Archive for April, 2012

“Very Superstitious, Writings on the Wall” – Supernatural Teen Fiction

April 30, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Horror, Paranormal, Romance · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Stevie Wonder’s famous song “Superstitious” always makes me think of supernatural novels. I guess I am just one of those people that has to relate song titles to books. (Have you noticed the last couple of my posts?) Even though vampire books have become a little lackluster for the moment, novels with supernatural elements are still very popular. Angels, Speakers, ghosts, and the Underworld are just a few of the things you will be introduced to in these fictional novels for teens. Enjoy!

Everneath by Brodi Ashton. 2012. 9780062071132. (Gr 10-12.

What would you do if you only had six months to say goodbye to loved ones, as well as find redemption? Meet Nikki Beckett, who has just returned from six months in the Everneath (otherwise known as the Underworld). Her one wish is to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person who was most devastated by her disappearance. There’s only one person standing in her way: Cole, the irresistible immortal who lured her into the Everneath in the first place. As Nikki’s time on the surface is limited, she is forced to make the most painful decision of her life:  find a way to stay with Jack, or return to the Underworld and become Cole’s queen.

Dead of Winter by Chris Priestly. 2012.  9781599907451. Gr 7-12.

If you are looking for a creepy read that sends shivers down your spine, Dead of Winter is the book for you! After his mother’s death, Michael is invited to spend Christmas with a wealthy guardian in a large and abandoned country house. His immediate feeling upon arrival is that something is not quite  right—especially when he sees a ghostly woman in the frozen mists. Michael soon realizes that the house has many secrets, dead and alive, but there are more dark secrets to come.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand. 2012. 9780061996184. Gr 8-12.

Clara feels like destiny is playing a mean trick on her. When we left her in Unearthly, she was training for months to face the fire she had seen in her visions. In the end, she couldn’t possibly prepare for the choice she was forced to make. In Hallowed, she is torn between her love for Tucker and what she and Christian are destined for. In this compelling follow-up novel, Clara struggles with a new revelation: Someone she cares about will die unexpectedly. With an uncertain future, how will Clara change a loved one’s fate for good?

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey. 2011. 9780399256226. Gr 10-12.

Lenzi begins to hear voices and has visions of gravestones and of a boy with steel gray eyes. Just as these things start to get louder and more intense, she meets Alden, a boy from her dreams. He explains that she’s a reincarnated Speaker—a communicator of the dead, and that he has been her Protector for centuries. Now Lenzi is forced to choose between her present life and her destiny with Alden, before time runs out.

Fallen in Love: A Fallen Novel in Stories by Lauren Kate. 2012. 9780385742610. Gr 9-12.

Fans of  Kate’s Fallen series will love these four never-revealed stories of their favorite characters. Fallen in Love is a collection of short stories, set in the Middle Ages, featuring central characters from the main books. Each story provides valuable insight into each character and how their lives intertwine with the epic love story of Daniel and Luce. A must-read for fans who are eagerly anticipating Rapture!

Kristin J.

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Here Be Dragons…

April 26, 2012 · Filed under Fantasy, Fiction, High School, Middle School (6-8), Novels · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Ever since I watched Dragonheart as a child, I’ve had a special affinity for dragons.  I mean, c’mon, who wouldn’t love a dragon with Sean Connery’s voice?  Whether they’re cast as the heroes or the villains, dragons always seem to make movies and books just a little more exciting.  Here are a few of my favorite dragon books published in the last year.

Slayers by C.J. Hill.  9780312614140.  2011.  Gr. 7-12.

When Tori signed up for the St. George and the Dragon Camp, she didn’t know she was signing up to save the world. As a Senator’s daughter, she never understood why, despite her parent’s objections, she’s always been fascinated with dragons and martial arts. When she arrives at camp, she learns that she’s a part of an ancient lineage with the powers and skills to fight dragons. She must learn to develop and control her powers to fight the dragons with the other campers, because trouble is brewing, and the dragons are coming sooner than anyone thinks. Readers who love dragon lore or a feisty heroine will love the first book in this new series.

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey.  9780803735040.  2012.  Gr. 8-12. 

When a witch hunter comes to town, she whips Tess’s townfolk into a witch-finding frenzy, and Tess and her two friends Poppy and Meg must flee for their lives or be burned at the stake. Tess helps her friends stay alive while keeping secret the fact that she has a magical power. She sees visions of the future in fires. She also feels an overwhelming desire to travel into the forbidden land of Dragonswood to join the fairies. And she may not be the only one with a secret. While this title stands alone, it is actually a continuation of Carey’s Dragon’s Keep, set a generation in the future. With dragons, fairy folk, magic, witch hunters, and romance, this new addition will be enjoyed by fans of fantasy and Carey’s earlier title.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini.  9780375856112.  2011.  Gr. 7-12.

Almost ten years after publishing Eragon at the age of 15, Paolini concludes his epic series with Inheritance. Eragon and his dragon Saphira have endured battles, betrayal, and loss since Eragon first found Saphira’s egg in the woods. Now Eragon, Saphira, and their many allies must work together to defeat Galbatorix and Eragon’s half-brother Murtah. Paolini writes in a Tolkienesque style full of exquisite details snf side quests, with a final chapter that wraps up all the loose ends. This final installment is a must for fans of the series.

Lindsey L.

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More Books for the Birds

April 23, 2012 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Science · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Last fall, I happened to read several books about birds right in a row.  I wouldn’t call myself a bird person generally, but I liked the books, and I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to share them just because National Bird Day wasn’t until May.  So I wrote this post. Well, May is almost here, and, wouldn’t you know it, I have been reading about birds again.  This time I have three picture books for you.  Put these together with the books from my last post (and a few others I’ll include in an extended bibliography below), and you’ll have a great display for Bird Day for your library!

I’ll start with my favorite: Bird Talk by Lita Judge.  I must admit, Judge is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  I loved Born to be Giants‘ look at baby dinosaurs, and Red Sled made my Top 10 of 2011 list.  Her latest book comes from Judge’s childhood interest in birds, which was no doubt encouraged by her grandparents (who were ornithologists), and it will fascinate anyone who has ever wondered what birds were trying to say with their songs.  The simple illustrations let the birds sing for themselves as they take center stage on each spread. The minimal text is full of information, and it just may inspire kids to start listening out their windows and looking for more information.

Falcon by Tim Jessell is a tribute not only to a magnificent bird but also to the imagination. On the first page, a boy lies in the grass and wonders “If I were a falcon…” From there he pictures himself as a bird flying through the mountains, over the sea, and into the city.  The poetic text is paired with beautiful paintings which create powerful scenes that really put you as the reader in the moment.  The author/illustrator is a licensed falconer in addition to writing and illustrating children’s books, and his love for the bird clearly shines in this book.

Puffling Patrol takes readers to Iceland, where every April puffins spend the summer caring for their young pufflings.  In August, it is time for the young birds to go out to sea, but some of the little birds don’t quite make it.  They go the wrong way or end up in danger, and a group of citizens called the Puffling Patrol are dedicated to helping these birds find their way. It is a fascinating (and inspiring!) story of animal rescue that you will want to share with your animal lovers as an update to the now out-of-print Night of the Pufflings.

Even if your library doesn’t have these great, new titles yet, you can still have a book-filled Bird Day display to inspire your young ornithologists with all the older-but-still-excellent titles out there.  I’ve included a few of my favorites below.

Extended Bibliography:

About Raptors by Cathryn Sill. 2010. 9781561455362. Gr PK-2.

Beaks by Collard B. Sneed. 2002. 9781570913884. Gr 1-4.

Bird, Bird, Bird: A Chirping Chant by April Pulley Sayre. 2007. 9781559719780. Gr PK-2.

Bird Talk by Lita Judge. 2012. 9781596436466. Gr 1-4.

Birds by Kevin Henkes. 2009. 9780061363054. Gr PK-K.

Falcon by Tim Jessell. 2012.  9780375968662. Gr PK-2.

Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf by Olivia Bouler. 2011. 9781402786655. Gr K-3.

Puffling Patrol by Ted Lewin. 2012. 9781600604249. Gr 2-5.

Robin Makes a Laughing Sound: A Birder’s Journal by Sallie Wolf. 2010. 9781580893183. Gr 4-8.

Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators by Jim Arnosky. 2011. 9781402756610. Gr 4-6.

Blogger:  Mindy R.

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Gardening Books for Spring

April 19, 2012 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Mackin Picks, Nonfiction, Primary (K-2), Science · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My mom had a huge garden when I was growing up, so I spent a lot of my summer working in the dirt:  weeding, planting, weeding, watering, weeding, and harvesting.  Every once in a while I’m sure I expressed my dislike for the chores (complained constantly!) but those sweet strawberries and fresh beans and sugar peas sure did taste good!

My mom was surprised (shocked) that I started my own garden when I grew up (remember the complaining?), but I enjoyed growing my own food.  I didn’t experiment very much, but mostly just grew the same things my mom did.  But then my younger son Nathan came along.  He would come with me to the store to buy seeds, using the pictures on the seed packets to choose new plants for the garden.  The most interesting plant we ever had was a loofah gourd, which we actually did harvest and dry, and Nathan used it in the bath!

Now that spring is formally here (I say “formally” because we actually had snow three days ago),  it is a great time to read about gardens…and there are some wonderful new gardening books for preschool through elementary kids.

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin Stead. 9781596436244. 2012. Gr PK-2.

Those of us who live where winter means white snow, and early spring means lots of brown, will relate to this book about waiting, waiting, waiting for that first sight of green.  A little boy plants some seeds and wishes for rain and something besides brown.  A week goes by, and he worries about his seeds and wonders if the birds are to blame, or maybe it’s the stomping bears.  Another week, and it is still brown—but a brown that “has a greenish hum that you can only hear if you put your ear to the ground and close your eyes.”  Charming illustrations by Caldecott winner Erin Stead add to this sweet story about anticipating spring.

Think Like a Scientist in the Garden by Matt Mullins. 9781610801669. 2012. Gr 3-6.

Science experiments aren’t only done by white-coated scientists in a carefully controlled laboratory.  This book teaches children how to search for answers in the garden. Photographs and illustrations help readers use their thinking and observation skills while studying plant life cycles, learning what makes plants green, and experimenting on acid rain. Follow the steps that scientists take…and find out how your garden grows.

How Does My Garden Grow? by DK Publishing. 9780756671945. 2011. Gr 2-5.

Using colorful photographs, How Does My Garden Grow? shows the whole process of planting seeds in a variety of containers and watching the plants grow—while learning about the parts of plants and their life cycles.  Activities, experiments, art projects, and even magic tricks add to the fun.

So you’ve planted your seeds and grown your plants and harvested your crops.  Now what?  These two new series go beyond the ordinary life-cycle gardening books to show children how to prepare their crops for the table.

Cool Basil from Garden to Table : How to Plant, Grow, and Prepare Basil from the Cool Garden to Table series, by Katherine Hengel. 9781617831829. 2012. Gr 3-6.

With pictures illustrating each step of growing and preparing, Cool Basil provides easy recipes with clear instructions for making six delicious dishes, including basil parmesan dip, Thai noodles and basil, and basil-lemon cake.  Each book also includes a two-page spread picturing all of the ingredients used in the recipes; another spread contains photos of all the tools needed; and a third spread uses photos to define cooking terms.  The other titles in the series give the same treatment to carrots, beans, leaf lettuce, potatoes, and tomatoes.  Yum!

Grow Your Own Sandwich from the Grow It Yourself! series, by John Malam. 9781432951085. 2012. Gr K-2.

Bright close-up photos show primary students how to grow tomatoes, what the different varieties look like, and how to make a delicious tomato and cheese sandwich.  Learn how to raise strawberries in Grow Your Own Smoothie, harvest fava beans in Grow Your Own Snack, and grow pumpkins in Grow Your Own Soup.  You can even learn about catnip in Grow Your Own Cat Toy.

I no longer have a vegetable garden, but I do have a couple small flower/shrub beds by my house.  Remember my dislike for weeding?  Still true, but now I display a small sign:  “Weeds for Sale—Pick Your Own.”

And here, just like zucchini, are a few more titles:

10 Hungry Rabbits : Counting & Color Concepts by Anita Lobel. 9780375968648. 2012. Gr PK-1.

First Garden : The White House Garden and How It Grew by Robbin Gourley.  9780547482248. 2011. Gr 1-3.

One Watermelon Seed by Celia Barker Lottridge, illustrated by Karen Patkau. 9781554550340. 2008. PK-1.

Planting the Wild Garden by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illustrated by Wendy Halperin. 9781561455638. 2011. Gr PK-2.

Secrets of the Garden : Food Chains and the Food Web in Our Backyard by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. 9780517709917. 2012. K-3.

Seed, Soil, Sun : Earth’s Recipe for Food by Cris Peterson. 9781590787137. 2010. Gr PK-3.

Blogger: Tracey L.

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Graphic Novels for Middle School and High School

April 16, 2012 · Filed under Formats, Graphic Novel, High School, Middle School (6-8) · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Is your graphic novel collection in dire need of some new titles? It’s your lucky day! Tweens and teens will love reading about Greek mythology, dragons, cowhands, rebels, and vampires. Check out the newest and best graphic titles for yourself (or your students)!

Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O’Connor. 2012. 9781596437616. Gr 5-8.

This amazing graphic novel tells the story of the famous God of the Underworld, who lures the beautiful Persephone into his lair. In the Olympians series, O’Connor uses information from primary documents in his re-tellings of these Greek myths. Action, drama, and romance make this series a perfect companion for fans of  Percy Jackson!

The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Rebecca Guay. 2011. 9781595827982. Gr 6-12.

Tansy, the youngest daughter of the village healer, discovers fireweed, a plant that was last seen 200 years ago when dragons roamed the Earth. Shortly after this discovery, her father goes missing, leaving only his burned herb pouch behind. The town decides that the only logical solution is to find a hero to fight the dragon. Will the village find a hero, or will Tandy have to use the skills of the entire village to save them all? Don’t miss this wonderful folktale.

Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack, illustrated by Randy Duburke. 2012. 9780811857499. Gr 5-10.

Did you know that about a quarter of actual cowhands were African-American? This is a story about the champion horse breaker and rifle shot, Deadwood Dick. Otherwise known as Nat Love, he was a contemporary ‘Billy the Kid;’ born a slave in 1854, he eventually gained his freedom. He won recognition as a cowboy and mastered many things including sharpshooting, driving, and roping. A wonderful, inspirational story that celebrates the life of a legendary American.

Uglies: Shay’s Story by Scott Westerfeld, illustrated by Devin Grayson. 2012. 9780345527226. Gr 7-10.

Fans of Westerfeld’s Uglies and Pretties will enjoy Shay’s narration in this graphic novel spin-off. Shay, a young rebel, travels to the world ruins past the city, where she finds other teenagers wanting to escape their strict lives. Soon she must make a compelling decision: accept the way her society works and get the operation, or be true to herself.

Twilight: The Graphic Novel: 2 by Stephenie Meyer, illustrated by Kim Young. 2011. 9780316133197. Gr 7-12.

The second volume of Twilight: The Graphic Novel completes the graphic adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling novel. Bella has finally uncovered the mysterious secret about Edward Cullen, and has embraced her feelings for him. Will he be able to protect her from a rival clan of vampires, especially the tracker, James? Or will Bella have to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect everyone that is dear to her? An amazing companion to the Twilight Saga, this graphic novel is complemented by Young’s gorgeous artwork.

Kristin J.

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National Poetry Month

April 12, 2012 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Poetry, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Take Two! A Celebration of Twins by Patrick J. Lewis & Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. 2012. 9780763637026. Gr. PS-3.

I have a niece and nephew who are twins, so when I saw this title, I couldn’t resist! These sweet and funny poems celebrate being a twin, from sharing the womb to childhood, and includes a section on famous twins throughout history. Yolen and Lewis also throw in interesting “Twin Facts” throughout the book, like how Nigeria is the nation with the most multiple births or Cryptophasia is the name of the language twins share when they are babies and toddlers. Whether you have twins, or know any twins, this book is sure to bring a smile to your face!

I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus by Jack Prelutsky. Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. 2012. 9780062014573. Gr. 1-4.

Prelutsky entertains readers once again with over 100 new humorous poems. Whether it’s poems about fish in a tree or a dozen buffalocusts, they will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter. Prelutsky even includes a pronunciation guide for his imaginative creature,s such as cormoranteaters, wiguanas, and the gludus. Written with a snappy rhythm, these poems will make great read-a-louds.

Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein. 2011. 9780061998164. Gr. 2-6.

Shel Silverstein’s poetry books were the first poetry books I read as a child and didn’t hate. His silly and quirky poems made me realize that not all poems needed to be serious and filled with double meanings (because we all know that those two roads that diverged in a yellow wood were not just talking about roads). Now Silverstein is back with even more oddball poems…about a hotdog with everything on it (including a parrot and a bee in bonnet), a poem about Santa’s clumsiest elf, and two poems featuring his dentist. Kids are sure to laugh at Silverstein’s silly humor and take him up on his invitation to write their own silly rhymes and poems.

I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery by Cynthia Grady. Illustrated by Michele Wood. 2011. 9780802853868. Gr. 4-8.

Grady’s powerful poems and Wood’s beautiful illustrations create a unique glimpse into African American slavery. Grady includes the good and the bad, writing about masters who taught their slaves how to read and write and allowed them to escape, while other masters stole the slave’s children away for auction. Grady includes footnotes with all her poems, explaining the historical significance of each poem. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of poetry as well as unforgettable insight into slavery conditions.

If you’re looking for more great poetry titles, check out our other posts featuring poetry!

Mindy’s Looking for Science Poetry

Tracey’s Using Poetry Books as Writing Examples & April and National Poetry Month

Kristin’s Animal Poetry

Lindsey L.

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Book Review: Without Tess

April 9, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Middle School (6-8), Novels, Realistic, Reviews · Tagged , , , ,

Without Tess by Marcella Pixley. October 2011.  9780374361747. Gr 7-9.

Every Wednesday Lizzie Cohen sits in the high school guidance counselor’s office with her sister’s childhood journal in hand.  Lizzie’s sister Tess died five years earlier, and the journal full of poems and drawings is all Lizzie has left of Tess.  It isn’t enough.  It was Dr. Kaplan’s idea to use the journal in their therapy sessions.  Lizzie says,

“At our very first session, I told him about the journal filled with sketches and poems. I told him how I rescued it from her coffin the day of her funeral and carried it home in the inside pocket of my coat, how I couldn’t let them bury it, because I knew that these pages contained the real story of Tess and me and what happened when things changed.  Even though I might not want to remember, burying the Pegasus Journal along with Tess would have been criminal.”

Most of the book is made up of Lizzie’s memories of her sister and their childhood, which was full of adventure and make believe.  The two sisters were always very close, and Tess was wildly imaginative in the games and stories she made up for her little sister.  Eventually though, Tess’ behavior grew more and more erratic and the make believe became darker as she went downhill mentally.  Lizzie was only a kid, and she had no way of knowing that Tess believed her own stories until it was too late.  Only Lizzie knows that her sister didn’t drown accidentally, and the guilt that she feels over her sister’s suicide is at the heart of this thoughtful novel.

In the present, Lizzie’s high school experience is falling apart.  She rarely turns in any homework, except in her English class where she turns in the poems that Tess had written in her journal before she died.  Lizzie is amused to note that her deceased sister is getting a B in a high school English class with poems she wrote at age ten.  But a poetry doubles assignment in which she is paired with an old friend may be just what she needs to bring her present into focus.

Readers who are interested in a powerful psychological story will be glued to the pages as they try to understand, along with Lizzie, what Tess was really about. Teachers may also find the story to be an educational tool for helping more young people understand and empathize with mental illness or as a way of exploring the redemptive power of poetry.

Blogger: Mindy R.

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Do You Believe in Magic? – Magical Stories for Teens

April 5, 2012 · Filed under Fantasy, Fiction, High School, Magic, Novels, Paranormal, Romance · Tagged , ,

Have you always wanted to be like Samantha from Bewitched? I definitely have, and I am not giving up on that dream either! Cate and Kendra are definitely not the nose-twitching type of witches, but they are exciting all on their own. Welcome to two different worlds, one in the fairy-tale realm and the other in 1896 New England. Once you visit each world, you just might not want to come back to reality!

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. 2012. 9780399257452. Gr 9-12.

Cate has always known that her future would consist of two choices:  a life-long commitment to the Sisterhood OR marriage. In her world, the brutal Brotherhood hunts down witches—which in turn are either sent to an asylum or a prison ship, or are executed. Cate and her two sisters have been hiding their secret for years—that they are witches. Not only does she bear the responsibility to protect her sisters, but Cate also uncovers an unexpected prophecy that will challenge the very framework of the Brotherhood.

Bewitching by Alex Flinn. 2012. 9780062024145. Gr 7-12.

Kendra has had quite the life of an immortal. She changed an arrogant boy into a misshapen beast. She was hanged when she tried to rescue some children from a gingerbread house. And that little mermaid she found in the Titanic lifeboat? Don’t even go there! Now a girl named Emma needs help, which might just involve an enchanted pumpkin or two. As fans from Flinn’s Beastly know, when it comes to Kendra, all bets are off when she starts bewitching.

Kristin J.

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Book Review : Plagues, Pox, and Pestilence

April 2, 2012 · Filed under History, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Reviews, Science · Tagged , , , ,

Plagues, Pox, and Pestilence by Richard Platt, illustrated by John Kelly. 2011. 9780753466872. Gr 4-7.

Come in and take a tour of the Pox Lab—if you dare!

This fascinating and humorous book describes the history of the world’s worst diseases and pandemics, including bubonic plague, leprosy, cholera, malaria, smallpox, influenza, tuberculosis, and more.  The Pox Lab is staffed by some very interesting scientists and teachers…in fact, they are the very same pests that have spread the germs that cause these diseases.  Meet Dr. Scratch (a flea) and Professor Ratticus (a rat, of course); their lab assistants are a mosquito and a tse-tse fly.   These germ and disease experts describe symptoms of each disease and popular treatments throughout history; for example, the color red was thought to cure smallpox, and bleeding was a popular treatment for many diseases—a treatment that often caused more harm than good.

Professor Ratticus and his cohorts explain how the search for cures for these dreadful diseases has spurred the advancement of science, leading to the invention of microscopes and X-rays, as well as antibiotics, vaccines, and other life-saving treatments.  Learning about the protists, bacteria, and viruses that cause disease has helped scientists figure out how to prevent many diseases.

In addition to germs that affect humans, the Pox Lab also studies those that infect crops and animals, and the effect that they have on people.  One such germ caused the blight on Ireland’s potato crop in the mid-1800s, which led to the death of a million people from starvation and typhus. And the improper processing of animals for food also causes widespread sickness even today.

This high-interest book is a fun—and funny—way to learn about some pretty difficult topics, with colorful illustrations detailing the complex ideas in germ theory, microbiology, global pandemics, and immunity.  And though the subject of pandemics is a serious one, the depiction of the scowling germs behind these horrible diseases helps to lighten the mood, while the text provides interesting and accurate information.

Blogger:  Tracey L.

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