Moon Over Manifest

Moon Over Manifest
by Clare Vanderpool
Delacorte Press, 2010. 351 pgs
Reading Level: ages 9-12
Hardcover: $16.99

Annotation: Abilene searches for traces of her father in the rich history of the town of Manifest.

Summary: It's been just the two of them since Abilene can remember. Her mother left her father, Gideon, and her when she was just a toddler. But when Gideon gets a job on a railroad as she nears her twelfth birthday, he declares it unfit for a girl and sends her off to spend the summer in Manifest, Kansas--the town he grew up in. Abilene's to stay with Shady, the town preacher and an old friend of her father's. When she arrives, she's forced to attend the last day of school, although Abilene can't see the point as she won't be here come fall, but the teacher gives her an assignment anyway--an essay exploring the meaning of the town's name and it's significance. Thrusting that chore to the back of her mind, throughout the summer Abilene finds adventure and friendship in Manifest and visits Miss Sadie, the town's occultist, nearly everyday. Piece by piece Miss Sadie unravels Manifest's glorious, complicated history, focusing on the antics of Ned and Jinks, who were two of the town's most engaging, spirited boys. However, the town seems to hold lots of secrets and Abilene yearns to learn more about her father, but no one seems to want to talk about him and Miss Sadie's stories hold no mention of Gideon. Even though she's perplexed by her father's absence from history, Abilene comes to love Manifest and slowly starts to understand the town's nuances and eventually discovers the truth of her father's past. So when summer ends Abilene has more than enough material to write her essay, because she's learned all of Manifest's secrets and can now tell them from the perspective of someone who belongs.

Evaluation: As a debut author, Vanderpool has written the loveliest of books. Set in the great depression the book alternates between present day 1936 and the town's past in 1918. The backstory is revealed through old newspaper clippings and Miss Sadie's reminiscences until the two eras gracefully intertwine and their secrets made "manifest". An intriguing plot provides lots of pent up curiousity and keeps the story moving, but the real treasure is Vanderpool's characters. Abilene is naive and spunky, dignified and endearing. The rest of Manifest's population is ripe with a well-fleshed supporting cast, from Miss Sadie the occultist and Shady the preacher and saloon keeper to Sister Redempta the schoolteacher and Hattie Mae, the town reporter. All have their place and contribute to the book's full-bodied charm. It's delicious and funny with an excellent voice. The historical setting is spot on and it's not difficult to imagine the place nor the time period because Vanderpool has evoked it so naturally. However poor economically, Manifest is rich in relationships and you'd count yourself lucky to live in such a close knit community.

Significance: Moon over Manifest explores the complicated history of small town life, how living so closely produces a necessary interdependence that provides an opportunity for love and the possibility of hurt. Even when an entire town offers holds no blame, it's often hard to forgive oneself.

Personal Choice: I can never resist the allure of alliteration.

Awards: Newbery Award Winner, 2011 / Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Fiction from the Western Writers of America, 2011 / Top Ten Historical Fiction Novels (ALA), 2011

They Called Themselves the KKK

They Called Themselves the KKK: the Birth of an American Terrorist Group
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. 172 pgs.
Young Adult Nonfiction / Advanced Children
Hardcover: $19.00

Annotation: The Ku Klux Klan began life with 6 men, but grew into an unweildy, racial hate group dedicated to terror and vigilante violence.

Summary: After the Civil War, the South was a hotbed of chaos. Freed slaves, economic disruption and general uncertainty led to great fear and indignity on the part of the white population. As part of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Reconstruction Act, blacks were given freedom and the opportunity to own land, worship together and go to school. This didn't sit well with many people in the South. In a small, Tennesse town 6 white men congregated, with the words, "Boys, let us get up a club." And from that the nefarious Ku Klux Klan was born. Some people believe it began with only mischievous intentions but other scholars emphatically claim it had evil designs from the very beginning. The small club grew, at one point citing nearly half a million members and including high ranking officials from nearly every Southern county. The organization was built on secret handshakes, sworn oaths and ghostly costumes. Their activites ranged from terrorizing the black community to trying them in vigilate courts involving violent whippings, rape, lynching and all manner of despicable acts. The Klan's fear and hatred sought to keep the black community from voting, holding land or in any way acting "uppity" and their persecution extended to any white man who espoused racial equality. After a time, the federal government finally intervened, holding trials and issuing fines, but the sheer amount of malevolence went largely unpunished. The South continued to experience racial inequality for more than a century after the Emanicapation Proclamation ended and each despicable act is a blot on a nation founded on freedom for all men.

Evaluation: With clear prose and methodical development, Bartoletti exposes the true nature of the Ku Klux Klan. She augments the exposition with time appropriate cartoons and sketches that appeared in the local papers and journals of the era. Personal accounts from both the Klan members and their victims appear with frequency and pictures of former slaves help personalize the narrative. Told with cool precision, the book still captures the horror of the Klan's deeds. Figures for the price of slaves, wages and land are given in their original form, but are then extrapolated to the present day's dollar worth to give modern perspective. A timeline of major events at the back of the book offers a succint overview and this large, informative book is a must have for any youth library. This book succeeds in educating youth so that they might understand their country's unfortuante past and help become part of the ongoing fight against racial inequality, hate crimes and the evil that still exists in the hearts of ignorant men.

Significance: The terrible regin of the Ku Klux Klan is a blight on American history, but its sordid past is an important point of study. It is necesary that we remember the atrocities of the past so that we might learn to never repeat them. Illuminating the deeds of evil men helps stamp out ignorance and brings a small amount of justice to the people they terrorized. While it would be nice to think the Klan's influence is dead, the book cites 932 hate groups still in existence as of 2009.

Personal Choice: It's like books about Nazi Germany. The subject matter is gruesome, but there is a compelling need to learn about what incites people to turn into pure evil. I knew little more than rumor about the KKK and was both hesitant and intriqued to gain a more solid understanding of this racist hate group.

Awards: Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist, 2011 / ALA Notable Children's Book, 2011 / Horn Book Fanfare Selection, 2011 / CCBC Choices, 2011 / Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2011 / Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, 2010 / School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2010 / A Washington Post Best Book of the Year, 2010 / Booklinks Lasting Connections Selection, 2010

Departure Time

Departure Time (Vertrektijd)
by Truus Matti
translation by Nancy Forest-Flier
Namelos, 2010. 214 pgs.
Reading Level: 10-14

Annotation: Trying to make sense of her father's accident, a young girl is pulled between the real and the surreal.

Summary: Matti writes a double story, with the same protagonist at the heart of each one. In the first, finding herself alone and confused on a bare plain in the middle of a thunderstorm, the young, unnamed girl seeks cover in an abandoned hotel. Met by a sleepy, yet hospitable fox and a cantankerous rat, the girl finds shelter and friendship with the fox, if not the rat. Gradually, the rat comes to trust her, but mysterious piano playing from an indecipherable source and the rat’s work on an old bus consume her days while she tries to remember just what she’s doing there and what her purpose is. In the second story, the girl is despondent over the accident that took her father. With her mother overcome by grief and their move to a new home, the girl is weighed down by the apprehension that her actions might have caused her father’s death. Despite the love of her grandmother and her father’s friend, Mr. Malakoff, the girl remains convinced she is somehow responsible for this horrible tragedy.

Evaluation: With increasing clarity, the two disparate stories intertwine and with each successive chapter, the reader begins to understand the interdependence of each. Matti writes with a melancholy pen, but there is a sweetness that surrounds this vulnerable protagonist and it’s a beautiful thing to see her mature as she interacts with the fox and the rat--coming to terms with her father’s death and her younger self. The rat and the fox add touches of humor and ingenuity to the tale and the girl is a bit like Alice as she navigates through her own Wonderland, occupied by talking animals and upside down affairs. The pacing is just right, with just enough mystery to keep the reader guessing and just enough exposition for it not to be overwhelming. However, the story has such a sophisticated structure and relies so heavily on nuance that I’m wary that young readers will have a difficult time parceling out the significance and the relationship between the two separate narratives. I really liked the Matti’s style myself though, and it pays a distinct homage to St. Exupery’s “The Little Prince”, as both adolescents are taught life lessons from the lips of a talking fox.

Significance: Departure Time covers several important themes. It discusses the difficulty of losing a parent and the common feelings of guilt and responsibility. But, the story is also one of discovery, of the journey we make through adolescence and the ability and opportunity we have to look back on our live and realize how we’ve matured. It’s about forgiveness of self and forgiveness of other people, even when they’re gone from our lives.

Personal Choice: It was something to do with the book being published orginally in Dutch. I just love the Northern Barquoe school of art and the cover's airmail edging was enticing. Not to mention that one of the characters was a talking fox so, I was hooked.

Awards: Batchelder Honor, 2011 / ALA Notable, 2011 / USBBY Outstanding International Honor, 2011 / CCBC Choices, 2011

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise
by Jennifer L. Holm
Random House, 2010. 208 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 9-12
Hardcover: $16.99

Annotation: Promising her a bit of paradise, Turtle's mama sends her down to Key West during the depression.

Summary: When Turtle's mama finds a job as a housekeeper to a woman who doesn't like children, the only solution is to ship Turtle and her cat, Smokey down to Key West to her sister's family. But when Turtle arrives, she learns the letter heralding her coming hadn't made it and that she's an unwelcome surprise. Unwelcome to her three nasty boy cousins that is. Turtle's known a lot of mean kids in her day so she's prepared. But she's not prepared for the shabby strangeness that greets her, completely different than her mother's glowing accounts of a picture-perfect paradise. The island is full of run-down buildings and people with strange nicknames, there's scorpions to contend with, new foods like alligator pears and "cut-ups" and her cousins won't even allow her into the diaper gang--a trio of boys who babysit the "bad" babies on the island in return for candy. The island has it's good points though, Slow Poke lets her come sponging with him, there are new flavors of ice-cream to try and Turtle finds out her grandma's still alive, contrary to what her mama told her. And when Turtle finds a treasure map in her grandma's piano, it might just be the break she's been looking for and a way out of this so called paradise.

Evaluation: Blending a prodigious array of historical research and the lure of a charasmatic orphan, Turtle in Paradise is an indubitable success. Superb characters and local color mingle easily and the story relies equally on both. Turtle is one spunky little girl and her approach to life is just like her name, she's got a hard shell, but there's a softness to her underbelly that years of hardship can't quite erase. And through the grace of good writing, Turtle eventually learns that not all kids are terrible and not all adults are sweet.

Holm's is a superb visualist and her similies and metaphors spice the writing with flavorful ingenuity. Some of my favorites were, "It's so hot that the backs of my legs feel like melted gym, only stickier." And, "Mama keeps hers(hair) long as a good dream, cuz that's the way Archie likes it." Also, "Truth is, the place(Key West) looks like a broken chair that's been left out in the sun to rot." The result is just as fresh as the ripe alligator pears found on the island. It's a must-read for everyone and comes with a high recommendation from yours truly.

Significance: Turtle's vision of paradise shifts as she learns that living on Easy Street in a Sear's house called The Bellewood is really no contest for the true paradise that comes from living with your family in a tiny ramshackle house on a poor island in the Keys.

Awards: The Golden Kite Award Winner, 2011 / Newbery Honor Award, 2011

Breaking Night

Breaking Night: a memoir of forgiveness, survival and my journey from homeless to Harvard
by Liz Murray
Hyperion, 2010. 334 pgs.
Adult Fiction with YA Interest
Hardcover: $24.99

Annotation: When finding food and a place to sleep are top priorities, suddenly school doesn't seem so important.

Summary: Liz Murray had an unorthodox childhood. Her parents were drug addicts who could barely survive till next month's government check, so feeding their two children was an afterthought at best. With her dad in and out of jail and her mother in and out of the psych ward, Liz struggled just to find enough food to survive each day. Her hair was lice-ridden and the stench of her unwashed body and squalid clothing caused the other school children to ridicule her. Needless to say, it didn't make for a pleasant learning experience and so with no one who cared, Liz decided to skip most days, only showing up to take the end of year tests. She managed to pass on to the next grade each year due to her excellent reading skills honed from years of devouring her dad's collection of true crime novels--which he would check out at the library under numerous aliases and never return. Abused by her mother's friends and neglected by her parents, at one point Liz is even carted off to a state run girl's school where she suffered the mean-spirited bullying by some of the other girls. Returning home, Liz finds that nothing has changed. Finally, forced out of her house at fifteen, Liz became homeless, riding the trains all night, sleeping in friends' apartments or random stairwells. Scavaging food and sleeping arrangments was always a challenge, but Liz found a family in other troubled youth and with the help of her friends she managed to survive.

After AIDS claimes her mother, Liz remembers her mother's dream for her to finish high school and so she goes searching. She hears of an alternative high school that just might accept her and after being admitted, resolves to finish all 8 semesters in just 2 years. Still homeless, she lugs her books and other scant belongings along with her and with the help of her makeshift family of friends she studies like a demon, earning top grades and a leadership position in her school. During a special school trip to Boston, she discovers the magic of Harvard and with encouragement from her teacher, decides to take a long shot at a school most students wouldn't dream of, let alone a homeless girl. But even if she's accepted, Liz would never be able to afford college; however, with nudging from her guidance counselor she applies for a hefty New York Times scholarship. The scholarship is based on the answer to one simple question, "What challenges have you had to overcome in life?" and with that Liz begins writing her life story, because every day was a challenge and every night was a misery.

Evaluation: Liz Murray's story is heartwrenching, but she tells it with a compelling voice. Her prose is clear, readable and ultimately uplifting. With a childhood that cannot really be described as such, because Liz did not have the good fortune to actually be a child, she uses her experiences to propel her forward, rather than as a means to justify failure. Although many individuals would be reticent to reveal such personal indelicacies, Liz instead shares her memoir with candor and her words and accomplishments prove immensely inspiring. I had a hard time putting the book down and am grateful for Liz's courage and her resilient spirit. I found the following passage especially thought provoking. Liz writes, "I was always seeing myself through the eyes of adults, my parents, caseworkers, psychiatrists, and teachers. If I saw a failure in their eyes, then I was one. And if I saw someone capable, then I was capable." A beautifully expressed sentiment with a cautionary tale for all adults who work with youth. But what was written for adults will resonate with teens, especially those coming from troubled backgrounds themselves. Without doubt, Breaking Night is a triumph of will and a true light to the world.

Significance: Liz's story demonstrates that with hard work and intense determination, anyone can overcome the challenges their circumstances would appear to dictate. She excelled with help from some dear friends and excellent teachers. She proved that the responsibility for her future rested with her and not with her past. Liz demonstrates yet again that education has real power to change lives. But, perhaps an even greater achievement than Liz's eventual graduation from Harvard was her ability to honestly forgive both of her parents for their addiction and neglect and that is what makes the book an inspiring read for everyone.

Personal Choice: Although a bit long, the title was an immediate draw and I couldn't wait to find out more about Liz's personal triumph.

Awards: Alex Award, 2011

A Time of Miracles

A Time of Miracles (Les Temps des Miracles)
by Anne-Laure Bondoux
translation by Y. Maudet
Delacorte, 2010. 180 pgs.
(originally published in French, 2009)
Young Adult Fiction / Middle Readers
Hardcover: $17.99

Annotation: Koumail and his adopted mother struggle through the turbulent Caucases on his way to reclaim his French citizenship and reunite with his birth mother.

Summary: Born a French citizen under the name of Blaise Fortune, Koumail now resides in the Republic of Georgia with Gloria, the woman who saved him from a horrific train accident which injured his mother. Gloria rescued Blaise from the train, slipping him from his mother's bosom as she whispered his name, but Gloria was forced to flee the scene before she found out what happend to the woman. Since then, the two impoverished souls have been a comfort to one another, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union, unrest and fighting break out and Gloria feels it is now time to begin their journey to France--to reclaim Blaise's rightful heritage and find his birth mother. Along the way Koumail meets many friends and endures endless hardship. As they travel from refuge to refuge, slowly moving across Europe, Koumail begs for the story of his mother and his rescue time and again and with each telling Gloria reveals more details.

With each step of their journey Koumail learns more about life, meets both evil and good and looks forward to meeting his mother. But as the two are forced to keep moving by the encroaching army and lack of food, they find themselves again walking to their next refuge with Koumail trying to imagine his feet belong to another child, because if they are not his, he will not be able to feel the deep cold and the bleeding soles that remind him of his suffering. Gloria's hacking cough is a worry to Koumail, but she assures him she will not die until he has no more need of her. Struggling to navigate their way through a war-torn country, the two finally find themselves at the end of their journey and the French border is so close, but both Gloria and Koumail might not be able to make the crossing and Koumail can't imagine a life without her. And when Koumail/Blaise ultimately discovers the truth about his family, what will he do?

Evaluation: A Time of Miracles is a magnificant book and Bondoux does a remarkable job as she takes us on a journey of discovery. The tragedy of life in the Caucasus is artfully laced with experiences of exquisite compassion and rather than being ponderous and depressing, the beauty of Gloria and Koumail's souls offer a resplendant hope that people can indeed triumph. The mystery of Koumail/Blaise's past is divulged piece by piece so that the reader's attention is cleverly kept and each of Koumail's experiences offers another look at a desperate childhood, made bearable by human kindness. One of my favorite sentiments as taught by Gloria reads, "Never despair of human beings. For every person who lets you down, you'll meet dozens of others who will help you". The translation is quite good and the book is recommended for sophisticated middle readers or young adults.

Significance: There is a wider world of suffering and heartbreak that some readers can only imagine, but the power of the human spirit to triumph over them both and the beauty and strength of a mother's love make each experience a miracle. Koumail is like each of us, struggling to find out who he is and wrestling with the discouragements and the triumphs that define our being, no matter what our parentage.

Personal Choice: A Time of Miracles was originally published in French and because I speak the language, I felt a certain kinship with the book. And because it was published in the U.S. on my exact birthday, it was doubly auspicious and certain of making my 'to-read' list.

Awards: Batchelder Winner, 2011

Clementine's Letter

Clementine's Letter
by Sara Pennypacker
illustrated by Marla Frazee
Hyperion, 2008. 150 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 5-10
Hardcover: $14.99

Annotation: After finally getting the hang of 3rd grade, Clementine might lose her teacher to an archeological dig.

Summary: Clementine is no stranger to the principal's office and she and Mrs. Rice are old friends. But for once, she's only being sent to retrieve her for a special announcement. Except it turns out to be the worst announcement in Clementine's life. Mrs. Rice tells Dr. D'Matz's third grade class that she's nominated their teacher for a special archaeological dig in Egypt, which means he'll be gone for a whole week and potentially the rest of the year. Clementine is dismayed because she and Mr. D'Matz have finally come to an understanding and she's actually liking school now and definitely not looking forward to a substitute. Just as Clementine predicted, Mrs. Nagel comes in and starts being mean to her and changing all the rules around. So when her class is asked to write letters to the nomination committee deciding Mr. D'Matz's fate, Clementine decides to make sure her letter will keep Mr. D'Matz right where she wants him--in her class as her teacher. But will her mischievous letter ruin her relationship with her favorite teacher?

Evaluation: Coming third in the series, Clementine's Letter is a delightful story and you haven't already, you'll fall in love with Clementine's precocious personality and tender heart. There's lots of humor and Clementine's voice is well written and thoroughly likeable. Pennypacker creates a cast of peripheral characters that complement Clementine and add spark to a charming tale of unintentional mischief.  The bond between Mr. D'Matz and Clementine is sweet and the story will conjure up fond memories of your own favorite grade school teacher.  Frazee's illustrations capture Clementine's spunk and the story and the images are a perfect pairing. It's sure to be a hit with kids of all types and temperaments, but it is especially suited for those children who find themselves in trouble at school more often than not.

Significance: Pennypacker teaches us that when you love someone, sometimes you have to let them go.

Personal Choice: Admittedly, the cover lured me in and I fell in love with Clementine's adorable curly, red hair which reminded me of little orphan Annie. Both girls have a zest for life and the gumption to make things happen while performing large acts of charity for the adults in their life.

Awards: Christopher Winner, 2009

Room

Room
by Emma Donoghue
Little, Brown, and Co., 2010. 321 pgs.
Adult Fiction with YA Interest
Hardcover: $24.99

Annotation: Imprisoned by a madman, Jack and his Ma live in a single 11x11 ft room for years with no hope of escape.

Summary: Jack is turning 5--his favorite number. His mother bakes him a cake like any other good mother would do. However, Jack wants 5 candles on the cake, a simple request, but when you're locked in a single room for 7 years by the hands of a madman, no request is ever simple. Kidnapped at 19, "Ma" has been imprisoned and abused by her kidnapper for long, tortuous years. Her son Jack was born into this very room and having never left, has zero concept of the world outside. Sure they have a small tv, but to preserve his innocence and perhaps his sanity, "Ma" tells Jack that what happens on tv is only make believe and so he never realizes there is a whole world out there that he is being kept from experiencing. His friends are Dora the Explorer from the tv, a long snake made of eggshells and the remote control. Christened "Old Nick" by Jack, their captor unlocks the industrical strength door every evening at 9pm to visit "Ma" and fulfill his filthy lust and every night "Ma" forces Jack into the wardrobe minutes beforehand to keep him safe. "Old Nick" takes away their garbage, grudgingly buys them food and once a week allows them a special Sunday treat, such as grapes or crayons--all things most children take for granted. As he grows, Jack starts asking questions that Ma finds increasingly hard to answer and so she tells him the whole story, but Jack's small mind has trouble taking it all in and grasping the magnitude of the injustice that's been perpetrated. But one night Jack and "Ma" conceive a plan for escape and it all hinges on 5-year-old Jack's ability to play dead.

Evaluation: Told from 5-year-old Jack's perspective, the experience of Jack and his mother takes on a bizarre innocence that only a child could relay. Donoghue does an incredible job at portraying the mind of a child whose view of reality is dysfunctional and distorted. Jack and his mother's approach to life is heartbreakingly simple. They wake up, eat a rationed breakfast, take a bath together, watch 1 show on tv (2 if Jack is lucky--but Ma doesn't want him to rot his brain so tv is kept to a minimum), do Phys Ed--which consists of strength maintaining exercises--eat lunch, play together, color, tell stories, eat dinner, brush their teeth (because for years Ma didn't take care of hers and now they are rotting and she has horrible pains), watch 1 more show on tv, read 1 or all of the 5 books they've been alloted and then go to bed--only to do the same thing the next day and the next and the next. Their only diversion is the small, steel enclosed skylight that gives them their only connection with the outside world. One day Jack spies a plane through the tiny opening, just like on tv, and this highlight keeps him excited for days on end.

Donoghue's Jack is both prodigiously bright and exceptionally naive, making for a endearing character the reader yearns to protect and educate. Jack speaks of "room" and "table", "wall", and "rug" without articles and without a proper sense of perspective. He still breast-feeds at five years and while the concept is a bit repulsive to most of America, it is a symbol of "Ma's" commitment to nurture her child and preserve his innocence, while providing him nourishment. "Ma" is a fierce protector and her character, while a secondary one, demonstrates the will of a mother when faced with tragic odds. She is remarkably resilient, keeping Jack occupied and setting a scheduled routine, doing her best to keep him and herself healthy and trying to provide as normal a childhood as possible in their extreme circumstances.

"Old Nick" is a peripheral character and his evil actions dictate Jack and Ma's life, but he cannot take away their spirit and their love for each other. Donoghue's gift lies in her ability to show us our own world through the eyes of a unique little boy. Little things take on great significance and you'll never look at the freedom to get up, put on shoes and and walk outside as a commonplace experience again.

I listened to the audio version of this book and while I was initially irriated by the voice of Jack, I came to love his childlike enthusiasm and I have to give high kudos to the actor who portrayed this precocious child. In short, Room is a fascinating read for adults while utterly appropriate for teens and will appeal to anyone searching for the next good book.

Significance: Room celebrates the resiliency of people faced with incredible challenges and the ability of a child to save his mother, both phsyically and mentally.

Personal Choice: I'd had several recommendations from people I trusted and the premise behind the novel intrigued me.

Awards: Alex Award, 2011

Extra Credit

Extra Credit
by Andrew Clements
Atheneum, 2009. 183 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 9-12
Hardcover: $16.99

Annotation: Forced into an extra credit project to keep from failing sixth grade, Abby begins a pen pal relationship with a boy in far off Afghanistan.

Summary: Abby doesn't dislike everything about school, gym class is fun at least. But her dislike of school translates into her dislike of homework and when Abby gets the news that her lackadasical attitude is going to keep her in the sixth grade for an additional year, she panics. Begging her teachers for one more chance she is offered an extra credit project that turns into a pen pal relationship with a student in Afghanistan.

Sadeed is by far the best student in his village, but when his teacher tells him about the important opportunity he will have--that of writing to a young American girl--he feels that writing to a girl is beneath him. But the village elders have voted and his sister, Emira, will be the American girl's pen pal while Sadeed will help her due to his command of the English language. However, not everyone is happy with the correspondence between their respective countries and both Sadeed and Abby will have to navigate the cultural clashes that transpire.

Evaluation: Told from the perspective of both Sadeed and Abby, Clement does an admirable job of presenting both sides of a story. He introduces some of the problems inherent in each countries' relationship with the other and creates a plot wherein those differences are minimized. Sadeed and Abby come to realize they are not very different from each other, even though they live very far apart in supposedly very different cultures. They two children recognize that they can learn from each other (would that our countries would learn this). Abby learns to appreciate her Iowa corn fields, which Sadeed says are "like a smile from God's face", and that mountains are sometimes seen as obstacles rather than playthings. Sadeed realizes that not all girls are blockheads and that climbing mountains can be as fun as Abby says it is. Clement's book simplies the complexity of Afghan/American relations, while introducing children to the basics. In the end, the children must end their new found friendship due to prejudice, ignorance and potential danger. Thus, Clement's mesage is clear, if the world would listen to it's children, we'd all live in a simpler, more peaceful society.

Significance: Afghanistan and the United States have a violent relationship and various factions would like to see the end of one or the other. This book is a simple introduction to the differences that exist between the two countries and it allows children to receive a small taste of the larger conflict. We also see a protagonist who struggles with school, but with hard work achieves the goals she and her school have set for her.

Personal Choice: Reading Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea wetted my appetite for more books about Afghanistan.

Awards: Christopher Award Winner, 2010

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yeng
First Second, 2006. 240 pgs.
Young Adult: Graphic Novel
Hardcover: $19.95

Annotation: Yeng explores the complexity of identity with humor and wisdom.

Summary: Across the expanse of three separate plots, Yeng examines the nature of identity. First comes the intimidating Monkey King. Born of a rock he rules a mountian of monkeys, but when turned away from a party in Heaven, decides to transform himself in order to never be rejected again. Then we have Jin Wang, the only Chinese boy in his class until the Taiwanese Wei-Chen moves in. Not only bonded by the butt of racial snears, the two find they have a love of transformers and soon become fast friends. And finally we have Danny, whose horribly stereotypical cousin Chin-Kee arrives, making Danny's life miserable as he strives to navigate highschool with a family member whose embarrassing differences might make him an outcast.

Evaluation: A graphic novel is a type of comic book, usually with a lengthy and complex storyline similar to those of novels, and often aimed at mature audiences. (So says http://www.wikipedia.org/)

My previously uninformed perception was that graphic novels were a combination of the best in illustration with a mediocre plot thrown in to make them…something more than a children’s picture book. My bad. Super cool graphics?--Check. Simple plot?--Negative. American Born Chinese was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first graphic novel to win the American Library Association's Printz Award.

The adventures of the Monkey King, Jing Wang, Wei-Chin, and crazy cousin Chin-Kee are sure to capture your attention. The three separate plots of the novel explore the difficulties of being Chinese-American in a society where stereotypes abound. Being a teenager is hard in any country, and being ‘different’ can kill your social life--especially when your accent, appearance, and relatives differ so drastically from the ‘norm’. The temptation to give in to peer-pressure and blend with the cool crowd is nearly irresistible, especially when transforming yourself would make you more acceptable. Adhering to ancient cultural traditions seems unappealing when trying to navigate the hallways of high school, or rule a mountain of monkeys. And the question is…accept it or reject it? The novel is full of a “should I really be laughing at this?” style of humor that the Politically Correct Police would be sure to censor. Yet, Yang simultaneously draws a mesmerizing tale while teaching some extraordinary values. And when the intricate plot lines magically intertwine in the last pages, the beauty of the tale is overwhelming. Deep enough for a college thesis and light enough for a young teen, this graphic novel is a masterpiece of ingenuity.

Significance: American Born Chinese addresses the difficulty of being a minority--in any sense of the word--during the formative teen years. The novel offers superb discussion points on relevant young adult issues, such as: How do you navigate social and cultural differences and if you can transform yourself, is it advisable? Should you remain true to your traditional family values? How can you integrate successfully into a new society while still honoring your native culture? These and other cultural/social quandries make this book a great read for any teens struggling with difficult identity issues.

Personal Choice: I have a strong interest in Chinese culture and had never read a graphic novel, so with that combination of variables, I had to give this new genre a try and was utterly blown away by Yeng's genius in the process.

Awards: Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2007 / Printz Winner, 2007 / ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Top Ten List / National Book Award Nominee, 2007 / San Franciso Chronicle Best Book of the Year / NPR Holiday Pick / amzon.com Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the Year / Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year / Booklist Editors' Choice Book

Ernest Hemingway: A Writer's Life

Ernest Hemingway: A Writer's Life
by Catherine Reef
Clarion, 2009. 183 pgs.
Reading Level: Young Adult  / Older Children
Hardcover: $20.00

Annotation: Obsessed with war, bullfights and big game hunting, Hemingway's lifestyle fueled his writing.

Summary: Born at the turn of the twentieth century, Ernest Hemingway grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. Son of a doctor father and a stylish mother, he was raised in a religous, gentile environment. Growing up, his father was quick to teach him to love the outdoors and he learned to fish, boat and camp at an early age. Hemingway's affinity for the outdoor lifestyle was a prevailing trait throughout his life and he later traveled the world in search of new, exciting adventures on land and on sea. With a penchant for writing Hemingway found his first employement as a cub reporter, but soon left to join in the excitement of war, becoming a Red Cross ambulance driver in Italy. War suited Hemingway and he was to use his war experiences, then and later, as the basis of many award winning novels and short stories. He came to be known for a new kind of writing. His brief sentence structure, that tried to elluminate the essence of a thing while leaving much of the detail implied, was later dubbed "stream of consciousness". While he experienced both success and failure as a writer, he won the hearts of both the critics and the public and managed to garner a Pulitzer and a Nobel prize for literature. The writer was a blustery, creative type who thrived on the violence of the bullring in Spain, deep sea fishing in the Florida keys and big game hunting in Africa. He fell in and out of love with four different wives and had three children total. A hard drinker, Hemingway was prone to mood swings and tempermental outbursts, especially towards the end of his life. Living around the world in places like Paris, Spain, Key West, Cuba and Sun Valley, Idaho, Hemingway experienced life like few people and throughout his tempetuous career was obsessed with truth, courage and death.

Evaluation: Reef pens an interesting, clear biography of Hemingway's extraordinary life. The book is well researched, with just enough anecdote to make it a robust, lively portrait. All the pertinent details are included, from birth till death and the book is large, with large print and peppered with photographs that nicely augment the text. Not only does the life sketch include all of Hemingway's publications, but Reef manages to connect each of Hemingway's experiences to his writing, which allows the reader to understand the basis for Hemingway's work. The book serves a reading level that addresses either advanced children's readers or young adults, so the title has excellent crossover appeal. Ernest Hemingway: a Writer's Life is a solid exposition and I enjoyed getting to more about Hemingway's legendary personlity.

Significance: Hemingway won both a Pulitzer prize and the Nobel prize for literature for his short novel, "The Old Man and the Sea". A master of clean, spare writing--sometimes referred to as "stream of consciousness"--Hemingway's influence on modern literature was immense and a study of twentieth century writers must include this infamous personality.

Personal Choice: I have a fondness for Hemingway and was excited to learn more about his life. I loved "A Sun Also Rises", "A Moveable Feast", "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" and immensely enjoyed "In Love and War" - the story of Hemingway and his nurse friend, Kurowsky.

Awards: Golden Kite Honor Recipient, 2010 / YALSA: Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee, 2010

Flotsam

Flotsam
illustrated by David Wiesner
Clarion, 2006. 40 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $17.00

Annotation: When a camera washes up on the beach, the mysteries of the ocean are revealed in a most surprising way.

Summary: At the beach, a young boy is examining the bugs, crabs and other sand creatures when a huge wave deposits an old camera on the shore. The yellow-haired boy tries to find the owner to this mysterious underwater camera, but to no avail and so he takes the film to be developed. When the pictures are finally ready he discovers a world he never knew existed. The photos reveal all the magic that happens underneath the ocean's surface. He sees pictures of mechanical fish, octupuses sitting in living rooms reading books, turtles with whole towns made of shells on their backs and even little green men riding fish and meeting seahorses. But then he makes the most amazing discovery of all. He finds a picture of an Asian girl holding a picture of another boy, holding a picture of a girl who is holding the picture of yet another child! As he uses his magnifying glass he discovers the pictures date back far back in the past. Children from all over the world have been using this camera to take pictures of themselves and then sending the camera back to the sea for another child to uncover and discover the wonders of the ocean. The yellow-haired boy holds up the picture of the girl, snaps a picture of himself and then throws the camera back into the ocean, where it is found by a stingray and carried by seahorses to be discovered by another lucky child in the future.

Evaluation: Told strictly through illustration, Flotsam takes the reader on a magical journey through the wonders and mysteries of oceanlife. Weisner's imagination is deliciously fantastical as he creates a world where merpeople have fish named Spot (due to their spots of course) and ride on stingrays through the lampost lit jungle of the ocean floor. There is a combination of the real and the imaginary that delights the senses and turns the sometimes scary ocean into a place of thrilling discovery. The story is ever so clever and the images are bright and playful. The illustrations mirror the book's theme, being set in black-rimmed squares and rectangles, just like a photograph. Weisner's mode of storytelling, wherein children discover the camera and photograph themselves holding photos of other children, is ingenious and the book is simply irresistable.  I am in complete and utter love with this book and proclaim it absolutely and undeniably worthy of being a Caldecott winner. Weisner is no newcomer to the Caldecott and he has several winners and honors to his name and his books have been translated in over a dozen languages. However, he excels in wordless storytelling, where translation is unnecessary and Flotsam is a book that any child, anywhere can appreciate.

Significance: This title introduces readers to the mystery and magic of what lies beneath the ocean's waves. The ocean can be a scary place when you're unable to see what's happening, but Weisner offers an explanation of underwater life that wipes away the fear and creates a safe, playful interpretation instead. Whether it's absolutely true or not is just part of what makes the ocean so fascinating. With a little imagination, anything can be true.

Personal Choice: I was utterly enchanted by the deep red background cover, schools of tiny fish swimming by and the ever so mysterious porthole eye right in the center. As always, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but if it's a picture book, than you have to, right?

Awards: Caldecott Award Winner, 2007 / ABA - Book Sense Book of the Year: Illustration Honor, 2007

Strega Nona

Strega Nona
written and illustrated by Tomie de Paola
Simon & Schuster, 1975. 32 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $18.99

Annotation: When Big Anthony uses Strega Nona's magical pasta pot the whole town becomes endangered.

Summary: In the tiny Italian village of Calabria, Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) performed all sorts of magical potions for the villagers, but Strega Nona was getting old in need of someone to help her with her house and garden. Big Anthony applied for the job and did fine work, but Strega Nona warned him never to touch her big pot. One day Big Anthony spied Strega Nona making pasta in her pot from the window. Strega Nona sang a song and the pot began making pasta all be itself, then she sang another song and the pot stopped, providing just enough past for Strega Nona. It was magic! Big Anthony was delighted. One day Strega Nona had to travel to a neighboring village and as she departed, she warned Big Anthony not to touch her big pot. But Big Anthony did not obey and as soon as she left he sang the song and sure enough, the pasta started growing like magic. When he had enough, he sang the song to make the pot stop cooking, but he had not seen Strega Nona blow three kisses that day he spied on her through the window. The pasta kept growing, and growing and growing and growing until the entire village was overrun with the thick strands of pasta. Horrified, Big Anthony kept singing the song to make the pasta pot stop, but to his frustration it would not work without the three kisses he had never seen Strega Nona deliver. As the village was about to be destroyed, Strega Nona appeared and realized what Big Anthony had done. She immediately sang the magic song, blew three kisses and the village was saved. But, Big Anthony got in very big trouble and Strega Nona made sure his punishment fit the crime.

Evaluation: De Paolo does a fantastic job turning this Italian folktale into a charming story that readers in the present day continue to enjoy. His illustration style relies heavily on folkart and thus the tale and the illustrations complement each other perfectly. The images are subdued, a bit simple, but so engaging. I love how the strands of pasta curve and wind thickly around the villagers homes and belongings. De Paolo is spare in the illustration details, but if you look closely, the expression on Strega Nona's face as she returns to her village overrun with pasta is priceless.  As one reader relay's, "it is a fun blend of magic, fantasy and adolescent mischief". I have to agree. This title is a classic tale, ever popular and undenyingly relevant, despite it's having been published in the 70's. With a strong moral and excellent drawings, this title should remain a hit for years to come.

Significance: Big Anthony learns there is often a very good reason you are told not to do something and when he chooses to defy the rules he is forced to pay a high price for his disobedience.

Personal Choice: I learned this was one of de Paolo's most beloved books when I was reading about the Wilder award and I had to see what all the fuss was about. I found out it was published the year I was born! Shhh, don't tell--now it has a very special place in my heart.

Awards: Wilder Winner, 2011 / Caldecott Honor Award, 1976 / ALA Notable Children's Book / Kirkus Choice / Horn Book Honor List / Nakamori Prize / Brooklyn Museum & Public Library Art Books for Children Citation (N.Y.)

Bink & Gollie

Bink & Gollie
by Kate DeCamillo & Alison McGhee
illustrated by Tony Fucile
Candlewick Press, 2010. 81 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $15.99

Annotation: Crazy socks, pet fish and piles of pancakes are just some of the things that test Bink & Gollie's friendship.

Summary: Bink & Gollie are the best of friends but couldn't be more different. Bink is short and stout with crazy blonde hair that sticks up like straw-colored lightning bolts and Gollie is ever so tall and thin with short brown hair. One day the girls decide to go roller-skating as Gollie has a "need for speed". On the way they spy a sock store and Bink buys some crazy striped socks that Gollie is opposed to. Gollie asks Bink to remove them and promises to make her pancakes in return. Now Bink loves her pancakes, but she also loves her socks. What to do? The girls must compromise and Bink agrees to remove one sock in return for a short stack of pancakes. Later, Gollie realizes she hasn't had an adventure lately and by spinning her globe, her fingers stop in the Andes. And so she is off to climb the Andes mountains (all within the confines of her own home that is). But, Bink wants her to come out to play and the sign Gollie has tacked to the door saying she is on a journey and can't be disturbed doesn't deter Bink at all. She comes back again and again to try and entice Gollie off the mountains with promises of a snack. Sadly, it doesn't work and Bink must wait and wait until Gollie makes it to the top and lets her come in and share in the glory of a well-climbed mountain. Their final adventure involved a pet fish named Fred that Bink acquires at the local pet store. He is indeed a marvelous companion, but Gollie becomes slightly jealous that he seems to be taking top priority in Bink's affections. What will happen when the fish is thrown from his bowl in a roller-skating catastrophe? Well, you'll have to read it to find out whether Gollie saves the day or not.

Evaluation: This book would have charmed the pants of Dr. Seuss, it did for me! The language is clever, clever, clever. I love the way these girls talk to each other. It's a mixture of kid-speak, old-fashioned politeness and repetitive poetics. The storyline is fanastic and oh so funny and the accompanying illustrations are magical. Gollie lives in a tree house! But what makes the images pop are the bright spots of color on each page. The background buildings, couches, streets etc are all done in black and white while the girls (and their pet fish, socks and pancakes) are painted in full-bodied color. The girls have such distinct personalities and the artist's depiction of their physical differences reflects their inner individualism. The book is so very enticing because the protagonists are girls the reader can relate to, but at the same time there are magical elements (such as Gollie climbing the high snowy mountains of the Andes within the confines of her tree house) that make the story magical and fantastical. In essence it is simply genius and so very deserving of the Geisel award.

Significance: Although rewarding, friendship can be difficult and Bink & Gollie have to navigate several tests of true friendship. The book teaches readers about compromise, how to proceed when one of your friends is busy and can't come out to play and what to do when your friend suddenly acquires a more marvelous companion than you.

Personal Choice: Okay, I judged a book by it's title, but this one was so fabulous I had to read it. It was completely Dr. Seussical and after letting a young friend read it she admired it as well, although I think I might have been even more delighted than she.

Awards: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner, 2011 / Junior Library Guild Selection / ALA Notable Children's Books for Younger Readers

What Can You Do with a Rebozo?

What Can You Do with a Rebozo?
by Carmen Tafolla
Illustrated by Amy Cordova
Tricycle Press, 2008. 32 pgs
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $14.95

Annotation: With a little creativity, a Rebozo can be used in so many different ways.

Summary: In Mexico, a Rebozo is used for so many different things. Traditionally it is used as a shawl for Mama, but it can also be wrapped around her body and used as a cradle for baby. A Rebozo can be used as a cave for brother during hide-and-seek or looped through a braid to make sister's hair prettier. Grandma uses her Rebozo to keep her warm during the Winter or it can be used to wipe up spills in the kitchen. With a little imagination it is used as a secret tunnel or a sash for pirates, a flying cape, or a long red slide. But the little girl loves to use it when she dances to her favorite song, "La Bamba". At evening time, when she is tired Mama  uses it to cover her as she tucks her in at night.

Evaluation: Tafollo and Cordova have created a magical picture book highlighting the creative uses one family finds for a Rebozo. The illustrations are reminiscent of Mexico with their vibrant, hot colors and you'll wish you could step into the pages and dance with the little girl or play hide-and-seek with her brother. And above all, you'll want to go out and find your very own Rebozo to experiment with.

Significance: A Rebozo is a foreign term for many of America's children and the book celebrates a small but significant part of Mexican culture. The title is a wonderful introduction for young readers who do not know what a Rebozo is, as well as being a fun adventure for children who do. The title celebrates Mexico's increasing influence on American culture and is a testiment to the beauty of the imagination.

Personal Choice: I absolutely loved Tafolla's What can you do with a Paleta? and when I found out she had another book with a similar theme (and one which had won a Pura Belpre) I was excited to experience more of her imaginative world.

Awards: Pura Belpre Illustration Honor, 2009

Me, Frida

Me, Frida
by Amy Novesky
Illustrated by David Diaz
Abrahms, 2010. 32 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $16.95

Annotation: Meet Frida Kahlo as she makes her home in San Francisco in this beautifully illustrated volume worthy of the artist herself.

Summary: Frida Kahlo was born in Mexico and married the famous Mexican artist, Diego Rivera. She was a painter in her own right, but not as famous as her husband. When Diego was asked to paint several murals for the city of San Franciso, Frida accompanied him on the journey to the United States. Diego and Frida toured the city together as Diego searched for inspiration for his murals. However, Frida did not enjoy her time in the foggy city at first and whenever the two went to parties, Frida stayed small and silent beside her giant, ebulliant husband. After awhile Frida went exploring on her own and began to see the beauties the city had to offer. She gained more confidence and one day she burst into song, regaling the crowd with traditional Mexican folksongs. After that she went home and began her famous wedding portrait of Diego and herself. This was the first painting in Frida's new style, which is intimate and folkloric than her previous works had been and it has become one of her most beloved works of art.

Evaluation: Diaz's illustrations and Novesky's prose complement each other perfectly in this gorgeous biography of Frida Kahlo. Even though the illustrations are reminiscent of Kahlo's works--the cover is particularly similar to many of Frida's self-portraits--Diaz utilizes his own style. Each page is completely washed in a variety of colors that drip and swirl artistically together as only watercolors can do.  Diaz uses bright, deep jewel tones to celebrate Frida and her rich Mexican heritage. The colors range from deep blues and greens to vibrant oranges, violets and golds. He captures Frida's unique style of clothing and her iconic braids and each page is a new and fancifal scene in the life of these two famous artists. I especially loved the scene where Frida and Diego "fly" to San Francisco. The two are pictured flying through the air, holding hands with their eyes closed and heads raised to the wind as Frida clutches a suitcase in one hand. It opens the imagination and points out the humor and the nuances of the term, "fly". Above all, the book gives children a small taste of Kahlo's life and should encourage their interest in art history and instill a desire to learn more about this amazing woman.

Significance: Frida Kahlo is a celebrated artist and an important icon in art history. This biography introduces children to the wonder of Kahlo and teaches them that you can make your own dreams come true, even if there is someone in life who overshadows you.

Personal Choice: I used to teach a Humanities/English class and we were studying The House on Mango Street when I needed to find some artwork to complement the reading unit. I found the paintings of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera worked perfectly and since then they have always been artists of interest to me. I also began reading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver in which the main character meets and works with both Frida and Diego and my interest was flamed even further.

Awards: Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book, 2011

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same
by Grace Lin
Little, Brown & Company, 2010. 48 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: $14.99

Annotation: It's fun to be a twin, but just because you look alike, it doesn't mean you are exactly the same.

Summary: Ling & Ting are Chinese-American girls who happen to be twins; however, they are quick to assure us that they are not exactly the same even if they look very, very similar. In the first chapter the twins receive a haircut and Ling sits very still, but Ting sneezes as her hair is being cut which causes the barber to cut a large chunk from Ting's bang. Now the girls are easy to tell apart. Then Ling & Tings have several adventures involving magic tricks, making dumplings, eating with chopsticks and going to the library. It's fun to be a twin and the girls vow to stay together always, even when a king gets involved.

Evaluation: This chapter book is a nice addition to a young reader's collection. The pictures are bright and colorful and I especially loved the humorous beginning and ending pages. Ling & Ting are grabbing sodas and popcorn at the beginning and the caption reads "Shhh! It is starting! -- "Oh No! Are we late?". The last page shows the girls with their drinks as one says, "Was that the end?" and the other replies "No, this is!" as if the girls are telling us the story of their lives and wanting a front row seat of the action. The girls are really darling and have different personalities which the stories showcase, demonstrating that even when people look alike on the outside they can be different on the inside and still remain friends.

Significance: The book honors a multicultural heritage in that the twin protagonists are Chinese-American. There is a chapter featuring the children making chinese dumplings which introduces young readers to an important element of Chinese culture.

Personal Choice: What can I say, I've always had a fascination with twins that started with the Bobbsey Twins and always wished to have a set some day. Sadly, I'll have to be content with those found in books. :)

Awards: Theodor Geisel Honor Award, 2011

26 Fairmount Avenue

26 Fairmount Avenue
written and illustrated by Tomie De Paola
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999. 57 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 9-12
Hardcover: $13.99

Annotation: Tomie can't wait for his new house on 26 Fairmount Avenue to be built, but will the big hurricane of '38 make his family's dreams disappear?

Summary: Tomie is 4 years old and his life is full of interesting adventures. It all begins with the big hurricane of 1938. Tomie and his family are living in an apartment and are hoping the big twister doesn't take their new house with it when it goes. Luckily, it's still standing and each chapter in the rest of the book details the interesting, funny adventures that little Tomie experiences as a boy. His mother takes him to see the first ever animated Walt Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (at which he is disappointed that Walt hadn't read the book correctly). Tomie goes to kindergarten only to find out they don't teach you to read until first grade and thus immediately leaves in order to wait for next year. He visits with his Great-grandma nana (who is incidentally tied to a chair so she doesn't fall out) and they both happily consume chocolates only to find out later they just ate an entire package of laxatives. There are several other adventures, just as delightful as those, and it all ends with Tomie and his brother moving into their new home on 26 Fairmount Avenue.

Evaluation: In this splendid chapter book by De Paolo, the author creates a humorous and perfectly charming rendition of his own boyhood. He has wonderful stories to tell: the hurricane of 1938, watching the first Disney animation at the movies, his family's adventures building a new house and watching the year 1940 come in. It's gentle, engaging and a real treat that children today can exclaim over and make comparisons between their childhood and De Paolo's.

Significance: De Paolo grew up in a different era, but he takes some interesting experiences he had as a child and manages to make them appealing, verbally and visually, to children in the present day.

Personal Choice: I loved the idea of De Paolo naming the book after the house he lived in as a child. I think it's so much fun and so delightful when people name their houses (confession--my house is named Briar Rose Cottage).

Awards: Newbery Honor, 2000 / Wilder Winner, 2011

Soulless

Soulless: an Alexia Tarabotti novel
The Parasol Protectorate: Book 1
by Gail Carriger
Orbit, 2009. 384 pgs.
Science Fiction / Young Adult Fiction
Paperback: $7.99

Annotation: Not having a soul can be a disadvantage in Victorian London society, except when you're confronting vampires and werewolves, that is.

Summary: Alexia Tarabotti is enough to make any marriage-hungry mama despair. She's dark (thanks to her Italian father),  has a large nose, tends to be a bit of a  bluestocking and is missing quite an important appendage--her soul. Although the last is a matter her family is quite in the dark about. However, all things combined have left her in a state of spinsterhood, which is just fine as far as she's concerned--as long as she gets enough to eat. However, late one night at a society ball Alexia accidentally impales a vampire with her silver-tipped parasol and who should appear to mop up the mess but Lord Maccon, the alpha werewolf of the most respectable pack in London. The two are simply too stubborn and too much alike to get along, but as they (along with Lord Maccon's beta, Professor Lyall) attempt to discern just why a hungry vampire would attack a soulless creature, there begins an adventure that brings them together in highly romantic, highly inappropriate ways. As they soon find out, werewolves and vampires have been disappearing all over the city and so Alexia seeks Lord Akeldama's help, the oldest and most fashionably foppish vampire in London. But the two are unfortunately choloroformed and kidnapped one night and taken to the Hypocras Club, where dastardly experiments are taking place by scientists opposed to the rather civilzed vampires and werewolves who've integrated into society's highest echelons. It is there they meet up with Mr. MacDougall, (the American scientist who was really quite fond of Alexia) and the  man-made automaton. In spite of ensnaring Lord Akeldama, the scientists are perhaps even more pleased they have a truly soulless human upon which to experiment. But when Alexia is thrust into the chambers of Lord Maccon--in his most ferocious full-moon state of werewolfdom--so that they can measure the effects of her soullessness, life becomes wildly unpredictable and it turns out to be a decidely unfortunate move on the part of the scientists. All ends happily though, at least for Alexia and Lord Maccon, and there is even an appearance by Queen Victoria herself, with a blessing (or command) for the two to marry. Do they comply, you ask? You'll have to read it to find out.

Evaluation: I completely understand why the Alex committee proposed this title as vampires, werewolves and the like are quite the thing at the moment. However, I wasn't overly impressed and I'd honestly never recommend it to a teen. The plot is fun, has high energy and a nice regency romance feel to it. However, the novel is far too lascivious for my tastes, let alone appropriate for teen consumption as far as I'm concerned. But, the incorporation of steampunk elements: steam-powered torture chambers, electricity experiments, Dr. Lyall's glassicals and flying dirigibles, make the novel ripe for the current fashion. I suppose Alexia is a likeable character (of course one does have to root for her and Lord Maccon to acknowledge their mutual attraction) and there are the occasional moments of humor which make the novel fun to read, if not deserving of a place on my bookshelf.

Significance: Vampires, werewolves and ghosts, oh my! Yes, the combination of popular monsters, welded together with the steampunk genre, is all the rage at the moment and the reason this book found itself on the Alex committee's radar.

Personal Choice: You should never judge a book by it's cover, but I did. I loved the victorian dress on the cover model and her adorable steampunk top hat with goggles. Plus, she had a parasol and what girl doesn't love a good parasol (with accompanying gears and whatnots). The steampunk genre holds a bit of fascination for me after reading Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan and I was excited to tackle another book in the genre. It's just too bad this wasn't quite the one for me.

Awards: Alex Award Winner, 2010

Big Red Lollipop

Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhasana Khan
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Viking, 2010. 40 pgs.
Reading Levl: ages 4-9
Hardcover: $16.99

Annotation: When Rubina is invited to a birthday party, will she be forced her to take her little sister?

Summary: When Rubina is invited to her very first birthday party, (Ami is puzzled as to why they would celebrate the day of your birth) her little sister, Sani, begs to go. Ami tells Rubina that if she wants to go she must take Sani, but Rubina knows no one else will have their little sister there. But, she reluctantly drags her along and sure enough, everyone thinks she is weird. The girls play games and eat birthday cake and are given a big bag full of goodies at the end of the party, complete with a large, delectable red lollipop. Sani gobbles hers up, but Rubina wants to save hers. However, the next morning she awakes to find Sani has eaten most of her red lollipop as well! Life is so unfair and Rubina is very angry. But Ami scolds her and tells her she must share. Later on though, Sani receives an inviation to a birthday party and the girls' little sister Maryam begs to go, creating the same dilemma all over again. Ami says both Rubina and Maryam must acompany Sani to the party, just to be fair. Luckily, Rubina is mature enough to realize this will be tragic for Sani and so she convinces Ami that Sani must go alone as the culture dictates. After the party Sani brings home a big green lollipop and gives it to Rubina as a peace offering and the girls are friends again.

Evaluation: The storyline is wonderful and discusses the hardships, as well as the joys, that having a sister brings. It is especially interesting as the family is Arab-American, with the mother garbed in a hajib and Middle-eastern dress while the girls wear American clothing. There is a bit of culture misunderstanding when the mother decides all the girls must go to a party if one of them is invited. It demonstrates the solidarity of Middle-eastern family life and offers a rare glimpse into what must be commonplace for the author and unusual for an American audience. The illustrations are irresistible, and the cover art is especially eye-catching with its bright primary colors and the red lollipop that covers Rubina's eye is artfully placed. I loved inner cover at the beginning and end of the book with their multi-size circles of all different patterns and colors: poka-dots, stripes, checks and spirals. The colors are bright and fun and Ami's saris are so alluring with their fancy patterns and exotic design. The story and the illustrations work together beautifully to create a well-awarded picture book that's sure to be a winner, now and in the future.

Significance: The story's protagonist is an Arab-American which makes the book a welcome addition to a world that is currently in the midst of turbulent political and emotional battles. The story serves to humanize a people and culture that is often misunderstood and demonized. It's an important work and perhaps our mutual culture's children will learn to understand and accept one another, even when the adults can do nothing but fight.

Personal Choice: Let's be honest, I have a sugar addiction and if it's a book about candy, I'm there.

Awards: Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner, 2011 / Children's Notables, 2011 / Golden Kite Award Winner for Picture Book Text, 2011

Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's First Full Moon
written and illustrated by Kenvin Henkes
Greenwillow Books, 2005. 40 pgs.
Reading Level: Baby - Preschool
Hardcover: $17.99

Annotation: Kitten desperately tries to reach the bowl of milk she sees in the sky, not realizing that she's chasing after the moon.

Summary: When Kitten spies the full moon in the sky she immediately thinks it must be a bowl of milk and so she tries to lick it, capturing a bug instead. And thus begins a rollicking adventure that takes her across fields and fences and even near a pond where the moon is reflected in the water, causing kitten to see another giant bowl of milk that she is again unable to sip. Finally she returns back home, hungry, tired and wet only to find an actual bowl of milk has been placed outside for her to drink.

Evaluation: The illustrations are all in black and white and the story is really darling. However, I must admit that I was a bit shocked to see that Henkes actually won the Caldecott for the illustrations. They don't communicate anything special and the only one that actually appeals to me is the cover illustration. I'd really like to have been on the Caldecott committee that year in order to hear the committee deliberations and to see what other options they had to work with. Final note, it's okay, but not stupendous and I'm still shaking my head over this award winner.

Significance: For the most part, children are fascinated with animals, especially baby ones and this story places a treasured creature at the heart of the plot. We also see kitten learning a lesson that everything is not always what it seems to be and that is something we all must learn sooner or later.

Personal Choice: I wanted to read this book because a friend and artist neighbor of mine is working with Kevin Henkes on a project and I thought it would be interesting to learn more about his style.

Awards: Caldecott Winnter, 2005 / ABA - Book Sense Book of the Year: Illustration Honor, 2005

April and Esme: Tooth Fairies

April and Esme: Tooth Fairies
by Bob Graham
Candlewick Press, 2010. 36 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 3-8 pgs
Hardcover: $16.99

Annotation: April and Esme are tooth fairies who desperately want to convince their parents they are old enough to collect their very first tooth.

Summary: April gets a call on her cell phone from Daniel Dangerfield's grandmother saying a tooth needs collecting. They fly home to convince their parents they are old enough, at 6 and 7, to collect their very first tooth. Mom and Dad are reluctant, but finally give permission if the fairies are very careful, especially of the new highway. As the fairies spy Daniel's house they scoot under his doorway and follow the trail of toys up to Daniel's bedroom. Uh-oh! Daniel wakes up, but the fairies carefully close his eyelids and whisper in his ear that they are spirits of the air and he has only dreamed them. They exchange the coin for his tooth and fly successfully home, welcomed by mom and dad with lots of hugs and wing crackles. They've passed their first tooth test and are ready for a good day's sleep.

Evaluation: I can't say enough about Graham's utterly charming tooth fairy tale. The mixture of technology and magic is simply delightful as April, a 7-year-old tooth fairy, receives tooth communication orders via cell phone. It's a combination of old and new world magic. The images are nice and whimsical with details that simply charm your socks off. At one point the girls' mother is getting ready and turns her blowdryer up so April can float on the cloud of air it produces. And the toilet has a picture of a chicken on it! I was enchanted by the teapot the girls' mother uses for a bath and the tiny little sink is a beautiful golden thimble. And the humor can be appreciated by adult and child alike; Daniel's tooth has been placed in a cup of water and as the girls leave they go and visit his grandmother, who has her false teeth placed in a cup besisde her bed as well. April reminds Esme that they don't take those kind of teeth, though. Ta-da! And the tiny touches Graham adds to his images add lots of interesting character details, such as Esme's glasses and their dad's hippy-esque ponytail, two things you wouldn't normally expect of fairy creatures. And these fairies hang their collected teeth from the rafters of their tiny little stump home (established in 1691). In essence, it's charming, fanciful and a perfect explanation of just how tooth fairies really work in this day and age.

Significance: Losing your teeth and setting them out for the tooth fairy to collect is a right of passage for all young ones and this story addresses a common occurrence that everyone can relate to.

Personal Choice: I remember when I first learned the truth about the tooth fairy and I wanted to see Graham's interpretation of the "truth". Plus the cover art was so enchanting!

Awards: Charlotee Zolotow Honor, 2011 / Children's Notables, 2011

Thank You Bear

Thank You Bear
written and illustrated by Greg Foley
Viking, 2007. 32 pgs
Reading Level: ages 3-7
Hardcover: $15.99

Annotation: Bear finds it difficult to convince his friends he has found the perfect box.

Summary: One morning Bear finds the perfect box. In his excitement, he wants to share this treasure with all of his friends, including: Monkey, Owl, Fox, Elephant and Bunny. No one seems to appreciate his find as much as Bear does though, and he begins to wonder whether or not his box is really so great after all. However, Mouse comes along and is just as entranced with the perfect little box as Bear was and he feels buoyed up again by her admiration and approval as she curls up inside and pronounces it "the greatest thing ever".
Evaluation: The book is very simply laid out. The words are large and bold and the images are sparing. Every other page is washed with a block of color, on which the words are overlayed and the opposing page presents the image of Bear with his box the animal of the moment. I loved the book's message, but wasn't as impressed with the artwork. However, perhaps the simplicity works for a young child and message's innate truth deserves to be told.
Significance: We are all surrounded by those who would rain negativity on our choices or our very person. That is why having a friend appreciate us and our work is such a treasure. Bear is lucky to have found such a friend in Mouse. Would that we all have someone to get as excited with us over our finds as Mouse does.

Personal Choice: I wanted to read this book because who didn't love their stuffed bear growing up?

Awards: Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner, 2008

The Knife of Never Letting Go

The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking Trilogy, Bk 1
by Patrick Ness, narrated by Nick Podehl
Candlewick, 2008. 496 pgs
Young Adult
Hardcover: $18.99

Annotation: Todd will soon be a man on New World, but when he finds out the truth about his town, will he survive the chaos to reach his 13th birthday?

Summary: Todd Hewitt is just a month shy of his 13th birthday, the age when he will be proclaimed a "man" on New World. He and his guardians (Bed and Cillian) live in Prentisstown, in a futuristic society on a planet where everyone's thoughts--including the animals--can be heard just as plain as if you were thinking them aloud. Dubbed "the noise" this overwhelming cacophany rules the lives of the men in Prentisstown, and only the men, because the germ which caused men's thoughts to become audible managed to kill all the women, including Todd's mother. But, one day Todd hears something in the swamp that causes him to panic--silence. Silence is unheard of in Prentisstown and when Todd finds out what is causing the silence it's anyone's guess who is more frightened, him or the teenage girl looking back at him. But when he rushes off to tell Ben and Cillian, chaos breaks out and before Todd knows what's happening, the sheriff is calling for an accounting of what happened in the swamp and his guardians have thrust a backpack with his mother's journal into Todd's arms and urge him back to the swamp, telling him that he must read the book, the accompanying map and make his way to Haven--a town he never knew existed. Confused, Todd runs, taking his dog Manchee into the swamp with him where he encounters the girl again and the two soon realize they must stay together in order to save their lives because Aaron, the town holy man, seems intent on killing them both. Todd and Viola form a tentative companionship as they strive to stay one step ahead of Aaron and the men of Prentisstown, who, for whatever reason, want to ensure Todd never reaches Haven. It's a treacherous, painful journey for them both and along the way Todd learns that everything he's been told about Prentisstown and New World has been nothing but a lie. And whether or not he will be forced to use the knife Ben gifted him to defend himself or to make himself into a man is the most important decision Todd might have to make.

Evaluation: Patrick Ness creates a fascinating society on New World and Todd and Viola are fragile, sympathetic protagonists. The idea of "the noise" is a clever implement and the fact that Todd is just as much in the dark about the true nature of New World as the reader creates an exciting tension as we desire to know the real state of affairs just as much as he does. The pacing is excellent and the non-stop action as the teens struggle to make it to Haven is riveting. But, it is the narrator who makes the book come to life. Podehl is a genius at vocal personification and each character has substance. He does spot-on accents and every human, animal and alien has a different rhythm and different quality. I especially loved the Podehl's singing voice: strong, tantalizing and nostalgic as he gives voice to the folksong, "Early One Morning...on don't deceive me, oh never leave me", that Todd's mother and guardian used to sing to him. He does lovely immitations of the "spackle", the alien life forms native to New World and does an excellent Manchee impersonation. Overall a delightful book and a superb narrator made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I was only disappointed in the swearing, which was too harsh for my tastes. But the ending! I was absolutely stunned and heartbroken when the book ended as I hadn't realized it was the 1st in a trilogy. It's such a cliffhanger and I am waiting for the second book with great anticipation.

Significance: "The Knife of Never Letting Go" addresses several relevant themes for a teenage audience. First, the author uses "the noise" as a means to discuss the overwhelming and nonstop proliferation of constant information we currently contend with. Another major theme is the issue of when a child becomes a man and what is it that makes him a man--is it simply reaching a birthday or is it through choice, decision and action? Then there is the pain of losing one's parents, learning to trust someone new and trying to survive when all the cards seem stacked against you. The grandest argument Ness puts forth is the idea that we all 'fall' and what makes the difference is whether we get back up again. Using biblical themes of the fall and a possible atonement give this book more depth and catapult it into award-winning territory.

Personal Choice: I love, love, LOVE great audio books and when I saw this had won the Odyssey Honor, as well as several other awards I was immediately enticed.

Awards: Odyssey Honor, 2011 / Booktrust Teenage Prize / Guardian Award / James Tiptree, Jr. Award, 2008