The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion

McCoy, Chris. The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion
April 14th 2015 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Bennett has always had a crush on neighbor Sophie, and would love to take her to prom, but she has a boyfriend, and Bennett is a little too geeky for her. When he sees her crying one evening, he talks to her and finds out that she has been dumped, and also that her motorcycle is damaged beyond her ability to fix it herself. She asks him to take her to a town near where they live in New Mexico to get it repaired, and in the course of the evening, agrees to go to prom with him. Unfortunately, she is also kidnapped by a alien space vessel! Not knowing quite what to do, Bennett stops by an In-N-Out Burger joint only to discover that a tour bus has bought every last thing in the restaurant. Angered and hungry, he knocks on the bus door, only to find that the occupants are also space aliens, who happen to be touring the galaxy doing concerts. Bennett is himself a musician, and when the group tells him that Sophie is most likely being used as bait in an alien, Survivor-like reality television show, he agrees to go with them to try to rescue her. The lead singer, the egomaniacal Skark, isn't thrilled to have him along, but takes a liking to him, and other band members like Cad, an earthling who took up with the band, help him out. Bennett's musical skills are helpful to the band, which isn't getting the best of gigs, and he eventually manages to save the day.
Strengths: This was a fun YA read that is also appropriate for middle school. It will go over well with fantasy readers who can do realistic fiction from time to time, especially at the end of 8th grade, when many of my readers are tired of the same old dragons and geeky kids saving the world. Loved both Bennett and Sophie, and the band members were fun, too.
Weaknesses: Dragged a bit in the middle when Bennett was dragged to all of the band gigs, but wasn't too bad.
What I really think: Definitely buying a copy. Even though it won't be a huge circulator, it will hit the spot for the right readers.

Mystery in Mayan Mexico

Wells, Marcia. Mystery in Mayan Mexico (Eddie Red Undercover #2)
April 7th 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Eddie and Jonah are with Eddie's parents in Mexico, where Eddie's mother is attending a conference. They get a lot of opportunities to see the sights, and Julia, the daughter of a tour guide, is helping them navigate. When Eddie's father is accused of stealing an ancient mask from the hotel lobby, Eddie uses his photographic memory to help solve the case. Julia's father was one of the archaeologists who found it, so she's glad to help out. The local police are a bit corrupt, and the main detective is sure that Eddie's father is responsible for the theft since his fingerprints are on the case. Can Eddie manage to get his father free?
Strengths: I really liked all of the characters in the book, and the mystery is a decent one. The first book in the series is a HUGE hit in my library, and when one of my readers who usually only reads books "with pictures set in schools" saw my public library copy on my desk, he wanted to check it out right away. Something about these really appeals to middle grade readers.
Weaknesses: I wish that the story were set in NYC again. The Mexican setting strained my credulity, even as it provided some more multicultural aspects.
What I really think: Solid story that is upbeat and will circulate well. What more can I ask for? (A better cover, maybe?)

Okay. But WHY?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/martin-sheen-to-star-in-new-anne-of-green-gables-tv-movie-1.3104952

Just not understanding why it needs to be done again.

Still smarting from the ( made for t.v. ?) movie version when Gilbert was sent to WWI instead of Anne's son!

Raising Rufus

So here's the question of the day for librarians and teachers who deal with middle grade readers: which book is more likely to be picked up by your readers: an upbeat adventure book involving a dinosaur, or a book where the grandfather is dying and his grandson is trying to save him by locating a creepy circus?

I keep trying to tell myself that publishing is all about making money, but I just don't understand it when publishers have a bidding war for the latter, when the author of the former has to contact me himself to ask if I will review the book. I'll definitely be looking into more books by David Fulk, and will leave it to others to follow the illustrious career of Ms. Beasley.

Fulk, David. Raising Rufus.
Delacorte Books for Young Readers 9 June 2015
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Martin is a quirky kid growing up in Wisconsin. He's a bit geeky, and class bully Donald (whose father happens to be the sheriff) gives him a hard time, but he's pretty happy working in his lab in his backyard, especially when he find a "frozen rock" while exploring. The rock turns out to be an egg, and hatches a tiny lizard, Rufus. Martin isn't supposed to keep pets, so he tells his mother he'll get rid of it, but of course he doesn't! With the help of Audrey, a classmate who is also one of Donald's targets, Martin is able to hide Rufus provide him with enough food. When they are finally discovered, the owner of the Trout Palace, a local tourist attraction where Martin's father works, wants to buy Rufus so that he will attract the crowds. Martin and Audrey agree that this isn't the best place for Rufus to flourish, and their science teacher, Mr. Eckhart, is able to put them in touch with authorities who can relocate the T.Rex to the Yucatan penisula.

Martin starts off as a rather quiet, apologetic boy, but is fiercely loyal to both Rufus and Audrey, and learns to stand up for himself. Martin's mother is fantastic-- while she doesn't check too closely on Martin's workshop, she does hover in a manner which will be familiar to many students, and is quite free with her embarrassing endearments. While Rufus is a ruthless carnivore, Martin and the other students in his school feel they can trust him, which is an interesting turn.

This book moves along at a break-neck pace, and has great descriptions of forested areas in Wisconsin. I want to make a road trip to the Trout Palace right now, even though Rufus isn't on display! There's lots of action and adventure, as well as interesting information about dinosaurs. Many middle grade readers have spent many hours  reading nonfiction books about different dinosaurs, and yet there are so few middle grade books which feature them. With its chase scenes, semi-evil theme park owner, rambunctious dinosaur and touch of romance, this is the perfect fiction book to hand to a middle grade reader who is up the fact that the Brontosaurus is now back to being its own genus and not just a sub group of the Apatosaurus family.

While this has been compared to Butterworth's The Enormous Egg (1956), which is probably very difficult to find on library shelves these days, I think that this is a much better choice for getting the inside scoop on how to raise a dinosaur in your own home! If I get an opportunity to scrabble through some rocky areas in Wisconsin, I know to stock up on ground beef and dog food in case some of the rocks I find start making peculiar sounds!


Beasley, Cassie. Circus Mirandus
June 2nd 2015 by Dial Books
ARC from Baker and Taylor

Micah is happy living with his grandfather Ephraim, who tells him wonderful stories of the magic Circus Mirandus, but when his grandfather falls ill, he has to put up with his great aunt Gertrudis, who is bitter and no fun. Calling on the help of his friend Jenny, who is working on a history project with him, he tries to figure out if the Circus Mirandus is real. It turns out it is, and his grandfather taught The Man Who Bends Light (aka the Lightbender) a magic trick with knots, and in return was given one miracle, which Ephraim has yet to use. Micah thinks that the  miracle will be that his grandfather will become well again, but that's not the way that magic works. Micah and Jenny gets to see many tremendous things, learn about Micah's family, and, in the end, get the help that Micah needs.
Strengths: Circuses are creepy, and this was certainly a very carefully constructed magical world, with a lot of back story. Jenny was a supportive friend, Gertrudis was an able villain, and I was easily sucked into the idea of the magic.
Weaknesses: This was very, very sad. A lot of this concerns the grandfather dying, and the end is not really that happy a one. My students want funny books, not depressing ones.
What I really thought: While this was okay, I just don't have the readers for it. What's the point of having magic if the world is still such a sad place?

This is getting tons of love. I just don't get it.
Kirkus Reviews
Liberty Bay Books
Views from the Tesseract
Ripp Reads

Things in SPAAAAAAAACE

Kloepfer, John. Into the Dorkness (Galaxy's Most Wanted #2)
May 5th 2015 by HarperCollins
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Kevin, Tara, Warner and TJ are back after Galaxy's Most Wanted, and are dealing with the aftermath of Mim, the fuzzy purple alien that wanted to take over the Earth. Kevin has accidentally miniaturized Klyk, the cyborg space cop, but that is the least of his problems when a space ship descends on Northwest Horizons camp with a freeze ray! Zouric, a Gastropod, and Nuzz, a brain bot, are there with a variety of lizard aliens called Kamilions. They are angry at Mim for messing up, and are trying to get things in order to take over. They have nanobots that attack people and turn them into brainless zombies willing to do their bidding. Kevin and his gang manage to escape the initial attack at camp and make their way across the lake to a soccer camp, but the nanobots turn the soccer players against them. Luckily, before that happens, they meet a goalie, Marcy, who tells them that the creatures sound a lot like something she's read in a comic book by Max Greyson. The group manages to take Klyk's space ship to Colorado to hunt down the author. They find that he's been missing, but talk to his assistant. This gives them a little more information to fight the aliens. They manage to create armor against the nanobots and head back for a final showdown with the aliens. Can they save the camp and, if necessary, the world?
Strengths: Since this is a science fiction notebook novel, it automatically appeals to two different audiences, which is great. It moves quickly, has some good gross moments, and the children are in charge of saving the world from funny looking aliens.
Weaknesses: Like Zombie Chasers, this seems a bit unlikely, but has the advantage of being just the right amount of goofy for middle school
What I really think: Didn't get into the first book, but this one is pretty good. Lots of fighting, travel, things blowing up-- much more like Zombie Chasers than the first book, which seemed science heavy.

Brallier, Max and Rachel Maguire (Illustrations). Cosmoe's Wiener Getaway 
5 May 2015, Aladdin
ARC from Baker and Taylor

Cosmoe and his alien pal Humphree are ready to enter the Intragalactic Food Truck Cook-Off with their Mega-Dog when it is suddenly stolen from them. They go in pursuit, only to discover that the thief is the daughter of the contest judge. Princess Dagger is evil, but not as evil as her mother, and she begs to be taken along on Cosmoe's travels. There are bigger problems than the cook off, though, and when the group finds the Lost Triangle that will lead them to the Ultimate Evil if they can find all three parts, they travel around dodging all sorts of space creatures who also want the Lost Triangle, including, of course, Queen Dagger. There are space zombies, Electro-Zapping, hot sauce and "What the butt?" exclamations accompanied by lots of pictures and Batman-styled "Zaps!"Can the group save the universe? Will Princess Dagger return to her mother? Who will win the  Intragalactic Food Truck Cook-Off? Will there be a second book? Oh, yeah.
Strengths: Pictures. The word "butt" used repeatedly. Hot dogs. Space aliens. More pictures. Super Moon Ninja Death Jabs. Sure, kids will be attracted to this sort of thing. I'll have to buy a copy. But...
Weaknesses: For a notebook novel, this did not take the target demographic into consideration. For one thing, the world building is very weak. I thought I had a second book in the series, because Cosmoe's hot dog stand had no explanation, and then we are thrown right into an adventure. There is too much text on each page, and the pictures and different fonts compete with each other in very confusing ways. Readers who like notebook novels are frequently struggling with comprehension, and the way the pages are laid out does not help. Still, it will circulate.
What I really think: This made me weep for humanity. A one million dollar marketing launch? For this? I mean, if this were the Epic Comic Fart Novel I was looking for, that would be fine, but this was just not that good. Okay, but not worth a million dollars in marketing. Taking bets on paper over board format...

MMGM-- The Dungeoneers

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.


I'm pleased to be a part of The Dungeoneers blog tour!


Anderson, John David. The Dungeoneers
June 23rd 2015 by Walden Pond Press
ARC received from the publisher.

Colm is being raised in a family that includes eight sisters, a hard working shoemaker father, and a beleaguered but loving mother. Knowing that the family fortunes are devastated in the wake of a family illness, Colm does the unthinkable-- he picks pockets in town, and comes up with a LOT of money. His father doesn't see this as a good thing, and takes his case to the magistrate, where he meets Finn. Finn wants to make Colm his apprentice as a rogue, working for Tye Thwodin. Thwodin is a Dungeoneer, and leads a group of talented individuals who help him find treasure in various dungeons and take it for their own. He also runs a sort of school, and Colm's introduction to this is finding himself trapped in a dungeon with Serene, a Druid, Lena, a warrior/barbarian, and Quinn, a mageling. They break out in record time, and set to preparing for their trial. Some odd things are going on in Thowdin's world, including Master Wolfe being set upon by orcs, but Colm blossoms under Finn's tutelage. He can pick locks, and learns many other copying skills. He also makes the acquaintance of one of the most accomplished dungeoneers-in-training, Ravenna Heartfall, who is striking and mysterious. The trial brings many challeges as well as some surprises, and Colm must utilize all of his new skills to keep himself and his new friends alive.

Colm was a fantastic character. At home, he was just trying to survive his rambunctious sisters, knowing that his father wanted him to become his apprentice, but realizing he hoped for more than such a hard scrabble existence. Not knowing where to find any other kind of life, he is relieved and excited when Finn shows up and promises him untold treasure, but only as the result of hazardous undertakings. Repairing shoes for a living, or adventure where one might possibly be eaten by an orc? The choice for most twelve year olds is quite clear! Colm works hard and makes good progress, and his loyalties and character are tested in a great twist at the end of the book.

The supporting characters are fun as well-- Serena can talk to animals, but is afraid to talk to large ones. Since those are the most useful animals with whom to converse, she has to overcome her fears. Lena is bound and determined to be the fiercest barbarian ever, and the insults that she hurls are delightful-- at one point, she threatens orcs with putting her fist down their gullets, bringing up their last meal, and making their neighbor eat it! She also wants to name her sword "Bloodgulper"! Quinn has the abillity to shoot fire out of his fingers, and occasionally his ears, but needs to learn to control his powers and overcome some of his fears. Ravenna doesn't get too much coverage in this book, but I can see her emerging as a love interest in the second book-- it's fantastic that she ends up saving Colm!

Anderson's prose is fast-paced and funny. As he did in Minion and Sidekicked, he has created unique and quirky characters who embrace the challenges thrown at them by their magical worlds. My only objection was that the world building seemed weak, mainly because the book supposes that the reader is familiar with the sort of medieval-ish setting where boys are sent away from their hamlets to seek their fame with swords. The dialogue at times sounds very modern. However, when I read other reviews of this title, I learned that the setting owes much to the Dungeons and Dragons game, or other role playing games of adventure. Since Runescape makes me cry bitter tears of frustration, I didn't understand this facet of the book. Fans of RPGs will adore this, and be quick to imagine themselves into the story.

This definitely had a Lord of the Rings meets Harry Potter feel to it, and is similar to Holly Black's The Iron Trial, but with much more likable characters. Readers who want to immerse themselves in learning the tricks of the trade to adventuring will enjoy all 400 plus pages and wait eagerly for the next book. And remember-- it never hurts to carry some stimsickle weed and Magic Dan's paste when you're trying to steal treasure from orcs!

Here's more fun stuff with Mr. Anderson! Hooray for The Chronicles of Prydain, by the way!

My Favorite Character

Of the six youngish people who have read The Dungeoneers so far, four of them have asked me the following:

Who is your favorite character?

This question intrigues me because it assumes that my favorite character might not be Colm, the story’s protagonist and therefore the one I probably should identify with most. Which means either (A) I suck at creating protagonists and therefor readers have to look elsewhere for someone to root for or (B) I actually managed to pull off an ensemble cast of likeable heroes so that everyone can find someone to cheer.

The question got me thinking about the books that I’ve read and how it’s not always the main dude or dudette that stands out. Sometimes it’s the sidekick. Sometimes it’s the villain. Sometimes it’s the mentor figure or the brainiac third wheel. My favorite Star Wars character is Han Solo, not Luke Skywalker. He’s simply more interesting. His motives aren’t as clear cut. His loyalty leans more towards his friends (and his paycheck) than the righteous cause they fight for. My favorite character from Harry Potter isn’t Harry Potter, it’s Hermione, not the least of all because she solves everybody else’s problems for them and proves what science has already proved: that girls simply mature faster than boys (and are probably smarter to boot). Following her, I’m a big Snape fan. I like characters with flaws. And pasty skin.

Growing up I remember loving the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander—a series that I think has left an indelible print on my imagination. Again, a big cast of characters to support young Taran the assistant pig-keeper in his quest: There’s Princess Eilonwy, Gurgi, Doli, Prince Gwydion. But my favorite was always Fflewddur Fflam, the bard whose harp betrays his every stretch of truth by breaking a string.

Part of the appeal of fantasy stories, of course, is that they allow us to roleplay, to imagine ourselves as ax-brandishing barbarians or ice-lance casting magelings. We get to crawl inside another’s skin and traipse around another world. Sometimes we pick a skin that’s vastly different from our own just to try it on. Sometimes we pick the one that most closely resembles us. I identify with Hermione’s bookishness, Han’s smart-alecky attitude, Fflewddur’s penchant for exaggeration—qualities that I have spent years cultivating in myself. It’s wonderfully enlightening to jump into the head of someone whose experience vastly differs from my own, but I usually find myself pulled towards characters that are, in more ways than not, like me.

That’s the cool thing about books after all (or one of the millions of cool things)—how they simultaneously allow us to venture to worlds so vastly different from our own and at the same time speak to the most personal fears and joys that drive us. I don’t remember coming across a character that I didn’t relate to on some level—because those characters are simply forgettable.   

So who is my favorite character from The Dungeoneers? The easy answer is that I love them all. They all represent a different facet of my personality. They each embody qualities that I admire and faults that I find in myself. I can tell you that I found Finn to be the most interesting. Quinn made me laugh the most (and cry once). Serene is the girl I’d probably end up marrying. Lena is the first action figure I would buy if they every make the book into a movie franchise.

And Colm? The hero? The protagonist? He’s awesome of course, and I love him, but it’s the same with him as I think it is with all of us: he’s made even more awesome by the people around him. For it is our impact on others that is the true measure of our worth. We are all the protagonists of our own storylines, but sometimes it’s easy to forget the huge cast of characters that help make us who we are—the parents, friends, teachers—and yes, even authors—that help shape us. So to all the characters—both real and fictional—that have helped to shape me as an author and an individual: Thanks. You’re all my favorites.

More sadness

White, Jen. Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave
June 9th 2015 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Liberty, who is about ten, and her younger sister Billie have to go and live with their estranged father after the death of their mother in a car accident. Their mother's best friend, Julie, cared for them in the aftermath, but felt that their father, who traveled a lot as a nature photographer, would be able to reconnect with the girls. Instead, an incident occurs, and the father leaves both girls at a gas station in the desert, and doesn't come back. Liberty uses all of her coping skills to avoid talking to staff at the gas station, but for some reason, doesn't go to locate a policeman and discuss her situation. Instead, she and her sister climb into the back seat of the car driven by Lavender Lady, and end up about eight hours from the gas station, near the Grand Canyon. They steal money from the woman's purse, wash in the hotel pool, and try to eat breakfast at the hotel, but run when someone suspects them. They get help from a boy bullied by his own brother, and keep trying to call Julie, whose phone seems to be off. They end up in all manner of bad situations, and eventually do come into the notice of the police and protective services, but not until both girls are badly injured.
Strengths: This was very well-paced and cleverly written. Incidents are revealed in flashbacks that manage not to be confusing. The plot moves along at a brisk pace, and there is an air of expectancy throughout. I can see this winning awards.
Weaknesses: Since Liberty and Billie had been raised in a fairly supportive, traditional (albeit fatherless) household, I thought it stretched credulity that they didn't immediately go find a police officer. That is the first thing children are taught, isn't it? Find a trustworthy adult. This rather ruined the whole rest of the book for me; I don't think the target demographic will have the same reaction.
What I really thought: One of those books that language arts teachers really like and I don't. That said, I do think that students who like books about children being kidnapped or abused or who run away will like this. I was just irritated beyond belief by their lack of thought for their own safety. Also a bit irritated by the random animal facts, although other reviewers think this is interesting.

Amatrau, Gigi. Two for Joy.
9 June 2015,Candlewick Press
E ARC from Netgalley.com

When Jenna's great-aunt Tannie breaks her ankle and can no longer stay alone in her farmhouse, Jenna and her mother decide that she should come and live with them. Jenna has always appreciated how active Tannie is, and loves her pound cake and her stories of adventures, so is glad to have Tannie come and stay with them. It's a hard adjustment, however-- Tannie has to use a walker and isn't taking kindly to it, and Jenna's mother is scared that Tannie will try to climb a tree to get her cat, Butt, down, and it won't end well. After a while, the three settle in to an understanding, giving Tannie more things to do and taking the load off Jenna's mother so she can spend more time with Jenna.
Strengths: This was an upbeat, positive story about the strength of families. It was very short, and main character is 9, so it would probably do better in an elementary school. The pictures are a nice touch.
Weaknesses: A bit slow moving for middle school, but still an important, well written story.
What I really think: Why do people not plan better for getting old? Why don't they downsize from big houses they can't take care of and put themselves in appropriate situations before their family has to do it for them? My parents, who at 80 had to go into a retirement facility last year, STILL express surprise that they aren't, you know, 30. It's constantly irritating. I have a condo all picked out and am already cleaning out stuff that my daughters don't want.

Sweet

Laybourne, Emmy. Sweet
June 2nd 2015 by Feiwel & Friends
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Laurel isn't thrilled to be going on a cruise to launch Solu, a new weight-loss supplement, but she's glad to be with her best friend Viveka, whose father is paying for the cruise. Laurel doesn't understand Viv's obsession with her weight, since Laurel is a little heavy but would rather worry about practicing her guitar. Tom, a former child star, is on the cruise doing interviews and promotions, but isn't about to mess up his diet and exercise regime with Solu. The two hit it off even though Tom's "people" have him paired up with a reality show starlet. The Solu does what it purports, and people on the cruise are losing a vast amount of weight, which makes for good filming. The inventor is hoping to drive the demand of the product up before the launch. However, Laurel and Tom soon find that the drug is making everyone a bit crazy, since the Solu is so addictive that people can smell it several rooms away, through doors! Soon, the ship is a seething hotbed of danger and violence. Can Laurel, Tom, and a handful of others who didn't take Solu escape from the madness and let the world know about it before it is too late?
Strengths: This was a tremendously intriguing and fun read. I loved Laurel and Tom, and was so glad when they were able to connect despite the people around them. The premise of a weight loss supplement that makes people go wacko was brilliant, and the ending was vastly amusing. Great writing, great story, great characters.
Weaknesses: Might be hard to find the right reader for this-- romance readers will be put off at the violent ending, but dystopian fans might be put off by the beginning. The cover tells us nothing at all about the story. That said, I can think of a lot of readers at my school who will enjoy this.
What I really think: Made for a great Friday night read at the end of a long week! Might just be my Cybils YA Speculative Fiction choice!

Guy Friday- Out at Home

Ripken, Cal and Cowherd, Kevin. Out at Home.
March 3rd 2015 by Disney-Hyperion

Mickey's father coaches his baseball team, the Orioles, and for the most part is a good coach. When he sees the pitching of Zach "Zoom" Winslow shortly after the Orioles' pitcher hurts his arm, however, he goes a bit gaga. Even though Zoom is self-centered and nasty, Coach lets him get away with it because he hopes that the pitching will help the team win. Mickey and his teammates try to put up with Zoom (who has been to fancy conditioning camps), but it's hard. It helps that Mickey has some other interests-- he has a fun friendship with teammate Katelyn, and discovers a new one in Abby, who sells snow cones at the ball park. No one on the team can stand Zoom, but they all have to work together to finish the season.
Strengths: Both Katelyn and Abby are fabulous characters! Very different, but very fun and fiesty, and Mickey's relationship with them is also good. Mickey's father is realistically portrayed as well. The ending was one of the best I've read. A lot of baseball descriptions, so there was a lot I didn't understand, but a very solid book. Glad to get it to my students.
Weaknesses: Mickey is overweight and yet shovels in chicken wings, which just made me uncomfortable. He addresses his weight problem, but nothing is ever done about it. This made me think that maybe these were characters from an earlier Ripken book, Super-Sized Slugger, but they weren't, which left me feeling like either Ripken or Cowherd has some unresolved food issues!

I thought I had blogged this one, in fact, but can't seem to find it. I do very much like these books, especially since they ARE NOT in a series!

Ripken, Cal and Cowherd, Kevin. Super-sized Slugger
March 6th 2012 by Disney-Hyperion

Cody is not happy about moving from Wisconsin to Baltimore, especially since he has to put up with fellow students' assessments of him as "the fat kid" until he can prove himself at baseball. Even this is difficult because of Dante, who plays the same position as Cody and is the school bully. He makes Cody's life miserable until neighbor (and sports enthusiast) Jessica gets a good kick in when Dante is trying to beat up Cody. Things go pretty well in baseball, and Cody starts to fit in and even loses a little weight, but then a rash of thefts break out at his school. Cody has a sneaking suspicion that Dante and his evil older brothers have something to do with this, especially when an phone is planted in Cody's binder and he is blamed for the theft. Can he prove his innocence?
Strengths: This was exactly what my sports loving boys want. Just enough sports, another story line, characters with whom they can identify. This read a little like Matt Christopher and was an enjoyable, quick read. The bullying, for which I have exacting specifications which are almost always not met, was fairly believable and true to form.
 Weaknesses: Cody's weight was an issue at the beginning, but then wasn't discussed. I would have liked to see the progress he made. The theft ring was not as believable, but no worse than mafia involvement in Tim Green books!

Disappearance of Emily H.

It's Mystery Thursday, and what better way to celebrate than to kick off the bog tour for Disappearance of Emily H.?

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY H Blog Tour!

Thursday, June 4	Ms. Yingling Reads	http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/
Fri, June 5	proseandkahn	http://proseandkahn.blogspot.com/
Mon, June 8	Once Upon a Story	http://mariaburel.com/
Tues, June 9	Read Now, Sleep Later	http://www.readnowsleeplater.org/
Wed, June 10	Sharpread	http://mrcolbysharp.com/
Thurs, June 11	Unleashing Readers	http://www.unleashingreaders.com/
Fri, June 12	Small Review	http://smallreview.blogspot.com/

Summy, Barrie. The Disappearance of Emily H.
May 12th 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Raine isn't happy that her mother has moved them again, escaping from another not-so-nice boyfriend and "starting over". It means a new school, and fitting in, which is especially hard for Raine, since she has the ability to pick up "sparkles" and be able to read a person's memory. On her first day in her new school, she meets Shirlee, who has never been to a public school, having been homeschooled by her conservative mother. They get along well, but both of them end up on the wrong side of the reigning mean girl, Jennifer. The worst news? Jennifer is on the cross country team, and Raine wants to run. The two make an uneasy peace, but Raine is upset to find out that the house that she and her mother are renting was the home of Emily Huvar, who went missing earlier in the year. Through her own observations, as well as from the memories from "sparkles" that she picks up, Raine figures out that Emily was on the receiving end of a lot of Jennifer's meanness. When Raine is close to figuring out what has happened to Emily, she is put into danger herself, and must rely on her wits to get her out of a bad situation.
Strengths: I did not see the twist in this coming, which is always a welcome surprise. Along with murder mysteries (which, oddly, are not often written for mddle grade readers!), my students ask for books where children are kidnapped. This is a refreshing addition to that type of book, rather like Corrigan's Accomplice. The mean girls are realistically drawn, and Raine's difficulties with her own mother add an interesting perspective to the story. AND, cross country is involved!
Weaknesses: This started out completely differently than I expected, and it took me a while to get into the book. I would rather that Raine not have any supernatural abilities to read memories-- this was interesting enough without that.

Barrie Summy is the author of the I So Don’t Do mystery series starring thirteen-year-old detective Sherry Holmes Baldwin and the recently released The Disappearance of Emily H. Barrie lives in Southern California with her husband, their four children, two dogs, a veiled chameleon, and a fish. There was once a dwarf hamster, but let’s not go there. 

Visit her online at barriesummy.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barrie.Cox.Summy

Diary of a Waitress

Meyer, Carolyn. Diary of a Waitress: The Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Harvey Girl 
April 7th 2015 by Calkins Creek

Kitty Evans is told by her father in 1926 that there is not enough money to send her to college to become a journalist, although there is just enough income from the family haberdashery to send her ne'er-do-well brother. She is expected to live at home and get a job in a local shoe store, but when she sees that the Harvey Houses are hiring, she goes for an interview even though she is not quite 17. She gets hired, leaves home and is trained, and eventually ends up in New Mexico working with new friends Cordelia and Emmy. The discipline for waitresses is very strict, even though the public perception is that they are not much better than street walkers, and the work is hard. There is a lot of fun to be had, however, especially since Cordelia is a "flapper" and gets Kitty involved in some adventures. On the other end of the spectrum is Emmy, a farm girl who is expected to send all of her money home before returned herself to marry a farmer. Kitty manages to get a few writing jobs for the local newspaper. In the end, the girls go their separate ways, but an epilogue finds them celebrating their 25th anniversary of working in the restaurant.
Strengths: Meyer always does a well-researched historical novel, and I was very pleased to see this unusual bit of history covered. She lives in Albuquerque, and was able to visit some of the restaurants! The actions of the characters are true to the time period, there is a lot of local color, and I enjoyed this tremendously.
Weaknesses: I was hoping for something from the earlier days of the railroad: the Harvey Houses started in the 1870s, and that would have been a far more interesting perspective on women out in the world! By 1920, there were so many more opportunities. The ending was a bit abrupt, and I'm not a fan of epilogues.
What I really thought: It will be hard to find readers for this in my library, but I'm very tempted to buy a copy.

The Hunted (The Enemy #6)

Higson, Charlie. The Hunted (The Enemy #6)
June 2nd 2015 by Disney-Hyperion

Many thanks to Ronan, who wanted to read this book so desperately that he ordered a copy of the UK version from Book Depository  back in October and let me borrow it for two months so I could read it.

The reason it took me so long to read this was that it was MUCH more gruesome than the other books in the series. I am very glad there will only be one more! I took notes, but have bad fantasy amnesia with these.

Ed and Justin want to look for Sam's sister Ella, but they don't even really know where to look, and the zombiefied grownups are everywhere. It turns out that Ella ran in to trouble, but was saved by a half zombie who is protecting her in a farm house in the country while he goes around and kills grownups. Some other children come to the farmhouse, and there are the requisite fights with zombies. Ella finds out the surprising information abour her companion's back story, and we then go back in time 19 days to find out what Ed and Justin are up to. Running grownups over with their car, mainly. They also come across an interesting group of VERY old people who were not affected by the virus, including Amelia and her sister Dorothy. Amelia was a scientist, and the elderly are working on a cure with some doctors. The virus apparently started in Africa, and Amelia is concerned that the spores are ripe for another infection. The mutant children from The Fallen return, and eventually Ed, Justin and Ella, along with some others, meet up at Ascot for races.

I've tried to get into these personally, and while I definitely think they are prime quality zombie books... they are zombie books, and try as I might, they are NOT what I would prefer to read. I will soldier on until The End is published, and then I will hope that Higson will turn his immense talents to action/adventure spy series limited to three books that aren't quite as gory!

1. The Enemy
2. The Dead
3. The Fear
4. The Sacrifice
5. The Fallen

Dungeoneers Blog Tour!

Ah, summer! An excellent time for some BLOG TOURS, especially since withe most of them, you can enter to win a free book! Check out the stops on The Dungeoneers tour, which starts tomorrow, for your chance. The tour will stop here next week, with a review, and interview with Mr. Anderson, and a giveaway! 

Anderson, John David. Dungeoneers (June 23, 2015, Walden Pond Press)

From the Publisher:

The Dungeoneers is an action-packed, funny, and heartbreaking middle grade fantasy-adventure from the author of the acclaimed Sidekicked and Minion, John David Anderson.

The world is not a fair place, and Colm Candorly knows it. While his parents and eight sisters seem content living on a lowly cobbler's earnings, Colm can't help but feel that everyone has the right to a more comfortable life. It's just a question of how far you're willing to go to get it.

In an effort to help make ends meet, Colm uses his natural gift for pickpocketing to pilfer a pile of gold from the richer residents of town, but his actions place him at the mercy of a mysterious man named Finn Argos, a gilded-toothed, smooth-tongued rogue who gives Colm a choice: he can be punished for his thievery, or he can become a member of Thwodin's Legions, a guild of dungeoneers who take what they want and live as they will. Colm soon finds himself part of a family of warriors, mages, and hunters, learning to work together in a quest to survive and, perhaps, to find a bit of treasure along the way.

Blog Tour Schedule: 

6/2/2015 Maria's Melange                                    ​mariaselke.com                                 

6/5/2015 Unleashing Readers                             unleashingreaders.com                    

6/6/2015 The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia      hauntedorchid.blogspot.com          

6/7/2015 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers     insatiablereaders.blogspot.com     

6/8/2015 This Kid Reviews Books                     thiskidreviewsbooks.com                  

6/8/2015 Ms Yingling Reads                             ​msyinglingreads.blogspot.com           

6/9/2015 Read Now Sleep Later                         http://www.readnowsleeplater.org/ 

6/10/2015 Charlotte's Library                         charlotteslibrary.blogspot.com          

6/11/2015    Nerdy Book Club                     https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/   
6/12/2015 The Hiding Spot                         thehidingspot.blogspot.com       

Author Info 

John David Anderson is the author of Sidekicked and Minion. A dedicated root beer connoisseur in his spare time, he lives with his wife, two kids, and perpetually whiny cat in Indianapolis. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

Links for John David Anderson: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anderson_author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDavidAndersonAuthor?ref=hl

Links for Walden Pond Press:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaldenPondPress

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldenPondPress

Website/Blog: http://www.walden.com/books/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waldenpondpress/

MMGM- Book Scavenger

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.

Happy Book Birthday to Ms. Bertman tomorrow! If you haven't read Book Scavenger, go out and pick up a copy IMMEDIATELY. I won an ARC, and several of my students read it and were deep in the planning stages of doing a hunt... but with the end of the year, we didn't do the job I'd hoped. What a fabulous idea, and a fabulous BOOK. Like Barry's The Worst Class Trip Ever or Korman's Masterminds, it's books like this one that restore my faith in middle grade literature... and in humanity.


Bertman, Jennifer Chambliss. Book Scavenger
June 2nd 2015 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline
Also reviewed at Young Adult Books Central

Emily isn't too thrilled about moving yet again, but she's used to it. Her parents are both able to work from home wherever they are, and they are gathering material for their book 50 Homes in 50 States by moving about once a year. Emily is excited about moving to San Francisco, though, because it is the home of Garrison Griswold, the founder of the Book Scavenger Game. It is helpful  that her new neighbor, James, is also a fan of puzzles and is able to help her out with many of the clues, as well as to introduce her to life in San Francisco. When Emily finds a book that Griswold lost in a subway attack, she uncovers a game that has yet to be released. With the help of James, as well as a teacher at school as well as her rock band loving older brother Matt, she is able to work out the puzzles, foil thieves, and get a great introduction to a city she loves. Will she also be able to figure out Griswold's puzzle?
Strengths: The descriptions of San Francisco are wonderfully clear, the Book Scavenger game something that many students will wish actually existed, and the characters are all well developed and intriguing. I especially liked the treatment of the sibling relationship. There's a bit of diversity. No one dies! I'm normally not a fan of puzzles, but these were done in a way that even I was intrigued!
Weaknesses: Mr. Quisling's name seemed a bit overly quirky, and Maddie seemed excessively mean and underdeveloped as a character.
What I really think: Absolutely delightful, and easy to hand to a variety of students: anyone who loves books, mystery readers, students who like travel stories. Even the cover has a cheery and timeless quality to it. A great companion to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.


Samuelsson, Marcus. Make It Messy: My Perfectly Imperfect Life
June 9th 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Copy received from publisher

Samuelsson, celebrity chef and owner of the Harlem, NYC restaurant Red Rooster, recounts his unusual path through life in this young readers' version of his adult memoir (Yes, Chef, 2012). Written with Veronica Chambers, who has done some great MG/YA books of her own, this is an interesting overview of an unusual life. After suffering from tuberculosis, which kills his mother, in Ethiopia, Marcus and his older sister are adopted by a Swedish couple who are already fostering a biracial girl. In 1970s Sweden, people of color were not common, and there were some racial issues. More importantly, though, Marcus played soccer with friends and cooked with his grandmother. After he realized that he was too small to become a professional soccer player, he started culinary vocational training, and worked his way into several very good restaurants, where the hours were long and the work crushing. He eventually contacted the owner of a Swedish restaurant in New York City, Aquavit, and was hired there. Life in NYC was very different, and he had a wonderful sense of no one looking at him in a way that didn't happen in the more homogeneous Sweden. He moved up the ranks, eventually becoming the head chef and then going on to a career in television that lead to him being invited to go to Ethiopia to reconnect with his cuisine of origin.
Strengths: My students have been enjoying memoirs like Michaela Deprince's Taking Flight, so I can see them picking this up. Samuelsson's early soccer career, as well as his apparent t.v. celebrity (I don't watch cooking shows, but apparently he has done a lot of them) will appeal to some of them, and this book was a good length (212 pages) and engagingly written. Samuelsson mentions that one fascinating thing about traveling to Ethiopia was "seeing myself everywhere", and this cover will appeal to a lot of my students who want to see themselves on the covers of books, even though I have more students with Somalian or Ghanian backgrounds. 
Weaknesses: I've read a lot of books about cooking, so I could understand all of the foods and methods described. Most of my students will be completely kerflummoxed by some of them. A signature dish of foie gras? Is that even legal anymore?  There are also a few unanswered questions, at least for me. How was Samuelsson's tuberculosis cured? That's a tough disease! I appreciated that a one night stand when young that left him with a daughter was handled delicately and that his parents made him do the responsible thing, but I would have liked to know what happened to her. 
What I really think: I'm glad to have a copy, and I think that my students will take away from this book the lesson of perseverance and following one's dreams. 

Personally, I love reading about cooking, but I don't like to cook and don't particularly care about food. There's a lot that doesn't make any sense to me! What kind of insane person would pay $18 for a bowl of soup at Aquavit? You could buy groceries for a week with that much money! I don't understand why kitchens at restaurants are such brutal places to work.

Extraordinary Means

Schneider, Robyn. Extraordinary Means
May 26th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Lane should be enjoying his senior year, but instead, he is sent away to a sanitorium because he has tuberculosis. While there, he meets Sadie, a girl he knew years ago, but who has changed from the shy girl he knew. The two develop a relationship while Lane is learning to walk on the wild side, as much as he can in a medically supervised boarding school. In the end, tragedy occurs, and Lane realizes that he has to live while he is able to.
Strengths: Tuberculosis is still an issue, so it was interesting to see a book set in modern times featuring the disease. However. Need MORE depressing books for your high school? Have students who just can't move on past The Fault in Our Stars and want romantic books where people die? This would be perfect. If this is the final cover, it would even display well with TFIOS.
Weaknesses: Tuberculosis is really not curable, (unless things have changed since I read Invincible Microbes) so inventing a strain that is totally drug resistant seems kind of pointless. There are f-bombs near the end. I can't get Wilson's Queenie to circulate, didn't even buy Hayles' Breathing Room, so I'll pass on this one.
What I really think: Had this been less YA (slow and whiny) and had shown a more upbeat picture of a boy with tuberculosis, I would actually have enjoyed it. I don't think that books are romantic at all when one of the romantic interests die. It's just sad, and I don't need more sad.

I worry about British parenting skills

Pichon, L. Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses and Other Good Stuff
May 12th 2015 by Candlewick Press
E ARC from Netgalley.com

In this sequel to The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, Tom is back annoying his sister Delia, getting into trouble at school for skiving off almost all of his work, trying to get Norman to be a good drummer in his band, Dogzombie, and dealing with a toothache. In his inimitable fashion, he manages to get sucked into playing in the school band (which doesn't use instruments, but instead performs on makeshift ones created from garbage) but then can't play in a school assembly because his arm is "injured", learns some classic rock from band mate Derek's father, and plays Wild Thing and Smoke on the Water to much acclaim at the Leafy Green Old Folks Home where his grandparents live. Along the way, he does a lot of drawing, eats as many caramel wafers as his sore tooth will permit, and foils the obnoxious Marcus in his plan to win the award for the most gold stars during the term.
Strengths: Notebook novel, with a lot of fun moments like Tom having to wear teddy bear swim trunks because he has forgotten his own. Rings very true when it comes to the distracted sorts of things that middle grade students do. Love the family dynamic, the scenes at school, and the quirky grandparents. Definitely the Leafy Green Old Folks for me!(Or, even better, The Green Leaf!)
Weaknesses: While this book comes in at over 325 pages, there are about five sentences per page. Perfect for students who don't want to read and are told they MUST read 20 pages a day. I find the rebus-type text difficult to follow, and this, like the first, is a bit light on plot.
What I really think: Liked this one better than the first, and love the glossary at the back with the Britishisms. If my students must read notebook novels, at least they can read ones that are the British equivalent of Charlie Joe Jackson! Will also purchase Everything's Amazing, which comes out in September.

Tom Gates is also a rare glimpse into FUNCTIONAL British parenting. My. If I based all of my opinions of British parenting on the collected works of Jacqueline Wilson, or other authors, I would be very concerned for the future of the Empire.

Crossan, Sarah. Apple and Rain
May 12th 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Apple is being raised by her Nana because her mother ran off when she was small to be an actress in the US, and her father is busy with his new wife and impending baby. Apple gets along with Nana, but isn't overly fond of school. When her mother shows up, Apple is very glad, and decides to go live with her in a small apartment. She is surprised to find that she has a half sister who is ten, Rain. Rain is obsessed with her doll, Jenny, and acts as if she is real. Apple's mother is very irresponsible, having parties in the apartment and running off to London for auditions, frequently leaving the girls alone. At one point, Apple misses over two weeks of school so that she can babysit Rain. Eventually, things become impossible, and adults in her life step in to help.
Strengths: I liked this better than The Weight of Water, and rather enjoyed it. Mildly British and VERY much like the works of Jacqueline Wilson or Cathy Cassidy, if those books are popular in your library.
Weaknesses: My readers aren't picking up the Wilson or Cassidy, so I have no good reason to purchase this book.
What I really think: Perhaps the British are so obsessed with murders because all of the mums are dysfunctional. Okay, I have a friend who is a British mother, so not ALL of them are dysfunctional, but you would not know that from reading the UK books that make it over to this side of the pond! That's my next quest-- finding a modern UK book with a great mother!

Nadin, Joanna. Joe All Alone
May 7th 2015 by Little, Brown Young Reader
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Joe lives in Peckham, in a run down apartment building with his mum and Dean, her slob of a boyfriend. When the two adults decide to holiday for a week in Spain, they decide it's perfectly okay to leave Joe alone. At first, this is a great idea, because Joe can play video games all day and eat chocolate for breakfast, and he even makes a friend in Asha, who is staying with her step grandfather who lives in the building. Soon, though, the electricity starts to run out, there's not much food, and when school starts back up, Joe isn't able to keep his uniform clean, and a bully demands to be paid a pound a day. Asha knows about Joe's predicament, but since his mum is supposed to be back soon, the two don't worry too much. When his mum and Dean are a week late and Joe gets sick from eating week old, unrefrigerated goat curry, the adults at school and in his building step in and find help for him.
Strengths: Well written, interesting, and sort of Box Car Children-like in Joe's approach to having to take care of himself for a week. Loved how it referenced Wilson's Tracey Beaker!
Weaknesses: A bit too British, only available in paperback, and really? He thought it was a good idea to eat the goat curry? I will have to make sure I investigate E ARCs more carefully. I might have considered buying this if it were available in hardcover.

Guy Friday- Baseball

Shang, Wendy Wan-Long. The Way Home Looks Now. 
April 28th 2015 by Scholastic Press
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Peter Lee's family loves baseball, cheering on the Taiwanese team when they come to a world championship in the early 1970s. When his older brother, Nelson, is killed in a car crash, however, his mother becomes so completely dysfunctional that she can't even get up off the couch to cook dinner, leaving Peter, his younger sister Elaine, and his father to fend for themselves. Peter is grieving for longer than necessary as well (and isn't given any help at home or at school) and feels as if everyone at school doesn't talk to him because of his misfortune. Eventually, he decides that if he can play baseball the way that Nelson did, perhaps he can entice his mother to go to a game, and she will be able to regain her joy in being outside. Since there are too many players, Peter's father offers to coach a team, even though Peter thinks that his baseball experience must be limited, based on the poor players that his father picks. There are some surprises in the line up, which are quite interesting, and everyone but Peter's mother seems to improve a bit. In the end, there may even be a little bit of hope for the woman.
Strengths: I loved The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, so was really looking forward to this one. Shang writes riveting prose, and her "women's libber" twist and 1970s setting is fantastic. There's enough baseball in this one that sports fans will pick it up.
Weaknesses: I was HUGELY disappointed in the ridiculous grief of the mother. It is not an option for parents to submerse themselves in their own grief about a dead child to the point where they can't take care of their living ones. No excuse, and this made me SO angry. I didn't just want to slap the mother, I wanted to punch her in the face. The father didn't help, either, letting the mother get away with it. Argh! Not okay, people. Not okay.
What I really think: Despite my disappointment, I will buy this one, because I never have enough baseball books, it's nicely multicultural, and has a great twist in it. But still! We could have avoided the idiotic mother altogether.

Tavares, Matt. Growing Up Pedro
February 10th 2015 by Candlewick Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central and reviewed there

In this picture book biography, we see how long it can take for a dedicated and talented baseball player to make it to the big leagues. Brothers Pedro and Ramon love baseball, and see it as their way to better their lives. First, Ramon makes the Domican national team, and is then signed by the Dodgers. Pedro follows, but his journey is more difficult, since people underestimate his skills due to his small size. The brothers attempt to play for the same teams whenever possible, and manage to not only become successful, but to share that success with their family and their home town.

Baseball fans who know of these players will be glad to know their story, and I was fascinated by the timeline of events. It was interesting to see how long it took both men to "make it" on a ball team, and to see how low their starting salaries were, compared to what they eventually made! Emphasis is put on their Dominican background, and there are a few interesting facets about their lives there, although it would have been nice for US audiences to have a little more background on Dominican baseball.

The pictures will be appealing to elementary readers as well as reluctant middle schoolers, and the picture book format works well to convey the information in a straightforward manner. Notes and statistics at the end of the book will give readers wanting more information a good place to start.

Armchair BEA- Social Media

Social Media (From Armchair BEA)
How do you use social media to expand your blogging/writing horizons?  Social Media is all about networking and connections, and utilizing today's technology to the fullest.  Make sure you mention your own social media pages. Do you have another blog, maybe a Tumblr? Have a Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook? Or maybe there's an underrated social media program that you like.

So, here's the thing. I hate computers. And smart phones. Especially smart phones.

When I started blogging almost ten years ago, I didn't really think anyone would ever READ my blog, and several years, no one did. Blogging was just a way to remember all of the books that I read. I was a little surprised to learn that there were not only other bloggers who read middle grade novels, but whole organizations of them, like the CYBILS Awards. There were events, like the 48 Hour Book Challenge. Then came Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Young Adult Books Central, and Pinterest. Tumblr and Vine, which I still don't understand. If I wanted to, I could spend every waking hour connecting with people on Web 2.0 (remember when it was called that?) and never actually read any books. 

This is the first week of our school summer vacation, and I am being a bit of a bum. By that, I mean that I do the minimum amount of housework possible and read 8-10 books a day. I had great plans to participate in Armchair BEA and post stuff everywhere, but I hit a wall.

I can spend about two hours on the computer before I get itchy and need to shut the machine off and go outside to sit on the front porch with my dog and read!

Twitter:@msyingling
Google+: Karen Yingling
Pinterest: Karen Yingling @msyinglingreads
Instagram: @msyinglingreads
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2636606-ms-yingling
Facebook: Personal account