It is no surprise that bullies come in different forms in our lives, sometimes lurking beneath the veneer of a romantic relationship, sometimes hidden within the veils of powerful individuals such as teachers and bosses who control our lives, and even, surprisingly, lurking deep within ourselves. School is a haven for some students, a place where they can shut out the rest of the world and focus on learning new concepts and making new friends. But for others, school is a danger zone, filled with threats and personal attacks on their names, their appearances, their personalities, anything that someone deems to be different. Although some bullying occurs outside schools as students make their way to class, the 2009 Indicators of School Crime and Safety statistics show that most bullying occurs inside the nation’s school, and that only a third of those being bullied report the bullying to anyone at school. The members of the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group examine books that deal with some form of bullying in this week’s reviews with the intention that reading some of these titles may change some perceptions about bullying. Taken together, they provide vivid proof that sticks, stones, fists, and words often hurt deeply.

GRADES K-3

Barclay, Jane. (2012). JoJo the Giant. Illus. by Esperanca Melo. Toronto: Tundra Books.

JoJo has always been picked on because of his small size. He has spent a lifetime running away from the local bullies who tease him about being so small. Hoping that he will grow taller, he faithfully eats broccoli and drinks milk. Every day when he asks his mother if she notices that he is taller, she always responds with a little pinch of her fingers that maybe he has grown just a wee bit. When Smiling Sam’s Shoe Shop sponsors a race with the grand prize of red Rocket Racers shoes, JoJo is determined to win. It is his plan to win the shoes for his mother, a mail carrier who has been wearing her old brown shoes on her mail route each day. However, JoJo knows he faces still competition in Tony, one of his archenemies who is also entered in the race. The bright acrylic illustrations add to the book’s appeal since the drawings provide different perspectives. Teachers can use this book to get ready for National Bullying Prevention Month in October or Bully Awareness Week from November 12-17, with activities from ReadWriteThink.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Claflin, Willy. (2012). The Bully Goat Grim: A Maynard Moose tale. Illus. by James Stimson. Atlanta: August House Little Folk.

This traditional tale takes a new spin as storyteller Willy Claflin tells it while using many of his made-up words and strange grammar, all of which are sure to delight to young readers. The accompanying CD enhances the author’s use of rhythm in addition to being helpful with the “creative” language. The Bully Goat Grim is suffering from “Random Hostility Syndrome,” which causes him to be mean and hateful to all the forest creatures, head-butting them at every opportunity. However, when he trip-traps across the bridge where a family of trolls lives, his day of reckoning is at hand. Although Daddy and Mommy Troll threaten the bully goat, they really have no plan to thwart this bully. It is young Baby Troll that figures out how to stop this bullying behavior, a plan that is accomplished through a new twist on the goat’s language and intent. Teachers will enjoy using this book as a way to discuss language usage and grammar as well as savoring its humor. The Books 4 Learning Blog has suggestions for pre-reading and other book related activities.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Hemingway, Edward. (2012). Bad apple: A tale of friendship. New York: Penguin/Putnam Juvenile.

The old adage holds that sometimes one bad apple can spoil the whole basket. But in this case, one good apple turns the tables on the other, bullying apples that tease him. Mac is a very good apple, and he forms a strong connection with an unlikely friend, Will, a worm with whom he has much in common. They even finish each other’s sentences. Their idyllic day spent playing together ends, though, when the other apples in the orchard hurl verbal abuse at Mac, calling him rotten because of his wormy green friend. After hearing all the insults directed at Mac, Will decides to leave so his friend won’t be teased. Mac goes back to the way things were before he met Will, but life has lost its savor, and nothing feels the same. Even though his apple friends include him in their games once again, Mac simply misses Will, and searches for his friend. He finds him on the top of a hill, flying a kite, and in true bookworm fashion, reading a book. Chockfull of word play and clever puns, this title is a gentle reminder about staying true to what matters most to you, your own core values, if you will.  Children can sink their teeth into this book’s positive message as they consider the bullying behavior of the other apples and their inability to accept the friendship between Mac and Will. The oil illustrations allow the characters’ personality to shine through the book’s pages.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Knudsen, Michelle. (2012). Big Mean Mike. Illus. by Scott Magoon. Place: Candlewick Press.

Big Mean Mike is a dog with a spiked collar and a snazzy hot car with orange flames painted on the sides and a loud exhaust system that leaves behind a trail of black smoke. He wears combat boots and hangs out with guys every bit as tough looking as he is with their muscles shirts and eye patches and souped-up cars. When cute little bunnies start popping up in Mike’s car, he puts them out on the sidewalk since tough guys cannot be seen riding along with adorable little bunnies! However, the bunnies reappear at every turn--in his trunk, in his glove compartment, and even in the back seat. They are so persistently endearing that Mike learns to like having the bunnies around him, and eventually he doesn't care what his friends think. He defends his new companions, and they become a common sight in the neighborhood.  The book provides an interesting look at relationships and appearances that may cause young readers to think about the circle of friends with which they surround themselves. ReadWriteThink offers this lesson plan entitled “Confessions of a Former Bully” that might be a perfect complement to the book. Interested readers can learn more about this author and her writing at her website and blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Manning, Jane. (2012). Millie fierce. New York: Penguin/Philomel. 

Being polite and obedient may signal good upbringing, but sometimes being mild-mannered and quiet means being ignored or overshadowed by others. At least that’s the case for Millie whose ordinariness and meekness make her so forgettable that others tend to pay little attention to her. The louder and more boisterous children are the ones who get the attention—and even the larger slices of cake.  Millie is content with being rather forgettable until one day after three classmates walk carelessly right over her sidewalk flower picture, paying no heed to their actions just as they pay no heed to her. Suddenly, a feeling of fierceness stirs in Millie, prompting her to change her ways. No longer will she be the forgotten but polite, meek and mild Millie that no one notices. Instead, she adapts the behavior of her obnoxious classmates. Suddenly Millie has more attention that she can handle, but it’s all for the wrong reasons. Now her classmates shun her because she’s too noticeable. When her selfishness hurts another classmate on his birthday, Millie decides that being noticed for bad reasons isn’t the right path for her. While good behavior isn’t always noticed, being singled out for rude, bullying behavior isn’t much fun either. The watercolor illustrations allow Millie’s sometimes mild and sometimes fierce personality to shine through in the images of her rosy-cheeked face on this picture book’s pages.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Stout, Shawn. (2012). Penelope Crumb. New York: Penguin/Philomel.

Fourth grader Penelope Crumb thinks more about death than most youngsters her age since her own father died many years ago. She carries around his old toolbox and records evidence that her brother is an alien. Despite her preoccupation with death, Penelope is remarkably well adjusted, and instead of becoming upset when her best friend portrays her with a large nose, which causes quite a bit of teasing from her classmates, she looks in the mirror and decides to embrace her noticeable nose which is larger than she had thought. Eventually, she learns that her estranged paternal grandfather has the very same nose. With help from a friend, Penelope locates her grandfather, and starts the process of healing between him and her mother who have not been in contact since her father’s death. Readers will enjoy meeting the self-assured Penelope as she draws inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci for her artwork and for her approach to life throughout the book. It's refreshing to find a protagonist who doesn't define herself through the remarks of her classmates and is able to see past the defenses others put around themselves in order to avoid pain. Filled with heart-felt sentiments about family dynamics, the book also contains snippets of humor through the descriptions of the behavior of Penelope’s teacher and her mother.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University, Pullman

Woodson, Jacqueline. (2012). Each kindness. Illus. by E.B. Lewis. New York: Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books. 

Chloe and her friends aren't interested in playing with the new girl, Maya. After all, Maya wears worn and old hand-me-down clothes and brings old toys to school. When Maya asks the girls to play with her on the playground, they turn their backs on her and continue to ignore her. As the school days go by and Chloe and her friends refuse to include Maya, she continues to play by herself. But one day, Maya’s seat in the classroom is empty, prompting Chloe to wonder where Maya might be. Eventually the teacher announces that Maya and her family have moved away. The teacher goes on to share a lesson about the ripple effect of your actions. Chloe feels guilty for the way she treated Maya and realizes that there is no way to take back her cruel actions now that Maya has gone. The author-illustrator team that created The Other Side (Putnam, 2001) has created another emotionally compelling and beautifully written and illustrated book sure to prompt classroom discussions about bullying and activities comparing the two books. The cover of the book is especially discussion-worthy. Teachers may be interested in reading an interview with the author on The Brown Bookshelf blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 4-5

Castle, M.E. (2012). Popular Clone: The Clone Chronicles #1. New York: Egmont.

Fisher Bas is a sixth grade science and math wiz, but a social klutz in terms of his self-esteem. The Vikings, a group of bullies in his middle school, love to torment him, forcing Fisher to spend way too much time with his head in the toilet of the school restroom. Finally, fed up with dealing with the torment every day at school, Fisher makes use of his Nobel Prize-winning-scientist parents’ resources. Fisher steals the experimental growth hormone his mother is developing and creates a clone that he names Fisher Two, or just Two for short. When Two goes to school the next day, things don’t go as Fisher planned. Unexpectedly, Two seems to be immediately popular and even a bit of a troublemaker. He makes friends and exudes a confidence that Fisher hardly recognizes. However, evil scientist Dr. X has been eavesdropping on the hormone project and kidnaps Two, not realizing he is a clone. Fisher must save Two and keep both his clone project and his mother’s experiment from being exposed. As Fisher develops a plan to rescue Two, which includes blowing up a lab, the fun begins, marking the debut of an engaging series planned around Fisher and Two. A teacher’s guide and many more resources can be found at the book’s website and ReadWriteThink has a bully lesson entitled “A Bad Case of Bullying: Using Literature Response Groups."

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Cheng, Andrea. (2012). The year of the book. Illus. by Abigail Halpin. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 

Fourth grader Anna Wang feels friendless after her friend Laura spends more time with other friends, especially the bossy Allison. Not only does she have to be in charge, but she enjoys belittling Anna. She makes fun of Anna's homemade lunch sack and other aspects of her personality and identity. When Laura makes efforts to rekindle their friendship, Anna isn't sure whether to trust Laura. Instead, she finds solace, insight into human nature and friendship in the classic children’s books she is reading. When turmoil in Laura's home life leaves her vulnerable, Anna once again offers friendship to Laura just when she needs it most. I love how painstakingly the author portrays Anna as she draws sustenance from her own family and literature. Her kindness is evident in the way she greets the school crossing guard, Ray, even visiting him when he has an accident. Anna's initial reluctance to learn how to speak and write Chinese plus her refusal to believe that Laura might actually be interested in her culture provide places to initiate classroom conversations about trust and acceptance. The author skillfully covers many important themes subtly while portraying sometimes shifting family dynamics accurately. If this is a year of reading for Anna, it is also a year filled with self-discovery. Adding to the pleasure of meeting Anna and watching her deal with the bullies who have shut her out, the pen-and-ink illustrations that have been colored digitally enable readers to see Anna and her world. The book even contains the directions and visuals for several of the projects Anna undertakes. For more information about the author, read the Reading Today Online interview with Andrea Cheng. Also see her "Readingwalking" post on the Engage Teacher to Teacher blog. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Cotler, Stephen L. (2012). Cheesie Mack is cool in a duel.  Illus. by Adam McCauley. New York: Random House.

Cheesie Mack and his best friend Georgie from Cheesie Mack Is Not a Genius or Anything (Random House, 2011) are back with another adventure, this time taking them to Camp Windward on Bufflehead Lake in Maine. The boys worked hard to pay for camp where they would now be the oldest of the Little Guys and have some special privileges. Because their registration was a little late, they end up housed in the cabin with the Big Guys, putting them on the low end of the totem pole again, the smallest and youngest ones in the cabin. Unfortunately, this also meant they would share a cabin with Kevin Welch, not only a big bully but also the boyfriend of Cheesie’s older sister June, known as Goon to Cheesie. As Kevin begins his usual bullying treatment, Cheesie challenges Kevin to a Cool Duel. Each day the campers have to vote who did the coolest thing that day and at the end of the week the loser has to bow down to the winner. Readers are asked to become involved in some of the antics by going to Cheesie’s website for answers and help in these daily situations. Although the website offers additional fun, it is not necessary for readers to have access to the Internet to enjoy the story of Cheesie and George at Camp Windward. Visit Cheesie’s website and the author site. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Dallas, Sandra. (2012). The quilt walk. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

Conflicted about her father’s decision to leave the safety of their farm in Quincy, Illinois, for Golden, Colorado, where he plans to sell supplies to the gold miners, ten-year-old Emmy Blue Hatchett is also excited about the adventure. From the beginning, the journey is not easy as Emmy's mother and aunt must leave behind objects they cherish. As they head westward, Emmy is struck by how quickly luck can turn from good to bad. Although most of the travelers in the wagon train help each other out, there is one exception. Newlywed Mr. Bonner fails to pull his own weight, is arrogant and ill-tempered, and bullies everyone around him, particularly his bride, who constantly sports another bruise or sprain. The females in the party watch as his bullying escalates and look for avenues for her to escape. Although Emmy’s mother dutifully follows her husband's wishes to head west, she puts her foot down at various points and asserts her wishes. Throughout the story, Emmy pieces together the parts of a small quilt her grandmother gave her when she left Illinois, a task she hates at first, but comes to enjoy in some ways, while many of the other women work on their own quilts along the way. The idea of making something beautiful and useful from fabric scraps is a powerful theme that is threaded throughout the storyline. This chapter book with a feminist slant provides insight into the roles women played as their men headed toward a different kind of life.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Gervay, Jack. (2012). I am Jack. Illus. by Cathy Wilcox. Berkeley: HarperCollins/ Kane Miller Books.

Until now, life has gone pretty smoothly for 11-year old Jack who enjoys soccer and photography. However, his mother seems too busy and too involved with her new boyfriend to have time to talk and spend time with Jack right now. Jack’s life starts to change at school too when George Hamel, the school bully, selects Jack as his next victim and begins calling him names. Other kids pick up on the “butt head” moniker, and before Jack knows it, it seems as though the whole school has turned against him and is calling him by the name George has chosen for him. Finally, his best friend Anna tells her parents how Jack is being treated and that he now has severe headaches due to the stress. When Jack’s mother learns what is happening to Jack she marches into school to talk with the teacher and the principal. Teachers and parents will find it particularly interesting to read about the school administration’s response to the bullying and the program they put in place to stop it. This realistic story of how bullying can accelerate, escalating far past what a young child can endure or have the ability to combat it, provides several ways that schools, family and friends can intervene to put an end to the bullying. The author has a book trailer, bullying information and resources at her website.  Teachers can find a lesson plan guide at the publisher’s website. For teachers who enjoy reader’s theater, a script with performance ideas can be found at the Arts Center of Melbourne website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Martin, Ann M. (2011). Ten rules for living with my sister. New York: Feiwel and Friends. 

Siblings often have to negotiate with each other in order to insure harmony at home, and they sometimes compare themselves to one another. For nine-year-old Pearl Littlefield, any comparison with her popular older sister Lexie leaves her coming up short. Lexie has many interests and many friends, and values her privacy. Pearl, however, has little sense of personal space and only one friend, a much younger neighbor, with whom she spends her free time. She also hangs out with her cat, appropriately named Bitey. Additionally, Pearl feels uncomfortable at school because her classmates still remember three embarrassing incidents that occurred when she was younger, and frequently remind her of them. When the sisters' grandfather comes to stay while waiting for a placement in an assisted living facility, they are forced to share a room. This necessitates some compromises from both girls since their personalities and living styles are so different. Over the course of the book, though, they come to a mutual understanding and appreciate each other’s differences with Lexie even providing guidance for Pearl as she navigates the tricky school social world. By the time Pearl plans her own birthday party, she is confident enough to take risks, an ending that indicates her healthy self-concept. Remaining true to herself while also considering the wishes of others, Pearl is unlikely to become one of the school mean girls. The book is uplifting while exploring the development of imperfect but likable characters facing real-life challenges. Sometimes ignoring bullies simply doesn't work.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Palacio, R.J. (2012). Wonder. New York: Random House.

Ten-year-old August Pullman regards himself as rather ordinary, yet others see him as anything but normal due to his extreme facial abnormalities. Auggie explains the dissonance between how he sees himself and how others regard him: “But I know ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go” (p. 3). His life is about to change once his parents enroll him as a new fifth grader at Beecher Prep School. This will be Auggie’s first experience in school since he has been homeschooled during the previous years due to his numerous surgeries. Not only must he deal with the looks and whispers of his new classmates but also a cruel game in which students that touch him and fail to wash within 30 seconds of contact will have “The Plague.” In addition to learning about the traditional subjects of language arts, social studies, science, and math, Auggie also learns powerful lessons about friendship, courage, loyalty, and betrayal. His school days teach him about overcoming unexpected challenges as well as introducing him to bullies and their abilities to coerce others into joining their cruel behavior toward someone such as Auggie who is considered different from the norm. Palacio skillfully narrates the story from alternating points of view, offering insights from Auggie and some of his classmates as well as his teenage sister and her friends. This is a WONDER-ful book, brimming with hope and possibilities balanced against thoughtless acts of unkindness based on ignorance.

- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University Provo

Spinelli, Jerry. (2012). Jake and Lily. New York: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray.

Almost 11, twins Jake and Lily Wambold have always been very close and share a special sense they call “goombla.” However, as time for middle school approaches, their parents think that it is time they each had their own bedroom. Jake is okay with this new arrangement, but Lily is not ready to give up the closeness they have always shared. Jake is starting to drift away as he finds a new set of friends that include Bump Stubbins and the Death Rays gang. Lily cannot stand Bump, the neighborhood bully, or the victims he singles out for harassment. Without Jake’s companionship, Lily is lonely and seeks out her grandfather Poppy for comfort. Poppy, a hippie in former days, provides the perfect solace for Lily since he, too, misses someone--his deceased wife, Lily’s grandmother, who was his life partner and other half as Jake has always been for Lily. When Jake’s new friends pick on Ernie, tagged a “goober” by Bump and his gang, Jake has to decide how much of their bullying behavior is acceptable and where to draw the line for his newly-found so-called “friends.” ReadWriteThink provides the lesson plan “Moving Toward Acceptance through Picture Books and Two-Voice Texts” about bullies. Teachers may want to visit this award-winning author’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Starkey, Scott. (2012). How to beat the bully without really trying. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Slightly reminiscent of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, this debut from a middle school teacher author features a funny tale about Rodney Rathbone and his transformation from wimp to tough guy. Rodney Rathbone has recently moved from New York City to small-town Ohio and hopes that he has left his picked-on persona behind him. Rodney has always been terrified of everything. On his first day of school in his new middle school, he steps into a confrontation with Josh, the school bully, when a stray baseball hits Josh and breaks his nose. Word soon gets around that Rodney has clobbered Josh, and Rodney immediately inherits an entirely new reputation that turns him into the new tough guy around school. With new-found confidence and maybe a bit of attitude, Rodney starts to live up to this new persona. Many of the ensuing situations are a bit farcical, but they will amuse readers. A sequel might be on the horizon. The author discusses how he came to write the book in a video at Daily Motion.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 6-8

Barnhill, Kelly. (2012). The mostly true story of Jack. New York: Little, Brown Books for Youth.

Moving from San Francisco to Iowa is a real jolt for Jack whose parents have recently divorced and taken him to live with his quirky aunt and uncle Mabel and Clive Fitzpatrick in Hazelwood, Iowa. Although Jack has spent his life thus far trying to stay under the radar of the local bullies in San Francisco, from the minute he sets foot onto Hazelwood soil, he seems to be the new target in town. Jack is able to make friends with Wendy and Frankie, 14-year-old twins, who help him better understand some of the strange disappearances of people and buildings in this eerie town. Mystery and magic come into play as Jack learns more about the powers of evil that are loose in Hazelwood. This debut fiction author employs the power of friendship to combat good and evil in this suspenseful tale. Teachers can find a downloadable educator’s guide at the publisher’s website. Lesson ideas for incorporating anti-bullying concepts can be found at Teacher’s Domain.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Barwin, Steven. (2010). Fadeaway. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd.

An excellent basketball player, seventh grader Renna Rashad of Richmond Hill loves the sport and is even captain of the school team, the Hornets. When her good friend and teammate Caitlyn moves from Toronto to Vancouver, Kate joins the basketball team, which is disconcerting for Renna since she used to play for the Hornets’ rival team, the Warriors. Kate is uninterested in Renna’s advice about the team, and behaves rudely toward her. She mounts a campaign to make Renna’s life miserable by excluding her in every social interaction, making costly mistakes during games, physically hurting her, and finally leaving nasty messages on the team’s page. She even resorts to name calling, saying that Renna is a Resol or Loser spelled backwards. Renna becomes snappish with any teammates who are friendly with Kate. Finally, she breaks down and confesses the situation to her friends who then try to trap Kate into bullying Renna in front of a teacher. The strategy backfires when Kate accuses Renna of bullying. Left with no other option, Renna confronts the bully in her life. In the end, Renna and Kate make peace and confront the bully who tormented Kate at the first place. This is a slim, action-filled volume showing exactly how subtly bullying can be perpetuated. Everyone involved in team sports should read this book.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Yee, Lisa. (2011). Warp speed. New York: Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books.

Seventh grader Marley Sandelski feels invisible in Rancho Rosetta Middle School. He is not like his former friend, the good-looking, athletic Stanford Wong, who Marley thinks comes from planet Mercury. Nor is he from planet Venus, inhabited by the teachers’ favorite students and those who are active in student organizations. Like the rest of the regular kids, who are neither popular nor unpopular, Marley is simply from planet Earth. Marley lives with his parents in the Rialto, a historic movie theatre in their town. His mother is a piano teacher, and although blind, she leads an active life, fending away pity that is often directed at her. Despite his invisibility to most of his classmates, Marley is all-too visible to Digger, the son of an affluent man. While Digger bullies and blackmails Marley for his history homework, three other boys known as the Gorn indulge in punching him. Marley finds himself unexpectedly attracted to Emily and begins to care for his dress and appearance. This alienates him from his usual group of friends from the AV club—Max and Ramen. When he must run to escape from the Gorn, Marley discovers hidden talents--he can run super-fast--and catches the eye of the track coach who wants him to sign up for the team. But, despite winning the coveted Tiggy Tiger Turkey cup in a record time, Marley’s heart is not in sports. Somehow, though, he inspires his classmates to rise up collectively against the Gorn. In this title, the author describes the life of a die-hard Star Trek fan while portraying the life of middle school students perfectly. Although humorous moments are sprinkled throughout the book, sensitive readers may wince at the graphic bullying scenes that continue until almost the last page. The book is excellent for group reading and discussions. Also see a video interview of Lisa Yee on the Engage Teacher to Teacher blog. 

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 9-12

Altebrando, Tara. (2012). The best night of your (pathetic) life. New York: Dutton Juvenile. 

Mary Gilhooley is relieved that high school has come to an end. Although she didn’t win the scholarship to Georgetown that she expected, still, she’s on her way out of town and on to college. Because she and her friends didn't leave much of a mark on their school, she figures they have one night left to salvage the year and insure that they’ll be remembered. The seniors of Oyster Point dedicate one night at the end of the year to a scavenger hunt for various items, some fairly easy to locate and others described somewhat vaguely.  As the friends try to figure out clues and track down items on the list to rack up points, the night turns out to be eventful in unexpected ways. Friends are betrayed, crushes are revealed, and Mary herself realizes that despite her hatred of a boy who has dogged her throughout high school, she hasn't always treated him kindly. She has an epiphany while pondering her own need to be in charge and the way she verbally shot him down years ago. Although the characters are not particularly complex, readers will root for Mary and her also-ran friends to win, notching a victory for the underdogs, or if not that, realizing that there is more to life than high school. The book’s pleasant surprises and musical references are sure to send readers scurrying off to search for music by some long-forgotten bands and to plan their own senior class scavenger hunt.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Colasanti, Suzanne. (2012). Keep holding on. New York: Viking Juvenile.

Life couldn’t be tougher for junior Noelle Wexler. Her mother, embittered by the disappointments in her own life, barely talks to her daughter except to blame her for her life and to complain about her job. Since there is often very little to eat, Noelle is forced to put together sandwiches made from mustard, mayonnaise, and lettuce for her school lunch. Her more affluent classmates either pity or belittle her for being poor while the teachers stand by and do nothing. Even Noelle’s ill-fated romance with Matt is hidden from everyone since he doesn’t want his peers to know how he feels about her. By the time Noelle is attracted to Julian Porter, she doubts that she is good enough for him. But Julian and a handful of her classmates aren’t overly concerned with their classmates’ opinions. When one of Noelle's classmates commits suicide after being teased repeatedly, her death compels Noelle to confront all the bullies in her life. The book is a good reminder that there is more to life after high school if you can just keep holding on until graduation.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hall, Megan Kelley, & Jones, Carrie (Eds.). (2011). Dear Bully: 70 authors tell their stories. New York: Harper Teen.

Sometimes seeing ourselves in stories leads to change. This wonderful themed collection about bullies is for anyone who has bullied others, been bullied by others or even stood by helplessly while someone else was being bullied. It should be mandatory reading for students and teachers since it covers the territory of bullying so thoroughly. It is likely that each reader will find his/her own experiences mirrored in at least one of the stories written by the 70 authors, many of whom will be familiar to young readers. Some of the stories are long, and some are short, and the authors employ varied writing styles to tell their stories. Another bonus was having the authors' websites included in their bios in the back. Readers might want to savor this one in sips rather than reading the whole book in one session since the subject matter is often so painful. It's clear that bullying remains a problem in our world, especially in our schools, and some readers may find coping mechanisms such as humor and confrontation as the result of what some of the authors share about their own experiences. Others look back at bullying from the distance of a decade or two and are surprised to find that it still hurts to have been singled out or ostracized or even replaced by friends for various reasons. Still others are surprised to realize that the bullies of their childhood don’t even remember events that were so life-changing for them. In her provocative “Who Gives the Popular People Power? Who??" author Megan McCafferty ponders the essence and power of popularity. Not surprisingly, some of the authors describe the grudges they still hold toward the bullies from their growing up years and how they, too, sometimes became bullies after having been teased repeatedly. Readers can find even more stories, videos, and suggestions about how to get help at the authors’ website. Also see "5 Questions With...Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones" on the Engage Teacher to Teacher blog. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Knowles, Johanna. (2012). See you at Harry’s. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Fern is the twelve-year old member of a family bustling with activity. Her father is totally absorbed in the family’s restaurant called Harry’s; her mother is often off meditating; her older sister is taking a gap year after high school before setting off to college; her older brother Holden is starting his freshman year in high school and dealing with coming out as gay; and her adorable 3-year-old brother, Charlie, although always messy, is the family’s shining star and the recipient of much love and attention. Fern’s best friend Ran takes life in stride while assuring Fern that everything will be fine as life progresses. A terrible accident changes all these dynamics. While in Fern’s care, Charlie is hit by a car, and the aftermath brings the harried family together in ways they never imagined. Teachers may be interested in additional literature bullying resources available at ReadWriteThink’s “Books about Bullying” or they may want to check out Teens Against Bullying. The author’s website offers tips for writing and more.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Rosenfeld, Kat. (2012). Amelia Anne is dead and gone. New York: Penguin/Dutton Juvenile. 

Two completely different lives and stories intersect in an unexpected way in this satisfying thriller. Although they live in different worlds, Becca and Amelia Anne have quite a lot in common. Amelia Anne plans to pursue an acting career after receiving encouragement from an instructor. Small-town girl Becca can’t wait to leave her town and her lackluster past for college. But her feelings for James and confusion over his decision to break up and then get back together right after her high school graduation make leaving harder than she expected. While she procrastinates about packing and preparing to go, James seems to be behaving rather oddly. Where is he going when he tells others that he’s spending time with her? The book opens with Amelia Anne already dead, leaving readers to decide who is responsible for her death on the side of the dirt road near Becca's town. How could a woman on her way to a beach vacation with her boyfriend die so violently? Masterfully hinting at each character's motivation, and omitting details so readers must read between the lines to form their own conclusion, the author tosses in a few red herrings to add to this suspense thriller's delight. Through her own short-sightedness and paranoia, Becca betrays herself and someone else, leading to tragedy. Readers will surely ponder the winding roads and detours that lead us to or from our destinations as well as what exactly constitutes bullying.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Spottswood, Jessica. (2012). Born wicked. New York: Putnam Juvenile.

In an alternative version of 1900 New England sixteen-year-old Cate Cahill and her two younger sisters, Tess and Maura, must keep secret the fact that they are witches with various powers that have yet to be harnessed. Their father has left them in the care of a woman from a group known as the Sisterhood. While Cate desperately tries to find clues as to what her deceased mother would want her to do, she must hide her abilities from the Brotherhood, a vigilante group of witch-hating men who determine marital partners. Girls and women who misbehave or behave inappropriately are sent to Harwood, which sounds downright Draconian. Options for women are limited at best, and Cate fears being paired with someone she doesn't love. Meanwhile, Cate is assailed by thoughts of romance and desire for someone considered unsuitable for her. When she makes a difficult choice in order to save her sisters, she also breaks her own heart. Of particular note is the way in which the town's witches--and there are more of them than just the three Cahill sisters--exist right under the noses of the Brotherhood. Readers will certainly be reminded of our own nation’s past, present, and future when reading about this imaginary society’s missteps as one powerful group oppresses another. It’s hard to say which is more frightening, the individual teasing directed at those such as Cate who are different from the others in the town or the bullying of the Brotherhood toward all women.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

by Judith A. Hayn 

Hoban, Russell. (2012). Soonchild. Illus. Alexis Deacon. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Russell Hoban, renowned British children’s literature author, passed away in 2011. This is the second to last book he wrote, and it is a masterpiece of weirdness coupled with lyricism. Sixteen-Face John’s story is based on Inuit mythology, and readers will need to suspend belief in concrete reality to appreciate the tale. John is a shaman with major self-doubts and severe depression while his wife No Problem is carrying their first child. Soonchild refuses to emerge, so John reluctantly gives up his Coca-Cola and TV-watching habits to fix the situation. 

He undertakes a mystical journey to locate the World Songs that Soonchild needs to own before she can be born. This quest leaves him in pieces (literally; then he is repaired, killed many times in epic battles, and finally left dead for thousands of years as the forces of nature take their toll. As a polar bear spirit tells him:  “When you boil up a Big-Dream Brew, you better be ready to drink to the bottom of the cup” (p. 50). His conversations with the animal spirits and with human dead, who are always with us, are peppered with humor as well as insights.

The narrative is breath-taking in suspense as now No-Face John eventually emerges triumphantly as his own man ready for fatherhood with a strong sense of identity. The mind-spirit connection is never forced and what results is a sort of Philosophy 101 for young adults, plus myriad other readers who will be mesmerized by the story. Alexis Deacon’s pencil renditions of both the spirit world and reality add just the right touch of mysticism to this superb piece of Hoban’s legacy.

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

This article is part of a series from the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).

It’s back to school time, and what better way for teachers to begin building those special relationships with students than sharing books together? Reading aloud, literature circles, independent reading, group sharing and simply sending kids home with books promotes the excitement of reading and sharing a good story in school and at home. This week the International Reading Association Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) provides a list of books to start an exciting new school year with funny stories, thoughtful stories, and lunch box facts! ReadWriteThink offers several pages of back to school reading lesson plan ideas to help teachers begin a successful school year.

GRADES K-3

Adams, Diane. (2012). I Want to Help. Illustrated by Nancy Hayashi. Peachtree.

Emily Pearl is back after appearing in her first book, I Can Do It Myself (2009). Ms. Glenn, Emily’s kindergarten teacher, is not always anxious for the kind of help that Emily offers. Hayashi’s illustrations reveal the reality of each scene with Emily’s so-called help in the classroom. The illustrations will make good discussion starters with young students as they observe, for example, Emily’s overactive exuberance to help around Ms. Glenn’s classroom when she pushes other kids out of the way to do such classroom tasks as pass out papers, play baseball and soccer, swing on the monkeybars, pass out cupcakes, stack the building blocks and other school activities. When her father is late picking her up after school and she is the only student left in the classroom, she is a bit scared. Her astute teacher senses that fear and tells Emily Pearl that she needs her help. Teachers might like to use this book with the ReadWriteThink lesson entitled “Catching the Bug for Reading Through Interactive Read Alouds” or “Using Children’s Natural Curiosity to Lead to Descriptive Writing.” Learn more about this author and her books at her website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Adderson, Caroline. (2012). Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week. Illus. by Ben Clanton. Toronto: Kids Can Press.

In this first title in a planned chapter book series likely to appeal to boy readers who resemble the protagonist, Jasper John Dooley vividly illustrates the wonders and woes of elementary school. In this introductory story, Jasper is thrilled to be named the class Star of the Week, and he eagerly anticipates showing his classmates his jewelry box filled with treasures. But these treasures aren’t sea glass, shells, buttons, or even insects. Instead, he has a collection of different colors of lint removed from the dryer screen and a small collection of lint from his father's belly button. "Yuck!" pretty much sums up his classmates' reaction to the collection, and Jasper finds being the Star of the Week less satisfying than he expected it to be. While his best friend Ori loses sleep due to a new baby, Jasper tries to persuade his parents that their family is too small. The descriptions of the voice of his teacher Ms. Tosh are spot-on, showing how it changes according to whether she believes what she is hearing and proving that children are more aware than some adults assume. For the most part, Jasper is blissfully unconcerned about what others think about his uniqueness. After all, he has supportive parents who give him enough space to explore his own interests. Readers will clamor for more from this unlikely but likeable and free-spirited hero.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Barnett, Mac. (2012). Oh no! Not again! (or, How I built a time machine to save history) (or at least my history grade). Illustrated by Dan Santat. Disney-Hyperion.

This book is busy from stem to stern, end paper to end paper, cover to cover including the back of the dust jacket which sports a movie poster of the storyline. The super smart student in this story has missed one answer on her history test and is incensed! Her solution is to build a time machine and go back and change history to make her answer right. Sparse text and lively action packed illustrations reveal the story. When a few first attempts with the time machine go awry, she finally transports to the correct time period only to find cavemen who do not quite understand art. For instance, the paintbrushes end up in their noses and the spray paint is just plain fun to splatter each other. While our determined student takes the matter into her own hands to create the cave painting, the early man pair take a spin in the time machine. The end of the book supplies possible routes for other time machine adventures that teachers might like to use for writing prompts. Fans of team Barnett and Santat will like the pair’s earlier book, Oh, No! based on a science-fair project run amok. Visit the author’s website for more information about his books or check out this blog for using his books as a possible author study.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Calmenson, Stephanie. (2012). Oopsy, teacher! Illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. Carolrhoda Books.

Mr. Bungles is having a bad day just like he did in Calmenson’s earlier book about Mr. Bungles, Late for School (2008). He bumps his head to start his day and then gets soap in his eyes and jam on his tie, and when he finally gets to school the classroom hamster, Nibbles, is on the loose! Mr. Bungles and his students are on the run after the hamster – around the school, around the track, and into town where they find him at the local pizza shop happily nibbling on some pepperoni. Yoshikawa’s bright and playful illustrations complement the humor and fast action of the story. This will be a good read aloud and maybe an introduction to taking care of the class pet. Calmenson likes to write early school stories and more can be found at her publisher’s website or at her own website. Another new book from author Stephanie Calmenson is the interactive response book Ollie’s School Day; a yes-and-no book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Harley, Bill. (2012). Lost and found. Illus. by Adam Gustavson. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers.

Stories based only on rumor and assumptions often gather momentum in schools, sometimes prompting students to avoid certain individuals or parts of the building. In Justin’s case, he and his classmates fear the grumpy elderly janitor who keeps the school clean and picks up lost items. When he loses the hat his grandmother knitted for him, Justin dreads asking Mr. Rumkovsky for help, but his mother insists that he find that hat, even the halls leading to the janitor’s office are dark and frightening. But it turns out that Mr. Rumkovsky is a kindly man, not scary at all. As Justin peers into the box containing items found by the janitor, he spies several things his classmates have lost but never had the nerve to look for or claim. In fact, when Justin finally finds the hat he has been looking for, he realizes that he and his mother have something in common when it comes to hats and groundless fears. The narrator’s voice is clear in this story, typified by the phrase "I knew that already" (unpaged), which certainly sounds like a youngster's voice. The illustrations, consisting of oil on watercolor paper, are lively and amusing as Justin comes face to face with all sorts of long-lost stuff for which no one has bothered to look very hard, perhaps because they don’t miss it all that much. Musical Bill Harley has a fun-filled and action-packed website for teachers that include songs, lesson plans and other activities.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hills, Tad. (2012). Rocket writes a story. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books/ Random House.

By the author and illustrator of How Rocket Learned to Read, this new picture book could easily jumpstart writing workshop in primary grades. Rocket sniffs out some new words and writes them down on sticky notes—buttercup, bug, feather, and nest. With the help of little yellow bird, his teacher, he reads all of his splendid words and announces, “I’m going to write a story!” But he experiences something many writers go through, he stares at the blank pages and no story comes. Yellow bird suggests he think about characters and something that has happened to him. In addition, walking, sniffing, drawing, and visiting his favorite tree help Rocket begin to slowly craft a story. Rocket’s persistence, revision and help from friends also help. Finally he completes his tale and he celebrates by reading it aloud to a new pal. Each step of Rocket’s writing process is exactly what young writers will experience as they learn to write this coming school year. Visit the author’s website to watch meet the real Rocket and view videos.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Ransome, James. (2012). My teacher. New York: Dial.

A perfect gift for a teacher on the first or last day of school, this picture book is the author’s thank-you note to hard-working educators. Throughout the book’s pages the narrator ponders her teacher's career longevity. After wondering why she "keeps teaching here" (unpaginated), the student then begins listing the possible appeal of teaching in this particular school. This dedicated teacher somehow finds time to create community, fill the classroom shelves with books while fostering the love for reading. She also inspires the students to write and integrates art and music within the classroom. As every effective teacher knows, the students are a large part of why teachers keep teaching. With no mention of high-stakes testing or Common Core State Standards, this picture book is certainly a nostalgic look at teachers and all they do to make a difference in their students’ lives. The illustrations are every teacher’s delight, filled with highly engaged and motivated students eager to learn. Teachers will smile when they see the apple-pattern-filled vest this woman is wearing. Since all teachers have days when they could use a little encouragement, this book provides a reminder that teachers CAN change lives and provide positive examples for their young charges.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Van Lieshourt, Maria. (2012). Backseat A-B-See. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

This ABC book begins with, “Vroom! Vroom! From the backseat, what do you see?” Young children will follow the black road with the dotted white lines to each letter of the alphabet and the road signs that accompany each letter beginning with A for airport and B for bike route. In this fun and colorful book other road signs state L is for library, M is for merge and N is for no entry. This is perfect for children learning the alphabet and reading environmental print. Children will make connections to these road signs and become a backseat driver in their parents’ vehicles. Check out the book trailer online.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University, Vancouver

Yum, Hyewon. (2012). Mom, it’s my first day of kindergarten! New York: Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus Giroux.

The end pages showcase an eager five-year-old boy getting ready for school. On the first page the little boy shouts, “Mom, wake up! It’s my first day of kindergarten!” In the accompanying illustration the mom’s head peeks out from under the covers with an anxious face. She is illustrated in gray tones whereas the boy is in bold colors. This mom is not ready for her son to attend the big kids’ school. She is worried that there might not be enough snacks for her son in kindergarten. She wonders if she packed all of his school supplies. She also thinks he is still too little. Her son reassures her by saying, “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll be fine, I am already five!” Many young children will begin school for the first time this year, and this humorous book presents what many parents will be feeling. Read aloud this picture book during open house or curriculum night to reassure parents that their children are ready for big-kid school. Author, Hyewon Yum, shares her writing process at this blog.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University, Vancouver

GRADES 3-6

Angleberger, Tom. (2012). The secret of the fortune wookiee. New York: Harry N. Abrams/Amulet Books.

McQuarrie Middle School simply isn’t the same without Dwight, who created the wise Origami Yoda who always seems to have the right answer to the students’ problems. Having been suspended from McQuarrie, Dwight now attends Tippett Academy where he is trying to stay out of trouble and blend in with the rest of his new classmates. But the students there treat Dwight as though he were a pet. Because Tommy and Dwight’s other friends at McQuarrie wonder how to save Dwight from mediocrity or losing his uniqueness and becoming just like everyone else, Tommy begins a case file. After all, doing so helped the students resolve their differences and get along better in the earlier two titles in this creative Star Wars-themed series, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Abrams, 2010), and Darth Paper Strikes Back (Abrams, 2011). When Sara, Tommy's girlfriend, shows up with an origami fortune teller that looks just like Chewbacca from the Star Wars films, he seems to possess the same wisdom as Origami Yoda. Tommy's case file reveals the truth about what's going on as one by one, his friends speak their piece. As in the case of the other two titles, this one is filled with humor and profundity and examples of how boys and girls differ in solving problems. As the school principal, Mrs. Rabbski replaces the students' electives with test preparation periods through a program called Funtime! Time to Focus on the FUN-damentals!, Tommy and his friends prepare for their next great battle. Readers will eagerly await the next title to find out whether the Force will be strong enough to combat the academic change that looms over the school.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Graff, Lisa. (2012). Double dog dare. New York: Philomel. 

Francine Halata has always wanted to claim the news anchor spot, and when she and Kansas Bloom, a student new to the school, get the same number of votes for the position, another classmate suggests that the prize should go to the individual who accepts the most dares. The ensuing humorous and barf-filled competition involves all sorts of gross activities such as licking a lizard, consuming several packets of ketchup, and hoisting underwear up the flag pole, among other weird dares. Throughout their efforts, they start to empathize with each other, realizing that they have quite a lot in common since both of their families are going through divorces. Despite Francine's wishes that her parents would reconcile, her father has clearly moved on, and the two of them must their own family traditions. Kansas helps his younger sister realize that their father rarely follows up on his promises despite his good intentions, making him more absent than present in their lives. Readers will be impressed with what can happen when two former rivals join forces. This title is filled with good lessons, a cast of complicated characters, and some unexpected developments.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Vande Velde, Vivian. (2011) 8 class pets + 1 squirrel divided by 1 dog = chaos. Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman.  New York: Holiday House.

Twitch, the schoolyard squirrel, runs across the snout of Cuddles, the principal’s dog who lives next to the elementary school. Cuddles is not happy about this tromp on his nose and so chases Twitch right into the school building and the fun, rather chaos, begins. Twitch runs from classroom to classroom seeking a way out but leaves a trail of havoc in his wake. Each dash into the classroom happens in order from the first grade classroom to the fifth grade including the library, the art room, and the science lab. As Twitch rushes into each classroom the class pet continues to narrate the action as they observe what is happening. Each pet has its own distinctive language style that will make this book an excellent read aloud or mentor text to discuss different writing styles employed by authors. The library rat, the hamster, the tetras, a rabbit, the geckos (Galileo and Newton), the parrot, snake, and turtle are the classroom pets that narrate each chapter. At the end of the book, Cuddles gets the chance to tell his side of the chase. Teachers might enjoy stopping by the website Pets in the Classroom after reading this book. Vivian’s website offers information behind the story, a video, a Q & A and more for teachers.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 5-8

Eamer, Claire. (2012). The World in Your Lunch Box. Illustrated by Sa Boothroyd. Annick Press.

In the atmosphere of health and nutrition and childhood obesity, this nonfiction look at the food in kids’ lunch boxes is presented humorously as well as factually. Divided into seven sections for each day of the week Eamer explores the history and science behind food and lunch choices and even provides jokes relating to food. Foods popularly found in school lunch boxes include watermelon, peanut butter, hot dogs, macaroni, pizza, ham sandwiches, and more. The author discusses the history as to where these foods developed and includes interesting anecdotes about these culinary lunch box delights. A detailed plan for using the author’s lunch box ideas can be found at the publisher’s website for download.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Watts, Jeri. (2012). Kizzy Ann Stamps. Candlewick Press.

Kizzy is about to enter an integrated school for the first time. It is 1963 and her teacher has asked that students write letters to their new teacher to express their feelings about the transition to an integrated school. Kizzy has mixed feelings about the whole experience but she does like to write so this is a comfortable way for her to communicate what she is feeling. She is self-conscious about the scar across her face as a result of an accident with her white neighbor Frank Charles in addition to being a black student entering a previously all white school. Told in letters and journal entries, Kizzy expresses her anxiety but also her love toward her border collie, Shag, who faithfully stayed by her side during her recovery from the accident. She is determined to enter Shag in the AKC Border collie trials with the help of a trainer, Mr. McKenna. However, she is not sure that the rules will allow a black person to compete. This middle grade novel introduces several layers of discrimination in the life of this young black girl. Another story layer involves her older brother, James, who is a more hostile character than Kizzy about the integration concept. ReadWriteThink offers a lesson entitled “Using Literature to Promote Authentic Letter Writing” that would serve as an extension of this book. Or introduce the book with this short video from Animal Planet on training border collies.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 7-12

Cashman, Erin. (2012). The exceptionals. New York: Holiday House.

Unlike everyone else in the Walker family, fifteen-year-old Claire has no special powers. Since there is nothing exceptional about her, Claire has attended public school rather than Cambial Academy, a boarding school for students with special talents established by one of her ancestors. After she gets in trouble at the public high school, her parents transfer her to Cambial Academy where she makes friends, finds a home, and begins to hone her own gifts. It seems that Claire has the ability to hear the thoughts of animals, something she has hidden. When several of the most talented students disappear from school, Claire, her family and classmates try to find them while pondering a prophecy that might involve the teenager. Amid all this excitement, Claire meets a mysterious young man in the woods near the school and isn't sure whether to trust him despite their immediate attraction. Readers will enjoy Claire’s evolution and interaction with her hawk friends and her confusion over the two romantic possibilities that present themselves to her.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Castan, Mike. (2012). Fighting for Dontae. New York: Holiday House.

Things couldn’t be much worse for seventh grader Javier. Although his mother works hard, there isn’t enough money for a new pair of cheap running shoes for the first day of school, and he steals the shoes he wants. He and his friends seem headed for disaster as they are drawn into the fringes of the gangsta life because they have little money and few other alternatives present themselves. School has always been boring, for the most part, and when Javier is assigned to work with the youngsters in a special education class, he is less than thrilled since he knows that his peers will ridicule him. For some reason, though, he connects with the students in the class, particularly a boy named Dontae, who loves having Javier read aloud an Ernest Hemingway novel. While Mrs. Aronson, the teacher of the class, is savvy enough to see through some of Javier's defensive behavior and knows that he has light fingers, she also sees his potential. Those who are disinterested in school are likely to find much truth in Javier's story as things improve for him at home and at school. While his future remains in doubt, his renewed sense of purpose seems to predict a much brighter one than what he had on the book’s opening pages. Like many bibliophiles, he seems to realize that reading often offers an escape from the world around him.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Sullivan, Mary. (2012). Dear Blue Sky. New York: Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books.

Her beloved older brother Sef’s decision to serve in Iraq in 2003 completely rattles the worlds of seventh grader Cassie and her entire family. She misses his strength, his wisdom, and his support, and it seems as though nothing is going right now that he has gone. Her younger brother Jack deals with a cruel neighborhood bully by refusing to speak to anyone, her older sister is involved in an unhealthy relationship that damages her self-esteem, and her best friend Sonia trades in their friendship for popularity. Cassie eventually finds friendship with Kim, another classmate the others have teased, and thanks to a school assignment, she makes friends with an Iraqi girl whose blog and e-mail describe the conditions in the country where Sef is serving. As hard as things may seem for Cassie, she realizes that the girl she knows as Blue Sky is coping with constant threats of violence and death and trying to survive in a world where everything familiar has changed. In fact, her father’s association with the Americans in the past has endangered the family’s lives, and they are forced to leave their home. The emails that fly back and forth between Cassie and Blue Sky and the missives from her brother hinting at the horrors of war make it impossible for Cassie to tolerate some of the judgmental comments of her history teacher. The author creates empathy for both girls and for Cassie's brother, who will never be the same after his experiences in Iraq. The writing is honest, showing the various ways that family members cope with stress, and the storyline provides plenty of material for class discussions on the effects of war on those on the frontline, those left behind, and those in the country where war is being waged.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Zeitlin, Meredith. (2012). Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters. New York: Putnam’s Sons.

Author Meredith Zeitlin, a voice-over artist, makes her debut as a teen author with fourteen-year old Brooklyn-born character Kelsey Finkelstein as she enters her freshman year in high school. Kelsey is excited and determined to have a stellar freshman experience. As the year unfolds her life as a high school student does not always go as planned. Her fashion statement is always in question, her athletic ability on the JV soccer team leaves something to be desired and her ability as an actress in the school play is probably not going to win an Academy Award. Her romantic inclination toward Jordan is crushed when her friend Cassidy is found making out with him. A new love interest looks like it might be spawning in the form of the school newspaper reporter, so romantic hope is near. Teen issues from alcohol to marijuana, boy-girl and girl-girl relationships, and the value of friendship with the sometimes serious but often hilarious outcomes make this an entertaining introduction to life as a high school freshman. Vimeo has posted a sneak peek book trailer, and the author has an informative website and blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Hautman, Pete. (2012). What boys really want. New York: Scholastic.

Although Lita and Adam have been friends for a long time, they haven’t always been as honest with each other as they might have been. For instance, Lita, who loves to write, has never told Adam that she blogs as acerbic advice columnist Miz Fitz. In the past, she has even plotted to wreck his previous romantic entanglements for his own good. In fact, she actually plans to do the same with his current attraction to Blair Thompson, a girl she judges as promiscuous because of her appearance. Adam, on the other hand, fails to tell Lita that he's writing a book about what boys really want when it comes to girls and relationships. Desperately looking for ideas for his book and finding writing harder than he had imagined, he searches online for inspiration and incorporates the ideas of other writers. Much of the writing that he has “borrowed” for his book originated in Lita’s blog although he doesn’t know that it’s her writing that he is reading. Naturally, when the truth comes out, the relationship between the two can never be the same. In many respects, this book is about assumptions about others, close calls, near misses, and failure to communicate. The daily drama that typifies high school is at the book’s heart, and if Lita is high strung and more emotionally unbalanced than might be desired, Adam himself seems clueless about basic ethical issues such as plagiarism. While the somewhat smug and clueless Lita justifies her own actions because they’re for the good of others, she fools no one in the end, a lesson worth considering by us all.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

ReadWriteThink.org is a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12 from the International Reading Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, and Verizon Thinkfinity.

This set of book reviews is a weekly contribution of the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG).

Science is all around us! Children’s questions ask why and how and often it is science that holds the key to those answers.  Keeping up with the dynamics of all that is happening through science in today’s world can be a challenge, especially for busy teachers in today’s classrooms. This week’s column from the International Reading Association Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) presents books about science, from dinosaurs to early experiments of Galileo to the science behind magic and more. As one book on our list this week suggests, Science Rocks!

GRADES K-3

Bang, Molly, & Chisholm, Penny. (2012). Ocean sunlight: How tiny plants feed the seas. Illus. by Molly Bang. New York: Scholastic/The Blue Sky Press. 

Some important science topics such as photosynthesis often seem too complicated to be introduced to young readers. But this terrific duo relies on engaging, easy-to-grasp text and color-drenched illustrations to explain the link between photosynthesis and the world’s seas “where the billion billion billion phytoplankton pull those nutrients in again” (unpaged). As in the case of their earlier title, Living Sunlight (Scholastic, 2009), the two make clear just how dependent life forms are on the relationship between the sun and the oceans. Addressing readers directly, the book begins with a dive into the sea and after introducing the sun, reviews the interconnected nature of life on our planet. Back matter includes six pages of thumbnail sketches that expand on the information provided in the narrative. Readers can’t miss the message that there is plenty of green, even in the world’s waters, and that without the sun, there would be no life as we know it on Earth. This is science writing for children at its best.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Davies, Nicola. (2012). Dolphin baby! Illus. by Brita Granstrom. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

This picture book follows the journey of a young bottle-nosed dolphin from birth to maturity, a four-year cycle. As soon as the baby dolphin is born (tail first, head last), he begins to swim to the surface. Once reaches the surface and senses air, his blowhole opens, allowing the calf to takes his first breath. Magical! The dolphin learns a lot by following his mother wherever she goes. For a long time, he feeds on his mother’s milk, and even finding the hidden nipples from which to nurse requires some skill. The mother and calf communicate in various ways: touching, rubbing, and whistling. As the dolphin calf grows, he begins to swim under his and plays with his friends. The calf learns to locate food by clicking and listens to the echoes to ‘hear’ the shape of his mother first. The calf learns to fish and eventually, sends out his own unique whistle. Now, he is old enough to finally go out on his own. The lively and engaging text and clear blue-toned pictures will capture the imagination of readers. The sidebars with information about this always-fascinating creature are provided in different text font. More dolphin-related words are indicated in different font in the text. The text and pictures will provide many hours of exploration for students interested in marine life.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University, Pullman

Phillips, Dee. (2012). Fox’s den. New York: Bearport Publishing. 

Did you know that parent foxes bring live mice to their cubs to practice hunting? This nonfiction book will help young children learn more about furry red foxes. The full-page photographs with numerous labels, headings, and captions are informative and interesting. For example, children will learn about the fox’s hideaway, the den, that has two tunnels and holes for going in and out. At the bottom of the tunnels, a large nest room holds grass and leaves for baby foxes. In addition, readers will learn about where foxes live in the world, how they dig their den, how many cubs they have, what they eat and how they hunt. The author asks questions throughout which will cause readers to critically think and use the text and/or pictures to answer them.  In addition, a table of contents, vocabulary words, an index and more information are included. This book is part of a Science series that includes titles on chipmunks, groundhogs and prairie dogs. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Sweet, Melissa. (2012). A place for bats. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers. 

While there are those who only think of bats during Halloween or during spooky movies, there are others who are concerned about their survival on a daily basis and take actions to help them. With simple yet engaging language, the author describes the appearance, habits and characteristics of bats while repeatedly reminding readers about some of the ways humans can work to insure that bats have a place to call home. Accompanied by detailed and fascinating acrylic illustrations of several different types of bats, the text points out how humans in the past often killed bats through ignorance. However, more aware humans now often provide resting places such as bat boxes or dead palm fronds for the creatures. Young readers will be surprised that even wind turbines can spell death for hoary bats. Back matter includes interesting bat facts and a bibliography for those who want to know more, making it an essential science addition for a classroom library. Even the endpapers contain tiny illustrations of bats found in North America as well as showing their range. 

- Barbara A. Ward. Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 3-6

Adams, Tom. (2012). Super science: Matter matters! Illus. by Thomas Flintman. Somerville, MA: Candlewick/Templar Books.

With pull-tabs, pop-ups, and cartoonish illustrations as well as easy-to-understand text, this book is sure to have wide kid appeal while making chemistry intriguing and easy to understand. The opening pages contain notes explaining chemistry’s practical side while later pages put the lie to any assumptions a reader might have that all chemical reactions are noisy. The author explains how even a cake baking in an oven is a simple example of chemistry. Lessons on the three states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas—explain and illustrate the process of evaporation, showing the difference in molecules in those three different states. Since the book is likely to inspire curious minds to experiment, luckily, it also includes seven different experiments using easy-to-find materials to help readers understand the chemistry being described on its pages. This title won’t stay on the bookshelves for long.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Bonner, Hannah.(2012) When dinos dawned, mammals got munched, and pterosaurs took flight; a cartoon pre-history of life in the Triassic. National Geographic.

This book presents a humorous and cartoon-like look at the Triassic Era and the beginning information about dinosaurs young readers usually devour with enthusiasm. The author, Hannah Bonner, wrote the text and drew the illustrations and added the right amount of detail and humorous language to present a colorful and lively look at the development of the early dinosaurs. Starting with explanations about the earlier extinctions of life on earth, she explains how prehistoric animal life developed and evolved. Humorous puns, clever raps and cartoons give this book an appeal for young lovers of dinosaurs. It concludes with a timeline of prehistoric events and appendices that give further information. Thinkfinity offers a bank of lesson ideas on the dinosaurs and early fossils.  

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Carey, Benedict. (2012). Poison most vial: A mystery. New York: Harry N. Abrams. Fiction.

Ruby Rose must get her father out of trouble when Dr. Ramachandran, a famous forensic scientist, dies at the lab where he works as a janitor. Although he had no motive to kill the scientist, police find vials of deadly poisons in his locker. Ruby forms an allegiance with Rex, another resident of the housing projects where she now lives, and Mrs. Whitmore, a reclusive elderly woman with a few secrets of her own that prove helpful in solving the crime and finding the real murderer. There are a few red herrings thrown as the children climb through hidden portions of buildings, and the number of times the victim went to the bathroom is noted. Then, too, there are several suspicious graduate students who might be the guilty parties. Adult readers will smile at the notion of the academic world, known to be deadly, but never as murderous as it is depicted here, being the scene of a crime. The interviews with Mrs. Whitmore that bookend this scientific mystery are highly appealing, and show that there is often much more to someone than may be detected at first glance. Middle graders will enjoy trying to solve the mystery for themselves. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University, Pullman

Christensen, Bonnie. (2012) I, Galileo. Knopf/Random House.

Starting with beautifully illustrated endpapers that set the tone for Galileo’s star gazing in addition to a map of Italy, the book is opened with a Preface that gives the reader a context within world history to place the life of Galileo. The story begins with Galileo as an old man sitting in his home and garden prison where he has been sentenced as a result of his lifelong search for truth. The first person narrative told by Galileo himself begins with his life as child in Pisa where his father taught music. He continues his life story to explain how his father wanted him to become a doctor but Galileo was drawn to science and mathematics. He continues his life reflection and discusses his inventions and accomplishments including the telescope, the microscope, the pendulum clock and the theory he supported that the sun was the center of the solar system. It was this last piece of science that got him into trouble with the Catholic Church where he was tried and convicted of being a heretic and sentenced to house arrest in his home in Arcetri where he lived out his life. An afterword goes on to praise the work of Galileo and explain how many of his discoveries have had long-lasting effects on the world. In 1992, the Catholic Church admitted they were wrong in persecuting Galileo and agreed that the sun was, in fact, the center of the solar system. Years later Albert Einstein labeled Galileo as “the father of modern science.” Discovery Education has created an extensive lesson plan on the ideas of Galileo, or visit Teacher’s Domain for videos on many of Galileo’s inventions.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Person, Stephen. (2012). Saving animals from oil spills. New York: Bearport Publishing.

Biologist, Kayla DiBenedetto, rescued pelicans that were covered in brown sticky oil off of the coast of Louisiana after the largest oil spill in U.S. Waters in 2010. In colorful photographs, maps and captions this book describes how a pipe on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig cracked. Workers tried to seal the leak but the oil continued gushing out for nearly three months. Almost a half million gallons of oil flowed from the pipe into the Gulf of Mexico every single day. Scientists, like Kayla, rescued pelicans and other animals to clean and rinse the oil off their bodies so that they wouldn’t die. Photographs depicting pelicans covered in oil before they were cleaned and after they were cleaned are very telling. The book also discusses other oil disasters such as the Exxon Valdez spill. The book also includes a glossary, bibliography and more information. Thankfully scientists, rescue workers and volunteers respond quickly to oil spills helping animals survive. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University

GRADES 5-8

Bortz, Fred. (2012) Meltdown! The nuclear disaster in Japan and our energy future. Lerner/ Twenty-First Century Books.

“Earthquake! Tsunami! Meltdown!” is the chapter heading that opens this book written by physicist, Fred Bortz. On March 11, 2011, the biggest earthquake ever to hit Japan struck at 2:46 in the afternoon. The tsunami was soon to follow killing tens of thousands of people and destroying over a hundred thousand buildings. As a result of this disastrous weather, three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima power plant became unstable and were on meltdown alert. The author discusses what causes earthquakes and goes on to explain the development of nuclear power plants and other forms of alternative energy such as geothermal, wind and hydroelectric. Other nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island are compared to the recent Japanese plant, and explanations are given to present some of the long-term after effects. Given all this, the author does not present an anti-nuclear position but gives readers the opportunity to research and think about energy choices for the future. Several appendices at the back of the book provide many additional resources for further study. The publisher has provided additional resources including classroom activities, supplemental reading and additional websites.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Jarrow, Gail. (2012) The amazing Harry Kellar; great American magician. Calkins Creek/Boyds Mill Press.

Magic or science? Readers will enjoy learning not only the facts on the life of Harry Kellar, known as the first international magician, but will also learn about the science behind his magic tricks. He started his career as a magician’s assistant traveling across the country during the 1860’s until his own career and fame as an illusionist was established. He performed for the royalty of Europe and four other continents to gain his international status. Seances, magic, escape artist, illusion, and spiritualism were all part of his “magic”. Sidebars place his career in historical context. Illustrations add to the story but the actual reproductions of the posters used to advertise his performances are the highlight of the book as the real Harry Kellar is presented as the showman he was. Most young readers have heard of Harry Houdini so this biography sheds light on the forerunner and role model/mentor for Houdini who had great respect for Kellar’s work. It has been suggested that Harry Kellar was the model for the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz.  The author’s website offers more background information on Harry Kellar in addition to magic tricks. An interesting lesson on the science in science fiction can be found at ReadWriteThink.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Winston, Robert. (2012) Life as we know it. Dorling Kindersley.

Targeted for middle school readers, this book offers a look at life on earth divided into five sections: The meaning of LIFE; The VARIETY of life; Living TOGETHER; Secrets of SURVIVAL; The OTHER SIDE of life. Using a plethora of colorful illustrations including diagrams, speech bubbles, sidebars, drawings, charts, and photographs the visual appeal of this book will attract a wide range of readers. Though the subtopics are not in-depth but more an overview, some of the topics included are cells, species and evolution, predator-prey relationships, photosynthesis, ecosystems, and life in other possible universes. A helpful index and glossary make this more accessible for further research.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Graham, Ian. (2011) Science Rocks! Additional text by Mike Goldsmith. Dorling Kindersley.

Loaded with ideas for experiments that can be put together from everyday items found in most households, Science Rocks will provide not only fun and entertainment but also serious science for young scientists and experimenters. Clearly written step-by-step instructions are given for each experiment accompanied by double-page spreads containing colorful illustrations, diagrams, sidebars, charts and photographs. The book is divided into five sections: The Material World; Force and Motion; Energy in Action; Electricity and Magnetism; and The Natural World. Lists of needed items for each experiment are on each page in addition to safety warnings when needed. If students are getting ready for science fair, teachers might like to check out the lesson on “Exploring Plagiarism, Copyright and Paraphrasing” at ReadWriteThink.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Woodward, John. (2012) 3-D Earth. Dorling Kindersley.

To prepare for the 3D aspects of this book, readers should being with this note from the publisher: "Online links are available to download the plug-in software to a computer so that when the reader finds the augmented reality logo and holds the open book to the webcam, the images spring to life. A comprehensive exploration of planet Earth with digital pop-out images that can be accessed with a computer and a webcam."  The fascination for this book with the interactive augmented-reality technology creates an interesting way to present information on the earth. Students who enjoy playing with apps, holograms, and computer graphics will enjoy playing around with this book as volcanoes comes to life or tornadoes whirl into formation to create the 3D effect. Weather and climate, rock formations, water cycles and many other aspects of the how the earth is formed is the subject matter of this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 7-12

Barnes, John. (2012). Losers in space. New York: Viking.

The future has arrived in 2129, and hardly anyone has to work. Instead, it seems that almost everyone is trying to capture their five seconds of fame through staged actions. The plot revolves around sixteen-year-old Susan Tervaille, the daughter of a famous actor, and a cast of other self-dubbed “losers” with too much time on their hands and enormous cravings for celebrity. Susan and her friends are determined to become well known on their own merits by hiding on a spacecraft bound for Mars while supposedly visiting Susan's aunt. Things go wrong quickly, and Susan realizes that she cannot trust her ruthless new boyfriend, Derlock, who will stop at nothing to gain the world’s notice. The chapters containing the storyline alternate with science-related “Notes for the Interested” explaining the science behind what’s happening in this science fiction title. For instance, once the characters are in orbit, they only have a limited window of opportunity in which someone from Earth can rescue them, and the author includes diagrams and text explaining why. As friendships unravel and some members of the crew die, some behave in courageous ways as they sustain themselves growing crops and realizing what really matters, which turns out not to be fame, after all. Barnes handles his characters and their plight deftly while making observations about the obsession with fame and celebrity that may typify life in the future.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Murphy, Jim, & Blank, Alison. (2012). Invincible microbe: Tuberculosis and the never-ending search for a cure. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion.

Despite recent medical advances, tuberculosis is still with us. This nonfiction title provides an engaging account of the microbe that seems unwilling to die, detailing the history of tuberculosis, including the various ways TB has been treated over the centuries. Seemingly vanquished a few years ago, TB is still present in certain parts of the world. The authors make the continuous search for a cure quite exciting as well as taking care to point out the romanticizing of consumption and the inequity in treatment of those with TB. An entire industry sprang up around the cures for TB, many of which weren't particularly effective or science-based. The book even contains quotes from some TB survivors about their treatments. While a retrospective on tuberculosis, this title also provides evidence of how much the medical community has changed. The black-and-white photographs of TB sufferers swaddled in blankets and coats and taken out into the cold air for a cure add immeasurably to this intriguing text, reminding readers how far we’ve come and how far we have to go in solving this mystery. Since science has yet to reveal all the answers to eradicating tuberculosis or other plagues on humankind, the authors force readers to ponder a puzzle that seems insoluble.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Newquist, HP. (2012). The book of blood: From legends and leeches to vampires and veins. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

This is a bloody great book, as the British might say. It’s filled with great photographs and illustrations and an attractive design in which drops of blood appear to have dripped onto the book's pages and then flooded onto the chapter introductory sections. One of the very first photographs shows a hand covered with blood. Because of the drops of blood and the author’s evident enjoyment of the topic, this title is certainly not for the squeamish or anyone who faints at the sight of blood. The pun-filled writing describes the fluid's place in various cultures and languages. The author provides historical perspective on blood in the book's eleven chapters, describing the medical innovations associated with blood, from the time when barbers--and later physicians--cut their patients in order to release blood, to experiments in transfusing blood from an animal to a human. One chapter explains how blood moves through our bodies, and another one identifies living things whose blood is quite different from humans’. For instance, the ice fish’s clear blood behaves as a sort of antifreeze; the horned lizard uses its blood as a defense mechanism. Interestingly, the blood of the horseshoe crab is highly prized because it can detect the sterility of instruments used in hospitals. Not surprisingly, the book even explores legends and lore associated with blood, providing perspectives on stories about those blood-sucking vampires, and attempting to explain the origin of those tales. Everything about this title is impressive--the language, the layout, the topic, and the blending of fact and fantasy. Not only is it informative, but also the title will amuse readers because of the author’s wry voice and delicious descriptions.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rusch, Elizabeth. (2012). The mighty Mars rovers: The incredible adventures of Spirit and Opportunity. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Back in 2003, two rovers were sent to Mars to capture images of the planet. In the eleven chapters in this book (part of the Scientists in the Field series), readers follow the mission of Spirit and Opportunity from its inception through lift-off and then beyond as the two rovers, launched a month apart, explore Martian terrain, boldly traveling where humans cannot go. Although the rovers were expected to last only three months, both vehicles navigated Mars’ terrain for six years in search of clues as to whether life could have existed on Mars. The author relates their missions in an edge-of-the-seat style, making readers care about Spirit's broken wheel and Opportunity's months spent trapped in the sand. Amazingly, the rovers were "driven" by someone on Earth, and readers can feel how frustrating it must have been to wait for signals indicating the vehicles were okay. Although readers hear from many of those involved in the project, the words of Steven Squyres, an astronomy professor at Cornell, capture vividly how the team felt about this mission. The book’s photographs make it seem as though readers went along on the trip to Mars. Fascinating, inspiring, and ultimately humbling, this book will intrigue anyone with a sense of curiosity. Although machines clearly are not humans, it's hard not to internalize lessons from these vehicles that seemed unwilling to quit, continuing to move against all odds while those on the ground tried to come up with solutions to the problems they faced on Mars. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

REFERENCE BOOK - TEACHERS/PARENTS 

Vorderman, Carol. (2012) Help your kids with science; a unique step-by-step visual guide. Dorling Kindersley.

As the title suggests, this is a compendium of detailed information about the sciences of biology, chemistry and physics. Color illustrations, charts, diagrams and photographs are used extensively through out and instructions for experiments are found within the book. Each of the three sections begins with the basic concept of What is biology? What is chemistry? What is physics? Each section gets increasing more complex as aspects of each science are explained. A detailed index and glossary are found at the end of the book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

While some books prompt readers to race to their final pages in order to find out what happens to the protagonist or how the story ends, other books may not be as engaging or provide the same reading pleasure. Their fate may involve being left on the couch or table or even being put back, unread, on the bookshelf. Then there are those other, often rare, titles, the ones that stay with readers long after they have reached the book’s conclusion. Perhaps the characters or their actions intrigue us—or maybe we wonder about some of the issues raised or themes explored within the book’s covers. For whatever reason it may be, there are books that cause us to pause from our daily tasks or even postpone picking up the next book as we linger with the one we just finished, reading some lines again and again or simply sitting quietly and thinking about the issues raised or themes explored within those book covers. Members of the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group explore books that made us linger in this week’s reviews.

GRADES K-3

Carbone, Elisa. (2012). Heroes of the surf: A rescue story based on true events. Illus. by Nancy Carpenter. New York: Viking.

This picture book is based on the true story of the British steamship Pliny which runs aground off the coast of New Jersey in 1882 en route from Brazil to New York. Anthony and his friend Pedro are jolted awake in the middle of the night when their ship hits a shoal near the coast during a raging storm. Just a few hours earlier the boys were playing pirate on the deck of the ship. As the ship is thrown onto the shoal where the lifeboats are shattered and become useless, the captain sends a signal flare that is sighted by the Long Branch Life Saving Station. The rescuers fire their cannon to shoot life-saving equipment toward the stranded passengers. One by one, they are hauled to safety via a breeches buoy. The scratch-line drawings darken as the storm gathers energy and the sea boils with whitecaps and driving rain. An afterword provides the back story of these forerunners of the U.S. Coast Guard. This will be a wonderful companion to the author’s novel for older readers, Storm Warriors (2002). Learn more at the author’s website. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Deedy, Carmen Agra. (2012). Return of the library dragon. Illus. by Michael P. White. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers.

As eventually happens to even the most dedicated librarians, Miss Lotty, the devoted minder of books at Sunrise Elementary School, decides that it is time to retire. But when Mike Krochip reveals his plans to create Media World and replace all the books with e-readers, Miss Lotty has second thoughts. In this follow-up to the earlier The Library Dragon (1994), Miss Lotty's long-dormant dragon nature flickers to life over the plans to change her library. Just when disaster is imminent, an older Molly Brickmeyer, the girl who tamed the Library Dragon years ago, arrives to save the day. The airbrushed illustrations are filled with rich colors and provide wonderful perspectives; for instance, the body of Mike Krochip is much smaller than his hand as he reaches out to introduce himself, practically touching the book’s reader. The book is pun-filled as a result of the characters’ names and some of the book titles that appear in the colorful images. Bibliophiles who prefer to read books the old fashioned way rather than on Nooks or Kindles are likely to smile at all the tributes from children about the merits of real books while wondering if physical books eventually will become things of the past. Will this title, too, be available for an e-reader? 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Fern, Tracy. (2012). Barnum’s bones: How Barnum Brown discovered the most famous dinosaur in the world. Illus. by Boris Kulikov. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Barnum Brown, who lived from 1873 to 1963 and worked for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, was one of the world’s most well-known paleontologists. Hoping their son would achieve greatness like his namesake, his parents named him after the great circus magnate, P.T. Barnum. From childhood, Brown was fascinated with rocks and fossils and started a collection at an early age. As he matured, so did his interest in fossils, particularly dinosaurs. He was sent on several digs to collect specimens. After many years in the field, he discovered an intact skull, and then, much later, the entire skeleton of a species he called Tyrannosaurus Rex. Barnum’s zest for life and his enthusiasm for bone hunting make him a colorful and energetic character around whom to develop lessons about dinosaurs. Since young children are often fascinated with dinosaurs, this book lends credibility to the dreams of all those budding paleontologists. Author’s notes and a bibliography are part of the back matter. Teachers may be interested in downloading a teacher’s guide and viewing more dinosaur links at the author’s website. Background information on Barnum Brown can be found on YouTube. Teachers might also like to try the Book Buddy Biographies found at ReadWriteThink.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Grady, Cynthia. (2012). I lay my stitches down: Poems of American slavery. Illus. by Michele Wood. New York: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

A quote from author Gary Soto found on the author’s website speaks volumes about what poetry can do: “Poems should feed into other poems – a needle passing a stitch through cloth.” Grady has crafted poetry and folk art quilts into a thought-provoking and beautifully illustrated collection of poems that reflect experiences during slavery, an important part of American history. Each poem consists of 10 lines with 10 syllables in each line. This free verse poetry matches the patterns of the quilt block squares illustrating each poem. In addition, the verse reflects music, spirituality and fiber art that depict the three layers necessary for creating a quilt. Each poem honors the voice of a different person who experienced some aspect of slavery: a blacksmith, a runaway slave, the Underground Railroad, the auction block, among others. The author has included a paragraph alongside each poem that explains the historical background of each poem’s voice. The illustrations vividly complement each poem while visually depicting the African American culture of the time. Teachers might like to use the discussion guide found on the publisher’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Helfer, Ralph. (2012). The world’s greatest lion. Illus. by Ted Lewin. New York: Penguin/Philomel.

In the past, wild animals trained to appear in TV shows and films were often treated cruelly in order to make them malleable. But this true story of the relationship between an animal trainer who used affection rather than intimidation to train the animals with whom he worked shows that there was a better way to handle animals, even the king of beasts. Left without parents as a cub, Zamba was rescued, raised in a sanctuary, and then later taken to the United States where he learned to coexist peacefully with other animals and humans. This picture book describes his training and one incident that showed just how well the lion had been trained. Flood waters unexpectedly threaten the animals, but Zamba leads them from the wreckage to safety under an old oak tree where they wait for their human caretaker. The watercolor illustrations and heart-tugging story inspire curiosity about Zamba, his caretaker, and the relationships between humans and other animals. Anyone interested in this title will probably want to read Zamba: The True Story of the Greatest Lion that Ever Lived (2006), the book for adults on which this version of Zamba’s story for children is based. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hoberman, Mary Ann (Selector). (2012). Forget-me-nots: Poems to learn by heart. Illus. by Michael Emberley. New York: Little, Brown.

The nation’s former Poet Laureate (2008-2010) has chosen 120 poems for this beautifully illustrated anthology. Interested in encouraging readers to memorize the poems, the poet says her criteria for inclusion were poems that were both “easy to remember” and “worth remembering.”  The book opens with “The Short of it,” containing short, easy-to- memorize poems. Other sections are “Poems from Storybooks,” “Sad and Sorrowful,” “Weather and Seasons,” “Strange and Mysterious,” to name just a few. The volume contains poems written by well-known poets and novices as well as classic and contemporary poems. Indexes at the end of the book are helpful for searching for a title, and readers will appreciate Hoberman’s suggestions and tips for how to memorize a poem. The pencil, pastel and watercolor illustrations enhance the poetry, adding to the meaning and sometimes forming the connection among a handful of poems through his drawings. Interested readers might want to learn more about this title at the Poetry for Children blog. They might also enjoy listening to Hoberman discuss writing poetry at Teaching Books.net. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Maclear, Kyo. (2012). Virginia Wolf. Illus. by Isabelle Arsenault. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.

This picture book is based on the lives of famous writer Virginia Woolf and her older sister, painter Vanessa Bell. One day Virginia wakes up and feels wolfish, making wolf sounds and acting strangely. In the accompanying mixed media illustrations of ink, pencil, watercolor and gouache, children will notice that Virginia is in bed with the covers pulled high, disguised like a wolf. In addition, her bedroom floor looks as though a tornado has swept through the room. In order to change Virginia’s mood, Vanessa tries just about everything: painting a picture, wearing her favorite dress, offering treats and making faces, but still, Virginia exclaims, “LEAVE ME ALONE.” After a while, Vanessa lies down beside her sister on the bed and asks where she would like to fly. Virginia then begins to paint a beautiful place where there are no doldrums. This perfect place has candy blossoms, purple butterflies, lollipop trees and fields to roam in. Virginia’s mood finally changes from down to up. In one of the final illustrations the wolf masquerade is clarified. All children have gloomy, grumpy, or growly days and will be able to relate to this humorous and exquisitely illustrated book.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. (2012). Chopsticks. Illus. by Scott Magoon. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

In similar witty fashion to this creative team’s earlier Spoon (2009), they depict the lives of two close eating utensils. Filled with clever wordplay (Knife “was sharp that way.”) and visual humor ("Chopstick was quickly whisked away.") that shows one chopstick being carried off by a whisk after a tricky move involving some asparagus, this picture book cleverly explores what happens when an injury to one of two inseparable friends leads to their separation. At first, the healthy chopstick remains loyally by his friend’s bedside, but eventually, with some firm nudging from his friend who is healing, he sets off on his own. When he returns, having expanded his horizons, the bond between the two is even stronger. The digital art and the positive messages about learning to stand on your own while also remaining steadfastly loyal to a friend gently and humorously remind readers that change can be good. Read this interview with Amy Krouse Rosenthal from the IRA Engage Teacher to Teacher blog.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Serres, Alain. (2012). I have the right to be a child. Illus. by Aurelia Fronty. Translated by Helen Mixter. Toronto: Groundwood Books.

In folk-like, colorful illustrations, children from around the world state the rights they are entitled to: the right to go to school, to have clean drinking water, to be free from violence, to breathe pure air, to refuse to work (child labor), to express themselves, to play, and to be protected from wars and other disasters. Although many children in the United States might question why these rights they take for granted need to be expressed in the form of a formal declaration, this book encourages teachers to use global picture books to explain how conditions are not the same throughout the world. It is also interesting to note that the United States is one of the few countries in the United Nations that has not signed this convention declaration, prompting readers to ask why and possibly conduct research into the nation’s reasons for not doing so. Readers may be interested in learning more about the UNICEF Convention on The Rights of the Child at the UNICEF website. Teachers might also like to use the book trailer to introduce the book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Wilson, Tony. (2012). The princess and the packet of frozen peas. Illus. by Sue deGennaro. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers.

While he’d like to marry one day or at least have a girlfriend, Prince Henrik is sure that he doesn’t want to follow his brother’s example. His sister-in-law, Princess Eva, is a real piece of work, demanding and moody, and while Prince Hans loves her, she is simply too sensitive to be easily pleased. Rather than a real princess who seems to be so high maintenance, Prince Henrik figures he'd be better off with someone who is her opposite. In order to weed out the contenders for his affection, he concocts a plan involving a packet of frozen peas, one thin mattress, and an old sleeping bag. No one passes his test until an old friend, Pippa, spends the day and night and uses the peas as an ice pack. Finally, Henrik has the princess of his dreams, and while she’s less than sensitive to lumpy mattresses, she is certainly able to improvise and relish the same things her Prince Charming does. The story makes it clear that there are different bonds that cement relationships. The characters’ personalities are captured perfectly in the simple collage, gouache, and pencil illustrations. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 4-7

Ellis, Deborah. (2012). My name is Parvana. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press.

This riveting sequel to the Breadwinner series continues Parvana’s journey after foreign countries defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan. Written in a captivating manner, two stories are conveyed and later connected. In one story, Parvana is being interrogated by foreigners and held in a jail cell. The other discusses a girls’ school where Parvana’s mother is headmistress, sister Nooria is a teacher and Parvana and siblings attend to learn. During her captivity, Parvana is able to send her mind somewhere else, ignoring the questioning by reciting multiplication facts. She devours books from a Major and Corporal and suggests that MREs have poems on the packaging. When the base is attacked, a young soldier cries uncontrollably underneath her cell window, and in an act similar to the window woman in the first book in this series, she reaches out to him. Parvana’s family helps rebuild Afghanistan by educating young girls, yet some people prefer tradition over progress. Even though the Prophet Muhammad says in the Holy Qur’an that all are called to be educated, women and men alike, the old system of beliefs and values continues. Although young fans of Parvana and this series will be satisfied to discover what happens to Parvana and her family, this could easily be a stand-alone book. By purchasing this amazing book, readers will help support education projects for Afghan women and children. For more about the author, read this Deborah Ellis Reading Today Online interview from this spring. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Leeds, Constance. (2012). The unfortunate son. New York: Viking Juvenile.

Born with only one ear in late fifteenth century France, Luc is cast aside by his noble father, and the boy ends up being raised by peasants. When Luc can no longer bear the abuse in his home, he finds a more welcoming home with Pons, a fisherman, and his sister Mattie, who is a skilled wood carver. They share their home with Beatrice, the daughter of a disgraced knight. Just when Luc’s luck seems to have changed, he is kidnapped by pirates, and then sold as a slave to Salah, a wealthy scholar who takes him under his wing and encourages him to view the world differently. Meanwhile, Beatrice relentlessly presses Louis, Luc's brother, to search for him. Even while Louis remains convinced that the search is pointless and he has no living brother, he continues the search. This engaging page-turner prompts readers to reconsider the concept of luck. All the events that befall the main character might seem to be misfortunes, but when taken together, they all lead him exactly to where he needs to be. Without all those bad events, it's unlikely that the truth about his lineage would ever have been revealed, and a happy ending written. Perhaps then there would have been no story, and both Luc and the book's readers would have been out of luck. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Tate, Don. (2012). It jes’ happened: When Bill Traylor started to draw. Illus. by R. Gregory Christie. New York: Lee & Low Books.

Born in 1854, Bill Traylor was a slave on an Alabama plantation during the Civil War but stayed on after Emancipation with his family as sharecroppers. Traylor spent his whole life on this farm, and at age 85, when he was the only remaining member of his family, he moved to Montgomery. Living in the city was difficult, and the only job he could find was selling pencils on the street where he was essentially homeless. While sitting on the city’s street corners, he started to draw scenes from his childhood, the plantation, and family life there or as the author repeats, the elderly Traylor, a self-taught artist, drew the “saved up memories of earlier times.” A young artist named Charles Shannon took notice of Traylor’s sidewalk art created on cardboard boxes or pieces of paper that he found in the streets. Shannon started to give Bill art supplies and even tried to arrange showings of Bill’s work. Although Shannon’s attempts were not successful at the time, by the 1970’s, years after Traylor’s death in 1949, Traylor’s work brought him recognition as a talented American folk artist. The book’s illustrations are the perfect choice to represent Traylor’s folk art style consisting of warm colors and humorous undertones. This book received the New Voices Award Honor book from its publisher. The author’s website contains a teacher’s guide, a book trailer, background information on Bill Traylor and even more.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Weiner, Ellis. (2012). The Templeton twins have an idea. Illus. by Jeremy Holmes. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Just about anyone with a sly sense of humor is sure to love this book and cry out for “More, please!” The basic plotline revolves around two sharp twins, Abigail and John Templeton, who are kidnapped by another set of twins, Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean in an attempt to blackmail their inventor father. One of the Deans is convinced that Professor Templeton stole his design years ago, and he is determined to get credit for it. Although the storyline and characters are interesting enough, what makes this title stand out is the narrator's voice. The narrator addresses the reader directly, making several false starts in telling the story and insisting in a placating fashion, "Let's Move On" (p. 9). In time-honored teacher fashion, the author has included at the end of the chapters review questions, including some T/F items with only one answer or directions to complete an activity that is next to impossible; for example, "Essay Question: Write an essay on how clever you think you are. It should be at least 500,000 words and in French. Well, go ahead" (p. 170). Once the exhausted narrator completes the story, he reminds readers of how hard he has worked, insisting "That I deserve a rest, and perhaps a snack, and some sort of recreational fun such as going to the movies or attending a play?" (p. 225). The accompanying artwork shines just as brightly as this highly original approach to storytelling with an all-knowing, all-seeing, always present narrator able to read readers’ minds and converse with them. If that intrusive narrator has anything to do with it, this one is sure to be a hit! 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 8-12

Fradin, Dennis Brindell & Fradin, Judith Bloom. (2012). Zora!: The life of Zora Neale Hurston. New York: Clarion Books.

The real life of Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, a title now frequently taught in high school English classes, is regarded by some to be just as intriguing as the stories she wrote and the folktales she collected in the South as part of a research project for anthropologist Franz Boas. Clearly, some of the tales she wove around herself bear more than a passing resemblance to the tall tales she encountered on the road. Who can blame her for erasing years from her age once she finally had the chance to attend college or socialize with individuals much younger than her? Even as a child, Zora was smart and imaginative, and readers are sure to reflect upon how her spirit remained unbroken by the disappointments in her life. Teens will understand her anger at her father for his quick remarriage after her mother's death and be inspired by her determination to write despite so many rejection notices. In telling the complex Zora’s life story, the authors show her resilience, highlighting her strengths and her weaknesses. Details such as the fact that many of her manuscripts were accidentally burned will heighten reader interest in Hurston’s words. The book is filled with photographs of Zora and the famous men and women with whom she worked and socialized, and the final pages force readers to consider what might have been as Hurston ends her days, almost penniless and forgotten. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Kephart, Beth (2012). Small damages. New York: Penguin/Philomel.

Senior year and the end of high school are filled with unexpected events for eighteen-year-old Kenzie Spitzer. Not only does her father die, but her mother moves on by starting a catering business. Kenzie counts on her Yale-bound boyfriend Kevin to help her deal with her loss, but he disappoints Kenzie once she realizes that she is pregnant. To hide the pregnancy and to allow a wealthy couple to adopt the child, Kenzie's mother ships her off to Spain. As Kenzie languishes in Spain, feeling banished and miserable, she bonds more and more with the life that is growing inside her as well as with Esteban, a solitary young man who prefers birds and horses to most humans. Estela, the elderly, curmudgeonly cook for the ranch where she is staying, turns out to have surprising commonalities with Kenzie. The author’s carefully chosen words evoke Seville's heat, its architectural treasures, and the foods prepared in that region of Spain. The author has high expectations for her readers as they must make their way back and forth in time, trying to make sense of relationships and context. The book's ending will prompt much discussion about choices that are easily made and easily regretted, and a lifetime of so-called “small” damages that turn out not to be so small, after all. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Kindl, Patrice. (2012). Keeping the castle. New York: Viking Juvenile.

This book could only have been set in the 19th century, and fans of Jane Austen are likely to relish this delicious little story of family love and self-sacrifice. Seventeen-year-old Althea Crawley knows it is up to her to insure her family’s welfare by marrying well. They live in a ramshackle castle in much need of repair and whimsically built on unstable ground. The castle’s foundation is a fitting metaphor for Althea’s own aspirations since no thoughts of love enter her considerations for fitting marital partners. The deaths of her father and stepfather leave the family in poor financial straits with Althea regarding herself as the only bait with which to attract a wealthy suitor. Despite her best intentions, though, Althea is beautiful and outspoken, and her tendency to speak her mind has put more than one suitor off. Nevertheless, Althea uses her charms and looks to set a trap for a wealthy neighbor to whom she feels some attraction while fending off the incivility of his best friend. There is witty repartee aplenty in the exchanges between the eventually happy couple. Austen fans won't be surprised that the man Althea thinks she loves ends up disappointing her while the boorish friend develops a fondness for her personality rather than her looks. Sometimes it is deeply satisfying when everyone ends up happily ever after, especially women such as Althea whose intended self-sacrifice might have precluded any marital happiness for her.  

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Price, Charlie. (2011). Desert angel. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Fourteen-year-old Angel is running away from her mom’s crazy boyfriend who has killed and buried her mother. Scotty captures Angel and proceeds to handcuff, suffocate and set her on fire. Miraculously she escapes and walks for miles in the scorching desert for help. Angel is skeptical of involving the police because they have never helped in the past and she fears being returned to foster care. Fortunately, she meets a family who listens to her story and hides and assists her. Unaware that her mom’s killer has located her hiding place, Angel decides to hunt for him so that she doesn’t become a victim. This spunky teenager learns to let her guard down and become part of a loving family. In the mean time her stalker leaves some simple clues that he is watching her and harms some of her new friends. Angel then methodically finds the man who has made her life a living hell. Young adolescents will read this novel to the bitter end to find out what happens to Desert Angel.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Vivian, Siobhan. (2012). The list. New York: Scholastic Publishers/Push.

Each year right before homecoming at Mount Washington High School, the list of the prettiest and the ugliest girl in each grade level appears, naming one each from the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior class. Copies of the list are papered all over school so that no one can miss them. No one knows the creator of the list. By turns, the author takes readers into the lives and thoughts of the eight girls on the list and how being named to the list affects them and how they react to being identified as prettiest or ugliest. The creator of the list even described one of the ugly girls as pretty on the outside but ugly on the inside. Prevalent teen issues such as self-esteem, anorexia, female athleticism, and geekiness are tackled within the story line. Readers watch as the girls’ friends and boyfriends respond to the list and some of the girls even start to become social outcasts. The list even draws in parents and siblings as family dynamics come into play in various ways. The list causes changes in each girl in one way or another while the school principal determinedly tries to find the person responsible for the list. The author drew her inspiration for this character-driven story from a school where a similar list appears each year. Teachers and teens might enjoy this interview with the author. Teachers might also like the Girls Read: Online Literature suggestions found at ReadWriteThink.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant