Yelchin, Eugene. The Haunting of Falcon House.

Yelchin, Eugene.  The Haunting of Falcon House.  Henry Holt/Macmillan  2016      310p    $15.99  ISBN 978-0-8050-9845-7     elem/ms  Fantasy  VG-BN

In this tale-within-a-tale, Lev, a young Russian nobleman of the early 20th century, aged about twelve, is sent to live with his eccentric aunt in St. Petersburg, where he encounters the ghost of a servant boy who served his grandfather. Only by breaking a curse put on the ghostly serf can Lev resolve the story’s mystery, finish a drawing he had started with his mother, and release the ghost from its misery. The story brings to mind some classics of Russian literature, such as the stories of Gogol and Tolstoy, with its descriptions of Tsarist Russian life and its wry humor. The characters are interesting and quaint, the sentences old-fashioned and eloquent, and the plot twisted and fanciful. The author sprinkles his own wonderful drawings throughout, giving them the look of old documents that have been slightly damaged by age. In the back, there are footnotes pertaining to Russian history which will be helpful to the young readers who get into the novel. The novel, like Yelchin’s previous work, will appeal to readers who are intellectually open to immersing themselves in Russian culture.  Recommended for upper-elementary and middle-school students who are into multicultural stories and fantasy.

Summary: A young nobleman in Tsarist Russia is sent to live with his aunt in an old gothic mansion, where he encounters ghosts and learns about his family’s secrets from the past.                      

Ghosts-Fiction, Russia-Fiction                                                                                  --Carol Kennedy

Broach, Elise. Treasure on Superstition Mountain.

Broach, Elise.    Treasure on Superstition Mountain.  Holt  2012  280p  $15.99  ISBN 978-0-8050-7763-6        elm/ms      Mystery/Detective   E-BN     

It is only a few weeks after the end of the action that took place in the first title, Missing on Superstition Mountain, and the protagonists, the three Barker boys and Delilah, are diving headlong into more adventures.  While doing research in the library, they find a photograph of the first Julia Thomas, who looks strikingly like the current Julia Thomas, who is the librarian and president of the Historical Society.  The boys explore a nearby ghost town and recover the hotel ledger from it, which provides evidence that Julia Thomas visited the area just after the death of the discoverer of the mine.  Tradition says that she failed to find the entrance to the mine, even though she had directions.

When their parents plan a trip and Aunt Kathy comes to baby-sit the Barker Boys, they grab the opportunity to return to the mountain and look for themselves.  Delilah comes too, even with her leg in a walking cast.  The quartet is successful, but there is a lot of suspense along the way.

Well-written descriptions of the area and exciting, dangerous adventures fill this novel.  The rescue of the quartet each time they are in great danger seems a bit too easy, but readers will become involved in the adventures and the characters and overlook this problem.  Each of the four children has his or her own strengths and weaknesses, which means that they work very well together.

Both boys and girls will thoroughly enjoy the adventures of these four intrepid explorers.           

Adventure, Ghost towns-Fiction                                    --Joan Theal

Blizzard of Glass: Halifax Explosion 1917

Walker, Sally M. Blizzard of Glass: Halifax Explosion 1917 

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2011  145p  $18.99  VG    978-0-8050-8945-5           ms/hs       Nonfiction 

In 1917, an ammunitions ship loaded with TNT, benzene and picric acid miscommunicates with a larger ship traveling in the opposite direction.  The ensuing collision creates a catastrophic man-made explosion rivaled only by the Hiroshima bomb in intensity.  The scene is set with information on both ships, their captains and the harbor master guiding the boats through a narrow inlet. As the nearly 3000 pounds of explosives ignite into one massive explosion, the shockwave fells people, tearing off their clothing and, in some cases, crushing internal organs and causing death.  Buildings crumble, trapping many.  Following the shockwave, a tsunami of 40-foot waves swamps both sides of the harbor with more devastation and death.  

The book follows five families, listing their whereabouts, their heroism and their heartbreaking searches for loved ones.  There are detailed descriptions of the worldwide aid and assistance provided, as well as the first-aid efforts for the thousands who were in need of medical attention.  Within a day of the explosion, two blizzards hampered rescue efforts.  Recovery efforts and survivor stories make this a book about kindness and hope as well as devastation. Numerous black-and-white photos give visual impact to the narrative.  An extensive bibliography, chapter notes, and an index complete this fine book about a wartime disaster that is not well known in the United States.

VG    Lois McNicol      Halifax (Nova Scotia) Explosion, 1917

 

The Edumacation of Jay Baker

Clark, Jay  The Edumacation of Jay Baker        

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2011  273p   $16.99     978-0-8050-9256-1       ms/hs       Realistic fiction

Being a 9th grader is not easy, especially for Jay, who has irritable bowel syndrome and who does not share the same interests as his childhood mates.  There are constant verbal skirmishes between them as the guys call him gay, while Jay’s quick wit always finds a way to wound the beefy sport jocks.  Jay confides his personal troubles to his female childhood friend and possible love interest (until a new girl arrives in school and catches his attention).  As Jay helps the new girl hone her tennis skills, he falls in love with her, and a love triangle ensues.  All the characters have parental issues.  There is a lot of snarky dialogue between characters, with teachers adding their own jabs.  Verbal intimidation and homophobia are the norm for the young characters, and potty humor and sexual innuendo abound.  Those readers that are not offended will be laughing hysterically.  The use of pop culture references litter the text, with some based upon contemporary culture and some stretching back to the TV show Alf.  Each chapter has a title that is related to a song referenced in the playlist at the back of the book.  While it is not for every library, many readers will find this humorous reflection of the angst and problems of maturing a welcome relief from the books that offer a more somber mood.   For grade 8 and higher.

McNicol,Lois   High school stories, Bullying

 

Riding Out The Storm

Deans, Sis  Riding Out The Storm    

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2012  165p  $16.99  978-0-8050-9355-1           ms/hs   E-BN    Conflict   

This short novel is a great one ... it takes place during a bus trip from Portland, Maine, to somewhere in New Jersey.  The main character is a 13-year-old boy named Zach who is going with his grandfather to visit his mentally-ill brother Derek, who is institutionalized in a hospital in New Jersey.  His thoughts and feelings about his brother, his family, and life in general permeate the book.  While he is on the bus, he meets a high-school girl with whom he is able to share some of his observations on life and his concern for his brother. 

This story should appeal to both boys and girls in grades 8 through 12.  It is funny, interesting, and heartwarming.  The writing style is appealing and amusing.        

E-BN  Carol Kennedy     Mental illness, Family

 

Citizen Scientists

Burns, Loree Griffin    Citizen Scientists      

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2012  80p $12.99  978-0-8050-9517-3        

elm/ms    E-BN        Nonfiction Picture book            

Citizen Scientists offers budding young ecologists a wonderful introduction into Mother Nature’s realms.  In clear and accessible language, the author describes four projects, one for each season, that will entice the readers outdoors in all kinds of weather.  Fall butterflying describes the tagging of monarch butterflies to track their migration from the eastern half of the United States to the mountains of Mexico.  Winter birding discusses the Christmas Bird Count used to identify different species at feeders and in parks.  Spring frogging talks about identifying frogs by their calls, and how a middle-school class discovered malformed frogs on a field trip.   Summer ladybugging examines the tiny insects for species recognition.  Each project begins with a description of young naturalists actively participating in the research, along with background information on each study.  Then it continues with a checklist of practical items necessary for further field study, an image of the animal discussed with important parts labeled, and a quick quiz about each.  Fabulous full-color photographs of the butterflies, birds, frogs, and ladybugs and of the children involved in the research enhance the text.  The book ends with resource pages of field guides, books, and Internet addresses for each study, as well as sources for extra information, answers to the quizzes, a bibliography, a glossary, and an index.  This is a wonderful introduction to nature studies that will fascinate children and adults alike.          

E-BN  Susan Ogintz      Environmental science, Animals in the wild

 

Myers, Laurie. Escape by Night: A Civil War Adventure

Myers, Laurie     Escape by Night: A Civil War Adventure    

Henry Holt/macmillan children's pub group 2011  120p  14.99 978-0-8050-8825-0     elem  E-BN  Historical  

   During the Civil War, Tommy and Annie and their dog Samson meet a wounded soldier at the hospital in their church.  They conclude that he is a Yankee and help him and a local slave escape from Augusta, GA. For grades 3-6.   As a wagon load of wounded soldiers rolls past their window, Tommy and Annie see a one-armed man clutching a book.  The book falls and Tommy retrieves it.  Returning it to the man and forming a friendship, Tommy comes to realize that the soldier is really a Yankee.  When he learns the man has a young son he wants to return to, Tommy debates what it means to “do justly, and love mercy”.  He finally decides to help the man escape.
    This Civil War story is perfect for young independent readers.  Simply written, it has enough of the gruesomeness of war to be real, but it is handled very gently.  The moral debate Tommy wages with himself is very well written and balanced with adventure.  It is especially touching when Tommy’s father, Reverend McKnight, recognizes Tommy’s strength of conviction even if he believes his choice is wrong.
   The story is loosely based on the childhood of Woodrow Wilson.
The sparse pen and ink illustrations help the reader picture the characters, setting and action.  They enhance the text for the reader.
An excellent choice for young readers interested in the Civil War. For grades 3-6.              Civil war - fiction     Joan Theal

Orr, Wendy. Missing! A Cat Called Buster.

Orr, Wendy.  Missing! A Cat Called Buster. (Rainbow Street Shelter)     Henry Holt/Macmillan Children's Pub Group, 2011.  117p.  $15.99.  ISBN 978-0-8050-8932-5    elem  VG-BNe      Cat Story  

     When the pet you have loved dies, can your heart find room for a new pet?  In this, the second title in the Rainbow Street Shelter series, Josh finds the answer to that question.  Josh and his family are dealing with the death of their pet rabbit.  At about the same time a neighborhood cat goes missing.  Much of the story is told through the eyes of Buster, the large marmalade cat.  When Buster’s owner falls and can’t get up, Buster stays with him until he can call for help.  When the ambulance takes his owner away, Buster panics and runs away.  He works his way home but hides from everyone.  Josh feels so bad for Buster that he keeps searching for him.  Josh finally rescues Buster and finds that Buster has chosen him to be his new owner, rather than the other way around. 
Every pet owner will love this story.  It deals with the death of a pet and the feeling that you never want to hurt this much again.  It also deals with a scared animal in panic mode. Students will empathize with both the human and animal characters.  It touches on the work of an animal-rescue shelter.  It also addresses the attachment between pet and owner.
     The suspense builds and is pleasantly resolved.  Sometimes the reader can predict the action, but there are unexpected twists.  An altogether enjoyable read for upper-elementary-grade students.         

     The Rainbow Street Shelter series will soon have three titles about animals who may be lost, or have never had a home, but all of whom need someone to love.  The titles are Lost! A Dog Named Bear, Missing! A Cat Called Buster, and soon to be published, Wanted! A Guinea Pig Called Henry.  

Joan Theal

 

Pearson, Mary E. The Fox Inheritance

Pearson, Mary E.  The Fox Inheritance      

Henry Holt/macmillan children's pub group 2011  295p  16.99 978-0-8050-8829-8      ms/hs VG-BN Science fiction   

       After the car accident that supposedly killed them, Locke and Kara‘s minds have been preserved digitally for 260 years.  A mysterious scientist gives them new bodies, but when they realize his intentions, they escape into a bizarre new world.    In this sequel to The Adoration of Jenna Fox, Locke and Kara’s minds have been digitally preserved in boxes for 260 years.  When they are “resurrected” by the mysterious Dr. Gatsbro, they become “floor models” for an illegal industry where BioPerfect bodies are paired with digitally preserved minds, allowing individual immortality.  Told from Locke’s point of view, their escape, aided by a half-Bot and the widow of a rebel leader, is taught, fraught with obstacles, a revelation and a journey of discovery.  Thought-provoking and well-crafted dystopian science fiction, although more could have been done to establish the political background of this futuristic, post-civil war United States.  This work stands well on its own, but readers will want to go back and read The Adoration of Jenna Fox to complete the back story.
                  Biotechnology, Ethics   Pat Naismith

 

Nance, Andrew. Return to Daemon Hall: Evil Roots

Nance, Andrew.     Return to Daemon Hall: Evil Roots   

 Henry Holt/macmillan children's pub group 2011  240p  16.99 978-0-8050-8748-2 ms/hs E-BN        

      A sequel to Daemon Hall, the scaremaster and writer Ian Tremblin has decided to have another writing contest in spite of the fact resulted in the death of one of the writers. On this occasion he has invited the winners of the last contest to be judges. Ian Tremblin held his first writing contest in Daemon Hall. The hall was haunted and it is said that it caused the death of one of the writers. Daemon hall no longer stands it was burned down. Now Tremblin has decided to hold another contest but this time it will be at his house. He has invited the winners of the last contest to be judges. However, the judges also have to write another story to share with the group. At first the session goes very well and each story is scarier than the last.
     Then Tremblin takes out a book that was salvage from Daemon Hall and that is when the night slowly becomes a nightmare trapping all the writers and transporting them back to Daemon Hall for a final showdown. Will the writers be able to escape the horrors of Daemon Hall a second time? How can they break free from the veil power of the book.

 Stories about voodoo, zombies, sociopath, and more will keep you on edge and you better not turnoff the light.

                  Writer - Ghost stories - Supernatural    Magna Diaz