Linked by Imogen Howson –ADVISABLE

Howson, Imogen Linked 368 pgs.Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013. $13.19.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG.

Elissa’s life has taken a turn for the worst, unexplained painful symptoms look to be leading to brain surgery. When she discovers the real reason behind her illness, it puts Elissa on a path she never thought she would take. A path that will force her to rely on her brother’s best friend and an uncontrollable girl while running from the government, traveling though space, and discovering heartbreaking secrets.

This was actually a fun sci-fi adventure! Students will enjoy the futuristic setting, the creative plot (though very linear), and the fast pace. The cover art is eye-catching. Teachers will enjoy the lack of swearing and the wholesome romance.

MS -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Hoop Genius by John Coy - ADVISABLE

Coy, John  Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball Illustrated by Joe Morse  Carolrhoda Books, 2013  PICTURE BOOK  $16.95 Content: G.

James Naismith started to teach a rowdy out of control gym class in 1891.  In his attempts to get the boys under control he tried all different kinds of sports, but the boys always played them too rough, so eventually Mr. Naismith came up with the idea of basketball.  The boys liked it so much they wanted to play it all the time.  When they went home for Christmas break the taught all of their friends, and eventually the game of basketball spread. 

This is a simply history of the game of basketball.  The illustrations are perfect and the inside cover has the original rules of basketball printed.  The back cover has a short biography about James Naismith.  This is an interesting book that helps the reader appreciate where basketball came from and how it has developed into the sport that it is today.  This would be fun to use in a physical education class for the unit on basketball. 

EL, MS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Chasing the Skip by Janci Patterson - OPTIONAL

Patterson, Janci  Chasing the Skip, 228 pgs.  Henry Holt and Company, 2012.  $16.99  Content: Language: R (38 swears; 2 “F”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13. 

Ricki’s dad has not been a part of her life until now.  Her mother’s gone to California and told her dad that it’s his turn to watch Ricki.  At the age of fifteen, she can’t imagine anything worse than having to leave her friends and boyfriend to live with her dad who lives out of a travel trailer.  Her dad is a recovering alcoholic and works as a bounty hunter traveling in the Denver area.  When he picks up a seventeen-year-old, Ian, who has jumped bail and has a violent past, Ricki finds herself attracted to him.  In her attempts to figure out her relationship with her dad she makes poor decisions with the skip, Ian. 

This book gave me anxiety.  The main character, Ricki, was super whiney and made poor decisions.  The development of the relationship between Ricki and her father was interesting, but Ricki was hard to like. 

HS-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Beautiful Barbara Comyns

I can't remember if I've already blogged about the beautiful new editions of some Barbara Comyns novels that Virago have brought out, but it bears repeating.  They tend not to send me review copies, and I can't justify buying myself duplicate Comyns books when I have zero income - and I'm not getting rid of my Stanley Spencer covers - so it's pictures off the internet for now... but I'm going to have to find someone to give one of these two, as I hanker to see one in the flesh.  (Hmm... do you think Waterstones would stock them?)

They've reprinted Sisters By A River, The Vet's Daughter, and the inevitable Our Spoons Came From Woolworths.  I don't know why that one clings onto print when it is far from her best, and they neglect gems like The Skin Chairs and Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead, but I'm delighted to see the first two of those reprinted titles.  If you've never tried Comyns, now's your chance - if you like your fiction a little edgy and unsettling, go for The Vet's Daughter; if you're  more a fan of surreal memoir, plump for Sisters By A River.  Here are the new covers - I do hope that 'W Book Club' isn't printed on the book... but I fear it probably is...

The Book Boat's In by Cynthia Cotton - ADVISABLE

Cotton, Cynthia  The Book Boat’s In Illustrated by Frane Lessac Holiday House, 2013.  $16.95  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G. 

Jesse went to town with his father in their horse drawn wagon and was excited to see the book boat was docked.  When he went to the book boat he was thrilled to see that there was a copy of The Swiss Family Robinson because it was his favorite book, but his father couldn’t afford it.  The book seller told Jesse he would be back in a week and to save up.  So Jesse works all week long to buy the book, but is three cents short.  When Jesse gets to the boat, the copy he was hoping to buy of Swiss Family Robinson had been sold, but the book seller had a different and cheaper copy.  Jesse bought his first book and wrote his name it. 

At the end of the book there is a paragraph that explains how the Erie Canal used to have book boats that would make learning and culture available in areas that wouldn’t have normally had assess.  This is a great story that reminds readers to appreciate the availability of books now a days as well as the worth of books.  The illustrations had bright colors and matched the style of the story. 

EL-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles - PUBLIC

Elkeles, Simone  Wild Cards, 290 pgs.  Bloomsbury, 2013.  $17.99  Content: R (148 swears; 30 “F”; 8 God); Mature Content: R (on page sex and crude topics); Violence: PG-13. 

Derek feels unanchored since his mother’s death and his father’s current tour of duty.  After pulling a prank at his private school, he finds himself expelled and living in Chicago with his new young stepmother and her family.  He doesn’t expect to fall for his stepmother’s little sister Ashtyn.  Ashtyn, as a kicker, is the team captain for her high school football team and is dating the star quarterback.  She wants to be annoyed with Derek and the way he has weaseled his way into her circle of friends and the way he takes care of her little nephew, but she also can’t help but be attracted to him.  When Ashtyn’s boyfriend leaves the team to join their rivals, Ashtyn finds herself overwhelmed with the hopelessness of her situation and Derek starts to realize that maybe it’s time to move on from the death of his mother.  

This book is a fast read with teenage drama and romance.  The characters are believable and likable, but the sexual content and language is too much for any school library.  The ending was a bit too perfect and not as realistic as the rest of the book, but overall it was an enjoyable read. 

HS-PUBLIC ONLY.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Book Review: Double Crossed by Ally Carter

Title: Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story

Author: Ally Carter

Series: Heist Society #2.5, Gallagher Girls #5.5

Published January 22nd 2013 by Disney Hyperion

Age: Young Adult

Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.

Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?

The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.

I love the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society series, so a story that combines those two worlds sounded amazing! It didn't disappointed me. It's short but exciting and fun, event when it was a little weird to see Macey and Hale interacting, but they make a good team. I can see them working together in the future :)

Definitely recommended to fans of these series, or if you want to try and see spies and thieves are for you!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.