Looniverse

LOONIVERSE: STAGE FRIGHT by David Lubar. Scholastic Press, 2014.

A rare blue moon might
Portend something dangerous
Or perhaps just strange?

(This short, funny chapter book is a stand alone part of a series.)

Timmy Failure returns

TIMMY FAILURE: NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE by Stephan Pastis. Candlewick Press, 2014.

Mysteries to solve
Timmy Failure on the job
Criminals beware!

Flights and some fancy

Two remarkable storytellers have new books. That is cause for jubilation!

THE GREAT UNEXPECTED by Sharon Creech. Harper, 2012.

Naomi and Lizzie love living in Blackbird Tree. The two orphaned girls have found homes with loving families here. There is not too much excitement in this town, but things are about to change with the arrival of a young boy who literally falls out of a tree in front of Naomi and Lizzie. Finn is a strange lad to say the least. He certainly has more than an air of mystery to him. Before long, things are changing for Naomi and Lizzie and the town. And then comes the Dingle Dangle Man. As events are unfolding for Naomi and Lizzie, across the ocean, there is more planning, planning that will affect the two girls in ways they cannot even begin to imagine. Sharon Creech's story will puzzle readers and then draw them in as they come to know and love Naomi and even talkative Lizzie. The mysterious overseas connection will have readers puzzling right along with the girls as the story moves lazily forward like a soft breeze blowing through Blackbird Tree. How the stories intersect is, of course, all part of the great unexpected. <549>

ON THE ROAD TO MR. MINEO'S by Barbara O'Connor. FSG, 2012.

It all begins when Sherman, the one legged passenger pigeon fails to return from his daily flight across the lake and back again with the rest of the flock. Somehow, Sherman manages to visit nearly everyone in Stella's small town. He spends some time on top of the garage with Stella and her friend Gerald; he lands on the head of Mutt Raynard; he even spends some time in a barn outside of town with the forever quarreling Ethel and Amos. Despite efforts, no one seems to be able to capture this elusive if gregarious pigeon. Sherman somehow manages to bring together all these disparate folks. In her inimitable style, O'Connor makes readers care about friends, family, neighbors, and this wonderful one-legged pigeon. <550>

Friendship

THE CLUELESS GIRL'S GUIDE TO BEING A GENIUS by Janice Repka. Dutton 2011.

Aphrodite is a genius. She has already graduated from college at the tender age of 13. To collect data for her thesis, she has volunteered to become a middle school math teacher. Thrown into the class others call boneheads, Dytee is determined to show them all that they can be successful. It will take a huge sales job, especially for Mindy. Though Dytee and Mindy are the same age, they belong in two different worlds. But being 13 just might connect them. Funny and fast paced, here is a book that goes beyond the usual friendship story to include math, baton twirling, and beauty salons. <496>

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>

middle grade novels

RUNNING WITH TRAINS by Michael Rosen (Wordsong 2012) is a novel in verse and in two narrative voices. Perry rides the train frequently between his weekends with Mom in the city and weekdays with Gran in the country. Steve has never been on the train nor away from his farm. Somehow the two boys connect in this lyrical novel that examines family and farm and loss. <238>




Gordon Korman is back and more hilarious than ever in UNGIFTED (Balzer and Bray, September 2012). Donovan Curtis accidentally sets off a chain reaction which causes thousands of dollars of damage to the school gymnasium. he is not someone unknown to the administration, unfortunately. This time, it is the superintendent of schools who catches Donovan red handed. However, due to a mix up Donovanm ends up being sent to the district's GT program instead of serving massive detentions. As Donovan hides out among the egg heads, some things happen that will change the face of both the GT class and Donovan himself. Korman is adept at pointing out the absurdities of the situations in which Donovan and others find themselves. <239>




In LETTERS TO LEO (Candlewick Press 2012) author Amy Hest and illustrator Julia Denos allow readers to dive into the personal journal of 4th grader Annie Rossi. Leo is her new dog, and Annie offers him advice on how to behave properly so that Leo will be allowed to stay and become a part of her family. Through her entries we discover much about Annie, her writing, and her family life. <240>

Loser

THE LOSER LIST: REVENGE OF THE LOSER by H. N. Kowitt (Scholastic 2012) is the hilarious follow up to THE LOSER LIST. Now that Danny Shine has moved from the loser list in the girls' bathroom, he thinks life will be supremely easier. Not so. Enter the new guy, Ty, who becomes the new heartthrob in school. Ty is a Renaissance Man, one who threatens to take over everything Danny excels at. Before long, Danny and his sidekick Jasper are trying desperately to take back the spotlight. Of course, the results are to be expected. Can Danny pull off his plan or will it fail miserably and send him right back onto the Loser List? <193>

Graphically Great

EARTHLING by Mark Fearing (Chronicle 2012) takes a common circumstance: being worried about about being the new kid in school-and takes it to new heights, literally. When Bud boards the wrong bus that fateful first day in a new school, he is transported to the Cosmos Academy, a place where many different aliens attend classes. Earthlings are feared here, and Bud must pretend to be something else as he struggles to find a way back to his own home and planet. <183>

PS (not post script but pooper scooper)

Remember the old adage not to judge a book by its cover. That is true for THE PS BROTHERS by Maribeth Boelts (Sandpiper 2011). PS in this case stands for pooper scoopers. On the surface, this is the story of two boys who decide to go into business as pooper scoopers in order to buy a dog to share. However, there is much more to the story. Russell lives with his uncle now that his mother has died and his father has been sent to jail for theft. Shawn comes from a family with lots of siblings and little money. The two most often hang out in Russell's place, a camper on his uncle's lawn. They long to own a dog and when they find some puppies for sale, they just need to come up with a way to earn the $100. Plenty of humor here but also a good deal of pathos. Reluctant readers will appreciate both plus the short chapters. <582>

Bowling for Fun

Lamar loves to pull pranks. That has not exactly helped him in the romance department nor in making friends other than Sergio. The one place Lamar shines is on the lane at the bowling alley. He is a phenom. And since he has asthma, this is the only sport where he can compete without causing a full-blown attack. It is on the alley that he meets the lovely Makeda, a girl he once called Fivehead (because her forehead was so big). He also partners up with Billy Jenks who is out to scam unsuspecting bowlers. Crystal Allen's HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY is funny and fast paced and utterly engaging. Lamar and Sergio and Makeda and Billy come across as real and complex. All characters have flaws (it's called being human) but they manage to come out ahead at the end. <577>

tuck a kleenex inside the covers

SIGN LANGUAGE by Amy Ackley (Viking 2011) is one of those books that a poet once wrote should come with kleenex tucked inside. Twelve year old Abby's father has terminal cancer. The first half of the book follows Abby and her family as they deal with Dad's declining health and eventual death. However, the second half of the book deals with the grieving process of Abby and her mother. Anger, denial, depression: it is all here. Abby pushes away all those close to her in her desperate grief. <533>

Arrooooo for Hound Dog True!

HOUND DOG TRUE by Linda Urban (Harcourt 2011) demonstrates once more the power of this author who gave us the impossibly unpredictable A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT. In HOUND DOG TRUE readers will meet Mattie Breen. Mattie is getting ready for yet another new school: this time it will be the one where her Uncle Potluck (yes, that is what the family calls him) is the janitor. Mattie finds comfort in being his assistant in the weeks leading up to school. Perhaps, she thinks, she can assist him instead of sitting by herself at lunch or recess? Things have a way of working out even if they are kind of a "crooked perfect" at the outset. <507>

Telling you any more about the story would deprive you from the sheer pleasure of reading and turning the page and reading more. Mattie is a memorable character as is Uncle Potuck and the Sweet family next door. Add in the principal of Mattie's school and Mattie's mother and you have a story that will touch you in places unexpected. Thanks to Kate Messner for giving me a heads up on the book and to Harcourt for being so kind to send me an ARC which will certainly be handed on to more readers.

unforgettable

THE UNFORGOTTEN COAT by Frank Cotrell Boyce (Candlewick 2011) with photographs by Carl Hunter and Clare Heney) is a remarkable piece of storytelling. When two boys from Mongolia show up at her school, Julie becomes their "Good Guide." She is fascinated with Chingis and Nergui and their homeland. She is equally curious about their lives outside of school. Boyce captures the wonder of a young girl at things that to her seem exotic and compelling. He also spins out a bit of a mystery about how the boys came to the little town near Liverpool and why they seem so secretive about their life before they moved from Mongolia. The Polaroid photos are a compelling part of this simple narrative, photos that are presented without text or caption because they do not need them. Teachers looking for examples of memoir (fictional in this case) would do well to share some of this slim, powerful book. <485>

funny business

Gordon Korman was kind enough to send me an ARC of his forthcoming book, SHOWOFF (Scholastic, January 2012). I love this new series that includes FRAMED and SWINDLE. The focus in this book is on Luthor, the doberman who was formerly a department store guard dog. Now pet to Savannah, Luthor throws himself onto the stage at the local mall where the 3 time champion dog is being displayed. The stage collapses and Savannah's family is forced to give Luthor to the pound in light of a multi-million dollar law suit filed by the owners of Electra, the champion dog.

Enter Griffin and Ben who decide to rescue Luthor and enter him into the championship. Of course, hilarity is bound to ensue and it does with eccentric dog handlers, a mysterious and threatening stranger, and even a little romance. Korman knows how to write the funny and how to keep even reluctant readers turning the pages. <449>

USE YOU MUST THE FORCE

DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK by Tom Angleberger (Amulet 2011) continues the saga of Dwight and Origami Yoda. As the novel opens, Harold, one of Dwight's classmates, is using his own origami Darth Vader to mock Dwight and Origami Yoda. A misunderstanding lands Dwight in trouble once again with the principal who is more than a little weary with Origami Yoda and Dwight. She proposes sending Dwight to a different school, one for behavior problems. Dwight asks Tommy to put together a case file to share with the school board at his hearing. Once again, Tommy and his friends come to the aid of their friend Dwight and the wise Origami Yoda. <435>

Angleberger has a good ear for dialog, especially the way middle school kids can mock one another and treat someone with compassion or with concern. The voices that are included in Tommy's case file will be familiar to those who read THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA. However, new readers will be able to jump right into this second story as well. Of course, instructions for folding a simple Yoda and then a Darth Vader are included. Here is mine (with help from Kellee Moyee) at the ALAN workshop last November.

ROCK ON!

MY MISADVENTURES AS A TEENAGE ROCK STAR by Joyce Raskin with illustrations by Carol Chu (Houghton Mifflin 2011) takes readers on a journey with Alex, a 14 year old searching for a different identity than her real-life situation as a fairly invisible teen. When her brother volunteers Alex as a bass player in a band, her life changes in ways she could never have imagined. The band becomes famous; Alex falls in love and out of love and back in love with someone else. She moves from invisible to high profile, maybe too high profile when it comes to a couple of bullies, too. <414>

Raskin was a rocker herself and so writes about a subject near and dear to her. Teen girls who aspire to fame in this field may take some lessons away from this slim easy read.

Be Nimble and Be Quick to Read this Book...

PETER NIMBLE AND HIS FANTASTIC EYES by Jonathan Auxier (Amulet 2011) takes readers on a journey with a thieving young blind boy and his sidekick, an enchanted knight who now resembles a horse-cat or a cat-horse. Peter begins this journey with a box that contains three pairs of eyes, one golden, one onyx, and one jade green. These eyes will assist him as he sets off on a quest. The voyage will end with Peter and Sir Tode on a desert island where Peter must fulfill a prophecy. <400>

This book begs to be read aloud a chapter at a time over the course of a few weeks. The chapters are wonderfully complete scenes in and of themselves. Ultimately, though, together they will transport the reader alongside Peter and Sir Tode as they battle all manner of danger. Action, adventure, and humor make this a terrific choice for sharing with middle grades.

Social Network Discussions

Why this book cover? I posted a tweet this week about the resident of the back bedroom, my soon-to-be-college freshman granddaughter. She was struggling to read the book selected for the freshman to read this year (I think this is the fourth year the univesity has done this. She was complaining loudly that the book was "boring!" Keep in mind that she is my "naked reader" and has plowed through all of her required books in high school including the deadly canon. But now she was rather put out that this was a book she had to read and it was not about anything that related to her and, in her estimation, it was not well-written either.

I have written extensively about the importance of books and reading and motivation. In the past I had limited my discussion to grades 4-12. Now, it appears, I need to broaden my focus to include at least college freshman and the latest trend to make them all read the same book. Perhaps if all the faculty had to read the same book first and participate in the "activities" it might make the committee stop and think that there is no "one book fits all," no one book that will appeal to all readers.

For instance, my better half thinks the book assigned actually sounds interesting. Of course he does: it is right up his alley in terms of his reading preferences. I would prefer not to read it as I have read a couple of children's and YA books about the same topic and found them wonderful. I wonder about the several hundred new students coming to the university having to read this selection and how many will instead opt for the study guide (I checked, and there is one available through Amazon)? I would have at that age.

Why do we continue to practice BAD literacy strategies such as this?

BTW, the resident will read the book eventually. She is one of THOSE students. It does not matter if she hates the book, she will dutifully read it. I just wish they would let her select a book to bring to class and present.

Knights of the Lunch Table, book 3

I like this middle grade GN series, KNIGHTS OF THE LUNCH TABLE, and here is book #3: THE BATTLING BANDS by Frank Cammuso (Scholastic/Graphix 2011). The three friends search Camelot Middle School for the singing sword, the only object that will prevent Principal Dagger from shutting down the annual Battle of the Bands program. Artie, Wayne, and Percy are determined to show Dagger and their arch nemesis--Joe--that they can play and win. <353>

Lots of broad humor, some slapstick, and some language play make this a GN that will appeal to a range of readers. Of course, the references to Arthur and the Round Table and Excalibur are all here as well. High school teachers might want to share this with students in advance of a discussion of the Arthurian legend.