Past Perfect Life

Eulberg, Elizabeth. Past Perfect Life
July 9th 2019 by Bloomsbury YA
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Ally's life in a small Wisconsin town hasn't been perfect, but she's happy. Her father works in construction, and sometimes things are financially difficult, but she's applying for college scholarships and has a good chance of attending a state university, since she's always done well in school. Her best friend, Marian, is from the biggest family in town, so Ally has built in "cousins" and even a grandma. As her 18th birthday approaches, she may even have a boyfriend in Neil, but things start to go wrong. Her father is arrested... for kidnapping her when she was three. The two are separated and not even allowed to talk, Ally has to move in with Marian's family, and her long lost mother is determined to visit her. Ally is angry with her father, but also misses him, and just wants to stay with Marian and the people in town who are fending off reporters for her. When her mother, Paula, arrives, she is relieved to see Ally (whom she calls Amanda), and demands that she come back and live with her, her husband, and her ten year old daughter in Florida. Since Ally is actually NOT 18 (her age was another thing her father lied about), she has to go. Paula lives in a much nicer house and buys Ally lots of clothes and a new cell phone, and makes a great effort to spend time with Ally and make sure her life is perfect. But it's not, and Paula can't understand why Ally would rather be back in Wisconsin with her friends. Ally's young sister is also very upset, since she has had to live her whole live in the shadow of Ally's disappearance. After Marian and Neil visit Florida, Ally has to decide if she will continue to try to work things out, or return to her regularly scheduled life.
Strengths: Secretly and occasionally, I think every middle grade reader imagines life with other parents, or thinks that surely they are really someone else! I loved that Ally had a great life with her dad and the two were close, playing games and having Taco Tuesdays. The father's backstory of why he kidnapped her was also very effective. The step father was also great-- he really understood want Ally was going through and really tried to help. The sister's reaction was realistic. The small Wisconsin town and the Gleason family were delightful as well. Eulberg is right up there with Smith, Dessen, West and Colasanti for high school books that cross over well to middle school.
Weaknesses: There are two f-bombs, but they are used in times of crisis. The mother comes off very badly; I almost wish she were a bit more sympathetic so that Ally's choice was a little harder to make.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. I'm not happy about the language, but I have a desperate need for books just like this for some of my advanced 8th grade readers-- they want more high school drama and romance. Aside from the two f-bombs, this is circumspect in behaviors and otherwise very middle grade appropriate. This is sort of a The Face on the Milk Carton (Cooney, 1990) for a new generation. It was a great way for me to wile away a sunny afternoon!

Babymouse: School-Tripped

Holm, Jennifer L. and Holm, Matthew. School-Tripped (Babymouse: Tales from the Locker #3)
July 9th 2019 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Copy provided by the publisher

Babymouse has found that middle school is NOT as exciting as she had hoped it would be, at least after the initial couple of weeks. She is still pretty thrilled about her smart phone, but otherwise middle school has settled into a routine. When her art teacher announces that the class will be traveling into New York City and visiting the art museum. Not only that, but because they are older and can be trusted, they will spend the day in the museum and not have to check in with chaperones; they just need to NOT leave the museum and be on the bus at 5:00 p.m. They are also not supposed to bring their cell phones. This, of course, is a ridiculous expectation, and Babymouse brings hers along. She also brings a portfolio of her work to show the curator, just in case she might want to stage a Babymouse art exhibition. Babymouse hears that some of the girls are going to leave the museum and go shopping, and she thinks this is a great idea. Along with her friend Penny, she leaves the museum and almost immediately finds a lost kitten. Dubbing the animal "Pizza Cat", the girls try to find the owners and end up having all sorts of adventures, including meeting Tommy H., their pop idol. At the last minute, they find the kitten's owner and barely make the bus, followed closely by the girls and their shopping bags. Babymouse is worried that she can't tell anyone information about the museum (other than the gift shop), but she manages to fake her way through in true Babymouse fashion.
Strengths: School trips have so much potential for humor and adventure, and are not depicted nearly enough in middle grade literature. This may, of course, be because no one takes trips any more because of funding cuts. This is a fun adventure in New York City with lots of food, fun characters, a cute kitten, and Babymouse trying (sort of) to do the right thing.
Weaknesses: The teacher in me wants to scream "This would never happen!" When we were in D.C., a group of kids wanted to eat at a shop right outside the Pentagon Mall, so I stayed with them while everyone else was inside. We just don't let children wander unaccounted away from school EVER. *Deep breaths* It makes for a great story, though.
What I really think: This will do well; my students always seem to be surprised that this series exists, which strikes me as odd.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

Noah, Trevor. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
Delacorte Books for Young Readers (April 9, 2019)
Public Library Copy

The author was born in South Africa in 1984. His mother had a difficult, impoverished childhood but managed to get secretarial training at a time when South African businesses were being pressured to have Black employees in more professional jobs. She managed to live in areas where only white people were allowed to live legally. She met Noah's father in her apartment building. He was Swiss, so did not particularly care that it was illegal for blacks and whites to have relationships. The crime of the title stems from this; while there were colored people (who were both black and white) who held a certain place in society, it was rare to have someone who had one white and one black parent. Trevor was not allowed to associate with his father in public, and it was even dicey for him to claim his mother, since he was light skinned and she was not. His grandmother didn't even like him to go outside when he visited her house!

Descriptions of things like these is why this is an important book for US students to read. While we still have a long way to go to achieve racial equality, we do not have the level of prejudice and racial violence that the author saw growing up. There are stories of bus trips gone wrong, descriptions of the places he and his mother had to live, and the tale of his step father, Abel, who shot his mother. What was most alarming to me was that Noah had a fairly privileged childhood in some respects. He had supportive family who were in good health, got an education, and had places to live and food to eat. There is an upcoming book Krone's Small Mercies (Catalyst Press, March 2020) that shows an even harder South African Childhood.

Apparently the author is on a television program, The Daily Show. I'm not sure if this will make this book more popular, but I will purchase it because I am always looking for books that show what daily life is like in other countries. It's always good to keep our own lives in perspective!

Echo Park Castaways

Hennessey, M.G. The Echo Park Castaways
July 2nd 2019 by HarperCollins
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Neveah has been in the foster care system her whole life, and has seen less than optimal placements. That's why she's glad to be with Mrs. K. The house is fairly organized, there is always food, and no one is mean to her. Mrs. K., however, has struggled since the death of her husband and is not very interested in being involved with the children, so a lot of the care of the younger Mara and Vic falls on her shoulders. She's okay with that-- if she can help Mrs. K. out, her place is secure, and she can make it through the four years of high school and get into college on a scholarship for foster children and become a doctor. When a new child, Quentin, is added to the mix, things start to get complicated. It's difficult enough that Vic deals with his grief by pretending to be a spy, and that Mara rarely speaks, and is more fluent in Spanish, but Quentin is on the autism spectrum and has a lot of different behavioral issues than Neveah has seen. When Vic promises Quentin that they will go find his mother, who is ill and in the hospital, Neveah panics when all three younger children are gone, and follows their trail from Echo Park to Torrance, California (about twenty miles) on a variety of buses and trains. She catches up with them eventually, but the trip in general does not go smoothly. The children find out some secrets, narrowly escape tragedy, and bond in a way that makes them more of a family. They also finally get through to Mrs. K., who realizes that she must move beyond her own difficulties to care for the children.
Strengths: I love Neveah's attitude about life! Things are great, but they could be worse, and if she works hard enough, things will get better! I wish more middle grade characters embraced this philosophy! Vic's spy interests seem a bit quirky, but are well described, Mara's silence is understandable, and Quention's depiction is realistic for a child on the spectrum with few life experiences. Their adventure to Torrance is also portrayed realistically, with enough challenges to make it interesting, but with no horrible consequences. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Weaknesses: Ever since Linda Mullaly Hunt's One for the Murphy's, I've been careful about books involving foster care. There were portions of this that seemed odd to me (Nevaeh describes the people who foster children as either very religious, in it for the money, or old, and she describes a placement where children were forced to make dog beds after school each day before being fed.) I'm sure there are horrible foster parents out there, and since Hennessy works with children in foster care in LA, so I will assume she knows more about children in the program than I do.
What I really think: I wish the cover were a little better, but I think this book will circulate with my readers who like problem novels. This author's other book, The Other Boy does well. Definitely purchasing.

A Storm of Strawberries

Cotterill, Jo. A Storm of Strawberries
March 5th 2019 by Yellow Jacket
Public library copy

Darby and her family live on a strawberry farm. Her older sister used to be very close to her, but as Darby is a tween and Kaydee is in high school, the two grow further apart. Her step father's son, Oliver, is very understanding and helps out a lot. Darby has Down Syndrome, and we see this reflected in her interests and behavior; for instance, she is very insistent that the yearly chocolate egg hunt happen as scheduled, even though her family is dealing with other issues. The business is struggling, and there are bad storms on the way. Not only does one of these damage a glass greenhouse, but the polytunnels also are in danger. Kaydee's friend, Lissa, is visiting for the weekend, so Darby is sad that the two of them are spending time together and excluding her. The bad weather continues, and Darby's mother becomes increasingly worried and agitated, but Darby is only concerned about the egg hunt. That is, until she sees Kaydee and Lissa kissing-- then she is concerned that Kaydee will spend even less time with her. Darby is instrumental in helping Kaydee when she goes out in the storm, and the family pulls together to weather the damage to the farm as well as the new information about Kaydee and Lissa.
Strengths: I was hoping for something that was a mix of Secrets, Blueberries, Brothers, Moose and Me and 14 Hollow Road, and this was pretty close. Darby was an interesting character, and I can't think of any other books narrated by a character with Down Syndrome. The sub plot with the sister was interesting, and the family reacted in a reasonable way. This is a British import, but didn't feel that way.
Weaknesses: I wish this had had more about strawberry farming and about the storm. Also, Darby's voice was a little inconsistent. A third person narrator might have been more successful.
What I really think: I may pass on purchase. This had elements that I liked, but didn't come together as a whole for me. My public library has it.

Rocket to the Moon

Brown, Don. Rocket to the Moon
March 5th 2019 by Harry N. Abrams
Public library copy

Yep. We've reached the point where historical events that happened fifty years ago are things I remember. Granted, I had just turned four and was much more interested in staying up past my bedtime than watching the moon landing, but I remember it!

Like Maurere's recent Destination Moon, Brown's overview of this event starts with some early technology. Rodman Law tried some very primitive rockets, but didn't have a lot of luck. This is interesting to see, though, since people have been trying to fly and get into outer space for a long time. Robert Goddard is covered, as is von Braun, but most of the book details the Apollo 11 Mission itself. More time is spent covering the details of what the astronauts experienced (nausea-- why wouldn't one get motion sickness in space?--and particles of poop floating in the air!) We find out specifics about the different mechanisms used in the flight, and get details about the moon walk, including the controversy about what Armstrong actually said. There are brief descriptions of Apollo 12 and Apollo 13, a very nice timeline, more information on Rodman Law, and a complete index.

Strengths: As much as I enjoyed Destination Moon, it's a lot of text. This graphic novel has more text than my students usually prefer (Holm's Sunny Side Up has the perfect ration of text to pictures and size of text), but since this has a ton of information, it's warranted. Brown's book, The Great American Dust Bowl, is the same way, and is one of the few things that made me understand the causes of the Depression. I'll buy Rocket to the Moon, and my students will certainly read it.
Weaknesses: The binding is paper over boards, so won't last long.
What I really think: I'll buy Rocket to the Moon, and my students will certainly read it. I am jsut feeling nostalgic for Babar's Moon Trip (1969)!

MMGM- Secret Soldiers and Eye to Eye

Hutton, Keely. Secret Soldiers.
June 11th 2019 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Thomas' family are coal miners, so life is tough durign World War I. His older  brother, James, is reported missing in France, which has devastated his parents. Thomas, in his early teens, decides to run off and join the military in order to find his brother. He ends up in London, having been denied entry into the army several times. He meets up with George, a wily street urchin a bit older than Thomas. He needs to make himself scarce due to a "business deal" gone bad, and offers to help Thomas make the cut. Before long, the two are on a train bound for the front, and meet another underage recruit, Charlie. Not surprisingly, the three end up on a work detail that involves tunneling under No Man's Land so that bombs can be set behind (and under!) the German lines. Working underground can be treacherous, as Thomas well knows, but his skills in the coal mines help him. George is generally capable and does well enough, but Charlie, a posh boarding school boy who has joined up to avoid being called a coward, doesn't do so well. Thomas attempts to find his brother, setting out at night to talk to soldiers in the field, but the trench warfare of WWI isn't conducive to travels, and he doesn't find out much information. The war rages on, the tunnel progresses, and it looks like the group might make an impact. Of course, the war is horrible, and not all of the boys will survive. Even if they do, will they have any kind of life to return to?
Strengths: Having just seen the Tolkien biopic, where Tolkien is also in the trenches, looking for a friend, the scenes in the trenches and tunnels were even more vivid. As in Soldier Boy: A Novel Based on a True Story of the Ugandan Civil War, Hutton does a great job of researching and describing the conditions of war, and in putting an intriguing human face on it. Thomas' desire to find his brother is misguided, though admirable, and the army's use of the boys to dig tunnels is interesting-- surely, superiors could tell that the boys were too young, but since they served a purpose, they were kept on. George is a fun character, and a nice foil for Thomas' earnestness, and Charlie is ill-prepared and misguided in his attempts to take part in the war; somehow, I imagine that there were many soldiers like him in this conflict, looking at the casualty rates. There are not enough books about WWI, and this is an interesting treatment of an unusual battle strategy.
Weaknesses: There were some things that could have used more explanation for young US audiences to understand, but they will do okay. The message of the white feather, for example, will go over many heads.
What I really think: I really enjoyed this and will definitely be purchasing. Anything in this review that seems lukewarm is my own fault-- I started the book May 9 but didn't write the review until May 27. That kind of spring!

Rubini, Julie K. Eye to Eye: Sports Journalist Christine Brennan
Published April 5th 2019 by Ohio University Press
Copy provided by the publisher

Born in 1958, Brennan's life was all too familiar to me, but will be new and interesting to younger readers. Brennan's parents were hardworking, and encouraged her interest in sports even though it was not something that girls were normally encouraged to participate in in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Fascinated by the Toledo Mud Hens and the University of Toledo football team, especially the player Chuck Ealey, she wrote articles on a typewriter for her family, and learned early how to differentiate live radio from staged coverage of ball games. Her parents took her to lots of games, and she gained a keen knowledge of sports. Attending Northwestern University in the 1980s, she was fortunate to have another woman writing sports for the college newspaper to inspire her. She was also lucky that she had good chances at internships, and managed to get hired right out of college by the Miami Herald, because they wanted a woman on their staff. Readers today might not realize how ground breaking this was; no matter how good Brennan's grades or resume were, in order to get hired as a sportswriter, she needed a special set of circumstances in order to get a job in the field at this point in history. There were some difficulties, like the fact that women reporters weren't allowed in locker rooms to interview men after games, and were sometimes ill treated, but Brennan persevered. Working hard led her into lots of different sports fields, and she covered many Olympic events. She also asked difficult questions about topics in sports like racism and sexism, and today is a top sports reporter for USA today who also writes books and also reports on television.
Strengths: Rubini does an excellent job making Brennan's personal story interesting and exciting to read while also addressing the historical climate at the time. The story about Chuck Ealey not getting drafted into the professional leagues was a bit surprising, as was the fact that Blacks were not allowed to be members of the Augusta National Golf Club until 1990 and women until 2012! The book is well organized, fast paced, and has enough photographs sprinkled throughout to support the story line with important visuals. The Ohio University Press has a great selection of biographies about women pioneers.
Weaknesses: Brennan's story didn't seem that unusual or noteworthy to me; it sounds like what most women went through in the 1980s in their jobs. Still, Rubini does a good job of telling it, and younger readers will be surprised at some of the obstacles women faced.
What I really think: This is a good choice for biographies, especially if you are trying to include more books about native Ohioans, women, or sports figures who aren't players. It does bother me a little that Brennan is about MY age; I usually don't buy biographies about people who are still in the prime of their careers, as Brennan seems to be!

Solving For M

Swenden, Jennifer. Solving for M
May 28th 2019 by Crown Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Mika is having a hard time as she starts fifth grade in Highbridge Middle School. In order to ease the transition, classes are in pods, and Mika is not in a pod with her friends. Her teacher, Mr. Vann, is very charismatic and tries to make math very lively, even giving them math journals to complete. Mika has trouble with old friends, but does make some new ones. The big concern, however, is that her mother has a spot on the back of her leg that turns out to be a malignant melanoma, and requires much more medical attention than expected. Mika's father hasn't been in the picture for a while, and is living in Florida with his new wife, so Jeannie, a friend of her mother's, and Grandma Beau step up to help with Mika and with getting Mika's mother's medical treatments. This is all stressful for everyone, but Mika takes comfort in her classes, especially math, and in her new friends, who form a group the call The Calculators. Mika spends a little bit of time with her father, which is a welcome break that she feels somewhat guilty about. Her mother continues to struggle with the cancer and the treatment, but luckily the two have a great support network, and are prepared to deal with whatever news comes.
Strengths: This covered what it is like to deal with a parent who has cancer really well. There are just enough details about treatment to make it interesting but not bog down the stories. The heaviness of this plot line is lightened by the classroom adventures and the friend drama. Mr. Vann is a vibrant teacher along the lines of Mr. Terupt, and the STEAM tie in will make this popular with teachers. Mika's emotions and coping mechanisms are aptly portrayed, and it's nice to see her with a strong support network.
Weaknesses: While the idea of working math problems and concepts into a middle grade book is fantastic in theory, the books I have had that do this have never circulated well.
What I really think: The issue of a parent with cancer is one that my students do occasionally want to read about, but this book skews a little young with so much of it taking place in the classroom. This would be great for an elementary library (where they will love the illustrations), but for middle school, I think I'll stick to something like Pyros' Pink Hair and Other Terrible Ideas for my older readers.

Cartoon Saturday- Hotel Dare

Blas, Terry and Aguirre, Claudia. Hotel Dare.
June 11th 2019 by KaBOOM!
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Olive doesn't know her Abuela Lupé well, so when she and her adopted siblings Darwin and Charlotte go to help her clean her ramshackle hotel, she hopes to find out more about her, especially why her grandmother and father don't talk much. There is a lot of work to be done, but while cleaning the rooms, the children find a mask. This seems to be a portal to other worlds. Charlotte explores a futuristic space ship, Darwin is plunges into a weird, cartoonish world with a cuddle muffin he names Sunny, and Olive meets up with Brad, a wizard in training in a medieval world. When they eventuall talk to their abuela about it, they find that shortly after Olive's father was born, her husband disappeared, and she is estranged from her son because she spent so much time looking for him. Her daughter also went into the alternate universes to look for her father and found him, but is still having trouble getting him out. Can Olive and her siblings work together to solve the puzzle and retrieve their grandfather?
Strengths: This had a good original story and interesting illustrations. The three different worlds were distinct enough that I never got confused. There was some character development, which is hard to accomplish in many graphic novels. I liked the inclusion of Latinx culture. Olive says at the beginning that she is queer, but this is never developed further.
Weaknesses: Reading an e ARC on my 2011 Nook meant that I had to read this in 4 point font. I apologize for having missed crucial plot points during my struggle! I feel like I missed something crucial about Darwin's and Charlotte's adoption; this felt almost like book two of a series.
What I really think: This is similar to Aldridge's Estranged or Hicks' The Nameless City. Neither one (and fantasy in general, whether novels or graphic novels )circulate very well in my library, so I am debating about this one.

Level 13 (Slacker #2)

Korman, Gordon. Level 13 (Slacker #2)
June 25th 2019 by Scholastic Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Cam Boxer successfully got his parents off his back in Slacker by forming the Positive Action Group, a school organization that took on a life of its own, but now he wants to focus on his video game streaming career. His goal is to get 50,000 followers. This is more difficult than he imagines, since the PAG is constantly putting demands on his time. It doesn't help that Chuck is now going out with Daphne. Cam decides that if he tells everyone that he's failing in school, they will let him out of PAG obligations in order to study, and he can use the time to concentrate on his gaming. He keeps getting sucked into things, like the library fundraiser where he finds an old video game he used to enjoy. He starts playing this game on his stream, with Elvis, the beaver in the background. To his surprise, Elvis seems to really enjoy watching him play, and is quite the draw. His followers grow, but there are still problems. He isn't getting enough sleep, Elvis seems ill, and his school work is still suffering. When classmates start e mailing him assignments, he is apprehensive about accepting them, but soon caves and starts handing them in. It turns out that the video game is a rare first edition that has an outlawed 13th level, and his followers grow even more. There is even a fan base in his hometown, and t shirts with his user name are a hot seller and a big money maker for the local library. When it looks like Cam won't be able to break into that 13th level, his sister Melody helps, and additional assistance arrives from a surprising source. Eventually, Cam will be found out, and there will be consequences, but it's a wild ride until then!
Strengths: Cam is the embodiment of all that some of my students hold dear. Why pay attention in school when they could start their "careers" as famous YouTubers right now! Korman does a good job of having Cam achieve this, but at a price that teachers everywhere will appreciate. He still gets to meet his gaming inspiration, and he does get to be somewhat famous. He does well academically by cheating, but also learns the price of that. The inclusion of Chuck and Daphne's relationship, and it's toll on the group of friends, is something we need to see more in middle grade literature. The idea of fundraising for the library is admirable. This was a very fun read, and for some reason, I love Cam's misuse of the principal's name. I may change my name to Ms. Ying-whatsis!
Weaknesses: I personally found it beyond belief that Elvis would have been taken from his habitat and willingly watched video games, but it's believable and goofy enough that tweens will love it.
What I really think:  One of my copies of Slacker walked away; I suspect it was stolen by a student who couldn't bear to part with it. I'm reordering a copy so I have two of the first book. I wouldn't mind seeing another volume or two of Cam's adventures.

Agent Kathy Puckett and the Case of the Unabomber

Denson, Bryan. Agent Kathy Puckett and the Case of the Unabomber
June 25th 2019 by Roaring Brook Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss

In the early 1990s, I remember the Unabomber being in the news, but I didn't follow the story closely since I had small children and was getting my MLS. I hadn't realized what a huge investigation lead to the eventual capture of the perpetrator of so many senseless mail bomb killings. This book approaches the investigation from the point of view of Agent Kathy Puckett, who joined the UNABOMB task force in 1994. The investigation into the type of person who would likely commit these crimes, coupled with the physical and literary evidence used to identify the cuplrit, is fascinating. There were many people investigating, and they are mentioned along with the bits of evidence they contributed. This book also discusses the thought process concerning the publishing of the Unabomber's manifesto in the newspaper, which ultimately was very helpful. Its publication brought forth David Kaczynski, the brother of Theodore Kaczynski, who thought that the writing was similar to his brother's. As the investigation continued, Kaczynski's profile seemed to match what Pucket knew about the Unabomber's likely profile would be. The book includes the complicated stake out that occurred to finally bring Kaczynski in, and discusses what the case meant to the state of investigations. The source notes are very complete. I'm interested to see what other books in this series are in the works.
Strengths: This was very well done. While there are lots of details about the nuts and bolts of the investigation, and even information about how Puckett struggled as a female investigator at a time where there were few of them, the book moves along very quickly and is an excellent length. The history of events leading up to the investigation are included, and the societal atmosphere when the case became big news is included. I have no interest in true crime stories, but found this to be an interesting and quick read.
Weaknesses: Since I really enjoyed reading about Puckett's involvement in this, it was disappointing that she wasn't more involved in his actual arrest, but history is history!
What I really think: True crime. Wouldn't have been something that interested me in middle school, but my students seem to enjoy listening to podcasts about it, and are always asking for murder mysteries. This is an intriguing nonfiction book that should make them very happy.

The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets

Pitman, Gayle E. The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets
May 14th 2019 by Abrams Books for Young Readers
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

June 28th marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, New York City, so it's great to have a new middle grade title that does such a fantastic job of explaining the events of that week along with background information of the social constructs that lead to the riots.

While there have always been LGBTQ+ individuals, society has dealt harshly with that population. There are still problems with how US society particularly deals with any number of different groups, but today's young readers probably do not realize how truly harsh the treatment has been in the past. A clear overview of this is presented, with an emphasis on how the 1950s saw an increase in the number of groups that formed to deal with the challenged the LGBTQ+ community faced.

This was the first surprise for me. While my high school history classes ended with the Cold War, I am fairly well versed in history. Still, I had no clue that groups like the Mattachine Society (Gay men who wanted to work for their inclusion in mainstream society by adhering to very conservative rules regarding dress and behavior) and the Daughters of Bilitis (a Lesbian group dedicated to helping women find friends and promoting self-acceptance. Because society was so unaccepting, it was important for the LGBTQ+ community to help each other deal with society and also their own feelings of self worth. These were the only major groups that formed until the late 1960s.

San Francisco was a rare place in the US that had laws that were more accepting of this culture, and Gay bars and clubs could operate legally there. This did not mean they weren't harassed by law enforcement, however. The general practice for raids on these clubs was to arrest people who did not have political connections and publish their names and addresses in the newspaper! This lead to the practice of not providing one's real name when joining organizations or having memberships; this becomes important later on.

Pitman does a good job of not only describing historic events, but the cultural bias at the time and explaining how the convergence of these things led to the riots. Since the 1960s culture became increasingly more accepting of differences, the LGBTQ+ community felt frustrated at always being forced into the closet in order to be safe from harassment, and this frustration escalated into the events at the Stonewall Inn.

Here's where it got REALLY interesting to me. While mainstream news media covered this event, even the Village Voice was very insensitive about the wording it used, and there didn't seem to be the video coverage we're so used to today. People were not interviewed immediately after, and Pitman points out that we are still not entirely sure what exactly happened during this time. Imagine! An event of this importance, during my lifetime, and we can't really prove a timeline of events or a roster of those involved! Once people started to discuss this event more openly, in the 1980s and 1990s, many of the participants known to be there had passed away. If for no other reason, the importance of recording historical events makes this book worth reading.

Any LGBTQ+ issues are seen by some people to be inappropriate for middle grade, and this is such a hurtful stance. The Stonewall Riots is an important book covering previously ignored history, and is crucial in understanding the growing intersectionality of movements that we see in the news every day. Middle school and high school libraries have a responsibility to include it in their collections. There are only two things that might be of concern; at one point, the term sodomy is defined as "having sex with another man". In my experience, all middle schoolers have heard the phrase "have sex". Some of them know what it means; others have no clue. As long as the phrase is used and not explained, this should offend no one. The only other matter of concern would be the transcript of Sylvia Rivera's speech at the 1973 Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, which mentions rape (but again, offers no description) and has many words bleeped out. This was not essential to understanding the Stonewall Riots, and would not have been the way that I would have ended the narrative, but again, is not offensive or instructional and should not keep this book from being included in middle school collections. Still, it is important to know what is included in books in case parents or teachers have questions.

My students have a great interest in LGBTQ+ issues, and it is important to have a variety of books that discuss current as well as past issues that face this community. If students are not able to find books like these, it sends a message that these are issues that cannot be discussed openly, which would take us right back fifty years. Our students deserve better.

Time Sight

Jonell, Lynne. Time Sight
May 14th 2019 by Henry Holt & Company
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Will and his young brother Jamie are unceremoniously packed off to visit an aunt in Scotland when their mother, who is in a war-torn country helping out, is in danger and their father must go rescue her. Not much explanation is given, and soon the two are on a plane and then staying with their aunt and cousin Nan. The Scottish country side is interesting, and Will hopes to be able to explore. When he does, Jamie's Magic Eye book has mysterious consequences. When trying to squint at the pictures and bring them in to focus, Will opens a portal to other times in the castle's history. At one point, Jamie is sucked in, and ends up being fostered by the local lord. When Nan and Will finally get back to him, a year has passed in the past, and Jamie doesn't quite remember them. Traveling back and forth through time, Nan and Will learn a lot about the past and try to fix what they can about the history of Scotland and of their family in order to get Jamie back.
Strengths: This had a LOT of good Scottish history with which I was not familiar, and I loved the notes in the back that helped back up events mentioned in the book. The setting was interesting, and Nan was a great cousin. Jamie was a bit of a brat, but he and Will are in a difficult situation. The time travel portal is well done, although those Magic Eye books are kind of evil! (I've never seen a picture in one!) There are lots of time travel books set in castles, but this really had some fresh twists to it. With its occasional illustrations, it reminded me a bit of Snyder's Any Which Wall.
Weaknesses: My students are not nearly as fond of time travel as I am.
What I really think: As much as I like this sort of book, my library already has Kent's The Secrets of Hexbridge Castle, Ephron's Castle in the Mist, Fox's The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle, Bruchac's Dragon Castle, Eager's Knight's Castle, Crossley-Holland's Arthur At The Crossing Places, Davies' Longbow Girl, Winthrop's The Castle in the Attic and Whitman's Wildwing.  None of them circulate much, so I'm going to have to pass on this title.

MMGM- Cover Reveal and War in the Ring

I absolutely ADORED Jason Henderson's Young Captain Nemo (March 12th 2019 by Feiwel & Friends), so was super excited to be asked to host the cover reveal for book two! Here is the cover, in all its glory!

Florio, John and Shapiro, Ouisie. War in the Ring: Joe Louis, Max Schmeling, and the Fight between America and Hitler
June 25th 2019 by Roaring Brook Press
E ARC from Edelweiss

Boxing during the first half of the twentieth century was an odd mix of glamour and seediness. It was a way for hard working, impoverished young men to earn phenomenal money and gain prestige, but it was also a tough life. Joe Louis was born in Alabama, and his family moved to Detroit for a better life. He was able to use his natural abilities, get trained in boxing, and improve his situation. Max Schmeling, born in Germany, also used boxing as a way to provide a better income for himself, but because of Hitler's horrible hold over Germany, was cast into the role of a villain. Their competition took on mythic proportions in the US, as Louis was seen as the embodiment of the American spirit, and Schmeling as the embodiment of Hitler's evil plans for Germany.

This offers a good picture of the background of both men, as well as the general state of boxing at the time. It's interesting that there is a WORLD title for boxing, and that everyone seemed to care about it. Boxing seems to have gone out of favor, and for good reason. I looked at the list of Heavyweight Boxing Champions, and had to go back to 1987 to see a familiar name; Mike Tyson. This book does a great job of putting the sport into historical perspective and tying it into the conflicts of World War II.

I also appreciated that Schmeling is portrayed as a generally good guy; even though he was seen as the embodiment of Nazi ideals, he always denied any connection to the party. He even helped two young men escape the Nazis. I had friends who grew up as Hitler was rising to power, and while they didn't agree with anything he had to say, there were not many opportunities for them to actively resist what was being done to their country without endangering themselves and their families. This is a tough part of understanding Germany during WWII; while there are plenty of people like Sophie School and Dietrich Bonhoeffer who stood up against Hitler, there were scores of other Germans who did not.

This is a great length, moves quickly, and fully covers an interesting moment in history. I think my favorite part of the book might have been the notes at the end; the authors do a great job at not only citing their sources but in telling how they used those sources. What a great example for young readers! Definitely buying a copy!

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.

Digging Deep (Hoops #4)

Delle Donne, Elena. Digging Deep (Hoops #4)
June 25th 2019 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

Elle is glad that she doesn't have to deal with the drama of the girls on the basketball team, even though she still loves the sport. When one of her friends asks her to pitch in on the volleyball team, since one of the members was injured, she gladly agrees, thinking it will be an easy thing to pick up. It's harder than she thinks it will be, but there aren't as many practices, and both the coach and the team members are much more laid back. She has more time, so she's able to get her homework done, hang out with her sister and her dog, and spend more time with Amanda. There's a small subplot with an antibullying group in school that helps with Elle's reconciliation with Bianca and the team, some dog training for Zobe, and lots of good details about volleyball.
Strengths: There is a decided lack of books about volleyball, so this was great to see!
Weaknesses: There was a decided lack of development in Elle's relationship with Amanda, and that was disappointing.
What I really think: The series has circulated well, so I'm glad to see more installments.

Captain Aquatica's Awesome Ocean

Cramp, Jess. Captain Aquatica's Awesome Ocean
with Grace Hill and Joe Leavit
June 11th 2019 by National Geographic Society
Copy provided by the publisher

Don't be fooled by the cartoon cover on this Science Superheroes volume about the ocean-- this book is jam packed with tons of information! Each chapter does start out with a brief graphic novel style adventure for Captain Aquatica and Finn, her hammerhead shark, but then continues with a thorough explanation of the topic, well-illustrated with National Geographic's usual fantastic photographs. The chapters cover information about waves and weather, underneath the surface, ocean engineers, animals, and sharks. I especially liked the chapters about underwater technology and saving the ocean. The page layout is exactly what I look for when investigating nonfiction for my students-- there are bold paragraph headings, pictures with information, sidebars, insets with addition information, maps, and timelines. There is also a glossary, very complete index, and list of resources. The text is interesting and supported by these items.
Strengths: For some reason, my students are VERY interested in oceans, maybe because we are land locked? Many of them talk about becoming marine biologists, and this is a perfect resource for them. The full color format makes other nonfiction seem dull, and the depth of information is amazing. The graphic novel chapter beginnings will pull readers in.
Weaknesses: The text is on the small side (10 point font). This will turn some readers away.
What I really think: This is a great book for readers who want a lot of information about all manner of aspects of oceanography!

The Iliad by Gareth Hinds

Hinds, Gareth. The Iliad
March 12th 2019 by Candlewick Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Long ago in Ancient Greece, a prince of Troy, Paris, steals the most beautiful woman in the world from another prince, Menelaus of Sparta. Unfortunately, when Menelaus won Helen as his bride, he made all the other Greek leaders swear allegiance to him. Paris' action puts the Greek war machine into motion, and soon Troy is besieged. This goes on for a very long time, and there is a lot of drama over whether men want to be there (Odysseus famously tries to get out of fighting), how the fighting should go, and whether after almost ten years they should all give up. Lot of people die, in very gruesome ways, and a fair number of women are enslaved and treated horribly by all sides. There are heroes and villains on both sides, and the war is finally ended when the Trojans infiltrate the city inside a giant wooden horse, open the gates for the other forces, and finally take the Trojan stronghold.

This classic epic tale, whether written by Homer or another Greek man by the same name in about the 8th century B.C. is a tale with which everyone should have a passing familiarity. Readers who like to read about war will find this especially appealing, as Homer describes everything in the most florid manner. Hinds sticks closely to the original text, cutting out a great deal because of the graphic novel format, but still preserving the arc of the plot, description, and the type of language found in most of the English language translations. ("Like reapers who start from either end of a rich man's field and with sharp scythes bring barley tumbling down in armfuls till their swaths unite, so the armies closed to cut each other down." page 105)

The twist, of course, is the format. Full color illustrations capture the action, including some beheadings, with a yellow palette that reflects the sandy Greek landscape. The costumes and appearance of the characters is true to the descriptions in the original, and the style somewhere between classic book illustrations and cartoons. There is a lot of text, and the language is very descriptive, making this a good choice for high school students who want a more visual approach to this story but don't want to sacrifice details.

Hinds' specialty is graphic adaptations of classics (Romeo and Juliet, Beowulf, King Lear), and this hefty tome would make the Greeks proud, since they valued retellings of stories. Hinds' research is documented in notes in the back, and the translations he consulted are discussed. Hand this one to high school students struggling to comprehend this for class, or for middle school students who want to look really smart!

What I Really Think: This is a LOT of text for a graphic novel-- I don't see my middle schoolers checking this out at all. Homer's prose is rather deathly dull considering how full of action the story is, and had I written this, I would have pruned it quite a bit. The snobby former Latin teacher (my minor in college was Ancient Greek!) in me wants to complain that the story was based off of translations and not the original, but that's a pretty silly quibble! This is Hinds' style, and he has a point in wanting to preserve the original language-- I prefer stories to be updated with modern language that students can understand. I was probably scarred by the Good News Bible popular in my youth.

This Book Is Cute: The Soft and Squishy Science and Culture of Aww

Flynn, Sarah Wassner. This Book Is Cute: The Soft and Squishy Science and Culture of Aww
March 19th 2019 by National Geographic Society
Copy provided by the publisher

Thanks to this book, I know that scented, Hello Kitty print toilet paper exists! This charmingly photographed book (so much cuteness in full color!) has a lot of solid science behind it, presented in a very logical way. It starts with why babies are so cute (although I would beg to differ!) and describes why this is essential to baby's survival. There are also chapters about animals and cuteness in other parts of the world. Japan's Kawaii culture is given a lot of attention, including information about Hello Kitty! The chapter on cute food was so interesting, and helped me understand why Teddy Grahams taste way better than regular old rectangular graham crackers! I feel almost compelled to invest in a Bento box! This, of course, feeds right into the chapter on the business aspect of cute, including how cute goes viral.

For additional information, there is a section on cute jobs, as well as how to photograph and draw cute! There is a great index (which I always like to see) as well as complete credits, so readers know that yes, you must state where you got your pictures! I would have liked to see a bibliography so that interested readers could investigate this topic more, but I imagine the books the author consulted are fairly academic.

If you need a book that will keep a young reader's interest on a long car ride, this is a fantastic choice. This would spark lots of conversation, and would also be helpful when those readers are asleep and their adults need something to read!

If you have an Instagram account, you MUST follow @purrfosters! They named a little of puppies after Ellen Miles' Puppy Place books! This is about the cutest thing I have even seen! 

The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly

Ansari, Rebecca K.S. The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly
March 5th 2019 by Walden Pond Press
E ARC from Edelweiss Plus

For the last year, Charlie has maintained that he used to have a younger brother named Liam, but he disappeared one night and no one in his family ever remembered him. All of his things were just gone. Charlie's best friend Ana supports him, even if she doesn't completely believe him, and Charlie needs this support because for the last year his mother has been so depressed that she doesn't even care for him properly. As the anniversary of the disappearance approaches, Charlie is determined to find out what happened, and gets a tip to check with Jonathon, a teen coach for his baseball team. Jonathon confirms that Charlie could be right-- he himself was once gone, but chose to return. The problem is that Liam has wished that he was never born, and his wish was granted. Johnathon was in a similar position (he injured his brother badly, but one he disappeared, so did the brother's injuries), and not just creeps on his family, since they no longer recognize him. He knows a way that Charlie can get Liam back, but it will be difficult. Charlie is also having vivid dreams about an Irish immigrant family who came to the US to escape the Irish Potato Famine. When Ana, Jonathon and Charlie go to an old, burnt out asylum where Liam is purportedly being held, these elements coalesce, many secrets are revealed, and Charlie has to find a way to make his family whole again.
Strengths: This had some creepy moments-- one character in the asylum in particular is quite scary, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. There are a lot of interesting threads that are woven together nicely, and even though some are a bit predictable, the results are often surprising and coalesce in a way middle grade readers can understand. Loads of heartfelt descriptions of parental and sibling love, unconditional forgiveness, and other emotions that most people think are great. I can see this being a class read aloud, with lots of good discussion.
Weaknesses: Not a great cover, and the themes of love and forgiveness overshadow the creepy aspects. I need more creepy books, but I'm just not sure about this one.
What I really think:  I see this being checked out and then returned for not being creepy soon enough. The first few pages are everything for middle grade readers, and the haunted house on the cover but the first chapter of parental depression feels like a bait-and-switch.

Personal note: It's bad enough that middle grade parents in novels frequently become so grief stricken over a death of a child that they become incompetent-- now we have a parent who doesn't even remember the loss of a child and can't go on. This is beyond insulting. Maybe authors are trying to give students the message that they need to be careful with their lives so they don't destroy their parents and I should be grateful, but it's just hard to feel that way. At the very least, if we have depressed parents, can we get them some therapy?

The Curse of Greg (An Epic Series of Failures #2)

Rylander, Chris. The Curse of Greg (An Epic Series of Failures #2)
June 18th 2019 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Greg and his new friends are on another Monster Pacification Mission after The Legend of Greg, this time in Evanston. A gargoyle has gotten down off the roof of a building and is terrorizing passers by (shown on the cover). Things don't go smoothly; Greg's pants do indeed catch on fire. However, the group is able to subdue the monster, and Glam smashes it to bits just in case. The instances of monsters wreaking havoc are growing, but humans haven't yet noticed. Along with these threats, Greg notices that his father's behavior is becoming increasingly odd, and he suspects an elven poison, no thanks to his former friend, Edwin.  The group is sent on another MPM to the Wisconsin Dells, to investigate a Rock Troll. Eagan can't go, because he is elected to the council, but the rest go, promising Dunmor that they will resort to violence only as a last resort. This is a good thing because Stony, the rock troll, has been hugging the animals and sending "gifts" to tourists, and doesn't mean to be destructive. They plan to take Stony back to Chicago, and Greg promises that the dwarves won't imprison him the way the elves had. Of course, the adults think differently, and Greg has to do a lot of work to insure that Stony can be free. Then, the group is off to New Orleans to try to find the antidote to the poison ingested by Greg's father, and they are also interested in the Faranglegt Amulet of Sahar, which the fairies hid, and which is the key to dealing with the problem of magic on earth. Eventually, Greg is captured by Edwin and taken to the west coast, where he is held in a fairly comfortable prison, taken on walks by the charming elf, Lixi, and gets to play chess with Edwin. Edwin has decided that all magic should be abolished in order to promote harmony on earth, but he and a few of his trusted friends should be able to do magic in order to keep everyone else in line. Greg knows this isn't a good idea, and his sword keeps telling him that he should be the one in charge, but he and Edwin at least make a little bit of peace with each other. Once Greg is free to return to Chicago, he considers more seriously finding the Faranglegt Amulet, and I suspect that will be the mission in the next book. 
Strengths: This starts with lots of action and incorporates it nicely into the story. There's some background information that is necessary, but it's always bracketed by things being smashed. This is perfect for my students who abhor "nothing happening". It's goofy, too, but not in a way that is too young. The chapter headings are very reminiscent of The Lighting Thief, which is a good way to sell this to those readers. I love Greg-- he is a bit haphazard, but so well meaning. He misses Edwin but understands why their rift occurred, he is very concerned about his father, and he really wants to do the right thing when it comes to the use of magic in the world and the problems with monsters showing up-- but he doesn't quite know what that is. There's a lot of character development and philosophy, brilliantly surrounded by GLAMSMASHING!
Weaknesses: If young readers are easily confused or struggle with text, this is not a book for them. It is wildly frenetic, there are lots of characters, and there are enough dwarven and elvish words that they might get lost. This is okay-- the target demographic of fantasy readers will love all of these details.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, as the first one in the series has been wildly popular with the fans of this author and of mythologically based adventure books like Rick Riordan's. 

I think I know where the Faranglegt Amulet is. Just sayin'. Also have to say that I was absolutely not in the mood to read this. I love Rylander's work and thoroughly enjoyed the first book... in the summer, when I was not six books behind schedule and in the middle of testing at school. This is an important reminder that sometimes middle school students are not in the mood for their usual fare, and why I occasionally hand 8th graders Stick Dog... and it makes them happy. 

Whitesides, Tyler. The Wishbreaker (Wishmakers #2)

January 8th 2019 by HarperCollins

Public library copy

Again, the week before school is out for the summer is NOT the time for me to read goofy fantasy. I loved the first one, and this author's Janitors series remains popular, so I will definitely purchase. 

Publisher's description

"

Being a Wishmaker may be more trouble than it’s worth. Sure, you get a genie who can grant an unlimited number of wishes, but for each one you make you have to accept an awful consequence in return. Not to mention that you’re also given an impossible quest and only seven days to fulfill it!

Despite all that, Ace and his genie, Ridge, managed to complete their last mission—but they couldn’t save their friend Tina from being abducted by a rogue genie who’s bent on using his limitless power to rule the world. To rescue her, Ace must reunite with Ridge to become a Wishmaker once more, and they’ll need to team up with the unlikeliest of new allies. It’s not every day you get a second chance to save the world, so Ace is determined to learn from his past mistakes and wish for the best, literally.

Perfect for fans of Max Brailler, Adam Gidwitz, and Dan Gutman, this middle grade series is a wonderful mix of unpredictable magic, zany humor, and daring adventure. “An ingenious premise” raved Kirkus in a starred review!"