Serafina's Promise by Anne Burg - ADVISABLE

Burg, Anne E. Serafina's Promise, 299 pgs. Scholastic Press, 2013. $16.99. Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.       

                                                          

An engaging novel about a girl growing up in war-torn Haiti, a country whose citizens are worn down by poverty and natural disasters. Serafina and her family are challenged to stay alive and united despite hunger, sickness, flooding and an earthquake. Serafina dreams of becoming a doctor, yet battles the guilt of knowing that every extra bit of family income is going to pay for her school uniforms rather than keeping other family members fed and healthy. The book is written in poetry stanzas, yet is very easy and enjoyable reading.     

EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Katherine S., Utah Educator.

The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley - ADVISABLE

La Valley, Josanne The Vine Basket, Clarion Books, 2013. $16.99. Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence G. 

Mehrigul, 14, is forced by her abusive father to quit school and help on the family farm. While Mehrigul is selling peaches at the market, an American woman buys a basket Mehrigul has woven for a large sum of money. The American woman offers to buy more baskets when she returns. Will Mehrigul be able to weave more baskets for the American woman? And what effect, if any, will it have on Mehrigul’s family?

This story is as introduction to the Uyghur culture. It addresses the difficulties of people in third world countries. It also shows how difficult it is for girls to become successful and rise above their circumstances. The author included some of the Uyghur language and traditions which make the story feel authentic. Mehrigul’s determination to rise above her circumstances is a good example to all as she never lets her dreams die. This is a good, well written story that girls will enjoy. 

EL, MS-ADVISABLE. Reviewer: PJ

Laugh With the Moon by Shanna Burg - ESSENTIAL

Burg, Shanna Laugh With the Moon, 256 pgs. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2012; $16.99. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G

Clare’s mom has recently died of cancer.  If things aren’t bad enough, her father, a doctor, takes her to Africa for a couple of months to do a service project.  In the beginning, Clare hates living in Africa and feels sorry for herself -- that is, until she meets Memory and her six-year-old little brother, Innocent.  Memory and Innocent lost both mom and dad to sicknesses.  While Clare is going to school, the school master asks Clare to teach English to Innocent’s class because they don’t have enough teachers. One day Clare and her friends decide to go to a lake.  While on the trip, Innocent gets sick. They are unable to make it to the hospital and he dies. Memory is very upset at her brother’s death and Clare feels it is her fault.  At the end of the story, Clare asks Memory how she keeps going when she has lost both parents and her only brother.  She tells Clare “Even the mourner must stop and laugh with the moon.”  By the end of the book, Clare has undergone a lot of personal growth.  

I enjoyed this book. By reading this book, the reader will learn the way African children live, about their education, what they eat, health care, and family life.  I think this book would be good for middle schools and high schools. Because it is easy to read, I recommend it to readers that struggle and ELL students. 

MS – ESSENTIAL, HS-ADVISABLE. Reviewed by M. Duncan

Hide and Seek by Kate Messner-OPTIONAL

Messner, Kate, Hide and Seek.Scholastic Press, 2013. Pgs. 256. Language: G, Violence: G, Seuxal Content: G

Sophie, Henry, and Jose are Silver Jaguar Society members. When an important Silver Jaguar Society artifact is stolen they go to South America to track it down. They are not sure who to trust or what is really happening. With the adults trapped in the USA, it’s up to the 3 three to save the artifact.

With a page-turning adventure filled with lots of treasure seeking, readers will enjoy learning about Costa Rica and its wildlife. With plenty of room left for sequels, this book is good for fans of the 39 Clues series. EL (4-6), MS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

 

Enemy Territory by Sharon McKay-OPTIONAL

McKay, Sharon E., Enemy Territory. Annick Press, 2012. Pgs. 184. Language: PG, Violence: PG. Sexual Content: PG

Sam, an Israeli, and Yusef, a West Bank Palestinian, meet at Hadassah Hospital. Both are recovering from wound inflicted by their own side in a nasty conflict. Yusef has lost one eye and is at risk for losing the other. In an effort to help Yusef achieve his dream, Sam helps Yusef to visit the Holy City. While there, however, the evening’s events reveal really how much distrust and prejudice that exists between the two boys.  Can the two of them learn to put their differences aside?

An adventure filled with action and an accurate depiction of the cultural, religious, and political difference that exist between Israel and Palestine. The theme is overreaching, however, and lacks an engaging quality. Readers, however, who are interested in middle eastern culture and war will enjoy reading this book. MS, HS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Cordially Uninvited by Jennifer Roy -- ADVISABLE

Roy, Jennifer Cordially Uninvited 250 pgs. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012. $15.99. (Content: PG)

Eleven-year-old Claire travels to England for what is supposed to be her favorite cousin's fairy tale wedding to a prince, but Claire has more in mind than her role as a junior bridesmaid in the biggest wedding of the century. She's never met the prince, and is concerned that he may not be good enough for her cousin. Worse, someone is trying to sabotage the wedding. Is it Pandora, the junior bridesmaid with the bad attitude...or someone else? Add in a cute boy and plenty of mishaps as Claire negotiates the customs of a new country, and Cordially Uninvited is a royally fun read.

A cute story with plenty of fancy details thrown in, this book should appeal to fans of weddings, England, and all things royal. Claire is a character to root for, as she genuinely wants what's best for her cousin -- even if it means interrupting the wedding of the century. The romantic elements add a little fun without being over-the-top for the age group.

EL, MG -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by: Caryn

Red Thread Sisters by Carol Peacock - OPTIONAL

Peacock, Carol Antoinette Red Thread Sisters, 231 pgs. Viking, 2012. $15.99. Language: G (0 swears 0 “f”); Mature Content G; Violence G. 

Eleven-year-old Wen has been adopted from a Chinese orphanage, but had to leave her best friend Shu Ling behind. Wen loves America and promised her friend she would find a family for her, too,  but Shu Ling, who has a crippled foot might not get adopted, and time is running out.  

Although the cover picture depicts teenagers, Wen is only 11.  Good information about the Chinese orphanage system, but not much on how those adoptions really work.  This was an enjoyable read, however, the book wasn't memorable.  

EL MS - OPTIONAL  Lisa Media Specialist

The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins by Leslie M.M. Blume –OPTIONAL

Blume, Lesley M.M.  The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington 256 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012. $12.13.  (Rating: G)

A "long lost then found journal" explorer story. Dr. Wellington had accomplished some serious discoveries during his many travels, but after his death, his journal was much delaying in reaching the scientific community. Full of fantastical creatures, like a fossilized vine that still sung to potential victims, to a mysterious little dog type creature that becomes a  pet of sorts, this book doesn’t fall short of creativity.

But it does fall short on plot. It’s just chapter after chapter of a formulaic mini-adversity plus an outlandish discovery. The only threaded plot is the dog! I was more than a bit creeped out by the Dr’s Mother’s voice tagging along in his head, which for me, was reminiscent of Norman Bates. I think students will be really bored by this book –despite its obvious creativity. This book is just too long to keep a reader without more of a plot.

ELEMENTARY, MS –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Zahra's Paradise by Amir and Khalil-OPTIONAL

Amir and Khalil, Zahra’s Paradise. First Second Books, 2011. Pgs. 270. Language; G, Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG-13.

 In June 2009, Tehran, Iran became a bloody place. After an election, as many as 3 million people protested in the streets of Tehran. 73 people were killed during the protests. They were the lucky ones. Hospitals and homes alike were raided for protestors.  On August 11^th, the government announces that 4,000 people were arrested since the elections. 115 were executed. As many as 100 cases of rape were filed, but the Speaker of Parliament dismissed them. Some protestors were never seen again. This book follows the story after the disappearance of the fictional character, Mehdi, and his family’s attempts to find him and shed light on the government’s injustices. Although the characters are not real, they are a compilation of many protestors and their families’ stories.

A gruesome, but accurate depiction of a dark part of Iran’s history. The illustrations are detailed and add a lot to the text. The text is complex and well-written. The additional resources in the back are informative and useful. Although some of the more indigestible violence is not depicted in the illustrations and the book was eye-opening as well as enjoyable to read, I recommend this book only to those who have a strong stomach when it comes to violence. Older readers who like history, historical fiction, graphic novels, and war will like reading this book. HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica M, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Long Story Short by Sioban Parkinson-OPTIONAL

Parkinson, Sioban, Long Story Short. Roaring Brook Press, 2011. Pgs. 151. Language: PG-13 (4 swears, 2 ”f”s), Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG

14-year-old Jonathan and his 8-year-old sister are family. Dad left them and mom turned into an alcoholic. In an attempt to help his sister escape from being beaten anymore by mom, they runaway together. Only Jonathan can’t take care of his sister and tries to drop her off at their father’s home. In the process, he gets caught by the police and charged with the murder of his mother. Jonathan is read to end it all, but a social worker comes to his aid and tells him how much his sister needs him. Can Jonathan find a way to be there for his sister?

The Irish dialect is a little hard to understand and the content is a little hard to take in. The plot, however,  is well-developed and the reader can’t help but feel sympathy for the characters as they come full circle and learn one of the greatest lessons in life. Readers who like books with mature content as found in books by authors like Walter Dean Myers and Laurie Halse Anderson and deal with self-discovery and dysfunctional families will enjoy reading this book. MS, HS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.