2008 Best Books for Young Adults (5)

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Fourteen-year-old Matilda lives on a tropical island with her mother. A civil war between government troops (redskin soldiers) and the rebels have made all the teachers and white people flee the island, except for Mr. Watts. Mr. Watts has volunteered to be their teacher and he introduces Mr. Pip from Great Expectations. Through the world of Mr. Pip, Matilda and her classmates learn how to use their minds and imaginations to help them survive through the atrocities that are about to happen in their tiny island. The redskin soldiers capture Mr. Watts and to everyone's astonishment, kill him. Matilda's mother speaks out and she is taken away to the back of their house. After a couple of minutes, Matilda is taken to her mother and she sees her mother being raped. Matilda's mother begs them not to rape her daughter and offers her life for Matilda's innocence not to be taken away. The soldiers then kill her and Matilda is spared. That night, Matilda is swept away by a swollen river and thinks about giving up. She decides she wants to survive and she holds onto a log while she is being swept away to the open sea. In the sea, she sees Mr. Masoi and his family in a small boat. They take Matilda and escape the island. They are rescued by a large boat and are sent to Honiara where they are given a physical. Matilda is then sent to Australia to meet her father. Later on as an adult, Matilda writes about her life on that tiny island and about how her mother, Mr. Watts, and even how Mr. Pip shaped her life. This is a powerful story that I would recommend to upper grade students. I would not recommend it to struggling readers since the story is long. I felt the only weakness of the story was towards the end of the book. The story takes too long, from the time Matilda met up with her father to the time she decides to return home.

2008 Schneider Award Winner

Kami and the Yaks by Andrea Stenn Stryer

Kami is a deaf Sherpa boy who lives in the Himalayas. His father and older brother are searching for their yaks by the slopes to prepare them for a trek with some climbers. Kami has an idea that they are elsewhere. A storm is coming and it frightens Kami. He keeps on searching until he finds them and realizes that White Spot, the smallest yak, is stuck in a crevice between two rocks. Kami goes back for help and gestures to his father what has happened. With some difficulty, they finally understand and Kami shows them where the yaks are. They free White Spot and his father hugs him to show that he is proud of him. Kami leads the yaks and his family down the mountain showing them he could do it too. This is a wonderful story of how one can overcome their shortcomings and do anything they set their minds to. This book can be used as an introduction to disabilities or in a book talk. It has great illustrations depicting the lives of the Sherpas and the rough terrain of the Himalayas. It also includes an explanation of the lives of Sherpa families.

2008 Sibert Medal Winner

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis

This book is a biography of Peter Sis who was born in the beginning of the Cold War. He lived on the communist side and was taught in school never to question authorities. He illustrates how he and fellow friends defied the communist government by secretly listening to rock music, making electric guitars, growing their hair long, and secretly painting murals of hope and freedom. Finally, the Wall is torn down in November 1989 and people are free again to dream and hope for a better future. This is a wonderful biography that I would highly recommend to middle grade students. The text is easy to read and won't intimidate reluctant readers since the layout is somewhat of a graphic novel and picture book. The book could also be used for students that are researching the Cold War era.

2008 Newberry Medal Winner

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! : Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz

This book is about the lives of teens that live in an imaginary medieval village in England, in the year 1255. The book contains twenty-one miniature plays: nineteen monologues and two dialogues. The plays describe the struggles of the villagers and what one had to do in order to survive. From Taggot, the blacksmith's daughter, to Simon, the knight's son, and to Pier's, the glass blower's apprentice, each character is brought to life with their own unique story. The book contains an illustrative map of the village. In the map it shows the characters name and in what part of the village they live. Each set of plays contains a background explaining how their system worked back then. Also, each play contains side notes explaining the characters occupation and their situation. This is a beautifully written book that I would highly recommend to middle and upper grade students. It could also be used as an introduction to poetry or to a history class that is studying about medieval times. The language is easy to read and not hard to understand what their message is. The illustrations depict how works of art looked at that time, are colorful, and have great detail.

2008 Theodore Seuss Geisel Award

There is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie are taking a nap. When all of a sudden, a bird lands on Elephant's head. Piggie confirms to Elephant that indeed he does have a bird on his head. Elephant is not happy. All of a sudden, there are now two lovebirds on his head and are building a nest. Again Piggie confirms that now he has two birds, a nest, and three eggs on his head. The eggs hatch and instead of thee eggs their are now three baby chicks. Elephant kindly asks them to go somewhere else. The birds agree and they land on pigs head. This is a funny story of two friends trying to deal with a unique situation. I read it to my children and they loved it. The illustrations are colorful and the expressions are so realistic to what the characters are feeling. I would highly recommend this book to primary grades and reluctant readers. It could be used in a read aloud as an introduction to punctuation.

2008 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Born with several medical conditions, fourteen year-old Arnold Spirit (Junior), has always been picked on and bullied for being different. He lives in the Spokane Indian Reservation and is tired of seeing the same cycle eat up every Indian in the rez: alcohol and no hope of a future. Things change for him when he realizes that his geometry textbook was outdated by about thirty years. He gets so upset that he accidentally hits his math teacher, Mr. P. with the book. He gets suspended and Mr. P. encourages Junior to get out of the rez and attend a school where he might have a chance at a better life. Junior enrolls at Reardon High School , twenty-two miles away from the rez and an all white student population. At first, he gets picked on for being an Indian, but he decides to stand up for himself and he decks the biggest, white kid in school, Roger. The next day, Roger shows respect towards Junior and they become good friends. Junior catches the eye of Penelope, a popular girl, and they start dating. While all of this is going on, Junior is feeling more confident of himself and the decision he has made since all the Indians at the rez see him as a traitor. He tries out for basketball and is surprised he gets picked for the varsity team. He gets so much encouragement by his coach and teammates that his game gets better. For their first game, they lose to his old school at the rez. He got three stitches and a concussion courtesy of an angry Indian and his best friend, Rowdy. Before the season was over, he played them again and Junior showed them no fear. With the help of Junior, they crushed his old school. When the game ended, Junior felt awful that he had taken away this small victory away from them. During the school year, both his grandmother and sister died due to alcohol related accidents and his classmates showed love and concern for him. In the end, Junior realizes that he not only belongs to the Spokane Tribe, but also to the tribe of the American immigrant. He knew he was going to be ok and be able to coexist in both worlds. This is a wonderful and funny story on how one can change their destiny for the better, by not being afraid of the unknown. Junior was the underdog, the one that no one thought would make it and he proved them that with hope anything can be achieved. I highly recommend this book to middle and upper grade students as well as reluctant readers. It could also be used in a book talk. The book was easy to read and follow. What I mostly liked were the illustrations depicting how Junior perceived things. This is a must read for all students, especially those underdogs.

2008 Best Books for Young Adults (4)

Bone by Bone by Bone written by Tony Johnston

It is 1951 in Tennessee, and David Church is about to meet his best friend on Halloween night. Malcolm Deeter was dressed as a ghost and was being pecked by Hell, the meanest rooster in the world. David rescues him from Hell and would like to be Malcolm's friend, but his dad, Dr. Church, warns him that he is not to play with "niggers." David and Malcolm become inseparable and they even become blood brothers. Dr. Church warns David that if he ever brings Malcolm into the house he will shoot him. David does not understand why his dad hates colored people, so he devises a plan to make his dad like Malcolm. Since Dr. Church likes Jackie Robinson, he asks Malcolm to try out the all white baseball team in their town. Malcolm asks the coach if he could try out , but the coach tells him he does not allow "niggers" in his team. David stands up for Malcolm, but Malcolm blames David for setting him up for ridicule. They don't see each other for a while, until David hears some screaming in the street. Judge Haggard is holding onto Malcolm so he wouldn't run away and a group of men are goading Hell onto Malcolm. David runs in between Malcolm and Hell and yells to the men to let him go. They finally let him go and David realizes that his dad was part of the group. Dr. Church tells him it was just a joke. On Christmas day, Mr. Swann, a colored, old man knocks on the door and asks Dr. Church if he could spare some food for him. Dr. Church insults him, tells him to go away, and refuses to give him any food. Malcolm, with his Uncle Lucas help, gives Mr. Swann a plate full of their Christmas dinner. Around the time that David became thirteen, Malcolm was being chased by a Klan member and he was trying to seek help at David's house. Dr. Church refused to let him in, but David went against his dad's wishes and let Malcolm into the house. As soon as Dr. Church sees Malcolm coming in, he grabs his gun and aims at Malcolm. David gets in front of Malcolm and gets shot by his dad with rock salt. Malcolm knew his dad was never going to change and he wasn't about to live with a man that hated colored people. He did now want to be like his father so he packed up his belongings and left to live with his Uncle Lucas. This is a powerful novel about how families are torn apart as a result of the hate they have for people that are colored. I cheered for Malcolm every time he defied his father and defended Malcolm as true friends should. I would recommend this book to history classes and middle/ upper grade students. It could also be recommended to reluctant readers since the vocabulary is simple and the book is not too long.

2008 Best Books for Young Adults (3)

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Sixteen year-old Tessa is in a hurry to fulfill her "to do list." She only has a couple of months left to live and she has two choices: stay in bed and get on with dying or finish her "to do list" and get on with living. She decides to accomplish everything that is on her list no matter how absurd or impossible it may seem. Tessa gets to do all ten items on her list from having sex, doing drugs, getting her parents back together, and falling in love. She lives her life to the fullest even though she struggles with the pain of knowing that she will no longer be there to share the moments with those she loves. This is a beautifully written novel that lets you feel the emotions and pain Tessa and her family are going through. As she is describing her last thoughts and memories, your heart gets wrenched open and you feel as if you are there with her. I would recommend this novel to upper grade students and it could be used in a book talk. I would not recommend it to struggling readers since the book has terminology that some students would not be familiar with (ex. lads, draught, fag).

2008 Best Books for Young Adults (2)

Peak by Roland Smith

Fourteen year-old Peak Marcello is fascinated with climbing. He is so gung-ho about it that he starts climbing and tagging the highest peak where he lives at, the skyscrapers in New York City. He gets caught, arrested, and sentenced to probation until his eighteenth birthday. He also needs to leave New York and live with his dad, Joshua, until things cool off there. The problem is that he hasn't seen his dad since he was seven and he lives in Thailand. Peak has no choice, either go off to a foreign country or spend time in jail. When they get to Thailand, Joshua has already made arrangements for Peak to be the youngest person to climb Mt. Everest. Peak is thrilled, but he also finds out his dad is using him for publicity. Joshua's adventure travel company, Peak Experience, is losing money and if Peak makes it to the summit, his company will get tremendous amount of business. At base camp, Peak gets to know fourteen year-old Sun-jo, and finds out he is also trying to reach the summit. If Sun-jo makes it, he will also be considered the youngest person by a one week age difference. Sun-jo's father passed away and the only way to secure his family's financial future is by reaching the summit before his fifteenth birthday. At first, Peak doesn't want to share the glory with Sun-jo, but when they get ten feet from reaching the summit Peak does something he had not planned on. He stands back, takes out his camera, and films Sun-jo reach the summit. Peak decides that it was more important for Sun-jo to secure his family's future than for him to reach the summit just for the glory of it. In the end, he decides family is more important and heads back to New York City. This is an amazing book about the moral struggles that one faces in life: family or glory. I would highly recommend this book to middle, upper grade students, and reluctant readers. Smith gives great detail about the difficulties and challenges one faces when attempting to climb Mt. Everest. The book will hook you from the very beginning and you will not want to put it down until you find out if Peak or Sun-jo made it to the summit alive.

2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (5)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Freshman, Clay Jensen, just received seven audio cassettes through the mail. He has no idea who sent them since it has no return address. Each cassette has a number on each side, all the way up to thirteen. He pops in the first cassette and hears Hannah Baker's voice. He is surprised and confused since Hannah committed suicide two weeks ago. She explains that each side of the cassette will give a reason to why she killed herself. On each side she mentions a person and Clay is one of them. She mentions that their are rules to follow once they receive that cassettes. Rule one: They need to listen. Rule two: he has to pass it on to whoever is next on the cassettes. He listens to the cassettes: it is a chronology on how her life started going in a downward spiral that she was not able to control. He follows a map going to each place that she mentions on the cassettes. His name appears on cassette number nine. He realizes his part in her suicide is that he had walked away from her when she needed him most. Even though she was the one that was pushing him away, he did not try hard enough to stay with her. As he listens to her last cassette, he realizes that by then she had already given up on herself. In the end, Clay reaches out to Skye Miller, a loner, who may need someone to talk to just like Hannah did once. This is a powerful story about how a teenager was not able to pick herself up and not stand up to those that were causing her harm. She let her world collapse around her even though their were people that cared for her and would have helped her if she would have let them. I would highly recommend this book to upper grade students and to reluctant readers. The book could be used in a book talk to open up the topic of suicide, how one should never give up, and how you treat other people can have a "snowball affect."

2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (4)

TWISTED by Laurie Halse Anderson

Seventeen year-old Tyler, has always been known as a loser until now. He was tired of being invisible so in the end of his junior year, he committed the Foul Deed to get noticed. He got probation for six months, performed community service at school, and worked in landscaping for the summer. His body became muscular and he no longer was Nerd Boy, but Tyler the Amazing Hulk. With his new physique and new reputation of being a bad boy, he grabs the attention of George Washington High's queen bee Bethany Miller. Bethany invites Tyler to a house party and when Tyler gets their she is already drunk. She starts making out with him, but he wants to do the right thing and not take advantage of her. He stops her, but she gets mad at him for blowing her off. They both walk away from each other and at the end of the party he finds her passed out on the floor. He drives her, her passed out brother Chip, and Parker one of Chip's friends. While driving them over to their house, Bethany starts making out with Parker in the backseat. Tyler walks off and finds out later that someone had taken naked pictures of Bethany while she was passed out at the party. Everyone thinks that it was him and the police start questioning him. He starts getting harassed at school and the principal decides to isolate him from the rest of the student body for his "own safety." Tyler starts to obsess about suicide and he attempts to end his life, but he can't pull it through. He decides to stand up for himself and fights back. He takes control of his crazy school schedule, makes his dad finally understand that he is not a screw-up, and blows off Bethany for not standing up for him. In the end, the police clear him of the crime. I immensely enjoyed reading this novel and started to cheer Tyler on when I read he was going to fight back. I highly recommend this book to upper grade students and reluctant readers. I feel that students will be able to identify with Tyler's home environment and the harassment he receives at school.

2008 Coretta Scott King Award - Text

Elijah of Buxton by Cristopher Paul Curtis

Eleven year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, a settlement at Raleigh West in Canada. It is a safe haven for runaway slaves. His parents, both runaway slaves, have made a home and are always helping their neighbors out. Elijah was the first free born child in Buxton and his parents worry that he is too gullible, scares easily, and is a fragile child. Things are good in Buxton, until the Preacher does something unimaginable. He steals money from Mr. Leroy, a runaway slave that was trying to buy his family from their slave owners. Mr. Leroy and Elijah go in search of the Preacher and the money in Detroit. All of a sudden, Mr. Leroy dies and makes Elijah promise he will find the money and buy his family out of slavery. Elijah is not about to break his promise and he goes off in search of the Preacher and the money. He finds the Preacher dead and the money gone. He also finds five runaway slaves bound to chains and a baby. The woman slave wants Elijah to take the baby to Buxton so she could be free. Elijah feels guilty not being able to free the other slaves, but their is nothing he could do. He takes the baby home to be free and away from the future shackles of servitude. This is a wonderful novel that I would highly recommend to middle grades. The novel could be used in a literature or history class where students could learn about how former slaves were able to overcome their dark past and flourish. I enjoyed reading this story of a young boy that was blossoming into a fine young man, thanks to his parents and the community of Buxton.

2008 Best Books for Young Adults (1)

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

It is 1993 in Sierra Leone and 12 year old Ishmael is on his way to a talent show in a neighboring town, Mattru Jong, with his brother Junior. When they arrive at their destination, they find out rebel soldiers have taken control of their town, Mogbwemo, and killing off the people that live their. They both decide to go back to Mogbwemo to find their parents, but because it has become dangerous they have to return back. For a couple of days, they both stayed in Mattru Jong with friends, until the rebel forces invaded that town and they had to flee again. Ishmael got separated from his brother and after a couple of weeks of walking alone to the next village he gets together with a group of boys and head off to Yele. They believe the village to be a safe place for them since it is occupied by Sierra Leone Armed Forces. They had to go through many villages before getting their and most of the time they were run off. People were afraid of them, because they thought they were part of the rebels. They faced hunger, dehydration, and fatigue. At times, they would find a friendly face that would offer them shelter and food. Most of the times, they had to steal or face starvation. They walked for several weeks, until Ishmael sees a familiar face, Gasemu. He tells Ishmael that his family was living in the near by village and would be happy to know he is alive. The news lifts Ishmael spirits and they head off to the village. When they get near the village they start hearing gunshots and people screaming. They run into the city and find all the villagers dead. Ishmael couldn't believe he was so close to seeing his family again and now they were gone. Since the village was destroyed and their were still rebel forces there, they went to Yele. They felt safe in Yele and stayed at an orphanage for young boys that had lost their families to the war. The rebels tried to take over Yele and many soldier's lives were lost. Lieutenant Jabati recruited the young boys to fight against the rebels and take revenge for the loss of their families. They were given drugs and sent to kill the rebels and raid neighboring villages for food, gas, and drugs. Ishmael became a Junior Lieutenant, committed heinous crimes in the name of his new family, and was hooked on drugs. In January 1996, four men from UNICEF arrived at their village and spoke to the lieutenant. The lieutenant gathered all the young boys and told them they had to go with the men. The UNICEF men took them to Benin House in Freetown, a rehab compound where they were given food, counseling, and safe shelter. Ishmael and the rest of the boys were not happy. They fought amongst each other and were yearning for drugs. Ishmael went through withdrawal symptoms and was rebellious with the staff. Esther, a nurse befriended him and helped him through the withdrawal symptoms, nightmares of the war, and guilt for participating in it. At the end of the six month program, he went to live with his uncle Tommy and his family. Things were going well for Ishmael and he was chosen to represent Sierra Leon at the U.N. in New York. He met many wonderful people and was able to voice the situation affecting children in his country. He went back home and things were good for a while. The army he used to serve overthrew the government and took over Freetown. Ishmael escaped Freetown and fled to the capital of Guinea, Conarky. From there he flew to New York with the help of a Laura, a storyteller that had befriended him at the U.N. conference. She became his mother and he attended school there. This is a book I would recommend for upper grade students or political science classes. The book graphically describes the war in Sierra Leon and how the children are affected by the circumstances they have been pushed into. The book will help students better understand that wars are fought differently in other areas where children are exploited and forced to survive or be killed. It gives a first person account on a real war that is still waging on in that country.

2008 Notable Books for Children (5)

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything by Elise Broach

It's Friday and a little boy and his mom are going to run errands in town. As they go from place to place, people are giving out real dinosaurs for buying their services. From the bakery, to the doctor's office, and to the barbershop the boy is given free real dinosaurs. The boy is so ecstatic he wants to get as many dinosaurs as possible. Mom is not too happy about it and she decides it is time to go home. At home, the boy shows the dinosaurs how to behave and take care of themselves. Mom finds out they are a lot of help and decides to get some more. This picture book has wonderful illustrations that capture the different facial expressions of the not too happy mom and the excited boy. I would recommend this book to lower grades and to reluctant readers. This book would be of high interest to boys, because of the dinosaurs that are shown in the illustrations.

2008 Notable Books for Children (4)

Nothing by Jon Agee

Otis had just sold his last antique when Suzie Gump, the richest lady in town walks in. She wants to know what's on sale and Otis tells her nothing. She wants to buy "nothing" for three hundred dollars. Otis thinks this is ridiculous, but he remembers his father's words: the customer is always right. So Ottis sells "nothing" to Suzie. The store owners across from Otis's store find out he sold "nothing" for money and they start selling "nothing" to everyone. The town goes crazy buying "nothing." People had to make room for "nothing" in their homes and throw everything else out. Otis filled out his store with all the thrown items, but business was bad because everyone wanted "nothing." Suzie needed something so she went back to the store and started buying everything in it. As Ottis was cleaning the empty store, Tubby Portobello walks in and wants to buy "nothing" from him. Otis refuses to sell "nothing" and tells him the store is closed. This is a cute story on how a town can go frenzy buying something that is so silly just because the richest person in town buys it. I recommend this picture book to lower grade students. They will find the story both funny and silly.

2008 Notable Books for Children (3)

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems

Pre-K student Trixie, is on her way to school with her dad and she is very excited. She is about to show her special bunny, Knuffle Bunny to her classmates. At school, Trixie notices Sonja (a classmate) has a bunny just like hers and she is not too happy about it. The girls start to argue and the teacher takes both bunnies away. The teacher returns the bunnies to the girls and they both leave home. In the middle of the night, Trixie realizes the bunny is not hers and wants her bunny back now. Dad was about to call Sonja's parents, when the phone rings. Sonja's dad was on the other end wanting to exchange the bunnies. They meet a couple of blocks down and Trixie and Sonja realize they have a lot in common. They become best friends. This is a cute story on the love a child has for their special, stuffed animal. I would recommend this story to lower grade students or reluctant readers. The combination of pictures and illustrations make the story interesting and believable.

2008 Notable Books for Children (2)

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale retold by Carmen A. Deedy

Twenty-One year old Martina is a beautiful cockroach and is ready to get married. Her Cuban grandmother gave her some shocking advice on how to find the perfect husband. She told Martina she had to try the Coffee Test- to spill coffee on their shoes and see what their reaction would be when they lose their temper. Martina tried the Coffee Test and all her suitors failed. She was about to give up when Perez, the mouse showed up. As Martina was about to start the Coffee Test, Perez grabbed the coffee cup from Martina and spilled coffee on her shoes. Instead of being angry, Martina was delighted and asked him how he knew about the Coffee Test. He said he also had a Cuban grandma and they got married. This is a cute Cuban folktale that has wonderful illustrations. The illustrations are colorful and captures the characters facial expression. I would highly recommend this book to lower grades and to students that are in a bilingual program. The bilingual students will be able to identify with the Spanish words that are used in the story.

2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (3)

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Sixteen year old Connor is on the run, he just found out he was going to be unwound. While he is running away from the juvenile police, he causes several car accidents and takes thirteen year old Lev as a hostage. Lev is a tithe and is on his way to harvest camp. He embraces his destiny and feels comfortable in being unwound in the name of God. Fifteen year old Risa is also on her way to harvest camp. She is a ward of the state and in order to make room for new wards she is being unwound. Risa does not accept her future they have chosen for her and as soon as she sees the opportunity, she bolts from the bus and makes a run for it in the forest along with the other two. Lev does not want to be affiliated with these two unwounds and squeals on them as soon as he gets the opportunity. He regrets his decision and creates a distraction so they all could run away. Connor and Risa get separated form Lev and find a safehouse that will transport them to a place called the Graveyard where all runaway unwounds seek refuge. Lev gets together with a boy CyFi and together they head off to Joplin, Missouri. CyFi is not an unwound, but he is the result of a brain transplant (his brain came from an unwound) and has flash memories and feelings of the other person's life. Lev helps him with his ordeal and finds himself in the Graveyard along with Connor and Risa. After a couple of months in the Graveyard, the kids revolt against the Admiral (the man that runs the Graveyard) and he suffers a heat attack. Risa, Connor, and Roland ( Connor's nemeses) take the Admiral to the hospital. They think they can slip out and runaway back to the Graveyard, but Roland snitches on them. All three get sent to the Happy Jack, a harvesting camp that will dismember all their body parts and use them for future candidates that may need a part. While all of this is going on, Lev and two others turn themselves in not because they want to be unwound, but because they plan to blow the building down and hurt the staff members out of anger and disgust. As Connor is being to the ChopShop building the other two that turned themselves in blow themselves and the building down. Lev does not have the guts to do it, instead he saves Connor's and Risa's life. Connor and Risa have saved themselves from being unwound, because the law states that if they are hurt, their body parts cannot be used. Lev is sent to a high-security detention center and the harvest camps are unwilling to unwind him since he has contaminated his body with explosive poison in his blood (that is how they exploded themselves). As a result of all the commotion at the harvest camp and CyFi's transplant gone wrong, Congress brought down the age to be free of being unwound from eighteen to seventeen. This was a fabulous story of what could happen if society goes to extremes by covering up their social problems of unwanted teens. I couldn't put the book down and had to find out the fate of Connor, Risa, and Lev. I am normally not interested in Science Fiction novels, but this one had me hooked. I would highly recommend this book to upper grade students. I like the way the novel was written in different points of view and how one is able to feel what the different characters are going through.

2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (2)

Homeboyz by Alan L. Sitomer

Seventeen year old Teddy Anderson's world has just been turned upside down. His fourteen year old sister Tina, was gunned down by the 0-1-0's (a gang), because she was in the wrong place, in the wrong time. Teddy's parents are devastated and are considering getting a divorce and Teddy is out for revenge. Teddy beats down three of the gang members to try to get the name of the person responsible for his sister's death, but the police get their and arrest him for assault. The judge sentences him to three hundred hours in the G-PIP program, a gang intervention program that Teddy will serve as a mentor to an at risk child and he is chosen because of his high intelligence. He is to mentor, twelve year old Micah, an orphan and ward of the state. He has been flunking all his classes and has been hanging around with members of the Serpent Street gang. At first they don't like each other, but once Teddy brings Burger King hamburgers to Micah and stopped judging him, Micah started warming up to him. Teddy showed him how to overcome his dyslexia and Micah's grades started improving. He even took him to his home on Tuesdays for dinner and Teddy became the only person he could really count on and trust. As all of this was going on, Teddy hacked into the schools computer, created an account, and was withdrawing monies from the school districts budget for himself. His plan was to allocate enough monies to run away and live off of it. Micah wants to help Teddy find the killer and he gets initiated into the Serpent Street gang. He tells Teddy the real killer was a Serpent Street gang member by the name of Mumzy B, not a 0-1-0 gang member as everyone had first thought. Teddy goes after him, but when he finds out Mumzy B is going to be a father and was set up by Eevil, the Serpent Street's leader, he lets him go. Teddy goes after Eevil and calls him out on a one to one fight. Teddy beats him and the police get their just in time to arrest Eevil. Teddy's parents decided to stay together and adopted Micah as their son. Instead of keeping the stolen money from the school district, Teddy transferred the money over to the G-PIP so the program could keep on going. I immensely enjoyed reading this novel. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down and had to find out what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book to upper grade and at risk students. Students will be able to identify with Teddy and/or Micah because of gang violence that is all around their homes and schools. The books strengths are that it is an easy read and students will be able to relate to the story.

2008 2 x 2 Booklist (5)

The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend

Jack has come up with the perfect plan on how to get an egg to make himself an omelet. He has built the perfect nest to attract the chicken to lay an egg on it. To his great surprise the chicken, the duck, and the goose love the nest so much that the three have laid an egg and refuse to leave. Jack tries everything to get them to leave the nest so he can get to the eggs. He cries "Fire," "Flood," and "Wolf" and they still won't leave, until he mentions that the farm next door has an even better perfect nest. As Jack's stomach rumbles, he arranges the eggs by size: small, medium, and large. All of a sudden, the three eggs crack open and out pops a baby chick, a baby duck, and a baby goose. Now Jack realizes he can't make omelets out of them and he gets so scared when the babies call him mom that he runs away. They chase after him and drag him back to the nest. The tired babies want to cuddle with their mommy Jack and he realizes he is the only one around to take care of them. So he cuddles with them and realizes that this really is the perfect nest. This picture book is funny and has great illustrations. The illustrations capture Jack's and the other farm animals facial expressions as he plots on obtaining the perfect egg for his perfect omelet. I would highly recommend this book to lower grades and reluctant readers. I love the way the author used different expressions (Spanish, French, and English) for the three birds. This book can be used in as an introduction to sizes (small, medium, and large).

2008 Notable Books for Children (1)

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

This picture book illustrates the old age question: What comes first the chicken or the egg? Most importantly it shows the life cycle from baby to adult and then baby again. It also shows the beginning and ending of a word to a story and paint to a picture. Children will be able to relate the beginning and ending of the life cycle to other things. It introduces children to important words such as first and then to show the order of events that are taking place. The text is simple and easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book to preschool children and on a Science lesson on the life cycle. The die cut-outs and the vibrant colors will capture the readers attention and will keep them reading it over and over again.

2008 2 x 2 Booklist (4)

Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle

Very Hair Bear lives in the woods and each season he eats something different. In the spring, he eats salmon from the river, in the summer he licks honey from a bee tree and eats round and fat blueberries, and in the fall he eats the squirrel's acorns. However, in winter time as some of the other animals in the woods, he goes into a deep sleep (hibernates). This is a beautifully illustrated book with soft colors that go with each season. I would highly recommend this book for a Science lesson on seasons and to lower grades. The picture book is fun to read and children can learn what goes on in the woods during the different seasons.

2008 2 x 2 Booklist (3)

Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres

This picture book shows a family planting a garden and having fun doing it. Most importantly the illustrations of the plants and the text informs the reader that some plants grow differently: up (corn), down (carrots), and all around (pumpkins). It also illustrates the types of insects and animals that use these edible plants as food. In the end, the family has a grand feast with the product of their garden. This is a fantastic picture book that not only teaches the importance of team work, it also teaches how plants grow differently. Students will be able to identify with the plants being grown, and how they have eaten some themselves. The text is easy and fun to read since it is in rhyme. I would highly recommend this book to lower grades doing a Science lesson on plants. I feel the strengths of this book are the colorful illustrations, the rhyming text, and the cutaways showing the insects that live and eat the vegetables in the ground.

2008 2 x 2 Booklist (2)

Babies in the Bayou by Jim Arnosky

In the bayou, their is a variety of babies that are born and make their home their. The babies may be equipped to survive in that habitat, but mothers still need to protect them from their predators. The alligators are born with sharp teeth, the turtles with hard shells, the raccoon with sharp claws, and the ducks with webbed feet. The illustrations in the book captures the beautiful wildlife that thrive in the bayou. I enjoyed reading and viewing the illustrations in this picture book. I would recommend it to lower grades and to reluctant readers since the passages are short and to the point. This book can be used in a Science lesson regarding habitats and the relationship between predator and prey.

2008 2 x 2 Booklist (1)

Bob and Otto by Robert O. Bruel

Bob the caterpillar, and Otto the earthworm are best friends and enjoy doing things together: they eat leaves that fall from the tree, they dig, and play in the grass. One day, Bob feels the need to climb the tree and Otto decides to dig deep under the tree. High up on the tree, Bob gets hungry and eats to the point that he falls asleep. As he sleeps, a cocoon envelopes his body and he turns into a butterfly. Otto eats the rotted leaves underground and keeps on digging some more. They both start to miss each other and Bob flies down as Otto digs up. As they see each other,Otto feels sad and wished he would have climbed up with Bob and turned into a butterfly. Bob tells him he did an important job by loosening the earth while he was digging and making the tree healthy. Bob explains that if it weren't for him he would not have been able to eat the tree's leaves and grow wings. This is a beautifully illustrated book that enhances the story by splitting Bob and Otto's actions parallel to each other. The students are able to view the caterpillars life cycle into a butterfly and how the earthworm is different and not changing except getting bigger. They will be able to understand how important each one is to each other. I highly recommend this book to lower grades as an enrichment in Science.

2008 Pura Belpre Award for Illustration

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes

On Halloween night, the monsters throw a ball in a haunted mansion. All the creatures of the night join the monsters in the Haunted Hall and have a grand time by dancing with ghostly music. As soon as they hear and see human kids by the doorway yelling"Trick or Treat" they retreat. The one thing they hate the most are kids on Halloween. This is a beautifully illustrated book that incorporates Spanish words in the verses. I highly recommend this book to lower and middle grade students. The books strengths is the great detail that is put in the illustrations and the glossary in the back of the book gives both the pronunciation and the definition of the Spanish word.

2008 Newberry Honor Book (2)

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Seventh grade student, Holling Hoodhood, believes Mrs Baker (his teacher) hates him. He is Presbyterian and the only student that does not get picked up early from school on Wednesdays for religious instruction. Instead of Mrs Baker having an extra period free of teaching she has to insure Holling is busy doing something. Holling's dad, an architect and owner of Hoodhood and Associates, warns his son to be extra nice with Mrs. Baker since her family owns Baker Sporting Emporium and are about to pick an architect for their new building. At first, she has him cleaning the room and pounding chalk off the erasers. But after a mishap with chalk dust and the cream puffs for the Wives of Vietnam Soldiers' he has been given the assignment of reading Shakespeare. He believes Mrs Baker is out to bore him to death, but he is surprised that he enjoys reading the plays. He likes it so much that he had memorized lines from The Tempest and was volunteered to play Ariel, a fairy in the Long Island Shakespeare Company's Holiday Extravaganza. He was dreading wearing the yellow tights with feathers on the behind and was hoping none of his classmates would be going to the play. He knows he will be the laughing stock of seventh grade when Mrs. Baker announces the play to the entire class and offers to give extra credit if they attend. On that same evening, Micky Mantle was signing autographs and Holling made it just in time to get his ball signed. Mantle threw his ball to the floor and told him he doesn't sign for kids that wear yellow tights. He felt the Gods were dying ,but then Mrs. Baker had a surprise for him and two of his classmates. They were visited by two famous Yankee players and were allowed to play ball with them and get their autographs. After the Christmas holidays, Holling prevented an accident by pushing his sister from the path of an out of control bus and was seen as a hero. Throughout the rest of the year Holling becomes closer to his sister and teacher. He even goes out on a Valentine's date with Meryl Lee. Through Shakespeare and the insights of Mrs. Baker, Holling gets the Big M- Motivation to go above and beyond in track, to stand up to his father, and to look deep inside himself and find the person he really wants to be. I enjoyed reading this novel immensely. At first, I thought this was going to be a long and boring novel, but after the first chapter I couldn't put the book down. I stayed up at night until I finished the entire book. I would highly recommend this wonderful book to middle grades. Students will be able to identify with Holling on how the pressures of a father who wants his son to go a certain path without even considering his son's interests. It also shows how a war can divide a family and create racism even within the schools.

2008 Batchelder Honor Book

Nicholas and the Gang by Goscinny and Sempe

Nicholas is a french boy that has a group of close friends he calls the Gang. They all enjoy adventures or misadventures through make-believe games (camping and chess), starting a stamp collection, annoy Mr. Edwards (the book vendor), and much more. This book is a collection of stories about the adventures Nicholas and the gang go through by being just boys. I highly enjoyed the books and feel they did a great job in the translation from French to modern English. I would recommend it for middle grades and reluctant readers since the stories are short.

2008 Newberry Honor Book (1)

Feathers by Jacqueline Wooson

Eleven year old Frannie goes to an all black school and lives on the other side of the highway, the black side. When a white boy with long curly hair started attending her sixth grade class her perception in life started to change. The class started calling him Jesus Boy because of his resemblance to Jesus and she was surprised that he was comfortable and not afraid of being around all black students. The school bully thought he could take advantage of him, but he soon realized that this cool cat was not about to let anyone insult him or get in his face. What they were soon going to find out is that both his parents are black (he was adopted). He used to live on the white side of the highway but the people on that side were treating his family unfairly. Frannie relates his struggles with her older brother, Sean. Sean is deaf and is not accepted by the hearing girls. He wishes he could be accepted in both worlds: the hearing and the deaf. Throughout the story, Frannie ponders on the poem by Emily Dickinson,"Hope is the thing with feathers." As all these events are unfolding around her (Sean and Jesus boy seen as different and Frannie's mother is expecting a baby) she realizes that each moment is a thing with feathers. I highly recommend this book to middle and upper grades. The book was an easy read and students can learn about the barriers that existed in the 1970's and how they still exist today. I feel that students can learn from this novel. They can learn that it is not easy to be accepted by today's society because of a disability, color of your skin, not wearing the latest trends, and just for being slightly different. I also feel that students can analyze themselves in the way they react towards someone that is different from them and give them a chance in being their friend.

2008 Pura Belpre Award for Text

The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle
This book is about the life of Juan Francisco Manzano a slave from birth until the day he ran away as an adult. Hs life is depicted in verse and in different points of view. Juan was born to Maria, a slave, and they were both owned by Don Juan Manzano, a wealthy, slaveowner in Cuba. As a young child, he spent his time with Dona Beatriz, Don Juan Manzano's wife, and was told to call her Mama. Although he was denied an education, he learned how to create and recite poetry by memory. He was Dona Beatrize's pet and she was kind to him. At his baptism, Dona Beatriz promised him that once she died he was to be free. When Juan was eleven, Dona Beatriz passed away and he was denied his freedom. Instead he was sent to his godmother La Marquesa de Prado Ameno, a crazed woman that had no sympathy or love for Juan. Instead of seeing his true talent as a poet, she sees him more as a burden, and takes satisfaction in punishing him. His punishments were of the extreme: he was whipped, shackled, caged, and beaten. His mother tried to buy his freedom, but she was refused. He is was not allowed to flip through books, recite his poetry, or even hold a pencil. Juan had been denied all the things that make him who he is, a poet. Don Nicolas, La Marquesa's son, takes pity in him and tries to treat him kindly behind his mother's back. As an adult, Juan is seen as a healer and tries to help people with their ailments. La Marquesa won't have it and she wants him all to herself. After being tortured and close to his death, Juan runs away to finally be able to do the things he loves, recite and create poetry. I highly enjoyed and recommend this wonderful book to middle and upper grade students. Students can learn about the cruelties that have been brought onto slaves and the freedom that had been denied to them. Points of view, symbolism in the verses and illustrations, and the many aspects of slavery can all be taught within this book.

2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (1)

Quaking by Kathryn Erskine
Fourteen-year old Matt (Matilda), has been passed around from relative to relative since her mother's death. She creates a persona of a person that doesn't care since she does not want to get attached and get hurt by being sent away to another relative’s house. She has been sent to live with a Quaker family, Sam, Jessica and their foster child, Rory (a.k.a. The Blob), a disabled boy. She has one last opportunity to make things work, but she doesn't want to let her guard down since she is sure she is a disappointment to them. She hopes that they will tolerate her long enough for her to finish high-school (2 yrs.) and then move to Canada. The only problem now is surviving the high school bully (the Rat and his Vermin), pass World Civics class with Mr. Warhead (he is against Quakers and their belief in peace), and survive the love and affection that is given to her by her Quaker family. She is afraid she is going to crack and start believing in the meaning of family: that their will be someone their no matter what, to take care of her and love her to the fullest. She starts letting her guard down by feeling affection towards the Quaker trio and starts standing for what she believes in, Peace. When the Rat and his Vermin threaten the lives of those she loves, she takes a stand against him and all of those that want to hurt her new family. In the end, Matt saves Sam and the Quaker parishioners from being engulfed in flames and learns to take stand against all of those that have been terrorizing their community. She knows that she belongs to a family and that is something she won't let anyone take away again. I highly recommend this novel to students in Middle School or High-School. I enjoyed reading this book and I know many of our upper and middle grade students will like it. Several students will be able to see themselves in Matt. They have gone through or are still experiencing the same issues that she went through and of course they have also been singled out by the "Rats" and "Vermin" in this world. Students will also be able to view the other side of a person that dresses in goth clothing or maybe is a bit anti-social at school. They can relate with that person in the needs and wants that all young adults have and are craving for without even realizing it.

2008 Caldecott

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Hugo Cabret, is a twelve- year old orphan that lived within the walls of a Paris train station. His father was a horologist ( a clock maker) and was working at an old museum taking care of their clocks. Hugo's father made a great discovery in the museum's attic. He found an old and broken automaton that was capable of writing or drawing. He decided to fix it and even gave Hugo a notebook filled with drawings that would help in fixing the automaton. One evening, while Hugo's father was working on the automaton at the museum, a fire broke out. He was trapped inside and perished in the fire. Hugo's only living relative, Uncle Claude, took in Hugo and lived within the walls of the train station. He was in charge of maintaining the station's clocks. He made Hugo quit school, made him work all day in the dark on the clocks, and made him sleep on the floor. Since their was very little food to eat, he taught Hugo how to steal, something Hugo hated to do. To top things off, Uncle Claude was an alcoholic. He took advantage of Hugo and would disappear for hours at a time. One day, he didn't return back. Hugo took the opportunity and decided to run away. He passed by the burned down museum and found the damaged automaton. He decided to fix it and returned back with it to the train station. His uncle never returned back and he did not want to be taken away to an orphanage, so he kept maintaining the clocks making it seem his uncle was still there. Hugo needed mechanical parts to fix the automaton and started to steal from the toy vendor at the train station. He got caught and the vendor, Georges Melies, took away Hugo's notebook and told him if he wanted it back he had to work for it. Georges goddaughter, Isabelle, found the notebook and gave it back to him. By then Hugo had fixed the automaton and used a heart shaped key Isabelle had (Georges had given the key to his wife and Isabelle had stolen the key from her godmother) to make it work. They both discover that Georges was a filmmaker and he was the actual creator of the automaton. In the end, Georges and his wife adopted Hugo and made him part of their family. Hugo became a magician by the name of Professor Alcofrisbas and created his own automaton. This is a wonderful story of mystery and that anything is possible if one believes. The book has wonderful illustrations and gives the reader a visual on how the characters looked, their expressions, and has great details on the inner works of an automaton. It also includes pictures that were taken in that time frame and it makes the story more realistic. The novel was an easy read and would highly recommend it to reluctant readers.

2008 Printz Honor Book (2)

Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Path by Stephanie Plath
This book depicts the life of an inspiring poet from the day she was born to the day she took her own life. Her story is told in verse in the many styles Sylvia used in her own poetry. The poems are in chronological order of Sylvia's life and they are told in different point of views: her mother (Aurelia Plath), her father (Otto Plath), her husband, her lovers, colleagues and friends. As a child, Sylvia showed her uniqueness by her poetry. The Boston Herald published one of her poems at the age of eight. Sylvia's fascination with boys started at the age of thirteen and it is depicted in the poem "Boy Crazy". At the age of seventeen she graduated high-school, first in her class and went on to Smith College with two scholarships. In 1953, Aurelia seeks psychiatrist help for Sylvia to deal with her severe depression. Shock treatments and medication were administered to her. Sylvia attempted suicide but was unsuccessful. She missed only one semester at Smith and graduated in 1955, at the age of twenty-two. She attends University of Cambridge and meets her future husband Ted Hughes. They got married in London and they begin to have financial troubles. They come to America and Sylvia starts teaching at Smith. She has a hard time getting her work published and they head back to England. Ted becomes successful in publishing his work and Sylvia has two children. Their relationship begins to unravel and Ted begins a relationship with another woman. Ted abandons Sylvia and she gets into another deep depression. At the age of thirty, Sylvia commits suicide and this time she is successful. She accomplishes this by inhaling carbon monoxide from her gas stove. She makes sure her children do not suffer from the carbon monoxide poisoning by wedging a towel under their door. This book is recommended for middle to upper grades. I would not recommend it to reluctant readers since the type of poetry might confuse or frustrate them. I feel that the books strength is that it includes subtitles that tell the reader who is speaking. Also, in each individual poem, the author includes notes that serve as a timeline in Sylvia Plath's life. Teachers can use this to teach point of view, symbolism, or poetry styles to their students.

2008 Printz Honor Book (1)

Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins
Kiriel is a fallen angel that is bored of his duties on torturing souls in Hell. He decides to borrow Shaun's body, a slacker teen that is about to die by stepping in front of a truck. Kiriel feels that Shaun won't mind since he is about to kick the bucket. Kiriel decides to experiment on some sins and find out why people keep committing them. In Shaun's body he experiences many things he has never experienced before: color, texture, pain, love, fear, a smile, taste, and lust. He has three major goals before someone notices he is gone from his hellish post and hauls him back to Hell: to keep Reed (the school bully) from the bowels of Hell, get Jason out of his cocoon, and have sex with Lane ( a girl that had a crush on Shaun). Kiriel gets visited through the internet by "Angel of the Lord” and is told to return to his duties. He also gets visited by Anius, middle management of fallen angels, to try to get him back to his post. In the end, Kiriel gets to make out with Lane, was unsuccessful in getting Reed to turn back on his evil ways, and got Jason to open up a bit. Kiriel gets a final visitor, Hanael, an unfallen angel. He tells Kiriel that he must go back by stepping in front of a truck and he will feel the full pain of the "accident." Shaun gets a second chance: he is to return back to his body, he will be in a coma for a while, and will learn how to appreciate life. This novel is funny and unpredictable. It will keep young adult readers hooked wanting to find out what Kiriel's next human experience is going to be. It gives a different perspective to those on the other side and what they are missing out on.

2008 Printz Award

The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
Sym is a fourteen-year old girl that is obsessed wit Captain Oates, an army officer that perished in an expedition to the Antarctic. He has been her imaginary and secret confidant since her father's death. Uncle Victor has been taking care of Sym and her mother since her father's death. He has invited both of them to Paris and vacation there with him for a couple of days. At the train station, Sym's mom has lost her passport and cannot board the train that will take them to Paris. Sym and Uncle Victor make the trip without her and he proposes a slight change to their itinerary. He proposes they take a once in a lifetime trip to Antarctica. He assures her that her mom already knows and they head off the next day to their new destination. Once they get their, people start getting sick and the people in charge cut their vacation two weeks short. Everyone will be flown home that day in the airplane that visits them on a weekly basis. Without Sym finding out her uncles deceptive plans, he sets the airplane on fire and puts the group in a deep sleep with one of his famous teas. Bruch and Sigurd are in on the plan and help Uncle Victor steal a heavy, armored truck that is made to survive the icy terrain of Antarctica. He informs Sym on his true plan: he wants to be the first to discover Symme's Hole, an underground civilization at the center of the earth. He is sure of it since Bruch has shown him NASA pictures and has given him the exact coordinates. What Uncle Victor does not know is that Bruch and Sigurd have their plan of their own: make Uncle Victor believe that Symme's Hole exists and cash the check Uncle Victor had given them before he finds out they are con artists. On their way to Symme's Hole, everything becomes to unravel, Uncle Victor poisons Bruch and leaves him behind in the icy terrain and Sym find out that Uncle Victor murdered her father, caused her to lose her hearing, and is about to be sacrificed in Symme's Hole. Sigurd steals the truck and leaves them both behind to fend for themselves. Uncle Victor squeezes himself through a hole and falls to his death thinking it is Symme's Hole. Sym is now left alone with her imaginary Captain Oats and struggles to survive. On her way back to camp, she finds Sigurd and gets them both rescued by burning the truck down. This novel is about an insecure girl coming to young adulthood and discovering herself. She is not the awkward, shy teen that believed naively to everything her uncle said. She has come out of the Antarctic as a strong girl who is comfortable and sure of herself. This novel is about survival of the fittest and makes you think about what one is willing to sacrifice for the glory of discovering something new. I feel the books strength is that it gives great detail about the dangers in the Antarctic. It makes the story realistic as if you are their witnessing yourself. The books weakness is that it takes a long time before Sym realizes how wicked Uncle Victor really is even though she has been given many clues. Even though I was frustrated with Sym's naivety, I highly enjoyed this novel and feel that middle and upper grade students would too.