Hello Hattie!

HATTIE AFTER EVER BY Kirby Larson. Delacorte, 2013.

It has been 7 years since we last saw Hattie (HATTIE BIG SKY) and the lovely thing about book characters is that time has not passed as quickly in Hattie's world. The year is 1919 and Hattie is working as a maid in a boarding house. When a troupe of actors stays for a few days, Hattie is enticed by the potential for adventure travel might hold. When the troupe reaches San Francisco, Hattie changes jobs and gets a position as a night maid at a newspaper office. Eventually, she works her way into the newsroom. Hattie understands how the real world can operate; she learns who to trust. The book ends hopefully with Hattie finding her real home and knowing it is not a place but perhaps a person. Larson's sense of place is strong here; it will help readers become immersed in the world of 1919 San Francisco, especially for young women.

What lurks in your closet?

POTTERWOOKIE: THE CREATURE FROM MY CLOSET by Obert Skye. Henry Holt, September 2012.

In the first book in this new series, the creature that emerged from Robert's closet was part Willy Wonka and part Frankenstein (Wonkenstein). Now Harry Potter meets Star Wars to produce Potterwookie, a furry little thing with a magic wand. of course, there will be some complications with his family and friends. Spells will be cast, bullies might just be defeated, and there may even be some new adventures. Kids who love DIARY OF A WIMPY KID will gravitate toward Robert and his incredible closet creations. <453>

What's your credit score?

CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO EXTRA CREDIT by Tommy Greenwald. Roaring Brook, 2012.

Charlie Joe Jackson appears destined to attend Camp Ritukbukke (read a book) due to his poor grades. He makes a deal with his parents and the school counselor: if he gets As in most of his classes, he can stay home and sleep late and enjoy the same summer plans as his pals. How to get the grades up? Extra credit is the answer. Before long, Charlie Joe is posing for the art teacher and serving on student council and even helping out on the school play. Wouldn't it have been easier simply to study and help his grades the old fashioned way? Not if you are Charlie Joe. This hilarious sequel to CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO NOT READING will be wildly popular. <452>

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>

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>

Hitting the Funny Bone

Too often YA is criticized for being dark and intense. Here are two books that counter that charge nicely and show there are books out there to tickle the funny bone.



MATTHEW MEETS THE MAN by Travis Nichols (Roaring Brook Press 2012)is the story of hapless high school student, Matt. Matt plays trumpet in the marching band (could he be more geeky, he wonders). What Matt wants to do is play drums. Of course, that would mean having the cash to buy a drum kit, which is so not gonna happen right now. But Matt is determined to get the drums and win the girl. The short chapters and laughs aplenty make this book a good choice for all readers, but especially for some of the more reluctant readers out there. <203>





Gary Paulsen continues the adventures of Kevin Spencer in CRUSH (Wendy Lamb Books, May 2012). You might recall Kev and his pals from LIAR, LIAR or FLAT BROKE. Kev is back for his turn at perhaps finding true love. He decides to use the scientific approach to discovering how to win the heart of Tina, a beautiful girl he can barely say HELLO to in the halls of the school. This is a stand alone book. However, once readers enter into Kev's world, they will want to read the companion novels as well. Also point them to THE SCHERNOFF DISCOVERIES and HARRIS AND ME for no-fail humor as only Paulsen can write. <204>

worthy sequel

If all you know of Ian Fleming's CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is the Disney movie, take some time to locate the book and give it a go. Then, dive into the sequel: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG FLIES AGAIN by Frank Cotrell Boyce (Candlewick Press 2012). When Mr. Tooting loses his job, he takes it as a good sign (ever the optimist is Dear Old Dad Tooting). Before long, he has refashioned the family camper van with a new engine. Off go the Tooting Family to see Paris, the Sphinx, and dinosaurs (Mr. Tooting permits each family member to select a destination on their journey). However, landing atop the Eiffel Tower was certainly NOT part of the plan. Yet, that is exactly where the Tootings find themselves. Why? That is part of the mystery and the adventure and the total fun that awaits readers who head off with the Tooting Family aboard Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The first book might have become a classic thanks to the Disney film. This book will win that status because it gives readers a completely wonderful and absorbing reading experience. <202>

reading with my ears

I loved CARTER FINALLY GETS IT in audio so it should be no surprise that the sequel CARTER'S BIG BREAK by Brent Crawford and narrated by the inimitable Nick Podehl (Brilliance 2011) is another incredibly funny adventure in audio. Carter is cast in a movie being filmed in his home town. His co-star is none other than Hillary Idaho (think Hannah Montana). She comes complete with entourage which includes a bodyguard. Carter learns what it is really like behind the scenes as he makes his debut in acting in a movie. Carter stumbles into all manner of situations here including becoming the cover boy for a tabloid when he and Hilary go swimming. Carter is brash and profane yet also sensitive to the feelings and needs of others from time to time. He is a memorable character who begs to be the star of another book. <506>