Title: The Green Bicycle
Author: Haifaa Al Mansour
Pages: 352
Publisher: Dial Books
ISBN: 9780525428060
Publication Date: September 22, 2015
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.6, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points - 11.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24611690-the-green-bicycle
In a nutshell: What Wadjda wants more than anything in the world is something many 11 year old girls want - a bike. But as a girl growing up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wadjda will face challenges aplenty on her quest for bike ownership.
I'd recommend it to grades: 4 to 7
I'd recommend it to: those who enjoy coming-of-age stories, fans of The Higher Power of Lucky and the Ramona series, and anyone who enjoys learning about other cultures
What I liked most about this book: This book and Wadjda herself both have a lot of heart. From page one, you'll find yourself rooting for her, and at times, she'll have you laughing out loud at her money-making schemes and joking jabs at her friend Abdullah. I also loved that I learned so much about Saudi culture, especially the treatment of women. The book doesn't shy away from discussing those issues, but it does so in a way that is hopeful and lighthearted. Wadjda is equally strong and spunky, and she's not without her flaws either, making her as relatable as the girl next door even if she lives thousands of miles away in a culture that's vastly different from yours. She's one of those characters that you'll miss after you close the cover.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): One of Wadjda's most successful entrepreneurial schemes is her mixtape business. The way she discovers a way to record banned music from an antenna on her house and sell the mixtapes to her classmates is both dangerous and clever, and it reminds me of the mixtapes and CDs we used to make in middle school. Oh, Spice Girls. I miss you. ;)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: Roller Girl
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Pages: 240
Publisher: Dial Books
ISBN: 9780525429678
Publication Date: March 10, 2015
AR Levels: Book Level - 3.2, Interest Level - 4th-8th, Points - 2.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23493697-roller-girl
In a nutshell: Best friends Astrid and Nicole were attached at the hip until the summer Astrid discovered a passion for roller derby that Nicole doesn't share. Feeling abandoned after Nicole signs up for summer dance camp, Astrid enrolls in a roller derby camp and quickly realizes her abilities don't quite live up to her passion. But Astrid throws herself into her new dream of being a derby star, and though there are bumps and bruises along the way (literally!), her summer is definitely a game-changer.
I'd recommend it to grades: 3 to 7
I'd recommend this book to: graphic novel readers and roller derby enthusiasts (obviously) but really anyone who's experienced a curve ball in a friendship or discovered a hobby you adore. Fans of Smile by Raina Telgemeier will also eat this up and so might Wimpy Kid readers.
What I liked most about this book: Sometimes it takes a whole lot of courage to try learning something new...especially when you're trying alone. Astrid discovers that if you are brave enough to stick with something that makes you happy even when none of your friends want to and even if you're not so great at it, you just might find some rocking new friends and develop some mad awesome skills too. It's a wonderful lesson that's taught with rainbow socks, roller skates, and blue hair, and the emotional depth may surprise you. It's my new favorite graphic novel.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I can't say too much, but it takes Astrid a while to figure out what her roller derby name should be, and when she does, it's fantastic and perfect.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: El Deafo
Author: Cece Bell
Pages: 248
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
ISBN: 9781419710209
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20701984-el-deafo
In a nutshell: As a preschooler, Cece Bell loses most of her hearing after suffering from meningitis. This graphic memoir follows Cece's journey through elementary school as a hearing-impaired child. Along the way, she navigates the ups and downs of friendships, first crushes, and family relationships and comes to discover that her deafness (and her ultra powerful hearing aid, the Phonic Ear) might just be her superpower. It's a delightfully funny snapshot into the life of a hearing-impaired girl that is sure to charm you.
I'd recommend it to grades: 4 to 6
I'd recommend it to: graphic novels fans and anyone who enjoyed Raina Telgemeier's Smile
What I liked most about this book: This book is completely adorable. Not only does it tackle a subject that doesn't get much attention in children's literature, but it's just a fun story too! I learned quite a lot about the deaf community and hearing-impaired people and fell in love with the characters too. The underlying theme of accepting others' differences is woven throughout the plot in a way that will get the point across in an affective but subtle way. Upper elementary kids are going to eat this up for its humor and heart. Fun side note: Cece Bell is married to Tom Angleberger, author of the Origami Yoda series!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Cece's Phonic Ear hearing aid has a microphone for her teachers to wear so that Cece can understand their words better. When Cece realizes just how powerful the microphone is, it makes for some hilarious moments involving her teachers. Let's just say, they think they're out of earshot, but they're not, and Cece overhears some private moments that would mortify them if they found out. All good fun. :)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: The Vanishing Season
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Pages: 256
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062003270
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18634726-the-vanishing-season
In a nutshell: Maggie and her parents move to the small town of Gill Creek just as autumn is fading into winter, and as it disappears, so are local girls. Amid a backdrop of snow, fear, and paranoia, friendship and love blossom on Water Street when Maggie meets her neighbors, Pauline and Liam, but the trio will discover just how harsh winter and relationships can be.
I'd recommend it to grades: 10 and up
I'd recommend it to: anyone who likes their romance with a dash of eeriness and fans of We Were Liars
What I liked most about this book: Besides the fact that I am always, always, always enamored with Jodi Lynn Anderson's haunting writing style (If you haven't read Tiger Lily, DO IT NOW!), this one drew me in with its rich characters and keep-you-guessing twists. It's a beautifully disturbing mash-up of The Great Gatsby and The Lovely Bones. There's a coldness to it that lures you from page one. I feel like I read it in the wrong season though. It's the perfect read for a long winter's night or a snow day.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There's way too much to accidentally give away here, so I'll just say that part of what grabbed me from the beginning was the description of Maggie's house on Water Street, which was built in the 1800s and, much like the characters in the novel, is both broken and beautiful.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: Revolution
Author: Deborah Wiles
Pages: 544
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780545106078
Publication Date: May 27, 2014 (I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.)
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18527498-revolution
In a nutshell: It gets quite steamy in Greenwood, Mississippi in the summertime, and in the summer of 1964, three children break into the city pool for a midnight dip, and they have no idea how that one act will end up entwining their lives for the rest of the summer. Told through the eyes of a white girl and an African-American boy, Revolution is a tale of standing up for what's right, realizing that family and friendship come in many forms, and learning to rise above pain and embrace love.
I'd recommend it to grades: 5 and up (for intense racial situations, violence, and use of the "n" word in context)
I'd recommend it to: American history teachers, historical fiction lovers, and Scout Finch fans ;)
What I liked most about this book: I adored Countdown,
so I had very high expectations for this one (especially since we had to wait 4 years for it!), and it still managed to
exceed them. The dual narration of Sunny and Raymond is genius (as is the book design - Her pages are white and his are darker.), and it truly helps you see what life is like from the perspective of both races. Just as in Countdown, the author mixes in actual photographs and speeches from 1964 and Freedom Summer, which adds a richness to the story.
As a Mississippi girl, it's painful for me to
read books like this sometimes, but it also makes me glad to see how far
we've come. It amazes me that all this takes place a mere 20 years
before I was born, and it makes me wonder what I would have done if I'd
been alive in those dark days. This is turning out to be one fantastic
trilogy and maybe even some of the best historical fiction books for
kids I've ever read, and I cannot wait for book three. I predict it'll
be about Vietnam.
The biggest compliment I can give this book is that it's like To Kill a Mockingbird for kids.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This gem from Sunny's stepmother Annabelle: "I think love is a mystery," says Annabelle. "We never know where it may come from or how it may surprise us or when it may ask us to do the impossible. But we know one thing about love. It is steady. It is brave."
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw
Author: Christopher Healy
Pages: 528
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
ISBN: 9780062118486
Publication Date: April 29, 2014*
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18635036-the-hero-s-guide-to-being-an-outlaw
In a nutshell: All is not well in the Thirteen Kingdoms, and things are not so great for the League of Princes either. Wrongfully accused of murdering Princess Briar Rose, Liam, Gustav, Frederic, and Duncan are on the run from the law in this third and final League of Princes book. In addition to trying to prove their innocence, the Princes must once again save their kingdoms from a nefarious plot with the help of a few new (and hilarious) characters too!
I'd recommend it to grades: 3 to 7
I'd recommend it to: fans of the first two books (obviously) and kids who like a dash of slapstick with their sword fighting
What I liked most about this book: I don't think it's much of a spoiler to tell you that there are PIRATES in this one considering what's on the cover, but yes...PIRATES! The Princes are back and better than ever, and their lady friends share a considerable amount of the spotlight too! There's something to delight guys and gals alike in this conclusion, and it's still perfect for a middle school read-aloud.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This might be a tad bit spoiler-y, but I'll tell you that there's a new female character we meet in prison. Her name? Val Jeanval. Her crime? Stealing a loaf of bread. ;) #LesMis
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 swashbuckling stars!
*I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.
Title: Sorta Like a Rock Star
Author: Matthew Quick
Pages: 355
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: January 1, 2010
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.4, Interest Level - 6th and up, Points: 10.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6763730-sorta-like-a-rock-star
In a nutshell: Even though Amber Appleton and her mom have recently been kicked out of her mom's boyfriend's apartment, forcing them to live in her mom's big yellow school bus (affectionately called "Hello Yellow"), Amber refuses to let life get her down. Between teaching English and R&B tunes to the Korean Divas for Christ, volunteering at the Methodist retirement home, befriending a lonely haiku-writing Vietnam War veteran, caring for her rescued pup Bobby Big Boy (a.k.a. BBB, 3B, or Thrice B), and leading the Marketing Club (a.k.a. The Five or Franks Freak Force Federation), Amber stays busy spreading the joy all over the down of Childress. But when an unspeakable tragedy strikes her, will she be able to remain optimistic and still reign as the "Princess of Hope?"
I'd recommend it to grades: 10 and up
I'd recommend it to: John Green fans and hopefully optimistic types ;)
What I like most about this book: Amber isn't sorta like a rock star; she IS a rock star! I haven't met a character quite like her before, but it's a breath of fresh air to read about a teen character who's not angst-ridden and moody but instead hopeful and uplifting. Amber deals with some serious pain and depression, as well as having a crisis of faith, making her one of the most-developed characters I've read in a while. You will adore her adorkableness, lightness, and honesty. You'll laugh out loud at her and cry with her, and you'll be thinking about this book days after you read it.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Any of the parts with Bobby Big Boy. He is one rock star of a canine sidekick.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 rockin' stars!
Title: Jane, the Fox & Me
Author: Fanny Britt (translated by Christine Morelli and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault)
Pages: 104
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Publication Date: September 1, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.1, Interest Level - K to 3rd (although I disagree), Points - 0.5
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17214302-jane-the-fox-and-me
In a nutshell: When Helene's friends turn their backs on her and begin to ruthlessly make fun of her, she escapes into Jane Eyre and finds hope and solace in its tale of an outcast like herself.
I'd recommend it for grades: 3 to 7
I'd recommend it to: tween girls, anyone who's ever used literature as an escape, and anyone who's ever felt like an outcast
What I liked most about this book: It's
hard to find a book that deals with bullying, low self-esteem, and
weight issues that's realistic and doesn't shy away from the issues
while still being uplifting in a creative way. From page one, I could
relate to Helene, and I enjoyed this immensely. The use of black and
white and color is genius. In Helene's world, everything is black and white, and everything in Jane's world is in color, but as Helene begins to come out of her fog, color begins to bleed into her world, ushered in by a new friendship. It's beautiful.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): In one scene, Helene goes swimsuit shopping with her mother and sees herself as a sausage in a cute suit; the illustration is of a personified sausage in a bathing suit and not of Helene looking plump in any way, and by illustrating it that way, it shows what Helene is seeing and not what's really reflected in the mirror. It's an incredibly realistic scene that I completely related to, and I'm sure many other girls will too.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: Shadow on the Mountain
Author: Margi Preus
Pages: 304
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
ISBN: 9781419704246
Publication Date: September 1, 2012
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.0; Interest Level - 6th and up; Points: 8.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13591179-shadow-on-the-mountain
In a nutshell: Espen (code name Odin) begins his life as a spy in Norway by smuggling illegal newspapers at the age of 14. Follow Espen's ascent to full-fledged teenaged spy over the course of 1940 to 1945 as Norway becomes more and more overpowered by Germany. It's an inspiring tale of bravery and friendship that will chill and thrill you.
I'd recommend it for grades: 5 to 8 (There's only one part that's kind of violent.)
I'd recommend it to: James Bond and Sound of Music fans, spy novel lovers, WWII historical fiction fans
What I liked most about this book: It's
another of those historical fiction books that's about WWII but focuses
on a part of the war that doesn't get as much attention. I
enjoyed it, but something about the speed of the novel was off. Parts
felt rushed, and other parts felt long, and I wasn't thrilled with how
it ended so abruptly. However, I love how evident it was that this has
been heavily researched. The end matter in this book rocks; it includes a
timeline of the German occupation in Norway, pictures of the real man
Espen's character is based on, some spy-related activities, and other
cool stuff.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): When they're in their early teens, Espen and his friends build a weapons storage facility that's camouflaged in the mountain. It's a poignant moment when you think about how much life changes in the middle of a war. Most teenage boys build forts in the woods; these boys had to build a place to hide weapons to protect themselves from Nazi soldiers. Chilling.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
Title: Serafina's Promise
Author: Ann E. Burg
Pages: 304
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545535649
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17270515-serafina-s-promise
In a nutshell: Serafina lives in a rural village in Haiti. She longs to go to school so she can pursue her dream of being a doctor. Her family cannot afford to send her to school, but a natural disaster changes their fate, and through adversity, Serafina may find a way to make her dream come true.
I'd recommend it for grades: 3 to 6
I'd recommend it to: fans of a feel-good story and students who enjoy learning about other cultures
What I liked most about this book: This verse novel is a quick, sweet read that features a charming main character. The descriptions of the setting are so vivid, you'll feel like you're walking the streets of her village with Serafina. Her passion for learning is contagious, and I think it could open the eyes of some first world kids and show them just how much of a blessing education really is. There's also a really nifty guide to Creole words and pronunciations at the end of the book.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This line: "The only unbreakable home is one made from love." :)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
*I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.
Title: Skinny
Author: Donna Cooner
Pages: 272
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9780545427630
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.2, Interest Level - 6th and up, Points - 8.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11958583-skinny
In a nutshell: After Ever Davies' mother dies, she begins using food to ease the pain, and soon she feels like a prisoner in her own body. A toxic voice, whom she names "Skinny," haunts her thoughts with hateful words of discouragement that she'll never amount to anything and that she'll always be alone. But through the process of gastric bypass surgery, this obese teen discovers that she's not as alone as she thinks, that her dreams aren't impossible to obtain, and that her worth is not determined by her weight.
I'd recommend it for grades: 7th and up. I'd say it's written for high schoolers, but middle schoolers will enjoy it too, and it's appropriate content-wise for them as well. I wish I'd had this book in middle school!
I'd recommend it to: fans of contemporary realistic fiction and anyone who has struggled with worrying about what other people think of them or feeling unhappy in their own skin
What I liked most about this book: This
is a superbly written novel about a subject that rarely gets tackled in
teen lit. I've never read another book about gastric bypass surgery in
YA lit, and even if you've never struggled with weight issues, there are important lessons about looking beyond yourself to be learned here, and I think every teen would benefit from reading it. The Cinderella references in this book are fun (if a bit over-used), and I love all the references to Broadway songs (Ever uses a Broadway playlist to help her through her post-surgery life.).
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just tell you that Rat is by far my favorite character. He's mature yet nerdy and adorable, and he's one of the best examples of true friendship I've seen in a book in a while.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: The Name of This Book Is Secret
Author: Pseudonymous Bosch
Pages: 364
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316113663
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.6; Interest Level - 4th-8th grades; Points: 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1099301.The_Name_of_This_Book_Is_Secret
In a nutshell: When two curious 11 year-olds come across a strange box full of vials with various smells and a coded notebook hidden in an underground house, they embark on an adventure to find a long-lost person, to save a classmate, and to possibly prevent unspeakable horrors from being unleashed on the world. Follow Cass and Max-Ernest on this riddle-filled thrill ride that's sure to make you laugh and exercise your brain.
I'd recommend it for grades: 5 to 8
I'd recommend it to: fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society or Adam Gidwitz's Grimm series, mystery lovers, anyone who enjoys a good riddle, Neil Gaiman fans, and Blue Balliett fans
What I liked most about this book: Told by an interactive and hilarious narrator who is constantly asking if you, as the reader, should really continue considering how dangerous he has deemed it, this book seems to be an excellent read-aloud for a 5th grade classroom. It's equally funny and clever although easier to solve and follow than Balliett's books and The Mysterious Benedict Society series. I also enjoyed the footnotes and appendix with additional information (including historical facts, magic tricks, science experiments, and more). There's something in this book for everyone, and I can't wait to read the other four books in the series!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I think I can safely tell you that at one point Cass and Max-Ernest find themselves in a library full of fancy old books, which the narrator describes as "a treasure trove of books, hoarded by pirate librarians." Be still my librarian heart. Also, there is a blind basset hound in this book named Sebastian, and you know how much I love basset hounds. :)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: Sugar
Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes
Pages: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316043052
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 2.9; Interest Level - 4th-8th grades; Points: 4.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15790805-sugar
In a nutshell: Ten-year-old orphan Sugar lives and works on a Louisiana River Road sugar cane plantation in the years following the Civil War. She's no longer a slave, but little about her life has changed, and she longs to leave the only home she's ever known to explore the world. However, when Sugar befriends the white plantation owner's son, Billy, and the Chinese men hired to help harvest this year's sugar crop, everything will change, and Sugar will feel like the world is at her doorstep.
I'd recommend it to grades: 3 to 6
I'd recommend it to: historical fiction fans or anyone who enjoys a story that will warm your heart
What I liked most about this book: I loved Ninth Ward, and after reading this one, I am officially a Jewell Parker Rhodes fan. You fall in love with Sugar from the first chapter. She's funny and playful with an incredible streak of bravery and adventure. The book also captures an interesting tidbit of history by featuring Chinese workers in the post-Civil War South. It was something I knew little about, and it makes for a fascinating blend of three cultures living side-by-side and learning to adapt to a changing way of life.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Sugar and Billy spend an afternoon floating down the Mississippi River on a raft pretending to be pirates. I confess...I have always wanted to do that, and it's a sweet picture of how imagination unites us all no matter our skin color.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
I have to admit--this book has been sitting on my shelf for over a year. On numerous occasions, I picked it up to read it and then put it back down. Now that summer break is upon me, I finally decided to read it. I could not put it down!! It is a phenomenal book that had more heart than I ever could imagine. It also reminded me of a '90s movie that I absolutely loved--Born to Be Wild (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113533/).
Title: Half Brother
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Pages: 377
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 9781554686117
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
AR Levels: Interest level--4th to 8th; Book level--4.4; Points--13.0
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8700023-half-brother
In a nutshell: Ben is your average teenager; his family, however, is a different story. His parents are both scientists who embark on an experimental journey that will change lives in a way they never hypothesized. Around Ben's 13th birthday, his parents bring home a baby chimp that they plan to raise like a human and teach it sign language. The chimp, Zan, quickly becomes Ben's little brother and the bond they build blurs the line between experiment and family. At the same time, Ben is trying to adjust to living in a new city, going to a new school, making new friends (including the breathtaking Jennifer), and coming to terms with the many ways his parents' experiment have changed his life forever. While Ben sees Zan as another member of the family, his father intends to keep things purely scientific, which causes a rift between them and sets into motion a series of events that will keep your heartstrings on the edge of their seat.
I'd recommend it for grades: 6th +; I really do think adults would love this one, too.
I'd recommend it to: Animal lovers; anyone who's into social science, sociology, anthropology, or zoology.
What I liked most about this book: The conflicts are deeper than a lot of YA fiction. This one has both internal and external conflicts and forces you to ask yourself questions about a lot of topics.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There's one point in the book in which Ben walks into Zan's room and sees him playing with his toys in a way that almost resembles a child's tea party.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: The Colossus Rises
Author: Peter Lerangis
Pages: 348
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780062070401
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.1; Interest Level - 4th-8th grade; Points - 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16061340-the-colossus-rises
In a nutshell: Jack McKinley is just a regular kid until one day he passes out at school and wakes up on a mysterious island where a scientist tells him that he and three other kids are members of the The Select, descendants of the royal family of a mythical lost city, and besides that they have a genetic anomaly that gives them superpowers after they undergo treatments. That's the good news. The bad news is that this anomaly will kill them if left untreated and if they cannot retrieve seven powerful artifacts that reside in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Basically it's equal parts Percy Jackson, X-Men, Indiana Jones, and LOST!
I'd recommend it for grades: 4 to 8 (or above)
I'd recommend it to: Rick Riordan fans and adrenaline junkies
What I liked most about this book: After reading this, I feel like I now have a perfect answer to the "What should I read after the Percy Jackson series?" question. The dialogue and characters (and even the cover art) are very similar, yet this series is unique enough to hold its own and prevent me from stamping it as a rip-off. It's every bit as fast-paced and funny as the Percy books, and it also has a few unexpected twists. Overall, I still enjoy Riordan's books better, but this is a solid read-alike. If Percy Jackson is Batman, this series is Robin, but who doesn't love Robin? ;) It definitely left me wanting more, and I'm excited it's going to be a series.*
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The opening chapter describes how Jack is attacked by a homemade alarm clock he rigged up from household items, including a dinosaur toy that smacks him in the face. It reminded me of the opening scene of Back to the Future with Doc's crazy inventions, which I realize dates me, but it's a very funny scene in the book, and it sets the strange yet somewhat silly tone for the rest of the story.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
*This is the first of a seven-book series. I'm assuming each book will focus on one of the Seven Wonders. Book two, Lost in Babylon, hits shelves on October 29, 2013.
Title: My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
Author: Annabel Pitcher
Pages: 224
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316176903
Publication Date: August 14, 2012 (originally published January 1, 2011 in the United Kingdom)
AR Levels: Interest Level: 4th-8th grades; Book Level: 5.2; Points: 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12860626-my-sister-lives-on-the-mantelpiece
In a nutshell: Ten-year-old Jamie has twin sisters. His sister Jasmine is 15 and going through a pink hair phase, and his sister Rose was killed by a terrorist bombing five years ago and lives in an urn on the mantelpiece. Every year his dad tries to sprinkle her ashes in the ocean, but he just can't manage to do it. It's one of the many things his mom and dad argue about with the biggest one being how his mom is leaving them for another man. Jamie's dad packs up Jamie and Jas and Rose and moves them out of London into the Lake District to start afresh, or so Jamie hopes. Now he's going to a new school he hates, trying not to provoke the classroom bully/teacher's pet, and getting frustrated with how much attention his dad pays to Rose when he barely notices Jamie and Jas. That's when Jamie meets Sunya, and it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship...but not an easy one. In fact, if his dad found out, he'd go berserk.
I'd recommend it for grades: 6th and up (for language and subject matter)
I'd recommend it to: anyone dealing with grief or tough family issues...but really just anyone (It's excellent.)
What I liked most about this book: Jamie's narration is blunt, honest, funny, and heartbreaking all at the same time. You like him by the end of the very first paragraph. While this book is mainly the story of a family and how they each individually deal with their grief, it's also about love, the intense desire to be visible, the heartache of broken promises, and friendships that look past differences. This is one of the most well-written books about grief written from the perspective of a ten-year-old that I've read in a long time, and it's also one of the best books I've read all year.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): For reasons that I won't go into (since that would be a spoiler), Jamie wears the same Spider-Man t-shirt for weeks on end, and soon it starts to smell a bit...adolescent boy-ish. In an act of sisterly love and acting as a substitute mom, Jas doesn't make him take it off but instead lovingly gives him a stick of deodorant and tells him he's starting to stink. It's a really sweet and funny moment. Their relationship is one of my other favorite parts of this book.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
