Liar and Spy

Following up after winning a Newbery is a daunting task for an author (I imagine). Rebecca Stead seems not to have been troubled at all. LIAR AND SPY (Wendy Lamb Books, August 2012) is a superb novel for middle grade readers. Georges (the "s" is silent) moves from his home to an apartment in Brooklyn. It is a tough period of adjustment for Georges and his family. Georges' father has lost his job; Mom is often absent as well. And then there are the neighbors. Most notable among the new neighbors is Safer and his sister Candy (and the story behind the naming of the characters is detailed and fascinating). Safer is a spy and wants to train Georges to be more observant and join him in spying on a neighbor who disappears from time to time with suspcious luggage. At least, that is the surface story here. Dig a bit deeper and you will discover a multi-layed tale, one that bears up well with second and third readings. Stead has created another wonderfully engaging book with puzzles and surprises for any reader who opens to the first page and gets pulled into the loves of Georges and his family and friends. <357>

Pigmares and Parodies

PIGMARES: PORCINE POEMS OF THE SILVER SCREEN by Doug Cushman. Charlesbridge, 2012.

Doug Cushman offers up a clever parody of monster movies in his latest collection of poetry. Watch "Frankenswine" or "Porker from the Black Lagoon" or perhaps "Pig Kong." Of course, if readers are not familiar with some of the creature features being parodied, this might not resonate as much as it will with readers who are already fans of those great old B movies of the past. <356>

Dealing with Problems

KEVIN KEEPS UP by Ann Whitehead Nagda. Holiday House, September 2012.

Kevin has a problem: his pet snake escaped last night. Kevin knows if his mother encounters the snake first, that will mean the end of his having a pet snake. He is so preoccupied with this snake that he fails to hear his teacher as she begins to talk about the class' new project: books about mammals. Reluctantly, Kevin agrees to do some research about cheetahs. His teacher, Mrs. Steel, helps him get underway. But then Mrs. Steele takes a trip to Africa leaving Kevin at the merciless hands of Mrs. Beezer (he calls her the Buzzard). How can he manage to do his work when Mrs. Beezer does not understand how Kevin learns best? Nagda has written an engaging novel for readers that explores how Kevin processes information and works best. She does this without ever losing sight of the story itself. <355>

My friend Dahmer

MY FRIEND DAHMER by Derf Backderf. Abrams, 2012.

A graphic novel about Jeffrey Dahmer? Who would have ever imagined this? But Backderf, who attended high school with Dahmer, offers incredible insight into the making of the serial killer. Being a teen in the 1970s seemed rather easy, but Backderf notes that Dahmer's life not simple. Parents who were in the process of a bitter divorce who shouted vitriol at one another until his father moved out; a mother who was taking all manner of pharmaceuticals and who had episodes of strange and siturbing behavior. Add to this mixture other adults who did not notice (or elected to ignore) the increasingly strange behavior of Dahmer himself and his increased use of alcohol to get through the day, and you have the makings for someone whose view of others and his own role in the world is seriously askew. Backderf manages to create a portrait of Dahmer as a person rather than the caricature presented by the media when his crimes were uncovered. How many other potential Dahmers might there be in our world? Backderf's storytelling uses spare text and haunting illustrations to pull readers into the world of Jeffrey Dahmer.
<355>

Divine!

DIVINERS by Libba Bray. Little Brown, September 2012.

Libba Bray continues to amaze readers as she moves from her hilarious BEAUTY QUEENS (winner of an Audie for her audio narration, BTW), an over the top romp thorugh beauty pageants a la Lost. Now she offers up THE DIVINERS, a tale of a handful of people with extraordinary talents who must come together to face down evil itself. Meet Evie, a teen whose ability to pick up information about a person simply by holkding an object belonging to him or her. Evie is sent to live with her Uncle who curates a museum which the rest of the world deems creepy. It houses items pertaining to folklore and the occult. Evie is a fun loving gal, but she comes face-to-face with the dark side when gruesome murders point to a serial killer. All evidence points to a long-dead killer though. How can it be that he can come back and continue his quest that will surely spell the end of the world?

Bray's ability to tell a story slowly and carefully, to make the reader fall in love the the diviners and fear those who would use their skills for evil gain: that is what pulls in readers and holds them captive, locked into the crazy world of 1920s New York with its speakeasys and Ziegfeld theater and glorious music. This book marks the beginning of a new series for Bray, one that explores the darkness that could easily destroy us all. It is a book to be read slowly (and preferrably in the bright light of day for sanity's sake). Where will Bray take us next? The clues are here in this delicious novel that combines the terror of Stephen King with the devil-may-care frivolity of the Jazz Age with not a little bit of Hitchcockian storytelling as well. <354>

Read and learn

TOO YOUNG FOR YIDDISH by Richard Michelson with illustrations by Neil Waldman. Charlesbridge, 2012.

Aaron's grandfather, Zayde, often talks about the books he prizes, those written in Yiddish. Aaron asks to be taught how to read them, but grandfather tells him repeatedly he is too young to learn Yiddish. Finally, Aaron convinces his grandfather to teach him about his native language. An audio CD accompanies the book narrated by Leonard Nimoy. A glossary gives pronunciation and definitions for the Yiddish words in the story. <351>





EIGHT DAYS GONE by Linda McReynolds with illustrations by Ryan O'Rourke. Charlesbridge, 2012.

In simple rhyming text, the story of the first lunar mission is made accessible even for the youngest of readers. Illustrations, largely in black and white, drift across the double page spreads underscoring the enormity of space, the moon, and the mission. <352>





THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT by Suzanne Slade with illustrations by Rebecca Bond. Charlesbridge, 2012.

In the manner of The House that Jack Built, readers will learn about the construction of the original house built by Washington. Additional text gives more details. <353>

Biographies anyone?

Reading biographies for children has given me so much new information and understanding. How I wish these books had been available when I was younger. I think I might have appreciated learning about others more...Here are three new biographies that shed light on history and some fascinating people.



MADELEINE'S LIGHT: A STORY OF CAMILLE CLAUDEL by Natalie Ziarnik with illustrations by Robert Dunn. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

Camille Claudel was a French sculptor. She spent a summer working away from the hustle and bustle of Parisian life. One of her inspirations from this time was a young girl named Madeleine. Claudel saw an inner light in this child and used her as a model for several of her works. Ziarnik uses this information to spin a fictional biography about that summer. <348>




QUEEN OF THE TRACK: ALICE COACHMAN, OLYMPIC HIGH JUMP CHAMPION by Heather Lang with illustrations by Floyd Cooper. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

Alice Coachmen became the first African American woman to win Olympic gold. This picture book biography, beautifully illustrated in shades of browns and golds, tells of her aspiration to become an athlete when it was not considered suitable for women. <349>



BILL, THE BOY WONDER: THE SECRET CO-CREATOR OF BATMAN by Marc Tyler Nobleman with illustrations by Ty Templeton. Charlesbridge, 2012.

Though his name is seldom seen within the pages of a Batman comic, Bill Finger was the uncredited co-creator of the comic. He also wrote for the Batman comics for years mostly without credit. Nobleman chronicles how this came to be in this slice-of-life biography. Illustrations are a cross between traditional picture book art and GN format. <350>

Lessons from Books

A DAY WITHOUT SUGAR/UN DIA SIN AZUCAR by Diane DeAnda with illustrations by Janet Montelcalvo. Pinata Books, 2012.

Tia Sofia tells the kids that tomorrow will be a day when they will try to discover the hidden sugar in foods and avoid it. At first, the kids are less than thrilled. However, Tia Sofia offers them alternatives to foods laden with sugars, and the kids agree it is not too tough to eat healthier. <343>




FREDA STOPS A BULLY by Stuart J. Murphy. Charlesbridge, 2012.

When a classmate teases Freda about her new shoes, she tells her mother who offers lots of advice for dealing with teasing and bullying. Walk away. Ask for help. Say stop. Good basic information for kids about how to deal with bullies. <344>





OUT ON THE PRAIRIE by Donna Bateman with illustrations by Susan Swan. Charlesbridge, 2012.

This rhyming patterned text focuses on the wildlife found on the prairie including prairie dogs, howdy owls, and bison. Set in the Badlands National Park, readers will learn about the wildlife while enjoying the rhymes.





SOFIA AND THE PURPLE DRESS by Diane Gonzalez Bertrand with illustrations by Lisa Fields. Pinata Books, 2012.

Sofia is excited to be invited to her first quince. She wants to wear a purple dress given to her by her favorite cousin Rosaria, but it is too tight. So, Sofia and her mother decide to get get more exercise and eat more healthy foods. Will the dress fit? <346>





SCHOOL DAY MATH by Barbara Barbieri McGrath with illustrations by Tim Nihoff. Charlesbridge, 2012.

A slew of math concepts are introduced in this simple picture book: grouping, addition, subtraction, fractions, and more can be a great way to get kids to think about numbers in new ways. <347>

Puzzles in Picture Books

WUMBERS by Amy Krouse Rosenthal with illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld. Chronicle Books, 2012.

I adore the William Steig books C D B! and the sequels. Rosenthal and Lichteheld team up to create a book that uses numbers the way Steig used letters (and he is acknowledged in the dedication to the book). So Tom Lichtenyheld is the illustr8or and Rosenthal has wri10 the book. Get it? Clever use of letters and numbers and illustrations await the reader who loves to decode. <341>





OH NO! NOT AGAIN! (OR HOW I BUILT A TIME MACHINE TO SAVE HISTORY) (OR AT LEAST MY HISTORY GRADE) by Mac Barnett with illustrations by Dan Santat. Disney/Hyperion, 2012.

When our intrepid heroine gets an answer wrong on her history test, she constructs a time travelling vehicle intent on going back in time to change history so that her answer will now be correct. Of course, there are going to be complications, right? Bright comic illustrations and minimal text are a perfect way to encourage readers to tell more of the story themselves. This is a companion to OH NO! (OR HOW MY SCIENCE PROJECT DESTROYED THE WORLD) so be certain to recommend both books. <342>

Plethora of Picture Books

ALL FOR ME AND NONE FOR ALL by Helen Lester with illustrations by Lynn Munsinger. Houghton Mifflin, 2012.

Gruntly is a real hog when it comes to toys, food, or anything else for that matter. His rule is "all for me and none for all." Fortunately, he does learn an important lesson about sharing with his friends. <337>




CATTY JANE WHO HATED THE RAIN by Valeri Gorbachev. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

Catty Jane hates the rain. The thunder and lightning are frightening, and who wants to get wet anyhow? Her friends get together to cheer her up and persuade her that rain can be fun. <338>





GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS by Jeff Mack. Chronicle Books, 2012.

Rabbit brings some good news to Mouse in the form of a picnic basket. However, there is bound to be some bad news as rain begins to fall. Similar in form to FORTUNATELY by Remy Charlip, this is a wonderful book about cause and effect, but mostly about determination. Easy to read since the only words are the ones in the title! <339>





IT'S A TIGER by David LaRochelle with illustrations by Jeremy Tankard. Chronicle Books, 2012.

What is that swinging through the vines? Is it a monkey? No, IT'S A TIGER!It seems that pesky tiger appears at every turn int he story. What is our hero to do? <340>

The best of friends

BINK AND GOLLIE: TWO FOR ONE by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee with illustrations by Tony Fucile. Candlewick Press, 2012.

They are back and better than ever. Bink and Gollie star in a trio of stories set at the fair. As Bink tries to win a prize playing some of the games at the fair (and is squelched at her attempts), Gollie decides to enter into a talent competition. Stage fright hits Gollie like a ton of bricks. Finally, the two have their fortunes told. Throughout the stories, one thing is apparent: despite their differences, Bink and Gollie are the best of friends. Tony Fucile's illustrations are subtle and yet manage to convey much emotion (and some hilarity as well. More, please. <336>

Quick pick picture books, part 2

EXCUSE ME, I'M TRYING TO READ by Mary Jo Amani with illustrations by Lehla Eldridge (Mackinac Island Press 2012). Note: NAESP Children's Book of the Year winner.

Animals bother
Me when I am reading books
I tell to leave. <333>



TOADS AND TESSELLATIONS by Sharon Morisette with illustrations by Philomena O'Neill (Chalresbridge 2012)


How can math help solve
A shoemaker's dilemma?
Logic not magic.






LAST LAUGHS: ANIMAL EPITAPHS by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen with illustrations by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins (Charlesbridge 2012)

Animal tombstones
Reveal more than cause of death
Here is an sample:

Win some
Lose some
Venison

<334>



CLOTHESLINE CLUES TO JOBS PEOPLE DO by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook with illustrations by Andy Robert Davies (Charlesbridge 2012)

What job are these clothes
Suited for? Use the clues to
Figure it all out. <335>

Quick pick picture books

It seems I am always trying (in vain, too) to keep up with the postings of the books I am tearing through in these last few days before summer classes begin. So, here are a few from recent reading. More to come shortly...



TRACTION MAN AND THE BEACH ODYSSEY by Mini Grey (Knopf 2012)

Beaches can be fun
Until Traction Man finds
That waves spell danger. <329>




A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg with illustrations by Colin Bootman (Peachtree 2012)

Katrina threatened
People fled leaving behind
All that they possessed. <330>




LIVING WITH MOM AND LIVING WITH DAD by Melanie Walsh (Candlewick Press 2012)

Divorce is not easy
But Mom and Dad take turns so
I am always loved. <331>




ALICIA'S FRUIT DRINKS by Lupe Ruiz-Flores with illustrations by Laura Lacamara (Pinata Books 2012)

Bilingual story
About yummy fruity drinks
Aguas frecas rule. <332>

color everywhere

MONET PAINTS A DAY by Julie Dannenberg with illustrations by Caitlin Heimerl (Charlesbridge 2012) gives young readers a chance to meet Impressionist painter Monet as he travels across the countryside painting outdoors. Using snippets from his letters and journals, Dannenberg shows the process Monet used in his painting. Appendices give more information about the techniques of the Impressionist painters and more about Monet's life. <327>




MONKEY COLORS by Darrin Lunde with illustrations by Patricia Wynne (Charlesbrisge 2012) is a nonfiction book about the various colors and color combinations of monkeys. Simple text shows monkeys of all hues, and an appendix provides more information about each type of monkey in the book. <328>

The story lives on

At a TLA many moons ago, I scored an ARC of THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. My colleagues and I read it aloud as we traveled back from TLA to Houston. We managed to finish all but the last 3 or 4 chapters. All of us were mesmerized. We new then that this was one of those touchstone books, a book that would not only garner accolades, but a book that would change the landscape of literature for kids. Of course, we were dead on (such smartypants we were back then). And now, Lowry gives us one last gift: the final book in THE GIVER saga. I read this one from cover to cover in one day. So will millions of others, I suspect.




SON (Houghton Mifflin, October 2012) brings the story first told in THE GIVER and then in GATHERING BLUE and MESSENGER full circle. Here is the back story of Gabriel, the child Jonas brought along with him as he fled his controlled society. Three sections: BEFORE, BETWEEN, BEYOND remind readers of the society found in The Giver and in Gathering Blue now through the eyes of Claire, the birthmother of Gabriel. One last thing remains to be done in order to assure that the society Jonas and Kira have fashioned continues to thrive: evil must be defeated. How Lowry reveals the hidden evil and how that evil might be vanquished makes for an absorbing read, one more than worthy of following in the footsteps of THE GIVER. <326>

short, sweet, and perfect

DRAGON BOOGIE is the seventh book in the Stone Rabbit series by Erik Craddock (Random House 2012). When the electricity goes out, our three heroes decide grudgingly to play a board game called Dragons and Stuff. Before long, magical dice have transported them into the game itself. Now the three must battle evil beings in order to survive. A wacky blend of D&D with GN format is sure to please tween readers. <323>




SADIE AND RATZ by Sonya Hartnett (Candlewick Press 2012) is about Hannah's hands. She has named them Sadie and Ratz. Her hands are incredibly talented, but they can also get her into trouble. Now that her little brother has figured out he can blame Sadie and Ratz for his misdoings, Sadie is not sure what to do. <324>




Jarrett Krosoczka brings back lunch lady in LUNCH LADY AND THE MUTANT MATHLETES (Knopf 2012). The Breakfast Bunch is forced to join the Mathlete Team. Faster than you can say "huh? Us, Mathletes?", there is a mystery afoot. They will join forces with Lunch Lady to try to determine why one school always wins the mathletics competitions. <325>

Jo Schmo

DINOS ARE FOREVER by Greg Tine (Harcourt, July 2012) introduces readers to the newest superhero: Jo Schmo. When her uncle sends her a cape and an instruction book for superheroes, Jo is puzzled. Soon, though, she is hunting down criminals assisted by her slobbery sidekick, Raymond. Great good humor, an unusual sidekick, and a sometime dotty grandfather add to the funny business. In order for Jo to fly, for instance, she is told to think lofty. Turns out that sponge cake is the Key to thinking lofty. Art by Frank Dormer adds to the hilarity. <319>





WYATT BURP RIDES AGAIN (Harcourt, July 2012) is the second adventure of Jo Schmo. This time Jo has to travel back to time to undo the dastardly deeds of Wyatt Burp. Jo, handy with tools and tinkering, travels back with her slobbery sidekick, Raymond, to apprehend the criminal (and perhaps change history). Meanwhile, back in real time, two of Jo's classmates plan to bring her down. <320>

In time for Dad's special day

DADDIES DO IT DIFFERENT by Alan Sitomer with illustrations by Abby Carter. Disney/Hyperion, 2012.

Just in time for Father's Day, Alan Sitomer offers a new picture book about how fathers sometimes approach things differently from mothers. From getting dressed (maybe things do not need to match?) to grocery hopping and making breakfast and even taking a bath: daddies do it different. Carter's illustrations enhance the humor with their frenetic movement and silly details. Buy this one for the Dad in your life. <357>

I got the music in me (and in some books, too)

VIVALDI'S FOUR SEASONS by Anna Harwell Celenza with illustrations by JoAnn Kitchel (and a CD of the recording) (Charlesbridge 2012) tells of the composition of one of Vivaldi's most famous works. Vivaldi was the music instructor in an orphanage of girls. He trained them to play and wrote compositions for them as well. When he was fired from his job, he traveled and was inspired to write Spring. Invited back to the orphanage, he told the girls the story behind the composition. Others followed. In addition to the CD, an appendix has the four sonnets written by Vivaldi that convey the inspiration for his music. <321>




IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING is based on the song by Peter, Paul, and Mary. Illustrations by Christine Davenier (Imagine 2012) and an accompanying CD of the trip singing this song make for a multi-modal reading experience. What a terrific way to introduce a new generation to the talents of Peter, Paul and Mary! <322>

I Hunt Killers

,

How do you move on with your life after your father is arrested as the killer of 123 victims? In I HUNT KILLERS (Little Brown 2012), Barry Lyga gives readers an interesting and complex protagonist in the person of Jazz Dent, son of Billy Dent, a notorious serial killer. Jazz grew up under his father's tutelage, and has horrific memories of his father's careful training in the art of dismemberment, staging of bodies, and stalking potential victims. Even after his father is imprisoned, Jazz' life is filled with the curiosity seekers and media who are consumed with the mythos of Billy Dent. And now, in Jazz' quiet little community, a body has been found. And then another murder occurs. Jazz is certain there is a copycat out there, one who is patiently reenacting his father's work. Who is the Impressionist? Can he be captured before he moves on to his next victim. Blood, guts, gore, and a convoluted mystery are at the core of Lyga's novel. Lyga gets inside the head of a teen whose life has been horribly twisted and yet is struggling to remain sane and overcome the trauma of his childhood. Seriously creepy, here is a book that will cause some serious shudders. en-gross-ing. <318>

Grave Business

GRAVE MERCY by Robin LeFevers(Houghton Mifflin 2012) combines romance, intrigue, and assassination in an action packed romp through 15th century Brittany. Ismae is sold to a pig farmer by her father. However, when the pig farmer sees that Ismae was poisoned in the womb by her own mother, he throws her into the cellar. Ismae escapes and flees to the convent of St. Mortain, a convent dedicated to service to St. Mortain, Death. There Ismae is trained in the wiles of seduction and in the many ways of assassination. Her first mission sends her the court of Anne who is supposed to be crowned as Duchess of Brittany. However, there is some opposition to this move. Betrayal, love, war: all will entrance readers of paranormal romance. <317>

Bringing a Classic Back

Jack Vance wrote the short story "The Moon Moth" many years ago. It has been hailed as one of the most perfect science fiction stories ever penned. Now it is brought back to a new generation of readers in a GN adaptation. THE MOON MOTH (First Second Books 2012) is murder mystery meets sci-fi in a world in which all citizens wear masks. Thissel is the new consul from Earth to the planet Sirene. He is having more than a little difficulty adjusting tot he culture and customs of Sirene. Residents communicate through music; the masks they don tell something of who they perceive themselves to be. There are many other aspects of this new world that cause discomfort for Thissel. When a murderer arrives on Sirene, Thiseel must track him down, a task made excessively more troublesome because of the masks people wear. Readers who appreciate this adaptation might find Garth Hind's re-envisioning of classics such as the works of Shakespeare an interesting next step on the reading ladder. <316>

power of words; power of silence

TAKE WHAT YOU CAN CARRY by Kevin C. Pyle (Holt 2012) demonstrates once again the power of the GN format. Pyle tells two separate stories that merge in this GN. In textless sepia tones, readers watch as a family of Japanese-Americans are rounded up following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They watch their story unfold as they are sent to "relocation centers" and have to manage to survive with very little in terms of foo or shelter. The second story, told in black and white with washes of pale blue is the story of a teen who has moved to a new neighborhood and is struggling to make new friends. Kyle becomes a bit of a risk taker and before long is stealing small things from a local convenience store. Here is where the stories merge. What Pyle is able to accomplish with minimal color and minimal text truly demonstrates his genius. Refer kids to other Pyle books, especially BLIND SPOT. For more on the Japanese internment, direct them to books such as FAREWELL TO MANZANAR, ONLY WHAT WE COULD CARRY, and BASEBALL SAVED US among others. <315>

Welcome back Squish! The newest character created by the siblings Matt and Jenni Holm is Squish, the amoeba. Here is book #3: SQUISH: THE POWER OF THE PARASITE (Random House 2012). Squish appeared as a character in one of the BabyMouse books as well as starring in three books in the his own series. Summer vacation has just begun, and Squish's parents have signed him up for swim lessons. Squish is less than thrilled about this and hangs instead poolside with a new friend. But is he really a new friend? Squish learns an important lesson about friendship here. And readers will learn much about the single-celled creatures who populate Squish's world. <314>

In Memoriam: Matthew Shepard

OCTOBER MOURNING: A SONG FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD by Leslea Newman (Candlewick Press, September 2012) is a difficult book for me to read. I met Judy Shepard at last year's NCTE conference and listened to her speak so eloquently about bullying. Of course, I can still recall what happened to Matthew Shepard in the outskirts of Laramie that fateful night. Leslea newman has taken all the horror, all the repulsion, all the sorrow and questions and transfigured them into a cycle of poems about Matthew Shepard and the impact his life and tragic death had on so many people. Using the events of his life and the aftermath, Newman has woven heartbreaking language into forms classic and contemporary. More importantly, she has given voice to all those emotions swirling inside so many who recall the events surrounding Matthew's murder at the hands of two homophobic young men. This is a book that deserves to be shared in classrooms, a story that needs to be told so that it will never be forgotten. <313>

Muncle Trogg

MUNCLE TROGG by Janet Foxley (Chicken House 2012) is a small giant. Constantly made fun of for his diminutive stature, Muncle sneaks away from Mt. Grumble and into the town. He is dressed in human clothes, and is surprised to find that the humans are not the dangerous beasts they have been portrayed to be by his fellow giants. Muncle accomplishes much for a giant whose size is the subject of much scorn. But Muncle (and readers) learn that size does not matter. <312>

Frankly Fantastic

FRANKLY FRANNIE: MISS FORTUNE by AJ Stern (Grosset and Dunlap 2012)marks the return of the indomitable Frannie. It is Dad's birthday, and Frannie's mother has hired a fortune teller for entertainment at his party. Now Frannie is sure what she needs to become, a fortune teller! She makes her own tarot cards, borrows a bowling ball from a friend, and off she heads to school to open her new business. Of course, telling fortunes has some possibilities of disaster. Can Frannie handle the consequences of her predictions? <311>