IF ONLY

Author (last name first):

Carole, Geithner
Publisher,Date of Publication:
Scholastic Press/ March 1, 2012 
Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Ages 10 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Corinna is entering the eighth grade a different girl from when she left it in the seventh. Something tragic has happened. She has lost her mother and her grief is bigger than she can say. She fills as though everyone will look at her differently and threat her differently because of this. And they do. This makes it worse for Corinna. The biggest pain comes from her best friend who told everyone about her mom when she asked her not to. 
But as time passes, Corinna realizes that even though things have changed, the world has not, and she can make new friends, do new things, and be closer to her father.She can grieve and still live because her mother, no matter where she is, will always love her. 

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Student) 

KNUCKLES & POTTY DESTROY HAPPY WORLD

Author (last name first):

Proimose, James
Publisher,Date of Publication:

Henry Holt and Co./ May 22, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Second Grade and Up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Knuckles Triggerelli and Potty Polarberg have been in their share of cheerful books. When told they are going to star in a book about Happy World, they decide to take matters into their their own hands. After some advice from Winkie the Pug and The Chicken in the Beret, the two set off for the outside world to have a little discussion with their editor and illustrator. Their talk does not go according to plan, so the twosome decide instead  to obliterate Happy world altogether. They set off with giant pencils that fire erasers at cartoon figures,and is set on destroying Happy World and all of its residents. 
When Knuckle, Potty, the Chicken and Pug get to Happy World, they see that while things are bright and cheerful on the outside, those characters are not going to let themselves be erased. In the end Knuckles changes his mind and tries to get everyone together to stop fighting and apologize. They all become friends and the two decide to write their own book the next time.

Reviewed By: Lila Davis(Night Circulation Manager at Midwestern State University Library)   

QUEST FOR THE SECRET KEEPER

Author (last name first):

Laurie, Victoria
Publisher,Date of Publication:

Delacorte Books for Young Readers/ February 14, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Ages 10 and up
Classification: 
Fiction


Ian and Theo must set off on a journey to save the world.This is nothing new to them for they are two oracles of the goddess Delphi. They belong to a group called the United for which themselves and other gifted children work to fulfill prophesies and save lives. 
But when war comes to England, Ian and Theo realize that one of the most important prophesies ever foretold is about to come to head and they must do the best that they can to keep themselves alive behind enemy lines, save some close friends and protect the world. 
This book is a thrilling mix of mythology and the World War. It is filled with suspense and will keep you thrilled to the very end. 


Reviewed By: Nicola Clement ( Midwestern State University Student)

MONSTER MASH

Author (last name first):

Catrow,David 

Publisher,Date of Publication:  

Orchard Books /July 1, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Kindergarten/Ages 4 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

David Catrow's "Monster Mash" uses popular Halloween lyrics, colorful watercolor monsters,ghost,and mad scientist in a unique way to get children's attention. The cover of the book is very captivating and pulls you into the story just like the lyrics. I would recommend it to parents with younger children and teachers who want a fun activity to do with their class. I think young and old who want a reminder of the popular fifty's song would like this book as well as my children did. 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis(Midwestern State University Circulation Night Manager in Moffett Library)    

BORN WICKED

Author (last name first):

Spotwood,Jessica
Publisher,Date of Publication:  Putnam Publishing Group/February 7, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Ages 12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Cate Cahill and her sisters live in seclusion  because they are witches. They are afraid of persecution because the price they pay will for being found out will be their own lives. 

It is Cate's duty to watch her sisters now because her mother has passed away and it was her mother who hid their little displays of magic. Cate is not her mother, and not all her sisters will heed her cautious warnings. They are also not safe from their  father who is a member of the Brotherhood, the other half of the Sisterhood, who combined are the judges of all witches. 

Now Cate must step into her mother's shoes, juggle suitors, protect her sisters, and find some way to free them from certain death. Will her choice be the best possible solution?

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement(Midwestern State University Student)   

KEL GILLIGAN'S DAREDEVIL STUNT SHOW

Author (last name first):

Buckley, Michael
Publisher,Date of Publication: 
Abrams Books for Young Readers/ September 1, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Kindergarten- 3rd Grade
Classification: 
Fiction 

Preschoolers everywhere can relate to the steely bravery, sheer willpower and steady determination it often takes to overcome the staggering obstacles a day can bring. Kel Gilligan is "the boy without fear." He can do remarkable things all by himself: eat broccoli, face "the Potty of Doom," get dressed, keep busy while Mom "finishes her conversation… / UNINTERRUPTED!!," take "a bath with one helper," and "go to bed without checking the room for monsters." Word bubbles bear exaggerated declarations from Kel and equally hilarious reactions from Kel's relatives. Grandma always claps, while the others exclaim in awed disbelief when the stunt is accomplished. Santat depicts these extraordinary feats with illustrations that have a retro comic-book look. Kel is portrayed frequently with an expressive forehead. He talks rough and looks even tougher…except when his nerves are tested. Whether he is in underpants, in his caped stuntman outfit or bare-bottomed, young readers cannot help but laugh out loud at the side-splitting details of Kel's silly adventures because they attempt them daily and know them all too well. There is an AR test available for this book as well. 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Circulation Manager in Midwestern State University's Moffett Library) 

 

ANNIE AND HELEN

 







Author (last name first):

Hopkinson, Deborah
Publisher,Date of Publication: 
Schwartz & Wade/September 11, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Kindergarten- 3rd Grade
Classification: 
Non-Fiction 

This book is a clear, simple story that revives a compelling story of perseverance and triumph for the duo: Anne Sullivan and her remarkable student, Helen Keller. The tale is virtually the stuff of legend: how the young teacher, herself partially blinded, finds a way out of the darkness for a willful blind and deaf girl whose early childhood was spent mostly without access to language. Hopkinson's likable account for young listeners and primary-grade readers is drawn from Keller's The Story of My Life. Appealing and dramatic anecdotes convey the breathtaking success that Anne and Helen achieved in a few short months, from Helen's first word in the spring to her first letter later that summer. Hopkinson neatly explains the difference between sign language and the finger spelling to facilitate Anne’s method used to talk to Helen, describing Anne's willpower to engross Helen in language "the way people talk into a baby's ears." Colón's soft, pastel watercolors create a feeling of tranquility. There are brilliant photographs of Helen Keller as a child and young adult, four of them with Anne, grace the insides of the book. There is a AR test available for the book as well. This would be an excellent book to use for biography series lesson. 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Circulation Manager in Midwestern State University's Moffett Library)