Lubner, Susan. The Upside of Ordinary.

Lubner, Susan.  The Upside of Ordinary.  Holiday House  136p      $16.95   978-0-8234-2417-7         2012        elm/ms                VG-BNe Realistic fiction                                   

Jermaine picks up her movie camera and tries to become famous by filming her family in their daily lives.  She wreaks havoc everywhere, causing rifts with everyone around her, including her best friend, her mother, and her cousin.

Susan Lubner is a relatively new author of young-adult fiction.  She has the requisite qualities of being a good story-teller and a chooser of contemporary topics that are sure to appeal to young teen readers.  Her character Jermaine is annoying to all those around her, and she will definitely annoy her readers with her antics, but they will relate to her perseverance and her drive to become famous.  What is just an ordinary life soon becomes quite emotional for everyone who she tries to film.  Her first endeavor is to film her sister while she braids the hair of Jermaine’s best friends, and the disastrous results create enmity right from the start!  Her next victim is her mother.  Jermaine sets up her mother in a most hideous way, by releasing a tarantula into the home and filming her mother’s reaction.  At each moment, Jermaine is either filming, being punished, or trying to come up with her next project, and readers will respect her tenacity.  This book is filled with clean humor about the pains of growing up, and it is real, both in the sense that Jermaine is filming real life and in the sense that raw family emotions are revealed on camera.  The intrigue lies in the disappearance of Jermaine’s uncle, and as the family awaits his return, Jermaine accidentally films him hiding in her barn while she is helping to find a ring that she lost in her mother’s pickle jars.  Jermaine does everything wrong until the end, when she finally realizes that capitalizing on the raw emotions of her family as they resolve conflicts is not the way she wants to become famous. 

The theme of this book is clear, the characters are both annoying and endearing, and the plot is interesting and contemporary.  Note the error on page 40:  furthest should be “farthest” (near the bottom of the page).  Many grammar books point out that “farthest” refers to distance in physical terms.          

Reality television-Fiction                                                                --Martha Squaresky

 

Magoon, Kekla. Fire In The Streets.

Magoon, Kekla.  Fire In The Streets.           Simon & Schuster/ Aladdin  336p  $15.99  978-1-4424-2230-8    2012      ms/hs  VG-BN                      Historical fiction                                

In this sequel to the award-winning The Rock and the River, the narration switches from Sam to his ex-girlfriend, Maxie.  Against the backdrop of 1960s Chicago and the Black Panthers, the stage is set for a compelling story of belonging and violence.     

The narrator, 14-year-old Maxie, has more on her plate than she can possibly handle.  Her mother is unemployed, and her string of dead-beat boyfriends causes Maxie to seek refuge in the Black Panthers headquarters.  She longs to be a member, like her older brother Raheem, and fight for justice.  She will prove that she isn’t too young by finding the traitor in their midst.  A shocking ending leaves room for a sequel, and readers will find it hard to wait.  Strong characterization, a compelling plot, the backdrop of the turbulent sixties, the Vietnam war and civil and racial unrest, all meld to make this a novel that older middle-school readers will not be able to put down.  This can stand alone, but readers who have not read the earlier novel will want to read it for the back story.  This will vie for a few awards.            

Black Panthers-Fiction, Civil Rights Movement-Fiction                                                                         --Pat Naismith

 

McClintock, Norah. Nowhere to Turn. (A Robin Hunter Mystery)

McClintock, Norah.  Nowhere to Turn. (A Robin Hunter Mystery)                Darby Creek see Lerner                  226p  $27.93       978-0-7613-8316-1         2012      ms/hs   VG-BN           Mystery/Detective                             

Nick disappeared from Robyn’s life a few months ago.  Now he is back and he is in trouble again.  This time Robyn is not sure what happened, but she does know that Nick was a good caretaker for Orion, a large dog who is gentle unless he is being threatened.  Nick had been helping Mr. Schuster with Orion, but when Mr. Schuster suffered a stroke it was up to Nick to continue caring for the dog.

That is when it all happened, and next thing he knew, Nick had been accused of stealing Mr. Schuster’s coin collection.  Who would believe him -- all the evidence pointed to his guilt.  That is when Robyn stepped in and began her investigation of the theft and began taking care of the dog.

 
Can Robyn solve the mystery of the missing coins before anyone gets hurt?  Why is everyone so quick to point the finger at Nick, and what is Nick hiding?
This is a mystery story with a little bit of romance, a dog and a lot of unsolved issues.
Hi-lo, Mystery, Theft-Fiction                                                                                                                                                   --Magna Diaz

 

Miller, Bobbi. Miss Sally Ann and The Panther.

Miller, Bobbi.      Miss Sally Ann and The Panther.  Holiday House  unp  $16.95 978-0-8234-1833-6                 2012  elem           E-BN       Adventure                             

In this retelling of the story of Miss Sally Ann and the Panther, children are sure to be delighted by the adventures of Miss Sally Ann and the extreme talents that she possesses.  As the story of her adventure unfolds, Miss Sally Ann comes across Fireeyes the Panther.  They face each other eye to eye. Of course each of them is imagining and determined to make a coat out of the other, but a surprising resolution occurs instead.

Bobbi Miller has retold this folk tale in a simple, fun, and suspenseful manner for children. The beautiful illustrations of Megan Lloyd enhance the story and provide beautiful color pictures that heighten the adventure and add interest for young children and beginning readers.  This exciting book is a must for young children and beginning readers.
Folk tales, Legends                                                                                                                                --Virginia McGarvey

 

Morpurgo, Michael. Shadow.

Morpurgo, Michael.  Shadow.       Feiwel&Friends/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group   178p  $16.99 978-0-312-60659-6          2012      ms/jr        VG-BN                  Realistic fiction                                   

Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse (which was recently released as a movie), offers a fictional story based on real events.  Morpurgo was inspired by a news clipping about an Australian sniffer dog who was separated from his handler when serving in Afghanistan.  Although he went missing for more than a year and was presumed dead, the dog survived and was returned to her unit, having been fed and cared for by local people.

Matt is visiting his grandfather when he learns the plight of his classmate Aman, who, along with his mother, has been incarcerated in Yarl’s Wood, a detention camp, to await deportation.  Matt convinces his grandfather, a retired journalist, to visit the family and to take steps to secure their release.

The story is told from several perspectives. Aman tells the story of life under the Taliban and his family’s harrowing flight from Afghanistan.  Six years after seeking asylum in the UK, Aman and his mother are abruptly threatened with deportation to the country they fled, where retribution for their flight is a certainty.  Matt is grounded in the present, and his story is one of friendship and describes Aman’s many admirable qualities; Aman is a star athlete, good student, and loyal friend.  Matt’s grandfather provides a mature point of view, and has the life experience to place all the stories in perspective and prepare a plan of action.

It is not until Matt brings his dog to the prison-like detention center that the story of Shadow, a remarkable springer spaniel, comes to light.  Shadow’s story threads itself through all the story lines, and ultimately brings together the elements necessary for Aman’s rescue in the UK, as well as Afghanistan.

The theme of civil liberty is obvious.  The parallels between the Afghani regime and the British government are deliberate.  How can the UK call itself a democracy when it infringes on civil rights to this extent?  The call to action is more subtle.  Aman and his mother are, at the last minute, permitted to stay on in the UK, but what about the other families who are still living in the detention camp?  Readers may be prompted to action in considering their plight. This offers a springboard to discussions of the value of friendship and loyalty, conflict, and how to take effective steps to become an activist at any age.

Friendship-Fiction, Dogs-Fiction, Taliban-Fiction, War-Fiction, Afghanistan-Fiction, United Kingdom-Fiction                                                                                                                                                                        --Hilary Welliver

 

O’Reilly, Bill. Lincoln’s Last Days.

O’Reilly, Bill.        Lincoln’s Last Days.         Henry Holt/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group         316p      $19.99  978-0-8050-9675-0  2012  ms/hs  VG-BN      Nonfiction

Based on O’Reilly’s Killing Lincoln (2011), this version is geared toward younger readers.  It compellingly portrays the last days of the Civil War through the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination.     With copious photos, maps and reproductions of documents, O’Reilly has transformed his adult book, Killing Lincoln, into a masterpiece for younger readers.  Even adults will be enthralled by this very readable account of Lincoln’s last days and the upheaval in the country after his death.  But the story does not end there.  O’Reilly has provided an illuminating afterword, followed by supplemental information about Lincoln’s world (Washington, DC, in the 1860s, prominent people, etc.), facts about the Civil War, timelines for both Lincoln and Booth, and a tour of Lincoln “sites” today. 

The layout of the book is geared towards younger readers, with a photo or an artifact on each page, but the language is not didactic or dumbed-down.  The narrative is compelling and engaging.  Readers of all ages will not be disappointed in this story of intrigue and ultimate sadness.

American history-Civil war                                                                                                                            --Pat Naismith

 

 

Peacock, Shane. Becoming Holmes. (The Boy Sherlock series)

Peacock, Shane.                   Becoming Holmes. (The Boy Sherlock series)      Tundra Books  245p       $21.99  978-1-77049-232-5    2012            ms/jr       E-BN                  Mystery/Detective           

It is 1870, around the time of Charles Dickens’ death. As all of London mourns his passing, Sherlock Holmes embarks upon his last mission, in which he faces his nemesis, Malefactor and his henchmen (Crew and Grimsby).  Sherlock is nearly seventeen in this concluding escapade in the Boy Sherlock series.  He senses that he is rapidly becoming depressed since his father’s death and the developing illness of his mentor, Sigerson Bell.  To recoup a little bit of family he takes off to visit his brother, Mycroft, who works for the Treasury.  While talking to his brother he spots one of his nemesis’ crew walking into the building. Sherlock knows that Malefactor is up to something because there is no way that Grimsby could be a banker.

Sherlock shakes off his malaise  and starts to investigate the possibilities. Throughout this book there are little slivers of insight into Sherlock’s deductive powers and his ability to read people from their body language. Readers will also get some insight into the conditions that existed in London in the 1870s era.  Sherlock’s sense of justice drives him into dangerous and sometimes unscrupulous actions.  His mentor assists in many of these actions, but he also acts as Sherlock’s conscience as his own illness progresses.

 
In the final pages of the book Sherlock finds himself helped by the young Lestrade.  Crew is cornered in a crypt with several large very poisonous snakes.

Readers who have followed this series will like the fast pace and spine-tingling twists as the story concludes.  But will they wonder who that body was, climbing out of the water?   

Mystery stories, Sherlock Holmes                                                                   --Linda McNeil

 

Pulver, Robin. The Case of Incapacitated Capitals.

Pulver, Robin.    The Case of Incapacitated Capitals.            Holiday House   unp  $16.95          978-0-8234-2402-3  2012             elm/ms                  VG-BN                      Grammar                                   

Mr. Wright’s students want him to have a day off, but when they write a letter to the principal, they forget to use capitalization!  Mr. Wright turns this thoughtful gesture into a grammar lesson for his caring students.

“Creative”, “colorful” and “seamless” are three descriptions that fit this book.  First, the author creatively entices children to learn capitalization rules by turning these rules into a children’s book with a story!  The lower-case and upper-case letters share their woes while the story is told in the third person.  As the plot moves forward, the children learn how to correctly use capital letters in a letter that they have written to Ms. Allcap, the principal, requesting that she give their teacher, Mr. Wright, a much-needed day off.  Secondly, the book is colorful, a feature that the illustrator has used to subtly move children forward, both literally and figuratively.  Simply stated, children will learn the rules of capitalization through the combined use of art and grammar.  Finally, the book is seamless.  It flows naturally; by the time students finish it, they have learned that capitalization is as easy as writing a letter!  The rules are woven in throughout the story, and children will not feel that they must memorize the rules of grammar. 

Three extra features at the end of the book are excellent.  In the first, the reader learns how letters got the name “lowercase” and “uppercase”.  Next, the letter is presented, and next to each capital letter the rule is restated in its shortened form.  Finally, useful rules for capitalization are enumerated, and children who did not learn the lesson from Robin Pulver’s story can learn the lesson in a more traditional way.                  --Martha Squaresky

 

Rosati, Gina. Auracle.

Rosati, Gina.        Auracle.                 Macmillan/ Roaring Brook Press               298p      $16.99  978-1-59643-710-4  2012                ms/hs E-BN          Supernatural                   

Anna has been leaving her body for a long time, whenever she wanted to. She now knows that it is called Astral projection.  Her best friend Rei is always watching out for her when she goes gallavanting around the world.  Her best friends include Rei and Seth.  They do almost everything together, but only Rei knows her secret.
 

Then one day Taylor, a new student, set her sights on Seth.  Seth is not interested and tells her to bug off, but Taylor is adamant that she will go out with him.  That is when things start to go wrong. Taylor steals Seth’s cell phone from his locker and demands that if he wants it back he must meet her at the Falls!  Seth reluctantly agrees and goes alone to meet Taylor.  Taylor tries her best to seduce Seth, but he is having none of it and demands his cell phone back.  When he gets close enough to grab it, Taylor loses her footing and that is when she falls to her death!

Accused of murder, Seth now must fight for his life, and Anna and Rei help him prove his innocence.

This is a very good fast read until the very end.  It is a love story, mystery story and ghost story all in one!             

Astral projection, Supernatural, Ghost story, Romance                                                                             --Magna Diaz