Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen ADVISABLE

Gaughen, A.C. Scarlet, 292 pgs. Walker Childrens, February 2012. Language-PG; Sexual Content-PG; Violence-PG-13.

A telling of Robin Hood through the eyes of one of his Merry Men, Scarlet. Who happens to be a girl pretending to be a boy, but only the Merry Men know the truth. It is a very gritty and violent telling of Robin Hood's exploits in robbing from the rich to give to the poor, and Gisbourne's efforts to catch him.

There was a lot of adventure and fighting and gore, which made for an exciting story. However, Scarlet spoke in commoner-slang (for lack of a better word) and it got rather tedious to read after 100 pages or so. She also seemed much younger to me than seventeen, her actual age. But overall, an exciting book. Though there is Robin Hood and fighting, Scarlet is definitely a very feminine narrator, so it might be a hard sell to boys. Sad.

HS, ADVISABLE. Rebekah, youth services librarian

Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac - ADVISABLE

Bruchac, Joseph Dragon Castle, 333 pgs. Penguin Group, 2011. Language - G, Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; Prince Rashko is the only sensible member of the royal family. Unfortunately, his older brother Prince Paulek is in charge when questionable guests arrive and he lets them right in. Now the guests are using enchantments to control Paulek and are abusing their freedom to reek havoc within the castle walls. It's up to Rashko to save the kingdom from the evil plans of their guests by using the power of his ancestor Pavol. But first he has to get back into the castle. 

It was slow at first, but after the evil-doers showed up it finally picked up. I liked switching between Rashko's story of saving the kingdom versus his ancestor Pavol's own heroic story. The last chapter put a fun twist on the story that made it end on such a good note that I already want to read it again. 

MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder -- ADVISABLE

Wunder, Wendy The Probability of Miracles, 357 pgs. Razerbill, December 2011. Language-PG-13 (about 30 swears); Sexual Content - Pg-13; Violence-PG.

After struggling with cancer for five years, doctors tell 17-year-old Cambell that there's nothing more they can do. What she needs is a miracle. So her mother packs Cam and her younger sister up and they make their way to Promise, Maine, a town known for it's miracles.

It took me 100 pages to really get into the book, and about as long to like Cam. Probably because I knew that she was going to die, since she had terminal cancer, and I didn't want to get attached. But I did. Cam is very sarcastic and has a dry sense of humor. She grows a lot over her summer in Maine. Overall, it was a good book. One I think teens would enjoy. Definitely one for high school.

HS -- ADVISABLE. Rebekah, youth services librarian

Throat by R.A. Nelson - ADVISABLE

Nelson, R.A. Throat, 453 pgs. Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Language - PG (61 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG-13; Emma hates her curse, who wouldn't? Getting seizures is not the most enjoyable experience, but during a run in with a creepy guy in Georgia, the curse saves her life. Unfortunately, the creepy guy isn't finished with her yet and is tracking Emma down. This forces Emma to leave home, make new friends, and become a criminal, but it's better than the alternative: loosing everything worth living for. 

When I picked up Throat, I didn't expect the tight grip it would have on me--I was expecting to be disappointed with it. It was thrilling to go on the run with Emma and run into new people. It was scary to fight the bad guy and his goons. It was heart-wrenching to leave Emma's family crying. This book has it all, and you couldn't ask for a stronger heroine. 

MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Peepsqueak by Leslie Ann Clark - ADVISABLE

Clark, Leslie Ann. Peepsqueak.  Harper, 2012. $12.99. Content G- PICTURE BOOK.  Peepsqueak is a very busy little chick. More than anything he wants to fly, but he keeps getting told that chicks don’t fly and he shouldn’t try. 

This is a great book to demonstrate to kids to not give up on their dreams. The pictures are bright and colorful; it would be a great book to add to any library. 

ADVISABLE - Pre-K. Shauna, reading teacher.

FYI - There is a Peeksqueak stuffed animal available - probably just in time for Easter baskets everywhere!

B is for Babar by Laurent Brunhoff - ADVISABLE

Brunhoff, Laurent De. B is for Babar: An Alphabet book. Abrams Appleseed, 2012 $7.95. BOARD BOOK. The text is new, but the pictures are classic Babar. The text gives early readers a small taste of alliteration as it reinforces the sound that each letter makes. The pictures are cute and the text is not too easy; just a bit of a challenge for an emerging reader. Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE. 

Shauna, reading teacher.

My Birdie and My Bunny by Jessie Ford - ADVISABLE

Ford, Jessie. My Birdie Abrams Appleseed, 2012 $6.95. BOARD BOOK. Just in time for spring and Easter the birdie book has arrived. This book features basic counting to four while telling what parts are on a bird. Each page also has a puzzle piece that pops out to create a small four-piece puzzle of a bird. PRE-K - ADVISABLE Shauna, reading teacher.

Ford, Jessie. My Bunny Abrams Appleseed, 2012 $6.95. BOARD BOOK. Just in time for Easter and spring the bunny book has arrived. Each page tells what bunnies do and also has a puzzle piece that pops out and creates a small four-piece puzzle of a bunny. This is perfect for quiet time or for stuffing a basket. PRE-K, PARENTS. Shauna, reading teacher.

Dear Toni by Cindi Sand-Eveland - ADVISABLE

Sand-Eveland, Cindi Dear Toni.  128 pgs. Tundra Books, $9.95 Rated G. Gene Tucks is a child born of a middle class family just trying to make ends meet. Gene’s teacher gives the class an assignment to write in a journal every day for one hundred days and then the journals will go into a time capsule to be read in forty years. Even though Gene doesn’t know who will be reading her journal she decides to call him/her Toni. Gene shares her struggles with fitting in and her family's struggles to make ends meet with Toni. 

The pages are filled with doodles and pictures complete with captions. It really feels like you are reading a journal. It was a quick and somewhat easy read. EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Shauna, reading teacher.

Storybound by Marissa Burt - ADVISABLE

Burt, Marissa Storybound, 416 p. HarperCollins, APRIL 2012.  $17.  Content: G.  Una has been shuffled from foster home to foster home since she was a baby.  When she finds a hidden book in the local library, she literally finds herself transported to another world.  There she finds the land of Story, a place where the inhabitants lives used to be scripted by the Muses, but with their defeat many years earlier, the characters are supposedly free – at least that’s what the Tale Masters have told them for all of these years.  With Una’s arrival, events have been set in motion that will change Una and Story forever.  Lies will be uncovered – enemies may even be friends.  

The back cover compares this book to Inkheart or the Neverending Story – but since I personally didn’t like either book, I think this is much better.  Interesting without being confusing, dangerous and enlightening.  I am ready for number two already!  EL – ESSENTIAL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Killer Genes by C T Furlong - ADVISABLE

Furlong, C T  Killer Genes, 188 p. Inside Pocket (Lerner), 2010.  $8.  Violence: PG.  The ARCTIC 6 have been separated for a vacation, but when danger rears its head in the form of a deadly virus that has targeted the world’s leaders, it is a case of being in the right place at the right time.  The gang soon reassembles and it is a race between good an evil – can they find the cure, escape and administer it before not only the American President dies, but many others?  Another absurd situation  for the ARCTIC 6, but you can’t help admiring their guts and their genius. EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Get Dressed! by Seymour Chwast - ADVISABLE

Chwast, Seymour Get Dressed!  Abrams Applessed, 2012. $13.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  A pajama top cover is the first delight in this book to fuel a child’s imagination, especially when it comes to choosing clothes for many activities.  Don’t be surprised if your own child becomes a more creative dresser if you share this with them – and you might lose a few pot lids in the process.  PRE-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Killer Strangelets by C T Furlong - ADVISABLE

Furlong, C T  Killer Strangelets, 206 p. Inside Pocket (Lerner), 2010.  $8.  Violence: PG.  Iago Johnsonm his sister and his friends are in a life-threatening race to save not only their father, but also the entire human race.  A crazy person has plans to use the CERN Particle Collider to create a reaction will annihilate the world.  And nothing will deviate her from her path – except for six determined young people who are MUCH smarter than every single adult around them.  

Fans of Alex Rider will probably enjoy the ARCTIC 6 adventures.  The action is non-stop and heart pounding.  The solutions are mind-boggling and you had better be ready to suspend your belief!  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Jennifer Lawrence by Katherine Krohn - ADVISABLE

Krohn, Katherine Jennifer Lawrence: Star of the Hunger Games, 41 p. Lerner, 2012.  $9 (paperback).  Content: G.  NON FICTION.  Ready for The Hunger Games?  As you wait, read this little biography about the actress chosen to play Katniss.  The hardcover price is $20, but may be worth it, as this will probably generate some excitement among the fans at your school.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Yawn by Sally Symes - ADVISABLE

Symes, Sally Yawn, illustrated by Nick Sharrat.  Candlewick Press, 2011.  $8.  Content: G.  STOP!  Don’t read this book until you are in your pajamas and ready for bed.  You have been warned.  As baby Sean lets out a great big yawn, he passes to a succession of unwitting victims – including you!  

A sturdy board book with a great big hole in the middle is always lots of fun!  Pre-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Sharpshooter by Chris Lynch - ADVISABLE

Lynch, Chris Sharpshooter (Vietnam 2), 185 p. Scholastic, 2012.  $17.  Violence: R.  Once there were four friends – but that was before the war.  Now they are each somewhere, somewhere they can’t be together.  Ivan has always been the one eager for war – and straight he goes into the Army and straight into training as a sharpshooter.  On the ground in Vietnam is much different than picking off targets, but Ivan is in pursuit of his sniper dream.  On his days off, however, he heads out voluntarily with an elite group of marksmen – and what he does there will change him forever.  

Right up to the last seven pages, I was happy – gritty, but happy – and then my dreams were dashed.  Lynch made that step from implied violence to graphic violence – the step that takes this particular book from the upper elementary right past it older middle school or high school.  This may be a good series for your struggling high school readers, but war is a hard subject to make palatable for the younger ones.  MS - OPTIONAL; HS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Forgiven by Janet Fox - ADVISABLE

Fox, Janet Forgiven, 257 p. Speak (Penguin), 2011.  $8.99.  Content: PG (implication of brothels – nothing explicit).  Kula Baker has lived a rough life with her father and his gang in the wilds of the west.  When trouble comes, however, Kula is sent to live in faraway San Francisco, with only a few mysterious clues to follow.  For all that it is a city, in the early 1900’s San Francisco is plenty wild.  Besides worrying about her old friend Min who is indentured to Kula’s nemesis – a bounty hunter who is determined to see Kula’s father hang, she is also intrigued by the not-quite-men whom she is meeting for the first time.  David Wong, a Chinese who is handsome, soft-spoken and very attentive, and Will Henderson, the gorgeous son of a wealthy banker, who can show Kula the fine side of life.  Both boys vie for Kula’s attention, just at the advent of an unforeseen disaster. 

Just like Fox’s Faithful, let yourself be drawn into San Francisco just before and after the great earthquake.  HS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Once by Anna Carey

Carey, Anna Once, 368 p. HarperCollins, JULY 2012.  $18.  Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex).  For months Eve has been safe, hiding in a community of women across the bay from the old San Francisco.  But when she hears rumors of Caleb hurt and dying, she risks going in search for him – and walks right into a trap.  Now she has been taken to the City of Sand, before the King, who she finds out is her real father.  He plans for her to take her place beside him as he works to rebuild the old America, being the pretty figurehead as his troops hunt down rebels – including Eve’s love, Caleb.  Eve is stuck between a rock and a hard place as she tries to find her way in this new world – or how to find a way out.  

Book 2 in this series brings forth a few answers but MANY questions and A LOT of anxiety as the story continues to unfold.  Now I have to anxiously await book #3.  I feel sorry for everyone who has to wait until JULY to read this gem.  This is what Kiera Cass was trying to do with her book, but Anna Carey succeeded.  MS, HS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge - ADVISABLE

Kittredge, Caitlin The Nightmare Garden, 432 p. Random House, 2012.  $18.  Language: R (60+ swears, 0 ‘f’).  Aoife (Ee-fah), 16, Has discovered that the necrovirus is a hoax perpetrated by the Proctors who want to keep Magic for themselves.  As the Half Human/Half Fey who unleashed destruction upon her city, however, she is a fugitive – one who is determined to return to her city, no matter the cost, and release her mother from her imprisonment in iron – the iron that has been driving them all crazy.  

All along her way, however, Aoife will make the same mistakes all head-strong characters seem to make – leaping before looking.  She will leap into traps set by her enemies; she will leap into mistakes that could have been avoided had she just taken a moment to think.  For all of her mistakes, however, you have to admire Aoife’s grit.  I just hope that in the next book she actually makes some choices – maybe dangerous ones – but choices, instead of being used by everyone around her.  I am not sure why the swear count shot up so high in this one – make it hard to justify it for a middle school.  HS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Pantone Colors by Abrams Appleseed

Pantone Colors by Abrams Appleseed.  BOARD BOOK.  $10.  The people at Abrams have partnered with the professional color people – Pantone - to create a board book of the basic colors matched with twenty variations, each with the official pantone number and a real life name.  

When my daughter was little, she was always very precise – “These aren’t shoes, Mom.  I am wearing sandals,’” she would say.  Thank goodness this book wasn’t around then, because them every single color in the world would have had a specific name!   I would have never heard the word ‘green’ again – instead it would have been pistachio, olive, lettuce, leaf, grass, emerald and so on.  And I would have loved every minute of it!  I can’t imagine an art teacher that wouldn’t love to share it with their classes.  

PRE-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL; EVERYONE – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Always War by Margaret Peterson Haddix - ADVISABLE

Haddix, Margaret Peterson The Always War, 197 p. Simon and Schuster, 2011.  Content: G.  Tessa’s homeland has always been at war with their neighbors.  Except for a chosen few, everyone lives in gray, depressing poverty.  When her neighbor and childhood friend Gideon refuses his reward for killing the enemy, Tessa tries to find out what is wrong and together the two are on a rogue airplane headed straight for enemy territory where they uncover a major mystery – and find themselves in a very different kind of danger.   

As war becomes fought more and more by computer operated drones, Haddix, brings out the future possibilities like a slap in the face.  Like Skurzynski’s Virtual War before it, the Always War is for a new generation of kids who need to think about the implications.  Or maybe just enjoy a really interesting story.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher