Dive In! by Cassie Winters-OPTIONAL

Waters, Cassie, Dive In! Simon and Schuster, 2012. Pgs. 144. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

After spending Memorial Day weekend with her friends at Riverside Swim Club, Grace decides she wants to join. The diving boards are awesome and so are the hot guys. The only problem is that her parents refuse to pay for the membership. They promise to sign her up, however, if she comes up with the membership fees. Summer is only two weeks away. Can Grace come up with the money in time for summer?

A fun chick-lit book for reluctant reader girls. The characters are likable enough and the plot is easy enough to follow. Readers who like realistic fiction, chick-lit, and humor will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Diary of a Parent Trainer by Jenny Smith-OPTIONAL

Smith, Jenny, Diary of a Parent Trainer. Delacorte Press, 2012. Pgs. 312. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G


Having trouble with that grownup in your life? This guide is for you. Told partially through story and partially through information, readers will learn how to understand grownups and their strange behavior, predict their moves, and operate them to their best advantage.

A great book for Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries fans. Although there aren’t any illustrations, the text is humorous and interesting to read. The narrator of the text is an ideal representation of a teenager. Readers who like realistic fiction and humor will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

TeenBoat by Dave Roman and John Green-ADVISABLE

Roman, Dave and Green, John, TeenBoat. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. GRAPHIC NOVEL.

Teen Boat is a boy who can turn into a boat and everyone at school knows it. Can he find a way to balance school and being a boat?

The illustrations are colorful and entertaining. The text is easy to read and entertaining. The main character is easy to like and sympathize with. Reluctant and avid readers who like graphic novels and realistic fiction will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

The Council of Mirrors by Michael Buckley-ADVISABLE

Buckley, Michael, The Council of Mirrors. Amulet Books, 2012. Pgs. 333. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G

Sabrina, Daphne, and all the other Grimms are fighting for the freedom of Ferryport Landing. As war rips through the town, the Grimms join forces with former foes to stop the Scarlet Hand once and for all. There’s a secret out there to defeating the Scarlet Hand, but will they find it in time?

An action-filled, satisfying ending to The Sisters Grimm series. The characters are true to their original personalities, they’re likable, and fun to read about. The plot is well-developed and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Readers who have liked the other books in the series and like fantasy, adventure, and mystery will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Able to Play by Glenn Stout-ADVISABLE

Stout, Glenn, Able to Play. Hougton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Pgs. 88. INFORMATION


Mordecai Brown lost most of a finger in a farming accident. Ron Santo suffered from diabetes, Jim Abbott only had one arm, and Curtis Pride was deaf. What did these men have in common? They were all great baseball players. Learn how they overcame some of the greatest physical challenges to become one of baseball greats.

Inspirational and informative. The layout is well-done. The stories are easy to follow. The additional information in the back adds a lot to the text as well with the players’ stats and additional source information. Readers who like sports and/or inspirational stories will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Cheesie Mack: Is Cool in a Duel by Steve Cotler-ADVISABLE

Cotler, Steve, ill. by Adam McCauley. Cheesie Mack: Is Cool in a Duel. Random House, 2012. Pgs. 227. Language; G, Violence:: PG, Sexual Content: G


Cheesie and Georgie are off to their favorite summer camp. When they get there, however, they are put in the Big Guy campers cabin with their archenemy, Kevin Welch. Now the youngest and smallest of the Big Guy campers, Cheesie has to find a way to fight wits against Kevin’s brawn. Will he find a way to make his summer the best summer ever and get Kevin to stop bullying him?

A funny, adventure-filled story for Wimpy Kid fans. The characters are likable and entertaining. The plot moves at a good pace and keeps the reader entertained with its large amount of humor. Readers who like realistic fiction and humor will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Can I Just Take a Nap? by Ron Rauss-ADVISABLE

Rausss, Ron, Can I Just Take a Nap? Simon and Schuster, 2012, PICTURE BOOK


Aiden is trying to take a nap, but the more he tries to find a quiet place to sleep, the more he realizes how noisy everything is, even the library! Can Aiden find a quiet place to sleep.

Cute rhyming text with fun, colorful pictures to with it. Young children who like stories in rhyme or cute bedtime stories will enjoy reading this book. PreK, EL (K-3). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.