Possible Newbery Medal Winners?

Librarians from around the area have chosen these 30 books as the top contenders to win the 2013 Newbery Medal for best in children's literature. Read and decide yourself!

The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
Here Come the Girl Scouts!: the Amazing All-True Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
by Shana Corey

Dumpling Days
by Grace Lin

Jake & Lily
by Jerry Spinelli

No Crystal Stair
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Mighty Miss Malone
by Christopher Paul Curtis

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: the Story Behind an American Friendship
by Russell Freedman

Kindred Souls
by Patricia MacLachlan

Liar & Spy
by Rebecca Stead

The Brixen Witch
by Stacy DeKeyser

Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen
by Donna Gephart

Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95
by Phillip Hoose

Twelve Kinds of Ice
by Ellen Bryan Obed

The Boy on Cinnamon Street
by Phoebe Stone

Remarkable
by Lizzie Foley

Letters to Leo by Amy Hest

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster

by Deborah Hopkinson

Wonder
by R.J. Palacio

Three Times Lucky
by Sheila Turnage

The Great Unexpected
by Sharon Creech


Mr. and Mrs. Bunny—Detectives Extraordinaire
by Polly Horvath

We’ve Got a Job: the 1963 Birmingham Children’s March
by Cynthia Levinson

Summer of the Gypsy Moths
by Sara Pennypacker

Crow
by Barbara Wright

Year of the Book
by Andrea Cheng

The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr., aka Houdini
by Peter Johnson

Stay: the True Story of Ten Dogs
by Michaela Muntean

Splendors and Glooms
by Laura Amy Schlitz

May B
by Caroline Starr Rose

Who Could That Be At This Hour?
by Lemony Snicket

New Series by Erin Hunter! Love the Warriors Series?

The time has come for dogs to rule the wild!

Here is a review from Kirkus Reviews:
In this dog-themed series opener from the team behind the Warriors franchise, dogs must learn to face not only the results of the devastating earthquake that has turned their world upside down, but their own feelings of loyalty and independence.
With the earth swelling beneath them and their cages twisting around them, the dogs in the shelter are trapped and frightened. Familiar with the legend of the "Big Growl," Lucky is able to quickly piece together what has happened. He and another dog, Sweet, manage to escape, only to find themselves in the middle of a city in ruin. With the humans ("longpaws") gone, it is up to Lucky to try to find food and shelter. He is quickly joined by other dogs who are desperately hungry and unprepared for their new world. Lucky is a reluctant leader, eager for a life of solitude, but he feels a kinship and responsibility for this new pack. Weaving together the horrific yet all-too-familiar scenes of natural disaster with the mythical legends of the dogs, Hunter expertly explores the tensions between responsibility and freedom; risk and safety; and loyalty and acceptance. Viewing the unfolding adventure through Lucky’s eyes makes even the most mundane or familiar seem alive with magic.

So, I haven't read this one, but I know how wildy popular the Warriors books are for boys and girls. So, I wanted to point out the new series available!

Here is a link to the website where there is so much information and fun stuff about the author, books and more!

http://survivors.warriorcats.com/survivors/

Guy Reads

As I was cataloging new books, I noticed this one. This is the third book in the Guys Read series.

Jon Scieszka is a well known author and he founded Guys Read to encourage a passion for reading among young boys, with the philosophy that boys love to read most when they are reading things they love. (Well, actually everyone feels that way, really :)

It is tough to keep boys reading through middle school and high school. There are a lot of books and studies devoted to this issue. At public libraries, we see a significant drop in the number of boys attending programs or participating in summer reading after about 5th grade. Connecting boys with books seems to be a challenge. So, I understand his motivation. I have not read one of these yet, but they are written by some of the best known "boy" authors. Hopefully, they will have a magic formula! Put one of these in your son's hands today!

Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin Book 1 by Robin LaFevers -YA

I loved this book! What a fantastic read! I read it straight through one night and I was terribly tired the next day for work! It had everything I love- action and adventure, battle with horses, swords, arrows and a little bit of intrigue and suspense. Yes, there is a little bit of romance too.


Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make.

Can't wait for the next one!

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson- YA

This is the second book in the Girl of Fire and Thorns series. I really enjoyed it. I think I liked it better than the first one. Here's a summary:Elisa is a hero. She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army.

Her place as the country's ruler should be secure. But it isn't.
Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from both foreign realms and within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.
To conquer the power she bears once and for all, Elisa must follow the trail of long-forgotten--and forbidden--clues from the deep, undiscovered catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her goes a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man who--despite everything--she is falling in love with.

So, in the first book, at sixteen, she was married off to a stranger from a strange land to fulfill her duty. She was full of doubt about her looks, her life, her husband, her duty, etc. But because of a special power she possesses, she was able to save her newly adopted county. This book picks up where the other one ended. Now, she is queen at seventeen and needs to rule this new country still under threat.

 

There's a lot of intrigue and action and just the right amount of romance. Great read!

Shadow and Bone (Book 1 Grisha Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

May is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May's memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she's determined to find her way home again.


I picked this one up because it was on many of the potential Newbery contenders for this year, but I truly don't see why. For me, there just was simply no depth to the story at all. I really did not want to find out what happened or why. I really do not enjoy books in verse and although this book is in verse, that is not what did it in for me. There was just nothing to make me feel like I knew the characters or wanted to care for them or find out what happened to them. 

New Book in the Origami Yoda Series by Tom Angleberger

The next installment is here...I haven't read it yet, but I definitely will. It looks hilarious! A fortune wookiee! Love it!





Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley

Eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright discovers another world through the old mirror hanging in his closet--a world that holds as many dangers as it does wonders.

This was a good fantasy adventure book that I would put in the hands of boys. Darwen is living in Atlanta with his aunt. He was raised in England. He feels out of place and different- not only the way he talks, but he is also biracial. His aunt sends him to this private military school and it just keeps getting worse for him.

He meets a strange shop owner who gives him a mirror and after sunset, he is able to go through the mirror into another world.

I enjoyed the book and wanted to find out what was happening and why. Some parts were distracting-like how his "differences" actually solicited very nasty behavior from both other students and teachers at this school.  I just wanted to find out about the other world and why it was there.

I believe there will be a sequel and although I liked this book, I think I will pass on the sequel.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear - speaking, which Marlee never does outside her family.

But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn't matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

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I really enjoyed this book. I loved the kindness of Marlee and the moxie in Liz. The friendship they form is beautiful in a world that surrounds them with ugliness. Stories about this part of our country's history always makes me wonder- what would I have done? Definitely will be on all the possible Newbery lists!

Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac

Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his family - no one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko's parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls, it is up to the young prince to save the day. But there is more to this castle and its history than meets the eye, and Rashko will have to embrace his ancestry, harness a dragon, and use his sword-fighting skills to stop the baron and save the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that his family is not quite as stupid as he always thought.



I liked this one. I usually like swords, castles, dragons and such. It was an entertaining fantasy. Alternating stories told in alternating chapters bothers me a lot. The flow of the story is interrupted for me. I feel like just when I am getting into it, the book changes to the other storyline, but this one flowed a lot better because the two stories were so intertwined. The ending was wrapped up to quickly, but overall this was a good read.


New Puzzle Books

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin.
Winston Breen says “the only thing better than discovering a puzzle is stumping someone else with it.” But when his sister uncovers mysterious strips of wood with words and letters on them, even Winston himself is stumped. Soon the whole family—and some friends—are caught up in the mystery and off on a scavenger hunt that just may lead to a ring worth thousands of dollars! Chock-full of puzzles to solve—some tied to the mystery and some not—this treasure hunt will keep readers’ brains teased right up to the exciting ending!

There are puzzles throughout the book and you can connect online and print out all the puzzles to work through on your own!

The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.

As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.

Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.

This novel was inspired by The Secret Garden. I have never read The Secret Garden and I don't know if that would have changed my mind about this book. I really like the character of Roo. She's had a hard life, but is not broken. She is strong and independent, but still capable of feeling compassion and friendship. I liked her a lot. I liked the mystery of the sanitarium that was building up and that suspense and slightly spooky mystery seemed to be going somewhere and then completely fizzled out. 

There story could have been longer. The story didn't have enough depth. Things needed to be fleshed out more and some questions answered. Who is Jack really? Everything ended so abruptly and so neatly that it was very disappointing. Furthermore, although the reading level is 3rd grade and up, the story has a lot of heavy concepts- murder, drug dealing, sanitariums, depression, etc. The cover art and the slightness of the book are a little deceiving in that way. I don't think this would be my first choice in suggesting a new book to a child.


The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

This first book in a planned trilogy is action-oriented fantasy, but don’t expect magical creatures. Instead, it revolves around political intrigue. Sage is a street-savvy orphan, and along with two other boys he is recruited by Conner, a nobleman who wants to remake them in the image of their country’s lost prince, a victim of pirates and presumed dead. The task is urgent, as the rest of the royal family has been murdered and civil war seems imminent. As the boys, chosen for their passing resemblance to Prince Jaron, compete to assume a new identity and the throne, Sage discovers some unpleasant truths about their host, beyond his treasonous plans to pass one of them off as royalty. Sage is a likable hero full of smart-alecky snarkiness.

Well, it was the smart-alecky snarkiness that was beginning to bother me because it was relentless. But, then there was a big twist and turn and the story got really interesting for me! I then  raced through the last quarter of the book. It definitely was a surprise to me and ended well.

I liked the story. I like stories set in the times of 'kingdoms' with swords and duty and honor, etc. I have enjoyed similar stories like Avi's Crispin: The Cross of Lead, John Flanagan's The Ranger's Apprentice, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Mistwood by Leah Cypress, etc. So, when I started reading this I began to like it, but Sage's constant snarkiness began to take its toll. It seemed to be over-the-top, but then there was a surprise and it all made more sense.

This is the first book in the trilogy and I do believe I will take the time to see what happens next!

The Good, The Bad and the Read It Again

When I chose the name of this blog, my intention was to suggest books that children 1st-8th grade might like, books to simply avoid or books that are so good that they need to be revisited! But I never categorized them that way! I never gave them 3 out of 4 stars for example. When I was thinking about rating them to make it a better resource for visitors, I thought about the name of the blog!

So, I am going back to each title and adding them to a list- The Good, The Bad or The Read It Again. Hopefully, this will help visitors choose what books to read.

As I began to do this, I noticed very quickly that I have few books in The Bad list. The reason is that I generally read books that I have read good reviews about or are on lists of books that there is a buzz about that might be potential award winners. So, if I add a book to the The Bad list, I must not have liked it at all!

Of course, it goes without saying, that blogs are totally the blogger's opinion- the book might be perfect for someone else! But, if you see a pattern, that the books I enjoy, you seem to enjoy, it might help you choose the next book to read!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- YA

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Well, I read this after Wonder and Crow and now I am completely drained and can't cry anymore. I need to read a fantasy adventure next, for sure! This was an awesome book. I think it definitely is Printz-worthy. I loved the honesty and strength of the two main characters- Hazel and Gus. I loved their crazy, witty banter. For sure it is depressing. If you have anyone in your life that has cancer, I'm not sure if this is the book for you. Although it is absolutely impossible to understand what these kids and families go through, this book allows you to reflect on it. As humans, we complain a lot. We take a lot for granted. We often see what we don't have instead of appreciating what we do have. We all know this. It is our human nature. But, it is good to stop for a moment to reflect on this- that there are so many people out there in the world with far greater problems and struggles than the problems we face each day. It is a very humbling moment when we do take the time to reflect and this book definitely makes you do that.

Crow by Barbara Wright

The summer of 1898 is filled with ups and downs for 11-year-old Moses. He's growing apart from his best friend, his superstitious Boo-Nanny butts heads constantly with his pragmatic, educated father, and his mother is reeling from the discovery of a family secret. Yet there are good times, too. He's teaching his grandmother how to read. For the first time she's sharing stories about her life as a slave. And his father and his friends are finally getting the respect and positions of power they've earned in the Wilmington, North Carolina, community. But not everyone is happy with the political changes at play and some will do anything, including a violent plot against the government, to maintain the status quo.

This is great historical fiction book filled with wonderful characters as it sheds light on a little known piece of our country's history. I loved Boo Nanny and would have loved to have known her in real life. Strong, simple people who have weathered the trials and tribulations of this world, yet retain their humanity and their hearts, are always very compelling to me. Moses couldn't have had a better grandma. I loved Moses and his momma and dad. Decent, hard-working people who taught their son to do the right thing always, even in the face of danger. My only disappointment was the ending. I don't believe the dad would have made that choice- his family was more important. And the very end was a little cliched. I understand the need for the hope of the future when in the midst of unfathomable evil, but sometimes it only is what it is.

Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger

Regular kid Lenny Flem Jr. is the only one standing between his evil-genius best friend—Casper, a master of disguise and hypnosis—and world domination. It all begins when Casper spends money from his granny on a spectacularly convincing fake mustache, the Heidelberg Handlebar #7. With it he’s able rob banks, amass a vast fortune, and run for president. Is Lenny the only one who can see through his disguise? And will he be able to stop Casper from taking over the world?

This will be yet another certifiable hit with the 9-12 year old set for Angleberger. This is completely absurd and silly story and they will love it!.


Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.

I started to read this right after watching the viral video on YouTube that shows 10 minutes of a group of 7th grade boys savagely taunting a 68 yr. old bus monitor. I was feeling depressed wondering how we as a society have reached this point in which children treat an elderly woman with such unfathomable maliciousness without any remorse.

Then I read this book and it touched me so. I think it is one of the best books I have ever read. I think every child should read it. I do hope this wins the Newbery this year. Although it is only June, I can't imagine there will be another book in the next 6 months that could make me change my mind. Absolutely beautifully written. Absolutely touching.

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." —1 John 5:4, King James Bible

Wilma Tenderfoot: The Case of the Frozen Hearts

Wilma Tenderfoot, a tiny, brash, and determined ten-year-old orphan, dreams of becoming a world famous detective so she can find out who her parents are. Wilma discovers that her new next-door neighbor is the renowned detective Theodore P. Goodman, and he has a new case. Wilma is set on becoming Mr. Goodman's apprentice, so with the help of her beagle, Pickle, she makes deductions, follows leads, and scouts out suspects. She's sure she'll win the famous detective over and crack the case, as soon as Pickle stops eating the clues.

This is a great mystery for 3rd grade and up! It's a rollicking, goofy whodunit!

Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan

Jake’s grandfather, Billy, hears the talk of birds, is eighty-eight years old, and is going to live forever. Even when Billy gets sick, Jake knows that everything will go on as always. But there’s one thing Billy wants: to rebuild the sod house where he grew up. Can Jake give him this one special thing?


This is a beautifully written simple story of life, love and family. It is touching and even more poignant because of its simplicity. It is a very short read, but sweet and heartwarming. I cried :)




What Am I Reading?

Ok, these are the current books I have on my nightstand! I am going to power through them! They are all getting "buzz" on all the Newbery blogs. So, we will see...and I will let you know!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

This is the second installment in the trilogy and I will simply say that I thought it was better than the first! Will be reading the 3rd one, for sure!

Tough Books to Review

The most difficult books for me to review or to simply read to provide better readers' advisory for patrons are the 1st-3rd grade books. Board books are easy for me- are the pictures bright and bold and clear? Is the text simple? Picture books are easy for me- Is it funny? Touching? Are the illustrations beautiful? Easy Reader books are easy for me- Is the text in larger print with many sight words? Fiction for 4th grade and up is easy for me- Were the characters well developed and the action great? Was it moving? Funny? Touching? Sad? Could I wait to see what happened? Do I want to read the next one?


All these things are easy for me to relate to when I read these books. Just because I am a librarian does not mean I am a literary expert by any means. The way I appreciate books and share my appreciation for books with patrons is on a very simple, personal level. Does it grab me in some way?


But the books that are written for the 1st-3rd grade group are the most difficult. Characters aren't well developed, the plot is over-simplified and often, silly, and, naturally, there just isn't much meat to them. It's been too long since I was that age to put myself in that child's shoes and determine if they would think this was a great book. I need to hang around more kids this age and get their opinions! :)

The Enchantress by Michael Scott

This is the 6th and final book in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. This series was awesome. The characters were great and action was non-stop with just enough humor and sarcasm thrown in to make it a great read.


As with all endings, it is tough to analyze it clearly. Did the right people live or die? Did it unfold as you imagined? I think it is always difficult to judge the last book of a great series well because by that point, our own imagination has determined how the story should end. I don't know. The last book is always difficult.

But fans won't be disappointed, I don't think!

Legend by Marie Lu - YA Book

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

I enjoyed this book. I liked both characters. The chapters alternate between each character's perspective. There was a lot of action, some surprises and sides to root for which I always like.

There were two minor things that bothered me. One, the characters are both 15, but it would have made more sense to me or more believable somewhat if they would have been 17-19. They were both so extremely competent, mature, intelligent and worldly that it was difficult to believe they were 15. The other minor element was that what happened to the US how it became to be like it is in the story was confusing and never explained thoroughly. Neither of these complaints really took away from the story, it would have just improved upon the book.

I will plan on reading the next installment!

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore-YA Book

The long-awaited companion to New York Times bestsellers Graceling and Fire.

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle--disguised and alone--to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

I really loved Graceling and liked Fire. The characters were so well developed and the action was great. Bitterblue was introduced in Graceling as a child. I didn't particularly like the character, so I wasn't overly excited about reading this book. But the great writing and plots of the other two convinced me to read it. I was terribly disappointed.

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it's over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before Social Services catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all.


This is a quick read that's intense and emotional. Jack wakes up in his tent with his mom gone. He has only $14, no food, no supplies, no help. He doesn't feel like he can go to an adult and ask for help because they would find out about his mom's illness and take him away from her. So, he tries to figure things out on his own. But, as you can imagine, he kind of makes a mess out of it.  Can you imagine being an 11 year-old and having to deal with this type of situation? Can you imagine doing this to a child, your own child? These are the questions that I thought about as I read the book.


This is one of those books that I think is thought-provoking for an adult, but am always curious if it will appeal to children. I'll have to wait and see...

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Oh, this is such a good story- sad, but good. Ivan is a gorilla who was captured as a baby and raised by humans. He lives alone in his domain (cage) in a mall. He is easy going and has come to accept his life at the mall, until a baby elephant is purchased to bring in more customers. Ivan decides the elephant should have a different life and does something about it.

The story is told from his perspective. It's so sweet and touching. It's meant to open the reader's eyes to how humans treat animals and it does so in a very powerful way, I think.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck is the follow-up to Brian Selznick's Caldecott Medal winning book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The illustrations in that book were AMAZING and the illustrations in Wonderstruck are equally AMAZING and there are about 100 pages more of them!

There are alternating stories being told, one in text and one in the illustrations, and they end up coming together at the end. I enjoyed this book. It was touching, moving and sad, but I liked it's simplicity and honesty in dealing with real-world problems, relationships and feelings.

And the illustrations, of course, are AMAZING!

Summary:
Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.

Hunger Games Movie and Controversy

First of all, I would like to say that the Hunger Games Trilogy is a YA book. The content is appropriate for older readers. There is a great deal of violence and other mature topics not meant for younger readers.

If you are interested in a great series for 4th-8th grade, I would suggest Suzanne Collin's first series, The Underland Chronicles. Written by the same author as the Hunger Games Trilogy, the content is more appropriate for 4th graders and up and most important, it is awesome!

Boys of Wartime

This series of books is similar to the Dear America historical fiction series, but specifically aimed at boys and the topic of war.

In the first book, twelve-year-old Daniel cheered when American colonists dumped English tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes. But King George sends soldiers to punish the rebellious colonists, and friends turn on one another to protect themselves. Daniel works in the family tavern and spies on Redcoat officers after his father leaves to fight with the Patriots. He soon learns how to slip vital information across British lines to his father and General Washington. He must face his fear and put his life in danger. But, to a Patriot, liberty is well worth any risk.

This series will be in the Youth Hardcover Fiction section under X BOYS.

Read all the Goosebumps?

We have a new series at Franklin for those readers who loved R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series, but have read them all.

Deadtime Stories by Annette Cascone and Gina Cascone- they will scare you silly!

Checkout the books at the Franklin Public Library!

What's on my nightstand?

Well, I have read a lot of YA books lately, so now I am going to go on a middle school binge.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (all the holds have died down and now I have a copy!)
Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson

Tell you what I think soon....

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I have to say I love the cover of this book! But I loved that more than the book itself. It's just not my type of book- too much romance, not enough action.

It is set in Prague. Karou is the main character. She is a teen living on her own. She sketches monsters that may or may not be real and goes on mysterious errands for her family, the only family she has ever known. But her past is full of secrets. There are demons and angels, but not really in the Judeo-Christian understanding really.

I think many teen girls will really enjoy the book, but I'll pass on the sequel.

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing--and their lives--forever.

This is another teen dystopian novel. I thought it was a quick read, definitely not as violent as some of the other ones I have read recently. I would say 8th grade and up would be ok with this one. I would recommend it, but it doesn't make the top of my list.



Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It rang so true and it was touching. Hazel is a fifth-grade girl who lives next door to her best friend, Jack. They "get" each other. When everything in their lives is falling apart- Hazel's parents have gotten divorced and her father doesn't have much time for her and Jack's mother is suffering from depression, etc.- they have each other and their imaginations. Jack likes to draw and they both use their imagination to create other worlds. Hazel struggles at her new school. She doesn't fit in. But she has Jack.

Well, one day, Jack gets a piece of bewitched glass in his eye and everything changes. It changes the relationship between Hazel and Jack, it changes the book from a contemporary realistic fiction book to a fantastical fairy tale book...I didn't like the second part of the book as much and was sad to not be able to see the story that began be fleshed out.

But I did like that the story was about friendship, loyalty, perseverance and overcoming fears.

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

As I posted earlier, even though this blog is mainly for patrons with 1st-8th graders, I do read a lot of YA books. I have decided to post them here in case someone old enough is reading the posts and for a record of the books I have read for me. Sometimes I forget what books I have read or what they were about!

This book is definitely a older YA book! The supervolcano beneath Yellowstone Park has erupted and without electricity, food, water, etc...the very worst of human nature manifests itself in this gripping, violent, dystopian YA novel.

I enjoy dystopian novels a lot. A lot of them are very violent and you see a very realistic glimpse of what human beings are capable of when they are starving and there is no order or civilization to speak of really. A lot of them aren't as disturbing for me because they still seem like fiction. But this one was so more realistic because it is set in contemporary time and seems believable! Another interesting thing about this dystopian novel is that it is written from the male point of view. Like Ship Breaker and Chaos Walking...this would be a great read for older boys- I would say definitely high school!

Breaking Stalin's Nose

Sasha Zaichik has known the laws of the Soviet Young Pioneers since the age of six:

The Young Pioneer is devoted to Comrade Stalin, the Communist Party, and Communism.

A Young Pioneer is a reliable comrade and always acts according to conscience.

A Young Pioneer has a right to criticize shortcomings.

But now that it is finally time to join the Young Pioneers, the day Sasha has awaited for so long, everything seems to go awry. He breaks a classmate's glasses with a snowball. He accidentally damages a bust of Stalin in the school hallway. And worst of all, his father, the best Communist he knows, was arrested just last night.

This book won a Newbery Honor this year. It is a short, pretty intense and depressing book. It was interesting to me as an adult, but I don't see children 4th grade and up really understanding the time in history that the story takes place in - Stalinist USSR. So, I think it will make a great book that teachers can use when covering that time period in history, but I don't think it will be popular for leisure reading for children unless they are a real history buff!

Icefall by Matthew Kirby

Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. A malevolent air begins to seep through the fortress walls, and a smothering claustrophobia slowly turns these prisoners of winter against one another.

Matthew Kirby wrote his debut novel last year, The Clockwork Three, which I enjoyed. It was historical fiction with fantasy mixed in.

Icefall, his second novel, has similar elements of historical fiction and a bit of fantasy, but it was even better! Again, there is a strong young female at the center of the story. One that is loyal, compassionate and strong, but flawed and trying to find herself. I have read a lot of books recently with similar characters. I enjoy them because you can relate to them. They aren't perfect, but they have good hearts and are trying to do the right thing. There's lots of action and suspense and I was racing to the end to find out what happened! Great read!

Birthmarked Trilogy by Caragh O'Brien

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

 

This is a Young Adult book. Just so you know....

 

 

Now, in this blog, I typically blog about books for 1st through 8th grades. But I do read a lot of YA books and I am going to add them as well, just in case someone is lurking that might be old enough to read them :)

 

Skulduggery Pleasant- Death Bringer

The Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy (an Irish author) is one of my all-time favorite series. The fast-paced dialog and wit make me laugh out loud! The characters are incredible and the action is non-stop.

This is the 6th book in the series of nine. The first three were published in the US, but now they have stopped publishing the rest here. I don't know why. I am trying to find out. So, I have been purchasing the series from the UK Amazon store! Just got this one in.

I was not disappointed! Great book. But one of the main characters, Valkyrie, who started off in the first book at age 12 is now almost 17. So, the books have matured slightly. Also, since these books were published for the UK, there are words used that are unfamiliar. Just a warning...but I stilled loved it! The first books I said were fine for 4th grade and up, but now I would probably say 7th and up on this one.

Just to recap, Skulduggery Pleasant is a sorcerer, an undead skeleton and a detective. He teams up with a "normal" teenage girl, named Stephanie, after her uncle Gordon, who has friends with Skulduggery, was murdered. Skulduggery teaches Stephanie magic and the two go off on adventures to fight the evil in the world of sorcerers.




Vordak the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World

From selecting the most dastardly name, to choosing the ideal henchmen, to engaging in witty repartee with disgustingly chipper superheroes, experienced supervillain Vordak the Incomprehensible guides readers step-by-step toward the ultimate goal of world domination (from his parents' basement in Trenton, New Jersey).
With chapter titles like "Bringing Out the Evil" and "Building a Top-Notch Evil Organization," numerous bold illustrations, and detailed quizzes to assess your level of dastardliness, this book provides everything necessary to rise above the masses, and then rub your ascent in their faces.


I read a lot of goofy 'boy' books and actually usually enjoy them, but this one for me was so over the top that I couldn't get through it all. Not to say, the boys won't like it. It just was too much for me. It was funny for the first couple of chapters, but then never stopped being the same thing over and over. I would suggest it to 3rd grade boys and up and I do think they will like it, but I'll have to wait and hear from them to know for sure!


The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

When Jack is sent to Hazelwood, Iowa, to live with his strange aunt and uncle, he expects a summer of boredom. Little does he know that the people of Hazelwood have been waiting for him for quite a long time.

When he arrives, three astonishing things happen: First, he makes friends -- not imaginary friends but actual friends. Second, he is beaten up by the town bully; the bullies at home always ignored him. Third, the richest man in town begins to plot Jack's imminent, and hopefully painful, demise. It's up to Jack to figure out why suddenly everyone cares so much about him. Back home he was practically, well, invisible.

Well, this was definitely a different kind of story- unexpected. I was not sure of where the story was leading and I was trying to figure it out, but, for me, there just wasn't enough to believe it all or buy into the whole story. When I finished, I felt like there were pieces missing. Although this one and in fact, Wildwood, both have been on so many lists for great new books, I just wouldn't put them on the top of any of my lists for great new reads.

Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1 by Colin Meloy

When her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, Prue McKeel begins an adventure that will take her and her friend Curtis way beyond her hometown and deep into the Impassable Wilderness. There they uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval, a world full of warring creatures, peace-loving mystics and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. What begins as a rescue mission becomes something much bigger as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness. A wilderness the locals call Wildwood.

This remined me a lot of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. These kids are in this other world, there's a nasty witch, animals talk, the kids are predestined to be there, etc... It was an ok book for me. The plot and characters seemed all too familiar. Nothing I would try to convince you to read. It was a bit too slow for me. I had the urge to skip ahead many times. It appears it's going to be a series or trilogy and I don't think I will be reading the next installment.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

850 pages later and I am done! And now I must say good-bye to Eragon, Saphira and Arya! 

This is the final book in the series. It was a good read and I enjoyed it. One day when I have time and I wanted to be whisked away to another world, I will sit down and read all four books again one after the other.

This is one of my favorite series because I liked the characters, the adventure, the battles and the good overcoming the evil. All my favorite elements in a story. A story where you are taken to a new world and you can see it all in your imagination. As always, it is a bit sad to say good-bye to characters that you like.

The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

Twelve-year-old Clara Dooley has spent her whole life in the Glendoveer mansion, where her mother is a servant to the kind and elderly matron of the house. Clara has never known another home. In fact, she's confined to the grand estate due to a mysterious heart condition. But it's a comfortable life, and if it weren't for the creepy squawking birds in the aviary out back, a completely peaceful one too.

But once old Mrs. Glendoveer passes away, Clara comes to learn many dark secrets about the family. The Glendoveers suffered a horrific tragedy: their children were kidnapped, then drowned. And their father George Glendoveer, a famous magician and illusionist, stood accused until his death. As Clara digs deeper and deeper into the terrifying events, the five birds in the aviary seem to be trying to tell her something. And Clara comes to wonder: what is their true identity? Clara sets out to solve a decades-old murder mystery—and in doing so, unlocks a secret in her own life, too.


Wow! This was a great book! It was full of mystery and suspense and I kept trying to piece together what happened. It is very well written and the characters fully developed. It is a  historical fiction, fantasy and mystery novel all interwoven into one!