Wild Song by Jane Eagland-OPTIONAL

Eagland, Jane, Wild Song Stoke Books, 2013. Pgs. 69. Language; G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

 Anna, her father, her father’s assistant, and two servants live on an island. These are the only people Anna has known in her entire life. Her education is limited to topics and subjects devoid of the world and one person sneaks her secret books that her father doesn’t know about. Then, one day she sees a boy wash up on shore and her father’s assistant, Ax trying to push him back into the ocean. What is really happening? Why is she so sheltered? Who should she trust?

Although the characters are interesting enough and the author does a good job of keeping the reader wondering what is going, the story lacks a full plot. Hi-Lo readers interested in mysteries, however, may still enjoy this book. MS, HS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Toothiana: Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies by William Joyce

 Joyce, William. Toothiana: Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies. Atheneum, 2012. Pgs. 226. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

 The Children of Santoff Claussen are starting to relax since there is no sign of Pitch since the last battle. When Katherine loses a tooth, the children learn the origin of Toothiana, the Tooth Fairy. But , soon Kaherine is missing. Toothiana, the other guardians, and the children must rescue Katherine.

 This third installment is truly captivating and further developed the Guardians and the character of Katherine, Nightlight , and the overall story. Followers of the books and the movie will love this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Olympus Jr. High.

The Girl Games by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams-OPTIONAL

Holub, Joan, and Suzanne Williams, The Girl Games. Aladdin, 2012. Pgs. 306. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

It’s the first annual Heraean Games in honor of Zeus’ new wife, Hera. Things aren’t going quite as planned, however. Artemis is having trouble finishing the final plans for the Goddess Games as well as keeping her crush, Actaeon from falling for another other archery opponent. Athena has her hands full trying to figure out why a boy named Bellerophon keeps trying to ride her father’s winged horse, Pegasus. Aphrodite and Persephone keep fighting over Adonis, a kitten the two found and are trying to keep hidden from the school’s principal, Zeus. Can the girls’ friendship stay together while pulling off the games? Will the girls be able to keep their kitten?

The plot in this book is thin and there’s very little character growth, but reluctant reader girls who have read the other Goddess Girls books and like mythology and school drama will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Welcome to Pixie Hollow by Disney Enterprise

Glass, Calliope, Welcome to Pixie Hollow. Disney Press, 2012. INFORMATION, PICTURE BOOK. Pgs. 140.

Welcome to Pixie Hollow: a place filled with magical creatures, each one unique. In this book, you’ll find a description of each of your favorite fairies and maybe even make a few new favorites. The information looks daunting at first, but is just the right amount to feed a fairy obsessor. The illustrations are in abundance and are bright and cheerful. A cute, information book for preschoolers and early elementary students who like Disney’s fairies.  PreK, EL (K-3), ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan - ESSENTIAL

Riordan, Rick  The Serpent’s Shadow, 406 p. Disney/Hyperion, 2012. $20.  Content: PG (LOTS of danger). 

The Kane siblings are in trouble.  Not only is Aphosis determined to plunge the entire world into darkness, but there is major dissension among the House of Life magicians – in fact, there may be treason.  The siblings best bet, besides their trustworthy friends, is a ancient, evil magician, who has ulterior motives for helping them.  And we can’t forget, Sadie Kane is faced with major heartbreak – no matter whether she chooses the god or the boy, someone will probably get hurt.  The Kanes have TWO days to save the world.  Riordan manages to weave danger, suspense and humor together into a rollicking ride.  My favorite is the giant hippo tossing, however, I snorted out loud many times during the reading.  Sadie is not nearly as insufferable as she was at the beginning and there are lots of great surprises. 

EL, MS, HS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate by K.S.R. Kingworth-ADVISABLE

Kingworth, K.S.R., Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador’s Gate. Rawle and Windsor, 120. Pgs. 475. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G


Each hoomin is born with a secret speaker behind their Adam’s Apple. They see everything you see and record your life. In this novel, Fair’s secret keeper and many others are retelling a tale of great importance. Many eons ago, the gods placed the hoomin in Grave to learn like you were in a school. Selador chose to help teach them and lead them the right direction back towards the gods. His brother, Relathin was cast out for his lack of cooperation as well as all of his followers. They seek to retake Cloven Grave and control all the hoomin. To do so, we see Harrold King, the evil king of Cloven grave who taxes to the hilt to feed his fat, ugly self.

Fair has been in hiding for the last nine years. Nine years ago, the king took her brother, Hale and all the other children around her age due to a dream the king had of someone her age usurping his evilness and being the right ruler, a Zothiker. Now, Fair has turned thirteen and believed to be untouchable by the king. When Harrold comes to her village in Cloven Grave, Fair has his first encounter with him. There, she barely escapes with her life and the king takes her beloved dog. She and Harrold also have an encounter with Telthrys, the head goddess. Fair is told that if she can find Selador and his gate, she can find her missing family and dog, save her people and restore the right power to the throne, but Relathin is backing Harrold and wants the throne for himself. Can Fair save her people from the evil king and restore balance to Cloven Grave?

The language of the Secret Speakers is hard to understand at first, but becomes easier throughout the book. The characters are well-developed and likable, even the evil king. The plot moves slow at first and drags in places, but is adventurous and filled with lots of things that will hold the reader’s interest. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and mythology will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Service Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce and Laura Geringer-ADVISABLE

Joyce , William, and Geringer, Laura, Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King. Athenueum, 2011. Pgs. 560. Lanugage: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G


When a master wizard named Ombric and the families around them are under attack, Nicholas St. North comes to the rescue. But, they have only fought off the first round with Pitch and his ancient evil henchmen. More help is needed. Will their village survive.

The illustrations are amazing and detailed. Book one of the guardians is packed with adventure and ancient lore as we are introduce to some of the characters we already love and just don’t know it. Readers who like magic, fantasy, and hero books will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE.

Artemis the Brave by Joan Holub-ESSENTIAL

Holub, Joan, Artemis the Brave. Aladdin, 2010. pgs. 240. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

Artemis is know by her friends for being brave and a great huntress. To her brother, Apollo she’s not only a friend but a friend in arms. When a mortal named Orion comes to school and catches her eye, she starts to think that she might be able to have a boyfriend too. Orion, however, is making everyone at the school mad and keeps trying to rewrite Principal Zeus’ play to fit his image of what a lead role should be. Could Artemis have made an error in judging Orion?

A great novel for anyone who likes mythological fiction. The characters are likable and recognizable figures in Greek Mythology. The plot does a good job of holding the reader’s interest. The story is easy to relate to even though they are mythology characters. Readers who like realistic fiction, mythology, fantasy, and school stories will enjoy reading it. EL (4-6), MS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Service Librarian, WHI Public Library.