Principal for the Day (Frankly Fannie Series) by AJ Stern -ADVISABLE

Stern, AJ Principal for the Day (Frankly Fannie Series), 128 pgs. Grosset & Dunlap, 2011. $4.99. (Rating: G in all categories)
Frannie (aka Frankly) the little girl with a whole lot of personality is back. She has a knack for getting into trouble without even realizing it. When she becomes Principal for the day at her school, Frannie is excited to expand her resume and take charge. This hasn’t worked out well in the past. Hilarity and life lessons ensue.
It’s no secret I adore this series! Sometimes children’s book can be a dull read for adults –containing simple characters, plots, and wording. But this series manages to break those mold’s –it’s a fun, entertaining read with a fledged out characters, quirky adventures, and creative dialogue. Students will love Frannie and this is a great series for any school library. Each book can function easily as a stand alone.
Elementary –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting - ADVISABLE

Derting, Kimberly The Pledge, 336 p. Simon, 2011.  $17.  Language: PG (7 swears, no ‘f’).  Queen Sabara has kept herself alive through generations by jumping into the body of a descendant.  Now, however, she has lived a long life and has no one to transfer to.  Charlie (Chairlaina), is a daughter of shop owners in a world where the classes are separated by language – no one is allowed to learn the language of the people above them.  But, somehow, Charlie can understand any language – instinctively.  Charlie’s talent comes to the attention of exactly the wrong people – people who all want to use Charlie on their side of a revolution, but how does she know which side she should be on? All Charlie wants is to keep her little sister and her parents safe, but she may find herself saving a world instead.  Just from the name of the book I assumed this was going to be a private school/sorority book, but I was swept inside a new, interesting world instead.  MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Into the Outdoors by Susan Gal - OPTIONAL

Gal, Susan  Into the Outdoors PICTURE BOOK Alfred A Knopf, 2011. $16.99. Content: G.  A family of four goes camping and hiking in the woods.  The young child in the story sees all the woodland animals and they see him.  They walk along the winding river and up the mountainside.  At the end of their hike they crawl into their tent and sleep beside each other content with their dreams.  Great illustrations and a simple text that expresses a love for the outdoors.  EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Nielsen, Jennifer A. The False Prince, 352 p. Scholatic, APRIL 2012.  $17. Violence: PG (one death, some bullying). Sage has made a life for himself in the orphanage; his cunning and skills have served him well.  Now, however, a devious man has acquired Sage – and three other orphan boys – to use in a plot that extends all of the way to the king and his palace.  Sage is smart enough and cunning enough to fill the role Connor’s plan, but does he want to give up his own freedom and his own life to do it?  A nice novel for beginning fantasy readers While the end resolution was obvious to me, I don’t think it will be as obvious for younger readers.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Polka-dot Fixes Kindergarten by Catherine Urdahl - ADVISABLE

Urdahl, Catherine Polka-dot Fixes Kindergarten PICTURE BOOK Illustrated by Mai. S. Kemble. Charlesbridge, 2011. $7.95. Content: G. Polka-dot is nervous about leaving Grandpa and starting kindergarten, so Grandpa helps her make a kit with duct tape and other handy fixes, so she can take care of herself at school.  When Polka-dot gets to school she is confronted by a mean girl named Liz who makes fun of everything Polka-dot does.  When Polka-dot finally tells Liz she is mean, Liz backs into the chain-link fence and rips her dress.  Polka-dot quickly fixes Liz’s dress with her duct tape and they become friends.  I think this is a cute book about being your own problem solver when you are away from home.  EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

No Two Alike by Keith Baker - ESSENTIAL

Baker, Keith No Two Alike PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane Books, 2011. $16.99 Content: G. A great book that celebrates the similarities and differences between two things, whether nature (snowflakes and forests), or animals (redbirds or deer).  The story has excellent rhythm and great illustrations with only five or six words of text per page layout.  It’s a beautiful and heart-warming depiction of how we are alike, but not quite.  This would also be great in a board book format.  EL (K-3)-ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Winterling by Sarah Prineas - ADVISABLE

Prineas, Sarah Winterling, 256 p. HarperCollins, JANUARY 2012. $17.  Content: G.  Fer (Jennifer) has always felt outside of all of the kids at her school and in her community.  When she meets a boy, Rook, who is obviously not from her world, she also learns the truth about her mother’s and father’s disappearance.  When she decides to go through The Way herself, the Lady she meets is beautiful, but dark secrets will cause problems not only for this world, but also for Fer’s home world if Fer doesn’t figure out who the real enemy is.  Prinaes’ novel is a prime piece of elementary fantasy.  A great choice for younger students who are not ready for long series fantasy.  EL, ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher