Pre-school & Elementary
Ophelia is a tale of misunderstanding. Ophelia wakes to the sound of friend Kevin moaning, he has butterflies in his stomach. The butterflies turn into a stomachache, and as other friends hear the call, the ailment becomes progressively worse, until they think Kevin is dead. Of course is not, and they soon find out he is feeling unwell because he is in love. It is very amusing the way each animal bears his own remedy for each imagined sickness. The pictures expressively convey all the animals’ emotions, showing concern for Kevin to sadness at his demise, and happiness at his being just fine. It is a great read , that will lead to a discussion of how words can be misunderstood, and perhaps a game of telephone!

 

(E.S.) In a somewhat confusing sequence, David Adler tells mainly the political life-story of James Madison, including information about Dolley along the way. Beginning in the year 1812 (the year is not identified until page 2) the book is composed of brief historical circumstances surrounding the presidency, and it eventually describes Madison’s reaction to these circumstances: declaring war on Britain in 1812. The book then back-tracks to facts and events in Madison’s youth including: his close family life, his education at Princeton, and his interest in politics and Dolley. Then the 1770’s arrive with Madison’s election to the Virginia Convention. Lack of glossary will cause confusion, since readers may not be familiar with such terms as “constitutional convention” or “continental congress.” More facts about the War of 1812 are presented, and the book closes with the individual deaths of James and Dolley. Waterco lor illustrations closely follow the text and will hold readers’ interest, but the text may bring questions. This book presents facts in a round-about way.

E.S. - This picturebook biography of our 44th President begins with a son watching Barack Obama on television and asking his mother why. This device, meant to show the reader that, with hope anyone can be whatever they want, is confusing and takes away from the simply told story of Obama's life from boyhood to June, 2008, when he won the democratic party's nomination for POTUS. Mixed media illustrations are accurate portrayals of Obama and his family, with backgrounds that are fanciful, accurate, and collaged, drawing the reader from page to page. The Bibliography is a starting point for readers who want to learn more as many books have been published since Obama became President. A timeline and family tree (also beautifully illustrated) are useful additions to the body of the book. Two author's notes and an illustrator's note complete the package.

E.S. - Horse lovers will enjoy this nonfiction rendition of the horse who "won the hearts of America" during the Great Depression. This unlikely champion was a funny-looking animal who loved to eat and sleep and hated to run, but his trainer, owner, and jockeys believed in him and helped him meet the potential of his champion forebearers. The Author's Note explains more of the history that the text and the extensive list of sources will encourage those interested to look for more information. Illustrations, done in acrylics, are cartoon-like in style - big round eyes - though colors convey the moods well. The attractive endpapers are decorated with horseshoes.

E.S. - Philippa, a girl who loves to climbs trees and do magic tricks, feels lonely when her best friend moves away. When the new girl at school admits that she is her fairy godsister and must give her three wishes, things begin to change, though the girls aren't compatible. Daisy is much more social and is impatient to be done with the quieter Philippa. Told from the point of view of each of the girls, this story mixes magic with real-life in a believable way, including social situations and embarassing parents, making this a book that readers will relate to. The girls eventually figure out that they get along and become as close as sisters, two steps forward and one step back, as in life.

P.S. - E.S. Duck, feeling left out because he is the only bird who doesn't have an egg, finds a big egg with green speckles. The other birds make fun of duck's odd egg and when their eggs hatch, Duck patiently waits. Finally the new baby arrives: an enormous alligator - SNAP! The creamy background lends a soothing, classy feeling to this timeless story. The two hatching sequences, done with small-to-large-sized pages, are effective and add interest. Duck is a sweet, optimistic character who is different, which might spark discussions of how being different is okay. Important bits of the story will be lost if readers don't check both endpapers, a bit irritating since the book is only 28 pages long and the last endpaper is the funny conclusion of alligator and "Mama" Drake.

H.S. This book is the sixth one in the Bloody Jack series which focuses on a Jacky Faber, the heroine of the series. The reader will be quite lost in the beginning of the novel if they have not read the earlier novels of the series. From reading only this novel in the Bloody Jack series the reader eventually learns that Jacky is acting as a spy. The plot becomes more exciting when the reader learns that Jacky is taken from America back to England and is pressed into service as a spy.

At first she poses as a dancer and a spy, she then dresses like a man and joins the French army, where she fights under Napoleon’s rule. The novel gives some good insight to historical context, but the scenarios at times are almost fairy-tale like.

This novel can be very risqué especially the scenes when Jacky is forced to prostitute herself in order to save her boyfriend’s life. Also, Jacky at times can be very lewd in her comments. Jacky also acts in very flirty and provocative ways in order to wiggle her way out of some tight spots.

The novel itself has a lot of action, however in the beginning it takes a while for the reader to get into the plot of the story. If there is an avid reader of the Bloody Jack series they are sure to get more out of this novel then a new comer.
 

M.S. This is the sequel to The Secret Language of Girls. This story follows Marilyn and Kate into 7th grade where they find themselves moving in different directions while attempting to maintain their friendship. Marilyn has joined the cheerleaders and is running for student government while Kate has discovered her inner rocker. Though both have developed friendships with other people and look to these people for support, they find themselves reconnecting when it counts. SLJ says the book is “a realistic and humorous look at the trials and tribulations of growing up and growing independent.”

M.S. Set in 1963, in the Bronx New York, this is a story of an unlikely friendship between an Irish Catholic girl and an African American girl. Fiona comes from a family with an abusive, drunk father who regularly beats her mother, and Yolanda lives with her aunt while her mother is in South Carolina “for her health.” Fiona’s mother does not approve of her relationship with Yolanda, but that doesn’t stop her from developing a deep friendship with her. The girls help each other through tough times, and Yolanda convinces Fiona to stand up to her alcoholic father. The friendship goes through a rough patch when Fiona is befriended by the popular girls because she knows a certain boy, but in the end the girls are there for each other. As the SLJ review states…”the novel offers insight into the turbulent era.”

E.S. The Huit octuplets live alone (with their eight cats) after their parents disappear. Guided by notes from an unknown source, each girl must unlock her secret power in order to receive a clue in solving their parents' disappearance. The adventures unfolds with each volume focusing on an individual sibling's quest--in this case, Annie's discovery that she's a financial whiz. Weber's lively black-and-white sketches highlight the humorous and fantastical elements of the story. The thrills, suspense and hijinks should satisfy adventure-seeking young readers although they may not have enough patience to wait for all eight girls to discover their powers.

Preschool -Elementary
No Hugs Till Saturday is a humorous story about the love between a mother and son. Felix, the son, gets caught playing ball in the house, as punishment he is given quiet time in his room. In anger, he swears Mom gets no hugs till Saturday. He holds out admirably, even through a fall and small injury. But when he realizes Saturday is a full week away, things get harder. Felix shortens he edict day by day until by bedtime he is ready to give a “super,special,gigantic monster mash” of a hug. The text does a wonderful job of showing Felix ruminating about his words and trying to find away around them. Downing, of course brings the tale to a satisfying resolution. The illustrations are terrifically expressive, done in pastel watercolors. One full two page spread depicting Felix in his room dealing with his anger .The book has a wonderful personality, showing a cozy parent-child relationship, and giving validation to Felix’s feelings, with a lesson in the days of the w eek thrown in.
 

H.S. VOYA, Aug. 2008, 4Q, 4P; Recommended by PW, Kliatt, SLJ & Kirkus per barnesandnoble.com.

A little over 4 years ago, Natalie's mother walked out on her and her dad in the middle of a sentence. That moment defines Natalie's life. One day, a package arrives for Natalie from her mom with a return address on it. Natalie runs away from home taking a bus from Connecticut to Florida in search of her mom. Alternate plots revolve around the other people she meets in her travels as well as her relationships with her best friend and ex-boyfriend. A smart read.

My teenage daughter read this book and said it's good, but not one she would read over and over.

H.S. VOYA, Aug. 2008, 4Q, 4P; also recommended by PW, Kliatt & SLJ, per barnesand noble.com

Lily Noble has always gone to Vaughn School, an elite boarding school, so when Hazel Tobias shows up from public school, Lily is intrigued and the two become friends. The two girls learn to redefine their lives and their goals during the course of the school year. This coming-of-age novel shows how two people from two different backgrounds can become friends. The story alternates between past and present which, along with the dialogue, is sometimes hard to follow, but teen girls will be drawn to the main characters. The cover art is not very appealing.

H.S. Booklist - starred review; Voya - 4Q, 4P; SLJ - Rec.; Kirkus - starred review.

Best friends Chris & Win head out on a cross-country bike trip from West Virginia to Washington State after high school graduation. Towards the end of the trip, Win disappears, leaving Chris alone, puzzled and angry. Fast forward two months, Chris is in college and an FBI agent hired by Win's wealthy dad comes to interrogate him about Win's disappearance. Win's dad attempts to intimidate Chris and his family, thinking that Chris had something to do with his son's disappearance. This book is suspenseful and well-written, but I think the cover art could be more teen friendly.

H.S. VOYA, Aug. 2008, 4Q, 4P; Recommended by PW, Kliatt, SLJ & Kirkus per barnesandnoble.com.

A little over 4 years ago, Natalie's mother walked out on her and her dad in the middle of a sentence. That moment defines Natalie's life. One day, a package arrives for Natalie from her mom with a return address on it. Natalie runs away from home taking a bus from Connecticut to Florida in search of her mom. Alternate plots revolve around the other people she meets in her travels as well as her relationships with her best friend and ex-boyfriend. A smart read.

My teenage daughter read this book and said it's good, but not one she would read over and over.