Written by Lois Lowry

This strange little novel is a take-off on famous "orphan" novels such as Pollyanna, Oliver Twist, James and the Giant Peach, and Hansel and Gretel. It is about a family of four children, including the eldest, Timothy, twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and the youngest, Jane, and their parents. It is a twisted tale of parents ignoring their children and eventually trying to get rid of them, and children who dislike their parents so much that they wish they were orphans. The siblings are rather nasty to each other, (especially Timothy), but they stick together in their desire to rid themselves of their parents.

This book reminded me of Roald Dahl's humor, much of which will not be understood by the children who read this story. The author also compares these children with other orphan stories such as Mary Poppins. Children who are unfamiliar with these stories may be confused. I thought the story line was okay. It was a short read with very dry Monty Python type humor. If you like this type of humor this is a book for you.  

Written and Illustrated by Mélanie Watt

Melanie Watt's fiesty cat, Chester, is back. This time he wants Melanie to write a book about him, but he thinks her book is boring, so he takes over again. Melanie gets so frustrated that she holds auditions for a replacement for Chester. Chester scares off his replacement and Melanie gives in to Chester's demands, but with her own twist. The book ends with Chester advertising for a replacement for Melanie to write his next picture book.

This book is sure to be a big hit with the kids. They love Chester, and this book is just as delightful as the first. The illustrations are eye-catching and bright. Chester's illustrations and text are all done in red marker, so there is no mistaking what he wants.
 

Written and Illustrated by Colin McNaughton

Here come the aliens! This is an entertaining book with fun pictures of different aliens that are going to attack the earth. What will we do? At the end something scares them away, and it will surprise you just what it is. I really enjoyed reading this book and will love reading it as a read-aloud.

Irene Taylor, Vista Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

The Aliens Are Coming!
Candlewick Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3904-4
Release Date: September 2008


 

Some of the jokes the students will get, but many are fairly old and the students will not understand them.

Review by Judy Mitchell, Calvin Smith Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★✩✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Champion Crackups
Kingfisher
64 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7534-6208-9
Release Date: June 2008  

Written by Pamela F. Service, Illustrated by Mike Gorman

Zack has a cousin, Ethan, moving to his town. Zack bails him out of problems he gets into because he thinks he is an alien left here as a baby. Zack thinks Ethan is crazy but begins to change his mind when strange things happen to them at the mall and on vacation. The ending was not expected. It kept my attention and was a fun story to read.

Review by Sue Woods, Cottonwood Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

My Cousin, The Alien
Carolrhoda / Lerner Publishing
152 pages
ISBN: 9780822576273
Release Date: September 2008


 

Written by Terry Webb Harshman, Illustrated by George McClements

A very silly book. This book takes you underwater to discover creatures of the deep. It's a play on words, like do clown fish wear bow ties? Do sea cows moo? Can you saddle up a sea horse? The pictures and the writing cause you to think a little.

Review by Jodie Uriarte, Copper Hills Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Does a Sea Cow Say Moo?
Bloomsbury
30 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58234-740-0
Release Date: May 2008

 

Written by Donald Lemke, Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

After constantly being picked on by bullies at school, little Zack Allen learns how to become the superhero he's been dreaming of. With much trial and error, he learns how to use his powers for helping others and scaring the bullies away.
A cute and funny story for everyone to enjoy. This book is an easy to read beginning graphic novel. The text is simple and easy to follow on the pages. The illustrations add to the text and humor.  I liked the way it builds positive character traits in the hero, too. There are discussion questions and other information in the back, such as the history of comics. This would be great for groups. I highly recommend this book.

Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Zinc Alloy: Super Zero
Capstone Press
33 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43420-762-3
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by James Kennedy

After a mysterious absence of forty years, aged Hollywood starlet Lily Larouche suddenly finds herself back in the Ruby Palace, her old mansion in the California Desert, with no memory of where she has been all this time.  At the same time, she finds a crying baby girl in her washing machine, with a note: “This is Jo. Please take care of her. But beware. This is a DANGEROUS baby.”  As the novel begins, Jo, now 13, is trying to stay out of the way at one of her “Aunt” Lily’s out-of-control Hollywood costume parties at the Ruby Palace, when a strange, old Russian colonel sneaks in and informs her that he has come to protect her because his intestines told him to do so.  Soon, the Russian has taken a bullet for her, a package with her name on it has fallen out of the sky, the Russian’s ascot-wearing, talking cockroach sidekick has shown up on the scene, and a Chinese billionaire who is an aspiring diabolical villain is after all of them.   And that’s only a taste of all that happens in just the first few pages.  Every time I thought the story had settled into its comfort spot and would just flow along, Kennedy turned everything on its head and upped the absurdity ante again, and again, and again.  And, amazingly, every time it works splendidly.  Overflowing with laugh-out-loud moments, totally unexpected plot twists, and off-the-wall fantastical details, this is the most fun I’ve had with a book in a long time.  Highly recommended, particularly to anyone who gets bored easily, and anyone who has ever wondered what a novel written by Dr. Seuss might be like.

Review by Joshua Whiting, Library Media / Instructional Technology Dept., Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

The Order of Odd-Fish
Delacorte Books
416 pages
ISBN: 978-0-385-73543-8
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Janet Tashjian

Larry really can teach you the meaning of life while he is learning it himself. Larry (or Josh, if you prefer) is an 18 year old trying to find why he should live. He has run for president, blogged life questions, and now returned home-- barely getting off the couch. He doesn't want to do anything. With family and friends worried about him, Larry is pushed to Walden Pond to try and function again. His experiences at Walden Pond were funny, touching, and a world of surprises. Laughing the whole way through the book, Larry takes a journey you can only envy.

Review by Erin Tanner, Social Studies Teacher/School Technology Specialist, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Larry and the Meaning of Life
Henry Holt and Company
242 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7735-3
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Lewis Trondheim, Illustrated by Eric Cartier

Two aliens, Kaput and Zosky, are trying to take over the universe. They love to shoot their blasters and are dedicated to evil. As they go to different planets, they face different circumstances. They are so dumb they don't know what to do but run away. All of their big plans keep getting foiled because they don't understand what is going on.

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3+

Kaput and Zosky
First Second / Roaring Brook Presss
75 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-132-4
Release Date: April 2008




 

Written by Adam Rubin, Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Mr. Fookwire likes birds and tries to feed them so they will stay all winter, but the squirrels love the bird seed too and eat it all. Mr. Fookwire tries to devise ways so the squirrels can't get the food.

Review by Kathy Horne, Library Media Assistant, Redwood Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-1

Those Darn Squirrels!
Houghton Mifflin
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-00703-8
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Kelly Link, Illustrated by Shaun Tan

In her first book marketed to young adults, Kelly Link compiles a collection of quirky short stories with teen/child protagonists, each introduced by an illustration from illustrator/author Shaun Tan (The Arrival, Tales From Outer Suburbia).   Although the stories fall into the fantasy/sci-fi/magic realism/horror genres, many have a knowing satirical or postmodern edge to them.  For example, "The Faery Handbag" almost seems to be a fun spoof/homage to the Eastern European immigrant magic realism of J. S. Foer's novels, telling the story of a teenage girl whose grandmother immigrated to America from a nation that no longer exists, carrying her former village with her in a magical handbag in which they created a world to live in so as to avoid a war that threatened to destroy their village.  The bag is confiscated from the grandmother at the library when she is caught dropping library books into it for the people of her old village,  and the girl now searches for it in thrift stores.  The title story spoofs on teen vampire/werewolf/romance books with mixed results.  Many of the stories are very strong and there are funny moments throughout, but it is a slightly uneven collection that doesn't always deliver.  This book probably isn't for the Stephenie Meyer crowd, nor serious sci-fi/fantasy purists, but more for the kids who make fun of them.  Readers looking for a fun, contemporary teenage American take on the style of writers like Franz Kafka or Gabriel Garcia Marquez (like I was when I was a teenager), or a more young adult friendly Salman Rushdie, will also find much to like here.

Review by Joshua Whiting, GSD Library Media/Instructional Technology Dept.
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Pretty Monsters: Stories
Penguin / Viking
400 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-01090-5
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by E.D. Baker

Millie is a princess that cannot help but turn into a dragon when she becomes upset or mad. She goes with Zoe, a friendly bat, and Francis, who is her cousin, to see the Blue Witch. The Blue Witch will help her learn to control this dragon magic. It takes courage for her to rescue herself and her companions but in the end she is so happy that she has a choice of whether she will change into a dragon or not. Choice is so important in life. This is a fun story. It can stand alone or as the last book in the Tales of the Frog Princess series.

Review by Ruth Porter, Library Media Clerk, Matheson Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

The Dragon Princess
Bloomsbury
218 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-194-7
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Jack D. Ferraiolo

Matt knows that middle school is one nightmare after another. At Franklin Middle School, crime is as organized as the Mob. The Mob boss, Vinny, offers Matt a detective job to find out who "took out" Nikki Fingers with a squirt gun of cat urine.  Countless hitmen have created a whole group of the Outs, for whom school has become their worst nightmare.  Matt is not happy about accepting a job from Vinny, but he has his own reasons for pursuing the identity of the lowlife who turns a topnotch hitman (girl) into a notorious member of the Outs.

Curriculum Ties: This book belongs to the category of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. It could be read aloud to an English class, but would just as easily be a great choice for a high interest novel.  It has use for social studies, English, even some Community of Caring reading.

Review by Linda J. Douglas, English Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Big Splash
Amulet Books
277 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-7067-0
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Another great andventure for Judy Moody. She is having problems with math at school. He parents gets her a tutor who is a college student. Judy gets into the spirit of college. It is a funny, well illustrated story.

Review by Diane Scott, Western Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Judy Moody Goes to College
Candlewick Press
130 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2833-8
Release Date: July 2008  

Written and Illustrated by Jeff Kinney

Greg is the wimpy kid. Greg's father decides to toughen him up by putting him in organized sports. Of course Greg has no interest in sports. He spends his time hoping to get cut so he can get back to his video games. The kids love these books. I think just about everyone can relate to his every day life adventures. All the books are written in diary format with little stick figure drawings.

Review by Cindy Moyle, Granite School District Library Specialist
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 4+

The Last Staw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #3)
Abrams
217 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-7068-7
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Barbara Todd, Illustrated by Patricia Storms

Edward finds out how hard it is to make three wishes without goofing up, only to find his three wishes have expired. Read the fine print! Funny read.

Review by Kathleen Okelberry, Library Media Assistant, Wilson Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Edward and the Eureka Lucky Wish Company
Kids Can Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-264-3
Release Date: February 2009  

Written Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

As Stink, Sophie, and Webster were building the Great Wall of China it starts shaking and quaking….. and they hear "Wee, wee, wee, wee."  After some investigating, they each find a guinea pig. When the trio of friends decide to take the guinea pigs to a friend that has a pet shop, they cannot believe their eyes or ears when they arrive. Cages are toppled everywhere, animals are squealing and squawking, and guinea pigs are running everywhere! 101 guinea pigs, to be exact. Mrs. Birdwistle, the pet shop owner, has rescued the guinea pigs from a lab that was using them to test shampoo and perfume, and they have escaped from their cages. Finding homes for 101 guinea pigs provides the group with an adventure across the country, in the Piggymobile, a renovated camper. Will they all find a good home?

Review by Dana Valencia, Library Media Assistant, Oakridge Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 1-4

Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express
Candlewick Press
120 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4234-1
Release Date: February 2009 (reprint)  

Written by Vincent X. Kirsch

Natalie and Naughtily are sisters, each with their own personality and their own way of doing things. The girls live in a grand house on the top of the world’s greatest department store, Nopps. When it rains outside Natalie and Naughtily are allowed to play in the store, and they love to play in the store. One rainy day the girls are asked not to play in the store because it will be very, very busy. So the girls decide they will not go to play, instead they will go to help! How much help will the girls be? Natalie & Naughtily is a great read, with an adventure waiting on each floor of Nopps department store.

Review by Dana Valencia, Library Media Assistant, Oakridge Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Natalie & Naughtily
Bloomsbury
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-269-2
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Steven Goldman

One high school junior, trying to find a different way to present his book report on the Grapes of Wrath-- other than writing it; a best friend who has just admitted he is gay; a sister; a principal; teachers, parents, girl-friends, and a few other people-- all make for quite an interesting read. This book is funny, sarcastic, and real. Skipping from subject to subject as the main character tells his story, you will feel as if you are in the mind of a high school teenager.

Review by Erin Tanner, Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★½
Interest Level: Grades 9-12

Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film about The Grapes of Wrath
Bloomsbury
307 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-271-5
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Erica S. Perl, Illustrated by Henry Cole

What to say . . . a little boy loves his chicken and rhymes about the said chickens butt. There is not a low enough rating for this book. It is the worst book I have ever read. I do not know how this book got published. It's sad because the illustrations were kinda cute. That is a minute of my life that was totally wasted.

Review by Kim Jensen, Library Media Assistant, Diamond Ridge Elementary School
Rating: ★✩✩✩✩

Chicken Butt!
Abrams Books for Young Readers
26 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8325-0
Release Date: April 2009  

Written by Mark Teague

Mark Teague creates another beautifully illustrated book where children will fall in love with the main character, a dog. Cousin Edward visits his uncle's farm and discovers that it is a farm full of animals who like to have fun. Children will have fun discovering Teague’s subtle humor as each picture delicately paints life on this unusual farm.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Funny Farm
Orchard Books / Scholastic
32 pages
ISBN: 978-439-91499-4
Release Date: April 1, 2009  

Written by Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

This book has some delightfully yucky and fantastically fabulous tidbits that will appeal to students of many ages.  Each segment is one or two pages long and includes fun facts and illustrations about topics such as bellybuttons, newts, and secret codes.  If you have students you are trying to lure into reading, particularly older reluctant readers, this is a great book because it has high interest topics with manageable article length and vocabulary.  The layout is friendly and easy to read. Don't let the title scare you away from this funny and informative book!

Review by Amber Palmer, Teacher, Bennion Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3+

Stink-O-Pedia: Super Stink-y Stuff from A to Zzzzz
Candlewick Press
137 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3963-1
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Catherine Jinks

Jinks takes a different approach to what a vampire's life is really like. They're DEAD. They're not romantic and powerful, "and unless they want to end up staked, they have to give up fanging people, admit their addiction, join a support group, and reform themselves."  The support group finds one of their members staked and they set out to find the mysterious slayer. A fun read. However, it does have a few swear words.

Review by Cindy Moyle. Granite School District Library Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6+

The Reformed Vampire Support Group
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
368 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-206609-3
Release Date: April 2009

 

Written and Illustrated by Tony Fucile

Frankie and Sal are BORED.  From baseball to comic book reading to baking cookies to drawing pictures, they’ve already done it all, and now they don’t know what to do…until Sal comes up with the revolutionary idea to do ten seconds of absolutely NOTHING.  However, the boys’ fail in their valiant attempt, as their imaginations run wild.  They ultimately discover that it is truly impossible to do nothing.  This is a fun book about imagination, with energetic illustrations in a classic retro comic style inspired by the likes of Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes.

Review by Joshua Whiting, Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades K-4

Let's Do Nothing
Candlewick Press
40 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3440-7
Release Date: May 12, 2009  

Written by Howard Whitehouse, Illustrated by Bill Slavin

This is the third installment in the series of "the strictest School in the World." This new adventure takes place at the home of Emmaline Cyley and her family. We are introduced to a newly adopted family member, the ferocious Princess Purnah of chiligrit who attended the terrible school for girls with Emmaline. They are going on a 'holiday' traipsing across Scotland, having hilarious misadventures with pirates, a robot called Angus and are forced to help lunatic inventors with even more lunatic inventions. This fun-filled adventure is illustrated with great pen and ink drawings. A great read-aloud book for the elementary student.

Review by Dayanne Coombs, Library Secretary, Granite Peaks High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Island of Mad Scientists
Kids Can Press
262 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-236-0
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by J. Banscherus, Illustrated by Ralf Butschkow

Those who enjoy Nate the Great books will love Klooz chapter books. A few steps up from the Nate the Great books, but still easy chapter books, Klooz have short chapters with controlled vocabulary and great black and white illustrations that compliment the text. There are discussion questions, a glossary and writing prompts at the back.
Klooz is a gum-chewing, elementary school detective who is hired by a local soccer team, the Horton Street Hornets, to figure out why their goalie freezes up during each game. The case puts Klooz right on the field, although he hates sports, as he tries to solve this mystery. This a funny little mystery series I highly recommend.

Review by Renee Larsen, Library Media Assistant, Hillside Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 2-6

Undercover Goalie (Klooz Series)
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
72 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4342-1219-1
Release Date: January 2009

 

Written by Marbara Mitchelhill, Illustrated by Tony Ross

This book is part of a series, Damian Drooth, Supersleuth. It is a humorous mystery about a group of friends who consider themselves to be detectives ready to solve any mystery, lead by Damian Drooth. It is easy to read with sketches throughout. In the back there is a glossary and discussion questions, writing prompts, and Internet links. I really liked the format and cute plot. A great beginning chapter book.

Review by Sandy Brigman, Library Media Assistant, Robert Frost Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 1-4

The Mystery of the Missing Mutts (Damian Drooth, Supersleuth)
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
67 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43421-216-0
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Smedry, the boy with a talent for breaking things, is back in this sequel to Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians. This time our hero is on a mission to learn what happened to his father, who disappeared into the Library of Alexandria years ago. Alcatraz is joined on his quest by his grandfather, Leavenworth, who has a talent for arriving late, and Bastille, the Knight of Crystallia who kept Alcatraz alive in the first book. We also meet Draulin, Bastille's mother, and two more Smedreys: Alcatraz's uncle Kazan, who has a talent for getting lost, and his cousin Australia, whose special ability is to wake up in the morning looking extremely ugly. Inside the Library, they confront the Curators, a group of undead librarians who have collected everything ever written. The curators will allow anyone to read anything they want, if they are willing to pay the price. Stalking them the whole time is an evil half-human, half-robot Librarian. Alcatraz himself tells us the story with the same humor and sarcasm that ran through the first book. He stops the tale every few pages to talk directly to the reader, usually to say something funny or to try to explain something that may or may not be related to the story. Alcatraz, as narrator, continues to tease the reader by talking about things that will happen in future books. This book is a fun sequel and should be a good read for upper-grade readers.

Review by Tom Grieve, Teacher, Robert Frost Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grade 4+

Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones
Scholastic
322 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-92553-2
Release Date: November 2008
 

Written by Josh Lerman, Illustrated by Greg Clarke

Big Sister teachers little brother how to get what he wants by the things she has learned growing up. I read it to sixth graders and they like it.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Librarian, Valley Crest Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

How to Raise Mom & Dad
Dutton / Penguin
30 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-47870-6
Release Date: Mar 2009

 

Written and Illustrated by Steve Breen

A young frog tries to catch a dragonfly for his lunch and has a wild adventure. I liked the story board quality of the book. A beautifully illustrated story that will delight students of all ages.

Review by Janice Hastings, Librarian, South Kearns Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Stick
Puffin / Penguin Group
36 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241303-6
Release Date: Apr 2009
 

Written and Illustrated by Helen Cooper

Bridget gets hungry and eats a dog biscuit. Mrs. Blair tells her she will turn into a dog. All day Bridget sees signs that convince her that she really is turning into a dog. "Dog Biscuit" had a recipe for "human biscuits." The art was a little distracting but a fun, tender story all in all.

Review by Kimberly Jensen, Librarian, Diamond Ridge Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★½ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Dog Biscuit
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
29 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-31812-3
Release Date: Mar 2009
 

Written by Joy Behar, Illustrated by Dave Silaber, Colored by Gene Barretta

Max goes to doggie day care. He is sad and scared at first, but helps all the dogs learn to work together.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Library Media Assistant, Valley Crest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Sheetzucacapoopoo: Max Goes to the Dogs
Dutton / Penguin Group
28 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-42081-1
Release Date: Mar 2009
 

Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

An odd book that offers plenty of grins and a message about not wasting paper. Forest dwellers don't know why their trees are disappearing, and are blaming one another when they notice the bear is the culprit. He wants to enter the paper-airplane contest and has used all the paper trying to perfect its design.

Review by Karen Migacz, Librarian, Howard Driggs Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-2

The Great Paper Caper
HarperCollins
40 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25097-2
Release Date: Jan 2009

 

Written by Corinne Demas, Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

Every grade loved this book. Eveyone can associate with a pet of some kind. I had requests by students to read it again. It was great.

Review by Liz Goodwin, Library Media Assistant, Silver Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Always in Trouble
Scholastic Press
33 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-02453-2
Release Date: Jan 2009


 

Written and Illustrated by Amy Schwartz

Five little, sweet short stories about two friends, Tiny, an elephant, and Hercules, a mouse, and their adventures. From ice skating, art class, and a lemonade stand to a birthday party and knitting, each story speaks of true friendship, sticking by each other, and helping each other out.  Each story's last page reveals the solution to the problem. I loved the gentle humor and bright illustrations. Young children will learn what friendship means and how to be a great friend. This would be a great book to use in a unit on friendship. I highly recommend this book.

Curriculum Ties: character development, friendship

Review by Renee Larsen, Library Media Assistant, Hillside Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades PreK-2

Tiny & Hercules
Roaring Brook Press
30 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-253-6
Release Date: May 2009


 

Written by Patricia Marx, Illustrated by Roz Chast

What a fun book. This is a story about Dot, who is VERY small. It is hard to find a friend when you are the size of a dot, and Dot is lonely. Then she finds Larry (actually, Larry finds her in the pepper shaker), and Larry is a giant! What a strange friendship. Will it work? This is a great friendship story.

Review by Irene Taylor, Library Media Assistant, Vista Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 1-2

Dot in Larryland: The Big Little Book of an Odd-Sized Friendship
Bloomsbury
30 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-181-7
Release Date: December 2008


 

Written by Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst has written several delightful books. If you're looking for a funny Erma Bombeck book - you'll be disappointed in this one. There are a few four letter words that don't add much to the story, nor does the mention of a poem about Pimps. Living with sons and daughters and their children when they move back home temporarily has been addressed better in other books. As you can tell, I wasn't too impressed with the book. Unless you're looking for a fast read, you could use your time better reading something else. Ms. Viorst's first books are more entertaining.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Adult

Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days

113 pages
ISBN: 978-1-41655-005-1
Release Date: Oct 2007


 

Written by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica is an adopted child from Romania who has tried to forget her life as Anatanasia and become a well-rounded intellectual. Lucius is a boy who claims to be a vampire raised by a cruel uncle. He also claims to be her betrothed from childhood and that they must marry in order to stop a war from breaking out. When Jessica starts to take an interest in Lucius, however, he becomes interested in another girl at Jessica's high school. In addition to relationship problems, however, letters Lucius writes to his uncle suggest to readers that something else is going on that Lucius is not telling Jessica. Will Jessica win Lucius' heart? Is there something going on that might endanger Jessica? A funny, heart-warming story about vampires, love, and growing up. Lovers of Twilight, romance, and vampire stories will love this unique story.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Middle School/High School

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Harcourt
354 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-206384-9
Release Date: Feb 2009
www.bethfantaskey.com

 

Written by J.D. Salinger

Rebelling against the structure and strictures of the traditional coming-of-age novel (with the very first sentence the narrator informs us that he’s not going to go into “all that David Copperfield kind of crap,”) this book instead gives us an unfiltered, uncensored and un-”adult”-erated flash into the life and brain of teenager Holden Caulfield as he wanders around New York City for a couple of days and nights after being kicked out of yet another prep school, not ready to go home and face his parents. There is no epic adventure or crisis, we are simply pulled in by Holden’s hilarious, confessional narration, which from page to page is obnoxious, insightful, vulgar, sensitive, spazzy, intelligent, depressed, distracted and empathetic. Above all, Holden seems to be in search of integrity both in himself and in the world at large; he constantly rails against “phoniness” wherever he sees it. Salinger captures adolescent confusion and detachment like no one before probably ever had; we are right with Holden as he wrestles with his confusion over love, sex and the hypocrisy and evil of the world. Rather than showing us the boy growing into a man, we are thrust into a very vivid moment right in midst of the “growth,” and are left to conjecture what will ultimately become of our narrator.

Comparing it to my recent reading, it seems that much of contemporary adolescent literature is heavily indebted to this book; everyone from John Green’s narrators in Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns to Neal Shusterman’s Antsy Bonano, Marcelo of Marcelo in the Real World and the narrator of The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao seem to be taking at least some of their cues from Holden Caulfield. It may just be that Salinger was so remarkably successful at creating an authentic teenage voice that subsequent teenage voices in more recent works remind one of Holden’s voice. This preeminence will make Catcher in the Rye feel very familiar to readers of today’s YA fiction, but still occasionally shock in its frankness.

Something must be said in regards to the explicit language in the book; although it certainly is full of it, any reader that becomes fixated on its inappropriateness has completely missed the point. The narrator simply has the guts to describe real and pervasive dialogue and circumstances that some people would want cut out. Again, this speaks directly to Holden’s desire for integrity; to censor anything real because it might shock or offend would be supremely phony. Furthermore, much of the power of the book comes as we recognize how troubled he is by these compromising circumstances and moral quandaries. His oftentimes empathetic reactions to such situations are extremely insightful.

I’m not exactly sure if this is a book that needs much more hyping. Almost sixty years after its first publication it is still moving more units than many books ever do at the height of their publicity cycles. Clearly it is well known, and a lot of the kids are hip to it. Still, I don’t think this book can be recommended enough. This is a masterful and influential piece of literature that works as well as a high-interest read for teenagers as it does as a text for serious literary study. Every high school library should have this book on their shelves, and it should probably be displayed because the students will pick it up; don’t make them go to the public library for it. This is a tried and true classic that has only increased in relevance since its publication.

Review by Joshua Whiting, Library Media Department, Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 9-12

The Catcher in the Rye
Little, Brown
224 pages
ISBN: 978-0316769488
Release Date: 1951

 

Written by Liane Moriarty, Illustrated by Shannon Bonarakis

It is a delightful book. I could hardly put the book down. That was neat. It held my interest. It is a mystery about a girl who lives in the future and she goes off to space to save earth. She has to get a team together to help her. A fun, fast reading book.

Review by Diane Scott, Western Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Nicola Berry: Earthling Ambassador 
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin Group
223 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-44846-6
Release Date: Mar 5, 2009 (paperback)




 

Written by Luis Alberto Urrea

Review by Joshua Whiting, Library Media Dept., Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: High School

Into the Beautiful North
Little, Brown and Company
342 pages
ISBN: 978-0-316-02527-0
Release Date: May 19, 2009


 

Written by John R. Erickson, Illustrated by Gerald L. Holmes

Hank is tricked by Pete the cat again. Enter two lost pelicans who even the score for Hank. While this is a cute story, it does ramble at times. It also has many misspelled words, since Hank isn't too bright. They are part of the story - but do you want your students exposed to many wrong spellings? If you have other Hank books, you may want to get this one.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

The Case of the Dinosaur Birds (Hand the Cowdog Series, #54)
Viking / Penguin Group
123 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-01155-1
Release Date: Jun 11, 2009


 

Written and Illustrated by Rebecca, Adrian, and Ed Emberley

This is book is fantastic! It is based on the song/story of "There was An Old Woman." Students are instantly mesmerized by the pictures and cannot wait to turn the page to see what the next illustrations will uncover about the next phase of the story/song. The song download that is available for this story is catchy for students. They want to listen to it again and again. This is a high interest story for elementary aged students. Exciting repetitive text-- students love to join in.

Review by Brooke deardorff, 3rd Grade Teacher, Bennion Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades K-5

There Was an Old Monster!
Orchard Books / Scholastic
27 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-10145-5
Release Date: Jul 1, 2009


 

Written by Bernadette Kelly, Illustrated by Liz Agler

What do you do with a lazy and naughty pony? The fun begins when Norton, the pony, takes pony lessons to become a better pet. Naughty Norton creates quite a stir but saves the day in a twist of crazy events. I will definitely order this series for my library.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades 2-3

Norton Saves the Day
Picture Window Books / Capstone Press
46 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40485-505-2
Release Date: Aug 15, 2009



 

Written and Illustrated by Scott Morse

The Magic Pickle is a product from a secret government experiment gone awry. Once an edible pickle, this odd character becomes a superhero that fights vegetable crime. I forced myself to read the entire book. I would not recommend this book to any library collection but young readers might like the nonsense and ruckus that is woven into this story line.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★✩✩✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Magic Pickle and the Garden of Evil
Graphix / Scholastic
136 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-13580-1
Release Date: May 1, 2009 (paperback)


 

Written by Linda Ashman, Illustrated by S. D. Schindler

Filled with hilarious moments, this clever rhyming book takes a look at life in a medieval castle through the eyes of its many different inhabitants: the richest, poorest, silliest, and--yes--the smelliest, too!  How thought-provoking! If we ever thought we wanted to live in a castle, we should read this book and be cured! The students will love it! It will open their eyes and be a subject of discussion.

Review by Leanna Griffiths, Library Media Assistant, Crestview Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Come to the Castle
Roaring Brook Press
38 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-155-3
Release Date: Apr 14, 2009


 

Written by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Neal Layton

This book looks somewhat disgusting (especially to adults) but is chock full of facts about parasites. The writing draws you from page to page and before you know it you cannot stop yourself. 

It explains how our bodies are a habitat for parasites both inside (endoparasites) and out (ectoparasites) and how they live and get from host to host. Did you know that plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria, gives infected people a cheesy smell that attracts mosquitoes so it can get to a new body?

While the illustrations may seem gross, they are in a style that should attract your average 5th grader. They compliment the text very well, adding information and lightening the tone on a topic that, when you think about it, is rather disgusting.

Review by Cathie Cox, Library Media Assistant, Plymouth Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-7

What's Eating You?: Parasites -- The Inside Story
Candlewick Press
63 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4521-2
Release Date: Aug 11, 2009


 

Written by E.D. Baker

Told through the point of view of Audun, Millie’s dragon friend, readers discover that Audun has fallen in love with Millie. Determined to win her heart and hand in marriage, he defies his family’s wishes and sets out to find Millie. In order to do so, Millie’s family tells him that he must talk to his Dragon Council and elders to get their permission. The Dragon King, however, sets up almost impossible tasks and obstacles that Audun must conquer before he will be able to become human and be permitted to woo Millie. But, will Millie recognize him if he becomes human? Will Audun succeed in accomplishing the tasks? A fun adventure filled with excitement, magical creatures, and witches that are funny to hear arguing. Readers will enjoy the humor, friendship, love, and adventure that comes in this novel and will enjoy seeing parts of themselves mixed into the characters. Lovers of adventure, fantasy, dragons, and/or romance will enjoy this book.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★½ 
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

Dragon Kiss (Tales of the Frog Princess, Book 7)
Bloomsbury
288 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-348-4
Release Date: Sep 1, 2009


 

Written by Herman Parrish, Illustrated by Avril Lynne

This was a fun, delightful book. Amelia Bedelia goes to school for the first time. She takes everything the teacher says very literally. She has many andventures and is excited to return the next day.

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School
Greenwillow Books / HarperCollins
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-154455-2
Release Date: Jun 23, 2009


 

Written by Megan McDonald

The best things come in threes – knife, fork, spoon; lights, camera, action. It’s the rule of three. The three Reel sisters are best friends and even have their own sisters club with secret handshakes and everything. But then two of the sisters, Stevie and Alex, both decide to try out for the lead in the school musical. What happens next is a story of sisterhood at its best. How do you love your sister and keep peace in the family when you are so angry and/or jealous? This is a sweet little story with a great moral.

Review by Vala'dee Tanner, Library Media Assistant, Rosecrest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Rule of Three (The Sisters Club Series)
Candlewick Press
234 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4153-5
Release Date: Aug 11, 2009


 

Written by Gaby Triana

Chloe Rodriguez has a lot on her plate. She's failing chemistry and her parents are threatening to take away her motorcycle. She joins a peer tutoring group to get help with her chemistry, but finds out she has body chemistry with her male tutor. Between high school chaos, failing grades, a guy friend jealous of her tutor, and wondering about who her real parents are, she struggles with her identity. Will Chloe be able to pass chemistry and survive high school? Will she be able to keep her bike? Who will she end up with her guy friend or her tutor? A funny, heartwarming story for jr. high girls. Would recommend to girls who want a romance, realistic fiction, or humor book.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 7-9

Riding the Universe
HarperTeen
267 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-088570-0
Release Date: May 5, 2009


 

Written by John van de Ruit

Fifteen year old Spud milton is starting his second year at his boarding school in South Africa. With a great girlfriend and great friends, the year couldn't go better. He and the crazy eight are up to their old tricks. From convincing the first years that they needed to go for an illegal nightswim to going on expulsion-worthy adventures, Spud and his friends are as rowdy as ever. When things with his girlfriend get rocky and the first years turn out to be just as ruly and disobedient, Spud realizes things aren't always what they seem and puberty can be a real bear. A funny story filled with mischief and mayhem that reluctant readers will love. Boys who like humor, David Lubar, and other boy school survival stories will love reading about Spud.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 7+

Spud- The Madness Continues . . .
Razor Bill / Penguin Group
337 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59514-245-0
Release Date: Sep 17, 2009



 

Written by Anthony McGowan

Hector Brunry has a tumor; a talking brain tumor, to be exact. Jack the Tumor forces Hector to change his hairstyle, his dress, and even helps him to kiss the hottest chick in school as well as get his space cadet mom to change. When Jack starts forcing Hector to do some questionable things, however, Hector must find a way to save them both before it's too late. Although the story rambles on in parts, it's funny, unique, and has an interesting twist. This book will appeal to a wide range of readers, especially boys.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-9

Jack Tumor
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
304 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-32955-6
Release Date: Apr 27, 2009




 

Written by Kevin Emerson

Trina and her friends are sick of Carlos. Carlos is always getting their class in trouble and humiliating people. The girls come up with a plan to scare Carlos big-time while their class goes camping. Trina, however, is reluctant and even starts to sympathize with him despite Carlos humiliating her on the camping trip. Will Trina help her friends to scare Carlos?  Will Carlos finally start being nice? What else will happen on the class camping trip?  A funny, mixed-up story that will have you wanting to read more.  Avid readers who like humor, chick-lit, and/or realistic fiction will enjoy reading this novel.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★½
Interest Level: Grades 6-9

Carlos Is Gonna Get It
Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic
291 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-93525-8
Release Date: Oct 1, 2008



 

Written by Darleen Bailey Beard, Illustrated by Heather Maione

Annie's Grandma is always protesting something. This time she chained herself to a 100-year-old tree across the street from Annie's school. Everyone notices Grandma, gives Annie the third degree, and calls her "Crazy Grandma." Everyone would rather have the new swimming complex instead of the tree.  Annie discovers what the tree means to the town and herself and begins to think that maybe Grandma is not crazy afterall.  With the help of her best friend, a wacky trio of parachuting Elvis impersonators, and even Grandma; Annie discovers what is really important.

Review by Donna Gubler, Title I Para-Professional, Hillsdale Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★½
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Annie Glover Is Not a Tree Lover
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
120 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-30351-8
Release Date: Sep 2009






 

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Illustrated by Paul Schmid

The illustrations are good but as you read the book it does not keep your interest. Each poem or story is boring and you do not want to keep reading.

Review by Judy A. Mitchell, Library Media Assistant, Calvin Smith Elementary School
Rating: ★✩✩✩✩
Interest Level: perhaps lower grades?

The Wonder Book
HarperCollins Publishers
79 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-142974-3
Release Date: Feb 2010


 

Written by Alexander Stadler

Julian Rodriguez, a Federation First Officer disguised as an 8 year old boy, reports to the Mothership on the bizarre behavior of Earthlings during festivities: the ceremonial dress, the relative ("genetically linked mini-brains"), various orbs of entertainment and the associated games, and the mysterious concoction of various brown nutritional molecules.

This is a combination of a graphic novel and an easy chapter book. I found the story clever and very funny. The graphics were not as good as the first book. Although the concept is great for the intended age reader, I am wondering if the vocabulary is too difficult: "unhygienic," "breached," "subterranean containment facility," etc.

Review by Terrie Bishop, Library Media Assistant, Academy Park Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★½
Interest Level: Grades 2-6

Julian Rodriguez, Episode Two: Invasion of the Relatives
Scholastic
131 pages
ISBN: 9780439919678
Release Date: Sep 2009



 

Written and Illustrated by Tom Angleberger

This is a great kids book for elementary schools, and jr. high school students would enjoy it also. Tommy and his friends are the most unpopular boys in school and then Dwight (the nerdiest) makes this origami Yoda and he starts giving them all advice in this weird Yoda voice with strange mixed-up sayings. Yoda advice really starts helping people and everyone is shocked, so Yoda becomes the center of attention (good and bad) as the story unfolds and the kids wonder if Yoda is some sort of hoax or if the Force is really helping them. 

Best part: there are instructions on how to make your own origami Yoda in the back of the book.

Review by Angela Pratt, Library Media Assistant, Hillsdale Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★★
Interest Level: Grades 3-9

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
Amulet Books
152 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8425-7
Release Date: Mar 2010