Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn - OPTIONAL

Weyn, Suzanne  Invisible World, 240 pgs.  Scholastic Press, 2012.  $17.99  Content: Language: G; Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.  

Elsabeth comes from a long line of magical women and she can see people’s thoughts and memories.  Her nanny and her father have always encouraged her to use and control her powers and they decide to go in a ship to America to use her gifts to make advancements in science.  However, as the ship crosses the waters there is a horrible storm off the coast of Bermuda and the ship goes down.  Elsabeth survives, but is unsure if her family has made it as well.  After three days at sea, she washes up on the beach on a plantation and is revived through the help of a young black slave named Aakif.  Elsabeth and Aakif eventually find themselves in Salem, Massachusetts in the thick of the Salem Witch Trials.  With Elsabeth’s powers as a witch, she falls under suspicion and she can also see the evil that is at play in the community.  

I didn’t like this book for many reasons.  First, the front cover proclaims that the book is a novel of the Salem Witch Trials, but this book muddies the facts.  Second, the story is full of adventure and moves along quickly, but it doesn’t spend a lot of time on character development so the characters aren’t very endearing.  Third, the ending was too neat and tidy and not realistic to the times, it was as though the author wanted a happy ending and so she forced one.  Also, it is Satanically dark for the age level it would appeal to.  

MS-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Yummy! Good Food Makes Me Strong! by Rotner - ADVISABLE

Rotner, Shelley Yummy! Good Food Makes Me Strong! PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2013.  $16.95. Content: G. 

This picture book provides photographs of children eating healthy foods and giving tips on what parents should give their children for the most nutrition. Although the pictures of the children enjoying their food are very adorable, I felt pretty bored by this book.  It was a little too lengthy for the younger children that I think this would be best suited for and it didn’t provide enough “new” information on food combinations or meal planning to be very engaging for older children or parents.  Format is cute, but delivery is a bit ho-hum. 

Pre K-K -ADVISABLE. Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian

Light in the Darkness by Lesa Cline-Ransome-ADVISABLE

Cline-Ransome, Lesa, ill. by James Ransome, Light in the Darkness. Disney Press, 2013. PICTURE BOOK.

Slaves during the 19^thcentury were forbidden from learning to read. Some slaves were taught in secret by their masters, but others risked everything to learn in secret from those who already knew how to read and write. If they were caught, they would suffer severe punishment. Here is just one example of many stories.

The pictures are a little dark, but are detailed, enjoyable, and complement the text. The story is well-written and would appeal to older students. Recommended for use in classroom or for older readers interested in slavery. EL (3-6), MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-Li Liang-ADVISABLE

Jiang, Ji-Li, Red Kite, Blue Kite. Disney Press, 2013. PICTURE BOOK.

Tai Shan and his father, Baba loved to fly kites. Tai-Shan would fly his red kite while his father would fly his red. One day, armed men with red armbands ransack their village, destroying many stores and taking many away to work in labor camps. Since he has no other family, he’s sent to live with a farmer named Granny Wang in a village near his father’s labor camp. Although they are far apart, the two find a secret way to communicate.

Based on a true story, this book will inspire and delight. The pictures are colorful, detailed, and complement the text well. The story is a little long, but still manages to keep the reader’s interest. Elementary students who are interested in Chinese culture and history will enjoy reading this book. EL (K-3), EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Meet the Marvel Superheroes by Scott Peterson-ADVISABLE

Peterson, Scott, ill. by Olliffe, Pat, Meet the Marvel Superheroes. Marvel, 2013. Pgs. 144. INFORMATION.

Who is Wolverine? Spiderman? Iron Man? How did they become superheroes? Learn about these superheroes and more of the Marvel heroes in this guide to Marvel.

The layout is colorful, well-done, and eye-catching. The text is simple enough for younger kids to enjoy, but enough information to keep any superhero fan’s interest. Readers and young children will enjoy marveling at their favorite superheroes. Recommended for most library collection. PreK, EL (K-3), EL(4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Little Sweet Potato by Amy Beth Bloom-ADVISABLE

Bloom, Amy Beth, ill. by Jones, Noah Z., Little Sweet Potato. Katherine Tegen Books, 2012. PICTURE BOOK.

When Sweet Potato gets his first look at the world, he feels a shaking and a rumbling coming from the ground. Soon he finds himself dislodged from home and trying to find his way back. Will he succeed?

A cute read aloud for young children. The pictures are colorful, eye-catching, and complement the text well. The text is easy to follow and catches one’s interest. Readers and young children who like books about gardens, farms, and vegetables will enjoy reading this book. PreK, EL (K-3). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, W HI Public Library.

Sirens by Jane Fox –OPTIONAL

Fox, Janet Sirens 384 pgs.Speak, 2012. $9.99.  Content: Language: G (0 swears);  Mature Content: PG13 ;  Violence: PG13.

Josephine wants to finish school, but just before that happens, her dad makes her stay with rich relatives in New York City. Right away she is approached by a gangster asking, insisting, and threatening for information about her “dead” brother Teddy. As she delays, Josephine experiences 1920’s NYC flapper style, going to speakeasy’s, meeting writers, and crushing on a cute musician. (Yet remaining pure and unscathed by the decadence of the time). But time is up, bad things start happening, and she must makes some tough decisions.

Everything needed to make this book great is here, the setting, the plot, the characters, and the writing. But stretch those out and hash over the same stuff over and over and it became really boring.  Though the style and voice are mostly pretty genuine, I couldn’t help but laugh (and do comedic read-alouds for friends) at the dramatic yet incredibly hilarious cheesy climax of the story.

HS -OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.