School Librarianship in 2015--My Thoughts

You Know What They Say About Assumptions...

School Librarianship in 2015

“I wish I could just sit and read all day!”

“How is this hard? You just check in and out books.”

“Can you make these copies for me/fetch me some white-out/do some other menial, secretarial task that isn’t in your job description?”

Overwhelmingly, in my sixth year as a school librarian (and eleventh year in education), I have found that most teachers, staff, students, and community members have no idea what being a librarian truly entails. They just know if they like you, if you can find them a good book, and how to procure such an “easy job” for themselves. While many other librarian colleagues say, “It’s up to you to educate them!” the reality of actually doing that is different. If you say, “I have a Master’s degree,” it can come off as braggy; if you share a wonderful autobiography on your website, no one will read it. Most teachers have no idea that in order to become a school librarian, you have to spend a minimum of three years as a classroom teacher—but telling them, “You know, I had to endure the torture of 180 students myself” comes off as stilted and, again, braggy.

So how can we advocate for ourselves? I have found the best success comes from doing, not telling. I can tell a teacher that I am a certified and experienced teacher myself, but I would rather show them by inviting their class into the library and teaching a brilliant lesson with aplomb. All it takes is a few teachers to get on board, and then the whispers will start circulating around the school: “Man, that librarian knows her stuff. And she’ll teach your class for you! And even grade the papers!”

This recently happened, as a matter of fact—a teacher came to me asking for ideas to kickstart her upcoming poetry unit. When I taught English, poetry was absolutely my favorite unit, so I jumped at the chance. I put together an interesting intro and lesson, purchased bags of candy to use as bribes (hey, these aren’t my actual students, so I need to make sure they take me seriously!), and proceeded to get to do something I have been wanting to do for years—spine poetry! It was a hit, and other requests soon came pouring in.

While sometimes I do wish all I did was sit around and read all day (which never, ever, ever happens), the fact is that the job description of a librarian changes with the times. We are now information specialists, media connoisseurs, research experts, and digital citizenship stewards. We bridge the gap between the brittle, arcane pages of Homer and the promiscuous lure of a Google search. While our actual job description may change, an indelible fact remains: as long as there is information in this world, there will be librarians. It’s up to us to gently nudge our colleagues into utilizing us to our full capacities.

*Just as an FYI, in my district, to become a librarian one must have a Master’s of Library (and Information) Science, at least three years as a classroom teacher, and a passing grade on a media specialist certification exam. 

Danger, Dancing, & Daring -- THE NOTORIOUS PAGAN JONES by Nina Berry

The Notorious Pagan Jones

by Nina Berry

Intertwined with historical events surrounding the formation of the Berlin Wall in 1961, The Notorious Pagan Jones traces the rise, fall, and recovery of former film sweetheart Pagan Jones. After Pagan kills her family in an accident, she is sentenced to juvenile detention—a rather light sentence compared to the tortuous guilt weighing on her. When the opportunity to star in a Berlin-based film presents itself, Pagan takes the chance, borne on the arm of her now “legal guardian,” Devin Black.

What Pagan slowly realizes is that her role in this film is merely superficial; her real objective is to assist Devin infiltrate the East German government, the role of a lifetime. Danger, dancing, and daring capers fill the pages of Pagan’s adventure and her climb back to stardom.

VERDICT: Fast-paced, fun, and furious, The Notorious Pagan Jones is a certain hit with those who love historical fiction, Hollywood, and redemption. Fans of Code Name Verity (Elizabeth Wein) and Between Shades of Grey (Ruta Sepetys) will not be disappointed with Nina Berry’s latest.

Note: I reviewed this book for School Library Journal.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall -- FAIREST by Marissa Meyer

Fairest

by Marissa Meyer

She loves fiercely, and kills with little remorse; her iron grip over Lunar people is equal parts impressive and terrifying.  The Lunar Chronicle’s Queen Levana is more than a beautiful villain—here, Marissa Meyer fills in the gaps between a lonely, shy second daughter and the most feared and relentless woman in the universe.

Levana grew up in the shadow of her distant mother, Queen Jannali, and her vengeful older sister, Princess Channary.  After the murder of their parents, Channary takes the crown and produces an heir, Selene.  By now having permanently assumed a glamour, or altered physical appearance that usually enhances one’s aesthetic beauty, after a childhood “accident” caused by Channary results in a severe disfigurement, Levana coerces a widowed palace guard to marry her, bringing his young daughter Winter to the palace.  Channary’s unexpected death catapults Levana to the position of Queen Regent—but that isn’t enough for the ambitious, entitled Levana.  She malevolently stages the deaths of both Selene and her palace guard husband, freeing her to rule Luna and form a marriage alliance with Earth in one fell swoop.  Meyer successfully sketches in some humanity to Levana’s actions—is she truly doing these deeds for the betterment of her people?  Does the rise of one civilization require the sacrifice of another?  At times, such as when Levana clings to a dented pendant given to her by her husband, her raw loneliness invokes sympathy.  But that is short-lived, as then a few pages later Levana callously plots her niece’s painful demise.

Even if you despise her, it is worth reading this interim background novel to gain insight into Levana’s complex character.  Meyer’s Lunar world-building is more thorough than in prior novels, and is fascinating unto itself.

Note: I reviewed Fairest for School Library Journal.

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty" -- LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD by Ava Dellaira

Love Letters to the Dead

by Ava Dellaira

“I thought she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I wondered if anyone could ever think that about me.”

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,--that is all / Ye know on earth, and all  ye need to know.”

Laurel has a secret. Only she knows the entire truth of the night her sister, May, fell to her death from an abandoned bridge. When Laurel’s English teacher asks her to write a letter to a dead person as an assignment, it feels cruel—but Laurel cannot stop writing. Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Amelia Earhart, Jim Morrison, and John Keats are just some of the recipients of her epistolary musings.

You see, Laurel has a lot to discuss. Her older sister’s death hangs over her like a shroud; Laurel is living but not alive. Her mother has fled to California (from Arizona) and Laurel knows her mother blames her for May’s death. Laurel’s father grapples with his newfound status as a single father. And Laurel herself is falling in love with Sky.

Sky presents a kind of salvation to Laurel—she can be her whole person with him, which unfortunately ends up presenting itself as sobbing into the night air. They are each other’s first loves, and the depth of their love will surprise even the most jaded thoughts about young love. When Sky breaks up with Laurel, she relies on her two friends, Hannah and Natalie, to support her through the pain. Hannah and Natalie, though, are working through their own issues, namely their love for each other, Hannah’s abusive older brother, and Natalie’s disenchantment with Hannah’s promiscuity.

When I got the end of the book, I felt entirely wrung out—emotionally, this book takes you through the gamut and sparks memories of first loves and the pain that springs from them. Written entirely in epistolary style, the author does a tremendous job of paralleling the dead person’s life with Laurel’s. Be warned, however, that this book contains sexual situations, underage drinking (a LOT; they drink alcohol every opportunity they get), and some language. I would recommend it for 15+ depending on the maturity of the reader.

A test of loyalty: AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes

by Sabaa Tahir

In the recent spate of alternate-world-type dystopias, Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes is a true standout. Combining tense action with thoughtful emotional undertones, the narrative is breathtakingly paced--I finished it in two days.

Laia enlists the help of the Resistance, a band of rebels uprising against the Martial Empire, when her brother is imprisoned by one of the deadliest soldiers of the empire--a Mask. A Mask wears a silver mask over his/her face and trains to kill at the Blackcliff academy. When the Resistance asks Laia to infiltrate the academy as a servant/spy, she does so, and becomes “Slave Girl” to the fearsome Commandant.

The Commandant’s son, Elias, is not like his mother--while he does kill, he has serious doubts about the Martial Empire. Once he is tapped to participate in the Trials, from which the next Emperor arises, he begins to place his trust in unforeseen places and people.

Elias and Laia have a connection which is complicated by Elias’s best friend and comrade, Helene, as well as by a red-haired Resistance fighter named Keenan. As the Trials wage on, Laia becomes more deeply immersed in dangerous Resistance missions--culminating in a tense, action-packed ending that paves the way for a sequel.

This book is different in that it more fully explores philosophical ideas of freedom and love. What does it mean to be free? How many different types of love are there, and what are the consequences of loving the wrong person? In a hierarchal society, who sits at the top, and why? How far are you willing to go to be loyal to your cause?

All in all, this one is not to miss. Can’t wait for the sequel!

A graphic novel for all ages: EL DEAFO by Cece Bell

El Deafo

by Cece Bell

It’s adorable, poignant, and timely. El Deafo follows the story of Cece, a rabbit who contracts meningitis when she is four and becomes deaf as a result. Cece grapples with classmates who condescend to her because of her hearing aids, and classmates who become friends with her solely because she is different. We even follow Cece through her first crush; her mannerisms and thoughts are spot-on. 

At the heart of it all is Bell’s message that we are all different in our ways, and those differences are to be celebrated and understood instead of trapped in societal expectations. The full-color illustrations are well-done, although the characters’ facial expressions could be more revealing. Overall, a great graphic novel to recommend to elementary and middle school children.

Destiny Is Not a Matter of Chance: ASH by Shani Petroff & Darci Manley

Ash

by Shani Petroff & Darci Manley

After the Event, in which seven billion people died, the survivors created a system to ensure nothing like that would happen again.  People are placed into what is essentially a caste or “ring” system, starting with the highest, most powerful Purples through the rainbow to the lowly Ashes.  As people are born, specialists extract their destinies, down to the day and time – and to maintain order, all must fulfill their destiny. Dax is a rarity, a Blank – one whose destiny could not be extracted, the lowliest of the low.  Madden is an elite Purple, being groomed to take over a position on the ruling board.  After Dax’s brothers commit the ultimate sacrifice in the name of breaking free from predetermined destinies, Dax and Madden are thrown together in a plot of intrigue, secrecy, and danger.

While many elements of the plot are left unexplained – for instance, how exactly does a specialist extract a destiny from a baby? – the action is never sparse in this newly-wrought science fiction novel by Petroff and Manley. 

VERDICT: For lovers of stories about rebelling against “the system,” like The Hunger Games and Divergent, the Destined series is bound to entertain and enthrall.

Note: I reviewed this book for School Library Journal.

Sci-Fi Thrills: MARKED by Laura Williams McCaffrey

Marked

by Laura Williams McCaffrey

In McCaffrey’s dystopian science fiction thriller, Lyla lives in a society where criminals are tattooed—Marked—and the schism between the rich (barons) and the poor (miners, farmers, and so on) is palpable and volatile. After becoming Marked for visiting a black market, Lyla undertakes a dangerous spy mission to infiltrate the Red Fists, an unlawful band of misfits, in order to erase her Mark. Complicating the situation is her intense feelings for a childhood friend and newest misfit, Gill; once drawn into the Red Fists’s web of rebellion, Lyla must make important choices on what and whom to sacrifice. Comic-style strips are included throughout that give some background on Lyla’s society. 

VERDICT: Full of fast-paced action and ethical quandaries, fans of Daughter of Smoke & Bone and The Forest of Hands & Teeth will enjoy this latest offering from McCaffrey.

Note: I reviewed this book for School Library Journal.

They Call Me the Voodoo Woman - GATHERING DEEP by Lisa Maxwell

Gathering Deep

by Lisa Maxwell

More of a companion novel than a sequel to her well-received Sweet Unrest, Maxwell focuses on Chloe and Thisbe in this atmosphere-packed fantastical mystery. Reeling from the aftermath of finding out that the evil witch Thisbe is her mother, Chloe becomes determined to sever all ties and influence from Thisbe’s dark magic. When her on-off boyfriend, Piers, vanishes on his way to deliver a historical artifact, Chloe knows that Thisbe is behind his disappearance. Enlisting the help of friend Lucy, Voodoo queen Mama Legba, and Mama Legba’s nephew Odane, Chloe gathers all her strength in order to conquer Thisbe’s nefarious influence. The narrative is peppered with fascinating Voodoo rituals and beliefs, heightening the suspense.

VERDICT: As with Sweet Unrest, where Maxwell’s novel excels is in its heady, Southern-drenched mood. Recommended for fans of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Jackaby.

Note: I reviewed this book for School Library Journal.

The Self-Absorbed Artist: THE DREAM LOVER by Elizabeth Berg

The Dream Lover

by Elizabeth Berg

Boy, where do I begin with this one? I love a good historical fiction, especially if the historical fiction in question is focused on a famous literary figure. For instance, I recently read Mr. Emerson’s Wife, and was pleasantly surprised at the supposed nuances of Mrs. Emerson and Mr. Emerson himself. Even though they were not perfect characters, I rooted for them to each find their own version of happiness.

But Aurore Dupin, as known as George Sand, is a severely unlikeable character. The novel bounces around from her childhood to her rise to literary prominence. I imagine the childhood scenes are to paint a picture of a complex girl, but all it does is cause me to wonder what made George so unlikeable.

George marries a man she does not love, and regularly abandons her children to go write and hussy around in Paris. Even during her “scheduled times” with her children, she often left them with the servants and went away on love trips. Someone so self-absorbed and selfish is not a heroine in any sense of the word.

Everything must revolve around George and her happiness with her love life; she takes on many different lovers, which in itself is not a big deal, but she is still married for the majority of them. Also, she becomes so wrapped up in her love affairs that she neglects her children and her home.

While I realize that many “great artists” of that time were definitely outside of the societal box, there is not much to redeem the character, and/or the person, of George Sand. If Berg’s goal is to create a thoroughly reprehensible character, then she succeeded. The mere fact that this novel's protagonist enrages me so much is testament to the excellent character building by Berg. Recommended with the caveat that you will be annoyed with George!

A dark truth: DAMAGE DONE by Amanda Panitch

Damage Done

by Amanda Panitch

Gr 9+

In the vein of We Were Liars and Gone Girl with a YA twist, Panitch delivers a heart-pounding, emotionally-charged novel that proves that not everything is what it seems. Julia Vann faces unmentionable consequences when her twin brother, Ryan, brings a gun to school and kills eleven people in the band room. Ryan, after shooting himself, remains in a coma, and Julia’s family moves to a different city to escape the whispers and outright hatred.

As Julia, now called Lucy, realizes her brother’s psychologist is following her, she must confront buried memories that threaten her daily existence. The slow trickle of reminiscences unveils a dark truth, one that Julia/Lucy wants hidden forever, and one in which she will go to extreme lengths to protect.

VERDICT: The latest in unreliable narrators, Panitch combines heart-twisting realities with good old-fashioned mystery.

Note: I reviewed Damage Done for School Library Journal.

A Life For a Life: A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas

My first immersive experience into the worlds-building by Maas is equal parts thrilling and intriguing. A Court of Thorns and Roses was the June 2015 pick for a book club I’m in, and I was one of the very few who had never delved into this type of fantasy before.

And fantasy, indeed, it is—to fully enjoy Maas’s worlds, you have to suspend any conceptions about reality. Feyre is her family’s hope and salvation; as they trudge through life in the Mortal Lands, they are under constant threat of savage faeries who attack, maim, and kill. When Feyre kills a wolf “the size of a pony” in the snowy forest one day, she realizes the wolf may actually be a faerie—and the repercussions of killing him dire.

Feyre is not entirely surprised when a monstrous beast barges into their cottage one night to collect his prize—Feyre: a life for a life. Feyre wakes up in one of the faerie lands, the Spring Court, over which Tamlin, a High Fae, presides. Undeniably rich and sophisticated, Tamlin and his friend Lucien defy any expectations Feyre had about the fae. She is kept, essentially, a prisoner in these lush lands, albeit a well-fed, well-clothed, and well-entertained prisoner.

As the days tick by, Feyre becomes close to both Tamlin and Lucien—although she feels a pull towards Tamlin, confusing and enthralling her. Around the Spring Court the fae battle various forms of unfriendly faeries as the entire realm of Prythian begins to degrade towards a civil war. The queen of Prythian, Amarantha, is evil and malicious; she captures Tamlin as her prisoner until he agrees to be her lover.

When Feyre goes on a mission to rescue him, she is imprisoned herself “Under the Mountain,” a dank system of caves replete with vicious faeries and other nightmarish beasts. To gain her freedom, and that of Tamlin, Feyre must complete either a riddle or three tasks. These tasks are nowhere close to easy; the first involves a large maze sunken into the ground complete with a “giant worm…with ring after ring of razor-sharp teeth.”

Without spoiling the ending, suffice it to say Maas has successfully set up the beginning of a series, especially after Feyre begins to notice another High Fae named Rhysand. Highly recommended and not to be missed!

"The swan, like the soul of the poet, By the dull world is ill understood": Review of SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Melanie Benjamin

(Title quote by Heinrich Heine)

The Swans of Fifth Avenue

by Melanie Benjamin

Drenched in whiskey and jewel-toned silks, the famous socialites of 1960s New York come alive in Melanie Benjamin’s latest tour de force. If you’re like me, nothing is as delicious as reading about the sumptuous lives and dramas of the “rich and famous”—and Benjamin certainly delivers on this front.

Truman Capote is launched into the social scene thanks to his indelible and incisive works, including In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Babe Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest, Gloria Guinness, and Pamela Churchill all are Capote’s “swans,” or beautiful circle of friends—but Capote’s true love is Babe. Married to a cheating and demanding husband, Babe Paley, instead of getting angry, turns her own body into a work of art, becoming one of the most famous socialites of the era. Babe and Truman share a special bond; he is her “True Heart,” and she is his “Bobolink.” That is, until Truman attempts to fictionalize Babe’s secret shames in a short story La Cote Basque 1965. Truman’s swans turn their backs to him and he begins a downward spiral into alcoholism.

A fascinating book is one that completely immerses me within the scene, one that propels me to research different people and artifacts mentioned with the book. Swans of Fifth Avenue is such a book; highly recommended!

One of my favorite parts:

            “…and all she could look forward to was losing her teeth, more face-lifts, orthopedic shoes instead of Ferragamos, the constant battle of the dye bottle…and all the money in the world couldn’t stop any of that, couldn’t stop the ravage of time and great.
            And that was the secret, the wonder of Truman, she realized suddenly. Truman made them forget all that. He had amused them. Their husbands didn’t want to talk to them. They grew bored talking to one another, these glorious creatures, for they were all the same. Blond, brunette, tall, short, European or Californian, they were still the same; only the exteriors were different. And they devoted their lives to maintaining this difference, striving to shine, be the one jewel who stood out. Yet at night, they took off the diamonds and gowns and went to empty beds resigned to the fact that they were just women, after all. Women with a shelf life.
            And then Truman leapt into their midst, and suddenly the gossip was more delicious, the amusements more diverse” (Benjamin 244).

Escape is Impossible: The Rig by Joe Ducie

The Rig 

by Joe Ducie

When Will Drake is sent to an oil-rig-turned-prison in the Arctic Ocean, he immediately cases the place for means of escape. He has escaped two previous prisons, and Will is determined to escape this ultimate challenge and leave behind the rigorous schedule and the ever-watchful Warden.

He gets more than he bargains for, though, when he accidentally discovers a top-secret experiment, Crystal-X, happening in the depths of the rig. With his newfound knowledge, he must decide between staying quiet and following through with plans of escape or whistle-blowing the entire operation – with plans of escape.

Overall, this book is marketed towards middle and high school students, which is appropriate. There is some cursing, but not as much as one would expect on a floating prison with the world’s worst criminals. While characterization could be stronger, as the reader peels away the layers of Drake he becomes more relatable and sympathetic. The whole “playing God in the basement” aspect of Crystal-X is a bit unbelievable, so just sit back, relax, and let the story lead you.

This would make a great movie, as long as it’s not directed by the people who butchered The Maze Runner. I also loved the idea of a floating prison and would immediately snap up any other books that decide to take on this premise. Amazing idea!

On a Scale of One to Pomegranate....BEASTLY BONES by William Ritter

Beastly Bones: A Jackaby Novel

by William Ritter

R.F. Jackaby and his trusty assistant, Abigail Rook, investigate fascinating and mysterious forms of paranormal phenomena in the latest series offering.these and more paranormal phenomenon in the latest series offering. In this sequel to Jackaby (Algonquin, 2014), Ritter seamlessly presents enough backstory for newcomers to thoroughly enjoy this hybrid of historical fiction and fantasy. Jackaby and Rook are called to probe into a series of strange murders—could it be vampires or jiangshi (zombies in Chinese folklore)? After following a lead to the picturesque Gad’s Valley, they literally unearth one of the most exciting and dangerous animals of all time. The protagonist’s flighty perspicacity pairs well with Rook’s down-to-earth demeanor, and together the pair work to overcome a threat to the entire world.

On a scale of “one to pomegranate,” this volume is undoubtedly a pomegranate; it offers humor, adventure, mystery, gore, and romance all rolled into one well-written package. The best news? There is more to come, as Ritter sets up Jackaby and Rook’s next case regarding the ephemeral Jenny, murdered many years ago.

VERDICT: Recommended for fans of Jonathan Stroud’s “Lockwood & Company” series (Disney-Hyperion).

This review was published in School Library Journal‘s July 2015 issue and can also be viewed online.

A Ride on the YA Wild Side: JOYRIDE by Anna Banks

Joyride

by Anna Banks

Gr 9 Up –Good girl Carly and popular Arden combine forces in order to live more authentic lives in this angsty contemporary novel. Carly’s parents have been deported to Mexico and she works nights to support her family. Arden uses his bad-boy reputation to pull off grand, sometimes disastrous pranks to salve the pain of his sister’s death. Carly is not Arden’s type, at first—and Carly knows she is too busy to bother with him. Eager to escape the iron fist of his sheriff father, Arden grows closer to Carly after an unexpected encounter. Together they realize Arden’s father’s true intentions and work in concert to bring him to justice. 

With a dash of romance, Banks’s book tackles the issues of human smuggling, immigration, and a rogue police officer. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti will flock to the author’s fan pool. 

VERDICT  Relevant, risky, and romantic, this work is a clear standout in today’s contemporary YA niche.

* This review is featured in the School Library Journal March 27, 2015 edition.

A Man, a Writer, and a Tour de Force -- ISAAC'S STORM

Isaac's Storm

by Eric Larson

After reading Devil in White City – and becoming disturbed that such people as the protagonist existed – I resolved to read more books by Eric Larson. I did some research and discovered he wrote Isaac’s Storm about the deadliest hurricane in history that struck Galveston in 1900. There is a particular significance to reading about hurricanes to me – I was born two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, in North Carolina, and grew up scampering across the white, hot sands and tide pools of the Carolina coast. Hurricanes were a yearly event for us, and exciting. Even when we sought shelter away from our house and there was no electricity, my parents made it seem like a fun camping trip.

And then, I moved to Houston in 1990, and then, in 2009, Hurricane Ike struck our coast. I wasn't worried, even as I hunkered down in my third-floor apartment with the winds bowing the windowpanes. I wasn’t worried, even as the electricity flickered and then plunged everything in darkness. I wasn’t worried until two days later, when I learned of the devastation and unknown time frame for receiving basic services again. Despite the lessons from previous hurricanes, we were all not prepared for Ike, and as the hot, humid days stretched on, I began to despair of ever watching TV, feeling the cool winds of the A/C, or talking on the phone again. 10 days ambled by before we got our electricity back, but I have still yet to recover from those dank, dark nights and hungry days.

So, reading Isaac’s Storm was good for me; it showed me that the devastation could be worse. It showed me that we were lucky to at least know the storm’s power and potential, even if we were not prepared for it. It showed me the human nuances and impacts Mother Nature wreaks on our vanity.

Isaac Cline was the foremost meteorologist for the US Weather Bureau stationed in Galveston; back in 1900, with no satellites to watch over the Earth, weathermen were akin to snake oil salesman. The people of Galveston had no need to suspect that the 1900 storm was any different than other storms—but it was. A deadly storm surge quickly overtook over half the island, burying houses, businesses, and people in a rage of frothing water. Houses were swept right off their foundations and children, separated from their mothers, screamed in horror. Larson vividly paints a picture of utter destruction and chaos; as a mother, it is particularly difficult to read about the deaths of children. However, Larson also interjects much-needed anecdotes of heroism and generosity in the time of the storm and thereafter.

Much of the blame, Larson insinuates (or rather practically outright screams), lies with the Bureau itself, locked in a political battle of the wills with Cuba. If only there wasn’t a ban on telegraphs or information from the Cuban meteorologists, he contends, then lives could have been saved, as the Cubans understood this 1900 storm was different than others. It’s an important lesson that resonates today, in this time of maybe-we-Cuba-maybe-we-don’t.

Overall, don’t miss any of Larson’s works, but in particular—don’t miss this one.

Get Off At the Next Stop: THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

The Girl on the Train

by Paula Hawkins

If Ernest Hemingway were a woman and wrote a spin-off of Gone Girl, it would look very much like The Girl on the Train.  Gone Girl is incredibly crafted to deliver a psychological punch -- TGotT is a mostly flimsy, slapped-together, predictable addition to the unreliable narrator genre.

I want to like Rachel, I really do -- she's pathetic in her earnestness and inability to focus.  She's lost her job, her husband, and any hope of having children.  In order to keep up the charade of going to work, each day she takes the morning train into "work," walks around all day (usually drinking), and then takes the train home after "work."  Every morning the train makes a stop that allows Rachel to gaze into the houses built right next to the track.  One of those houses used to belong to her -- and her ex-husband, with his then-mistress and now-wife.  A few houses down, a seemingly loving couple lay out on the patio, unaware of Rachel's intense gaze.  Rachel names the couple Jess and Jason, and proceeds to imagine their sophisticated, affection life together.

Except, appearances can be deceiving.  Just like Rachel attempts to fool everyone that she is not an alcoholic and still has a job, it is quite easy to see the rifts in “Jess” and “Jason”’s relationship.  Rachel conveniently blacks out quite often, enabling her to forget what she did the day and night before – did she knock on her ex-husband’s door again?  Did she leave drunken voicemail messages again? 

Storylines between Tom (Rachel’s ex-husband), “Jess,” “Jason,” Rachel, and Tom’s new wife all begin to cross paths more often than not.  I could predict the ending relatively early in, leaving me to race through supposedly taut and mysterious scenes in the hopes that something, anything, would surprise me.

We All Should Go DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN

Down From the Mountain

by Elizabeth Fixmer

Now, this is why I read young adult literature – an interesting and not overwrought narrative from the viewpoint of a teenager ingrained in a religious cult, Down From the Mountain is interesting, fresh, and alarming.

Eva, so named after Eve and therefore always a reminder of temptation, is 14 years old and lives on a compound with her real mother, several other “Mothers,” and several children.  Prophet Ezekiel leads his flock with an increasingly iron fist.  He insists on marrying every woman in the compound, thereby driving out the men and further bolstering Ezekiel’s power.  When Eva’s talent at jewelry-making allows her to leave the compound for the heathen world outside, she begins to realize that Prophet Ezekiel may not be the word of God, after all.

Fixmer creates a nuanced suspense that is charming and realistic; we hope that Eva escapes from the cult but we also are sympathetic to her desire to be loved.  Eva clings to the memories from a book she read, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, an allegory for a loving God:

“Ezekiel can make me say yes when I mean no, I think.  He can make me submissive and obedient, but he can’t control everything.  He can’t control my thoughts or memories.  Like my book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  He burned it, but it will always remain in my heart” (139).

Eva befriends a waiter named Trevor and they begin meeting at a local library; once Eva obtains “[her] most precious possession,” a library card, she begins to devour the knowledge that Ezekiel may not be God’s word.

The ending is sad and tragic, but also quite realistic.  I only wish we would have gotten more information about what ultimately happened to Ezekiel.  Overall, I will be highly recommending this story – what a treat!

Far From Perfect - FAR FROM YOU

Far From You

by Tess Sharpe

Count me as someone who is disappointed with this book. The premise had me hooked and I could not wait to read it. Unfortunately, there are just too many things going on with this book, and not enough attention is given to any of them.

Sophie, our protagonist, is addicted to prescription narcotics, caught in a love rectangle, and on the hunt for her best friend's murderer all while being stalked herself. It's just too much for one novel. If the author had just cut out all that murder mystery stuff (which is unbelievable, anyway) and focused on the addiction/love rectangle, the novel would have been splendid. Think about it: what are the chances that a teen is going to witness a murder and be swept up in a murder mystery? Zero to nil. What are the chances that a teen may try drugs and/or fall in love with the wrong person? Much more possible. 

So, all in all, I was very disappointed. I am also disappointed that whomever is in charge of writing the blurbs did not explicitly state this is a novel that addresses themes of bisexuality/lesbians/gay community. Why are they trying to hide that?

"They hungered for us" - IN THE AFTER by Demitria Lunetta

In the After

by Demitria Lunetta

“After They came, I did not leave my house for three weeks.  The broadcasts stopped after the first few days, but they were not helpful anyway.  They kept repeating the same things.  Aliens had landed, they were not friendly, half of the planet was dead.They were horrifyingly fast, traveling across the globe at an alarming pace.  They didn’t destroy buildings or attack our resources, like in so many crappy Hollywood movies.  They wanted us.  They hungered for us” (9).

 A large, unexplained object lands, hosting thousands of hungry, predatory “Them” that rapidly kill, eat, and take over every continent and city.  Amy is alone at home when it happens, and barricades herself inside, thanks to her father’s foresight.  When all becomes quiet, too quiet, Amy ventures outside the safe boundaries of her house to scavenge and find survivors.  She ends up rescuing a toddler, whom she calls “Baby,” and they live three years in silence, as “Them” are attracted to noise.

Eventually, Amy and Baby are rescued by an elite, organized force that resides in New Hope, a highly-regulated society of survivors.  Amy’s mother is the director and assures her daughter that the confining rules of New Hope are for the betterment of future mankind.  When Amy stumbles upon experiments involving the fearsome Them, she begins to realize her mother is not telling her everything.

In The After is a 2015 Lone Star-awarded book, and for good reason – the writing is smoothly-paced, the action has peaks and valleys, and the subject matter of the book is fascinating, albeit in a morbid way.  Those in the lower grades, like sixth and seventh, might not be the best audience for this gruesome subject matter and grotesque descriptions of Them eating people: “The creatures pounced, not bothering to kill their prey before feeding.  They ripped skin and flash from their victims, who screeched in agony” (14) and “They feed for a long time, eating every bit of their dead, their sharp teeth chewing through skin, muscle, and bone.  Their feeding noises sicken me, slurps with the occasional crunch” (68).  So, gird your iron stomach and go ahead and read this, but don't say I didn't warn you.

10 Excellent Children's Books for Kids With ASD/SPD

As they say, if you have met one child with autism, then you’ve met one child with autism.  Ethan, my son, is three years old and certainly doesn’t fit in any type of ASD box, but a few things are for sure: he loves different textures and is very picky about them; he loves numbers; and he loves repetition/routine.  

Building a library appropriate and engaging for my child with autism has been a recent mission of mine.  Up until the age of three, Ethan wanted nothing to do with books -- he would grab them, flip through the pages in a nanosecond, and be done with it.  (It broke my librarian heart, but I kept up the routine of reading before bed.)   I wanted to include books that appealed to him texture-wise and visually, hoping that the interest in the words would follow.  After researching a bit, we have created an overflowing library of unique, thoughtful books.  (Just a note: interest in these books is certainly not limited to those children with spectrum disorders. Most kids will love these books; it can be more of a challenge to get children with spectrum disorders interested in books.)

Here are our favorite ten:

Beautiful Oops

by Barney Saltzberg

Barney Saltzerg is a master of paper engineering, and Beautiful Oops combines unique tactile elements with a simple reminder: mistakes can often be turned into something beautiful.  Interact with spilled coffee, torn pages, splotches of paint, crumpled paper, and more in Beautiful Oops.  For those children who are attracted to the tactile elements and textures in books, this one is a must-have.

Chicka Chicka 123

by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Lois Ehlert

The Chicka books (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Chicka Chicka 123, Chicka Chicka ABC) are classic, and for good reason.  In this large boardbook, glossy pages follow the journey of numbers up and down a tree, a delight for young’uns drawn to identifying numbers.  

Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site

by Sherri Rinker, Tom Lichtenheld 

What happens when all the people go home and the crane truck, the cement mixer, the dump truck, the bulldozer, and the excavator are left to themselves?  They follow a nighttime routine, too, just like us -- the five button-activated sounds include rumbling trucks, a horn, a roaring engine, yawning, and snoring.
Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site boasts more than just cute sounds and lovely artwork -- the text itself is one of the better text-with-audio books I have read.  For instance: “Pushing with his mighty blade, Bulldozer works to smooth the grade.  No one’s as tough and strong as he, [b]ut now he’s sleepy as can be.  He curls into his soft dirt bed, [a]nd dreams of busy days ahead.”

Feely Bugs

by David A. Carter

Let’s just make this clear -- I am not a fan of bugs of any type, but I love this book.  Various textures incorporate child engagement; for instance, sticky bugs literally stick to your fingers on the page, and velvety bugs are swathed in the plush texture.

Pete the Cat (any and all versions)

by Eric Litwin, James Dean

Pete the Cat is a recent obsession for my son; the singsong aspects and repetition feed right into his desire for routine.  He quickly memorized the original Pete the Cat book and loves to reenact the Pete the Cat plush stepping into strawberries and blueberries.  It’s fun for adults, too, with a “groovy” storyline and moral.  We have the Easter book, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Cavecat Pet, and the original Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.  

A Little Bit of Oomph

by Barney Saltzberg

Another stellar tactile-focused book by Barney Saltzberg, A Little Bit of Oomph encourages children to put in that little bit of extra effort to make ordinary things extraordinary.  As with Beautiful Oops, the pages are filled with fun textural elements.  I really hope Saltzberg keeps creating books like these; they’re fun for me, too!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 

by Eric Carle

I will always love this book, and so will Ethan.  A growing caterpillar eats his way through leaves, sausages, and pies, leaving holes in the pages.  It’s a delight for young ones to follow the caterpillar’s trek through the pages, and the incorporation of his transformation into a butterfly is a beautiful ending.

Good Boy, Bubble Puppy!

by "Editors of Publication International"

Another text-with-audio book, Good Boy, Bubble Puppy! is a sturdy boardbook appropriate for those kids obsessed with Bubble Guppies.  The story follows very closely to an episode on the show, in which the gang travels to the supermarket for more Bubble Bites.  Gil races Mrs. Peekytoe for the last box, and the ending is a sweet sharing moment.
My son loves to match the graphic icons in the text to the sounds it makes, and he’s quite adept at imitating them, as well.  I found this particular book to have more integrated sounds (with the text) than other text-with-audio boardbooks.

Nugget & Fang

by Tammi Sauer, Michael Slack

I cannot tell you how much I love this book!  We picked it up at the book fair and it’s such an adorable story, I want to share it with everyone.  Two best friends, Nugget (a minnow--and I am so stealing that name for my next pet) and Fang (a shark), hang out in the ocean, having a grand time.  Until, that is, Nugget goes to school, where he learns sharks eat minnows (the reading, math, and science lessons offer enough humor to keep kids engaged until they are older, as well).  Nugget can’t be friends with someone who will eat him!  Fang is saddened, and does all kinds of tricks to make Nugget his friend again -- inviting him to dinner, having an octopus ink-write a greeting, and so on. Nugget is not swayed, until Fang swoops in to save the entire school from disaster.

The illustrations are vibrant without being overwhelming, although Fang’s over-exaggerated teeth may be too much hyperbole.  Ethan enjoys following Nugget, who is an orangey-pink color, through the pages.

Llama Llama Nighty Night

by Anna Dewdney

My son doesn’t have the patience for a regular-length Llama Llama book, but this boardbook is just enough and reinforces the bedtime routine (which is quite similar to our own routine).  Anna Dewdney’s lovable llama takes a bath, brushes his teeth, goes potty, put on pajamas, and then snuggles in to read some books before bed.

 BONUS: Alpha Block

by Christopher Franceshelli

Sturdy S and unique U make their debut in this simple yet fun cardboard-cutout book.  Each page boasts a letter cutout, with “A is for…” as the text and an example of the letter on the next page (in this instance, “apple,” paired with a picture of apples in a picnic scene.  The cutouts present opportunities for children to interact more effectively with the letter, either by tracing it or putting little fingers through the cardboard holes.  

Hungry For Some New Dystopian Lit? -- HUNGRY by Swain

Hungry

by H.A. Swain

Swain’s near-futuristic dystopia Hungry explodes onto this well-trod genre with a fresh idea, tense plotting, and relatable characterization.  Fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Lois Lowry’s The Giver will flock to Swain’s story about a future in which Earth’s resources, ostensibly decimated by wars and superstorms, have vanished, along with any flora and fauna.  Mega-corporation One World swoops in to salvage the remaining humans from starvation by altering their DNA so that they no longer experience any pesky hunger pangs; One World also supplies all nutrition through a formula-like substance called Synthamil.  

In a world in which any type of food is illegal, young Thalia, daughter to One World scientists, begins to suffer inexplicable spasms in her abdomen.  Instead of being shipped off to a “specialist” to eradicate her natural hunger pangs, as was wont to happen, Thalia is determined to seek the truth behind the hunger and One World’s monopoly on food.  She teams up with a non-“privy,” Basil, who leads her further into the resistance movement than she would have thought possible.  Thalia is faced with a decision – do the easy thing or do the right thing, all while battling her genetic “mutation” that makes her mouth water and her stomach growl. 

From the Inner Loops to the Outer, to the Hinterlands and beyond, Thalia’s journey is fast-paced, scientifically-plausible, and scarily possible.  Swain completes a unique tour de force with Hungry, one that requires us to examine our current society, our place within invisible and sometimes all-too-visible hierarchies, and the moralities of genetic engineering.  

* Read this review and more in the May 7, 2014 edition of School Library Journal!

To Salvage The Savaged -- SALVAGE by Duncan

Salvage

by Alexandra Duncan

Ava is a seventeen-year-old girl born aboard a spaceship, the Parastrata; when she makes an understandable, yet regrettable, mistake, she is cast out by her patriarchal family to the unfamiliar and unforgiving Earth below.  With just her aptitude for “Fixes” and her spirit for survival, Ava must navigate through the Gyre, a floating wasteland of trash in the Pacific, to ultimately end up in Mumbai, where she searches for her modrie, her blood-aunt.  

Duncan delivers a finely-paced dystopian science fiction novel that relentlessly charges through the finer plot points, which may leave readers confused as to how exactly Earth resulted in a technologically-advanced wasteland.  Another small hiccup is the strange dialogue given to Parastrata’s inhabitants, and Ava, without explanation, which may be off-putting to slow and reluctant readers.  However, the strength of Ava’s character bears the story well through its 528 pages.    Fans of Beth Revis’s Across the Universe and Matched by Ally Condie will appreciate Duncan’s first dive into the genre.

"I Have Magic Hair That Glows When I Sing" - CRESS by Marissa Meyer

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, Book Three)

by Marissa Meyer

So, I read Cress when it was published and wasn't impressed – I quickly gave up, probably due to book series exhaustion.  Given the opportunity to review Fairest, a kind of interlude between books three and four of The Lunar Chronicles, I came back and re-read Cress, and I’m so glad I did.  My second reading entranced me, and I began to realize what a master Meyer is at entwining all of the characters without losing plot-lines or world-building.

Cress is ensconced, against her will, in a satellite around Earth doing the bidding of Sybil, a power player in Queen Levana’s entourage.  She spends seven lonely years essentially spying on Earth and all its wonders, including the royal family and Kai.  Like the fairy tale, Cress has floor-length tresses and a sonorous singing voice.  As she sits at her screens and watches videos of the goings-on down below her, Cress begins to sympathize with the plight of Earthens; when presented with the opportunity to defect to their side, she takes it without hesitation.  

What follows is a fast-paced, well-written, and sometimes romantic journey through the Earth’s atmosphere, the Sahara, Europe, and back to the Moon.  Meyer is a master at committing to her details without losing the effect of the storytelling.  Scarlet is my least favorite character, probably because she is the only one of whom I cannot form a clear picture, and thankfully she was not featured that much in this particular book.  The ending of this novel leaves me wanting more, more, more Meyer.  And, if you haven’t read Fairest yet, you must!

This One Time at Prom, We Were Abducted By Aliens, You See... -- The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion

The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion

by Chris McCoy

Bennett thinks he has struck the jackpot when his long-time crush, Sophie, agrees to go to prom with him.  A few moments after she accepts, Sophie is abducted by horned, red-furred aliens traveling in a wagon-like UFO.  Bennett naturally wants his prom date back, and so he enlists the help of an extraterrestrial band visiting a local In-N-Out to follow Sophie around outer space.  As Bennett focuses on ensuring Sophie is not hunted down by fellow marooned humans in a Hungers Games-like park, he learns the truths behind the band members and their drive to become successful again.

If it sounds implausible, it unabashedly is, but McCoy creates a fun, amusing, and heart-warming story out of the impossibilities.  Witty and action-packed, the plot is boldly glazes over science-fiction details in favor of well-wrought characters.  You’ll root for Bennett to get the girl and even for crusty band member Skark to accomplish his dream of becoming better than the one billionth and sixteenth band in the universe.  The book’s ending, however, is a nicely-placed realistic surprise.

* Catch this review and more in the January 7, 2015 edition of School Library Journal!

Somehow Marigolds Come Into Play -- A Fall of Marigolds

A Fall of Marigolds

by Susan Meissner

I wanted to like this book; Meissner attempted to deftly weave similarities between a woman living and working in 1911's NYC and a woman living/working in present-day NYC (having suffered a tragedy in the 9/11 terrorist attacks).

I felt the parts dealing with the present-day (and the near-past flashbacks to 9/11) were handled fairly well; they felt raw, real, and organic.  My issue with the novel stemmed from the 1911 flashbacks, which focused on a woman who lost a potential love in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire.

Clara met and fell in love with Edward in the elevator to the building; they had not even gone on a date when the fire broke out and Edward tragically died.  Trying to escape the painful memories, Clara volunteered for a stint on Ellis Island as a nurse.  A brief stint turned into months of near-isolation as Clara attempted to move past the tragedy that has now overtaken her life.

Clara, to me, is a weak and unrealistic character.  Every person around her handles her with kid gloves.  She is repetitive and quite honestly too overwrought; it is obvious she has some severe mental issues going on, but instead of forcing her to confront them and get treatment, her friends and family pander to them.  It's infuriating.  Somehow she gets two men to fall in love with her, too.  Whatever!