guide book to gift books - The Bulletin of the Center for Children`s

Transcription

Guide Book
An Annotated List
of
to
Books
Gift Books
for
Youth 2012
I
T’S HARD TO IMAGINE FINER GIFTS THAN BOOKS—they offer enjoyment,
knowledge, and artistic stimulation. They’re also gifts that go on giving without requiring
any upkeep or cleanup, they’re a cinch to wrap, and they’re easily sent through the mail!
All of these titles have been reviewed in the Bulletin, so they’ve been recommended by professionals. All were in print in the U.S. at the time of this guide’s compilation, so they should be
either in stock or quickly available through a special order from bookstores both brick-andmortar and virtual.
You know your recipient better than we do, of
course, so you’re the best judge of a title’s suitability
and promise for an individual reader. We’ve included
a broad range of styles, genres, subjects, and challenge levels (roughly divided by audience age), so
whether you’re looking for a cheerful picture book,
an absorbing nonfiction title, or a pulse-pounding
novel, there will be something here for the young
person on your gift-book list.
While titles are sorted into four categories according to their most likely use—picture books for reading aloud to youngsters, books for primary-grades
readers, books for middle-grades readers, and young
adult titles—neither books nor readers are so easily categorizable, so we’ve included age/grade-range
designations to help you get an idea of just who in
that category is a title’s likeliest audience. And since
many books reach across category borders but could
only be included once, you’ll want to check the next
category younger for titles whose audience stretches
up into the higher age range.
A Look Inside
Picture Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Books for Young Readers
Gr. 1-3, 6-8 yrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Books for Middle Readers
Gr. 4-6, 9-11 yrs . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Books for Older Readers
Gr. 7-12, 12-18 yrs . . . . . . . . . . .20
—Deborah Stevenson, Editor
A Publication of the University of Illinois
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
501 E. Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6211
Picture Books
2
Barnett, Mac Extra Yarn; illus. by Jon Klassen. Balzer & Bray, 2011.
$16.99 5-8 yrs
The gentle, folkloric premise of a never-ending stash of yarn partners
with slyly comic illustrations for a winning combination that will
appeal to both aspiring knitters and jokesters alike.
Bildner, Phil The Hallelujah Flight; illus. by John Holyfield.
Putnam, 2010. $16.99 5-8 yrs
With tall-tale aplomb, this fictionalized account retraces the historic
1932 flight by the first African-American pilot to fly across the
continental United States.
Bingham, Kelly Z Is for Moose; illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky.
Greenwillow, 2012. $16.99 3-7 yrs In this cleverly silly staging of an alphabetical pageant, an endearingly
goofy moose disrupts the order in a book that works both as funny
alphabet book and comic story.
Broach, Elise Gumption!; illus. by Richard Egielski. Atheneum,
2010. $16.99; e-book $12.99 5-8 yrs
A young boy accompanies his explorer uncle on an arduous African
safari and gets some much-needed assistance from a few friendly
jungle creatures in this vibrantly illustrated tale replete with hapless
adults and mischievous animals.
Buitrago, Jairo Jimmy the Greatest; illus. by Rafael Yockteng.
Groundwood, 2012. $18.95; e-book $18.95 5-8 yrs
In Jimmy’s small town in Latin America, there’s nowhere to go but
church and the boxing gym, and Jimmy’s embrace of boxing allows
him to find himself and, as he grows up, to find a way to give back to
his town; easygoing comic-style art is accessible yet subtly detailed.
Burningham, John There’s Going to be a Baby; illus. by Helen
Oxenbury. Candlewick, 2010. $16.99 4-6 yrs
A little boy discusses what the future holds for his new baby sibling
in this imaginative and cozy tale perfectly suited for expectant big
brothers or sisters.
Blackall, Sophie Are You Awake?; written and illus. by Sophie
Blackall. Henry Holt, 2011. $12.99 3-6 yrs
Sleepless toddlers (and their sleepy parents) will be all too familiar
with the give-and-take of little Edward’s attempts to keep his mom
awake for some nighttime mischief.
Bottner, Barbara Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I Don’t); illus. by
Michael Emberley. Knopf, 2010. $17.99; e-book $10.99 5-7 yrs
This sparkling, funny tale of a reluctant reader who comes to embrace
the wonder of the library is pleasingly free of the heavy-handed
messaging of most pro-librarian titles.
Brown, Monica Waiting for the Biblioburro; illus. by John Parra.
Tricycle, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs
In this picture book based on a real Colombian librarian’s work, Ana
is thrilled when a librarian rides into her rural Colombian village with
two donkeys and a portable collection of books that feed her hungry
imagination.
Browne, Anthony How Do You Feel?; written and illus. by Anthony
Browne. Candlewick, 2012. $14.99 3-6 yrs
Vivid watercolor and gouache art featuring an overalled child-proxy
chimp expressively illustrates moods such as “happy,” “angry,” and
“shy.”
Bryan, Ashley Who Built the Stable?: A Nativity Poem; written and
illus. by Ashley Bryan. Atheneum, 2012. $16.99 4-7 yrs
This engaging Nativity verse focuses on the young boy whose father
built the stable in which Joseph, Mary, and child shelter; legendary
illustrator Bryant’s radiant celebratory art is both fantastical and
inviting.
Campbell, K.G. Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters; written and illus. by K.G.
Campbell. Kids Can, 2012. $16.95 6-9 yrs
Kids who have been secretly horrified by their relative’s attempts at
DIY gifts will greatly appreciate this ready-made tale of one youngster
who finds an ingenious fate for his aunt’s less than welcome knitted
creations.
Clark, Emma Chichester, ad. Goldilocks and the Three Bears; ad.
and illus. by Emma Chichester Clark. Candlewick, 2010. $14.99 2-5
yrs
British illustrator Clark breathes new life into the classic tale in her
delicious, spirited, yet respectful adaptation.
Cole, Brock The Money We’ll Save; written and illus. by Brock Cole.
Ferguson/Farrar, 2012. $16.99 6-9 yrs
In this enjoyable period tale, the live turkey that’s supposed to end
up as the family’s Christmas dinner causes mayhem in their tenement
house—and becomes too much of a pet to be eaten; Cole’s cozily
rumpled watercolors are rich with light-hearted warmth.
Compestine, Ying Chang Crouching Tiger; illus. by Yan Nascimbene,
Candlewick, 2011. $16.99 6-9 yrs
A young boy finds it difficult to connect with his visiting Chinese
grandfather until he realizes that Grandpa’s a cool and admirable guy;
streamlined watercolor illustrations include diagrams of tai chi poses.
Cooper, Elisha Beaver Is Lost; written and illus. by Elisha Cooper.
Schwartz & Wade, 2010. $17.99 4-7 yrs
Luminous watercolors tell the story in this nearly wordless picture
book that follows a young beaver as he takes a detour through the
hustle and bustle of the big city.
Picture Books
3
Cordell, Matthew Another Brother; written and illus. by Matthew
Cordell. Feiwel, 2012. $16.99 4-6 yrs
Expectant siblings will appreciate this absurd story of Davy the sheep
and his ever-expanding family; even only-children will chuckle over
the ridiculously plump and pop-eyed sheep that fill the over-the-top
illustrations.
Cunnane, Kelly Chirchir Is Singing; illus. by Jude Daly. Schwartz &
Wade, 2011. $17.99 5-8 yrs
Life in a rural Kenyan village is lyrically depicted in this cozy, touching
tale of one girl’s efforts to help out her family.
Geisert, Arthur Ice. Enchanted Lion, 2011. $14.95 5-9 yrs
An intricately illustrated, wordless picture book recounts the efforts of
an industrious colony of pigs as they attempt to obtain and use a giant
iceberg to cool off.
Gibbs, Edward Little Bee; written and illus. by Edward Gibbs. LB
Kids/Little, 2012. $8.99 2-4 yrs
Vivid saturated colors and high-action line distinguishes the
illustrations in this lively rhyming board book, where a little bee is
only the first in a sequence of several critters fleeing from a pursuing
animal.
Czekaj, Jef Cat Secrets; written and illus. by Jef Czekaj. Balzer + Bray,
2011. $16.99 3-6 yrs
Youngsters have to prove their feline prowess before the furry narrators
of this book will let them explore the extra-special, super-secret book
of cat secrets.
Daly, Cathleen Prudence Wants a Pet; illus. by Stephen Michael
King. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2011. $16.99 6-9 yrs
There’s poker-face humor galore in this tale of plucky Prudence, who
when her parents forbid her a pet tries out creative alternatives such as
a Branch (named Branch).
Dodd, Emma I Love Bugs!; written and illus. by Emma Dodd.
Holiday House, 2010. $16.95; paperback $6.95 3-6 yrs
Wee animal lovers whose tastes extend to the creepy and crawly will
especially appreciate this celebratory, rhythmic introduction to all
manner of multi-legged critters.
Durand, Hallie Mitchell’s License; illus. by Tony Fucile. Candlewick,
2011. $15.99 3-6 yrs
Lively art partners with this inventive story of Mitchell, whose
bedtime ritual involves driving his father, complete with Dad’s
obliging automative noises and responses to steering, to bed.
Falconer, Ian Olivia and the Fairy Princesses; written and illus. by
Ian Falconer. Athenaeum, 2012. $17.99; e-book $12.99 5-7 yrs
Young girls weary of the onslaught of pink that daily comes their way
will find a kindred soul in independent-minded Olivia, who eschews
the princess fashions of her classmates in favor of a “more stark,
modern style.”
Fleming, Denise Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy; written and illus. by Denise
Fleming. Holt, 2010. $16.99 1-3 yrs
A tour of adorable baby animals at the edge of sleep will encourage
even the most fractious toddler to join them for a little shut-eye.
Fogliano, Julie And Then It’s Spring; illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring
Brook, 2012. $16.99 4-6 yrs
Spare, gentle prose describes the achingly gradual progress of spring
in partnership with tender, fetchingly detailed illustrations that follow
the gardening efforts of a determined young boy and the collection of
critters that follows him.
Harper, Charise Mericle Pink Me Up; written and illus. by
Charise Mericle Harper. Knopf, 2010. $16.99 4-6 yrs
When her mother can’t make it for a special girly outing, little bunny
Violet transforms her father into a suitably decorative companion for
the “Pink Girls Pink-nic” in this comedic yet sweet picture book.
Hillenbrand, Will Mother Goose Picture Puzzles; ad. and illus. by
Will Hillenbrand. Marshall Cavendish Children’s, 2011. $17.99 4-6
yrs
This large-formatted compilation of twenty traditional Mother Goose
rhymes will have youngsters poring over the pages as they puzzle out
the rebus poems, and visually astute children will quickly find other
significant clues as well.
Hoffman, Mary The Great Big Book of Families; illus. by Ros Asquith.
Dial, 2011. $16.99 3-7 yrs
Hoffman thoroughly tumbles together images of racial, religious,
ethnic, economic, educational, residential, emotional, and
generational diversity, effortlessly demonstrating the point that there
are all kinds of ways to be a family.
Holmes, Janet A. Have You Seen Duck?; illus. by Jonathan Bentley.
Cartwheel Books, 2011. $8.99 2-5 yrs
A towheaded boy loses his beloved stuffed duck only to be happily
reunited with the object of his affection later on in this beautifully told
tale that will please fans of Knuffle Bunny.
Hughes, Catherine D., ed. National Geographic Little Kids: First Big
Book of Dinosaurs; illus. by Franco Tempesta. National Geographic,
2011. $14.95 3-7 yrs
Intuitive organization and helpful fact boxes make this a veritable
dinofest for youngsters interested in the natural history behind the
googly-eyed cartoonish creatures that populate their pajamas.
Picture Books
4
Intriago, Patricia Dot; written and illus. by Patricia Intriago.
Ferguson/Farrar, 2011. $14.99 4-7 yrs
Aspiring artists will find an intriguing muse in this entertaining
exploration of the simple but versatile dot.
Joosse, Barbara Sleepover at Gramma’s House; illus. by Jan Jutte.
Philomel, 2010. $17.99 2-5 yrs
In this ebullient readaloud, the joy of spending time with a grandparent
is celebrated as our little elephantine narrator prepares for a night with
her beloved Gramma.
Kamkwamba, William The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind; written by
William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon.
Dial, 2012. $16.99 5-9 yrs
This picture-book version of the adult title uses vivid illustrations to
help tell the story of ingenious teenager William Kamkwamba, who
created a windmill out of scrap to help his devastated Malawi village.
Kostecki-Shaw, Jenny Sue Same, Same but Different; written and
illus. by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Henry Holt, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs
Acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper combine in this richly
composed picture book that follows the correspondence between pen
pals, Elliot (an American boy) and Kailash (a boy in India) and their
discovery that their lives are “same, same but different.”
Lo, Ginnie Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic; illus. by Beth Lo. Lee
& Low, 2012. $18.95 7-9 yrs
A story based on the author’s own family history chronicles an
immigrant Chinese family’s annual tradition of sitting down together
at a nearby soybean farm for a delicious soybean picnic; fascinating
hand-painted plates provide the illustrations.
Lobel, Anita 10 Hungry Rabbits: Counting & Color Concepts; written
and illus. by Anota Lobel. Knopf, 2012. $12.99; e-book $9.99 3-6 yrs
A lively story rich with age-appropriate concept opportunities
chronicles the various veggies that ten bunny siblings find and add to
Mama’s simmering soup; Lobel’s illustrations are clear on the concepts
and pretty darned adorable to boot.
Lodge, Jo Icky Sticky Monster; illus. by Jo Lodge. Candlewick, 2012.
$12.99 5-7 yrs
Young readers with a yen for the yucky will find plenty to delightfully
“eeewww” over in this vibrantly hued pop-up book that describes the
gross shenanigans of Icky Sticky Monster.
Lyon, George Ella All the Water in the World; illus. by Katherine
Tillotson. Jackson/Atheneum, 2011. $15.99 5-9 yrs
Lyrical text compactly describes the hydrological cycle and the global
contrast between plenty and dearth of the key life-giving substance
with the aid of strong, inviting visuals.
Karas, G. Brian The Village Garage; written and illus. by G. Brian
Karas. Ottaviano/Holt, 2010. $16.99 4-8 yrs
There’s no rest for the weary in this small-town public works
department, where each season brings different machinery out to keep
the roads clear and safe—and a young spectator fascinated.
Kaplan, Michael Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake; illus. by
Stéphane Jorisch. Dial, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs
A precociously bubbly bunny learns a valuable lesson in patience after
falling hard for the sweet taste of chocolate cake.
Knudsen, Michelle Argus; illus. by Andrea Wesson. Candlewick
Press, 2011. $15.99 5-8 yrs
Dry humor and airy illustrations recount a science experiment gone
awry when Sally’s class gets eggs to hatch, one of which eventually
produces a large, reptilian creature with a penchant for mischief.
Knudsen, Michelle Big Mean Mike; illus. by Scott Magoon.
It’s rare to find a book that will appeal to both the lovers of monster
trucks and fuzzy critters, but this humorous picture book following
the friendship between one tough dog and several adorable bunnies
might just do the trick.
MacDonald, Maryann How to Hug; illus. by Jana Christy. Marshall
Cavendish Children, 2011. $16.99 3-6 yrs
This delightful picture book navigates attendant youngsters through
the dos and don’ts of the basic embrace by pairing pieces of advice
with visuals of children and critters hugging.
MacLachlan, Patricia I Didn’t Do It; written by Patricia
MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest; illus. by Katy Schneider.
Tegen/HarperCollins, 2010. $16.95 5-8 yrs
This kennelmate to Once I Ate a Pie (BCCB 6/06) offers fourteen
more appealing poems in various doggy voices.
Macy, Sue Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player
Put Women’s Hoops on the Map; illus. by Matt Collins. Holiday House,
2011. $16.95 6-9 yrs
This fictionalized tale of women’s basketball at Stanford in 1896
supports its lively sports story with solid historical research.
Marcus, Kimberly Scritch-Scratch a Perfect Match; illus. Mike Lester.
Putnam, 2011. $16.99 4-7 yrs
Crisply scanning anapestic verse and energetic illustrations tell a tale
of a madcap friendship that begins when a tiny flea takes a giant bite
out of an unsuspecting dog.
Picture Books
5
McCarthy, Meghan Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum; written
and illus. by Meghan McCarthy. Wiseman/Simon, 2010. $16.99;
e-book $12.99 5-8 yrs
Bubble gum is the ultimate combination of food, toy, and adultannoying-mess potential, and McCarthy’s high-spirited picture-book
account of its origin will charm chewers and non-chewers alike.
McCarty, Peter Henry in Love; written and illus. by Peter McCarty.
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2010. $16.99 3-5 yrs
McCarty, of Hondo and Fabian fame, tries his hand at romance in
this sweetly funny story of Henry and his attempts to capture the
attention of a fellow classmate with cartwheels and blueberry muffins.
McDermott, Gerald, ad. Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India; ad.
and illus. by Gerald McDermott. Harcourt, 2011. $16.99 4-7 yrs
This latest installment in McDermott’s series of multicultural trickster
stories draws on the Jataka tales of ancient Buddhist tradition to tell
the story of a clever monkey who twice tricks a hungry crocodile.
Na, Il Sung Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons;
written and illus. by Il Sung Na. Knopf, 2011. $15.99 4-6 yrs
A white rabbit observes the changes in nature in this quiet and spare
animal story that has just a touch of the hush of winter in its tone.
Newman, Jeff The Boys; written and illus. by Jeff Newman. Simon,
2010. $15.99 6-9 yrs
This nearly wordless picture book follows a little blond tyke as a richly
characterized quartet of old guys take him under their wing in the
park, build up his social and ball-playing confidence, and become
his cheering section as he finally joins his age-mates on the field.
Nivola, Claire A. Orani: My Father’s Village; written and illus. by
Claire A. Nivola. Foster/Farrar. 2011. $16.99 6-9 yrs
Intricate illustrations make this tribute to the Mediterranean home of
the author’s father both elegant and interesting.
Numeroff, Laura Ponyella; by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans;
illus. by Lynn Munsinger. Hyperion, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs
Yup, it’s what the title suggests—the story of “Cinderella” featuring
a pony, with all the pink ribbons, evil pasturemates and pony
championship victories that one might expect, and it’s exactly what its
audience has been waiting for.
Nyeu, Tao Bunny Days; written and illus. by Tao Nyeu. Dial, 2010.
$16.99 3-6 yrs
Controlled old-fashioned art recalls Crockett Johnson while pokerfaced humor provides gentle silliness in this picture book following the
misadventures of a flock of toylike bunnies and the tender assistance
of their friend Bear.
Medina, Meg Tia Isa Wants a Car; illus. by Claudio Munoz.
Spanish dialogue is seamlessly woven into this story that has our
plucky narrator and her spirited aunt longing for the open road.
Menotti, Andrea How Many Jelly Beans?; illus. by Yancey Labat.
Chronicle, 2012. $18.99 4-7 yrs
This oversized picture book uses the device of a jelly-bean competition
between a boy and a girl to provide striking visual illustrations of
numbers from ten to a million.
Moore, Inga A House in the Woods; written and illus. by Inga
Moore. Candlewick, 2011. 5-7 yrs
An industrious team of hard-hatted beavers is called in to save the day
when Moose and Bear accidentally destroy the homes of their beloved
friends, the two Little Pigs, in this cozy, autumnal-hued critter tale.
Murray, Alison Apple Pie ABC; written and illus. by Alison Murray.
Disney Hyperion, 2011. $16.99 3-7 yrs
This cleverly terse, alphabetically organized story follows the tale of
a girl who bakes an apple pie and the dog that desperately wants to
eat it.
Offill, Jenny 11 Experiments That Failed; illus. by Nancy Carpenter.
Schwartz & Wade, 2011. $16.99; e-book $10.99 5-8 yrs
Budding scientists--especially those of the “mad” variety--will find
plenty of inspiration for their mischievous research in this how-to tale
that includes step-by-step diagrams and a fair dose of humor.
Ogburn, Jacqueline K. Little Treasures: Endearments From Around
the World; illus. by Chris Raschka. Houghton Mifflin, 2012. $16.99
4-7 yrs
This playful, affectionate book identifies the creative endearments
(from “my bubble of joy” to “little coconut candy”) people have for
their children in fourteen different languages and countries; exuberant
illustrations add energy as well as sweetness.
Patricelli, Leslie Potty; written and illus. by Leslie Patricelli.
Candlewick, 2010. $6.99 1-3 yrs; Tubby; written and illus. by Leslie
Patricelli. Candlewick, 2010. $6.99 1-3 yrs
These two stout board books offer cheerful treatments of two key
challenges of childhood.
Pearson, Susan How to Teach a Slug to Read; illus. by David Slonim.
Marshall Cavendish Children’s, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs
Listeners can follow the titular young slug as he follows his mama’s
practical steps for reading success in this visually clever and thoroughly
accessible introduction to the wonders of the book.
Picture Books
6
Pechter, Lesley Wynne Alligator Bear Crab: A Baby’s ABC; written
and illus. by Lesley Wynne Pechter. Orca, 2011. $9.95 1-4 yrs
Two pre-reader staples, the animal book and the alphabet book, make
a happy mash-up in this attractive board book.
Phillipps, J. C. Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to Be Noticed; written
and illus. by J. C. Phillipps. Viking, 2009. $15.99 6-9 yrs
Young Wink is thrilled to join the Summer Moon School for Young
Ninjas, but his tendency to holler “Look at me!” and wear brightly
flowered outfits suggests he hasn’t quite grasped the concept of stealth.
Pinkwater, Daniel Bear in Love; illus. by Will Hillenbrand.
The art is awash with delicate yet cozy charm in this appealing story of
a bear who’s exchanging gifts with a secret admirer.
Plecas. Jennifer Pretend; written and illus. by Jennifer Plecas.
Philomel Books, 2011. $15.99 4-7 yrs
Young make-believers will readily relate to this charming story of a
father-son team and their adventure through an imaginative landscape
that springs from their living room.
Runton, Andy Owly & Wormy, Friends All Aflutter!; written and illus.
by Andy Runton. Atheneum, 2011. $15.99 4-7 yrs
Runton’s rotund cartoon owl has been charming young comics readers
for nearly a decade in his black-and-white wordless graphic-novel
iteration, and now he debuts in full color in this inviting picture book.
Samuels, Barbara The Trucker; written and illus. by Barbara Samuels.
Farrar, 2010. $16.99 3-6 yrs
In an attempt to get her truck-obsessed son more in touch with his
feminine side, Leo’s mom presents him with a sweet, fluffy kitten only
to be surprised by the results.
Sauer, Tammi Me Want Pet!; illus. by Bob Shea. Simon, 2012. $15.99
4-8 yrs
Plenty of youngsters will relate to Cave Boy’s desire for a pet (though
a few may balk at the thought of caring for a saber-toothed tiger)
in this chuckle-worthy tale that features Bob Shea’s saturated, thickly
outlined illustrations.
Savage, Stephen Where’s Walrus?; written and illus. by Stephen
Savage. Scholastic, 2011. $16.99 3-6 yrs
This hilarious wordless picture book follows the attempts of an
adventurous walrus to blend with various groups of people after he
slips out of the zoo for a lark.
Say, Allen The Boy in the Garden; written and illus. by Allen Say.
Houghton, 2010. $17.99 6-9 yrs
This spare, mystically touched picture book follows a lonely Japanese
boy as he happens into a folktale-based world and tries heroically to
make the story conclude with a happier ending.
Schoonmaker, Elizabeth Square Cat; written and illus. by Elizabeth
Schoonmaker. Alddin, 2011. $14.99 4-7 yrs
It’s not easy being a square cat in a round world, but the humorous
trials and tribulations of the rectangular Eula are sure to tickle the
funny bones of listeners of all shapes and sizes.
Rocco, John Blackout; written and illus. by John Rocco. Disney
Hyperion, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs
A power outage on a hot city night brings a family and a neighborhood
together to make a festive occasion out of adversity.
Rosen, Michael Tiny Little Fly; illus. by Kevin Waldron. Candlewick,
2010. $15.99 2-4 yrs
It’s little versus big in this rhyming picture-book outing featuring
a pesty and very lucky fly that taunts a sequence of large annoyed
animals.
Rosenthal, Eileen I Must Have Bobo!; illus. by Marc Rosenthal.
Atheneum, 2010. $14.99 4-7 yrs
Willy just adores his stuffed monkey Bobo but when his favorite lovie
goes missing, he realizes another household member may need some
attention as well.
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro What If?; written and illus. by Laura Vaccaro
Seeger. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2010. $15.99 3-6 yrs
A trio of nearly wordless scenarios, depicted in softly textured, beachy
golds and blues, invites young audiences to figure out how three seals
can cooperate in playing together.
Shea, Bob I’m a Shark!; written and illus. by Bob Shea. Balzer + Bray,
2011. $16.99 5-7 yrs
Our ebullient and toothy protagonist thinks he’s pretty awesome until
he meets an eight-legged arachnid in this wonderfully humorous tale
that distinguishes bravado from just plain common sense.
Smallcomb, Pam I’m Not; illus. by Robert Weinstock. Schwartz &
Wade, 2011. $15.99; e-book $10.99 6-9 yrs
The young narrator talks admiringly about her vivacious and
adventurous friend, who is everything she’s not, in a tribute to the
complementary strengths of friendship; lively illustrations bring extra
absurdity to the friends and their doings.
Picture Books
7
Snyder, Betsy Sweet Dreams Lullaby; written and illus. by Betsy
Snyder. Random House, 2010. $15.99 2-4 yrs
Gentle rhythms and charming illustrations invite listeners to join a
baby bunny as he nods off and “dreams of comforts all around” in this
perfect choice for a bedtime readaloud.
Vere, Ed Banana!; written and illus. by Ed Vere. Holt, 2010. $12.99
2-4 yrs
This nearly wordless picture book features two monkeys, two words
(“Please” and “banana”), and one banana in a spirited, funny story
about sharing.
Solheim, James Born Yesterday: The Diary of a Young Journalist; illus.
by Simon James. Philomel, 2010. $15.99 6-9 yrs
In this hilarious picture book, our infant narrator carefully documents
the novelty and indignities of being a brand new human.
Walsh, Ellen Stoll Balancing Act; written and illus. by Ellen Stoll
Walsh. Beach Lane/Simon, 2010. $16.99; e-book $12.99 3-6 yrs
Cut-paper mice work through the physics and group dynamics of
sharing a teeter-totter in this enjoyable picture book.
Symes, Sally Yawn; illus. by Nick Sharratt. Candlewick, 2011. $7.99
1-3 yrs
Rhyming text in this board book treats the familiar phenomenon
of yawn contagion, starting here with a yawning baby and traveling
through various animals; crisp, yawn-focused illustrations will appeal
to young sleepyheads.
Willems, Mo Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!; written and illus.
by Mo Willems. Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2011. $17.99 5-8 yrs
Six—well, six and one-half—very short, very funny stories suitable for
reading aloud or a lone document the relationship of young Amanda
and her beloved toy alligator.
Tuck, Justin Home-Field Advantage; illus. by Leonardo Rodriguez.
Simon, 2011. $16.99; e-book $12.99 5-8 yrs
Art that blends reality with hilarious hyperbole makes a comedic epic
out of New York Giant Justin Tuck’s tale of an unfortunate childhood
run-in with his hair-styling sisters.
Trasler, Janee Caveman: A B.C. Story; written and illus. by Janee
Trasler. Sterling, 2011. $14.95 3-6 yrs
Plenty of visual humor and context clues make this tale of Palezoic
antics perfect for the prereading sect.
Underwood, Deborah Granny Gomez & Jigsaw; illus. by Scott
Magoon. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $16.99 4-6 yrs
Young fans of slapstick humor will delight in this clever tale of Granny
Gomez and her “special pet” Jigsaw, a perky little pig with a nose for
mischief.
Vernick, Audrey Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing AllBrother Baseball Team; illus. by Steven Salerno. Clarion, 2012. $16.99
5-9 yrs
The Little Golden Book-style illustrations joyfully evoke the golden
age of baseball in this delightful true story of the Acerra all-brother
baseball team.
Wood, Audrey Piggy Pie Po: 3 Little Stories; illus. by Audrey and
Don Wood. Harcourt, 2010. $16.99 2-4 yrs
Three little rhyming stories focused on porker Piggy Pie Po treat
youngster-appealing topics (dressing, learning, eating) with all the
bouncy personality of nursery rhymes.
Woodson, Jacqueline Pecan Pie Baby; illus. by Sophie Blackall.
Putnam, 2010. $16.99 5-8 yrs
Gia has heard all she can take about “the ding-dang baby” that her
mother is expecting and she’s already missing the sweet time when
her mother was hers alone in this sympathetic story partnered with
vibrant illustrations.
Books
for
Young Readers (Gr. 1-3, 6-8
yrs)
8
Agee, Jon Mr. Putney’s Quacking Dog; written and illus. by Jon Agee.
di Capua/Scholastic, 2010. $16.95 Gr. 2-4
This loosely themed series of “What do you call . . . ?” riddles, all
featuring animal friends of the titular Mr. Putney and punchlined with
punny portmanteaux (“Who wakes Mr. Putney up in the morning?
An alarmadillo”), will tickle readers and readaloud audiences.
Boelts, Maribeth The PS Brothers. Harcourt, 2010. $15.00;
paperback $5.99 Gr. 3-5
There’s comedy, industry, and a heartfelt story about learning to trust
in this accessible chapter book about Russell and his best buddy,
Shawn, who find themselves caught in an ethical animal-welfare
dilemma.
Aguirre, Jorge Giants Beware; illus. by Rafeal Rosado. First Second/
Roaring Brook, 2012. $14.99 Gr. 3-6
Vibrantly hued illustrations tell the story of plucky, punky Claudette
and her pals as they embark on a quest to fell the local giant in this
entertaining graphic novel that will appeal to fans of comic books and
fairy tales alike.
Bolger, Kevin Zombiekins; illus. by Aaron Blecha. Razorbill, 2010.
$10.99 Gr. 3-6
Gruesome hilarity reigns in this story of Stanley, whose creepy-cute
stuffed toy called Zombiekins undergoes reanimation and brings on
a zombie uprising.
Atinuke The No. 1 Car Spotter; illus. by Warwick Johnson Cadwell.
Kane Miller Books, 2011. Paperback $5.99 Gr. 2-4
Automotive hijinks and boyish mischief are spotlighted in this
effervescent chapter book that centers on life in a small African village
and its “No. 1 car spotter,” Oluwalase Babatunde Benson.
Burks, James Beep and Bah; written and illus. by James Burks.
Carolrhoda, 2012. $16.95; e-book $12.95 Gr. 2-3
With a storyboard-like sensibility, this appealingly cartoony tale
follows the goat Bah and his unlikely pal, the robot Beep, as they
search for a missing sock.
Burleigh, Robert The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry
Finn; illus. by Barry Blitt. Atheneum, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 2-5
With Burleigh’s, ahem, editorial assistance, Huck chronicles his
creator in his own homespun voice, resulting in a lively, stylish, and
accessible early biography.
Chad, Jon Leo Geo and His Miraculous Journey Through the Center of
the Earth; written and illustrated by Jon Chad. Roaring Brook, 2012.
$15.99 Gr. 3-6
With his indefatigable enthusiasm and his ability to spew science facts
nonstop, Leo Geo invites readers to join his quest into the belly of our
planet in this quirky geoscience lesson that will appeal to kids who
wear their nerdiness as a badge of honor.
Baker, Jeannie Mirror; written and illus. by Jeannie Baker.
Candlewick, 2010. $18.99 Gr. 2-4
This ingeniously devised wordless picture book explores of the everyday
activities of two families—one Moroccan and one Australian—in
side-by-side foldouts.
Beaty, Andrea Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies; illus. by Dan Santat.
Amulet/Abrams, 2010. $12.95 Gr. 3-5
Exaggerated illustrations, interspersed mini-comics, and frenetic,
dorky middle-grade humor will draw readers into this goofy tale of
a camp invaded by a trio of alien bunnies bent on world domination.
Bildner, Phil The Unforgettable Season: The Story of Joe DiMaggio,
Ted Williams and the Record-Setting Summer of ’41; illus. by S. D.
Schindler. Putnam, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-5
Baseball-mad youngsters won’t be able to resist this as-it-happens
account of a legendary summer in baseball.
Bishop, Nic Nic Bishop Lizards; written and illus. with photographs
by Nic Bishop. Scholastic, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 3-6
In the hands of master nature documentarian Bishop, lizards are both
gorgeous and fascinating.
Couloumbis, Audrey Jake. Random House, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 3-5
This tender yet unsentimental story follows ten-year-old Jake as he
discovers the strength of his extended and somewhat makeshift family
after his mother breaks her leg prior to Christmas.
Couloumbis, Audrey Lexie; illus. by Julia Denos. Random House,
2011. $15.99; e-book $5.99 Gr. 3-6
In this invitingly accessible exploration of family frailties and
strengths, ten-year-old Lexie is stunned and disappointed to find that
her special vacation by the sea with her father will be shared with his
new girlfriend and her two sons.
Cronin, Doreen The Trouble with Chickens; illus. by Kevin Cornell.
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2011. $14.99; e-book $4.99 Gr. 2-3
Big print and short chapters add accessibility to this humorously
rawboned tale of a search-and-rescue dog hired by a hen to find her
missing chicks.
Crum, Shutta Thomas and the Dragon Queen; illus. by Lee Wildish.
Knopf, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 3-5
Early fantasy readers will find themselves absorbed in this lively story
of Thomas, a small-in-size but big-in-heart squire charged with saving
a princess from the formidable dragon queen.
Books
for
yrs)
9
Daley, Michael J. Pinch and Dash Make Soup; illus. by Thomas
F. Yezerski. Charlesbridge, 2012. $12.95; paperback $5.95; e-book
$9.99 Gr. 1-2
With its simple vocabulary, short chapters, and a quiet tone, this story
of animal critter friends Pinch and Dash will serve as a great appetizer
for youngsters looking for just a taste of independent reading.
Goodman, Susan E. It’s a Dog’s Life: How Man’s Best Friend Sees,
Hears, and Smells the World; illus. by David Slonim. Roaring Brook,
2012. $16.99 Gr. 3-5
An endearingly scruffy mutt narrates this informative guide to our
canine pals and their behaviors; pet-friendly readers everywhere will
be wagging their tales and barking for more.
Davies, Nicola Talk, Talk, Squawk!: A Human’s Guide to Animal
Communications; illus. by Neal Layton. Candlewick, 2012. $14.99
Gr. 3-5
Budding naturalists (and maybe even a few science-minded gossip
hounds) will be fascinated by this informative but entertaining
overview of both animal and human communication.
Gravel, Elise A Day in the Office of Doctor Bugspit. Blue Apple
Books, 2011. $10.99; paperback $4.99 Gr. 2-4
This Balloon Toon series opener featuring the medical prowess of alien
Dr. Bugspit offers a goofy combination of picture book and junior
graphic novel that will draw in many a reluctant reader with its wacky
sensibility and mild grossness.
Deacon, Alexis A Place to Call Home; illus. by Viviane Schwarz.
Candlewick, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 2-4
In this hilarious picture-book adventure, a litter of feral hamster
brothers outgrow their cozy den in an abandoned junkyard couch and
make their way out into the wide world—eventually.
Greene, Stephanie Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade; illus.
by Stephanie Roth Sisson. Putnam, 2010. $12.99; paperback $4.99;
e-book $4.99 Gr. 1-2
Readers anxiously awaiting a new school year will find a kindred spirit
in Posey as she overcomes her first-day jitters in this pleasingly quiet
early chapter book.
Dowson, Nick North: The Story of Arctic Migration; illus. by Patrick
Benson. Candlewick, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-5
Lyrical prose and elegant illustrations introduce readers to the
“warmer” side of the Arctic and the many animals, including the
gray whale, white crane, wolf, and caribou, that migrate north in “the
greatest journey on earth.”
Greenfield, Eloise The Great Migration: Journey to the North; illus.
by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Amistad/HarperCollins, 2011. $16.99 Gr.
2-4
Arresting art partners with simple yet compelling poetry in this
compact and personal introduction to the movement of African
Americans north in the early twentieth century.
Hatke, Ben Zita the Spacegirl; written and illus. by Ben Hatke. First
Second/Roaring Brook, 2011. $17.99; paperback $10.99 Gr. 3-6
Landing on a doomed planet after her friend is sucked into a vortex,
Zita gathers a motley crew of aliens and humans to rescue her pal
and possibly save their world in this intergalactic graphic novel.
Heide, Florence Parry Dillweed’s Revenge: A Deadly Dose of Magic;
by Florence Parry Heide with Roxanne Heide Pierce, David Fisher
Parry, and Jeanne McReynolds Parry; illus. by Carson Ellis. Harcourt,
2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6
In this dark comedy reminiscent of Edward Gorey, young Dillweed,
left behind by his parents with mean servants, takes his revenge by
unleashing ghouls that put a stop to the adults’ mischief—for good.
Evans, Shane W. Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom; written
and illus. by Shane W. Evans. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2011. $16.99
Gr. 2-4
This artistic treatment of the Underground Railroad translates the
experience of a family’s nocturnal escape from slavery into a sequence
of quick, tersely texted yet vivid glimpses.
George, Kristine O’Connell Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems;
illus. by Nancy Carpenter. Clarion, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 2-4
Being an older sister isn’t always easy, as narrator Jessica describes in
this sequence of thirty-four perceptive free-verse poems tracing her
relationship with pesky little sister, Emma.
Heppermann, Christine City Chickens; illus. with photographs.
Houghton Mifflin, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 3-5
Urban dwellers looking to bring a bit of the country to their concrete
surroundings will delight in this nonfiction photo-essay focusing
on a rescue shelter for abandoned and relinquished chickens in
Minneapolis.
Hoberman, Mary Ann Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart:
illus. by Michael Emberly. Megan Tingly Books, 2012. $19.99 Gr.
2-5
Noted versifier Hoberman gathers over 120 poems here along with
guidance and tips for committing the poems to memory, making this
a true treat for bards in the making.
Books
for
yrs)
Hoberman, Mary Ann You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short
Fables to Read Together; illus. by Michael Emberley. Tingley/Little,
2010. $16.99 Gr. 2-3
You can’t go wrong with this series, and Hoberman’s latest installment
includes an assortment of popular and lesser-known tales delivered
with a punchy, fresh tone and playful illustrations.
10
Lewin, Ted Stable; written and illus. by Ted Lewin. Flash Point/
Porter/Roaring Brook, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 2-4
You probably don’t think “horses” when you think of New York, but
equine fans in particular will revel in this pictorial essay about the last
public stable in Brooklyn.
Holm, Jennifer L. Squish: Super Amoeba; illus. by Matthew Holm.
Random House, 2011. $6.99 Gr. 2-4
Babymouse too pink for you? The Holms return in a new graphic
novel series, this time featuring plucky Squish the amoeba and his
schoolmate microorganisms in a cheerfully snarky and green-toned
adventure.
Lewis, Josh Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry; illus. by
Douglas Holgate. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $16.99; paperback $4.99
Gr. 2-4
This quirky, fast-paced superhero satire is sure to please fans of Captain
Underpants and Franny K. Stein as it recounts the beginnings of
Super Chicken Nugget Boy and his gigantic, lightning-fast amphibian
sidekick.
Igus, Toyomi I See the Rhythm of the Gospel; illus. by Michele Wood.
Zonderkids, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 3-6
Densely textured compositions featuring African design elements and
American quilt patterns dominate this look at the development of the
distinctive style of gospel music.
Lin, Grace Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!; written and illus. by
Grace Lin. Little, 2010. $14.99; paperback $3.99 Gr. 1-2
Six compact chapters, suitable for reading aloud or alone, introduce
twin sisters Ling and Ting in everyday-life adventures that have an
inviting, plausible silliness.
Jackson, Donna M. What’s So Funny?: Making Sense of Humor; illus.
by Ted Stearn. Viking, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-6
In nine short, cartoon-illustrated, gag-infused chapters Jackson culls
the fields of neurology, psychology, and physiology to explore the
essence of humor.
Look, Lenore Alvin Ho: Allergic to Dead Bodies, Funerals, and Other
Fatal Circumstances; illus. by LeUyen Pham. Schwartz & Wade, 2011.
$15.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 2-4
A serious subject is treated with both compassion and a touch of
humor in this third outing featuring the anxiety-ridden Alvin Ho as
he struggles to come to terms with mortality, particularly in regards to
his aging grandfather.
Jenkins, Steve Bones: Skeletons and How They Work; written and
illus. by Steve Jenkins. Scholastic, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6
Kids who’ve never looked much further than the bones in their
chicken wings will find much to marvel at in this clear and inventive
visual overview that demonstrates how similar all of us vertebrates are
on the inside.
Jenkins, Steve Just a Second: A Different Way to Look at Time; written
and illus. by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 2-5
The seconds will fly by for readers of Jenkins’ latest nonfiction work,
a chronicle of chronology itself that examines units of time by using
examples from the natural world (in one second, “a hummingbird
beats its wings 50 times”) and provides a wealth of backmatter.
Jones, Diana Wynne Earwig and the Witch; illus. by Paul O.
Zelinsky. Greenwillow Books, 2012. $15.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 2-4
In this whimsical chapter book, a witch looking for a servant adopts
an irascible orphan and ends up with a stubborn apprentice whose
dabbles with magic have hilarious results.
Kelly, David A. The Fenway Foul-Up; illus. by Mark Meyers.
Random House, 2011. Paperback $4.99; e-book $4.99 Gr. 2-4
This opening entry in an enticing baseball-mystery series follows
cousins Kate and Mike in their search for a star Red Sox player’s
suspiciously missing bat.
Laroche, Giles If You Lived Here: Houses of the World; illus. with
photographs. Houghton Mifflin, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 2-5
Fort architects and treehouse masons will find inspiration among the
various types of shelter explored here, including homes carved from
caves in Spain and floating pontoon abodes in the Netherlands.
Long, Ethan Rick & Rack and the Great Outdoors; written and illus.
by Ethan Long. Blue Apple, 2010. $10.99 Gr. 1-3
One of the Balloon Toons series, this sequence of three short, selfcontained stories introduces the easygoing friendship between two
very different pals, Rick the raccoon and Rack the deer.
Mack, Jeff Hippo and Rabbit in Three Short Tales; written and illus.
by Jeff Mack. Cartwheel/Scholastic, 2011 $3.99 Gr. K-1
Clever humor shines in the spare text of this chapterized beginning
reader featuring chums Hippo and Rabbit.
Books
for
yrs)
Macaulay, David Castle: How It Works; written and illus. by
David Macaulay with Sheila Kennan. Roaring Brook, 20012.
$15.99; paperback $3.99 Gr. 2-4
This well-crafted chapter book features the intricate art of the
first iteration of Castle for picture book viewers but has more
information and offers a complete story for beginning readers.
Maclachlan, Patricia Kindred Souls. HarperCollins, 2012.
$14.99 Gr. 3-5
This simply told tale of an affectionate, loving relationship between
a boy and his grandfather has the added bonus of a solid dog
storyline and deals with death in a respectful, unforced manner.
Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior. Dial, 2011.
$16.99. Gr. 2-4
This high-spirited picture-book look at manners showcases the
talents of fourteen illustrators, each of whom get a spread to
explore a particular area of behavior, with results that are highspirited and hilarious while also making some indelible points.
11
Park, Linda Sue The Third Gift; illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Clarion,
2011. $16.99 6-10 yrs
A quiet, contemplative story about a boy apprenticing his father as
he gathers myrrh from trees concludes with a joyful, and most likely
familiar, Nativity scene in this unique holiday book.
Rodriguez, Beatrice Fox and Hen Together; illus. by Beatrice Rodriguez.
Enchanted Lion, 2011. $14.95 3-7 yrs
After finding friendship with a fox in The Chicken Thief, Hen’s efforts to
put some dinner on the table go awry in this charmingly quirky wordless
picture book.
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations; illus. by
Jen Corace. Harper/HarperCollins, 2011. $14.99 Gr. 2-4
Whether it be simple definitions (“big buildings + bustling = city” while
“winding roads + rustling = country”) or more complicated operations
(“cozy + smell of pancakes – alarm clock = weekend”), this book
cunningly uses mathematical equations to creatively convey familiar
concepts.
McGuiness, Dan Pilot and Huxley: The First Adventure; written
and illus. by Dan McGuiness. Graphix/Scholastic, 2011. $8.99
Gr. 2-4
The gross-out hijinks of this graphic novel’s titular pals will give
the talking toilets and bionic boogers of Captain Underpants a run
for their money and will surely find a audience among fans of the
absurdly disgusting.
Nelson, Marilyn Snook Alone; illus. by Timothy Basil Ering.
Candlewick, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6
A bouncy, rat-chasing terrier finds himself eking out a living alone
on an unpopulated island when bad weather separates him from
his master.
Nirgiotis, Nicholas Killer Ants; illus. by Emma Stevenson.
Holiday House, 2009. $17.95 Gr. 3-6
Nirgiotis offers an introduction to four fearsome insects you
wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley—army ants, fire ants, driver
ants, and bulldog ants—in dense but zesty text accompanied by
detailed and menacing illustrations.
O’Connor, Barbara The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester. Foster/
Farrar, 2010. $15.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 3-5
Under O’Connor’s sure touch, this tale of small-town kid Owen,
who wrestles with peer dynamics, an ethical struggle over his
newly captured frog, and the irresistible opportunity presented by
a found mini-submarine, shines with tenderness and matter-offact understanding.
O’Connor, Jane Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth; illus. by Robin Preiss
Glasser. HarperCollins, 2012. Paperback $9.99; e-book $8.99 Gr.
2-3
Fancy Nancy is back, this time in chapter book form and armed
with a rhinestone-encrusted magnifying glass, a pink trenchcoat,
and a sassy attitude perfect for some light-hearted sleuthing.
Rostoker-Gruber, Karen Ferret Fun; illus. by Paul Ratz de Tagyos.
Cavendish, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 2-4
With graphic-novel overtones and general good humor, this comic
tale follows ferrets Einstein and Fudge as they try to outwit their new
roommate– a carnivorous cat with a taste for rodents.
Salas, Laura Purdie Bookspeak: Poems about Books; illus. by Josee
Bisaillon. Clarion, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-5
Bibliophiles will delight in this cheerfully quirky collection of bookthemed poetry that ranges in theme and style and includes perspectives
of the book, characters, and readers.
Santat, Dan Sidekicks; written and illus. by Dan Santat. Levine/
Scholastic, 2011. $24.99; paperback $12.99 Gr. 3-6
Lively, insightful, and just plain fun, this convergence of capes and
creatures will find a wide audience in animal lovers and superhero fans
alike.
Books
for
yrs)
Singer, Marilyn Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse; illus. by
Josée Masse. Dutton, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6
Fourteen “reversos,” poems that reveal something quite different when
the free-verse lines are reversed bottom to top, provide ingenious,
compact takes on famous folktales.
Smith, Alexander McCall The Great Cake Mystery; illus. by Iain
McIntosh. Anchor Books, 2012. $12.99; paperback $6.99; e-book
$6.99 Gr. 3-5
Before she was the starring heroine of the adult mystery series The No.
Ladies’ Detective Agency, Precious Ramotswe was just a girl living in
Botswana, cracking her first ever case when unattended sweets start
disappearing at her school.
Spinelli, Eileen The Dancing Pancake; illus. by Joanne LewVriethoff. Knopf, 2010. $12.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr.
3-6
Cozy, accessible free verse poetry adds to the charm of this tale of
friendship in the face of adversity as sixth grader Bindi is forced to deal
with her anger over her parents’ separation.
Spinner, Stephanie Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird; illus. by
Meilo So. Knopf, 2012. $17.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 2-4
Science minded animal lovers will find this slender picture-book
biography chronicling the life of Alex, the African grey parrot whose
ability to learn language challenged scientific beliefs, both intriguing
and delightful.
Sternberg, Julie Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie; illus. by Matthew
Cordell.Amulet/Abrams, 2011. $14.95 Gr. 2-3
Sternberg captures a sensitive kid’s first experience of loss with tender
respectfulness in this story of Eleanor, whose beloved babysitter from
birth, Bibi, moves away.
Stoeke, Janet Morgan The Loopy Coop Hens; written and illus. by
Janet Morgan Stoeke. Dutton, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 1-2
Hens Midge, Pip, and Dot adore their wonderful Rooster Sam, but
they begin to realize he’s not all he seems in this hilariously deadpan
picture book.
Van Allsburg, Chris Queen of the Falls; written and illus. by Chris
Van Allsburg. Houghton, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 3-6
The noted picture-book writer tackles nonfiction in this engrossing
and ultimately bittersweet account of sixty-two-year-old Annie
Edison Taylor’s record-setting barrel ride over Niagara Falls in 1901
and her subsequent not-entirely-successful attempt to make a living
from her celebrity.
Voake, Steve Hooey Higgins and The Shark; illus. by Emma Dodson.
Candlewick, 2012. $14.99 Gr. 2-4
Wry humor and witty prose make this story of young Hooey’s efforts
to get money to buy an enormous chocolate egg an ideal choice for
aspiring entrepreneurs and mischief makers alike.
Willems, Mo Listen To My Trumpet; written and illus. by Mo
Willems. Hyperion, 2012. $8.99 Gr. K-1
The punchline of this latest installment of Willem’s dynamic duo will
12
elicit both giggles and “awwws” from young readers as they relate to
Piggy’s attempts to master the trumpet and be a good friend.
Winter, Jeanette The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps;
written and illus. by Jeanette Winter. Schwartz & Wade, 2011.
$17.99 Gr. 2-5
Winter’s gentle, specific descriptions and sturdy and vivid illustrations
provide an effective introduction to the work of the great naturalist.
Books
for
Middle Readers (Gr. 4-6, 9-11
yrs)
13
Abdel-Fattah, Randa The Friendship Matchmaker. Walker, 2012.
$15.99 Gr. 3-6
Seventh grader Lara Zany is confident in her skills as the school’s
Friendship Matchmaker until new girl Emily Wong challenges her to
a matchmaking contest in this satisfying novel about the true meaning
of friendship.
Barton, Chris Can I See Your I.D.?: True Stories of False Identities;
illus. by Paul Hoppe. Dial, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 5-9
This offbeat collective biography chronicles, with suspense and energy,
the exploits of ten people who engaged in dramatic, sometimes
famous, acts of identity fakery, from a teen passing as a New York
subway driver to black slave Ellen Craft posing as a white slaveowner.
Albee, Sarah Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom
Up; illus. by Robert Leighton. Walker, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 5-9
What sounds like a keen grossout gimmick is actually an original
and interesting premise explored in breezy text and invitingly lively
formatting, as Albee traces social history, mostly European and
American, through its sanitation practices and the consequences and
benefits thereof.
Blackwood, Gary Around the World in 100 Days. Dutton, 2010.
Paperback $7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 5-8
Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days introduced the
world to adventurer Phileas Fogg; now Fogg’s reckless seventeenyear-old offspring, Harry, follows the family tradition with a highstakes promise to drive around the world in 100 days in this dramatic
adventure.
Allen, Crystal How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy.
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 5-8
Lamar is determined that this summer he’s going to get a girlfriend,
meet his bowling idol Bubba Sanders, and get his own Pro Thunder
bowling ball, and maybe show up his older brothers in this fresh and
funny boy story that should please fans of Christopher Paul Curtis.
Blumenthal, Karen Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless
Years of Prohibition. Flash Point/Roaring Brook, 2011. Gr. 6-10
Blumenthal deftly weaves together tales of temperance crusading,
legislative action, widespread skirting of the law, and underworld
crime in this fascinating account of Prohibition in the U.S.
Almond, David Slog’s Dad; illus. by Dave McKean. Candlewick,
2011. $15.99 Gr. 5-8
After Slog’s dad, the beloved hymn-singing garbage collector of their
small English village, finally loses his battle with cancer, Slog spends
the spring awaiting his father’s promised return in this wondrous and
captivating tale.
Amato, Mary Invisible Lines; illus by Antonio Caparo. Egmont,
2009. $15.99; $7.99 Gr. 5-8
Trevor Musgrove, an underdog struggling to find a place in his lowincome housing, privileged school, and beloved soccer team makes
an endearing hero in this this high-interest, easily readable sports and
school story.
Arni, Samhita, ad. Sita’s Ramayana; illus. by Moyna Chitrakar.
Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2012. $24.95 Gr. 5-8
With illustrations based on Indian folk-art scrolls, this graphic novel
retells an ancient Hindu legend through the female eyes of Sita, the
queen over whom an epic war was fought.
Bond, Victoria Zora and Me; by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon.
Candlewick, 2010. $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-7
This folklore-based story of Southern crime, intrigue, and secrets
effectively features a young Zora Neale Hurston as a lively, determined,
and yarn-spinning protagonist.
Bolden, Tonya Finding Family. Bloomsbury, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 4-7
Inspired by century-old photographs collected from various sources,
this story of an early twentieth century African-American girl
unraveling the mystery of her heritage will appeal to fans of historical
fiction and family drama.
Bowers, Rick Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network
that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement. National Geographic,
2010. $16.95 Gr. 6-10
A true-crime tone, short, well-focused chapters, and an arresting
subject combine in this dramatic exploration of Mississippi’s official
State Sovereignty Commission, which investigated and infiltrated civil
rights groups in a concerted effort to preserve segregation.
Boyce, Frank Cottrell Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again; Illus.
by Joe Berger. Candlewick, 2012. $15.99; e-book $15.99 Gr. 3-6
After Mr. Tooting repairs a camper van using an old engine found in
a scrap lot, he discovers that the camper has a will of its own, causing
the Tooting family to embark on epic road trip around the world to
track down Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s other parts in this thoroughly
modern sequel to the classic Ian Fleming novel.
Brandeis, Gayle My Life With the Lincolns. Holt, 2010. $16.99;
e-book $9.99 Gr. 5-7
When an attempt to save her parents’ failing marriage goes awry,
twelve-year-old Mina finds herself in the middle of 1960s Chicago’s
equal housing movement in this touching coming-of-age story that
captures both a moment in history and a moment in adolescence.
Books
for
yrs)
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Burgis, Stephanie Kat, Incorrigible. Atheneum, 2011. $16.99;
e-book $6.99 Gr. 5-8
This breezy, delightful romp through Regency England follows the
indomitable twelve-year-old Kat as she invokes magic in order to save
her oldest sister from an unwelcome marriage.
Frazier, Angie The Midnight Tunnel. Scholastic, 2011. $16.99 Gr.
4-6
This wonderfully atmospheric period whodunit features Zanna
Snow, who works in her family’s hotel but who really longs to be a
detective—and finally gets her chance.
Curtis, Christopher Paul The Mighty Miss Malone. Lamb/Random
House, 2012. $15.99; paperback $7.99; e-book $10.99. Gr. 4-7
Narrated by intelligent, spunky, and resourceful eleven-year old Deza
Malone, this Depression era novel captures the impact of economic
strain on a family who struggles to persevere through many setbacks.
Frazier, Sundee T. Brendan Buckley’s Sixth-Grade Experiment.
Delacorte, 2012. $16.95; paperback $8.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 4-6
Science geek Brendan Buckley is gunning to win the sixth grade
science fair, but when he overhears his jock father calling him an
“egghead,” he wonders if he shouldn’t be pursuing more athletic goals
that might finally earn him Dad’s favor.
Daly, Cathleen Flirt Club. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2011. $15.99 Gr.
6-9
Best friends Annie and Izzy document their efforts to develop their
feminine wiles in a way that does not include stammering, blushing,
and/running away, the result of which is a delightful and humorous
lesson in all sorts of girl power.
Dowell, Frances O’Roark Ten Miles Past Normal. Atheneum,
2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 6-9
Dowell’s quiet wisdom imbues this tale of Janie, who’s finding it
tough to break loose from her family’s crunchy-granola lifestyle to
find herself a niche in the challenging new world of high school.
Dunlap, Susanne In the Shadow of the Lamp. Bloomsbury, 2011.
$16.99 Gr. 6-10
There’s classic historical romance aplenty in this tale of Victorian
servant Molly Fraser, who joins Florence Nightingale nursing in the
Crimea and finds not only a calling but also possible love.
Grady, Cynthia I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery;
Illus. by Michele Wood. Eerdmans, 2012. $17.00 Gr. 4-7
Fourteen expertly crafted free verse poems mirror the style of traditional
quilt making accompanied by vibrant and intricate illustrations in this
heartbreaking poetry collection that chronicles slaves’ experiences in
America in their daily lives.
Grimes, Nikki Planet Middle School. Bloomsbury, 2011. $15.99;
e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-8
Readers will cringe, laugh, and relate to twelve-year-old tomboy Joylin
as she stumbles her way through puberty in this thoughtful, funny
story told in verse.
Dunkle, Clare B. The House of Dead Maids; illus. by Patrick
Arrasmith. Holt, 2010. $15.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $9.99 Gr.
6-8
This spooky prequel to Wuthering Heights offers a taste of the drama
to come for the youthful Heathcliff as well as a ghost story all its own.
Fagan, Deva The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle. Holt,
2010. $17.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-6
Hints of Southern folklore echo throughout Fagan’s easygoing yet
atmospheric tale of failed young witch Prunella Bogthistle, who
embarks on a quest through the supernaturally populated swamplands
in the hope of earning her way back into her family’s good graces.
Fleming, Candace Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia
Earhart. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. $18.99 Gr. 5-9
Fleming dramatically combines a chronicle of Earhart’s life with an
as-it-happens account of the developing news story of her final fatal
flight in this engaging biography.
Ford, Christopher Stickman Odyssey: An Epic Doodle; written and
illus. by Christopher Ford. Philomel, 2011. $12.99 Gr. 5-9
This quirky graphic novel blends Homeric epic and D&D-style
adventures in a tale of Zozimos the stickman (drawn as an actual stick
figure), who’s helped by his friends on his quest to regain control of
his homeland, Sticatha.
Harkrader. Lisa The Adventures of Beanboy. Houghton, 2012.
$9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-6
Comic book superfan Tucker MacBean hopes that entering a contest
to create a new sidekick, Beanboy, for his favorite superhero, H2O,
will be the solution for his family’s money troubles in this actionpacked and thought-provoking novel that is sure to please Dairy of a
Wimpy Kid and Origami Yoda fans.
Hoose, Phillip Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor
B95. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012. $21.99 Gr. 7-12
This high-interest nonfiction book provides an intimate look at the
seldom-seen experiences of endangered red knot birds by following
the migration of a single bird named B95 from Tierra del Fuego,
Argentina to the Canadian Arctic and back again.
Books
for
yrs)
Hopkinson, Deborah Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. Scholastic,
2012. Gr. 5-8
This chronological, straightforward retelling of the infamous
maritime disaster features period photographs, firsthand recollections
of survivors, wreckage reports and a plethora of backmatter that make
it the go-to source for Titanic aficionados.
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the Appalachian train with only her dog for company in this involving,
middle-grades-friendly survival story.
Kelsey, Elin Not Your Typical Book about the Environment; illus. by
Clayton Hanmer. Owlkids, 2010. $22.95; paperback $10.95 Gr. 4-8
This upbeat, creative, wide-reaching exploration gives kids a broader,
more nuanced view of the challenges of environmental responsibility
and the directions in scientific innovation in a lively, cartoonillustrated format.
Kennedy, Emma Wilma Tenderfoot: The Case of the Frozen Hearts.
Dial, 2011. $16.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 4-7
Sherlock enthusiasts will delight in Wilma’s plucky resolve and
winsome spirit as she tries to prove her sleuthing skills to the great and
very Holmes-like detective Theodore P. Goodman.
Kirk, Ellen Human Footprint: Everything You Will Eat, Use, Wear,
Buy, and Throw Out in Your Lifetime. National Geographic, 2011.
Paperback $6.95 Gr. 4-8
Images of towering piles of diapers and mountains of milk cartons make
for some arresting visuals in this exploration of mass consumption and
its effects on the environment.
Gephart, Donna How to Survive Middle School. Delacorte, 2010.
$15.99; paperback $6.99 Gr. 5-8
Despite his recent ascent into online stardom as the host of his own
online talk show, middle-schooler David Greenberg finds his offline
existence increasingly chaotic when his best friend ditches him and
his mom takes off.
Hurwitz, Michele Weber Calli Be Gold. Lamb, 2011. $15.99;
e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-6
Eleven-year-old Calli, the quiet, noncompetitive member of a highpowered, all-go family, finally stages a revolt when her family fails to
acknowledge the importance of her achievements in this accessible
and engaging novel.
Ignatow, Amy The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social
Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie
Graham-Chang; written and illus. by Amy Ignatow. Amulet/Abrams,
2010. $15.95; paperback $8.95 Gr. 4-6
This charming, comic, and surprisingly wise scrapbook-like fictional
journal documents Lydia and Julie on their scientifically plotted plan
for junior-high popularity.
Jones, Diana Wynne Enchanted Glass. Greenwillow, 2010. $16.99;
paperback $6.99; e-book $5.99 Gr. 5-7
With a delightful balance of wit, danger, and magic, Jones’ latest
fantasy follows a befuddled magician and his orphan charge as they
attempt to defend their magical estate against the ghastly beasties who
would use it for less than pleasant purposes.
Kelley, Jane Nature Girl. Random House, 2010. $16.99; paperback
$6.99 Gr. 4-7
Eleven-year-old Megan is a sulking city girl dragged to the country,
but she’s determined to prove her spirit by hiking thirty miles along
Kluger, Jeffrey Freedom Stone. Philomel, 2011. $16.99; e-book
$13.99 Gr. 6-9
Well-paced adventure and mystery blend with history in this
compelling tale of a young black girl’s efforts to win her family’s
freedom during the Civil War.
Krieg, Jim Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol. Razorbill, 2010. $15.99;
e-book $12.99 Gr. 4-7
Griff Carver, fabled hallway monitor and loose cannon, has gotten
a whiff of something rotten in the rough-and-tumble corridors of
Rampart Middle School and suspects a counterfeit-hall-pass ring in
this clever nod to police procedurals and crime noir.
Lawrence, Caroline The Case of the Deadly Desperados. Putnam,
2012. $16.99 Gr. 5-8
Twelve-year-old P.K. “Pinky” Pinkerton is forced to flee after Whittlin’
Walt and his gang of desperados murder his foster parents in the
pursuit of a mysterious land deed from Pinky’s birth father in this
action-filled Western mystery.
Lin, Grace Dumpling Days. Little, 2012. $15.99; paperback $6.99;
e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-6
Preteens wondering about their identity or even readers just looking
for an international flight to a distant land via a book will appreciate
Pacy’s journey to self discovery as she spends a month with her
extended family in Taiwan.
Macy, Sue Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom
(With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way). National Geographic, 2011.
Gr. 4-8
As Macy demonstrates in this compact, lavishly illustrated history,
the bicycle wasn’t just an advance in transportation, it was a cultural
breakthrough that gave women new and controversial freedoms.
Books
for
yrs)
Margolis, Leslie Girl’s Best Friend. Bloomsbury, 2011. $14.99 Gr.
4-7
Seventh-grader Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair starts out as a dog-walker
and ends up a sleuth when petnapping plagues her Brooklyn
neighborhood in this engaging mystery.
McCaughrean, Geraldine The Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine
Queen. Harper/HarperCollins, 2011. Gr. 5-8
This Twainian adventure featuring twelve-year-old Cissy Cissney,
a gang of mismatched companions, and a slightly illicitly acquired
steamboat, defines the world “rollicking.”
McClafferty, Carla Killough The Many Faces of George
Washington: Remaking a Presidential Icon. Carolrhoda, 2011. $20.95
Gr. 5-9
McClafferty explores science, art, and history as she follows the
fascinating project that used historical portraits, sculpture, and
information to create life-sized models of George Washington at three
different ages.
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Batman at the hands of writer Bill Finger, who never received credit
for his work, is finally revealed in this meticulously researched graphic
biography.
O’Connor, SheilaSparrow Road. Putnam, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 4-6
Twelve-year-old Raine and her mother are spending the summer at a
writers’ getaway, where Raine bonds with the artists, explores her own
writing, and discovers the father she’s never known in this fluidly and
thoughtfully written novel.
Okorafor, Nnedi Akata Witch. Viking, 2011. $17.99; e-book
$14.99 Gr. 6-9
Sunny’s albinism causes her Nigerian classmates to call her “akata
witch,” and it turns out they’re right—she’s a Leopard person, with
natural magical abilities, and she must learn to understand and wield
her powers in this gripping fantasy that draws on Nigerian Igbo
religion and lore.
Messer, Stephen The Death of Yorik Mortwell; illus. by Gris Grimly.
Random House, 2011. $15.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 4-6
Youngsters who cut their teeth on Edward Gorey will find this chilling
tale of young (and deceased) Yorik’s battle against the treacherous
Yglhfm just to their liking.
Montgomery, Sy Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot;
illus. with photographs by Nic Bishop. Houghton, 2010. $18.00 Gr.
5-9
An awkward yet strangely beautiful flightless green bird found only
on one small island off New Zealand is the subject of a dedicated
preservation effort—and this arresting and informative photoessay.
Myers, Walter Dean Just Write: Here’s How. HarperCollins, 2012.
Aspiring writers will find an expert guide in prolific author Myers,
who gives readers both the inspiration and the practical know-how to
get started on their literary career.
Nelson, Kadir Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African
Americans; written and illus. by Kadir Nelson. Balzer + Bray, 2012.
$19.99 Gr. 4-7
With his characteristic dramatic oil paintings, Nelson tells the story
of African Americans and their central role in the building of this
country and its future.
Newsome, Richard The Billionaire’s Curse; illus. by Jonny Duddle.
Walden Pond/HarperCollins, 2010. $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book
$5.99 Gr. 5-8
After inheriting a rather large fortune from his great-aunt, thirteenyear-old Gerald Wilkins finds himself in danger up to his newly
tailored suit shoulders in this adventure-packed mystery that will
appeal to fans of The 39 Clues.
Nobleman, Marc Tyler Bill, the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator
of Batman. Charlesbridge, 2012. $17.95 Gr. 3-5
The true story of the creation of the immortal comic book character
Patt, Beverly Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook; illus.
by Shula Klinger and with photographs. Cavendish, 2010. $17.99
Gr. 5-7
This fictional scrapbook offers a picture of an era and of a friendship
as it follows fourteen-year-old Louise Krueger during World War
II as she attempts to maintain a friendship with her BFF Dottie, a
Japanese-American girl now living in an internment camp.
Patterson, James Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life; by
James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts; illus. by Laura Park. Little, 2011.
$15.99 Gr. 4-7
In this lively outing, a bored middle schooler decides to treat his first
year as a videogame, including accruing points and losing lives, with
the goal of breaking every rule in the handbook by the end of the year.
Pearsall, Shelley Jump into the Sky. Knopf, 2012. $16.99; e-book
$10.99 Gr. 5-9
Fans of Christopher Paul Curtis will find humor and insight in this
tale of thirteen-year-old Levi and his father, a member of the 555th
Parachute Infantry Battalion, a colored division of the military in
World War II.
Books
for
yrs)
Peot, Margaret Inkblot: Drip, Splat, and Squish Your Way to
Creativity; written and illus. by Margaret Peot. Boyds Mills, 2011.
$19.95 Gr. 5-9
Kids of all levels of artistic ability and interest are invited to join the
fun of creating a controlled mess and turning it into a project of
surprising loveliness or bizarre imagination in this informative and
inviting guide to using inkblots as the germ for artistic creations.
Potter, Ellen The Kneebone Boy. Feiwel, 2010. $16.99; e-book
$9.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-7
Fans of gothic mysteries will find this darkly witty recount of the
Hardscrabble children and their trials and tribulations just to their
liking.
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Scieszka, Jon, ed. Guys Read: The Sports Pages; illus. by Dan Santat.
Walden Pond Press, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 4-7
Sports fans will cheer for this collection of stories from writers and
athletes about the greatest games on earth that offers a blend of actionpacked fiction and nonfiction in the third installment of Scieszka’s
Guys Read Library of Great Reading.
Shang, Wendy Wan-Long The Great Wall of Lucy Wu. Scholastic,
2011. $17.99 Gr. 4-6
Sixth-grader Lucy Wu is dismayed when her elderly great aunt from
China moves in with her family, takes over half of Lucy’s room
and inspires her parents to tighten their restrictions on her, but she
gradually finds herself won over by her gentle relative.
Raczka, Bob Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word;
illus. by Nancy Doniger. Roaring Brook, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-7
Twenty-two clever verses introduce readers to an ingenious form
wherein every word in the poem is drawn only from the letters in the
poem’s title.
Reeve, Philip Fever Crumb. Scholastic, 2010. $17.99; paperback
$8.99 Gr. 5-7
It’s a prequel to the fabulous Hungry Cities Chronicles, and it’s
delightful in its own right—do you really need to know more?
Riordan, Rick The Red Pyramid. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $17.99;
$9.99 Gr. 5-8
After their archeologist father blows up the Rosetta Stone, siblings
Carter and Sadie Kane must take on ancient Egyptian gods in this
zany but nonetheless thrilling start to the Kane Chronicles.
Ross, Stewart Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their
Way by Land, Sea, and Air; illus. by Stephen Biesty. Candlewick, 2011.
$19.99 Gr. 4-8
What looks like a gimmicky collection of glitzy foldouts is actually a
tidily focused, intriguingly illustrated account of fourteen landmark
explorations.
Rupp, Rebecca Octavia Boone’s Big Questions about Life, the Universe,
and Everything. Candlewick, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 5-8
A careful blend of humor and hope infuses this tale of one girl’s
struggle to come to terms with the new dynamics of her family after
her mother takes off to find enlightenment.
Rusch, Elizabeth The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures
of Spirit and Opportunity. Houghton, 2012. $18.99. Gr. 5-9.
Take a trip to Mars in this spectacular nonfiction book that follows
a team of the scientists as they explore the surface of Mars using the
rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
Scaletta, Kurtis Mamba Point. Knopf, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 5-9
Plagued by anxiety and panic attacks, seventh-grader Linus Tuttle
sees his family’s move to Liberia as an opportunity to remake himself,
especially when he realizes he has a strange connection to one of
Africa’s most deadly reptiles.
Sidman, Joyce Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night; illus. by
Rick Allen. Houghton, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 4-7
Sidman produces another stellar volume of nature poetry, here
following the activities of nocturnally active organisms; intricate
linocut prints trace the journey from dusk to dawn and entice readers
to hunt for featured creatures in their backgrounds.
Stroud, Jonathan The Ring of Solomon. Hyperion, 2010. $17.99
Gr. 6-9
This prequel to the Bartimaeus trilogy sets the irascible, brilliant djinni
Bartimaeus back in Jerusalem in 950 B.C.E., where he’s involved in an
attempt to steal a magical ring from King Solomon.
Sullivan, George Tom Thumb: The Remarkable True Story of a Man
in Miniature. Clarion, 2011. $20.00 Gr. 5-8
Sullivan follows the careers of both Charles Stratton, the nineteenth
century’s celebrated Tom Thumb, and P. T. Barnum, the showman
who launched him into international stardom.
Sullivan, Laura L. Under the Green Hill. Holt, 2010. $16.99;
Kin to classic British fantasies, this atmospheric tale follows four
siblings sent to the home of relatives in the English countryside
who find themselves involved in the Midsummer War between the
beautiful Seelie and the much more threatening Host.
Books
for
yrs)
Swinburne, Stephen R. Wiff and Dirty George: The Z.E.B.R.A.
Incident. Front Street, 2010. $17.95 Gr. 4-7
London in 1969 is the perfect setting for the kooky adventures of
twelve-year-old Wiff and his pal Dirty George when they attempt to
save the Queen from a mad inventor in this absurdly quirky caper.
Tashjian, Janet My Life as a Book; illus. by Jake Tashjian. Ottaviano/
Holt, 2010. $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-6
Young fans of the Wimpy Kid series will no doubt recognize a bit of
themselves in twelve-year-old Derek Fallon as he fends off his parents’
attempts to add “educational value” to his summer and embarks on
an adventure of his own.
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This compilation of sixteen Greek myths offers vibrant tellings,
thoughtful organization, and regal artwork to bring classics to a new
generation.
Ursu, Anne Breadcrumbs; illus. by Erin McGuire. Walden Pond/
HarperCollins, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 4-7
A wintry fairy-tale forest provides the backdrop to this poignant tale
of a young girl negotiating the transition from the magical world of
childhood to the confusing place of adolescence.
Taylor, Sarah Stewart Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean; written
and illus. by Sarah Stewart Taylor and Ben Towle. Center for Cartoon
Studies/Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 5-9
This compelling graphic-novel account explores the life of Amelia
Earhart through the eyes of young Grace, a fictional resident of the
small Newfoundland village from where Earhart and her pilot hope to
begin a transatlantic flight in 1927.
Thomson, Ruth Terezín: Voices from the Holocaust. Candlewick,
2011. $18.99 Gr. 5-8
Thomson tells the story of the Terezín concentration camp almost
entirely in the voices of those who lived there, grounding it in solid
research and presenting it in an accessible magazine-style layout.
Tooke, Wes King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige.
Simon, 2012. $15.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-7
Readers looking for a more realistic alternative to Dan Gutman’s
time-travel baseball adventures will find a homerun in twelve-yearold Nick’s story about his apprenticeship under the renowned Negro
League pitcher, Satchel Paige.
Valente, Catherynne M. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland
in a Ship of Her Own Making; illus. by Ana Juan. Feiwel, 2011. $16.99
Gr. 5-8
When the Green Wind offers to take young September to Fairyland
via flying leopard, she jumps at the chance; the resulting quest story
is a perfect balance of whimsical enchantment and playful profundity
that recalls Alice in Wonderland and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Townsend, Michael, ad. Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and
Blunders; ad. and illus. by Michael Townsend. Dial, 2010. $14.99;
e-book $12.99 Gr. 4-8
The illustrations in this graphic-novel-styled narrative are rendered
with runaway goofiness, giving a humorous, even slightly satiric touch
to these nine snappy retellings of classic Greek myths.
Van Cleve, Kathleen Drizzle. Dial, 2010. $16.99; paperback
$7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 4-7
Life on Polly’s magical farm, where her best friend is a warm-hearted
chocolate rhubarb plant and where there’s a regularly scheduled
supernatural rainfall, seems to losing its enchantment, so Polly must
figure out the secret of her beloved home’s survival.
Tracy, Kristen The Reinvention of Bessica Lefter. Delacorte, 2011.
$15.99 Gr. 4-7
Bessica is looking to start sixth grade as a whole new woman, but
without her best pal Sylvie at her side, she’s barely avoiding being
branded a loser in this authentic and heartwarming portrayal about
finding yourself in unexpected places.
Vanderpool, Clare Moon over Manifest. Delacorte, 2010. $16.99;
This solid historical novel follows Abilene Tucker, who in 1936 finds
a box of letters from 1918 that begin to shed light on long-simmering
family and town secrets.
Turnage, Sheila Three Times Lucky. Dial, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 5-7
Rescued from a hurricane as a baby by the amnesiac Colonel and
raised by him in the town of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Moses
(Mo) LeBeau is determined to solve the twin mysteries of a local
man’s murder and her own unknown origins in this rollicking murder
mystery.
Turnbull, Ann, ad. Greek Myths; illus. by Sarah Young. Candlewick,
2010. $18.99 Gr. 5-10
Wadsworth, Ginger First Girl Scout: the life of Juliette Gordon Low.
Clarion, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 5-8
Wadsworth has created an in-depth portrait of the extraordinary life
and times of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, who worked for
the betterment of American girls.
Wallace, Rich Sports Camp. Knopf, 2010. $15.99; paperback $6.99;
e-book $6.99 Gr. 5-7
Sports-story stalwart Rich Wallace spins an appealing yarn with this
tale of eleven-year-old Riley at sports camp.
Books
for
yrs)
Weitzman, David Skywalkers: Mohawks on the High Steel. Flash
Point/Roaring Brook, 2010. $19.99 Gr. 5-9
Social history, architectural history, and engineering case studies
mingle in this involving account of the Kahnawake Mohawk of
southern Quebec, who became famed high-steel workers instrumental
in the creation of New York’s skyscrapers.
West, Jacqueline The Shadows; illus. by Poly Bernatene. Dial,
2010. (The Books of Elsewhere) $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book
$6.99 Gr. 5-7
Eleven-year-old Olive, newly moved into an old house, finds that it
holds more than she expects in this delightful concoction of classic
fantasy elements ranging from talking cats to animated paintings.
White, Ruth You’ll Like It Here (Everybody Does). Delacorte, 2011
When Meggie Blue and her alien family have to speedily escape Earth,
they’re initially optimistic about the Earth-like Fashion City, but soon
they realize its pleasant appearance hides sinister secrets.
Williams-Garcia, Rita One Crazy Summer. Amistad/HarperCollins,
2010. $15.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 5-8
It’s 1968, and eleven-year-old Delphine reexamines her family
when she and her little sisters spend the summer in Oakland with
their estranged mother, now a poet involved with the Black Panther
movement.
Wilson, Daniel Bro-jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown;
illus. by Les McClaine. Bloomsbury, 2010. Paperback $12.99 Gr.
5-8
You may need to shut your eyes to the practice, but this guide to sibling
annoyance (the Basic Hair Pull, Wet Willy, and Doll Mutilation are
some familiar examples) will have young readers gleefully poring over
the pages and planning mayhem.
Wolitzer, Meg The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman. Dutton, 2011.
Fans of Carl Hiaasen and E. L. Konigsburg will appreciate this solid,
thoughtful, and funny story about three kids competing in the national
Youth Scrabble Tournament for their own complicated reasons.
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Yee, LisaWarp Speed. Levine/Scholastic, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 5-8
Fans of Yee’s previous works will remember Marley as the forgotten
friend of Stanford Wong but here the veteran outcast is the star of the
show, even if he’d much rather go unnoticed.
Ylvisaker, Anne The Luck of the Buttons. Candlewick, 2011. $15.99;
$6.99; e-book $15.99 Gr. 4-6
Small town life in 1929 America is richly depicted in this story of
young Tugs Button, who shocks her hardscrabble family by winning
a brand new camera and then uses it to pursue her suspicions of an
oily newcomer.
Young, Ed The House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China;
illus. with photographs. Little, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 5-9
An elegant combination of altered photos and episodic text make this
memoir of Young’s childhood growing up in Shanghai both moving
and intriguing.
Books
for
Older Readers (Gr. 7-12, 12-18 Yrs)
Adoff, Arnold Roots and Blues: A Celebration; illus. by R. Gregory
Christie. Clarion, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 8-12
Sixty poems, each visually creative and lyrically impressive, present a
dramatic but accessible look at the smoky dives, legendary artists, and
moody sounds at the heart of the blues.
Alcott, Louisa May Little Vampire Women; ad. by Lynn Messina.
Harper Teen, 2010. $15.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 7-12
To be sure, all the old familiars are here, including Amy, Beth, Jo, and
Laurie—they’re just a bit more, ahem, bloodthirsty in this particular
version. What’s not to love?
Amateau, Gigi Come August, Come Freedom: The Bellows, the Gallows,
and the Black General Gabriel. Candlewick, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 7-12
While trial records and newspaper clippings provide historical
legitimacy to this fictionalized version of the 1800 Virginia slave
insurrection, Amateau’s poetic language lends the tale an emotional
resonance that readers will not soon forget.
Anderson, Jodi Lynn Americapedia: Taking the Dumb Out of
Freedom; by Jodi Lynn Anderson, Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Andisheh
Nouraee. Walker, 2011. $24.99; paperback $16.99 Gr. 7-12
This high-spirited overview gets young adults up to speed on the civics,
economics, and global issues that they may have dozed through in
class; a scrapbook-style format and lively cartoons will lure browsers.
20
Beam, Cris I Am J. Little, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12
Despite being born a girl, J knows he’s male, and his struggle to explain
himself to his family and friends and journey toward transition are
sensitively treated in this novel on a still-new topic in YA literature.
Bellstorf, Arne Baby’s in Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe,
and The Beatles; tr. from the German by Michael Waaler; written and
illus. by Arne Bellstorf. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2012. $24.99
Gr. 8-12
A graphic novel featuring the compelling yet doomed romantic
relationship between the Beatles’ original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe and
the band’s visionary photographer Astrid Kirchherr, done in shadowy
pencil and thick black ink.
Beaudoin, Sean You Killed Wesley Payne. Little, 2011. $16.99;
e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12
Enticed by a beautiful girl (aren’t they all?), amateur sleuth Dalton Rev
takes on the case of her apparently murdered brother in this slick and
snarky send-up of the classic noir detective genre.
Anthony, Jessica Chopsticks; illus. with photographs by Rodrigo
Corral. Razorbill, 2012. $19.99 Gr. 9-12
This romance, told through emotive full-page compositions of
photographs, mementos, and a smattering of dialogue, questions
musically gifted Glory’s mental state as her possibly-imagined
relationship with Francisco unfolds.
Archer, E. Geek Fantasy Novel. Scholastic, 2011. $17.99; e-book
$9.99 Gr. 8-10
A fourteen-year-old gamer on a trip to England finds his cousins’
wishes take him into an eccentric fantasy world in this story that both
plays with fantasy tropes and offers a great geeky coming-of-age tale.
Aronson, Marc, ed. Pick-Up Game: A Full Day of Full Court; ed. by
Marc Aronson and Charles R. Smith, Jr. Candlewick, 2011. Gr. 7-12
Nine all-stars in the field of YA lit contribute stories that form a
cumulative portrait of a ten-hour summer day at the famous West 4th
Street Cage in Greenwich Village.
Badoe, Adwoa Between Sisters. Groundwood, 2010. $16.95 Gr. 7-10
This absorbing tale of sixteen-year-old Gloria, a Ghanaian girl who’s
thrilled yet overwhelmed by life in the fast lane when she moves into
a relative’s urban home, conveys local detail as it explores universal
teen issues.
Barraclough, Lindsey Long Lankin. Candlewick, 2012. $16.99;
e-book $16.99 Gr. 7-10
In a disquieting English village with an unexplained history of
murdered children, Cora and her sister Mimi confront portentous
spirits, deranged townspeople, and a genuinely terrifying villain in
this adaptation of a British folk ballad.
Beaufrand, Mary Jane The River. Little, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 7-10
Veronica is stunned and griefstricken at the death of her ten-year-old
neighbor, who had helped Veronica adjust to her new small-town life,
so she turns sleuth in this haunting, atmospheric mystery.
Bick, Ilsa J. Ashes. Egmont, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 9-12
In this brutal post-apocolytpic world, seventeen-year-old Alex must
combat starvation, natural disasters, and those ever persistent flesheating zombies after an electromagnetic pulse kills off most of the
population.
Billingsley, Franny Chime. Dial, 2011. $17.99; e-book $10.99
Gr. 7-10
Sparkling prose and a lush, spooky setting mark this supernatural
romance that twists and turns through the small town of Swampsea
where young Briony attempts to protect her family from the Old
Ones at the beginning of an alternative twentieth century.
Blumenthal, Karen Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different.
Feiwel, 2012. $16.99; paperback $8.99 Gr. 6-10
Blumenthal traces Jobs’ rise to technophile superstardom from early-
Books
for
Older Readers (Gr. 7-12, 12-18 Yrs)
career personality quirks and conflicts to the age of the iPod and his
ultimate battle with pancreatic cancer.
Blundell, Judy Strings Attached. Scholastic, 2011. $17.99;
Kit and Billy are seemingly a happy young couple in 1950s New York,
but little does Billy know that his mobster father has set dancer Kit up
with all she has in this noir tale.
Bowers, Rick Superman Versus the Ku Klux Klan: The True Story of
How the Iconic Superhero Battled the Men of Hate. National Geographic,
2012. $16.95; e-book $18.95 Gr. 7-10
During the post-WWII resurgence of the infamous hate group,
Adventures of Superman’s radio producers stage a takedown of the
not-so-subtly named Clan of the Fiery Cross in the climax of this
historical narrative.
21
Clement-Moore, Rosemary Texas Gothic. Delacorte, 2011. $17.99;
e-book $10.99 Gr. 9-12
The Texas ranch setting and colorful cast add sparkle to this
supernaturally touched mystery featuring one sister who’s a rational
skeptic and another who’s in touch with the spirit world.
Cockrell, AmandaWhat We Keep Is Not Always What Will Stay. Flux,
2011. Paperback $9.95; e-book $9.95 Gr. 7-10
A miraculous apparition, a family split, and a troubling relationship
bring fifteen-year-old Angie to a spiritual crisis in this provocative and
ultimately hopeful read.
Collins, Yvonne Love Inc.; written by Yvonne Collins and Sandy
Rideout. Hyperion, 2011. $16.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99
Gr. 7-10
Sharing the same cheating boyfriend gives three girls a brilliant
business plan, and soon Love Inc., is booming with business from
spurned lovers and their desire for payback in this fun and frothy
novel perfect for the recently broken hearted.
Cook, Kristi Haven. Simon Pulse, 2011. $16.99; paperback $9.99;
e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12
The steamy romance between Violet and Aidan takes a turn when she
realizes her destiny as a vampire slayer and his status as a bloodsucker
in this seriously sexy tale that will have Twilight fans swooning.
Cortez, Sarah, ed. You Don’t Have a Clue: Latino Mystery Stories for
Teens. Piñata, 2011. Paperback $16.95 Gr. 7-10
Eighteen mysteries by a mix of prominent and lesser-known Latino/
Latina authors creatively interpret the genre and take readers on
strange, suspenseful, and sometimes even creepy journeys.
Bray, Libba Beauty Queens. Scholastic, 2011. $18.99; paperback
$9.99; e-book $9.49 Gr. 7-10
Adventure blends with satire in this story of a wrecked plane of beautypageant contestants who use their pageant skills and equipment to
survive.
Crispin, A. C. The Price of Freedom. Disney, 2011. $22.95; e-book
$22.95 Gr. 7-12
This fast-paced and adventurous prequel to The Pirates of the Caribbean
follows a young Jack Sparrow as he tries to work his way through the
legitimate naval ranks and to leave behind his pirate upbringing—
most of the time.
Brosgol, Vera Anya’s Ghost; written and illus. by Vera Brosgol. First
Second/Roaring Brook, 2011. $19.99; paperback $15.99 Gr. 8-10
A juicy mystery, a bit of horror, a compelling cast, and a deceptive
ghost make this graphic novel a strong and appealing standout.
Day, Susie My Invisible Boyfriend. Scholastic, 2010. $16.99; e-book
$16.99 Gr. 7-10
In this effervescent British comedy, Heidi invents her perfect boyfriend
and then finds that keeping the fiction going among her friends is
more trouble than she expected.
Bunce, Elizabeth C. Starcrossed. Levine/Scholastic, 2010. $17.99
Gr. 7-10
Impeccable suspense marks this deliciously intriguing tale of Digger,
a young thief drawn into a web of political scheming after she
masquerades as a noblewoman’s lady-in-waiting.
Dogar, Sharon Annexed. Houghton, 2010. $17.00; paperback
$7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 7-10
This fictionalized account of the experiences of Peter van Pels, who hid
in the famous annex with Anne Frank, provides a moving, accessible,
and original approach that intersects effectively with the famous diary.
Card, Orson Scott Pathfinder. Simon Pulse, 2010. $18.99;
This sweeping novel offers interconnected stories from thousands of
years apart that converge around the life of one young boy who dares
to challenge his world.
Donnelly, Jennifer Revolution. Delacorte, 2010. $18.99; paperback
$9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10
When Andi, staying with her father in Paris after her brother’s death,
finds the diary of one of the French Revolution’s victims, she finds
herself obsessed with the two-hundred-year-old tragedy in this rich,
original, and compelling story.
Books
for
Older Readers (Gr. 7-12, 12-18
Durst, Sarah Beth Drink, Slay, Love. McElderry, 2011. $17.99;
e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-12
Fans of campy horror can’t ask for more than this whimsically gross
tale that features unicorns, vampires, and one snarky and bloodthirsty
protagonist.
Ephron, Delia The Girl with the Mermaid Hair. HarperTeen, 2010.
$16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10
This thoughtful realistic novel has a delicate touch of the supernatural
as it follows teenaged Sukie, who thinks everything in her life is perfect,
until her parents’ shifting dynamics causes her to consider what’s going
on below the surface.
Fleming, Candace On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave. Schwartz
& Wade/Random, 2012. $16.99. Gr. 7-10.
Mike Kowalski is drawn into the company of a group of teenage ghosts
who share the horrifying tales of their deaths in Chicago that occurred
over the course of the past century, providing a satisfying and creepy
twist on the traditional ghost story collection with 9 ghost stories
suitable to read on a dark and stormy night.
Gill, David Macinnis Black Hole Sun. Greenwillow, 2010. $16.99; ;
Movie-ready doesn’t even begin to describe this lightning-paced action
novel about a group of teen mercenaries out to make a living on a
hardscrabble Mars and, if it’s financially rewarding, save a few lives
along the way.
yrs)
22
Green, John Will Grayson, Will Grayson; by John Green and David
Levithan. Dutton, 2010. $17.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 9-12
Told in alternating chapters, this story tells the tale of two Will Graysons and
their search for friendship and love—and one stellar high school musical.
Griffin, Adele Tighter. Knopf, 2011. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book
$8.99 Gr. 7-10
In this update of The Turn of the Screw, seventeen-year-old Jamie takes a
summer job caring for eleven-year-old Isa in a mansion on an exclusive
island off of the New England coast and discovers that she’s identical to Isa’s
previous au pair—who tragically died.
Griffin, Paul Stay With Me. Dial, 2011. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book
$8.99 Gr. 9-12
From the flustered anxiety of a first kiss to the eventual recovery from
heartbreak, this touching portrayal of the doomed romance between good
girl Cece and bad boy Mac will require an additional gift of a few hankies.
Handler, Daniel Why We Broke Up; illus. by Maira Kalman. Little, 2011.
$19.99 Gr. 9-12
Supported by full-color illustrations and conversational prose, this fervent
reflection on the dissolution of young love between artsy Min and basketball
star Ed gets high school heartbreak just right.
Hautman, Pete Blank Confession. Simon, 2010. $16.99; paperback
$8.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 7-10
This ably plotted reverse mystery story and effective quick-pick read opens
with a murder confession by sixteen-year-old Shayne Blank, and as the novel
unfolds, readers piece together the circumstances of the crime and its victim.
Hinds, Gareth, ad. The Odyssey; ad. and illus. by Gareth Hinds.
Candlewick, 2010. $24.99; paperback $14.99 Gr. 9-12
It may be a hair-raising adventure tale that’s lasted well over two millennia,
but the classic epic gains freshness in this moody and gory graphic-novel
interpretation.
Hooper, Mary Fallen Grace. Bloomsbury, 2011. $16.99; e-book $16.99
Gr. 8-12
With dastardly villains, vindicated heroines, and true love just over the
horizon, how can this delightfully Dickensian novel miss?
Goto, Hiromi Half World; illus. by Jillian Tamaki. Viking, 2010.
$16.99; e-book $13.99 Gr. 9-12
In this elegant, compelling, and vivid fantasy, fourteen-year-old Melanie
discovers that she was actually born in the realm known as Half World,
and she returns to its grotesque, terrifying futility to rescue her mother
and right the balance between the worlds.
Green, John The Fault in Our Stars. Dutton, 2012. $17.99 Gr. 9-12
With their razor-sharp wits but failing, fragile bodies, exquisitely
characterized Hazel and Augustus embark together on a journey both
dashingly intellectual and thoroughly romantic after meeting in a teen
cancer support group.
Kirby, Jessi Moonglass. Simon, 2011. $16.99; paperback $9.99; e-book
$9.99 Gr. 7-10
Family secrets, a beach setting so well realized that you can smell the salt
air, and a moonlit romance (with a lifeguard, of course) combine in this
emotional and satisfying story of past loss and present love.
Kraus, Daniel Rotters. Delacorte, 2011. $16.99; paperback $10.99; e-book
$9.99 Gr. 9-12
You don’t need zombies or vampires for a good scare as proven by this
wonderfully creepy and downright gruesome tale of graverobbing and family
loyalty, making the perfect thriller for the thinking teen.
Jaffe, Michele Ghost Flower. Razorbill, 2012. $9.99 Gr. 7-10
Siblings Bain and Bridgette approach foster care runaway Eve with a
depraved—yet lucrative—scheme to impersonate the pair’s disappeared
cousin in this ghost-laden, contemplative mystery.
Books
for
yrs)
23
Jay, Stacey Juliet Immortal. Delacorte, 2011. $17.99; paperback $9.99
e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12
The truth behinds Shakespeare’s most famous star-crossed lovers is a bit
more twisted as reotld in this book that pits the angelic Juliet against the
devilish Romeo.
Lynch, Chris Angry Young Man. Simon, 2011. $16.99; paperback $8.99;
e-book $13.99 Gr. 9-12
Lynch continues to be an edgy yet compassionate spokesman for workingclass kids, and here he tackles issues of masculinity, brotherhood, and
family loyalty.
John, Antony Thou Shalt Not Road Trip. Dial, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 8-12
After finding himself on a Christian book tour with his former best friend,
accidental author Luke faces the consequences of his poor friendship
decisions and challenges both professional and spiritual.
Lynch, Chris Hothouse. HarperTeen, 2010. $16.99; paperback $9.99;
e-book $7.99 Gr. 8-12
Russell, whose firefighter father has just died in a conflagration along with
his best buddy, finds that the firefighter culture he’s grown up in hides
some secrets in this moving story of heroism, community opinion, the
evanescence of reputation, and father-son love.
Johnson, Maureen The Name of the Star. Putnam, 2011. $16.99;
e-book $10.99 Gr. 8-12
It seems that even in modern times, Jack the Ripper isn’t quite done with
London, as seventeen-year-old Rory discovers when she runs afoul of a
murderous ghost.
Kristoff, Jay Stormdancer. Dunne/St. Martin’s, 2012. $24.99; e-book
$10.99 Gr. 9 up
This mash-up of industrial steampunk and Japanese culture follows
the relationship between heroine Yukiko and a gryphon-like mythical
creature as they battle a corrupt regime; fans of dystopia and animal
companion tales will find much to like here.
Manzano, Sonia The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Scholastic, 2012.
$17.99; e-book $17.99 Gr. 7-10
Manzano (whom readers may know as Maria from Sesame Street) laces an
emotional journey with historical facts in this story of the titular Evelyn’s
coming of age in a Puerto Rican neighbor in New York during the civil
rights era.
Mcbride, Lish Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Holt, 2010. $16.99;
paperback $9.99 e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-12
In this surprisingly nuanced, emotional, and witty supernatural horror
story (yes, that’s right), amiable fast-food worker Sam finds his life thrown
into bloody chaos when he meets sinister necromancer Douglas.
Mechner, Jordan Solomon’s Thieves; illus. by LeUyen Pham and Alex
Puvilland; color by Hilary Sycamore. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2010.
Paper ed. $12.99 Gr. 9-12
There’s swashbuckling adventure aplenty in this historical graphic novel
focusing on knight Templar Martin of Troyes, who with the aid of trusty
companions defends his beleaguered fellow knights and their historic
treasure from the corrupt French king.
Meehl, Brian You Don’t Know about Me. Delacorte, 2011. $17.99;
In this stylish contemporary road story inspired by Huckleberry Finn, Billy
Albright finds himself on a cross-country treasure hunt for his inheritance
from his father, guided by a man who forces Billy to examine his own
prejudices.
LaFevers, Robin Grave Mercy. Houghton, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 9-12
As a daughter of Death, Ismae infiltrates Brittany court politics and
the convent of St. Mortain to take down French-allied nobles while
cultivating her own identity, especially in her relationship with Duval.
Leavitt, Lindsey Sean Griswold’s Head. Bloomsbury, 2011. $16.99;
;paperback $9.99; e-book $16.99 Gr. 7-10
Leavitt manages to take a painful family crisis and makes one girl’s
reaction to it genuinely guffaw-worthy in this insightful and ultimately
uplifting dramedy that includes just a dash of romance.
Lindner, April Jane Poppy/Little, 2010. $17.99; paperback $8.99;
e-book $8.99 Gr. 7-10
After losing her estranged parents in an accident, Jane seeks work as a
nanny in this romantic and faithful retelling of Jane Eyre for the modern
teen.
Moss, Jenny Shadow. Scholastic, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 6-9
With its dashing knights, pretentious queen, and put-upon protagonist,
this story starts out like any other garden-variety fairy tale but soon takes
a turn for a darkly compelling world of pagan religions and political
scheming.
Myers, Walter Dean Kick; by Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman.
HarperTeen, 2011. $17.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 7-9
Kevin Johnson, avid soccer player and son of a slain police officer, could
be facing charges of auto theft, kidnapping, and destruction of property
after a car crash in which he was the underage driver in a story that’s an
absorbing blend of mystery and sports.
Nelson, Jandy The Sky Is Everywhere. Dial, 2010. $17.99; paperback
$8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 8-12
In this touching, authentic tale of grief, family, and romance, eleventhgrader Lennie struggles to redefine her identity after the death of her
vivacious older sister, even as she finds the possibility of love with a
talented fellow musician.
Books
for
yrs)
Northrop, Michael Trapped. Scholastic, 2011. $17.99; paperback
$9.99; e-book $17.99 Gr. 7-10
A record snowstorm isolates seven teens in their high school in this
literally chilling survival story where the suspense mounts as the snow
accumulates.
Nye, Naomi Shihab, ed. Time You Let Me In: 25 Poets under 25.
Greenwillow, 2010. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7 up
Over a hundred poems by gifted young poets treat family, the craft of
writing, and other subjects in moving, memorable verse suitable for
reading aloud or alone, in quick browses or in one absorbing read.
Oliver, Lauren Delirium. Harper/HarperCollins, 2011. $17.99;
With elements reminiscent of Westerfeld’s Uglies trilogy, this story of a
girl about to turn eighteen and thus undergo the government-mandated
procedure to eliminate her ability to love is a provocative dystopia sure
to elicit discussion.
Oppel, Kenneth This Dark Endeavor. Simon, 2011. $17.99; paperback
$9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12
This prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein builds faithfully and
atmospherically on the spirit of the original as it imagines the episode
that planted in the adolescent Victor Frankenstein the seeds of the adult
scientist who would create and then reject a monster.
Ostlere, Cathy Karma. Razorbill, 2011. $18.99; paperback $14.99;
e-book $15.99 Gr. 8-12
This lush novel in free verse recounts the story of Maya, a fifteen-yearold Canadian girl who journeys with her father in 1984 to her parents’
native India, finds herself caught up in the turmoil following Indira
Gandhi’s assassination, and then begins to find herself and real love.
24
Rosenthal, Lorraine Zago Other Words for Love. Delacorte, 2011.
$17.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12
Seventeen-year-old Ari must pick up the pieces after the demise of her
romantic relationship with Blake in this moving tale that will speak strongly
to the recently heartbroken and perhaps remind them that there is a reason
we call them “first” loves.
Roy, Jennifer Mindblind. Cavendish, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 6-9
In this compellingly voiced novel, fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Clark knows
he’s super-smart, but his Asperger’s syndrome renders him much more
comfortable cocooned in his own world than interacting with others.
Sáenz, Benjamin Alire Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the
Universe. Simon, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10
Lyrical prose explores the lives of restless Ari and his bookish, ephemeral
friend, Dante, as they struggle with notions of identity and sexuality during
a hot, languid summer in 1987 El Paso.
Schumacher, Julie The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls.
Delacorte, 2012. $16.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 8-12
Adrienne’s summer plans suddenly include a mother-daughter book club,
and the forced camaraderie with wildly dissimilar classmates is fertile ground
for Adrienne’s coming-of-age with saucy social commentary and surprising
dimension.
Sepetys, Ruta Between Shades of Gray. Philomel, 2011. $17.99; paperback
$8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 8-12
Focusing on fifteen-year-old Lina, this harrowing historical novel recalls the
systematic deportation to Siberia of thousands of Lithuanians following the
Soviet invasion of their country in 1939.
Pearce, Jackson Sisters Red. Little, 2010. $16.99; paperback $8.99;
e-book $2.99 Gr. 8-12
Dark, gritty, and superbly suspenseful, this modern-day sequel to Little
Red Riding Hood follows a pair of sisters who hunt the werewolf-like
Fenris.
Pérez, Ashley Hope What Can(t) Wait. Carolrhoda Lab, 2011.
$17.95; e-book $9.95 Gr. 7-10
Generations clash in this story about Marisa, a gifted student, who
struggles to convince her Mexican-immigrant father of the value of her
academic goals.
Quintero, Sofia Efrain’s Secret. Knopf, 2010. $16.99; paperback
$8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 9-12
In this compelling look at inner-city life, honor student Efrain Rodriguez
hopes to leave the crime-ridden Bronx for college in the Ivy League, but
desperation makes him risk his dreams when he takes a job dealing drugs
with his best friend.
Reeves, Dia Slice of Cherry. Simon Pulse, 2011. $16.99; paperback
Twin girls, the daughters of a multiple murderer, decide to use their
own lethal impulses for good in this bizarre, absorbing, supernaturally
touched horror story.
Sheinkin, Steve Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most
Dangerous Weapon; illus. with photographs. Roaring Brook, 2012. $19.99
Gr. 7-12
This fascinating true-life spy tale is edge-of-your-seat material and both
history buffs and YAs looking for a good thriller will find much to be
captivated by here.
Shiga, Jason Empire State: A Love Story (or Not); written and illus. by Jason
Shiga; color by John Pham. Abrams Comicarts, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 9-12
Simple but nuanced art accompanies this quiet semi-autobiographical tale
about unrequited love.
Books
for
yrs)
Suma, Nova Ren Imaginary Girls. Dutton, 2011. $17.99; paperback
$8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 8-12
This deliciously disturbing tale chronicles the relationship between
Chloe and her magnetic older half-sister and primary caretaker, Ruby,
a relationship that, it becomes clear, comes at a terrible, unearthly price.
Taylor, Laini Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Little, 2011. $18.99;
A human raised by human-animal hybrids known as chimaera, Karou
finds herself caught in an ancient war between chimaera and seraphim
when she’s attacked by a seraph—to whom she then discovers a powerful
attraction.
Tomlinson, Heather Toads and Diamonds. Holt, 2010. $16.99;
e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10
With a vividly imagined landscape rife with beauty, power, and plague,
this India-set retelling of a lesser-known Perrault tale is sure to please fans
of Shannon Hale.
Valentine, Jenny Double. Hyperion, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 7-10
In this mystery-driven thriller, Chap is mistaken for disappeared Cassiel
and walks into the family he thinks he’s always wanted, saving himself
from deep-seated loneliness—until secretive details shrouding Cassiel’s
disappearance begin to emerge.
Violi, Jen Putting Makeup on Dead People. Hyperion, 2011. $16.99;
There are a lot of satiric and fantastical literary looks at death, but Violi’s
story of Donna Parisi, who after her father’s death decides that her career
path is to become a mortician, is a serious, wise, and poignant exploration
of the meaning of life and death.
Volponi, Paul The Final Four. Viking, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 7-12
A rousing March Madness matchup between swaggering, star-powered
Michigan State and underdog Troy University offers edge-of-your-seat
sports suspense and a mindful examination of four dynamic characters in
the hands of college athletics.
Wallace, Jason Out of Shadows. Holiday House, 2011. $17.95;
paperback $8.95 Gr. 9-12
When Jacko moves from England to Zimbabwe in 1983, he discovers
that his boarding school, newly integrated following the war that brought
Robert Mugabe to power, is a hotbed of racial tensions that force him to
grapple with personal and political realities.
25
Warman, Jessica Between. Walker, 2011. $17.99; paperback $9.99;
e-book $7.99 Gr. 9-12
Liz’s eighteenth birthday is also her last, and she’s now roaming in limbo,
joined by the spirit of a classmate who died the previous year, and trying
to piece together the events that led to her death in this provocative,
intriguing title.
Wein, Elizabeth Code Name Verity. Hyperion, 2012. $16.99; e-book
$16.99 Gr. 9-12
Wein masterfully delivers methodical, plot twist-driven suspense and
sweeping wartime inquiry of hatred and heroes as captured British
spy Verity and pilot best friend Maddie give harrowing accounts of
survival. Werlin, Nancy Extraordinary. Dial, 2010. $17.99; paperback $9.99
Gr. 8-12
A surprising friendship between two high-school girls proves to be just
the opening gambit in a cunning setup to secure an appropriate sacrifice
to pay off a centuries-old supernatural debt in this complex and nuanced
fantasy.
Wolf, Allan The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic.
Candlewick, 2011. $21.99 Gr. 7-10
Wolf ’s poetic recreation of the Titanic disaster gives fictional voice to a
score of real-life passengers, an undertaker who helped retrieve bodies
from the sea, and a pair of non-human participants in the catastrophe in
an absorbing as-it-happens unfolding of the tragedy.
Acknowledgments 26
Permission to print the following material is gratefully acknowledged:
Cover image from Nick Dowson’s North ©2012 used by permission of Candlewick
Press.
Cover image from Audrey Vernick’s Brothers at Bat ©2012 used by permission of
Clarion Publishing.
Cover image from William Kamkwamba’s The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ©2012
used by permission of Dial Books.
Cover image from John Rocco’s Blackout ©2011 used by permission of Disney
Hyperion.
Cover image from Meg Wolitzer’s The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman ©2011 used by
permission of Dutton Children’s Books.
Cover image from Kelly Bingham’s Z is for Moose ©2012 used by permission of
Greenwillow Books.
Cover image from Samhita Arni’s Sita’s Ramayana ©2011 used by permission of
Groundwood Books.
Cover image from Anne Ursu’sBreadcrumbs©2011 used by permission of HarperCollins
Children’s Books.
Cover image from Lisa Harkrader’s Beanboy ©2012, and cover image from Robin
Lafever’s Grave Mercy ©2012, and cover image from Gerald McDermott’s Monkey: A
Trickster’s Tale ©2011 used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Cover image from Atinuke’s The No. 1 Car Spotter ©2011 used by permission of Kane
Miller Books.
Cover image from Sean Beaudoin’s You Killed Wesley Payne ©2011, and cover image
from Edward Gibb’s Little Bee ©2012, used by permission of Little, Brown and
Company.
Cover image from Karen Rostoker-Gruber’s Ferret Fun ©2011 used by permission of
Marshall Cavendish Children.
Cover image from Steve Sheinkin’s Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s
Most Dangerous Weapon ©2012 used by permission of Roaring Brook Presss.
Cover image from Libba Bray’s Beauty Queen ©2011, cover image from Deborah
Hopkinson’s Titanic: Voices of Disaster ©2012, and cover image from Wendy WanLong Shang’s The Great Wall of Lucy Wu ©2011, used by permission of Scholastic.
Cover image from Lenore Look’s Alvin Ho: Allergic to Dead Bodie, Funerals, and Other
Fatal Circumstances ©2011 and cover image from Jeannette Winter’s The Watcher: Jane
Goodall’s Life with the Chimps ©2011, used permission of Schwartz & Wade Books.
Cover image from Hiromi Goto’s Half World ©2010, cover image from Nnedi
Okorafor’s Akata Witch ©2011, and cover image from Paul Volponi’s The Final Four
©2012, used by permission of Viking Children’s Books.
Annotations and production by Deborah Stevenson and Kate Quealy-Gainer; additional
annotations by Lauren Chenvert and Eti Bertland; design by Jennifer DeBaillie.
About
the
Bulletin27
The Bulletin
of the Center for Children’s Books
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books,
founded in 1945, is published monthly except
August; it is devoted entirely to the review of
current books for children and young adults, and
is one of the nation’s leading journals of literature
for youth. In addition to providing concise
summaries and critical evaluations, each review
gives information on the book’s content and
reading level.
More information about the Bulletin can be found
on our website:
http://bccb.lis.illinois.edu
For subscription information and a sample copy of
the Bulletin, contact the Johns Hopkins University
Press via mail at 2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore,
MD 21218, via email at jlorder@jhupress.jhu.edu,
on the web at http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/
bulletin_of_the_center_for_childrens_books/ or
toll-free at 1-800-548-1784.
Guide Book to Gift Books:
An Annotated List of Books for Youth
© 2012 by The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

guide book to gift books - The Bulletin of the Center for Children`s

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