March 2017

Marta! Big & Small

Author: Arena, Jen

Illustrator: Angela Dominguez

Roaring Book Press, 2016

ISBN: 9781626722439

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: This is one of the MOST adorable concept books I have encountered. Marta is an adorable Latina girl who is compared to animals that are opposites. The book is written in both English and Spanish, so the introductory phrase is "Marta is una nina..." and the next page provides the English paraphrase, ". . .an ordinary girl." At first she is compared to a bug, an elephant, a horse, a turtle, a lion, and a rabbit. . .but to a snake, she is tasty! The illustrations look at first like the snake might have eaten Marta, but she is ingeniosa. The final pages repeat all of the animals Marta was compared to, only this time it is the animals that are presented in Spanish. The end provides a list of Spanish to English translations of what Marta is and what Marta meets. This was a book that I read to infants and toddlers. We have a growing Latino/Latina population of teen parents at my school, and all of them indicated they were speaking both languages to their children. This is a perfect book for introducing that. Angela Dominguez is a former ALA Pura Belpre winner, and she infuses a love into her illustrations that make this book even more valuable. Verdict: This is a must have concept book that encourages an appreciation of both the English and the Spanish language.

Curricular Use: This is an excellent read aloud for classes that have a diverse population. It is an opportunity to teach context clues and also provides an opportunity for Spanish speaking readers to contribute the appropriate pronunciation of the Spanish words.

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

Find the Dots

Author: Mansfield, Andy

Illustrator: NA

Candlewick Studio - Templar, 2017

ISBN: 9780763695583

$15.00

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: This is a remarkably clever little book with one directive: find the dots. That task is not nearly as simple as you might think. There are ten different, creative puzzles that require children to think outside the box in order to complete the task. This concept book is not only off-the-charts creative, it teaches numbers and colors in a unique way. Children will need to be taught how to handle this book, however. Because the puzzles are created using paper, this is a book that is a little bit fragile--which makes it more suitable as a gift than as a library book. A secondary audience would include older students who view the work as a piece of art. Verdict: This is definitely a book worth purchasing for its educational and curricular value, proceed with caution when introducing it to students who have not been taught how to handle books.

Curricular Use: This is an ideal book for teaching colors and numbers. This fits the following Early Learning and Development Guidelines for Toddlers 16 to 36 months and 3 - 4 years old: Learning to learn: trying new ways of doing things, experimenting with the effect of own actions on objects and people; Learning about my world: Math - use numerical concepts. This can also be used to teach visual arts aspects of line, shape, and form.

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

Everyone

Author: Neal, Christoper Silas

Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal

Candlewick Press, 2016

ISBN: 9780763676834

$15.99

P - K: Everyone is illustrator Christopher Silas Neal’s first book as an author.

He explores feelings and introduces children to words, such as frazzled, bonkers, and batty. Otherwise the text is simple and easy to follow along.

The illustrations are done in mostly black and gray with some blue for the boy’s shirt, the animals and flowers and skin color for the boy.

The message portrayed in this book is that it is okay to cry and that you are not alone. Feelings are shared. The illustrations even depict flowers and the animals in the forest as sad and happy. At the end of the book, you see in the illustrations that the boy and a bear from the forest give each other a hug.

Verdict: This is a wonderful book to explore feelings with young readers. The illustrations give children a lot to look at and talk about.

Curricular Use: The exploration of feelings

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Tell Me Three Things

Author: Buxbaum, Julie

Illustrator: NA

Delacorte Press, 2016

ISBN: 9780553535648

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: Jessie's life officially stinks! It's not enough that her mother's death is still fresh. Her father has met a wealthy widow, and just over a month later, he has moved himself and Jessie from the midwest into his new wife's fancy California home. Jessie is also now enrolled in a fancy prep school where her lack of social pretense is a liability. Immediately, Jessie becomes a target for the school's most influential mean girl. Life would be unbearable if it were not for an anonymous benefactor who strikes up an online friendship that provides Jessie for imminently good tips for finding friends and surviving in her new environment. Jessie's caution about corresponding with a stranger is overcome as the two continue to reveal three things about themselves and their days. Jessie's feelings for her online compadre are complicated by her feelings for the enigmatic Theo and his charismatic band mate. Clearly, her virtual friend attends their school. . .now if only Jessie could determine whether he is someone she could actually fall for. This is a tender book about love, loss, and the challenge of coping with grief. The author's own personal experiences flavor this memorable debut into the world of Young Adult fiction. Verdict: Though the online relationship with a stranger is cause for some pause, the romance itself and Jessie's experience coping with grief make this a worthwhile addition to any collection.

Curricular Use: This title fits nicely with the Health Education Core Idea of Social Emotional Health that deals with strategies for coping with difficult emotions (H1.So4.HS).

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

The Mage of Trelian

Author: Knudsen, Michelle

Illustrator: NA

Candlewick Press, 2016

ISBN: 9780763674366

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8: The Trelian Trilogy book 3. Calen is rethinking his decision to leave with the evil mage Krelig who believes he needs Calen to defeat the Magistratum. Calen's goal is to learn as much magic as he can and then return to help defeat Krelig and his plan to destroy all that oppose him. Princess Meg and her dragon, Jakl, are training with the military to help defead Trelian as the Magistatum has broken down and kingdoms are at war. Calen and Meg both must dig deep to find the strength and courage to help Trelain survive and to destory Krelig. This is a proper conclusion to a wonderful fantasy trilogy. Verdict: Middle school students who enjoy fantasy will surely love the one!

Curricular Use: Fantasy, pleasure reading

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

Exo

Author: Lee, Fonda

Illustrator: NA

Scholastic Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780545933438

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Fonda Lee, in her acknowledgments declares this story as one she is "unabashedly proud of," and she has every reason to be proud. Ever on the prowl for books that will appeal to guys and young readers, this is a story that hooked me from page one. Sure, there were a couple of slower parts, but I have rarely read a book that presents such rich sociological issues alongside such fast-paced action. The earth has been colonized by an alien species called the zhree. Unfortunately, the zhree are not the only species of alien. Earth is a convenient military base, and humans are a remarkably intelligent form of life, so the zhree are willing to work with the indigenous people. Donovan Reyes is the son of the Prime Liaison between the humans and the zhree. Select humans are chosen to undergo a process called "hardening" that provides them with a protective exoskeleton. These individuals have the opportunity to commit to a zhree and become a unit that is supposed to be loyal to their zhree master. Donovan has chosen to become a soldier. Not all humans approve, and when Donovan is kidnapped by a terrorist organization his commitment and loyalty to his alien master are severely tested. A mere summary cannot do justice to the complexity and nuance Fonda Lee has infused in this title. It's themes of colonization, social status, and terrorism are bound to make readers think deeply about each of these ideas. Verdict: This is an excellent pick for reluctant readers. Expect to see it on multiple awards and readers' choice lists!

Curricular Use: Though speculative fiction, this has potential for social studies and civics classes. The discussion of interspecies cooperation has strong ties to the issues of colonization and the assimilation of conquered peoples.

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

Who Killed Christopher Goodman?

Author: Wolf, Allan

Illustrator: NA

Candlewick Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780763656133

$16.99

Grades 9 - 12: The cover promises "Based on a true crime," and that will be the draw for this historical fiction book set in 1979 and based on the murder of a young man who gave the wrong people a ride. The story is told from multiple viewpoints: Doc Chestnut (loosely based on the author), Squib Kaplan (a brilliant young man with Tourette's Syndrome), Hunger McCoy, Mildred Penny, and Hazel Turner, and Leonard Pelf. Each of these characters interacted with Christopher Goodman, the murder victim, in some way and the intersection of their lives is Christopher's death. Wolf has chosen a fairly complex text format by alternating both perspectives and time periods. The story is not told in a linear, sequential way, and is doled out in one to two page snippets, but those carefully chosen snippets are compelling. I found myself not wanting to put the book down until I came to the conclusion. Students who are reading it for the macabre thrill of reading a criminal investigation will be disappointed because Wolf's emphasis is less on the murder and more on the relationship of the characters to the murder victim. It is that focus on the characters that makes this book unique and memorable. Verdict: This is a book that will evoke the same kinds of feelings as the movie "Stand by Me." It may require some book talking, but the read will be well worth it.

Curricular Use: This is an excellent book that meets historical fiction requirements. The examination of grief and relationships make this a good text for the Health Education Core Idea of Social Emotional Health and identifying ways that characters coped with the difficult emotions. Finally, this text lends itself well to discussions about author's craft and why the author chose to adopt the varying voices and nonsequential plot line.

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

The Princess and the Frogs

Author: Bartles, Veronica

Illustrator: Sara Palacios

Balzer and Bray, 2016

ISBN: 9780062365910

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Princess Cassandra had everything she wanted except a friend. She sent the Royal Pet Handler to the perfect green pet for her. He found a frog, she love it and play with it and kissed it, but it turned into a prince. She didn't want a prince, she wanted a pet, so she sent him away and wanted another frog. Every frog they got for her turned into another prince. Read on to find out if Princess Cassandra finally gets her wish. Verdict: I gave this story a R. It was a very amusing take off of the Princess and the Frog.

Curricular Use: Compare and contrast with the Princess and the Frog

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Disaster Zone Sinkholes

Author: Black, Vanessa

Illustrator: NA

Jump, 2017

ISBN: 9781620315651

$NA

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This book explains what sinkholes are and how they can be formed. Sometimes they are caused by nature and sometimes by man. No matter how they are formed they can cause great amounts of damage and even death. This nonfiction book does a great job explaining about sinkholes. Verdict: R I would recommend this book for and elementary library. It is pretty detailed so would be good for all elementary grades.

Curricular Use: Finding information prom pictures and words in nonfiction

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Waiting for the Biblioburro / Esperando el Biblioburro

Author: Brown, Monica

Illustrator: John Parra

Tricycle Press (Random House), 2011, 2016

ISBN: 9780553538793

$16.99

Grades 1 - 3: English and Spanish text tell of Ana, who lives in a small village, reading and re-reading her only book that was given to her by a beloved teacher, who has since moved away. One morning a librarian (bibliotecario) arrives with two burros loaded with books to share. Before he leaves, she tells him that someone should write a story about his burros, and he suggests that she should. By the time he returns she surprises him with the story she has written and illustrated, Waiting for the Biblioburro, that he takes along to the next child. The story was inspired by a real-life librarian who brings literacy and culture to rural Colombia. Verdict: A celebration of books and reading in another culture, and bi-lingual to boot!

Curricular Use: Appropriate for sharing as a picturebook, with either English or Spanish audiences.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

The King of Kazoo

Author: Feuti, Norm

Illustrator: Norm Feuti

Scholastic, 2016

ISBN: 9780545770897

$12.99

2-6: Scatterbrained Cornelius, King of Kazoo, his clever daughter, Bing, and a brilliant inventor, Torq, investigate a mysterious explosion near Mount Kazoo. They discover Quaf, a famous alchemist, is planning his most dangerous experiment ever. Will the King, Bing and Torq be able to stop Quaf before the entire kingdom is destroyed? Verdict: This graphic novel was very well written and beautifully drawn.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Katie Walling, CLC Para, CRES

Bob the Railway Dog

Author: Fenton, Corinne

Illustrator: Andrew McLean

Candlewick Press, 2015

ISBN: 9780763680978

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This is the true story of Bob who was a dog that originally was among the cargo of homeless dogs from Adelaide. Guard Ferry was on the train and spotted Bob smiling at him. He took an instant liking to him. When all the other dogs were taken from the train, Guard Ferry kept Bob for himself. He became a Railway dog and traveled all the trains in the area and became quite famous. He loved to visit different areas. They still have a photo of him at the Adelaide Station. Verdict: Great story I love that it is true.

Curricular Use: Tell the main idea and three supporting details.

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Milestones of Flight: From Hot-Air Balloons to SpaceShipOne

Author: Grove, Time

Illustrator: NA

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2016

ISBN: 9781419720031

$21.95

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: This nonfiction text looks at various aspects of early flight. From the earliest attempts with hot air balloons, early gliders and airplanes, to SpaceShipOne's prize winning voyage it's all here. Packed with photos and rich text this will surely appeal to young aviation enthusists. Also included is a glossary, time line, endnotes, bibliography and index. Verdict: Aviation fans will love this book.

Curricular Use: Aviation, aeronautics

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

Polar Bears Matter

Author: Gagne, Tammy

Illustrator: NA

ABDO Publishing, 2016

ISBN: 9781680780130

$22.95

Grades 3-6: This book is an interesting look at polar bears, their future on our planet and why this is a concern. Their population is decreasing and global warming is cited as a source. The Arctic ice is melting earlier than normal and therefore the polar bears’ territory is decreasing. This has a direct impact on their food source. One thing after another starts a domino effect and the polar bear is now on the endangered species list. Pollution is another concern and one can start to see the effects on the food chain. Verdict: This simple to read book is packed with information and is part of the Bioindicator Species series.

Curricular Use: This book could be used in a science class studying endangered species, global warming, pollution and/or food chains. It proposes many opportunities for additional research and offers the reader questions at the end of each chapter for consideration.

Reviewer: N. Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary

Clydesdale Horses

Author: Hansen, Grace

Illustrator: NA

ABDO, 2017

ISBN: 9781680809268

$NA

P - K, Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: Clydesdale horses were originally bred to be draft horses. They are big strong horses so they can pull heavy loads. They tend to be more show horses now because they are so unique and beautiful. I love the nice large pictures in this book along with the large font with just a short paragraph on each page. This makes this book excellent for the beginning or emergent reader. Verdict: R This is a great non-fiction book for the low level reader. It's sure to captivate interest of the young reader.

Curricular Use: K-2.6. I can find some information from pictures and words in nonfiction.

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood

Author: Hale, Nathan

Illustrator: author

Amulet Books, 2014

ISBN: 9781419708084

$12.95

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Part of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, a graphic rendering of historical events, this title is a summary of some of the major events of World War I. The historical Captain Nathan Hale narrates the events to a British Colonial soldier and an impulsive hangman, who don't believe that America and Britain could ever be allies.

Each of the key countries involved is graphically represented as a different animal species (complete with caricature faces of the historical personae morphed onto the animal's heads), and War itself personified as an increasingly huge and terrifying mechanical monster. Chapters are short, usually two to four pages, and dense with activity in each of the 5-12 panels per page. The violence of war is shown from a slight distance, enough to be realistic, yet palatable for elementary students, and not glorified. Statistics of the dead and injured are given, as well as a few quotations from soldiers and the changes that WW I brought to how warfare was waged. A short bibliography and a call for corrections, comments and questions is appended. Verdict: High boy appeal with just enough irony and brief humorous asides from the hangman character and enough explosions, to counterbalance the great number of details and concepts involved in presenting the events of WW I.

Curricular Use: A different presentation of WW I for world history, that is attractive to reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters

Author: Johnson, Rebecca L.

Illustrator: NA

Millbrook Press, 2016

ISBN: 9781512400878

$23.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: This is a fascinating non-fiction book. The layout is very structured with great pictures and detailed information. Standing out from the rest of the writing is an orange box which contains a description of The Master, The Disguise and Where You Can Find It and sets the stage for what is to follow. A scenario plays out on the next two pages describing vividly how this creature uses its disguise. The following two pages do an excellent job of explaining “the science behind the story.” Verdict: This book is very well done and follows a systematic format which helps the reader understand each creature. The pictures are enlightening and intriguing.

Curricular Use: This is a great STEM book! Learning the science behind these disguises and how it helps them survive would be a great lesson builder. Learning a bit about the scientists behind each discovering would also be a fantastic tie-in with science and biographies.

Reviewer: N. Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary

Walter's Wonderful Web

Author: Hopgood, Tim

Illustrator: Tim Hopgood

Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015

ISBN: 9780374303525

$16.99

P - K: Walter, the spider, was not perfect at spinning webs. He tried to make them in all different shapes, but the wind always blew them away. The children are introduced to shapes in a fun and unique way. The book gives the message not to give up. Walter problem-solved, and after taking a deep breath, he spun a perfect web incorporating diamonds, circles, triangles, squares and rectangles. Simple illustrations inspire readers to draw their own spiders and spider stories. Verdict: Perfect book to introduce shapes to toddlers and preschoolers using a character, a spider, which children are fascinated with.

Curricular Use: Shapes, Problem-solving, Persistence

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Sam and Jump

Author: Mann, Jennifer K.

Illustrator: Mann, Jennifer K.

Candlewick Press, 2016

ISBN: 9780763679477

$15.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: This is a sweet story about a little boy who had a stuffed bunny named Jump. He took Jump everywhere, he was his security. One day while at the beach Sam met another boy Thomas. They played at the beach the rest of the day and promised to play again tomorrow. When Sam got home he realized he forgot Jump. He was upset and wanted to go back and get him. His mom said he would have to wait until tomorrow. The next day when he went to the beach Jump was not there. He was so upset. Then Thomas came to play and he had a surprise, Jump. Verdict: I gave this book a R. Almost all kids have some sort of security blanket or stuffed animal and I feel like they could really relate to this story.

Curricular Use: Have class come up with the beginning, middle and end of the story.

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Little Wolf's First Howling

Author: Kvasnosky, Laura McGee

Illustrator: Kate Harvey McGee

Candlewick Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780763689711

$15.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: It's the night of the full moon, and Little Wolf is ready to go. At first, his father models appropriate wolf howling behavior, but Little Wolf just is not able to do the howl without a little embellishment. After three tries, in which Little Wolf is scatting like a jazz singer in the middle of a jam session, Big Wolf decides it is time to join the howling fun. The lovely blues and dark colors of the illustrations complement the story. Verdict: This is a cute title that explores how its okay to be just a little bit different from the pack.

Curricular Use: This is a good title that builds print motivation. Within Washington State's Early Learning and Development Guidelines, this aids in developing the ability for children to retell familiar stories using the beginning, middle, and end. Under the area of development of Communication, this book encourages the repetition of sounds and provides opportunity for young children to howl along.

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

Sports Jokes

Author: Moore, Hugh

Illustrator: Sunny Grey/Spectrum Studio

ABDO, 2017

ISBN: 9781680785173

$NA

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This book has two main ingredients that my students love. Sports and Jokes. They are pretty funny jokes and riddles, ex.; Why did the golfer keep two pairs of pants in his golf bag? In case he got a hole in one@ This will keep the reader entertained. I may have to use it for spare moments. Verdict: I give this book an R. The jokes are unique, easy to understand and lots of fun.

Curricular Use: After reading this book, have students make up some riddles of their own.

Reviewer: Trracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

The Search for Olinguito: Discovering a new species

Author: Markle, Sandra

Illustrator: NA

Millbrook, 2017

ISBN: 9781512410150

$NA

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: A new animal had been discovered on August 15, 2013. The animal is called the olinguito, it was the first new specie to be discovered in over 35 years. The scientist had categorized the olinguito to be with the olingo specie, but Scientist Kristofer as he was studying the olingo realized that the olinguito had different type of fur, the skulls and teeth. He researched over 75 museums to see if he could find any more of this rare specie. He did indeed find more that had also been put with the olingos. He then got DNA to prove that it did not match the olingo. Kristofer wanted to find out if they were still alive. After many years they discovered live olinguitos in the cloud forest. They were able to study their lifestyle. Verdict: I really enjoyed learning about this new specie

Curricular Use: Map out all the characteristics of this new specie.

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Death in the Donner Party

Author: Oachs, Emily Rose

Illustrator: NA

Lerner, 2017

ISBN: 9781512411157

$NA

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: This nonfiction book gave me a much better understanding of how the Donner Party ran into so many problems as they were immigrating to California. They first decided to take Lansford Hastings shortcut which was suppose to take 350-400 miles off their trip. They had the guide for this shortcut and Landford said he would be there to help them through. When they got to the cut off Landford was not there. They sent some scouts to find him. When they did, Landford said do not go the way he said it was to hard. He told them another way but would not travel with them. They went the next way but ran into trouble with not having any water. One problem after another, they were in the Sierra and got stuck in stow storm and the pass was closed. By the time the made it to California almost half of their party died along the way. This was way different from most emigration camps that lost around 6% of their party. Verdict: I gave this book a R rating, because it made it so easy to understand all the problems the Donner Party had.

Curricular Use: For research

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray Elementary

Puppy Pirates: Search for the Sea Monster

Author: Soderberg, Erin

Illustrator: Russ Cox

Random House, 2016

ISBN: 9781101937761

$4.99

1-4: Join the puppy pirates as they em"bark" on a new adventure, a monster hunt! The pups decide to search for the dreaded Sea Slug. Once the puppy pirates find the Sea Slug, they must team up with an unlikely ally...the kitten pirates. However, both the puppy pirates and kitten pirates are in for a little surprise. Although there are not many illustrations, the illustrator did a very nice job. Verdict: This book is a must add for your Puppy Pirates collection!

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Katie Walling, CLC Para , CRES

Blast Off! Doodle Book

Author: Young, Karen Romano

Illustrator: Karen Romano Young

Grosset & Dunlap, 2015

ISBN: 9780448482101

$12.99

Grades 3-6: This is a fantastic book, just not for a library shelf. It is meant to be written in and will provide hours of educational entertainment. Each two page spread shares some tidbit of information inspired by The National Air and Space Museum and then provides an activity associated with it. The activities range from drawing a comic to coming up with your own quote and creating a medal. Verdict: I love that this doodle book is both educational while also being entertaining. There are a variety of activities and great pictures to complement each topic.

Curricular Use: There could be implications based on activities found in this book for a study on space and air travel.

Reviewer: N. Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary

The Sky Between You and Me

Author: Alene, Catherine

Illustrator: NA

Sourcebooks, Inc., 2017

ISBN: 9781492638537

$$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: Rae is a teen whose mother passed away several years ago. She and her dad are still grieving the loss and trying to figure out their lives together. Rae is a barrel racer and wants to win Nationals to honor her mom's memory. In order to win Nationals, Rae begins a personal campaign to lose weight in order to sit deeper in her saddle. Rae's mantra is "Lighter, leaner, faster, minus five." Rae succeeds in losing the weight she deemed necessary to lose, and she wins Nationals, but she is also on a downward spiral into anorexia and mental illness. Rae's boyfriend, Cody, and her best friend, Asia, notice her weight loss, and toss snide comments at her, but it's not until Rae becomes so thin she collapses at school that she is finally given the help she so desperately needs. With the help of a therapist and her dad, Rae begins gaining weight, but she feels she is no longer in control of her body, and even a small weight gain makes her feel fat. In just a matter of months, Rae's body dysmorphia is so ingrained that she would rather continue to lose weight than to gain weight. Catherine Alene, the author of "The Sky Between You and Me," does not gloss over Rae's eating disorder. Rae is not miraculously cured by the end of the story. Rae has a plethora of issues she needs to work through, which can take years. While I liked the story being told in verse, some of the sentences were clunky and awkward. I felt the characters and the relationships were not as fleshed out as they should have been. I couldn't really create mental images of the characters, and their teen lives and relationships seemed to lack depth and substance. Cody never really felt like a boyfriend. He seemed more like a good friend to Rae, and even that was questionable with his comments to her, and his lack of involvement in her struggles. Perhaps because the story was in verse, details and more back story had to be left out. Overall, a good read, and many heavy-hitting issues are touched on, and some are written about in more detail. Verdict: A good addition to a library collection as the novel is about many timely issues that teens face. Told in verse, is it a quick read.

Curricular Use: Independent reading. Perhaps can be used in conjunction with health classes discussing body issues/body dysmorphia, eating disorders.

Reviewer: Debbie Rock, Library Media Specialist, Kelso High School

Heart of the Storm

Author: Buckley, Michael

Illustrator: NA

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544348677

$18.99

Grades 9 - 12: "Heart of the Storm" is the conclusion to the "Undertow" trilogy. "Undertow" was fast paced, "Raging Sea" took an interesting--if bizarre--turn and introduced some new characters, but "Heart of the Storm" is a much more introspective and slower paced conclusion. It starts with Lyric Walker being rescued by a fishing vessel just off of Panama. Her rescue comes with a warning. Something worse than the Rusalka is about to come ashore, and this species is bent on human destruction. In Buckley's prior books in the series, the plot lines were chronological. This portion of the story takes several detours for Lyric's flashbacks that include how she killed Minerva and became the Alpha's Prime. Buckley throws in a completely unexpected twist--Lyric is pregnant with Fathom's progeny. Her responsibility as the Prime to have an heir wars with her desire to be a "normal" seventeen year old. Her pregnancy also creates complications in her relationship with Riley of "Raging Sea" fame. It's an interesting dilemma, and Buckley handles it skillfully--though somewhat abruptly. By the end, Lyric has accepted her leadership role as the Prime and the epilogue concludes the series satisfactorily. Verdict: For libraries with the first two books, the last one is a must.

Curricular Use: As with the first title, this is a book that can be used to discuss sociology and class systems. This book also invites discussions about author's artistic decisions--especially since nonlinear plot is a departure from the first two books.

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

The Stranger Game

Author: Busby, Cylin

Illustrator: NA

Balzer + Bray, 2016

ISBN: 9780062354600

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: "The Stranger Game" grabbed my attention right from the start. Sarah Morris went missing four years ago. For four years, her parents and her sister, Nico, have been trying to move on with their lives in spite of continued false leads and bodies they must identify. One day, Sarah does reappear, in Florida, and the family is reunited. The four years of riding an emotional roller coaster continue, as Sarah assimilates back into her family. Sarah, now 19, has amnesia (of course!). She cannot remember anything that happened to her, and her personality is completely different than before she vanished. Prior to her disappearance, Sarah was brutally mean to Nico; physically, verbally and emotionally abusing her any chance she could get. Nico actually felt ambivalent about Sarah's disappearance. She was sad, but she was also relieved Sarah was no longer around to torment her. The new Sarah is kind and caring to Nico, which perplexes her. Mr. and Mrs. Morris notice differences in Sarah, but they are just beyond happy to have her home, and that's all that matters to them. The story is told in alternating view-points, Nico's and Sarah's. While Sarah's missing years are vague, pieces of her past are gradually brought to light as the story unfolds. At first, I was a little irritated that Sarah's chapters lacked detail, then I understood why. I liked Nico's chapters for her authentic teen girl voice. The title of the book, "The Stranger Game," is also revealed towards the end. Very clever. While this book is suspenseful, the outcome is rather predictable. Is she really Sarah? Do we really want to have answers to our questions or is it better living with the truths we create in our minds? Verdict: "The Stranger Game" is a welcome addition to our library collection. It has enough page-turning suspense and drama to keep readers interested until the last page.

Curricular Use: Independent reading.

Reviewer: Debbie Rock, Library Media Specialist, Kelso High School

Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling

Author: Cliff, Tony

Illustrator: Tony Cliff

First Second, 2016

ISBN: 9781626721555

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: This is the follow-up to “Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant,” but readers who haven’t read the first installment should be able to catch up quickly. It’s 1809, during the Peninsular War, and while very little historical context is given for the setting, this likely won’t interfere with the enjoyment of the book. It may get readers interested in doing a little research of their own, though. The book opens with famed adventurer Delilah Dirk kidnapping a young Portuguese boy from his father, who is preparing to fight the French, and returning him to his mother and grandparents. On the way to Spain with the horses they earned from this job, Delilah and Selim, the former Turkish Lieutenant and Delilah's reluctant sidekick, are apprehended by British Red Coats who are quick to accuse them of spying for the French. To clear her name, Delilah and Selim are off to London, but the welcome they receive there is not what Selim expected. This installment is a little lighter on the action than its predecessor, spending more time with character work and, as a result, I liked it more. It’s well drawn and beautifully colored with a great sense of timing both in comedy and action sequences. Verdict: Recommended where graphic novels are popular.

Curricular Use:

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

De-Extinction

Author: Hirsch, Rebecca E.

Illustrator: NA

Twenty-first Century Books, 2017

ISBN: 9781467794909

$26.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Those of us who grew up with Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park" will be fascinated by the science that gives a nod to his science fiction. Can extinct animals be brought back using DNA fragments? Hirsch begins the narrative with a description of the attempts to bring Celia, the last bucardo, back from extinction through the technology of cloning. The introductory chapter provides information about the cloning process, the classification system for all the life systems on earth, and the patterns of the previous mass extinctions. The next to chapters address the attempts to map the DNA of wooly mammoths, the promise of reviving the grasslands of the tundra, the connection between wooly mammoths and Asian elephants and cedes into a discussion of the potential of hybridizing current species. The final chapters discuss the attempts to reverse the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, challenges scientists face in helping potential genetic copies learn the behavior needed to survive in the wild, the promise and the peril of de-extinction (including such questions as whether we could recreate a Neanderthal, and concludes with a chapter that discusses how zoos are harvesting and freezing DNA from endangered animals in the hopes that technology will eventually help us preserve plants and animals. The three pages of source notes are heavy with recent information taken from a wide range of popular and scholarly sources. The recommendations provided in the Further Information section represent sources that are both seminal and current and there are multiple website resources that are suggested. Verdict: This highly engaging resource is developmentally appropriate for the Next Generation Science Standards which introduce the topic of extinction in middle and high school. It should be a STEM staple.

Curricular Use: This is a topic that supports the following Next Generation Science Standards Disciplinary Core Ideas at the middle school and high school levels: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, Earth and Human Activity, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics. It is a nonfiction title that would be paired effectively with Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park" to discuss the ethical issues surrounding this topic.

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

Things I Should Have Known

Author: LaZebnik, Claire

Illustrator: NA

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544829695

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: I wanted to give this book a starred review, I just did, but not all of the elements hit the high notes I for which I had hoped. In most respects, Chloe Mitchell's life is pretty mundane. She goes to school, she has a hot boyfriend with whom she has an equally hot physical relationship, and her mother and stepfather are relatively well off financially. Chloe differs from her equally prosaic classmates because her older sister, Ivy, has autism. Ivy is about to age out of her special school in the Los Angeles area, and Ivy has some pretty well defined opinions. Like many children with siblings who have special needs, Chloe feels responsible for Ivy's well being, so she takes it upon herself to play matchmaker with a young man from Ivy's school. After several semi-successful dates, Chloe finds herself falling for Ethan's brother, a young man she previously despised. Things are complicated further when Ethan does, in fact, fall hard for Ivy only for everyone to discover that Ivy is gay. There is much to love about the story. Chloe's and David's sense of responsibility for their siblings is a perspective that is rarely examined (aside from Terry Trueman's works and "Wonder" by R. J. Palaccio). The discussion of relationships and sexual orientation is equally light on literature. Finally, an institutional home that is shown in a positive light rather than as a warehouse is also valuable. The less lovable aspects: David continues to be a jerk, but Chloe decides to see past his flaws; David's and Ethan's stepmother is over the top, and Chloe's reconciliation with her stepfather is just a little too pat to be believable. Less sophisticated readers will likely overlook these flaws in favor of this book that has a lot of heart. Verdict: This is a book that will be enjoyed by readers who liked Cammie McGovern's "Say What You Will." It has a place in any library that is building a collection that favors diversity.

Curricular Use: The topics in this book align nicely with the following high school level Health Education Core Ideas: Wellness as it relates to Communication (H4.W5.HS) and Decision Making (H5.W5.HS) as well as Social Emotional Health especially as it relates to Expressing Emotions (H8.So4.HS)

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

Isaac the Alchemist

Author: Losure, Mary

Illustrator: NA

Candlewick Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780763670634

$19.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Isaac Newton was an English born mathematician and physicist, who is known for the shared credit of inventing calculus, and for his contributions to physics. Mary Losure uses excerpts from Isaac's notebook to help bring to life the genius of Isaac, and has numerous images to help supplement the text. She describes Isaac as a quiet, but smart kid, who at a young age took an interest into what is today’s chemistry. Losure also uses fluid prose, and sums up some of the most important parts of Isaac's life. She describes the prism experiment Isaac used to determine that white light is made up of multiple colors, and describes Isaac's improvements of the telescope. This book is not one that goes into great detail of Isaac's life, nor on how he invented the things he did, but it has enough content to get students interested in Isaac Newton and classical physics. Numerous woodcut illustrations and black and white insets of handwritten notes and drawings, an index, and lots of notes make this text accessible for a wide age range of researchers and readers. Verdict: Another accessible biography for students.

Curricular Use: Good background for science and math students.

Reviewer: Student Reviewer: Z. Kahler vetted by Lisa Sudar, Student, Mark Morris High School

The Palace of Memory

Author: Sedwick, Julian

Illustrator: NA

Carolrhoda Books, c2014

ISBN: 9781467775687

$21.00

Grades 6 - 8: Mysterium book 2. Danny is recovering from his near death experience and still trying to figure out who killed his parents when he learns that the family circus, the Mysterium, is getting back together. He sneaks away from his aunt to rejoin the Mysterium where he begins to think his parents' murderer may be one of the troop members. Members of the Forty-Nine have hired a new hitman to take Danny out and he must use all of his skills, along with help from his friends, to survive. This is a fast-paced mystery adventure that will appeal to a broad audience of middle school students. Verdict: A great follow up to the first story. Middle school students will enjoy the mystery and love the added features that the circus brings to the adventure.

Curricular Use: Mysteries, circuses

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

A Song to Take the World Apart

Author: Romanoff, Zan

Illustrator: NA

Alfred A. Knopf, 2016

ISBN: 9781101938799

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: Sophomore Lorelei and her friend Zoe tell Zoe’s mother they are going to see a movie and instead slip off to see The Trouble, a band led by Lorelei’s crush Chris, a senior at their LA high school. By the end of the night, Lorelei has inadvertently put Chris under the spell of her siren song. At this point, Lorelei doesn’t realize she’s a siren – mythic creatures who ensnare people with their voices – and many readers may not either, but the story is enjoyable whether you are learning the truth alongside her or waiting for it all to come crashing down. Lorelei’s parents and grandmother immigrated to the United States from Germany, and though they all live together, Lorelei’s main caregiver has always been Oma, her grandmother. Oma won’t tell her why they left Germany, or why she has a strict rule that Lorelei must never sing, and when Oma falls ill, and then dies, Lorelei is afraid she’ll never have answers. At the same time, she is navigating a romance with Chris, who is urging her to sing with him. “A Song to Take the World Apart,” is an exploration of relationships and control and it covers not just the romantic relationship with Lorelei and Chris, but many of the relationships that entangle her parents, twin brothers, friends, and bandmates. After a disastrous party, Lorelei struggles with how to confess, and perhaps undo, the spell worked by her singing, and at places the siren myth works well as a parable about consent. Not a typical paranormal romance – the paranormal elements are written in more of a magical realism style, and Lorelei does not end up with Chris – the book will appeal to readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven novels. Verdict: A nuanced coming-of-age story with a mythical twist.

Curricular Use:

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