Embedded Files
ELEMENTARY
Wild About Us!
Author: Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: Janet Stevens
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015
ISBN: 9780152062941
Grades K – 3+: If ever there was a book that helps children celebrate their differences, Wild About Us would have to be it. Each of the zoo animals has a feature that could correspond to a feature a child might have that could be a focus of teasing, but instead of being embarrassed by these features, each of the animals embraces its own creation. The lesson is told in poetry and is augmented by illustrations worthy of the Caldecott Honor awards Janet Stevens has received. Occasionally pages must be turned to show off the lanky giraffe and the monkey with its large ears, but the final lesson is the best: would you come to the zoo to see animals that are all the same? It’s a beautiful message that is worthy of sharing with elementary and secondary students alike.
Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
A Library Book for Bear
Author: Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2014
ISBN: 9780670785780
Grades P – 3: This is liable to be the book that I read to my high school students at Jack Camp. . .the introduction to high school. The story is simple—bear is sure he has all the books he needs. Mouse is sure the library has more. After a heated debate in the library (that ends with bear being shushed by patrons rather than the librarian), Bear and Mouse are invited to join the story time, and leave with seven books. This would be a great book to introduce “library behavior” and expectations to students. . .and it’s just plain fun. Denton imbues her bear with the most wonderful “grumpy” looks and the mouse is just downright cute. Becker uses vivid vocabulary that will leave children giggling. I highly recommend this book to school librarians. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Stick and Stone
Author: Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015
ISBN: 9780544032569
Grades P – 3: This goofy little book is evidence that books with few words and semi-predictable rhymes CAN be great. Stick and Stone are lonely, and, as the author points out, alone is no fun. When Pinecone comes along and makes fun of Stone, Stick sticks up for Stone—because that’s what sticks do. When tragedy hits, Stone persists until he finds and rescues Stick—who then tells Stone that he “rocks.” The adorable illustrations and the message are sure to be endearing to both the children who fall in love with the simple objects and the adults who will wind up reading the story over. . .and over. . .and over. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea
Author: Brenda Z. Guiberson
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 2015
ISBN: 9780805099614
Grades K – 3+: As a publisher, Henry Holt and Company is doing an excellent job of selecting authors who make picture books that are highly compatible with the Common Core and that are appropriate for multiple ages. The Common Core ELA anchor standards require students to make and support arguments. This is an excellent book for teaching that skill. The first illustrated page starts with the question “Who is the most amazing creature in the sea?” One by one a little over 13 creatures—some well known, some pretty obscure—provide first person reasons why each should be considered the most amazing. For younger readers, this is an excellent opportunity for educators to introduce the activity of philosophical chairs. The educator could pick two of the creatures and have students create their arguments, working through the book until students create a thesis and support it with evidence from the book. This book could also be the foundation of an inquiry-based research paper in which students gather more information to determine their pick for the most amazing creature based on additional research. The Author’s Note at the end introduces the concepts of food chains and the need for ocean conservation. The note is followed by a bibliography—another great opportunity to teach what a bibliography is—as well as online resources that might provide a starting point for student research. Although designed for younger readers, this could easily be modified for students as old as high school (for those who have not yet mastered argumentation writing and research skills). The illustrations are a brilliant enhancement to a highly useful book. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
The Underground Abductor
Author & Illustrator: Nathan Hale
Publisher: Amulet, 2015
ISBN: 9781419715365
Grades 4 – 8: Part of the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series. This installment in the non-fiction graphic novel series depicts the life of Harriet Tubman. It describes Harriet’s brutal life in slavery and how she became one the most infamous people to lead slaves to freedom via the underground rail road. The detailed illustrations, set in black, purple and white tones, add much richness to the story. This is a great way to introduce elementary and middle school readers to Harriet Tubman and the obstacles she overcame. This series should be in all upper elementary and middle school libraries. Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
Author & Illustrator: Vern Kousky
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015
ISBN: 9780399164408
Grades P – 3: What a wonderful story about being an individual and not caving to peer pressure! Otto is an owl. Owls are not known for poetry recitation, and yet, this is Otto’s calling in life. This delightful little story intersperses actual poetry by T. S. Eliot, Robert Louis Stevenson, Joyce Kilmer, Emily Dickinson, and Christina Rossetti into Otto’s recitations, providing a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to these notable poets at a young age. Though ostracized by his peers, Otto’s creation of his own poetry enchants the mice who call for “more.” In no time, Otto’s peers are having to rethink their previous snubs. There are multiple layers to this tale, which make it a definite winner. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Have You Seen My Monster?
Author & Illustrator: Steve Light
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2015
ISBN: 9780763675134
Grades K – 3: The Common Core Math standards introduce geometric shapes at the kindergarten level. By first grade, students are expected to be able to reason about the attributes of and compose geometric shapes. Steve Light makes this task easy with his delightful book Have You Seen My Monster? The main character cannot find her monster, and decides to look through the fair to find him. The upper right corner of each page identifies the shape, and the shape is incorporated in the line drawings of each page—but it is the only item in color, so it is easy for youngsters to identify the geometric shapes. Meanwhile, our young protagonist is searching throughout the many places her monster could hide (and he is on every page). It ends with her taking him home. The inside front cover creates a graphic flow map of each of the places the little girl searchers, enabling teachers to not only discuss the shapes, but the concept of maps as well. This is a book that is simple enough for children to read to themselves, but which has such educational potential that it would be a shame for teachers and librarians to miss it. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Look!
Author & Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Publisher: Philomel Books, 2015
ISBN: 9780399162053
Grades P – 3: Who knew such an adorable cautionary tale could be told in two words: “look” and “out.” The date due slip next to the title page provides a perfect opportunity for children to make predictions about what this book will be about. The pages that follow depict a gorilla that goes through multiple gyrations trying to pry a little boy’s attention away from the TV screen and to the books. After several iterations, our adorable gorilla falls onto the TV set, breaking it. It’s the last straw, and the boy orders the gorilla out. In the absence of a TV, the boy discovers the books and invites the gorilla to share in his new discovery. The cartoonish characters, the textures of canvas paintings and leather-bound books, and the hilarious illustrations will make this a favorite of children and librarians alike. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Dear Santasaurus
Author: Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Jef Kaminsky
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 2013
ISBN: 9781590788769
Grades K – 3: Anyone who has a child is going to love this book. . .and love reading it to that child. Dear Santasaurus is an epistolary novel written from Ernest B. Spinosaurus to Santasaurus. . .and Ernest is ALL boy. He starts with a letter to Santasaurus on January 1, thanking Santasaurus for the fabulous remote-control flying pterodactyl that now has a broken wing and a lost remote. He closes the letter with by wishing Santasaurus a happy New Year and a promise to stay on the “Nice List.” Subsequent letters infer mischief galore and mishaps, including a hilarious graph on December 5 that indicates that he has a “whopping 257 nice acts and only 256 naughty acts.” Ernest’s attempts to be good to his sister and his antics with his best friend, Ty, are every bit as recognizable as those engaged in by little boys everywhere. The comical illustrations are an excellent adjunct to a story that kids everywhere are bound to giggle about. If sheer humor and a higher level of text complexity aren’t enough to recommend the book, educators can also use this to practice inference and prediction. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee
Author: Claire Rudolph Murphy
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 2014
ISBN: 9780805082265
Grades K – Adult: This is a superb book for music and history buffs alike. In it, Murphy traces the evolution of America from its British roots to the changes it went through in our little country across the pond. Each verse tells the story of an oppressed group that sought freedom and the promise that the founding fathers originally made. The source notes provide a path to Murphy’s research of this commonly used song. Also included are a bibliography, further resources, and musical links. The back jacket includes the musical notations for the song as well as the lyrics. From cover to cover, this short book provides an excellent background for a song that we can’t help but hear in our heads even as we read the verses. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Ninja Bunny
Author & Illustrator: Jennifer Gray Olson
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2015
ISBN: 9780385754934
Grades 1 – 3: What a clever story! I want to read it to all my friends young and old. It will be my "read to teachers" on opening day. Ninja bunnies have rules. A ninja bunny works alone and must be sneaky, strong, invisible, use weapons, and know how to escape. A ninja bunny must climb, be balanced, and fly. A ninja bunny must battle all large animals such as bears alone. Yet, he learns he sometimes needs his friends to help scare away a bear. The message, and perhaps last rule, is that a ninja bunny needs super awesome friends. The reader needs the pictures to tell the story correctly. The text leads the reader to make conclusions from the illustrations. Great story, Jennifer Gray Olson! Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Ninja Bunny
Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015
ISBN: 9780399257742
Grades K – 3: I am in love with this book! From the beginning, young CJ looks around and sees things he wants or things that he doesn’t like. His grandmother, by contrast, sees the beauty of the world around her and the goodness that is in it. Matt de la Pena uses urban dialogue for CJ’s words and a much more refined response from CJ’s grandmother. CJ and his grandmother end their bus ride at the soup kitchen where readers may not be sure where they serve less fortunate people food. In a culture that celebrates getting, this counter-culture message about giving back is a breath of fresh air. The contrasting perspectives is a great reminder for the children who hear this story as well as for the adults who read it to them. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece
Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014
ISBN: 9780399160950
Grades K – Adult: Patricia Polacco was one of the first author/illustrators I learned about from a mentor librarian when I was doing a long-term substitute position. Polacco’s themes of family and humanity have always resonated with me, so her tributes to various teachers who shaped her have only deepened my appreciation of her as an author and illustrator. Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece is no exception. In beautiful and believable prose, Patricia recounts how she was so shy she was unable to read an essay aloud, and how her teacher, Mr. Tranchino introduced her to Mr. Wayne. Little by little, Mr. Wayne engaged her in the school play in which she eventually took the lead role. As students are expected to dissect narrative nonfiction and write their own, this book becomes not only an inspirational story, but an excellent tool for analyzing Polacco’s literary choices. This is a book that I would highly recommend. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Winter Bees
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Rick Allen
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN: 9780547906508
Grades K – 6: This glorious book starts and ends with a beautiful print of a branch transitioning from fall to winter and then that same branch transitioning from winter to spring at the end. It’s a beautiful introduction to the twelve different kinds of poems about a different kind of flora or fauna and its survival during the winter. From the moose, to the skunk cabbage, to the snow flea, Joyce Sidman creates lush poetry and augments it with a paragraph or two that explains more about the plant, animal, or bug featured in the poem. Each of these is supported by a gorgeous print created by Rick Allen. The pairing makes this a valuable book for educators. This provides wonderful examples of different kinds of poems and the informational text that is on the same spread provides ample fodder for additional research. This could easily be used as a springboard for students to research and then write their own poetry about the plant and animal life in their region during varying seasons. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
28 Days
Author: Charles R. Smith
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2015
ISBN: 9781596438200
Grades 3 – Adult: Charles R. Smith is quite a prolific author. His book Chameleon was my first introduction to his work, followed by The Pick-up Game, a collection of short stories and poetry about a street ball court nicknamed “The Cage.” This work is no less ambitious, and it is beautifuly illustrated by Shane W. Evans. The introductory note from Smith explains his conflicted feelings about Black History Month. In response, he has created a tribute with one day devoted to one or two African Americans of note. His choices are not always the most famous of black characters. Booker T. Washington is noticeably absent in favor of Crispus Attucks and Guy Bluford or Mae Jemison. Organized chronologically, the individuals included in this book have contributed in some way to a rich cultural heritage. Smith is careful to include sports figures, business owners, and civil rights leaders. Malcom X is portrayed with a poem that also spells out “By any means necessary,” –his message (Day 21). Day 15 features the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education with Linda’s name picked out in the letters from the U.S. Supreme Court decision. Smith incorporates poetry with eulogies written for Harriet Tubman (Day 8) and Madam C. J. Walker (Day 10). He is careful to include the contributions of both men and women, and the end result is a beautiful homage to a remarkable group of people. His stated purpose was to educate teachers and students about some known and less well known individuals who are worthy of celebration year round. Each day’s entry is followed by a brief description of the person and his or her contribution—ending with a Day 29 for leap years that inspires young people to continue to contribute. Also included is a bibliography of books and magazine articles for further reading. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
The House that Jane Built
Author: Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrator: Kathryn Brown
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books, 2015
ISBN: 9780805090499
Grades K – 3+: This is a particularly useful picture book. First, it is an excellent introduction to the concept of social justice as envisioned by Jane Addams. In fact, it starts with a lovely poem she wrote about the Holt House, a house she created for the benefit of the poor. It’s a wonderfully age-appropriate book for teaching some of the text features that are part of informational text and citing one’s source. The story of Jane Addams’ desire to change Chicago and the ultimate evolution of her dream from vision to the execution of the Holt House is beautifully told with questions woven into the prose that would enable educators to foster prediction and the building of support for key ideas. The illustrations are equally as engaging. The story ends with an Author’s Note that includes pictures of Jane Addams in various stages of her life as well as a Sources and Source Notes page. It is that final inclusion of her notes and source notes that make this a potentially valuable model for a high school writing project. I can’t think of a better introduction to inquiry learning than to have upper level students write a nonfiction picture book that is supported with notes at the end. Such an assignment would emphasize both word choice, source credibility, an visual literacy in a highly engaging way. Because of its content and its many educational applications, this is a book that I would highly recommend for all grade levels. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
‘Twas Nochebuena
Author: Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrator: Sara Palacios
Publisher: Viking, 2014
ISBN: 9780670016341
Grades K – 3: I enjoyed Noodle Magic, I really fell in love with ‘Twas Nochebuena. If ever there was a Spanglish book, this is it. Following the pattern set by Clement C. Moore, Thong weaves a tale of Nochebuena, Christmas Eve, using both Spanish and English words. The pictures—featuring an adorable little Hispanic girl—help English readers understand the Spanish words and a glossary at the end provides translation for those who are unable to get the words within the context. The Author’s Note mentions that she wrote the book in order to share the traditions she experienced in Guatemala and Mexico with her own daughter, and what a successful way to do it! As our schools and classrooms become more diverse, books like these provide wonderful opportunities for children to share their cultural celebrations and provide students who speak Spanish the opportunity to shine as they translate the words that their English speaking peers don’t know. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
Author: Sally M. Walker
Illustrator: Jonathan D. Voss
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 2015
ISBN: 9780805097153
Grades K – 3: It is almost criminal to process this book because the inside covers contain primary source documents in the form of actual pictures (appropriately credited) and a London Zoo record that are a perfect introduction to primary sources for very young children. In densely packed prose, Walker tells the story of Harry Coleburn, Army verterinarian, and his rescue of an orphaned American black bear cub. Winnie, short for Winnipeg, became the mascot of Harry’s regiment and stayed with him until his duties took him to France to care for the horses wounded in World War I. The books is whimsically and beautifully illustrated. Walker ends with an Author’s Note that explains both Harry and Winnie’s journey and her connection to Christopher Robin Milne. Walker includes her sources—another excellent way to introduce the importance of citing sources, as well as websites that contain additional photos and videos of Winnie. This is a perfect book to pair with the classic tales of Winnie the Pooh. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Won Ton and Chopstick
Author: Lee Wardlaw
Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 2015
Grades P – 3: Lee Wardlaw and Eugene Yelchin partner again for this follow up to one of my personal favorite picture books, Won Ton…so now there is competition to one of my favorite picture books. Like the first book, this one is told entirely in the 5-7-5 syllabication of Haiku. Won Ton the rescue kitty has adjusted to his life and routine with the boy and is content to be the only pet. Suddenly, there are toys that he does not recognize and disruption. When he protests—as all good cats must—he is summarily dismissed to the outside. Little by little, Won Ton is forced to accommodate a new puppy. Each chapter, consisting of several verses, leads up to a satisfactory end. The homage to Matsuo Bashō, a famous Japanese 17th century poet and Haiku master, at the end makes this an especially satisfying story with an especially useful piece of trivia that students could research. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
SECONDARY
John Green: Star Author, Vlogbrother and Nerdfighter
Author: Eric Braun
Publisher: Lerner, 2015
ISBN: 9781467772440
Grades 6 – 8: Part of the Gateway Biographies series. This biography will be gobbled up by middle school girls! It’s interesting, engaging and provides a surprisingly personal view into Mr. Green’s life and his inspirations for writing his novels. The well written text is accompanied by interesting photographs. While not all middle school libraries will stock his books, as they are most appropriate for high schoolers, middle school students who’ve seen the movies and read the books will thoroughly enjoy it. Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Drowned City
Author: Don Brown
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015
ISBN: 9780544157774
Grades 7 – Adult: This title caught my attention because one of my teachers requested the book A.D.: New Orleans after the deluge by Josh Neufeld. The two graphic depictions of the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina tell a similar story. Neufeld’s version is somewhat narrow in scope. It follows the story of five people (including their families and those friends who elected to stay with them and weather the storm) who survive the hurricane and subsequent levy break. The profanity in Neufeld’s version made my teacher a little leery of requesting it, even though he will use this as part of his curriculum with seniors. I think he is liable to find that Drowned City is every bit as good, sans the profanity. One of the first things that stands out about this graphic novel is Brown’s use of actual language and dialogue used in news reports and other communications. These are meticulously documented at the end of the book and are augmented by a page and a half worth of Bibliography so that readers can check the sources and draw their own conclusions. A comparison of the two works also demonstrates a definite emphasis on the politics. Brown makes his disdain for George Bush, FEMA’s efforts, and the Army Corps of Engineers shortcomings blatantly apparent. His emphasis is on the plight of the many who were ignored in the Convention Center. The conditions of survivors and the toxic remnants are front and center in Brown’s much shorter graphic novel. Brown’s emphasis on the environmental conditions were also much more in depth. For example, Brown showed how houses had to be marked in order for clean-up crews to know the conditions of structures they were entering—something that I noted in the art on Neufeld’s book. If I had an unlimited budget, I would purchase both, since they are both of good quality (Neufeld’s title would be much more appropriate for high school). If I could only choose one for educational purposes, I would select Brown’s version, hands down. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Crimson Bound
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Publisher: Balzer & Bray, 2015
ISBN: 9780062224767
Grades 9 – 12: I was expecting more of a companion to Cruel Beauty, Hodge’s first book which incorporated motifs from the Beauty and the Beast tales. Her second book, Crimson Bound, is also a retelling but meshes two completely different stories: Little Red Riding Hood and The Girl Without Hands. Instead, Crimson Bound has all of the components of a richly embroidered piece of oral tradition that has been tumbled on its metaphorical head and turned into an entirely unique piece with strong adventurous female protagonists and an unexpectedly virtuous male character. Hodge draws heavily from French culture to create this epic tale of a girl’s fall from grace to her rise in skill as an assassin, and her final redemption. The main character, Rachelle, is seduced by a forestborn. After being bitten by a forestborn, humans begin to transform, and their transformation is complete. The transformation makes her qualified to be part of the king’s guard, but she is always viewed askance by common people. In spite of her past, she has one friend who loves her and a comrade who desires her. The plot becomes yet more complicated as she convinces the bastard prince she has been commissioned to protect to help her on a quest to find the two swords that can kill the source of evil in their society: the Devourer. Redemption is even sweeter when Rachelle, after consigning herself to the role of courtesan, is able to fulfill her quest and save the world. I was sufficiently intrigued by Hodge’s first novel, although I wasn’t as enamored of it as the general population, but I am thoroughly enchanted with Crimson Bound. This books contains some more mature themes—in keeping with the kind of tale the Brothers Grimm might have employed—but they are beautifully woven into a richly layered scenes that are both lovely and worth sharing. The idea that one mistake, or even two mistakes does not a complete picture of one’s character make is a worthy message for young women. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Half a Man
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Gemma O’Callaghan
Publisher: Candlewick, 2014
ISBN: 9780763677475
Grades 6 – Adult: Michael Morphurgo doesn’t fool around. His stories aim for the heart and hit every time. In Half a Man Michael recounts his slow growing relationship with his grandfather who was terribly disfigured and scarred while in the merchant navy during World War II. When Michael was little, his mother invited her father to family dinners and for holidays, after many years of being separated from him after her mother left. She told Michael to never look at grandfather’s face! But he did. As Michael grew older he spent summers on the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall with his grandfather. As their easy relationship grew from reading in silence to fishing, his grandfather finally shared the attack on his ship, the hospitalization, the healing, and the separation of the family. Michael said that he was closer to his grandfather than anyone in his life. After his death, Michael read a note left by his grandfather, “Thanks for looking at me like you did.” If Michael had not, his grandfather’s story would have died with him. No one else was told. Ever. Makes you want to buy a ticket to go talk with your grandparents, doesn’t it? Buy it. Give it. Cry over it. Reviewer: Joan Enders, Family History Consultant, https://bookbevy.wordpress.com
This is Where it Ends
Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire, 2016
ISBN: 9781492622468
Grades 9 – 12: Talk about a nail-biting ride! I devoured this book over the course of the plane ride home from Phoenix, and given our current ALICE (Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate) training in the schools, this book will be a timely addition to school libraries. Told from the perspective of Claire, Tomas, Sylv, and Autumn readers get a multifaceted view of a school shooting in a small high school in Opportunity, Alabama. Nijkamp successfully ratchets up the drama as students finally begin to realize what is happening and then must deal with the crisis. It’s some tough reading as motives are dissected and fears for loved ones propel some students to heroism and some to self-preservation. There is no shortage of violence, horror, or strong language, but all are appropriate to the characters and setting. Nijkamp successfully develops a unique voice for each character and the gunman’s motives are believable—even though the last chase is a bit protracted. Without question, this is a book that will have students talking and thinking. The subjects of homophobia, depression, and violence as well as the language used make this a book that is more appropriate for more mature readers, but those who read it will find it memorable. Note: The nearly 30 students who have participated in reading the Advanced Reader Copy have universally loved this title, but all have had very emotional responses to it. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Stories of My Life
Author: Katherine Paterson
Publisher: Penguin, 2014
ISBN: 9780803740433
Grades 8 – Adult: Paterson insists that "this is not a memoir" but instead is a collection of "kitchen sink stories." She realizes when she is caring for her sick pregnant daughter that she hasn't heard many of the family stories that Katherine grew up hearing from her mother as they did dishes at the kitchen sink. That may be the type of stories they are, but they reflect a stringent research into letters and history. Paterson was born in China to missionary parents and moved around all of her life. I learned so much reading this book; Chinese history, WWI experiences, facts about Robert E. Lee. And throughout her humor and wonderful style shines through. Anyone who has read Jacob I have loved, or Bridge to Terabithia or any of her wonderful books will recognize some of her inspiration from her life's stories. This is wonderful stuff and I could not put it down. It was amazing to hear that this award-winning writer thought it was joke when they told her she'd won a National Book Award. The timeline in the back helps to sort out the events, but this book will join my list of biographies and memoirs for my AP English students, in spite of the fact that they are just "kitchen sink stories!" Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Place Hacking
Author: Michael J. Rosen
Publisher: Twenty-first Century Books, 2015
ISBN: 9781467725156
Grades 4 – 12: It takes a pretty spectacular piece of writing to garner a starred review for nonfiction from me, and this book absolutely deserves it! Place hacking is essentially breaking into a location without permission. It could be a bell tower, it could be an abandoned factory, it could be tunnels beneath a city. Place hackers are a fascinating subculture, and Rosen’s treatment of the activity is particularly good. As with much informational text, Rosen includes the history as well as definitions of the activity and its closely associated activities of BASE jumping and SCUBA diving. The back matter includes the typical entries of bibliography, index, source notes, further information, and photo acknowledgments with the notable inclusion of something that is worthwhile for teachers: a persuasive writing activity (pp. 64 – 65) that includes three different ethical dilemmas presented by place hacking. These go beyond just surface questions and require students to dig fairly deeply into what they have read as well as form their own opinions in order to craft an argument. Rosen is careful to present an unbiased analysis of the culture, and note that I specifically use the word “culture.” This would be an excellent book for anyone teaching cultural anthropology. Rosen’s decision to include an interview with Dr. Bradley L. Garrett, urban explorer, archeologist, and author, as his concluding chapter is brilliant. In this book, Rosen manages to deftly use literary devices without lapsing into cliché, and the effect is a book that was difficult for me to put down. I can only imagine how much teen readers will love it. This is a title that would pair nicely with Infiltration by Sean Rodman—a book that has particular appeal to young men—and is one that I will recommend to Rodman’s readers. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
The Winner's Crime
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
ISBN: 9780374384708
Grades 9 – 12: The second in a political fantasy trilogy, The Winner’s Crime represents growth in Rutkoski’s craft, and her acknowledgements of such YA luminaries as Kristin Cashore, Leigh Bardugo, Ann Aguirre, and Barry Lyga are indicative of the level at which she is aspiring. At the end of The Winner’s Curse, Kestrel had convinced the emperor to spare Arin and the Herrani, but it was at the cost of agreeing to marry the emperor’s son. The emperor is the archetypical ruthless leader who is disappointed in his son and hopes that the political marriage will cement the loyalty of the army. The romance between Arin and Kestrel is equally as predictable: he questions, she intrigues with spies to feed him information that will insure the survival of the Herrani, and she begins to have feelings for the emperor’s son. Kestrel continues to be a strong, if fairly one-dimensional, character who plays a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with the emperor. The second tome ends with Kestrel being carted off to a prison camp that bears many similarities to the Siberian work camps. Since The Winner’s Curse is one of the YALSA Teen Top Ten nominees for 2015, the second in the trilogy is one that I would recommend more highly. It may take some time for readers to embrace it, but once they do, it will become wildly popular. Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
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