August/September 2017

Posted

Author: Anderson, John David

Illustrator: NA

Walden Pond Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780062338204

$16.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grade 5: Middle school can be rough - new people, new expectations and a rampant rumor mill spurred on by texts and social media. When an incident pushes administrators to ban cell phones at school, a group of friends begins communicating via an old-fashioned way - on post-it notes. Soon students are back to being mean and spreading rumors, all on notes stuck all over the school. Administrators ban the sticky notes and then one student crosses the line writing a homophobic slur on a student's locker in permanent marker. The student refuses to return to school and soon an outpouring of support for the student shows up on his locker, which is covered with supportive notes. While a bit on the long side, this is a fabulous story about friendship, living through change and standing up for what is right. It would make a great read aloud and has tons of talking points in this realistic portrayal of middle schools today. Verdict: A must have for middle school libraries! It provides a voice for students who might otherwise feel unheard.

Curricular Use: Independent reading, friendship, bullying

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Hello Goodbye Dog

Author: Gianferrari, Maria

Illustrator: Patrice Barton

Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press, 2017

ISBN: 9781626721777

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This adorable cumulative tale is a wonderful story about a dog that becomes a therapy dog. Zara is a little African-American girl who is confined to a wheelchair. Moose is her dog, and Moose is NOT content to just stay at home and wait for her girl to get home from school. Moose loves to sit quietly while Zara reads to her, but the classroom, library, and cafeteria just aren't places where dogs are supposed to be allowed. Finally, Zara's parents hit upon the plan to get Moose certified as a therapy dog so she can go to school with Zara. There's so much to love about this book that it's hard to point to specific things. The narrative can be a little tough to understand since the author chooses to use metaphors for the concepts of "hello" and "goodbye", but that enhances the text complexity in a book that is sure to be high interest. The diversity among the characters is another thing to love. The book concludes with an article about the difference between therapy dogs and service dogs and provides young readers with information about therapy dogs. Verdict: This is a definite winner for elementary collections. Diversity is portrayed beautifully, and readers of all ages will adore Moose.

Curricular Use: This is ideal for providing a research topic to young readers, and provides an excellent opportunity to teach metaphors using a high interest book.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Genuine Sweet

Author: Harkey, Faith

Illustrator: NA

Clarion Books, 2015

ISBN: 9780544283664

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Genuine Sweet is a twelve year old girl from a small town in Georgia. She believes she is just a plain, poor, ordinary girl. But soon, she discovers that she inherited her mother's and grandmother's ability to grant wishes. That is, anyone's wish except her own. She meets a new friend who joins her on the journey of taking her wish granting global. But they encounter trouble along the way that no amount of wishing can fix. This is a wonderful story about friendship, hard work, family, and how to deal with the hard things in life. The author writes from the heart and does a wonderful job of painting word pictures. Verdict: I highly recommend this book because it is engaging, thought provoking and one that a wide variety of readers would relate to.

Curricular Use: This book would spark some great conversations about right and wrong, hard work and friendship.

Reviewer: Melanie Preiss, Elementary Librarian, Carrolls Elementary

Chickasaw

Author: Lajiness, Katie

Illustrator: NA

Adbo Publishing, 2017

ISBN: 9781680781977

$19.95

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This non-fiction book covers the basics about the Chickasaw Indians. Some sections are their territory, home life, food, what they made, and how they are today. The book is full of wonderful pictures and great text features. Verdict: This is a great book to add to your collection, especially if you have grades that study Native Americans.

Curricular Use: A wonderful book to add to your Native Americans unit. You could also use it to teach text features.

Reviewer: Melanie Preiss, Elementary Librarian, Carrolls Elementary

Gone camping

Author: Wissinger, Tamera Will

Illustrator: Matthew Cordell

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544638730

$15.99

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This clever story of a family going camping is written in different styles of poetry. Terribly fun to read it keep my attention from page to page without stopping. A list poem begins the story gathering all the supplies for the trip. But the underlying theme through out the story is Lucy's fear of nighttime critters. Yet, in the morning when expected trip, dad is ill so mom and dad must stay home. Alas, Grandpa can go with the kids and a counting poem helps him get ready.

The kids are tentative about Grandpa going, but oh well, it could be O.K. The tent pitching is a "How-to" poem in rhyme. Again, Lucy is fearful of critters getting in. The hike, catch bugs, build a fire, cook weenies and smores. The worst of the sleeping is the Quantrain poem of grandpa and his snoring like a train full of steam. Fishing and swimming end their fun and they pack and go home. The ending is a letter poem from Lucy to mom and dad about the good time.

A must read! Verdict: Most kids can relate to this adventure and it is a really fast read.

Curricular Use: poetry

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso

Garvey's Choice

Author: Grimes, Nikki

Illustrator: NA

WordSing, 2016

ISBN: 9781629797403

$16.95

Grades 6 - 8: Garvey is a tenderhearted, overweight boy who loves music and learning. Much to his father's dismay, he doesn't like sports, leaving them little in common except the friction between them. School isn't much easier as kids constantly tease him about his weight. Garvey tries to go on a diet, but doesn't have much success. Then he gets the courage to join chorus and finally finds his niche. He finally gets the courage to tell his dad about being in the choir and is shocked when his dad tells him that he used to sing in a band and they begin to find common ground. This is a great pick for reluctant readers and for those struggling for acceptance. Verdict: A must have for you middle school collection! It will help give students confidence to make their own way.

Curricular Use: Stories in Prose, poetry, self-esteem, father-son relationships

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Thick as Thieves

Author: Turner, Megan Whelan

Illustrator: NA

Greenwillow, 2017

ISBN: 9780062568243

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: I was prepared to be disappointed at diving into the 5th of a fantasy series (The Queen's Thief), having not read the rest of the series, but instead I was pulled right in to the intrigue of Kamut, the slave/secretary of great Mede emperor's nephew, told that his master has been poisoned and running for his life as a burly Attolian swordsman has been tasked with bringing the panicked runaway to his master, the King of Attolia. Kamut not only has to avoid the Namreen soldiers sent to capture him, but also keep his Attolian companion from finding out just why he was so willing to forgo his life of position and power as a palace slave to become a lowly but free scribe in the swordsman's backwater land. Kamut has much to learn about the world outside the palace nobles, capitol tradesmen, and fellow slaves he is used to serving, outwitting, or commanding. His journey with the Attolian has as many twists and turns as the narrow streets of a foreign port, and as much danger. Turner's detailed world-building, character development, thoughtful dialogue, and tight plotting are so genuine and clever that I must get the rest of the series to read immediately! She does not rely on the cliches of magic/supernatural creatures or abilities as do so many other fantasy authors. Verdict: The best fantasy novel I've read in many years, hand down!

Curricular Use: An example of great fantasy writing without the lengthy exposition and narrative description on which so many authors rely.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life

Author: Alexander, Kwame

Illustrator: Neave, Thai

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544570979

$14.99

Grades 6 - 8: This is a collection of life lessons, based on sports. Several short stories about the author's life add continuity and interest. There are many quotes about overcoming adversity and failure, as well as inspirational quotes, from famous coaches and athletes that students will recognize. Interesting black and photos accompany the text and will draw reader's attention. Verdict: Fans of the author's other stories will pick this up.

Curricular Use: Sports, Inspirational quotes

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Eye of the Storm: NASA, Drones, and the Race to Crack the Hurricane Code

Author: Cherrix, Amy

Illustrator: NA

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544411654

$18.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Part of the Scientists in the Field series. This information packed nonfiction books discusses many aspects of hurricanes: formation, travel patterns and the different technologies that NASA is using to learn about them. As hurricanes bring much devastation, it also focuses on showing the impact of hurricanes by offering several personal stories and perspectives along the way. Interesting photos and graphs help add depth and details. Also included are ways to plan and prepare for hurricanes and storms, a glossary, index and bibliographical information. Verdict: A great addition to nonfiction collections for grades 5-8.

Curricular Use: Nonfiction, hurricanes, NASA

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Owl Diaries: Warm Hearts Day

Author: Elliott, Rebecca

Illustrator: Rebecca Elliott

Scholastic Inc., 2016

ISBN: 9781338042801

$4.99

Grades 1 - 3: Eva Wingdale lives in Treetopolis and attends school at Treetop Owlementary. It's almost Warm Hearts Day and everyone is getting super excited. Eva and her best friend Lucy get even more excited when the mayor asks Eva's class to sing the special Warm Hearts Day song during the party at the Old Oak Tree! Eva becomes so busy preparing for the Warm Hearts Day celebration with her friends, she forgets to get presents for her family. However, they get a surprise that's even better than presents during the celebration. Verdict: This is an outstanding book that the author has created for young readers. She is also the illustrator. The drawings are bright and colorful and accompany the text throughout the book.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Katie Walling, CLC Para, CRES

Bramble and Maggie: Snow Day

Author: Haas, Jessie

Illustrator: Alison Friend

Candlewick, 2016

ISBN: 9780763673642

$14.99

Grades 1 - 3: Maggie sees her parents making preparations for a big snowstorm and makes sure to give her horse extra hay and water, but when it comes time to close the door to Bramble's stall, the falling snow prevents her from closing it completely. Bramble thought the storm looked exciting and shoved the door open in the middle of the night so she could run around in the snow. She even decided to stay out and let the flakes pile up on her back. Maggie is worried when she looks out the window in the morning and sees the stall door wide open and no sign of Bramble. When she tries to open her front door snow has drifted up on the front steps, blocking the door from opening more than a crack. Hungry Bramble comes looking for breakfast and Maggie can only toss out a handful of breakfast cereal. As Bramble eats the cereal out of the snow and paws for more, it loosens the door enough for Maggie to get out of the house. Told in three short chapters, enhanced with color illustrations, and perfect for a horse-loving early reader. Verdict: A comfortable first chapter book written at 2nd grade level with a definite appeal for those looking for a horse story with accurate details and a touch of humor.

Curricular Use: A good early reader chapter book, at a 2.5 reading level.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

No Tooting at Tea

Author: Heim, Alastair

Illustrator: Sara Not

Clarion Books, 2017

ISBN: 9780544774742

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: In the book No Tooting at Tea, the red-headed hostess is constantly being interrupted by a toot while she reviews manners on how to behave properly at a tea party. The female party attendees blame the train whistle, the owl, the dog, but no one takes responsibility and the party host is about ready to cancel the party.

The reader learns that it is actually the tea kettle that has been tooting all along and the kettle is the only one that is allowed to toot at tea. What a hoot!

The afterword provides history about tea and how to drink it and what to enjoy it with.

The illustrator captures expressions well and they really bring the tea party to life. The story is presented in first person and nicely organized by listing rule numbers.

It is a great book to talk about manners, and about tooting specifically!

Verdict: This book is sure to excite children, even though boys are not featured in this book.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, LCC

Mice of the round table: a tail of Camelot

Author: Leung, Julie

Illustrator: NA

Harper, 2016

ISBN: 9780062403995

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Beneath the floors of the Camelot Castle live the mice who are also are Knights of Camelot. Calib Christopher is a descendant of knights, his father and his grandfather. He hope he will be will also become a night. On the night of the annual Harvest Tournament the Darklings are suspected of an attack on the Knights. An unexpected assassination of his grandfather causes distress amongst the mice. Calib and his friend and a human venture out to prove the long-time feud between the Mice of the Round Table and the Darklings was not behind the attack. Calib and Cecily believe there to be something more evil out to destroy the humans of the round table. With the help of Galihad, Calib rallies the Knights and the mice to defeat the Saxons. Verdict: Parallel with the story of Knights of the Round Table, this adventure is fun to read.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA

The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre

Author: Levine, Gail Carson

Illustrator: NA

Harper, 2017

ISBN: 9780062074669

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: The Ella Enchanted author gives another engaging fantasy heroine in Perry, who has been raised as the daughter of Lakti nobles, blissfully unaware that she was taken as an infant from her parents (who are of the despised Bamarre), and that her put-upon handmaid is actually her sister, until a fairy appears to give Perry a new purpose in life. She realizes that the Lakti perception of the Bamarre (and the embattled Kyngoll people, too) have been horribly wrong and sets out to free her people from slavery without destroying their former captors. Perry has assistance from her Lakti "mother" who has given her a pair of seven-league boots and a shell that amplifies sound, while the fairy causes Perry' hair to grow a la Rapunzel and changes her appearance to that of a old woman so she can live with her birth family long enough to learn to be Bamarre again. There are enough twists and turns to keep the plot interesting, and the warning against prejudging other groups of people is loud and clear. Verdict: An enjoyable fantasy with a determined female protagonist, and an anti-prejudice message.

Curricular Use: A female-empowering, anti-prejudice fantasy for independent reading.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island

Author: Levy, Dana Alison

Illustrator: NA

Delacort, 2016

ISBN: 9780553521306

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Family Fletcher book 2. The Fletcher family eagerly starts their yearly vacation on Rock Island only to find the beloved lighthouse fenced and off-limits. The boys quickly discover that it's not the only thing different about this summer - a family with girls is staying nearby and everything is out of sorts. The four boys and their two fathers meet the artist that is hoping to buy the lighthouse and the boys soon begin to think something fishy is going on. They team up with the girls in order to solve the mystery and save the lighthouse. It is not all smooth sailing, but all end up having a fun and memorable summer vacation. This is a fun adventure that will appeal to grades 4 - 6. Verdict: A great addition for your upper elementary or middle school library. A fun-filled mystery adventure that makes sensitive subjects like, racism, adoption and gay parents, understandable, meaningful and relevant for children.

Curricular Use: Mysteries, Adventure, Nontraditional families

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Two Naomis

Author: Rhuday-Perkovich, Olugbemisola & Audrey Vernick

Illustrator: NA

Balzer + Bray, 2016

ISBN: 9780062414250

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grade 6: Told in alternating chapters, Naomi E. and Naomi M. are two girls whose parents are divorced and now dating. To make things worse, their parents sign them up for a coding club without consulting either. While the girls seem to like each other, both are struggling with their parents dating, miss how life used to be and are concerned about the future. This is a great story. I do wish the characters had more differences in their voices as it is sometimes challenging to remember who is who and that the overall font was bigger. Verdict: This is an enjoyable realistic story that many students may see themselves in.

Curricular Use: Realism, divorced parents fiction, family life fiction

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

5 Worlds Book 1: The Sand Warrior

Author: Siegle, Mark and Alexis Siegel

Illustrator: Bouma, Xanthe, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun

Random House, 2017

ISBN: 9781101935866

$18.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: This beautifully drawn and colored first book in a new comic book series introduces us to the Five Worlds, a fantasy solar system populated by numerous humanoid species. As Oona, one of our heroes, finds out, the Five Worlds are overheating, and the leader of her planet believes the answer lies in lighting the ancient beacons on each world. He has trained an especially talented sand dancer (Oona is also training as a sand dancer, one who can manipulate a kind of sand magic through dance) that he believes has the power to light the beacon on their planet, Mon Domani. Not everyone wants this to happen, however, and before the beacon can be lit, the capital of Mon Domani is attacked, the power grid is shut down, and all of the sand dancers are kidnapped. All except Oona. Oona teams up with An Tzu, an orphan who lives in the slums of the capital and has an illness causing him to slowly disappear, and Jax Amboy, a celebrity arena fighter, to find answers and fight back.

The world building in “The Sand Warrior” is dense, but satisfying, and the artwork does a great job of illustrating a complex fantasy world. Oona, An Tzu, and Jax Amboy are layered characters on an exciting journey that will make readers eager for the next installment. Verdict: Hand this to fans of “Zita the Spacegirl” and “Amulet.”

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Becky Standal, Youth Services Specialist, Longview Public Library

A Dog Like Daisy

Author: Tubb, Kristin O'Donnell

Illustrator: NA

Katherine Tegen Books, 2017

ISBN: 9780062463241

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Told from the perspective of Daisy, the dog, this is a story about how Daisy gets a chance to get out of the animal shelter and get a permanent home. She's been chosen by Victor, a soldier suffering from PTSD and has 10 short weeks to become a certified service dog or she will be returned to the shelter and they will try another dog. Daisy must overcome her own set of challenges in order to help this family heal from the soldier's illness. The story gives honest insight into service dog training and the battles of PTSD that is just at the right level for upper elementary and middle school students. Verdict: This is an enjoyable, quick read that will easily appeal to all readers, especially those that like dog stories.

Curricular Use: Service Dogs Fiction

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

The Rose & the Dagger

Author: Adhieh, Renee

Illustrator: NA

Putnam, 2016

ISBN: 9780399171628

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Ahdieh crafts a satisfying conclusion to her Arabic fantasy The Wrath and the Dawn, bringing feisty Shahrzad back to her sister and injured father in the desert where they are guests of a sheikh who may or may not join with Tariq, a longtime friend who now wants to lead a revolt against her beloved, but cursed husband, the Caliph of Khorasan. Shahrzad dodges guards and assassins to sneak away on a magic carpet for help to have her husband's curse removed, not realizing that her father is siding against her to gain power as a mighty mage. Tragedies, betrayals and revelations abound as Shahrzad is nearly killed protecting her husband from Tariq's deadly archery, then kidnapped and held hostage by the Caliph's power hungry uncle. Her rescue is little too easy (as the uncle's daughters suddenly side with Shahrzad and her husband over their manipulative and autocratic father), but a final tragic event allows the redemption of Shahrzad's father, and a happy ending. The romance is steamy without being too graphic, and the exotic setting with details of Arabic-type life and culture is a refreshing break from the European folk roots of most fantasies. Verdict: A satisfying conclusion to the Arab-type fantasy The Wrath and the Dawn, but does not stand alone. The previous title needs to be read first.

Curricular Use: love of reading

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

Max

Author: Cohen-Scali, Sarah; translated by Penny Hueston

Illustrator: NA

Roaring Brook Press, 2017; French pub. 2012

ISBN: 9781626720718

$21.99

Grades 9 - 12: “Max” is a provocative book that follows a young Nazi from his birth on Hitler’s birthday in 1936, the first child of the Lebensborn program, to the end of World War II. Max narrates from the womb the day before he is born, fully indoctrinated and determined to be born on the Fuhrer’s birthday. He is able to explain clearly how he was conceived by the forced coupling of a specially selected Aryan woman and an SS officer and how he will be raised to exemplify Hitler’s master race. The narration weds his Hitler Youth perspective with an infant’s concerns (mostly with feeding) in an interesting way, and as Max grows he periodically forgets things that happened to him, such as having a mother, but never his indoctrination or sense of special purpose. While other Lebensborn children are adopted out to high-ranking Nazi party families, Max stays with the program. At four, he is sent to occupied Poland to help find Polish children that are then kidnapped and sent either to concentration camps or Germanization schools, depending on how they look and measure up. Max becomes particularly attached to one of the older children, Lukas, because of the boy’s resemblance to himself and, because of his special status, is able to get them sent to a school together as brothers. He learns, but keeps secret, that Lukas is half Jewish, and this fact, along with his not infrequent stomach aches when he sees inhumane things happening, is Max’s deviance from the Nazi party line. Early on, Lukas sees that Max is also a victim of the Nazis, and this is something readers see as well, though the reading is often difficult. Max’s narration is blunt about many atrocities he witnesses from a young age, including rape, murder, and the terrible physical examinations the children undergo before being sent to death or to a school, and therefore is best for mature readers. The book includes an author's note. Verdict: Translated from French, “Max” offers a unique, and uniquely horrifying, perspective within the large body of Holocaust and World War II novels for young adults.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Becky Standal, Youth Services Specialist, Longview Public Library

Net Neutrality

Author: Higgins, Melissa & Michael Regan

Illustrator: NA

ABDO, 2017

ISBN: 9781680782868

$25.95

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Part of the Essential Library of the Information Age series. This is an interesting nonfiction book that introduces and discusses both sides of the ongoing battle over the internet, specifically how to keep information on the internet free-flowing and not regulated by the government or internet providers. The content is great, however the overall small font size with turn-off some readers. Verdict: While it won't be in high demand, this book offers good content on this contemporary topic.

Curricular Use: Internet, World Wide Web

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Last of the Sandwalkers

Author: Hosler, Jay

Illustrator: Hosler, Jay

First Second, 2015

ISBN: 9781626720244

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: In “Last of the Sandwalkers,” a young beetle named Lucy leads a group of fellow beetles on an exploratory mission away from their oasis. The group faces many environmental dangers and soon an internal one as well, when one of the party, Professor Owen, rockets them miles away in order to take credit for – and control the narrative of – a human skeleton they discover in the desert. As Lucy and her ragtag group, who we slowly discover are a family, make the journey back, readers learn a lot about about beetles and other insects while also falling for these great, complex characters. The story also turns out to be a parable about how dogma can inhibit scientific progress, as Professor Owen is revealed to be a member of an old order who pretend to be scientists in order to control knowledge and uphold their ancient texts. It works surprisingly well. Though the detail-rich black and white illustrations were a little intimidating at first, I was quickly drawn into story. The author and artist, Jay Hosler is also a biology professor, and he includes annotations in the end matter that explain the science and inspirations behind his characters, their anatomy, and the technology they use. Verdict: This is a great graphic novel to hand to kids with an interest in science – especially insects – from upper elementary school through high school.

Curricular Use: This might be a fun addition to biology curriculum.

Reviewer: Becky Standal, Youth Services Specialist, Longview Public Library

Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes

Author: Lambert, Mary E.

Illustrator: NA

Scholastic, 2017

ISBN: 9780545931984

$16.99

Grades 6 - 8: Seventh grader Annabelle is the middle child and trying to keep her family together. Her mom has become a terrible hoarder and Annabelle's room is the only clean room in the house as her mom has started "storing" stuff in her siblings room as well. Her younger sister has nightmares about the junk in the house, her older brother spends as much time away from the house as possible and her dad seems to be doing his best to ignore it all. One morning a huge stack of papers falls onto her younger sister and it forces her dad to act, giving her mom an ultimatum to clean the house. When it doesn't happen, her dad leaves and her younger sister calls their grandma Nora to come help. Things get much uglier before getting better and Annabelle learns she needs to let her friends and others help if her family life is ever going to get better. This is a realistic view into the life of a child living with a hoarder. Students will readily relate to Annabelle's plight and will be turning the pages to see how things turn out. Verdict: A great addition to any middle school library! Once students discover this, it will get passed around.

Curricular Use: Realistic Fiction, Hoarding Fiction

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Find Your Style: Boost Your Body Image Through Fashion Confidence

Author: McGraw, Sally

Illustrator: NA

Twenty-first Century Books, 2017

ISBN: 9781467785693

$35.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Short chapters, lots of pictures, and excellent fashion advice abound in this nonfiction book that is less about copying fashion magazines and more about helping readers develop a sense of style that works for them. The tips are practical and the role play suggestions are not so far out there that a student would not be able to see themselves using those lines to defend a fashion choice. Made up of five chapters--Media Messages, Style and Body Image in Real Life, Figuring Out Your Figure, Outfit Assembly, Shifting Style on a Budget, and Why Style Matters--McGraw gets into the nitty gritty of making fashion choices. Her discussions are inclusive of all religions (hijabs), gender identities (although the cover only features young women), and body types. Rather than focus on strict rules, McGraw emphasizes experimentation for readers. The pictures and captions are relevant to the narrative and call-outs are fun and informative. Source notes support McGraw's assertions, and she includes ample opportunities for readers to get further information. Verdict: An excellent nonfiction choice for students wishing to develop their own style.

Curricular Use: This is an ideal book for Family and Consumer Science classes as well as classes emphasizing Fashion Marketing.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

House of Furies

Author: Roux, Madeleine

Illustrator: Compiet, Iris

HarperTeen, 2017

ISBN: 9780062498618

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: In England, 1809, Louisa Rose Ditton is picked up by an old woman as she is fleeing an angry mob after her for fortune-telling and suspected thievery. The woman takes her north, to Coldthistle House, a boarding house, where she promises work for Louisa. After escaping an unloving family and cruel boarding school, Louisa is glad to find work and a place to live, but she quickly finds Coldthistle House an eerie and possibly dangerous place to be. Her story is cut with excerpts from a book called “Rare Myths and Legends” by the owner of Coldthistle House, Mr. Morningside, which describe his world travels encountering monsters and fairy creatures, who we soon discover are her coworkers at the house. And the boarders there, lured by some magic, are destined to be killed by the residents of the house for horrible crimes they have otherwise evaded punishment for. Louisa is suspicious of this purpose, partly from her own fear, and partly from her attachment to a young boarder, Lee, who arrived with his uncle at the same time she did.

“House of Furies” is a gothic horror novel with a mystery element, as Louisa seeks to discover both the truth of Coldthistle and of its boarders. It has a lovely creepy vibe that’s great for middle schoolers as well as older teens, though readers may want to know that there are a few visceral, gory scenes. Suspense makes this a page turner, and the design of the book helps set the tone. Every few chapters we get a double page spread of a wall, paint cracked and peeling, hung with framed images relevant to the story. All of them are colored in black and blue. The sections from Mr. Morningside’s book feature illustrations by Iris Compiet. Verdict: Recommended for young horror fans, especially those who like Madeleine Roux’s other novels.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Becky Standal, Youth Services Specialist, Longview Public Library

They All Fall Down

Author: St. Claire, Roxanne

Illustrator: NA

Delacorte Press, 2014

ISBN: 9780385742719

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: Each year boys rate all the girls and clandestinely (but everyone knows) the list of the ten hottest girls in school. Kenzie hasn't a clue as to how she rated fifth on the list. Her life begins to change as the other hotties adopt her as their own, and as number one suddenly dies. Verdict: Hottie lists have even made it to national news, and the building tension in the story will keep readers engrossed.

Curricular Use: Health classes may wish to allude to the book as it delves into the dangers of making choices in friends, dress, or actions that are motivated only for increased popularity or perceived beauty.

Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Follett Trainer, Author, Follett School Solutions