Most middle grade titles covered in the pages of SLJ are reviewed pre-publication—often several months before they actually hit shelves. To make sure you don’t miss out on ordering, highlighting, or displaying great titles just published or coming out soon, here’s a list of fine middle grade offerings out this month.
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BUSBY, Cylin. The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs. illus. by Gerald Kelley. 272p. ebook available. Knopf. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780553511239; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 9780553511246.
Gr 4-6 –Though cat-o’-sea Master Jacob Tibbs’s mother famously possesses a preternatural gift for predicting bad weather, Jacob is the runt of the litter, with four white paws to boot: a traditional sign of poor rat-catching abilities. When avaricious baddie and shipmate Archer decides to make sure Jacob and his mother are shut out of their voyage, he sets a chain of events in motion that shake the foundations of Jacob’s world. Busby deftly blends nautical verisimilitude and 19th-century historical detail with an engaging young feline narrator, creating a coming-of-age adventure story with much to offer a range of readers. The relationship between Jacob and his mother packs genuine emotional punch, and the story brims with swashbuckling maritime adventures. The resolution might not bear close examination, but readers will be too invested in the characters to be too terribly concerned. A discussion of the profit-driven sailing industry even allows for a brief exploration of the English slave trade. Emotional resonance and chockablock seafaring adventures combined with coming-of-age themes takes this over the top.VERDICT An outstanding choice for fans of middle grade nautical adventure and animal narrator novels, especially cat fans, with appeal beyond genre readers. Highly recommended.–Ted McCoy, Springfield City Library, MA
*****************************************************************************************************PENNYPACKER, Sara. Pax. illus. by Jon Klassen. 304p. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. Feb. 2016. Tr $16399. ISBN 9780062377012.
Gr 4-7 –A viscerally affecting story of war, loss, and the power of friendship. Pennypacker, author of the exuberant “Clementine” series (Disney-Hyperion) and the charmingly morbid Summer of the Gypsy Moths (HarperCollins, 2012), here displays not only her formidable writing skills and a willingness to stretch her storytelling into increasingly complex narrative forms but also her ability to tackle dark and weighty themes with sensitivity and respect for the child reader. Set in an intentionally undefined time and place that could very well be a near-future America, the novel opens with a heartbreaking scene of a tame red fox, Pax, being abandoned at the side of the road by his beloved boy, Peter. Perspectives alternate between the boy and the fox, and readers learn that a terrible war rages in this land. Peter’s father is about to leave for the frontlines, and while he’s away, Peter must live with his grandfather out in the country—and his father makes it clear that there is no place for Pax in Peter’s temporary home. Almost as soon as he arrives at his grandfather’s, Peter is overcome with guilt, and he sets off under the cover of darkness to trek the 300 miles back to his home, where he prays he’ll find Pax. The loyal fox, meanwhile, must figure out how to survive in the wild—though never losing hope that his boy will return for him. As the protagonists struggle to reunite in a world in the grip of violence and destruction, they each find helpers who assist them on their respective journeys: Peter breaks his foot and is rehabilitated by Vola, a hermit suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while Pax is taken in by a leash of foxes who teach him the basics of foraging and hunting. Pennypacker doesn’t shy away from some of the more realistic aspects of war, though she keeps most of the violence slightly off-screen: in one scene, the wild foxes define war for the naive Pax as a “human sickness” that causes them to turn on their own kind, akin to rabies; later, as the battle creeps closer, several creatures are maimed and killed by land mines. Black-and-white drawings by Klassen offer a respite for readers, while adding to the haunting atmosphere.With spare, lyrical prose, Pennypacker manages to infuse this tearjerker with a tender hope, showing that peace and love can require just as much sacrifice as war. VERDICT A startling work of fiction that should be read—and discussed—by children and adults alike.–Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal
And check out our interview with Sara Pennypacker.
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MASCHARI, Jennifer. The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price. 304p. ebook available. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062380104.
Gr 4-6 –Charlie Price loves math. It’s something he can count on, especially when he desperately needs to be able to count on something. Charlie’s mother died, and his best friend disappeared the same year. Just as he’s starting to put his life back together, the impossible happens. His sister Imogen finds a mysterious door under her bed and discovers a parallel world where their mother is alive. Initially Charlie is as elated as his sister about the opportunity to reconnect with his mother, but his logical mind quickly deduces that something is amiss in the parallel world. Each experience that he and Imogen have with their mother erases their memories of doing the same thing with her when she was alive. Realizing that the parallel mother is only a creature imitating her and feeding on memories, Charlie solicits the help of a friend to rescue Imogen before all of her memories are stolen. This book straddles multiple genres; the world that Charlie and his grieving family inhabit is heartbreakingly realistic, full of pain and anger as the family tries to reconstruct their lives. The parallel world is reminiscent of the “other” world in Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, initially enticing and refreshingly absent of real-world problems but ultimately dangerous. Because Charlie can move between the two worlds, readers spend equal time in them, and it broadens the appeal of the book. Maschari’s writing, particularly in the realistic sections, will make readers pause. Beautifully crafted sentences read almost as if they were poetry. Maschari also excels at character development; Charlie’s anger, pain, and love make him an entirely believable character, and the evolution of the “mother” in the parallel world is frightening. Tough issues are tackled, and sensitive readers may want to read and process the book with a grown-up. Happily, adults will enjoy the story as much as middle graders. VERDICT Fans of both fantasy and realistic fiction will appreciate this painful but ultimately triumphant, multilayered novel.–Juliet Morefield, Multnomah County Library, OR
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ALLEN, Elise & Daryle Conners. Gabby Duran: Troll Control. 240p. (Gabby Duran). ebook available. Disney-Hyperion. Feb. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781484709368.
Gr 4-6–Gabby Duran, alien babysitter, confronts a new challenge in this latest installment in the series. She faces off with a family of trolls who like to steal things just for fun. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse when Gabby’s knapsack is stolen by her charge. The protagonist’s efforts to get it back lead her to break some rules that endanger her new position and even her memories. And her nemesis Madison makes things worse by threatening to destroy her reputation if Gabby doesn’t help her with the orchestra fund-raiser. The fun details about all the objects the trolls have stolen (including Amelia Earhart’s plane) and the fun games that Gabby plays with Trymmy add a creative touch to the story. VERDICT Imaginative details and an action-packed plot make this a fun read for sci-fi loving young readers.–Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT
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BANKS, Angelica. A Week Without Tuesday. illus. by Stevie Lewis. 384p. Holt. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781627791557.
Gr 4-6–In this fantastical sequel to Finding Serendipity (Holt, 2015), Tuesday and her dog, Baxterr, are beckoned back to the land where all stories are created. Her mother’s famous character, Vivienne Small, is in need of immediate help for her troubled world. Things are going horribly wrong: mountains have grown so much that they pierce the sky, and strange, terrorizing birds known as vercaka arrive from another world. Vivienne shares a possible clue to the mystery from a note tucked into the collar of a dying winged dog: “I cannot hold the worlds apart much longer. Have you found our answer?” Tuesday delivers this note to the Librarian in charge of all books and is informed that the fictional worlds are colliding and out of control. Tuesday, with the assistance of Vivienne and Baxterr, is commissioned to find and help the Gardener, the man in charge of keeping the story worlds apart. On the way, they are attacked by the murderous vercaka, witness oceans from another world pouring into theirs, and see the sky cave in like the bottom of a fishbowl. When Tuesday finally discovers the Gardener, she finds he is old and losing his memory. She must step in and take his place, never to return home to her world again. Banks’s wondrously whimsical language helps transport readers into this imaginative world. The complex landscape may demand extra concentration, but those who follow closely won’t want to come back to our mundane universe. Budding writers might be particularly interested in this tale. The illustrations enliven and clarify this magical story. VERDICT Creative young authors as well as fantasy lovers will enjoy this inventive book.–Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA
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BOSCH, Pseudonymous. Bad Luck. illus. by Juan C. Moreno. 384p. (The Bad Books: Bk. 2). Little, Brown. Feb. 2016. Tr $17. ISBN 9780316320429; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9780316320436.
Gr 4-6–This second installment in the series picks up just about where Bad Magic (Little, Brown, 2014) left off: with sixth-grader Clay at Earth Ranch, an island camp for delinquent youth that is really a camp for kids with magical talents. This time around, readers also meet Brett, the precocious son of a billionaire–cum–cruise ship owner—and Brett has just discovered that his father may be in the midst of some dastardly scheme. Brett ends up washed ashore on the island housing Earth Ranch, and almost as soon as Clay finds and helps him, strange—well, stranger—things start to happen on the island. This second volume has plenty of Bosch’s signature cheekiness and footnotes, and it’s chock-full of intrigue, danger, secret missions, betrayal, a magical library within a library, and a creature straight from legend. Longtime Bosch fans will be thrilled at the reappearance of characters from his “Secret Series” (Little, Brown), but the good fun and solid adventure will delight new readers just the same. VERDICT An excellent addition to middle grade collections.–Amy Koester, Learning Experiences Department, Skokie PL
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CARTER, Aimée. Simon Thorn and the Wolf’s Den. 320p. Bloomsbury. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781619637047.
Gr 5-8–Simon Thorn is starting seventh grade. He misses his mom, whom he sees maybe once a year; his Uncle Darryl restricts where he can go outside his New York apartment; and his only friend, besides Felix the mouse, has decided to side with the bully who makes Simon’s life awful. And Simon can talk to animals—and they talk back. Soon mobs of rats start attacking him, his mother is captured, his uncle turns into a wolf, and he finds himself in the L.A.I.R., an academy for training Animalgams from each animal kingdom, under the Central Park Zoo. As if Simon’s world hasn’t been shifted enough, he discovers that he has a twin, Nolan, and that he himself will be able to shift into an animal form soon, just like all the other Animalgams. Simon feels betrayed and doesn’t know whom to trust; his grandfather, Orion, King of the Birds, wants him captured, while his grandmother, Alpha of the L.A.I.R. and sworn enemy of Orion, wants him dead. Simon soon finds unlikely allies in a dolphin prince, Jam; a prickly poisonous spider princess, Ariana; and even his own initially pompous brother. Together they attempt to free Simon’s mother and uncle, but in the process, the protagonist discovers his true heritage: he is the descendent of the Beast King, the most powerful ruler the animal kingdoms have ever seen, a creature capable of changing into any Animalgam he chooses. In an attempt to destroy the evil legacy of the Beast King, Orion and the Alpha would kill their own kin: Simon and Nolan. Though the theme of humans morphing into animals is not new and some of the conceptual aspects of this title resemble Bryan Chick’s The Secret Zoo (Greenwillow, 2010), this story is nevertheless unique, the characters relatable and developed, and the adventure unpredictable and entertaining. VERDICT This title is likely to be popular with a whole zoo full of readers, and its ending leaves ample room for a sequel.–Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA
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COLE, Henry. Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship. illus. by Henry Cole. 272p. Katherine Tegen Bks. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062245465.
Gr 3-6–Twig just isn’t like anyone else he knows. Despite being well-meaning, sensitive, and thoughtful, the little chipmunk can’t seem to fulfill the expectations of his teachers or his community. On “the Hill,” aptitude in crafts is the only acceptable route to prestige and a named place in the social hierarchy. Twig tries, but he’d rather read picture books and dream than practice his knots or brush up on his lousy welding skills. When a chance adventure ends in Twig and his best friend, Lily, assuming responsibility for a baby dragon, Twig’s skills get a boost but his future becomes even more precarious. What does he truly want? Who does he want to be? In this sweet but slightly heavy-handed illustrated fable, Cole tackles large themes with a gentle tone. Failure, frustration, family, and friendship are at the heart of this sweet tale, and loyalty and camaraderie are the driving forces of the simple plot. The ending, which includes a surprising about-face from a secondary character, feels rushed but leaves the story pleasingly open-ended. VERDICT A good pick for proficient younger readers who prefer gentler themes.–Katya Schapiro, Brooklyn Public Library
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DAGG, Carole Estby. Sweet Home Alaska. 304p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780399172038.
Gr 4-8–Eleven-year-old Terpsichore Johnson is vivacious, inventive, resourceful, and determined to help her family thrive in their new Alaskan home. Unemployment and hunger in the 1930s compel the Johnsons to join an exodus of over 200 upper Midwest families to the New Deal’s experimental Matanuska Colony in Palmer, AK. Despite the trauma of leaving Wisconsin friends, her grandmother, and refinements, Terpsichore, her siblings, her upbeat father, and her cultured, skeptical mother meet hardships with adventuresome spirit. From tents, mud, mosquitoes, and construction delays to their own 40 acres and a farmhouse, the Johnson family gradually discover the riches and possibilities of their new environment. Terpsichore and two equally spunky and enterprising new friends form a “library action committee” to bring books into the community. Hoping to ensure her musical mother’s willingness to stay in Alaska, Terpsichore secretly buys a piano with money earned from growing a giant, prize-winning pumpkin and publishing a cookbook of unique local recipes. Resilience, togetherness, and civility are unshakable family values. Authentic references to the 1930s abound: an FDR Fireside Chat, Shirley Temple curls, the measles epidemic, a visit to Palmer by celebrity Will Rogers, and the challenges faced by the Matanuska colonists. Fact and fiction and real and imagined personalities and events are seamlessly woven into this quaint, energetic, and engaging story. VERDICT Short, lively chapters; dynamic characters; family struggles and unity; and well-blended Depression-era facts will capture and inform middle grade readers.–Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC
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GAYTON, Sam. The Adventures of Lettie Peppercorn. illus. by Poly Bernatene. 304p. ebook available. S. & S./Margaret K. McElderry Bks. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781481447690.
Gr 4-6–Twelve-year-old Lettie Peppercorn’s “joint best friends” are the wind and a pigeon named Periwinkle. She is the landlady of the White Horse Inn, a run-down building on stilts created by her absent alchemist mother. Money is scarce, since her Da drinks and gambles away their meager funds. Lettie is alone in the Inn except for the Goggler and the Walrus, two demandingly irritating female guests, when a strange, evil man with an icicle beard arrives. His name is Blustav, but he calls himself the Snow Merchant, and he has come to peddle snow to Lettie. He arrives on a boat piloted by a young boy named Noah. The two women and Lettie behold the alchemical creation of snow and think it’s diamonds. Lettie now believes her money worries are over, but the nefarious guests plan to steal the Snow Merchant’s product for themselves. When Blustav lets slip that he knows the young girl’s mother, Lettie and Noah give chase, hoping that the sinister man might lead them to Lettie’s missing mom. The tale is peppered with enjoyably ludicrous occurrences: Noah has a green shoot growing out of his shoulder that provides nourishment in times of need, and Blustav turns his enemies into their last meal (Lettie’s dad becomes a beer bottle, and the Walrus’s head turns into a teapot). Bernatene’s atmospheric illustrations are full of intriguingly whimsical characters who add a deeper layer to this imaginatively odd story. Lettie’s loving determination to reunite her peculiar family, along with the bevy of magical twists and turns, will keep middle grade fantasy/adventure buffs hooked. VERDICT Hand this title to fans of Roald Dahl.–Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA
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GRANT, Holly. The Dastardly Deed. illus. by Josie Portillo. 368p. (The League of Beastly Dreadfuls: Bk. 2). ebook available. Random. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780385370257; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 9780385370264.
Gr 4-6–Picking up right where The League of Beastly Dreadfuls (Random, 2015) ended, this title opens as Anastasia crashes (quite literally) into her new home in Nowhere Special only to find that she is actually someone quite different than she thought: she has a different last name and is a princess. Outfitted in a perfectly uncomfortable wig and too many layers of crinoline, Anastasia is not ready for the Pettifog Academy of Impressionable Young Minds. It only becomes manageable when her Shadowboy friends, Quentin and Ollie, finally appear at school. The League of Beastly Dreadfuls is reunited with the addition of Gus, a halfhearted Gorgon whom Anastasia befriends. As she attempts to learn Echolalia so she can communicate with her attendant bat, Pippistrella, and learn comportment from her snooty aunt, Ludowiga, Anastasia begins to piece together the past history of her family, including the Dastardly Deed. It happened hundreds of years before, when relations between the Morfolk (her family, who can change into creatures) and magical witches turned from amicable to nasty. Anastasia’s grandfather was locked in a Silver Chest from which he could not escape by the clever and evil witch Calixto Swift. And there he remains. Even though Anastasia has promised her concerned Aunt Penny and her lovable Uncle Baldwin that she would not get into trouble or try to solve the mystery of the Dastardly Deed, she greatly misses her father (who was evidently not a boring vacuum salesman, but a prince who had the unusual ability to transform into a guinea pig) and might have to break her promise. She begins to realize that locating the Silver Hammer and the Silver Chest that contains her grandfather might be the only way to find her father. The League of Beastly Dreadfuls is called into action. Dangerous and secret adventures ensue: bats are put to sleep, strange dreams are entered, mirror twins are discovered, mice are released (and used for science experiments), zero gravity chambers are visited, Wish Hags are discovered (and released), and dream bugs are eaten. With the creation of a different world and the addition of new, and somewhat strange, characters, this adventure is as exciting as the first. The same narrator who speaks to readers is back and adds a sarcastic and warning tone to the book. Black-and-white illustrations are sprinkled throughout. VERDICT A series that is worth continuing (or starting) and that is Something Special.–Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA
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JOHNSON, Varian. To Catch a Cheat. 256p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545722391; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545722414.
Gr 5-9–Jackson Greene claims to have sworn off heists once and for all, but he keeps getting blamed for them. When the school gets flooded, he and his friends are accused of pulling a prank. Soon after, a group of students from their school claim that they have proof that Jackson and his friends did it. In order to keep the video from being leaked to the principal, Jackson and his friends have to pull off the impossible: they must break into Mrs. Clark’s room and steal a copy of her infamously hard end-of-term test. Will Jackson and his friends succeed or get caught red-handed? Who is blackmailing them? What is the blackmailer really after? This sequel is even better than the first book, The Great Greene Heist (Scholastic, 2014). It has more depth and character development, and the plot is complex and engaging. Although it is recommended that kids read the first one, this book can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone. VERDICT Those who enjoy realistic fiction with action, mystery, and humor will have a hard time putting this novel down.–Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT
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KEENAN-BOLGER, Andrew & Kate Wetherhead. Jack and Louisa: Act 2. 256p. (Jack & Louisa: Bk. 2). Grosset & Dunlap. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780448478401.
Gr 4-7–Best friends and fellow Musical Theater Nerds (MTNs) Jack and Louisa are anxiously awaiting auditions for their middle school musical, Guys and Dolls. The dramatic duo, fresh off their successful performance in the community theater production of Into the Woods, hope to land the comedic leads. Lou is convinced that Jack, a refugee from New York City who appeared in Broadway shows until his voice started to change, is a shoo-in for the role of Nathan. However, Jack’s theater résumé may work against him when a new director with Broadway credentials of her own takes over the play. How many stars can one school play sustain? This second entry in the series brings back the duel voices of Jack (sweet and sensitive) and Louisa (emotional and quick-tempered) in alternating chapters. The characters are more fully developed in this book, as the two friends weather the highs and lows of theater and middle school. Jack struggles with his emotions after unexpectedly meeting the young boy who replaced him in his last Broadway show, while Lou falls under the spell of their new director. Starstruck, Lou fails to notice that the director systematically belittles and bullies Jack. When Lou finally realizes what is happening, her reaction is impulsive, passionate, and pure Lou. Although reading the first book in the series would provide background, this entry works well as a standalone. One does not have to be an MTN to enjoy this title. VERDICT An entertaining look at middle school dynamics, jealousy, and bullying.–Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor School District, Lancaster, PA
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KORMAN, Gordon. Masterminds: Criminal Destiny. 288p. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781443428767.
Gr 4-7–Continuing where Masterminds (HarperCollins, 2015) left off, this narrative follows Eli, Malik, Tori, and Amber, who are on the run after discovering that they are clones of criminal masterminds. They must come to terms with what they are and the fact that their lives up to this point have been a sham. They hope to expose Project Osiris and their hometown of Serenity while simultaneously trying to navigate the real world and escape the Purple People Eaters, who are trying to stop them. Step one of their plan is to find the billionaire Tamara Dunleavy, who once funded Project Osiris, to help prove their story. To succeed, they may have to act like the criminals from whom they were cloned. Told from alternating perspectives like its predecessor, Korman’s sequel maintains the same fast-paced, witty storytelling. Though a lot of the plot is far-fetched, it doesn’t take away from the fun. This is a truly engaging tale with relatable characters. Readers will have to start with the first book to understand what is going on, and with another cliff-hanger ending, it is clear this is not the end of the line for Eli, Malik, Tori, and Amber. VERDICT A thrilling and fun series perfect for middle grade adventure seekers.–Kristyn Dorfman, the Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY
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LARSON, Kirby. Audacity Jones to the Rescue. 224p. ebook available. Scholastic. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545840569; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545840620.
Gr 4-6–Readers will delight in the spunk and resourcefulness of Audacity Jones. An orphan living at Miss Maisie’s School for Wayward Girls, she employs her intelligence and natural leadership to compensate for Miss Maisie’s negligence and inattention. One day, a patron, Commodore Crutchfield, comes by the home seeking an orphan to accompany him on a special trip. Audie gets a buzzing in her ear that compels her to volunteer for the adventure. As the trip gets underway, she has no idea where they are going and what their purpose is, but she sends postcards back to her friends at every stop. Eventually they arrive in Washington, DC, where she makes a new friend in Juice, a newspaper boy, who rescues her when Crutchfield leaves her stranded at Union Station. Juice and his friend and mentor, Daddy Dub, continue to keep an eye on Audie—and she needs their help when the Commodore and his friend Elva Finch cook up a nefarious plan involving the president of the United States. Audacity and her friends use their wits and courage to save the day. VERDICT Readers will cheer Audacity’s ingenuity and bravery as they relish every moment of her adventures. Highly recommended.–Laura Fields Eason, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School, Bowling Green, KY
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McGOVERN, Cammie. Just My Luck. 240p. HarperCollins. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062330659.
Gr 4-6–Fourth-grader Benny is not having any luck. His father had an accident for which Benny blames himself. His best friend moved to Florida. And his brother George, who is autistic, can do tricks on his bicycle, while Benny is still having trouble starting and stopping. In her debut novel for middle grade readers, McGovern presents a heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn’t realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family and his teacher Mr. Norris. At school, a new program called C.A.R.E. rewards students who “do things that show our empathy and compassion.” While the other students count their C.A.R.E. scores, Benny feels like his good deeds are invisible. At home, Benny’s mother encourages him to find his passion, but he’s not sure what that is. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing. When Benny’s father has to go back to the hospital, all of Benny’s fears return, but, gradually, he is able to navigate his new circumstances, especially when he realizes that he and Mr. Norris share something very important. VERDICT Recommend this sensitive novel to fans of Lisa Graff’s Absolutely Almost (Philomel, 2014) and Rob Buyea’s Because of Mr. Terupt (Delacorte, 2010).–Shelley Sommer, Inly School, Scituate, MA
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O’HEARN, Kate. Valkyrie. 352p. S. & S./Aladdin. Feb. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781481447379.
Gr 5-9–O’Hearn sets her newest fantasy among the Valkyries of Norse mythology—the eternally beautiful winged women who routinely visit the battlefields of Midgard (Earth) in order to “reap” the souls of the bravest warriors and take them to Asgard. There, the great god Odin honors them as heroes, allowing them to live a life of feasting, dancing, and fighting in Valhalla—his “Great Heavenly Hall for the Heroic Dead.” As this story begins, Freya, youngest and last of the Valkyries, is about to participate in her First Day Ceremony and her first reaping of a warrior on the battlefield. But proud and awed as she is by the pomp of the ceremony, she swears the Valkyrie oath reluctantly, uncertain of her capability to perform her assigned tasks. Freya’s first reaping is Tyrone, a soldier whose concern for his endangered family in Chicago is so great that she promises to try to help them. On her illicit journey to Midgard seeking Tyrone’s daughters, some very special teens and adults give her heightened respect for modern humanity. Featured characters are given sufficient depth and personality. Contemporary issues—gangs and neighborhood safety, bullying and self-protection, seniors raising grandkids—are addressed. VERDICT Freya’s story, easy to envision as a movie, will surely please many young fantasy lovers, especially those looking for Rick Riordan read-alikes.–Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH
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ROBINSON, Sharon. The Hero Two Doors Down: A Story of Friendship Between a Boy and a Baseball Legend. 208p. Scholastic. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545804516; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545804530.
Gr 4-6–This stirring tale of interracial and intergenerational friendship is based on a true story. Steven Satlow was seven years old in 1948 when Jackie Robinson and his family moved into the predominately Jewish section of Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY. Steve idolized Jackie and couldn’t believe that his hero lived just two houses away. Ever gracious, Jackie welcomed the young fan into his home and family. Steven learned many lessons about tolerance, conflict resolution, and self-esteem from the quiet man who broke the color barrier in professional baseball. Occasionally moralizing, with dialogue that is at times stilted, the lessons are unmistakably teaching moments. After Steve gets into a fight, Jackie counsels him, “Punching someone who has verbally attacked you will only make things worse…. If you can, take the high road next time.” The author also occasionally slips modern slang (“awesome,” “game on”) into their conversations, which seems slightly out of place. These minor issues, however, do not detract from a wonderful friendship story that has valuable lessons for all readers. The author is Jackie Robinson’s daughter, and she and the Robinson family have remained lifelong friends with the Satlows, a true example of how friendships can cross racial divides. VERDICT This should be a home run for baseball fans and anyone who loves an inspirational friendship story.–Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI
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STANDIFORD, Natalie. The Only Girl in School. illus. by Nathan Durfee. 224p. Scholastic. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545829960; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545829984.
Gr 3-6–Ten-year-old Claire Warren has a rocky start to the school year. Her best girl friend, Bess, has moved away, and good pal Henry is suddenly too cool to hang out with a girl. Now, Claire must figure out how to negotiate the tricky landscape that is fifth grade—as the only remaining girl in school. Claire’s story is recounted through her letters to Bess, which she supplements by re-creating her drawings from the school bathroom wall (she has the girls’ bathroom to herself, after all). Standiford successfully taps into the feeling of growing up on a small East Coast island. Claire has a strong voice and authentic dialogue. Her strength of character shines as she faces challenges with humor and resilience. The plot covers a lot of ground—a birthday party, a school dance, soccer games, sailing competitions, and even the appearance of a pirate ghost. There are implausible moments, but the courage in Claire’s consistent refusal to change herself to please others always feels genuine. VERDICT An engaging tale of unwavering self-acceptance. Readers will laugh out loud and emerge from the story satisfied with the cheerful resolution.–Alyssa Annico,Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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THOMPSON, Kim. Shadow Wrack. 136p. (The Eldritch Manor Series: Bk. 2). Dundurn. Feb. 2016. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9781459732056.
Gr 4-7–For Willa Fuller, “normal” seems like an out-of-this-realm possibility. This second installment of the series continues Willa’s adventures with Miss Trang and her crew of magical and mystical creatures. The story begins with Willa’s recap of the first novel’s events and her exasperation with her family and friends for just going about their normal lives while she’s still all shook up from almost dying and watching the manor going up in flames. Miss Trang, per usual, departs on an important meeting, leaving Willa in charge of the inhabitants of Eldritch Manor, which is being rebuilt by dwarfs. Of course, things don’t go smoothly for Willa; her family refuses to discuss the supernatural events even though they have a few magical residents staying in their home. Horace (part-man, part-lion) is getting old and a tad confused, fairies and dwarfs are fighting nonstop, and black spots (the same black spots that spurred the destruction of the manor) are invading Willa’s home and other places once again. The neighbors are starting to get very suspicious, and Willa’s anger is growing to immeasurable proportions. The 12-year-old protagonist takes on all of these conundrums and more, calling on powers she didn’t know existed, though she’s not sure if they will be enough to keep the manor and its inhabitants safe. VERDICT A must-purchase where there are fans of the first book and a solid series addition to most middle grade fantasy collections.–Meghan Oppelt, Whitehall School District, WI
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VANCE, Alexander. Behind the Canvas. 336p. Feiwel & Friends. Feb. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781250029706.
Gr 5-8–Aiming to do for art history what Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series (Disney-Hyperion) has done for Greek mythology, Vance’s novel follows its 12-year-old protagonist, a budding artist named Claudia Miravista, into a world where famous artists and art iconography come to life as dynamic, idiosyncratic characters. When she unexpectedly spots a living boy, Pim, peering out from the background of a painting at the local museum, Claudia is unexpectedly drawn into both a friendship and an interdimensional conflict, which requires her to join Pim in a mysterious realm built by the imaginations of every major artist since the Renaissance. Initially bogged down by a great deal of explanatory setup (necessary to make such an abstract conceit stick), Vance’s story flares to life when Claudia crosses into the canvas for the first time. Soon, she’s trading gossip with the Mona Lisa, befriending one of C.M. Coolidge’s poker-playing dogs, and running from a particularly frightening Max Ernst creation—all to free Pim from the clutches of an evil artist-witch named Nee Gezicht. Helped along by tongue-in-cheek footnotes from a fictional art encyclopedia, adventurous readers will end up learning a great deal about art history along the way. VERDICT A conventional misfit-turned-hero tale elevated by an inspired concept.–Abigail Garnett, Brooklyn Public Library
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ZAHLER, Diane. Baker’s Magic. 336p. Capstone. Feb. 2016. Tr $12.95. ISBN 9781623706425.
Gr 3-6–A cozy fantasy adventure featuring strong female characters. In the Holland-esque kingdom of Aradyn, hungry orphan Bee’s theft of a pastry leads to a job and temporary home in a bakery. Bee’s newfound happiness magically infuses her baked goods with positive feelings, and the business’s increasing popularity attracts the attention of the palace. Powerful mage and pastry lover Master Joris has become guardian to the orphan princess, is holding her captive, and has converted all arable land into valuable tulip fields at the expense of trees. Using magic from the village blacksmith’s assistant, Bee helps the lonesome Princess Anika escape a forced marriage. As their shoddy vessel sinks, the group is saved by a crew of tulip-hijacking pirates led by the fierce Zafira Zay. A high seas adventure leads to surprising discoveries about assumed-dead relatives and long-lost trees. The plucky orphan finding magic and friendship is not a new theme, but ample action and charming characters like Bee, Princess Anika, and Captain Zafira Zay make this an entertaining read with an empowering message for girls, while still maintaining cross-gender appeal. Fans of Lisa Graff’s A Tangle of Knots (Philomel, 2013) or Ingrid Law’s Savvy (Dial, 2008) will find a satisfying analogue in this volume. A recipe for the prominently featured delicacy “Bouts Buns” is included. VERDICT Text complexity and a wholesome plot make this a good choice for higher-level readers in lower grades. A solid addition to larger middle grade collections.–Deidre Winterhalter, Niles Public Library, Niles, Illinois