Hicks, Faith Erin. The Nameless City.

Hicks, Faith Erin.  The Nameless City.  Macmillan/First Second  2016  unp  $21.99  ISBN 978-1-62672-157-9  ms  Graphic novel  VG-BN

In an ancient mountain pass that allows trade between the sea and the rest of Asia (perhaps a reference to the Shanghai Pass in China) sets a fortress, and in the fortress a city, The Nameless City. The city is governed by its most recent conquerors, the Dao, and its population is divided in many ways because of having been conquered over and over again. This is the story of the developing friendship between two ‘tweens, a boy and a girl, who have common desires and interests, and wind up preventing an event that could lead to war and the eventual destruction of the Nameless City. It is a superbly crafted graphic novel about a time and a people, although neither one is clearly referenced. The friendship and antagonism between Dao and Rat is well written and amusing at times. Their roles as young citizens in the Nameless City develop as the story unfolds, and so do the characters. The artistry of the graphics is beautiful. This is the first book in a series that is sure to be a hit with middle-school students of both sexes.

Summary: In an ancient mountain pass that allows trade between the sea and the rest of Asia (perhaps a reference to the Shanghai Pass in China) sets a fortress, and in the fortress a city, The Nameless City. The city is governed by its most recent conquerors, the Dao, and its population is divided in many ways because of having been conquered over and over again.     

Fantasy-Fiction                                       --Lynn Fisher

Almond, David. Half a Creature From the Sea: A Life in Stories.

Almond, David.  Half a Creature From the Sea: A Life in Stories.  Candlewick Press  2015  222p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-7877-7      ms/hs  Short stories    E-BN 

British author David Almond takes childhood memories, infuses elements of fantasy, and produces a captivating story collection.  Each story begins with the real events that inspired the story.  Angels, poltergeists, sea people, bullying, and grief are some of the themes of the stories.  The cover art is beautifully done, in color with a black-and-white illustrated sheer overlay, and it inspires interest in the book even before one reads the summary.  Eleanor Taylor’s black-and-white illustrations add emotional elements to the story.  This collection is a must-have for any middle- or high-school collection.  It would also be useful in a writing class as a tool to demonstrate how to take personal experiences and create works of fiction.

Summary: David Almond blends fantasy and realism in a collection of short stories inspired by childhood events.  

Friendship-Fiction, Fantasy-Fiction             --Stephanie Pennucci

Starmer, Aaron. The Whisper. (The Riverman Book 2)

Starmer, Aaron.  The Whisper.  (The Riverman Book 2)  Macmillan/Farrar Strauss  2015  361p.  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-374-36311-6  ms/hs  Fantasy  VG-BN        

After the climactic conclusion to Book 1 of The Riverman series, Alistair enters Fiona’s portal and is washed up on a shore in Aquavania.  It seems different from the descriptions Fiona had given him.  He is only twelve years old and small for his age.  All he wants is to find Fiona and her friends who have disappeared and then go home.  He sees that this will not be so easy as he enters strange worlds with strange inhabitants.  He does not know whom to trust.  As he travels from world to world, he must confront his past mistakes.  He discovers that the Riverman now uses the name Whisper but has been known by other names too.  Alistair does not find answers, only more questions.

As a sequel, this is not what was expected.  The Riverman was written in the first person, while Whisper is in third person.  It may be harder for readers to associate and empathize with Alistair.  The identification with reality and separation from fantasy was easy in the first book.  Book 2 is all fantasy with flashbacks to reality, or are they?  The story is even darker, with an active role being played by Whisper.  Predictions for Book 3 are totally up in the air.

Recommended for upper middle school or high school due to the very dark nature of the fantasy worlds.  This title is quite dark and except for readers who loved the first book, it will take some hard sell.       

Summary: Alistair has used Fiona’s portal to Aquavania.  It is not completely as she described it.  The Creators are disappearing and the worlds are falling apart.  Can he find the Riverman and the missing Creators?    Sequel to the Riverman. 

Fantasy-Fiction                                                   --Joan Theal

Bertman, Jennifer Chamblis. Book Scavenger.

Bertman, Jennifer Chamblis.  Book Scavenger.  Macmillan/Henry Holt      2015  354p  $16.99  ISBN 978-1-62779-115-1      ms/jr  Fantasy  VG-BN  

Reading and books are important to many people for many reasons, and Emily finds that they help her make a transition to new cities and new friends. Her life is a suitcase full of books that she loves. Her parents both have jobs that can be performed online so they have embarked on their goal of living in all fifty states before they turn fifty. Their latest city is San Francisco.

This time Emily is enthusiastic because it is the city where her favorite author lives. Garrison Griswald is supposedly working on a new idea for an online scavenger hunt for clues that will end in a special prize. Emily and her new friend James find a book in a train station that is also being hunted by some less honorable folks. This starts the intrigue and tests the ability of Emily and James to solve puzzles and ciphers.  The plot is straightforward, which allows the beauty of the characters to shine through, and it includes enough tension, intrigue, and mystery to keep youngsters reading. It is a well-written book that would make an excellent addition to any middle-school or high-school collection, and it is recommended for Books of Note.

Summary: This is the story of a middle-school student who uses books and reading to help her adapt when her parents move from state to state.  Emily is a fan of Garrison Griswald, creator of an online book scavenger-hunt game.  Readers will find that this book is “where life is a game and books are the tokens.”           

Books and reading-Fiction                                         --Linda McNeil

Invasion of the UFONUTS. (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut.)

Keller, Laurie.   Invasion of the UFONUTS. (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut.)  Macmillan/Henry Holt  2014  125p  $12.99      ISBN 978-0-8050-9075-8  elem  Science fiction  VG

Elementary students who enjoy humor will appreciate this new title Invasion of the UFONUTS, the second installment in the Arnie the Doughnut series.  Written in an easy-to-read style, the book features Arnie the doughnut dog and his best friend Peezo.  When Arnie hears his neighbor Loretta Schmoretta telling reporters that she was the victim of an alien abduction, the two begin to wonder what is really happening.  Not only does Arnie learn of alien abductions, but alien doughnuts from outer spastry.  Being a doughnut dog himself, Arnie and his town friends fear being abducted by these aliens.  The downtown bakery is closing its doors, as no one is buying anything since the alien abductors are capturing those on Earth who eat doughnuts.  When Peezo goes missing after a fight with Arnie, Arnie begins to wonder what happened to him.  While searching for Peezo, Arnie himself gets captured by the alien abductors and then he sees Peezo and the others who have been abducted as well.  Thinking the aliens have brainwashed everyone including Peezo, Arnie is determined to find out the truth, even though Peezo had already told him that this was all just a movie production.

The author includes humor, black-and-white illustrations, a dictionary of UFONUT, and information on Arnie’s next adventure.

For schools that use Accelerated Reader, an existing test is available for students to take (AR Quiz # 164554).  There are three titles so far in the Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut series.   Filled with charm and silly humor, these fast-paced chapter books introduce readers to Mr. Bing and Arnie, his new pet "doughnut dog."

Summary: “Arnie is shocked when he hears his neighbor Loretta Schmoretta tell news reporters that she was the victim of an alien abduction.  And not just any aliens--alien doughnuts from outer spastry.  Arnie thinks this is a ridiculous story, that is, until he gets abducted. Arnie must think fast in order to rescue his fellow doughnuts and the townspeople from the alien invaders.” 

Fantasy-Fiction, Humor-Fiction            --Charleen Forba-Mayer