The BOO! Book by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer - ESSENTIAL

Lachenmeyer, Nathaniel The BOO! Book, illustrated by Nicoletti Ceccoli.  Atheneu (Simon), 2012.  PICTURE BOOK.  $18.  

How do you know if you are reading a haunted book?  This handy tell-all book will give you all the clues you need.  

You need to read this book for the valuable information, but also for the gorgeous, clever illustrations!  Talk about multi-medium creations – I love them!  And I find the info very handy, because if I get sucked into a haunted book, I am happy to know I might be set free if I read to the resident ghosties!  

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

A quick Lady Into Fox plea...

I know a few readers will have this - does anybody have a mid-sixties Norton edition, which comes with an author's note by David Garnett?  If yes, and you'd be happy to photocopy or type it out for me, please comment or email simondavidthomas[at]yahoo.co.uk - thanks a million!  (Usual library sources have failed me, so I'm crowd-sourcing...)

EDIT: thanks to lovely Sheila, who found it and typed it out for me!

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris - ESSENTIAL

Harris, Rachel My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century. 260 pgs. Entangled Teen, 2012. $9.99. Language: PG (only a few very minor swears), Sexual Content: PG-13, Violence: PG.

The last thing Cat wants is the giant sweet sixteen bash her soon-to-be stepmother insists on throwing in her honor. The daughter of a flighty movie star mom and ultra-famous movie director dad, she has had more than enough of the spotlight. But when a young gypsy sends her back to sixteenth century Florence, Italy, her birthday bash is the least of her problems. Armed with only a backpack filled with contraband twenty-first century items, she must learn how to fit into this new world and try not to fall in love with a boy who shares her artistic talents. But when she finds herself fending off the advances of a creepy, much-older suitor who is bent on making Cat his wife, she might just want her old life back after all.

How nice to find a story that tells a fun tale in a teen voice without relying on overt sexuality or swearing. Girls who are looking for a sweet romance with a hint of the supernatural should find something to love in this one. Only one warning: A cliffhanger at the end makes it clear that there is at least one follow-up to Harris's debut novel.

MS - ADVISABLE, HS - ESSENTIAL. Reviewed by: Caryn

Stuck-in-a-Book's Weekend Miscellany

Another rainy weekend here, I think - but I'll be at work on Saturday anyway, so I feel a bit better about it... hope you have something planned!

1.) The link - is shameless.  I discovered @EmergencyPuppy - basically lots of very cute photos of animals (not just puppies).  If you want a taster, here is the one captioned 'Here is my ball, perhaps you would like it?'

2.) The blog post - I've never entirely worked out how Slaves of Golconda works, or where they got their curious name from, but lovely blogger Danielle has chosen lovely book Crewe Train by lovely author Rose Macaulay for their next group read - ergo, a whole heap of lovely.  Some info here. Discussion starts November 17th, and if you need further persuasion, my review of the novel is here.

3.) The book - came the other day, was left in the living room, picked up by my housemate - and then I heard lots of helpless laughter the other side of the wall!  Just My Typo, kindly sent my Hodder and Stoughton, is a collection of amusing typos from literature, signs, text messages, newspapers, etc... on the first page is a taster of what's to come: "Barney" by Rudge - $1.50.  It's an 19th century American advert... think about it...

Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh by R.L. LaFevers-ADVISABLE

LaFevers, R.L., Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh. Houghton Mifflin, 2011. Pgs. 394. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G


When Theodosia goes to Egypt to return the Emerald Tablet-an artifact embedded with ancient secrets-to prevent the artifact among with some others from falling into the hands of the Serpents of Chaos. While there, she decides to discover the truth about her birth. While doing all that, she incurs the notice of two secret organizations. The rightful guardians of the artifacts she’s returning and another organization bent on world conquest. Both do not like her and would rather see her out of Egypt by any means. In a world where children are believed that they should be seen and not heard, her only hope to not suffering the wrath of the two organizations is to uncover the truth about her existence and to conquer the magic that she can control within her before it’s too late. Will she succeed?

A fun read for fans of Egyptian mythology. The heroine is quirky and entertaining. The plot is well-developed, engaging, and filled with action. The illustrations are detailed and fun to look at. Readers who have liked the other three books and enjoy adventure, action, ancient secrets, and other thing like Indiana Jones will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough-ESSENTIAL

MacCullough, Carolyn, Always a Witch. Clarion, 2011. Pgs. 288. Language: PG, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: PG


16-year-old Tamsin Greene has finally found her Talent, but she still feels set apart from her family. When Tamsin discovers that Alistair Knight, her enemy from Once A Witch (Clarion, 2009), has traveled back in time to destroy the Greene family, she follows him back in time to the mid-1800s. That part’s easy, the return part, not so much. To make matters worse, she ends up a handmaid in the Knight household, where maids have a very low life expectancy. As she tries to master her talent, she finds herself facing the reality of her grandmother’s prophecy. Can Tamsin keep herself alive to stop Alistair from destroying her family? Will she ever find a way back to her time?

The story is entertaining and the dialogue is clever. The characters are interesting and believable. With plot twists along the way and some sinister characters you love to hate, this gripping read is a must for fans of time travel, action, and mystery. Although it is recommended to read the first one, the second one can be read as a stand-alone novel as well. MS, HS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Hunter and the Eye of Ends by Christopher and Allan Miller-ADVISABLE

Miller, Christopher and Miller, Allan, Hunter and the Eye of Ends. Warner Press, 2011. Pgs. 381. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G


When Hunter Brown wakes up, he finds himself in a hospital with no memory of his last trip to Solandria. With the help of an intimidating detective, Hunter goes in search of his father in Solandria and tries to piece together the ever-growing puzzle of his family’s past and his missing father. Time, however, is not on his side and he’s being chase from all sides. To make matters worse, a Watcher is following him and wants Hunter’s missing father and what he possesses. Can Hunter find his father and regain his memory in time to stop the Watcher?

The book is scary and funny all at the same time. The writing is unique. The characters are likable and easy to sympathize with. The plot is well-developed and has a good pace that keeps the reader captivated. Readers who have read the first two in the series and enjoy fantasy, adventure, and mystery will enjoy reading this book. EL (5-6), MS. ADVISABLE Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.