Moon over Manifest

Title: Moon over Manifest
Category: Historical
Grades: 4-7
Author: Clare Vanderpool
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Date: 2010
Pages: 342

Summary:

Shipped to the town of Manifest for the summer, Abilene is afraid her father has abandoned her.  While she waits for summer’s end, she explores the town, making friends and hoping to discover more about her father’s past.  When she loses her father’s precious compass to the strange old lady next door, Abilene goes to work for her to earn it back.  But Miss Sadie is also a storyteller, and the hours fill with the tales of the town in years past, young Ned Gillen with his bright future who goes to war, and a drifter lad named Jinx, fleeing from the law who creates a scheme to save the town from the corruption of the mining companies and the poverty of the Great Depression.

Review:

Finally, a Newbery winner worthy of the title.  Moon over Manifest is a beautifully complex and lush story, weaving layer upon layer together to create a vibrant tale of mystery, humor, relationships, and family in the Great Depression.  The multi-genre approach Vanderpool uses does not detract from the story, nor does the use of a storyteller to create the story-within-story weaving through the novel.  While the book’s plot may be too complex for younger readers, no upper age limit truly exists, as adults will find this book enthralling as well.  Each page is a new discovery, a new story, another layer, another piece of the puzzle.  Readers will appreciate Jinx’s cleverness and if one or two plot points are slightly predictable, the path to them are still unexpected.  Wholly satisfying and beautifully researched, Moon over Manifest is a must-read.

Out of the Woods

Title: Out of the Woods
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 4-7
Author: Lyn Gardner
Illustrator: Mini Grey
Publisher: David Fickling
Date: 2009
Pages: 350

Summary:

Storm and her sisters find themselves once again caught up in an adventure they’d rather have avoided in this sequel to Into the Woods.  A beautiful woman arrives at Eden’s End, claiming to be the girls’ new stepmother and insisting that their father has died.  What they do not know is that really she is an evil witch determined to have Aurora’s heart in order to remain young and beautiful.  To make matters worse, the magical pipe which Storm threw into the sea has found its way back to her and tricked from her by the witch and her baby sister, Any, has been turned into a frog.  In the struggle over the heart, Aurora herself is killed, leaving Storm despondent until a strange message from the Underworld leads her down into death itself.  Racing against time, Storm must find a way to rescue her sister and her mother from the Underworld and trap the pipe there forever.  Along the way, she will encounter several old enemies, who will stop at nothing to thwart her mission and return to the land of the living in her place.

Review:

Gardner’s writing is not unlike that of Roald Dahl, with that touch of wry, zany humor and a slightly tongue-in-cheek approach that leaves readers surprised constantly with what will happen and makes sure that children are always the good guys.  Out of the Woods is as stuffed with allusions and fragments of folklore as its predecessor, as well as the strong theme of family ties that is realized even more fully in this second installment.  Full of action, adventure, and humor, Out of the Woods  is another whirlwind ride that upper elementary children will delight in. 

Out of the Woods

Title: Does My Head Look Big in This?
Category: Realistic, Multicultural
Grades: 8-12
Author: Randa Abdel-Fattah
Publisher: Orchard Books
Date: 2005
Pages: 360

Summary:

As Amal begins her junior year at an exclusive private prep school, she makes the decision to wear her hijab, the headscarf worn by Muslim women, full-time.  Amal must cope with all the trials of adolescence, including friends with parent problems, weird family members, and her growing friendship with the cutest boy she knows, as well as discovering with who she is as a young Muslim woman and overcoming the difficulties anyone who is “different” surely must face.

Review:

A debut for Abdel-Fattah, and overall, an interesting and enjoyable read.  Amal is hilariously sassy, with great comebacks for many of her persecutors, and under her headscarf, a spunky and genuine “girl next door.”  She and her closest friends struggle not only with questions and discoveries about their religious identities but also their racial and cultural identities, making this an intriguing look into several cultures not commonly seen in young adult writing.  The books only minor flaw is a tendency toward preachiness in places, and slightly repetitive defense of Islam, not surprising perhaps in the current global climate, but redundant after a time.  A great read for Muslim girls who may be exploring their own identities, but also for other teens who will appreciate the insight into a culture not their own, but be fully able to relate to Amal’s very typical teen struggles.

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink

Title: Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 5-7 years
Author: Diane De Groat
Illustrator: Diane De Groat

Publisher: Morrow Junior Books

Date: 1996

Summary:

Gilbert doesn't mind having to write valentines for most of his classmates, but two of them he definitely does not want to do.  Instead, Gilbert writes two mean poems to those classmates and signs the other's name to each one.  His ploy is soon discovered, and soon the whole class is ignoring Gilbert for the trick he pulled.  Gilbert finally decides to apologize and learns it's far better to be nice to others than to be nasty. 

Review:

Kindergarten readers will be able to sympathize with Gilbert's plight and will enjoy the realistic story presented in this book.  They are developmentally able to handle the number of characters in the story and will love the soft, detailed watercolors of Gilbert and his classmates, depicted anthropomorphically here.  The illustrations are large and eye-catching but suit the gentle theme of the story.

The Web Files

Title: The Web Files
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 5-7 years
Author: Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Richard Egielski
Publisher: Hyperion
Date: 2001

Summary:

Ducktectives Web and Bill are on the case of the missing peck of purple pickled peppers.  The trail leads them to more missing vegetables including a load of leafy lettuce and a tub of tart, tasty tomatoes.  Finally, they track down That Dirty Rat and have him hauled to jail for stealing vegetables and having bad hygiene.

Review:

The story is recorded as a detective's log, with short descriptions organized by the time of day at which they occurred.  Not only is it full of alliteration and silly puns, it fractures most of the common nursery rhymes kindergarteners are likely to be familiar with, and turns them into hilarious additions to the story.  The plot involves multiple characters and a more convoluted storyline that will appeal to kindergarteners.  It makes a wonderful introduction to fractured tales, and older children, whose sense of humor is more developed will be able to appreciate this element fully.  The illustrations are painted with a warm palette and some contain a lot of background detail based on the text and will appeal to older children looking for more visual interest in their books.

Hot Rod Hamster

Title: Hot Rod Hamster
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 4-6 years
Author: Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Derek Anderson
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2010

Summary:

In spite of its short, rhymed text, the vocabulary, highly detailed illustrations and more complex dual story line make this book definitely a higher level read and perfect for kindergarteners.  The story follows a hamster as he and his bulldog friend build a hotrod for the upcoming race.  Although the hamster is the smallest entry in the race, he wins handily.  The main text on each page focuses on one aspect of the car or the race, offers several options in rhyme and asks which the reader would choose.  Meanwhile, the hamster and his friend discuss the car in speech bubbles in the background, focused on burning rubber and tearing up the racetrack. 

Review:

Kindergarteners, particularly those with some experience with cars, will enjoy this fast-pace racing book.  The dual plot will provide them with a higher level of detail and vocabulary, and the spunky little hamster is sure to make them smile.  The illustrations are extremely cute, but also full of detail and highly saturated with a warm, bright palette.  The cover is embossed with metal accents and raised title letters.  The illustrations add to the story and will captivate young readers with their humor and rich detail.  They will enjoy interacting with the stories and selecting their own choices for the car as the story progresses.  The rhyme scheme and repetitive word pattern will help emerging readers begin to process some of the text on their own.

Peas

Title: Peas
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 4-7 years
Author: Nicholas Heller
Illustrator: Nicholas Heller
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Date: 1993

Summary:

Lewis really hates peas.  He certainly doesn't believe his mother when she tells him he will hurt their feelings by not eating them.  When he goes to sleep, however, the peas wake up and decide to explore.  After wrecking Lewis's electric train, the peas despair of being eaten, and Lewis wakes up.  Although he is pretty sure he dreamed the whole thing, he eats his peas for breakfast just in case. 

Review:

Kindergarteners will appreciate this silly twist on a familiar situation.  The text is longer and complex enough to keep their interest, and the scenario should be a familiar one to most children who have turned their noses up at a vegetable.  Illustrations are vivid, highly detailed and saturated with bright colors.  Lots to look at and a cartoonish style will attract kindergarteners and are most appropriate for this age.

Ella Sets the Stage

Title: Ella Sets the Stage
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 3-7
Author: Carmela & Steven D’amico
Illustrator: Carmela & Steven D’amico
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Date: 2006

Summary:

Everyone is excited about the school talent show except Ella.  As far as she can tell, she has no special talent, and she dreads being up onstage.  Ella soon finds other ways to make herself useful, helping backstage, painting signs, sewing up torn costumes, and coming to the rescue of a frightened monkey.  Ella finally realizes that though her talents don't lend themselves to performing onstage, she is blessed with many useful qualities and is much braver than she once believed.

Review:

Sweet, unique illustrations create a truly enchanting little heroine that children will identify with and love quickly.  Though the text is not overly long, the plot is complex enough for kindergarteners, and with school experience, they will be the most likely to enjoy and connect with this book.

Dragonhaven

Title: Dragonhaven
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 8-12
Author: RobinMcKinley
Publisher: G.P.Putnam’s Sons
Date: 2007

Pages: 342

Summary:

Although Jake hoped to see dragons on his first solo foray into the wilds of Smokehill National Park, he did not expect to encounter one dying next to the poacher she had killed.  He certainly did not expect to find the last of her babies still living or end up being the caretaker of an illegal infant dragonet.  As Lois grows more and more difficult to care for and keep hidden, Jake and other park rangers trying to save her concoct a scheme to move Lois out into the wilds of the park again.  Soon Jake is caught up in the mysterious culture of the dragons as they seek to reconnect with their lost one, and he becomes their unlikely spokesperson, mediating between the dying dragon race and a world of humans who fear them.

Review:

McKinley does have a gift for telling a story, and that is evident in Dragonhaven if one has the perseverance to progress far enough into the book to find it.  While McKinley’s characterization is strong, and her premise oddly believable, Jake’s disjointed and often fragmented way of telling the story may give many readers difficulty following the tale or becoming invested in it.  A slow starter, the book nevertheless takes some very interesting spins, and McKinley certainly does not fall into the category of “predictable.”  Dragonhaven is a unique take on a favorite topic, and Jake’s teen and then adult role as “dragon ambassador,” along with the complexity of the Smokehill dragons’ knowledge and culture may appeal quite strongly to dragon and fantasy fans.

Sphinx's Queen

Title: Sphinx’s Queen
Category: Historical
Grades: 8-12
Author: Esther Friesner
Publisher: Random House
Date: 2010
Pages: 347

Summary:

Fleeing for her life, Nefertiti has escaped the clutches of the Pharaoh’s regent, Thutmose, who has banded with the chief priests in order to accuse her of crimes which she did not commit.  Now Nefertiti and Amenophis must make the perilous journey down the Nile to Dendera to plead their case before Pharaoh himself.  In Dendera, however, there is no respite, as Nefertiti is placed on trial before the goddess of truth, Ma’at, whose voice Thutmose has corrupted and bought.  When Thutmose’s plans for Nefertiti fail, his insanity comes to light before the entire crowd and his favor with the Pharaoh is lost.  Now Nefertiti must find a way to mend the broken ties between Thutmose, the Pharaoh’s vengeful wife, and Amenophis before Pharaoh declares another to be his successor. 

Review:

This sequel for the most part is as good as its predecessor.  In Friesner’s hands, Nefertiti becomes again a spunky and courageous young woman determined to defeat the odds and marry the man she loves.  Teens will appreciate both the historical context, particularly older teens who have studied ancient Egypt, and the independence and spirit of the protagonist.  The plot is complex and full of surprises, keeping readers on their toes.  However, the last sections of the book are somewhat disappointing.  After Thutmose’s defeat, Nefertiti lifts him out of his blue funk in basically one visit and the mental illness that has plagued him seems to simply be gone.  More mature readers may have difficulty swallowing his inexplicable about-face, as well as Aunt Tiye’s change of heart, as Friesner backs both up with only the flimsiest of reasons.  In spite of this one major flaw, still an enjoyable read overall.

Sphinx's Princess

Title: Sphinx’s Princess
Category: Historical
Grades: 7-12
Author: Esther Friesner
Publisher: Random House
Date: 2009
Pages: 365

Summary:

Nefertiti is determined to learn to read and write… and she is even more determined to marry for love.  Her father forbids the one, and her aunt, the Great Royal Wife of the Pharaoh, threatens her family into betrothing Nefertiti to her son, Thutmose.  Thutmose is handsome, but arrogant, obnoxious, and wildly jealous.  Denied any contact with the other palace women and her own family, a lonely Nefertiti finds unlikely friends in the small slave girl Berett, the scribe Henenu and even the second son of the Pharaoh, Amenophis.  After overhearing a plot to destroy the queen and Thutmose, Nefertiti finds herself unjustly accused of crimes she did not commit.  Soon it becomes all too clear that Thutmose will stop at nothing to be rid of her, and Nefertiti must find a way to escape before he succeeds.

Review:

Friesner continues to improve as a writer.  Her books about Helen were beautifully researched and written and Sphinx’s Princess is as well, delving into ancient Egyptian history with confidence and authenticity, yet still creating a young heroine modern readers will immediately relate to.  Nefertiti is a strong, beautiful young woman determined not to be bound by her society’s rules, and living in the midst of dangerous political and religious intrigue.  She handles herself with cleverness and grace, and needs no servant or husband to look out for her.  Friesner combines this exquisite character with an action-packed plot, full of secrets and danger as Nefertiti must first survive and later escape to save her own life.  This cliffhanger, perhaps the best of Friesner’s writing to date, will send readers running to the library for the sequel.

Nobody's Prize

Title: Nobody’s Prize
Category: Historical
Grades: 8-12
Author: Esther Friesner
Publisher: Random House
Date: 2008
Pages: 306

Summary:

Disguised as a boy, Helen, and her faithful servant Milo sneak aboard the Argo to sail with Jason and his men in search of the Golden Fleece.  As the crew sets sail on their adventure, Helen has her hands full with adventures of her own: avoiding discovery by her brothers and the crew, flirting with Herakles’s weapons bearer, and keeping up with her tasks for Iolaus, who knows who she really is.  After the onset of womanhood leads to her discovery, she takes on the role of Atalanta, the warrior woman instead, and unwillingly ends up in a struggle with Medea for Jason’s affections.

Review:

Friesner weaves together several historical ideas and myths in this sequel to Nobody’s Princess.  Readers familiar with or interested in Greek mythology will particularly appreciate the “historical” explanation of the Golden Fleece, along with the insight into Medea’s younger years.  Helen continues to be a joy, a vibrant young woman easy to like and be in sympathy with as a reader.  However, readers expecting a tale leading Helen to Troy and the eventual infamous conflict will be disappointed.  While Friesner accomplishes many good things, the tale ends rather abruptly and wanders somewhat without clear purpose, particularly once Helen has left the Argo. A decent read, but not Friesner’s best work.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

Title: The Pigeon Wants a Puppy
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 3-5 years
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Publisher: Hyperion
Date: 2008

Summary:

Mo Willems adds another hilarious installment to the Pigeon series with The Pigeon Wants a Puppy.  The pigeon spends each page begging the reader for his very own puppy, promising to take care of it, begging, and even throwing a temper tantrum.  When he finally gets his wish, he discovers swiftly that a puppy is not what he wanted at all; in fact, he is quite afraid of it.  Undaunted, he changes his plea to beg for a walrus. 

Review:

This book is wonderfully appealing for the preschool age on several levels.  The illustrations are simple and funny, done as just barely more than stick figures, yet still managing to convey the pigeon's feelings perfectly.  The pigeon speaks directly to the reader, offering plenty of opportunities for children to talk back, respond to his questions, and (their favorite) to tell him no.  His silly ideas, such as watering his puppy monthly, will make them laugh, and preschoolers will certainly relate to the pigeon's dilemma, both in wanting what he cannot have, and discovering he does not really want it.

Oh No!

Title: Oh No!
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 2-4 years
Author: Keith Faulkner
Illustrator: Jonathan Lambert
Publisher: Schuster
Date: 1991

Summary:

A simple, fun, and interactive story, Oh No! follows the nighttime adventures of a boy exploring his attic.  On each page, he investigates some long-forgotten treasure and finds all sorts of unlikely surprises from a genie to a dinosaur. 

Review:

Catchy rhymes and gigantic fold out flaps make this a great read for preschoolers.  The book will appeal to their growing sense of humor and allow them to become immersed in the boy's adventures by unfolding each of the different boxes, cupboards, letters and bins  Since the rhymes tie in with the discovery element of the book, preschoolers can fill in the final rhymes with the right word and then open up the flaps to see if they were right, adding an educational component to the story.  The illustrations are bold and clear, set on stark black pages.  While the illustrations of the boy are done in a cartoon-style drawing, the fold outs are gigantic, colorful paintings, reminiscent of Eric Carle that will make youngsters want to open them again and again. 

Otis

Title: Otis
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 3-5 years
Author: Loren Long
Illustrator: Loren Long
Publisher: Philomel
Date: 2009

Summary:

Similar to Brassy, the Fire Engine that Saved a City, the story of Otis revolves around a small farm machine, Otis, and his friendship with a young, lonely calf.  Otis is finally retired and left to sit out behind the barn while a big, yellow tractor is put in his place.  But when the calf becomes trapped in a mud hole, it is up to Otis to save the day and his friend. 

Review:

Though the art in the book is not highly saturated, it is very simple with strong lines and an attractive softness that makes Otis and his friends seem gentle and inviting, and gives the story a sense of peace.  Visually, the book is very interesting, which should appeal to the preschool age group.  The story is not terribly text heavy, but is more complex than books for younger children, and involves more characters, the main of which is a lovable fellow.  Preschoolers will also be able to relate to the problem of being smaller than others and feeling left out, but the story redeems Otis's small size by allowing him to become the hero.

There Was an Old Monster!

Title: There Was an Old Monster!
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 2-5 years
Author: Rebecca Emberley
Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Publisher: Orchard Books
Date: 2009

Summary:

In this goofy spin on The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, an old monster manages to swallow a tick.  Attempting to get rid of it, he swallows a succession of unusual animals, including an unfortunate number of red ants which cause some dancing in the poor monster's pants.  After swallowing a bear with no relief, the monster takes on a lion and that is the end of him. 

Review:
This book is particularly fun due to the accompanying musical rap done by the authors.  Vivid and colorful illustrations, with a cutout feel, bring this story to life and add heaps of visual appeal -- each page has plenty to look at without being overwhelming.  The pictures can be easily adapted to a flannel board or children's drawings as well.  The rap with its catchy, scratchy refrain allow lots of preschooler participation, and the rhyme and repetition can encourage participation even if the music is not used.  For children familiar with The Old Woman, this book is a great beginning to introducing variant tales and fractured tales, and should also appeal to preschooler's developing sense of humor.

Go Away, Big Green Monster!

Title: Go Away, Big Green Monster!
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 2-5 years
Author: Ed Emberley
Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date: 1992

Summary:

Ed Emberley moves right into a preschooler's world with Go Away, Big Green Monster.  As the book progresses, a big, scary monster slowly develops out of the dark.  But this reader is in charge and orders the monster away bit by bit.  At last the monster is vanquished and forbidden to return until the reader permits it. 

Review:

Illustrations in this book are die-cuts that use solid colors to help the monster grow and dissolve.  They create a preschool-appropriate and intriguing visual that is easy to see, even from a distance.  The story itself is perfect for preschoolers, among which monsters in the dark is a common fear.  The repetitive "Go away!" allows preschoolers to take part in the story and may help them overcome their fear as well.  It also serves as a colors concept reinforcement since each part of the monster is in a different, named color in the story.

Gregor and the Code of Claw

Title: Gregor and the Code of Claw
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 3-8
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2007
Pages: 412

Summary:

War has come to the Underland, and with it, the final prophecy of Sandwich: the Prophecy of Time, in which the death of the warrior is foretold.  While the armies of Regalia hold off the siege of rats, Gregor’s friends attempt to break the Code of Claw, a secret cipher the rats have been using to send messages through the rocks.  Gregor’s eight-year-old sister, Lizzie, finds her way to the Underland, and proves to be exactly the mind needed to help in breaking the code.  With a fair shot finally at defending the city, the armies rally, and Gregor heads toward the final battle: an ultimate match between him and the fully-grown and quite insane Bane.  Only one… or perhaps neither…will survive.

Review:

Collins is one of those rare and valued writers who has a story to tell, tells it, knows when it’s over, and stops telling it.  While the ending leaves many things unresolved, and may disappoint some readers, Collins handles the delicacy of some very complex characters with grace and dignity as she wraps up this wonderful series.  While the book is as action-packed and rapidly paced as the others, Collins still finds time to fully develop her characters, and adds those imperfections, bad decisions, and quandaries that make them so real.  Readers will enjoy the continued vibrancy of the series, the colorful adventure, and the surprising and powerful culmination of five books, and will be able to empathize with Gregor’s fear and dilemma as he faces either his own death or life when he is no longer “the warrior.” 

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Title: Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 3-8
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2006
Pages: 343

Summary:

A simple trip to the Underland for an echolocation lesson turns into a far more dangerous trip for Gregor as he returns to the underground kingdom in this fourth installment of Collins’s series.  Gregor is spending far more time in the Underland these days as his mother heals of the plague, and tensions mount between the humans and the gnawers.  The nibblers are in crisis, and send to Queen Luxa for aid.  Setting out to assist them, Gregor’s party finds mounting evidence that the gnawers are not only forcing the nibblers to relocate, but driving them to their deaths, the genocide of their species.  And they are led by none other than the Bane, now a spoiled and gigantic adolescent rat who seems unable to control his cravings for anything.  War seems inevitable, and the party must not only save what nibblers they can, but prepare for the coming battle and the onset of the final prophecy.

Review:

Even though she is writing for children, Collins doesn’t pull any punches in this dark foray through the Underland.  The war and genocide scenes may be disturbing to some younger readers. Nevertheless, Collins injects her trademark action and even humor throughout this fourth installment.  In spite of this novel being a transition and not driven by a prophecy, it still contains a story in its own right and paves the way for the final tale.  Readers will appreciate the return of several of their favorite characters, including some we love to hate, and the ever-increasing complexity of the plot.  As always, Collins’ greatest strength is in the depth and complexity she achieves with her characters, weaving strong themes of tolerance and anti-violence into their stories.  Another powerful tale with a cliffhanger ending that will leave readers waiting anxiously for the last book.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods

Title: Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 3-8
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2005
Pages: 358

Summary:

Herded into the Underland by rats, Gregor finds himself embroiled in yet another prophecy, the Prophecy of Blood. A plague has struck the Underland, affecting all warmblooded creatures: bats, rats, mice, and humans. Following the prophecy, Gregor and his friends set out to find the rare starshade, a plant which the doctors of Regalia believe will provide a cure for the deadly plague.  Into the jungle they go, racing against the disease that has sickened their loved ones, including Gregor’s bat, Ares, and his mother.  When ants destroy the starshade field, all hope seems lost, until Gregor’s party discovers the true secret of the plague much closer to home.

Review:

While Collins has always imbued messages against prejudice into her stories, Curse of the Warmbloods begins to bring a strong anti-violence message; here we really begin to see the lengths warring sides will go to in order to destroy an opposing side, and the devastating effects warfare has even on the victors.  Collins continues to write gripping stories full of action and adventure that young readers will enjoy, and also continues to deepen her characters, giving them weaknesses, foibles, and fully realized personalities that allow readers to truly sympathize and even bond with not just the protagonist but many of the others.  We feel like they are family, worry if they are hurt, and cry if they are killed.  With the entrance of Gregor’s mother into the Underland and her subsequent illness that ties Gregor’s family more permanently to Regalia, the stories begin to take on the feel of chapters in a larger, overall tale.  Though this story is slightly darker than the others, it is a worthy installment that builds a stage for the stories to come.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Title: Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 3-7
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2004
Pages: 309

Summary:

Gregor returns to the Underland in search of his baby sister, Boots, who was kidnapped by the roaches.  Once in Regalia, Gregor finds himself ensnared in a second prophecy, the Prophecy of Bane, in which Gregor is sent on a quest to find and kill the Bane, a rare white rat the gnawers believe will lead them to victory over the Underland.  Along with his friends and Twitchtip, a rat with amazing scent abilities, Gregor attempts to find and slay the Bane.  When Boots is lost and presumed dead along the way, Gregor is determined to have vengeance against the rats at any cost… until he discovers the “Bane” is nothing more than a tiny baby itself.

Review:
Collins does not shy from giving her characters troubling moral dilemmas, and her handling of Gregor in this sequel is masterful.  Faced with several events that impact him greatly, Gregor is forced to come right up against the question of “When is it right to do wrong?” and “How much wrong is okay even in the name of right?”  With Twitchtip, Collins continues to pursue the idea of judging others on their own merits, not because of their “species,” a strong anti-prejudice message sure to leave an impact.  In spite of the strong themes Collins injects into her writing, Prophecy of Bane will not disappoint readers of the first book.  It contains the same colorful array of characters and settings, and the same action-packed, fast-paced plot readers warmed to in the first book. 

The Postcard

Title: The Postcard
Category: Mystery
Grades: 5-8
Author: Tony Abbott
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date: 2008
Pages: 359

Summary:
The last place Jason wants to be is in Florida, helping his dad clean out his eccentric old grandmother’s home after she died.  Especially since everyone in the town of St. Petersburg is crazy.  But then Jason discovers a story in a magazine and a strange postcard hidden deep in his grandmother’s desk.  There’s a mystery in his family, and with the lawn girl Dia’s help, Jason is determined to uncover it.  From postcard to postcard, from chapter to chapter of the story, slowly Jason begins to learn the true story of his grandmother’s life.  Unfortunately for Jason, the secret organization that chased the hapless magazine writer from page to page of his story is just as real, and now they’re chasing HIM too!

Review:

Tony Abbott has created a surprisingly good little story in many ways here.  Teens and tweens will certainly relate to Jason’s irritation at having his summer ruined, and many will sympathize as he watches his family fall slowly apart.  The clues Jason follows are believable but complex enough to keep readers’ attention and catch them up in the tale even as Jason himself is caught up in it.  Abbott adds plenty of historical details about the town, its landmarks and even the circus that lend authenticity to the story.  Some readers may find the mass of vaguely identified characters confusing, particularly in the final scenes, particularly as many seem to have several names.  Some supporting elements of the ending felt contrived and even cheesy in spots, but overall a great, fast-paced read, not entirely unlike Moon over Manifest, and fans of one will probably enjoy the other.

A Drowned Maiden's Hair

Title: A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama
Category: Realistic
Grades: 4-8
Author: Laura Amy Schlitz
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: 2006
Pages: 389

Summary:

Maud isn’t pretty or sweet-tempered and her hair simply will NOT curl.  In spite of her brazen and rebellious attitude, she still secretly longs to be adopted more than almost anything.  She is sure her dreams have come true with the lovely Miss Hyacinth takes her home to live with her and her two sisters.  But Hyacinth is a con artist, pretending to connect grieving families with the spirits of their lost ones, and Maude is exactly the child she needs to pull off her biggest scam yet, convincing the wealthy Mrs. Lambert that they have contacted the spirit of her drowned child, Caroline.  Maud is uneasy at first, but Hyacinth assures her they are only giving Mrs. Lambert what she wants.  Maud finally agrees, sure that if she helps Hyacinth earn the money the family needs, she will earn Hyacinth’s love and finally have the family she longs for. 

Review:

A thoroughly enjoyable and powerful tale that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.  Maud Flynn is obnoxious, plain and rebellious but fully three-dimensional and never so bad as to turn readers off.  Rather, they will easily relate to her longing for a home, her love of things that look and smell lovely, and her habit of pushing an prim and aggravating orphanage matron’s buttons.  Schlitz has created in Drowned Maiden’s Hair a masterful set of characters quite unlike most seen in children’s literature. From the beautiful, frivolous and entirely self-absorbed Hyacinth to her sisters, wracked with guilt and mixed feelings over Maud’s adoption, to the deaf servant Muffet, who is everything Maud detests, yet proves to be both a staunch friend, and Maud’s true heroine.  At every turn, readers are faced with accepting that people are not always what they seem and cannot be judged by their appearances or manner.  The climax of the story was both powerful, disturbing, and terribly sad, not unlike Jacob Have I Loved in depth, and if the ending is slightly predictable, readers will still be likely to feel satisfied and leave the pages smiling.  A highly recommended read.

Darkness Becomes Her

Title: Darkness Becomes Her
Category: Fantasy
Grades: 7-12
Author: Kelly Keaton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Date: 2011
Pages: 273

Summary:

Ari has always felt like a freak.  With odd-colored eyes, and silver hair that resists dyeing, cutting, or any other attempts to change it, she definitely stands out.  Her mother died when Ari was very young, and though Ari finally has a decent foster family, what she really wants is answers – answers that will only be found in the rebuilt city of New Orleans, New 2.  After a message from her mother surfaces and a bizarre encounter with a man almost leads to her death, Ari heads into the eerie world of New 2, where she seems almost normal for the first time.  Many children are “special” there, but the ruling factions of New 2 seem extremely interested in Ari. Pretty soon, everyone who meets Ari seems to either want to kill her or want to use her, although for what Ari does not know.  From vampires to voodoo to the Ancient Greeks, Ari travels through both the real and the supernatural to try to uncover the truth.  But she must hurry; according to her family history, every woman has died by the age of 21, leaving a girl child behind, and Ari’s time is running out.

Review:

Keaton plays on both the renewed interest in the paranormal and the mythology of ancient Greece in this strange, surprisingly well-told story.  Teens will appreciate Ari’s independent spirit (including her willingness to ditch her foster parents, and her ability to take care of herself).  While some of the elements Keaton included might be a bit of a stretch, overall, the book is quite a good read, with a twist at the end that was unexpected. The token vampires seemed to serve little purpose, and the portrayal of Athena was surprisingly negative, but overall the writing stayed believable within the context of the story.  Too, the book ends in a cliffhanger, and more may be revealed in a sequel that helps give depth and meaning to some of these elements.  An enjoyable read that fans of gothic and paranormal fiction will enjoy, Darkness Becomes Her may still find fans in a broader audience.  This reviewer will be watching for the sequel.

The Healer's Apprentice

Title: The Healer’s Apprentice
Category: Historical, Christian
Grades: 7-10
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Publisher: Zondervan
Date: 2010
Pages: 257

Summary:

Peasant lass Rose has been offered an apprenticeship to the village healer, a wonderful opportunity to help her impoverished family and avoid marriage to an elderly or cruel suitor.  Terrified she will be dismissed, Rose tries to hide her fear and nausea at the sight of blood or illness.  Alone when hunters stagger in with the wounded Duke’s son, Wilhelm, Rose must overcome her unease and quickly.  Wilhelm, a wealthy and darkly handsome noble, is surprisingly easy to talk to, and soon becomes a regular visitor to the healer’s apprentice.  While Rose is flattered by the attention, Wilhelm is already betrothed to a mysterious and absent young duchess, who was hidden away by her parents to protect her from an evil conjuror.  Though Wilhelm’s heart is already promised, his brother Rupert’s is not, and the younger noble soon takes an interest in Rose as well.  Again, Rose is flattered; though Rupert has a reputation as a “ladies’ man,” she begins to believe perhaps his feelings for her are the true ones.  Perhaps she can learn to love him; perhaps being in Wilhelm’s family and being able to see him will be enough.  Only time will tell, but it is running out, for soon Wilhelm’s bride will be home.

Review:

For what it is, a young adult Christian historical novel, Healer’s Apprentice is a fairly standard example.  It follows the pattern of most novels of its type, succeeds at not being preachy, attempts to ward off predictability, and has decently developed characters and a nice plot.  For readers who enjoy this particular “light romance” type of read, it will probably not disappoint.  As serious fiction, however, the book has some fatal flaws.  While the author attempts to throw readers off of the obvious conclusions and leave them surprised, it does not really succeed – it ends exactly as we expected it to, with exactly the “surprises” we saw coming in the first few chapters.  My primary issue with this storyline was that of believability.  I might possibly believe that one noble took a fancy to a lowly peasant girl, ignored his family’s disapproval and fell soundly in love with her.  To believe that not only did this happen, but that two noble brothers fought like yowling dogs over the lowly peasant girl, but that their noble sister had nothing better to do with her day than seek out the same peasant girl and find things for them to do, is substantially more difficult.  However, to those who are willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy happy endings, the book may prove to be an enjoyable diversion.

The Pirate Captain's Daughter

Title: The Pirate Captain’s Daughter

Category: Adventure, Historical
Grades: 7-10
Author: Eve Bunting
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Date: 2011
Pages: 201

Summary:

When her mother dies, fifteen-year-old Catherine yearns to join her father at sea, where he captains the pirate vessel, Reprisal.  Reluctantly, he allows her to disguise herself as a boy, but Catherine soon learns to her disappointment that her father’s life is nothing like the romance and adventure she envisioned.  A pirate must be brutal and bloody if necessary… even to his own children.  As Catherine dodges discovery and tries to help her father keep control in the face of sabotage and possible mutiny, she begins to wish she’d never come on board.  Except there is William, with his eyes like the sea, and the mysterious Burmese Sunrise jewel that several of the pirates would kill to find.  Every day is fraught with peril, and the certain knowledge that if Catherine is discovered, it will mean not only her own death, but her father’s as well.

Review:

Eve Bunting is well-known as a picture book author who writes with substance and sensitivity, frequently touching important issues of diversity and social concern in ways children can easily relate to and understand.  Unfortunately, this particular foray into the world of novels leaves much to be desired.  The premise is weak and the plot is weaker.  Catherine quickly learns the life of a pirate is not for her, but has no way off the ship.  Discovery is swift and inevitable.  Nothing is resolved, and the reader is left wondering what the purpose of the book really was.  While the characters are well-developed, and the author has obviously researched the topic, the question of “so what?” is never really answered, making this read tedious and meandering.  Bunting is capable of much better.

The Prophet of Yonwood

Title: The Prophet of Yonwood
Category: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Grades: 4-8

Author: Jeanne DuPrau

Publisher: Random House
Date: 2006
Pages: 289

Summary:

Hundreds of years before Ember, years before the world was destroyed, there was the town of Yonwood, and a little old lady who had a terrible vision of what was to come.  By the time young Nickie Randolph arrived in town to help prepare her grandfather’s house for sale, the entire town has embraced the elderly Althea as a prophet and her loyal caregiver Brenda Beeson as her interpreter.  Nickie wants nothing more than to live in Yonwood in the big old house, but soon discovers that the cult of the Prophet has created some strange goings on in the town at odds with its peaceful-seeming demeanor.  Though few have set eyes on Althea since her strange vision, Brenda is very visible, and makes increasing demands on the townspeople to follow the strange mumblings of the Prophet as orders from God, and to cleanse themselves from sin.  Nickie wants to help, and begins bringing news that might be sinful to Brenda’s.  Too late, Nickie discovers that her actions may have terrible consequences for the people who are fast becoming her friends, and even for Nickie herself as the nation hurtles toward war and the townspeople become paranoid with fear.  And beyond all this, what IS going on in that terrible Hoyt McCoy’s house?  For surely he will spell their doom… or their salvation.

Review:

The books which tell the story of Ember have been well-written, with believable characters, and a complex plot which carried the people of Ember above and into their new lives.  Taken with the fourth book, the first two make a complete and satisfying trilogy.  Prophet of Yonwood was, to this reviewer’s mind, an unnecessary distraction.  It adds nothing to the Ember chronicles, reveals nothing important about the events that lead to the building of Ember or the destruction of the world, and would not have been missed by its omission.  The fourth book makes a small attempt to connect Yonwood to its overall story arc, but fails to give this installment any meaningful reason to exist—even though Nickie is later revealed to be the author of the journal Doon and Lina found during their exit, the journal was unimportant in that book and its status never changes. Further, this story, while a great example of the way mob mentalities and fear can cause people to behave in ways they might otherwise never consider, had a weak and rambling plot.  The town followed someone they perceived as a prophet; the town was lead astray; the town changed its collective mind. Hardcore fans of Ember may read it simply to complete the series; but those who wish to skip it will not miss anything important. 

No Haircut Today!

Title: No Haircut Today!
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 1-3 years
Author: Elivia Savdier
Illustrator: Elivia Savdier
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Date: 2005

Summary:

No Haircut Today explores little Dominic's unruly hair and his fear of getting it cut.  His mom cuts hair, but when she tries to cut Dominic's, he throws a fit.  He worries that his mother is mad at him, but she reassures him, and the book ends on a positive note. 

Review:

Toddlers can relate to the familiar experiences of haircuts and angry parents.  Illustrations are cartoonish in nature, but big and simple to appeal to twos.  The text in this book is particularly appealing, varying in shape, size and style to help attune pre-literate eyes to the meanings of sentences.  Toddlers will enjoy this simple story with many familiar elements and may enjoy discussing the idea that parents still love them even when they are scared or bad.

Uh-Oh

Title: Uh-Oh
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 1-3 years
Author: Rachel Isadora
Illustrator: Rachel Isadora
Publisher: Harcourt
Date: 2008

Summary:

A book done in phrases rather than in sentences, this story follows an unnamed young toddler through a very busy, very messy day.  Each page presents a familiar scene from a toddler's day described by one or two words.  The following page depicts the resulting accident or mess this young boy has created and repeats "Uh-oh!" 

Review:

Parents and caregivers will enjoy talking through this story with their toddlers.  Toddlers will enjoy the familiar experiences and the repetition, and chime right in with their own "Uh-oh!" by the end of the book. African-American parents will particularly appreciate this book, as all the primary characters portrayed are Black; it can serve as a nice multicultural introduction for other families.  The artwork is both colorful and realistic, entirely appropriate for the subject matter of the book and for the twos age group.  Twos will also appreciate the overt humor of the many "uh-oh" scenes and the youngster's frank enjoyment at making a mess.

Butterfly, Butterfly

Title: Butterfly, Butterfly
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 1-4 years
Author: Petr Horacek
Illustrator: Petr Horacek
Publisher: Candlewick
Date: 2007

Summary:

Lucy plays with a beautiful rainbow-colored butterfly in her garden one day.  The next day, she cannot find it, but an exploration of the garden leads her to discover all sorts of colorful creatures -- pink worms, brown spiders, red ladybugs and more.  Finally her patience is rewarded as the butterfly appears in all its glory. 

Review:

Toddlers will find Lucy's journey through the backyard familiar and may recognize many of the insects she finds.  The illustrations in this book are a riot of color, but large and straightforward enough to keep from overwhelming a toddler.  Die-cut places in the book attract attention and allow some tactile interaction with the book, along with a "peek-a-boo" element as the colors showing through one page turn out to be something else on the next.  The final butterfly appears as a pop up, which will impress an older two, although children at the younger end of the age group may need supervision to avoid tearing it.  the colorful creatures Lucy discovers put in appearances on the endpapers as well, allowing the opportunity for parent-child interaction.

A Good Day

Title: A Good Day
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 1-4 years
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow
Date: 2007

Summary:

This fun little story introduces little ones to several animals, each with its own color and its own small problem.  They are having a very bad day.  In a turn of events, the animals each return with a simple solution, changing their day into a much better one. The end introduces a little girl who also has a great day as a result of the story's happenings. 

Review:

Bold, colorful illustrations and sweet animal faces make this book welcoming to toddlers.  Though the colors are softer than some toddler books, strong lines simplify the illustrations and make them friendlier than they otherwise might be.  The concept element of color is woven nicely into the simple plot, and all the animals get to make an appearance twice, creating a sense of repetition.  This book is available in both picture and board book format.

Title: Barnyard Banter
Category: Picture Book
Grades: 1-3 years
Author: Denise Fleming
Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Date: 1994

Summary:

Barnyard Banter is a raucous romp through the farm, with animals making their appearances and then some of their favorite sounds.  Toddlers visit the animals through rhyming couplets that add up to a gigantic chorus of onomatopoeia.  But Goose is missing, and twos will enjoy discovering him in the very final pages. 

Review:

An easily interactive book perfect for toddlers, Barnyard Banter allows readers to meet several familiar animals and maybe a few new ones like pigeons and peacocks.  The rhymes and animal noises will keep toddlers coming back.  Illustrations are slightly abstract, but not so much as to deter small ones, and are saturated with bright colors and rich textures sure to draw twos in.

City of Ember (Film)

Title: City of Ember
Category: DVD, Science fiction
Grades: 3-7
Author: Gil Kenan, dir.
Publisher: Walden Media
Date: 2008

Summary:
The city of Ember has stood for over 200 years, lost beneath the Earth’s crust while the world above destroyed itself.  Now, the city is dying, the food and supplies carefully stocked by the Builders almost gone, and the mighty generator that powers the city falling to pieces.  Both Lina and Doon, newly assigned to their jobs, want desperately to find a way to aid their city and their people.  Doon, working below the city, looks for a way to fix the generator, while Lina discovers a strange box in her home with directions that appear to lead out of Ember.  With a corrupt mayor and his guards closing in, the two work feverishly to solve the puzzle and survive the harrowing journey that could save their entire city.

Review:
The book, City of Ember, was an extremely enjoyable read; unfortunately, the movie did not live up to its source of inspiration.  The casting and acting was, for the most part, atrocious, particularly Doon and Poppy, although most of the supporting cast was no better.  The exit from Ember was well done, however; the CGI helped create a fascinating series of futuristic mechanisms that made Doon and Lina’s exit far more exciting than in the original story.  Sadly, the director did not seem to think this created enough action and insisted on adding several oversized vermin intent on killing any humans they came in contact with.  While such distractions may keep a child’s short attention span, they take up time that would have been far better spent building the mystery and solving the puzzles the Builders left as well as building character and relationships.  Upper elementary children may enjoy the action in the movie, but teens and adults are apt to be somewhat bored.  Read the book.