Bruce had escaped from his tragic memories when he was sent to boarding school, but being expelled forces Bruce to return, under guardianship of his uncle Alfred. With his return, Bruce is reintroduced to his friend Selina, not recognizing how much she has changed. Facing his past and being confronted with crime once again, Bruce starts to become the vigilante we know.
Even going into the story knowing that it’s a spin off from the typical Bruce Wayne backstory as a reimagining of the later Batman relationships put in a high school setting, some of the changes are disorienting. I had to ask google some questions to make sure my previous Batman knowledge wasn’t all a lie. The illustrations are superb, but I just don’t love how this Bruce is written. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use, partial nudity, implied sexual activity, and illegal activities; the violence rating is for bullying, blood, and suicide.
Not Playing By the Rules : 21 Female Athletes Who Changed Sports by Lesa Cline-Ransome, 48 pages. NON-FICTION Penguin Random House, 2020. $19.
BUYING ANot Playing By the Rules : 21 Female Athletes Who Changed Sports by Lesa Cline-Ransome, 48 pages. NON-FICTION Penguin Random House, 2020. $19.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ever since Constance Applebee brought field hockey for women to Harvard in 1901, athletic women have been blazing trails, being the first to break into men only sports, and crossing age, race and ability barriers. Each athlete has a 2 page spread - a full page picture with a inspirational quote, and a full page bio/historical contribution. Like Ethelda Bleibtrey who was arrested twice for swimming nude (because she took off her stockings to swim); Nadia Comaneci, first to receive a perfect score in Olympic Gymnastics; Joy Johnson who started running marathons after she retired and continued until age 86; Mia Hamm, soccer sensation; and Ibtihaj Muhammad - first Muslim American to wear hijab while competing for the US Olympic team.
I really liked this collected biography - it is a great spring board to build interest in an individual and inspire research to learn more about them. I loved the quotes - it reminded me of the teen magazines of the 70s where you could take out the page and put it on your wall. The text is engaging with lots of good information about each woman. Includes an appendix with "just a little bit more" about each athlete.
All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney, 415 pages. Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2019. $18.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature ContentAll-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney, 415 pages. Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2019. $18.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (teen dating) Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
16yo Allie Abraham is an all American girl. She gets good grades, has a bright future and a great boyfriend, Wells. Wells' dad is a nationally syndicated ultra conservative talk show host whose distrust of Muslims is no secret. Allie's father is from Jordan, her mother is Anglo-American but they are culturally Muslim. Allie's fair skin and red hair enables her to decide who she tells about her Muslim heritage. While the family is not religious Allie's interactions with her Grandmother and her Muslim cousins have inspired her to want to learn about Islam - and decide for herself, so she joins a study group of supportive girls and even begins to learn Arabic. But she is torn - her father probably won't approve of her religious decisions, and dating Wells is tricky - for both of them.
The opening scene of the book - where she confronts a bigoted passenger on an airplane is gold. I loved this book - Allie is spunky and undaunted, willing to speak her mind when necessary. I loved the glimpse into Muslim society and Islam - there is quite a bit of religious discussion, as Allie is learning about her culture. The romance is sweet - Allie is trying to reconcile dating (and other things). While better suited for High School because of the subject matter and age of the characters, I love to see more diverse titles in the middle school, so I will certainly be putting this on my shelves and recommending it.
Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick, 286 pages. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2020. $18. Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
13yo FraTornado Brain by Cat Patrick, 286 pages. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2020. $18. Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
13yo Frankie is neurodiverse - she is very different from her twin Tess. Frankie doesn't like to be touched, is distracted by noises, has special accommodations in school and has only 1 friend. Colette. But Colette is also friends with Tess. When Frankie overhears Colette say something mean about her, Frankie stops hanging around with them. Now Colette is missing. The police found a clue in her locker, a notebook Frankie, Colette and Tess used to write in years ago. But the only thing Frankie can see is that a page is missing - an important page. Maybe Frankie holds the key to what happened - but no one seems to listen.
I really liked Frankie's voice, I loved being in her head and discovering how she thinks. The mystery was exciting, the friend drama was great. Their family dynamics were realistic, supportive mom, but a bit impatient (or so Frankie feels that way.), and the sister relationship was perfect. Frankie visits a therapist who helps her work through things productively. My middle school girls will love this.
12yo Jack and her little brother Birdie are moving in with their Uncle Patrick. They are unhappy about it because they were living with Uncle Carl and he liked them. But Uncle Carl is not very responsible, and after missing too many "meetings with the teacher" about Birdie's many absences, and his gender non-conforming clothes, Uncle Patrick takes them instead. He is strict, makes them eat healthy foods, and needs Birdie to dress in ordinary "boy" clothes - which he hates. Everything seems so complicated without Mama.
Nuanez's debut novel is a tender read. I loved sweet Birdie - sad that none of the adults in his life were equipped to help him navigate his feelings. Delightful characters - Rosie and Janet - the voices of reason - and humor as well. The relationship between the siblings was great (both sets! - the uncles have some stuff going on , too). A heartfelt story about figuring out where you belong.
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: The Graphic Novel by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Haus Studio, 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (ScholI Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: The Graphic Novel by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Haus Studio, 160 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic), 2020. $25. 9781338120912
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Told through the point of view of a 10yo boy, Georgie, this is the story of one family’s experience the night the Titanic hit the iceberg. Georgie has a sister and an aunt with him and they make friends with a man and his son. Each survives in different ways - some in lifeboats, and some in the water. The story is woven in with the superstitious idea that a mummy on board was bad luck.
Students are already drawn to the “I Survived” series and the new graphic novels will engage even more readers. There was a good balance of words to images, providing plenty of opportunities for readers to practice their skills. I found the illustrations tasteful, given it is built around a tragedy, and they made it come alive without making it too scary to be accessible for a wide audience.
Roll With It by Jamie Sumner, 250 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2019. $18
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGRoll With It by Jamie Sumner, 250 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2019. $18
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
12 year old Ellie is going through a major transition when her mom and her decide to move from Tennessee to Oklahoma when her grandpa starts to show signs of Alzheimers. Her mom has always been very protective of Ellie because of her cerebral palsy and need for a wheelchair and Ellie finds that with the move she is able to find much needed independence and new friendships.
I really liked the characters in this book, but the plot felt like it was missing a critical climactic moment. The book felt like it was built around the idea of normalizing being in a wheelchair, which I am here for, but I would have liked to have seen more movement in the conflicts of the book.
After being ghosted by her summer girlfriend, Milli Quint escapes Texas for a boarding school in the Scottish Highlands. What she doesn’t expect is that her roommate will be an actual princess. Or that after a very rocky start the two of them might become friends – and maybe more than friends.
Complete with a high drama big gesture romantic ending, get ready to swoon. Interesting that Hawkins wrote this one with virtually zero swears since the first hurt my eyes a bit. But even better she wrote a great romance!
Maximiliano Córdoba is a 12yo boy living in a village called Santa Maria in a country also called Santa Maria. When he has the opportunity to get free elite soccer training in the city with his friends, he feels like his future is bright and anything is possible, even learning about his mom who left when he was a baby. He asks his Papá for permission to go to the fútbol camp and when Papá refuses to let him go, Max is shocked to discover there are many secrets his family has been keeping from him. A series of events leads to Max discovering the biggest secret, realizing the much-loved stories his Buelo tells him each night hold clues to the way to Mañanaland. Without waiting for his Papå and Buelo, he chooses to guide a young, endangered girl on the journey to a place he has never tried to find, but hopes might hold the answers about his mother that he has been looking for.
Mañanaland is a beautifully written allegory of the plight of the immigrant or refugee. I loved that the story setting was general enough that it leaves out judgment of any one group and just tells the human side of the story through the people involved. The love, compassion, and sacrifice of many is clear as the human story behind illegal immigration and the reasons behind it are explored and magical thinking helps soften the harsh reality of the journey. This seems to be a great way to talk about illegal immigration and the reasons behind it without focusing on the politics surrounding it. The writing is beautiful, just like Pam Muños Ryan’s writing usually is, and the cover of the book gives a sense of the beauty and mystery that the story holds.
Digging Up Danger by Jacqueline West, illustrated by Hatem Aly, 275 pages. A Yearling Book (Penguin Random House), 2019. $8. Language: G (0 swears); MDigging Up Danger by Jacqueline West, illustrated by Hatem Aly, 275 pages. A Yearling Book (Penguin Random House), 2019. $8. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
This is a story built around the idea of a real kid who sent in her idea into the Story Pirates. During the story, the author directs you to the back of the book where it guides the reader through what the author is doing and how the reader can write their own mystery story. The story itself is about Eliza and her mom who move to a giant house to catalogue unique plants and have to solve a mystery around the peculiar effects of a stolen plant.
I enjoyed both reading the story and learning how to write my own mystery story. I have no doubt this will both spark interest for students to try out mystery writing as well as improve the writing of regular student authors.
Three lives collide in the brutal contest during this year’s race – a fight to the death on phoenix horses – beautiful beasts that need to be resurrected every night and a skilled rider can use the elements to manipulate that rebirth. Pippa is a Ashlord by birth – the beloved daughter of two former winners, destined to win. Adrian is a Longhand – an Ashlord separatist who has been groomed by his father to spark a revolution. Pippa is a Davidian, the failed conquerors who survive on the scraps left to them by the others – servants. Her video of her skills has caught the eye of the ruling class and earned her spot. Pippa has plans.
Call this Hunger Games on horses if you’d like. That gorgeous cover will catch many eyes and they won't be disappointed by the tale. The only odd note is that Pippa talks about herself in the second person. I couldn’t figure out why. Otherwise it is a breathless rush of action and danger with multiple ulterior motives leading to a sequel I wish I had in my hands already.
The Message of Destiny (Knights Club #4) by Shuky, Waltch, and Novy, 350 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Quirk Books, 2019. $10 Language: G (0 swears); Mature CoThe Message of Destiny (Knights Club #4) by Shuky, Waltch, and Novy, 350 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Quirk Books, 2019. $10 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This graphic novel, choose your own adventure, keep track of your score book is the story of a young knight in training who has to deliver a message to another country. Along the way he can increase the power of his weapons and win battles.
This book requires elements that are single use and will be difficult to share among readers. There are cards at the beginning of the book for logging events, levels, and items along your quest and a punch out spinner at the back of the book. This makes it a complicated addition to a library.
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park, 272 pages. Clarion (Houghton Mifflin), 2020. $17.
Content: G (some racial comments)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLEPrairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park, 272 pages. Clarion (Houghton Mifflin), 2020. $17.
Content: G (some racial comments)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Hanna and her Papa have made their way from San Francisco to LaForge in Dakota Territory over the course of several years – really since Hanna’s Mama died. They know that the prairie people aren’t as used to someone like Hanna – half Korean, but Hanna just wants to finish her last couple of courses of school and make her way as a dressmaker like her Mama was. She will have to stand strong in the face of the prejudices of the townspeople.
Park is unabashed in her love of the Little House books growing up. This is her homage to those books, showing the life of other groups who were also looking for homes in America at the same time. Lovely book – I admire Hanna’s spunk and her ingenuity. The Little House books and other historical fiction is not a big seller at my library, but those who find it will fall in love.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elise Chapman, 339 Pages. SHORT STORIES. Greenwillow Books, 2018. $11.
Content: Language R (10A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elise Chapman, 339 Pages. SHORT STORIES. Greenwillow Books, 2018. $11.
Content: Language R (10 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
16 stories by Asian writers based on East and South Asian myths, folktales, and legends. There are stories that appeal to every reader. Tales of Samurai, Bollywood dances, RPG's, androids, alternate realities, shape shifters, ghosts, love, revenge, and heartache. This wonderful compilation of short stories contain opportunities for discovery, self reflection, and discussion. If only the mountain spirit had waited a moment longer. What is it that really makes us human? Is revenge as sweet as anticipated? A sister transforms into a bird to escape captivity. A smile can be deadly. There is a reason some woods are forbidden. Perhaps all we need to be, is a fish.
Most stories are appropriate for 7th - 12th grade, however, some stories have references to love-making, “sexed-up” music, harem relationships, and suicide. 1 of the 16 stories contains all the “f” language. Each story has a short afterward by the author describing the original tale. These memorable stories could be read aloud in class and are valuable to teach perspective and understanding of different cultures.
The Buried City (Knights Club #6) by Shuky, Waltch, and Novy, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Quirk Books, 2020. $10 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: The Buried City (Knights Club #6) by Shuky, Waltch, and Novy, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Quirk Books, 2020. $10 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
In this choose your own adventure, you pick a character that is assigned to find particular items on an island and bring them back to a famous merchant. During the process you keep track on a log at the beginning of the book of the points and gems your decisions earned you. You also keep track of the damage you inflict on others, which is determined by a punch out spinner.
There are two options to follow in this graphic novel, one in which you only jump around the story as you make decisions and the other adds on to that a complex tally keeping system. It was too much for me to find enjoyable, but this may appeal to some readers, particularly those who are already familiar with this format in dungeons and dragon type of games.
Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOS Who Mean Business by Diana Kapp, illustrated by Bijou Karman, 308 pages. NONFICTION. Delacorte Press (Penguin Random Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOS Who Mean Business by Diana Kapp, illustrated by Bijou Karman, 308 pages. NONFICTION. Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House), 2019. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
These biographies each have a mix of first person responses to questions and third person biographies along with one main illustration of the women and mini illustrations along the way. Each biography is around eight pages long.
This is a very powerful exploration of women in power. The anthology is interesting and inspiring. I love that the illustrations of the woman show openness but the women aren’t all smiling and cheery, as women are often asked to be.
Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart, 384 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2019. $19.
Language: G (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (some teen drinking); VioScars Like Wings by Erin Stewart, 384 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2019. $19.
Language: G (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (some teen drinking); Violence: G (some bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Once Ava had a mom, a dad, a best friend cousin Sara. That was a year ago. Now she has a big toe as a thumb, a claw for the other hand, a patchwork of skin grafts all over her body and face. She was the only one to survive the fire. Her loving aunt and uncle, Sara’s parents, have been with her through the whole ordeal, moving Ava from rural Utah to Salt Lake City to recover. The doctors and her therapist says that it's time for Ava to go back to living. Ava promises she will give it two months – she can keep her head down and get out in two weeks. She didn’t count on meeting Asad, a kind, clueless, guy who won’t stop talking to her. Nor could she have predicted Piper – a wheelchair-bound victim of a car accident, caused by her former best friend Kenzie. Nor does she anticipate finding her singing voice again and her love for theater. Her patchworked body and her patchworked soul may be patched together strong enough to survive.
Shame on me for not reading this when I first received it! My heart sang as I listened to Ava and to Piper both struggle to regain their lives. You will love this! Bonus for me – Erin lives in Salt Lake City – so Utah HS librarians – she’s probably available for school visits!!
Atlatl saves a cub from sure death and, as a result, puts his own safety and security in jeopardy. This is just the beginning of many events that will threaten his life and the lives of others. Atlatl will face physical, mental, and emotional challenges. He will deal with situations within his own life, within his family, and with the Clan. Will Atlatl, his family members, and the Clan survive? What will Atlatl learn from his experiences?
This story takes place in a prehistoric setting. Some actual prehistoric connections are provided by the author within the text, and there are also references with nonfiction information provided at the back of the book. Human-animal relationships, family relationships, and Clan relationships are portrayed within the book. The importance of each of these relationships is demonstrated. A death-choice decision in the book affected the “Content” and “Buying Advisory” ratings.
Noise Makers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World, 223 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL/NONFICTION. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2020. $26 LangNoise Makers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World, 223 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL/NONFICTION. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2020. $26 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
This unique format book is a collection of graphic novel style biographies done by a variety of authors. The biographies are divided by the topics grow, tinker, play, create, rally, and explore. For each biography there is a short summary of the woman’s life, a list of ways that the reader may be similar to the woman, and a six to seven page graphic novel biography.
I loved the different styles of the artist/authors and I learned a lot reading this book; I didn’t know many of the women included. My favorite part was the list of ways you may be similar to the incredible woman you are about to read about. For Eugenie Clark the list includes: “I’ve visited aquariums. I like to swim. The ocean is my happy place...I am brave. I am curious.”
Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by Erin K. Robinson, 128 pages. NONFICTIONBrave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by Erin K. Robinson, 128 pages. NONFICTION. Crown Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2020. $19 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
This collection of one page biographies is a collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. Each biography includes an illustration and a quote. Some of the biographies are of very popular women such as Harriet Tubman, Serena Williams and Oprah, but many are lesser known women.
This anthology of short biographies and full page illustrations is very engaging. It would be fun to read one a day in the classroom, during Black History Month or at any other time. At the end of the book there are photographs of the artifacts of these women that are housed in the museum, giving this virtual field trip potential.