Kayla's sassy attitude, but it certainly does make an impression on her aunt, cousin and new friends! While it's a bit over the top, she does grow quite a bit over the course of the book, and does learn to get along with others much more effectively.

This first novel is a welcome addition to the body of humorous, realistic sports books and is an excellent purchase for all middle school libraries. Kayla's struggles with family, friends, and teammates will captivate readers, and her love of double dutch might cause some of them to dust off their jump ropes!

Lupica, Mike. Team Players (Home Team #4)
April 3rd 2018 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Cassie, whom we last saw in Point Guard, is ready to play softball now that school is out and 8th grade is over. Her dad is coaching, and a new girl, Sarah, joins the team. The problem? Sarah is on the autism spectrum and really struggles to communicate with the others on the team. This adds to the ever growing girl drama of which Cassie is very tired. Her friends Jack and Teddy have their own problems on their baseball team-- their coach is also a player's father, and seems to think that the team's purpose is to provide a vehicle for the glory of Sam. He's a difficult and unhelpful coach for all of the other boys, which makes practice and games not very fun. Sarah is an excellent player, but blows up when things seem unfair-- in one instance, a player calls the ball but then misses it and blames Sarah. Cassie is the only one who believes Sarah, so the team is divided. Cassie tries really hard to be friends with Sarah. The boys also work through their problems with the coach, who is eventually let go, leaving Jack to coach the team to victory.
Strengths: I was glad to see a portrayal of a character on the autism spectrum playing a sport, and Lupica's descriptions of Sarah's behavior certainly fall within believable bounds. While Sarah's problems with dealing with her teammates are worse than most of the students with whom I have worked, autism is a spectrum, and no two students react the same way to things.
Weaknesses: Slow and sad. See below.
What I really think: Again, I wish these were less message heavy and more fun. This was on the long side, and could have been shorter without the constant rehashing of problems. My readers who like sports books generally like something more fast paced and fun. Yes, there can be problems (Deuker's Heart of a Champion, about a boy dying of cancer, is a perennial favorite), but the Home Team books seem to discuss the problems too much. I'll purchase, because this is book four in a series by an author my students love, but it's not my favorite.

Wizard for Hire

Skye, Obert. Wizard for Hire
March 6th 2018 by Shadow Mountain
E ARC from Netgalley

Seven-year-old Ozzy remembers living in New York with his scientist parents Mia and Emmitt, but the family is now enjoying an idyllic life in the forests of Oregon. Sure, they are surrounded by unpacked boxes, but life is good until strange men come and kidnap his parents. Not knowing what else to do, Ozzy continues to live alone in the mountain cabin. When he discovers Clark, a mechanical talking crow, he is less lonely. He also finds tapes that his father left, detailing some of the psychological experiments that he and Ozzy's mother were doing in New York. When he turns 14, he decides to go to high school, and hops a bus. He just goes to classes, and the teachers accept him for a while. Eventually, he decides to find his parents, and calls the number he finds in the local paper  under "Wizard for Hire". This puts him in contact with Labyrinth (Rin, nee Brian), who claims to have spent time in the wizarding realm of Quarfelt, and says he'll try to help. With the use of his ex-wife's car, Rin finds some details. Before long, Sigi, a girl Rin met at the beach and in the high school, shows up and offers to go track down a contact Ozzy's mother mentions on one of the tapes. Soon Sigi (who has some surprising parentage), Ozzy and Rin are on their way to track down Charles Plankford and figure out the mysteries of Ozzy's past.
Strengths: This is definitely my favorite of Skye's books. The story is far fetched but intriguing, Ozzy is an interesting character, and Rin's backstory is rather fascinating. Ozzy's entry into high school life is funny and endearing.
Weaknesses: This was the sort of book where I would happily read for 50 pages, then the story would bog down a bit and I'd put the book down to clean a bit. Read another 50 pages or so until the story slowed again. In order to make this a middle grade book, about 100 pages would need to be cut. This seems more like a Young Adult title, along the lines of Vizzini's The Other Normals or Pierson's Crap Kingdom.
What I really think: Since this actually isn't a fantasy book, aside from Clark, and I may not purchase it. It's a bit longer and slower than what my students usually like.

Happy Spring!

This was the sight that greeted me on the last day of spring break, and goes pretty far in explaining why I had trouble getting motivated to read books being published in July! Most days it rained, so Sylvie didn't get as many walks as we normally take.

We have one good week to check books out, but for most of April, the library will be closed for testing. I no longer complain; testing must be done, a schedule is developed, and we do what must be done. It doesn't help that when testing is over, there are only a few weeks before all of the books are due for the end of the year!

The highlight of break was Julie Falatko's Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to School. (Scholastic, 29 May 2018) "Tiny carrots wrapped in bacon" is my new favorite phrase.

Hope everyone is weathering the end of winter, reading a lot of good books, and having very few surprises!

MMGM- Class Action

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Always in the Middle and #IMWAYR day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.


Frank, Steven B. Class Action
April 3rd 2018 by HMH Books for Young Readers
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Sam is tired of homework. It's not that he wants to do nothing but play video games when he gets home from school-- he wants to be outside, build things with his dad, play piano, and do things OTHER than homework for hours and hours. His friend Alistair would use his time to cook, and Catalina wants to memorize Pi to a thousand digits past the decimal. When Sam finally gets fed up with one project too many threatening to ruin his weekend, he gets suspended for causing a disruption in class. When his older sister, Sadie, points out that he can't be suspended without due process, a thought takes hold. Could he really protest homework and take it all the way to the Supreme Court? With the help of his neighbor, Mr. Kalman (who is a retired lawyer who had worked on school cases before), the group (including friend Jaesang) make plans. They raise funds (by selling California Mission projects as well as science fair projects!) to finance their court cases, and lay their plans very carefully. Mr. Kalman's knowledge of the legal system is very helpful, but the case is thrown out by the two lower courts before the group heads to Washington. By this time, there is a huge show of support by children throughout the US who have as their rallying cry the fact that studies have not shown that homework is helpful, and that students need to have free time to process information and to be curious individuals. Can Mr. Kalman and Sadie manage to not only research the case well but argue it effectively?
Strengths: This is definitely Avi's Nothing But the Truth for the new millenium. Frank does an excellent job of making Sam's case seem like it might actually be something that the courts would take on, and Kalman's approach is great. There is even an overview of the "justices" and their different backgrounds that is quite fascinating, and gives a lot of insight into how an actual case might be considered. The fact that Sam and his friends want their free time for productive purposes helps. Parents are supportive, even though Sam's case costs his mother her job as a realtor! The plot moves along quickly, and is just a lot of fun. Frank's experience in an actual middle school classroom is evident. Will definitely purchase.
Weaknesses: Selling projects made me a little uneasy. While I've heard that the Californian Mission projects are very problematic, delving into academic dishonesty wasn't the best way for the children to earn money.
What I really think: I taught middle school Latin, and cannot imagine any 6-8th grader learning that subject without any homework. Just... doesn't work. Considering that I found the basic premise of the book didn't hold, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This is a testament to Frank's writing, and the target demographic will be delighted with the idea of doing away with homework in a way that I definitely was NOT!

Albee, Sarah. Dog Days of History
March 27th 2018 by National Geographic Kids
Copy provided by Media Masters Publicity

Want to know lots of interesting details about the history of domesticated canines? Look no further than this great book. Beautifully illustrated, this comprehensive study covers information about dogs from ancient times to the present. In addition to the narrative descriptions of the role dogs have played in human households, there are plenty of sidebars and inserts with fun facts about man's best friend. Readers who enjoy Guinness or Ripley's books will find this just as amusing (although not as gross!), but students who need facts for history reports will also find plenty of information. Like this author's Poop Happened and Why'd They Wear That?, Dog Days is full of interesting information. This is one of those books that would be an excellent present before a long car ride-- it might keep children from wanting to stick their heads out of the windows!

Kalicky, Anne. My Life in Smiley
April 3rd 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Max is documenting his sixth grade year in France with a journal that he doesn't want his parents or his older sister to find. He and his best friend Tom are trying just to keep up with everyone else and not get hurt by the evil Raoul. As we follow their progress through the school year, we see them as their class travels to a nursing home to sing, the boys try to come up with low cost holiday presents, they start to notice girls in their class, and their British pen pals visit for sightseeing in Paris. There are frequent trips to Britanny to visit grandparents, and outings to the car wash and other errands that sometimes don't end the way we think they will. Like a French version of Kinney's Wimpy Kid or Pichon's Tom Gates, Max's adventures are all slightly embarrassing but generally pretty tame.
Strengths: I've gotten to the point where I flinch with nearly every book I pick up, because they have all become so depressing. This was blissfully free of death and depression. It was fun, addressed real concerns that students have, and offered a window into French culture. Mayonnaise on pasta? Field trips to the Eiffel Tower? Fishing with grandparents in Brittany. Skiing during winter break? All very privileged, but also quite a relief. The emoticons will immediately draw students to this. In return, I think it only fair that we send Stick Dog books to France.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been MORE details of what it is like to go to school in France! A lot of it sounded much to American!
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. The cover alone makes me smile.

Not if I Save You First

Carter, Ally. Not if I Save You First
March 27th 2018 by Scholastic Press
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Maddie's father is a Secret Service agent who is protecting Logan's father, the president of the United States. "Mad Dog" and "Rascal" manage to get up to all kinds of trouble in the White House, finding secret passages and spying on dignitaries. When Russian spies try to kidnap Logan's mother, Maddie's father manages to save the First Family, but is injured himself, as is Logan.

Fast forward six years. Maddie and her father are living in a shack in Alaska. She has learned a lot of survival techniques, but is angry that Logan has never answered any of her letters. How do you go from being best friends to not talking at all? After Logan evades his security detail one time too many, his father comes up with a plan-- send him to Alaska, where he won't be able to post inappropriate things on social media or sneak out to parties. Neither teen is thrilled, but start to get settled in. Maddie's father is called away suddenly to deliver supplies to someone before the storm. When Maddie and Logan venture outside, Maddie is attacked and Logan thinks she is dead. Logan is abducted by a young Russian man he calls Stefan, and marched across the landscape toward a plane. Fortunately, Maddie has survived, and follows Logan. Eventually, she is discovered by Stefan, and the three fight their way to an unknown location, but Maddie and Logan manage to break away. Both are injured and weak, but trying their best to save each other. Who is behind the kidnapping, and will the two manage to survive... and to save their friendship?
Strengths: Carter excels at creating strong characters who have excellent fighting skills. Maddie would fit right in with the Gallagher Girls, and could teach them a thing or two about wilderness survival. Logan is fairly clueless, but well meaning. The two clearly care for each other, and there is some light romance... if they weren't so busy fighting for their lives, they would clearly share a lot more cozy moments. This was a great balance of excitement, spies, and snuggling.
Weaknesses: The cover is a bit odd. It looks like Jell-o in the snow. Also, I was somewhat confused by all of the political twists. Not sure how I feel about Russians being the bad guys-- it makes me think of my own teen years. I guess they are the bad guys once again!
What I really think: Definitely purchasing! Always glad to see something new from Carter, and both Maddie and Logan were upbeat in the face of all of the dangers of the wild.

Olga: We're Out of Here

Gravel, Elise. Olga: We're Out of Here (#2)
March 13th 2018 by HarperCollins
ARC from Young Adult Books Central

Olga and Meh are back after their exploits in Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere. Olga and her friend Chuck are enjoying playing with the strange and smelly pet, but Olga becomes concerned when Meh starts exhibiting strange symptoms. The creature has weird growths on its belly, smells even worse, is picky about food, and is generally lacking energy and enthusiasm. Even the Lalas try to help care for the sick pet, but nothing seems to make Meh better. It's hard to find a vet for a possibly alien creature, and Olga does consult Dr. Spiffle, only to find him taking selfies with her pet and offering no real answers. Luckily, a turn of event points out what was wrong with Meh, who quickly recuperates.

This is a goofy notebook novel, with very little text and lots of cartoon style pictures. Meh's background leads to all manner of wild conjecture, which is accompanied by appropriate drawings. Olga thinks aout what she would do with a herd of Olgamuses, she dreams about traveling to Meh home planet, and even gives us information about scientists in her somewhat oddball way.

I did enjoy the fact that when Meh got sick, Olga consulted her local librarian, Ms. Swoop. Ms. Swoop is a tattooed, hipster librarian who manages to give Olga a little bit of advice, as opposed to Mr. Gumstrap, a librarian who doesn't think children should be allowed in the library and whose lips are the same color as his face. (Which really shouldn't be held against him; it happens to many of us!) She also has the supportive store owner, Mr. Hoopah, who supplies her with olives and other sundries for Meh. Olga's parents are absent from the story.

Readers who like funny, quirky notebook novels like Shreve's Stan and the Toilet Monster, Skye's The Creature from my Closet and or Kowitt's The Principal's Underwear is Missing will enjoy the further exploits of Olga and her stinky pink pet.

Battle for Bearhaven (Secrets of Bearhaven #4)

Rocha, K.E. Battle for Bearhaven (Secrets of Bearhaven #4)
September 12th 2017 by Scholastic Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Spencer has enjoyed being with the bears in Bearhaven, especially with his friend, Kate, but the bears have not had an easy time of it. After rescuing his parents in Hidden Rock Rescue, Spencer still has to deal with the evil Pam and his sidekick Margo, who have planted microchips in over 80 bears and have created an evil army to try to wipe out Bearhaven. They're doing a good job so far, and have attacked and set fire to the settlement. Spencer has managed to escape and gone with eight bears to his friend Kirby's house to try to formulate a plan. He calls his parents, who want him to get on the TUBE and get to them, but Spence really wants to take Pam down. The group has found an injured bear  doorstep and rescued her, removing a microchip and treating her head wound. Sneaking into Pam's camp, Spencer and Kirby manage to drain a lot of the tranquilizer darts, but there's still a lot of work to do in order to save Bearhaven from those who wish it ill.

This was nonstop action, and a very clean fight showcasing good against evil. All that Spencer has learned about the bears comes into play, and his dedication to saving the bears and their world is admirable. The bears certainly are fighting as well, which is even more difficult since Pam has managed to turn so many of them into his evil army.

This definitely feels like the last book in the series, because so many of the loose ends are tidied up. Spencer's parents are safe and able to assist him a little, the bears have to move on from the destruction of most of their settlement, and Pam is dealt with. I did appreciate that Kirby was brought in on the action, since she has been a stalwart supporter of the bears and of Spencer.

Fans of Hunter's Warriors or Seekers series will enjoy the animal portion of this series, but readers who just like a good action and adventure tale with lots of fighting will appreciate that Spencer can actually communicate with the bears. Series seem to do better when they are shorter than five books, so that readers don't lose interest, so Secrets of Bearhaven delivers a compact punch of world building, conflict and speedy resolution.

Opening Day! and The Parker Inheritance

Gramling, Gary. The Baseball Fanbook
April 3rd 2018 by Sports Illustrated
ARC provided by publisher at ALA

Did you know that today's MLB opening day is a bit unusual? It is the first time in fifty years that all of the teams have games scheduled, so it really an opening day for everyone. Why they haven't done this since 1968, I have no clue, but then, clueless would describe most of my sports knowledge!

This is why The Baseball Fanbook is such a great resource.  Like The Football Fanbook, this is packed with all manner of information. Record breakers, team histories, old and new players with particular talents, an entire section on baseball skills and how to better your game, and odd facts like why baseball teams wear white uniforms at home and gray ones on the road. (Although we can only hope the laundry situation has improved!)

I was most impressed with the number of teams in the Midwest that have existed at their current locations for over 100 years! I do find it incomprehensible that the Cleveland Indians didn't change their name 50 years ago (the Burning Cuyahogas, anyone?) and am completely baffled that they haven't changed their mascot.

If you can't get to a game today, reading The Baseball Fanbook is the next best thing.

Johnson, Varian. The Parker Inheritance
March 27th 2018 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Candice's grandmother was a city official in the small town of Lambert before she fell into disrepute. She thought there was treasure buried under the tennis courts and had them dug up. When no treasure appeared, she was relieved of her duties. Candice and her mother are spending the summer cleaning out her grandmother's house after her death, and Candice has some letters that indicate there is still a treasure out there. It's a rough summer-- her parents are separated, and her home in the city is being readied to sell, and there's no one to hang out with in Lambert while her mother is working on her book. Luckily, she finds bookish Brandon, and the two bond. She eventually shares the secret of her grandmother's letters with him, and the two follow the very detailed clues, learning a lot about the racial history of the town in the process. Will they finally find the treasure for which her grandmother was searching?
Strengths: This offers an excellent view of what life was like in the 1950s for blacks in the South, and it was good to see this through the eyes of modern children. Candice's life has some challenges, since she misses her grandmother and her parents' separation has a bit of a twist to it, but her parents are supportive and present, and the mood is generally upbeat. The clues they follow are interesting, and the mystery itself is deliciously convoluted.
Weaknesses: This took me about four days to read. I kept putting the book down and then thinking I was finished. This could have used some tighter editing to make it shorter and more fast paced. I wish the subplot with Brandon being bullied had been left out.
What I really think: This reminded me VERY strongly of Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry by Susan Vaught. The investigative process was similar, it involved civil rights, but the end of the mysteries were different. I will buy because this author is popular in my library and the cover is great.

Hurricane Child

Callender, Kheryn. Hurricane Child
March 27th 2018 by Scholastic
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Caroline Murphy lives in the US Virgin Islands, and is considered unlucky because she was born during a hurricane. Her life certainly bears out this assertion-- her mother has left the family, her father's slightly younger illegitimate daughter has moved nearby, and she is always in trouble at school. She does have an ally in the principal of her school, who knew her mother, but not only are the other students mean to her, her classroom teacher is as well. When a new student, Kalinda, arrives at the school, Caroline tries to befriend her and later realizes that she is interested in her romantically. Since this is frowned upon by their religion and culture, the girls worry about it. Caroline sees ghostly figures around, and eventually this encourages her to find her mother and learn the mystery of her family situation.
Strengths: This is a great #ownvoices novel, and Callender does a great job of showing what life can be like in St. Thomas. The details of food, school, travel, and general daily life are fascinating. It's good for students in the US to get a glimpse of what life is like in other parts of the world.
Weaknesses: Unfortunately, some people are treated in what we consider to be mean ways in other parts of the world. Caroline's dark skin is disparaged, and many people in her life treat her meanly. Her relationship with Kalinda is heartbreaking because of the overshadowing social mores. While this is certainly a reality of which my students need to be aware, I think they might require more explanations in order to understand that this is the way the culture sees Caroline, and not the way they should feel about their own skin, family situation, or sexual preferences.
What I really think: I am very conflicted about this book. I would like to purchase it, but worry it will make my students feel bad about themselves.

Aru Shah and the End of Time

Chokshi, Roshani. Aru Shah and the End of Time
March 27th 2018 by Disney/Rick Riordan Presents
E ARC provided by the publisher

Aru lives with her mother in an apartment attached to the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture in Georgia, and her mother travels frequently for her work, leaving Aru with a babysitter. The children at Aru's school are much more well off than she is, and Aru has taken to lying about her life. When three children from her school show up at the museum (while Aru is still in her pajamas, no less), she feels a need to show off and lights the Diya of Bharata when she is pressed. She's always been told not to, and with good reason-- when the lamp is lit, everyone freezes and an ancient god known as the Sleeper is released. Aru discovers that she is a descendant of the Pandava brothers, who are warrior princes, and that she must save the world from this ancient evil. Luckily, she has the help of another unsuspecting Pandava, Mini, who isn't thrilled about being pressed into service but is prepared and resourceful. The girls, aided by a pigeon they call Boo, must enter the Kingdom of Death to retrieve three keys that will help them defeat the Sleeper. They must travel to many different places and ask for help from characters from Hindu mythology, and during the quest learn some secrets about their own lives. Even if they manage to save the world now, how long will it stay saved?
Strengths: This fast paced adventure follows a formula similar to Riordan's own books-- a character finds out that she is descended from the gods and must go on a quest, meeting mythological characters along the way, in order to restore order to the universe. The characters are worked in to the plot nicely, and the notes at the back help with some aspects of Hindu culture and history. I am glad that Riordan' is seeking #ownvoices writers for these stories, which will be very popular with my fantasy readers, who will wait eagerly for more books.
Weaknesses: I was not overly fond of either Aru or Mina. Also, I am still a bit confused about the difference between the Hindu religion and Hindu mythology. My guess is that the stories walk the same fine line as the Christian story of Noah and the Ark; it's in the religious canon, but considered by most as more allegorical than historical.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, although the book could have benefited from tighter editing. Also, since I am not familiar with Sailor Moon, any homages to it were lost on me.

Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

Cervantes, Angela. Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring
March 27th 2018 by Scholastic Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Paloma Marquez has to spend the summer in Mexico City with her mother, who has gotten a fellowship to study there. Paloma would rather be back home with her friends in Kansas, but she is somewhat interested to be living just a few streets away from the home of her deceased father's favorite artist, Frida Kahlo. She misses her father, and is sad she has so few memories of him, so finds the exhibits about Kahlo interesting. She meets several children her own age right away, at a party at the Kahlo house. Tavo is the son of the couple who have funded her mother's summer, and twins Gael and Lizzie are supposed to help tutor her in Spanish. The twins have another motive, however-- they want Paloma's help in finding a peacock ring that was lost after a sealed, secret room in the house was opened. Paloma is a big fan of the Lulu Pennywhistle mysteries, so knows all of the ins and outs of investigating. Sure, the three get in trouble for sneaking out at night, but this doesn't stop them from uncovering a fairly dastardly plot. The twins' father has been jailed as a suspect in the disappearance of the ring, but Tavo's father may know more about it than he lets on. Will Paloma be able to figure out what happened... and survive her summer?
Strengths: First, the cover is fantastic! I'm not sure how many students know about Kahlo, but the Mexico City setting is great fun. The mystery of the ring would normally not be exciting to my readers, who want murder and gore, but there is enough of a conspiracy that I can talk them into this one. I liked the notes from the author about the real events of Kahlo's life, and why she chose to write this book. Just the ordinary details of traveling to another country, having to learn a new language, etc. are great. Another very solid title from this author. (Allie, First and Last, Gaby, Lost and Found.)
Weaknesses: Could have done without Paloma's father being dead. She could have just missed him over the summer.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing.

The Last Grand Adventure

Aladdin is probably my favorite imprint right now. For a long time, it was Scholastic, but between the M!X and MAX books and a bunch of other titles, I find the most positive, fun, well written books to be produced  by Aladdin. Why they don't just preapprove all my E ARC requests or send me boxes of paper ARCs, I just don't know. Had to wait until the day this was published, but luckily the Westerville Public Library was very prompt.

I'm being primarily facetious. I don't feel enough privilege to demand paper ACRs, but I haven't been seeing as many digital titles available as there have been in the past, and it makes me sad!

Also, someone once critiqued my blog and said that I sometimes had TOO MANY titles posted.

Just don't read the reviews if you can't even read three reviews a day. Go away. I read 3-5 books a day because I am a magical ninja unicorn. Deal with it. I'm standing on my front porch and waving my cane at you because I have been feeling grumpy!


Behrens, Rebecca. The Last Grand Adventure
March 20th 2018 by Aladdin
Public library copy

Bea's parents are divorced, her father remarried, and her mother taking advantage of the social upheaval of 1967 to travel in order to report on it. When Bea ends up having to spend her summer with her grandmother, she's not entirely upset, since her young stepsister loves her a little too much! "Pidge" as her grandmother wants to be called, has been forced to move from Boston to a retirement community in California so she can be near Bea's father, and she's not happy with the new, plastic feeling apartment that she has. As soon as Bea's father leaves them alone, Pidge comes up with a plan; she and Bea are going to get on a train and go to Atchinson, Kansas to meet her sister, who really happens to be Amelia Earhart. Over the years, Pidge has gotten letters from her sister, and the last one suggests meeting at the house where they grew up. An epic road trip ensues, with train, bus, hitch hiking with a hippie, and even an airplane ride, much to Pidge's chagrin. After all, if your beloved sister supposedly perished in a plane crash, would you be thrilled about air travel?

The details of traveling in the 1960s, and Pidge's reluctance to actually buy tickets, are the most delightful parts of this book. We get to have a champagne dinner in the dining car of The Super Chief, but then get thrown off; we spend the night in a bus station and eat bananas and Twinkies Pidge has in her purse; we get to walk through the dessert and get picked up in a "woodie" station wagon by a very picturesque 1960s painter! A lot of time, travel books ignore the details of getting dirty and being unable to clean up, or the difficulty of lugging bags around. I really felt like I was traveling with Bea and Pidge, although I would have been more prepared!

While Amelia Earhart did have a sister called Pidge, the book is clearly fictional. It is, however, extremely well researched. Details of daily life in the 1960s are spot on, with the possible exception of Pidge wearing slacks in her 70s. None of the women in my life wore slacks during this time period, but I lived in Ohio and not on the fashion forward, daring west coast! Readers are also introduced to information about Earhart's travels and childhood in a way that will encourage them to seek out books like Candace Fleming's Amelia Lost.

Bea's relationship with her grandmother is also just right. The two haven't been close, but soon warm to each other's eccentricities. Middle grade readers who have spent a lot of time with their grandparents often find them to be the most sympathetic adults in their life, and those who don't know grandparents well often long for them. Bea's confusion and delusions are serious but not dangerous, but middle school is often a time when readers see grandparents becoming more frail. I liked how Behrens handled the grandmother's condition, and the portrayal of the divorce and step family will also speak to the experience of many readers, or give them insights into how other families live.

Like Blume's Julia and the Art of Practical Travel or Bustard's Anywhere But Paradise, The Last Grand Adventure transports family drama into an interesting and vibrant time period and shows us that while fashions, types of travel, and acceptable breakfasts (sugar sandwiches!) have changed over the last 50 years, family ties have not.

The only thing I didn't care for in this book were the "letters" from "Meelie". They were presented in cursive, which my students cannot read. It's like a super secret adult code that they have never been taught. I found myself struggling to not skip them, and they do add some length to the book. I think Pidge's story would have held even if she did not have the actual letters.