Title: Mary Poppins
Author: P.L. Travers
Pages: 224
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780152058104
Publication Date: this edition published June 1, 2006 (originally published in 1934)
AR Levels: Book Level - 6.1, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points: 6.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/152380.Mary_Poppins
In a nutshell: When the Banks family loses a nanny, another one drops out of the sky, onto their doorstep, and into their lives. But Mary Poppins is no ordinary nanny, and life will never be the same at 17 Cherry Tree Lane...at least not until the West Wind comes.
I'd recommend it for grades: 3 to 5
I'd recommend it to: fans of the movie (obviously), Narnia fans, those who like books set in our world but with a dash of magic, and anyone who likes sassy nannies :)
What I liked most about this book: I'm always hesitant when people ask me what my favorite movie is, but I can say with confidence that Mary Poppins is one of my absolute favorite children's movies. Mary Poppins was my role model as a child. If I'm honest, I think she still is, and so that's why it's odd that I had never read this series. I think I may have been afraid it would ruin the movie for me, but it didn't! *sigh of relief* While this book isn't "practically perfect in every way," I did enjoy it. The prose is delightful and would make for a great read-aloud. Travers' Mary Poppins is a bit sassier (and a teeny bit colder) than Julie Andrews' portrayal, but she's just as charming, and I still love her. I can't wait to read the rest of the books before Saving Mr. Banks comes out in December (I CANNOT WAIT!!!)
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I don't want to give away too much, but let's just say the relationship between Mary Poppins and Bert is absolutely adorable even more so than in the movie, and my favorite part happens when they go into his chalk painting. (I also had a crush on Dick Van Dyke as a girl.) ;)
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
Title: Island Eyes, Island Skies
Author: Richard Levine
Pages: 268
Publisher: Feathered Tale Books
ISBN: 9780982926901
Publication Date: January 5, 2011
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13824887-island-eyes-island-skies
In a nutshell: Rob and D.C. are just two normal teens who meet at a party and find that spark between them, but when family tragedy strikes each of them separately, their flame is cut short. Fortunately, Rob and D.C. get a second chance at love and help each other process their grief.
I'd recommend it to grades: 6th and up
I'd recommend it to: younger teens and tweens struggling through first love and/or tragedy
What I liked most about this book: I enjoyed hearing this story told from the perspectives of both Rob and D.C. It's interesting to see what's going on in their heads while experiencing the same events. It makes their characters easy for tweens to relate to as well.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The dance/party scene in the beginning rings so true for awkward tween gatherings. It's both funny and painful to read!
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Pages: 452
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
ISBN: 9780312642969
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.8, Interest Level - 6th and up, Points: 16.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet
In a nutshell: Scarlet Benoit's grandmother has been missing for far too long, so she takes matters into her own hands, and with the help of street fighter, Wolf, she goes in search of her. Her investigation will not only uncover her grandmother's secrets but also Wolf's, and along the way she meets a girl on the run who may just be the key to the whole mystery.
I'd recommend it for grades: 9 and up
I'd recommend it to: fairy tale fans, sci-fi lovers, and adrenaline junkies (this one moves fast!)
What I liked most about this book: This is the complete polar opposite of a sophomore slump if I ever read
one. Wow! It's definitely better than the first one, Cinder, which I loved!
(Go back and read it first if you haven't yet!) There's just something about the blending of fairy tale and science fiction in
this series that is completely unique and impossible to put down. This second book is a perfect mix of fast-paced action and deep characterization. I worried with this one that the introduction of so many new characters would take away from the first book's characters, but the expansion only adds flavor to the universe of the series. I am beyond stoked about the third and fourth books! I read the sneak peek of the first chapter of Cress, book three, and it's amazing. I can't wait to see what Meyer does with the Rapunzel adaptation.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I've always seen the traditional Little Red Riding Hood as a bit of a naive, silly pushover, but in the opening chapters of this book, it's clear that Scarlet is going to be a firecracker of a second female protagonist for the series. She's a force to be reckoned with, and after reading the first few chapters, I knew she would be my favorite character in the series thus far. Wolf isn't so bad either. ;)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!
Title: The Caged Graves
Author: Dianne Salerni
Pages: 329
Publisher: Clarion Books
ISBN: 9780547868530
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12394044-the-caged-graves
In a nutshell: 17-year-old Verity Boone is returning to her hometown of Catawissa, Pennsylvania after being sent to live with relatives following the death of her mother. It's been 15 years since she left, and Verity is looking forward to seeing her father and to meeting her fiance, Nathaniel, in person since they've only been exchanging letters to this point, but Verity's arrival in town stirs up an old mystery surrounding her mother's and aunt's deaths. She is horrified to learn that their graves are caged in and interred outside the churchyard, and she is determined to find out why. The real question is whether the graves have cages to keep the living out or to keep the dead in.
I'd recommend this book for grades: 8 and up
I'd recommend it to: historical mystery/romance fans
What I liked most about this book: I confess I picked up this book because when it came across my desk I was intrigued by both the title and the cover and immediately wanted to know why those graves had cages myself. Once I read the blurb in the book jacket, I knew I had to read it. Apparently the author stumbled across these real-live caged graves in Pennsylvania and did some research on them. She found out who the two women were but could find no evidence of the reasoning behind the cages, so she wrote this book as an imaginative, fictional explanation. Fun fact: the cover image is taken by the author's husband and shows the actual graves. Way cool. As for the story itself, it's definitely a page turner full of suspense and mini cliffhangers, and there's a love triangle too (not the best, but okay). It's a quick, intriguing, and entertaining read.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I won't say too much, but Verity's first encounter with her pen pal fiance doesn't go exactly as planned, and he's not quite who she imagined him to be. If only she'd had eHarmony, right? ;)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars (would be 5 if the romantic parts were a bit less cheesy)
Title: The Fifth Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Pages: 457
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
ISBN: 9780399162411
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave
In a nutshell: After surviving four waves of a deadly alien invasion that has wiped out the majority of the world's population through lack of power, tidal waves, and a plague, Cassie is determined to stay alive and rescue her kid brother Sammy, but waiting for the fifth wave is like waiting for the other shoe to drop, and Cassie can trust no one...can she?
I'd recommend this for grades: 10 and up (strong language and lots of death and violence obviously)
I'd recommend it to: science fiction fans (especially Doctor Who and X-Files fans), Hunger Games and I Am Number Four fans, and conspiracy theorists ;)
What I liked most about this book: This book has everything you could want in a great young adult novel: aliens, love, sarcastic humor, cute boys, a strong female lead, thrilling mystery, plot twists, government secrets, angst, interesting/loveable/hateable characters, and most of all excellent writing! This one exceeded my already high expectations based on all the hype it's getting! Read it!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): When Cassie's describing what she's got packed in her survival kit, she pokes fun at herself about including a toothbrush and toothpaste. She's determined that if she's going to be murdered by aliens, she's at least going to go out with clean teeth. Haha! Cassie's snarky comments are part of my favorite thing about her character and this book. She's like Katniss but sassier.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!!! I can hardly wait for the next one!
I've gotten a lot of information on Twitter about new books and updates from authors we've reviewed. So, I thought some of you might be interested in following them, too.
R.J. Palacio (Wonder): @RJPalacio
Heather Brewer (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod): @heatherbrewer
Chris Crutcher (Deadline; Ironman; Period.8): @ChrisCrutcher
Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm): @AdamGidwitz
K.M. Walton (Cracked): @KMWalton1
John Green (The Fault in Our Stars): @realjohngreen
Ridley Pearson (Disney After Dark): @RidleyPearson
A.C. Gaughen (Scarlet): @ACGaughen
Nic Sheff (Tweak): @nic_sheff
Deborah Wiles (Countdown): @deborahwiles
Lindsay Eland (Scones and Sensibility): @lindsayeland
Jennifer E. Smith (The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight; This Is What Happy Looks Like): @JenESmith
Michelle Muto (The Book of Lost Souls): @MichWritesBooks
Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda): @TomAngleberger
Paul Volponi (Hurricane Song): @paul_volponi
Jodi Lynn Anderson (Tiger Lily): @jodilynna
Christopher Healy (The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom): @ChristophrHealy
50 Cent (Playground): @50cent
John Corey Whaley (Where Things Come Back): @corey_whaley
Rick Riordan (The Mark of Athena): @camphalfblood
Nyrae Dawn (What a Boy Wants): @NyraeDawn
Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity): @EWein2412
Gabrielle Zevin (Because It Is My Blood): @gabriellezevin
Dan Poblocki (The Ghost of Graylock): @DanPoblocki
Lauren Oliver (The Spindlers): @OliverBooks
Jenny Lundquist (Seeing Cinderella): @Jenny_Lundquist
Maureen Johnson (The Name of the Star): @maureenjohnson
Annabel Pitcher (My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece; Ketchup Clouds): @APitcherAuthor
Libba Bray (The Diviners): @libbabray
Obert Skye (Wonkenstein): @obertskye
Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm (Extreme Babymouse): @mattholm
Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan): @kaaauthor
Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz (Colin Fischer): @ashmasterzero @MuseZack
Cal Armistead (Being Henry David): @CalArmistead
James Patterson (The Dangerous Days of Daniel X): @JP_Books
Ruta Sepetys (Out of the Easy; Between Shades of Gray): @RutaSepetys
Peter Lerangis (The Colossus Rises): @PeterLerangis
Victoria Schwab (The Archived): @veschwab
Kenneth Oppel (Half Brother): @kennethoppel
This is an interesting review to write. The author is 16 and requested that we review her book. I'll be honest: I didn't have high expectations for the book. My mistake! This one had me hooked by Page 10 and the character development was amazing. The main character's relationship with her band-of-misfits friends reminded me of Wendy and The Lost Boys in Peter Pan (my favorite book). The author has done a great job at weaving together life in the Caribbean, drug smuggling, zombies, voodoo, and teen angst.
Title: Luminescence
Author: Who Mee
Pages: Available only as an eBook (the PDF form is 213 pages)
Publisher: Smashwords
ISBN: 9781301861187
Publication Date: June 7, 2013
AR Levels: N/A
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18078102-luminescence
In a nutshell: Nyx is a teenage girl who moves with her family to the Caribbean. There, she meets a group of boys who are pretty much raising themselves. Tourists on the island are disappearing and the boys know the secret and have been secretly fighting the forces behind it. Additionally, Nyx learns about the history her family has with this island and how what happened in the past is affecting her future. Can she help the boys stop what's happening? Or will she even survive the evil that jeopardizes her, her family, and her friends?
I'd recommend it for grades: 7th and up. Mild language and violence
I'd recommend it to: Anyone who loves a good adventure. If you're a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Indiana Jones, Peter Pan, or any others like these, this book is for you!!
What I like most about this book: The character development was wonderful! I actually cared about these characters and knew their stories.
Single favorite moment (Without getting spoiler-y): At one point, the boys are in a prank war and one character references Peter Pan, referring to not growing up. I'm a sucker for a well-placed reference to my favorite book.
Star rating (Where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars; If I could give 4 1/2 stars, I would!
Title: Ketchup Clouds
Author: Annabel Pitcher
Pages: 272
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316246767
Publication Date: November 12, 2013 (in America...originally released in the UK in November 2012)
AR Levels: unavailable
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17242447-ketchup-clouds
In a nutshell: Zoe has a secret, a secret so terrible she can't tell anyone, but she has to tell someone what she's done or the guilt may consume her. Zoe's solution? Become pen pals with an inmate on Death Row in Texas. Through this series of letters, "Zoe" (who does not reveal her real name) begins to process her grief and intense guilt over murdering a boy in her life. Who is this boy? What could have caused a nerdy teenage girl to murder him? "Zoe" answers these questions and creates more for readers in this dark yet romantic novel that is sure to keep you guessing.
I'd recommend it for grades: 9 and up (mature content and mild language)
I'd recommend it to: mystery lovers and dark humor fans
What I liked most about this book: It's a backwards whodunnit with a lot of heart too. I laughed, I got a little misty-eyed, and I could not put this one down. It's a tough thing to introduce your main character as a murderer in the first chapter, but "Zoe" immediately draws your sympathy with her vulnerability and humor. I've never read another book like this one, and I mean that in the best of ways.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There is so much I can't give away in this one, but let's just say "Zoe" works part-time shelving books in a library, and there's some sweet nerdy flirting in the stacks that made my librarian heart happy. Also...any moment with "Zoe's" deaf little sister Dot is my favorite. She's adorable.
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
