Invasion of the Dognappers by Patrick Jennings –NOT RECOMMENDED

Jennings, Patrick Invasion of the Dognappers 208 pgs. EgmontUSA, 2012. $13.47.  (Rating: G)

Logan is sure that all the missing dogs in the neighborhood are being kidnapped by aliens. They disappear but their collars and leases stay behind. He gathers a team and together they do research –even using Logan’s own dog as “bait”. After they accused an immigrant from Greece, they end up adding his son to their team. After Logan’s accuses another suspect, things don’t go as expected.

I thought this book was poorly written and cheesy. I was rolling my eyes by the second page. The characters are not well developed and the dialogue is stilted and awkward. The cover looks dated and unappealing –which is a big negative in student choice of books. Parts of the plot are really boring, yet are long and drawn out. I don’t think students will take much interest in this book.

ELEMENTARY –NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

A Little Bitty Man and Other Poems for the Very Young by Halfdan Rasmussen - ADVISABLE

Rasmussen, Halfdan and Kevin Hawkes. Translated by Marilyn Nelson and Pamela Espeland. A Little Bitty Man and Other Poems for the Very Young. 29 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2011. $15.99. PICTURE BOOK.

A collection of poems, some humorous (in the vein of Shel Silverstein) and others straight nursery rhymes. Occasional absurd situations and potty humor are designed to earn some giggles. The colorful illustrations nicely complement the content and tone of each poem and may even earn a few chuckles of their own.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE. Reviewed by: Caryn.

Anyway by Arthur Salm –ADVISABLE

Salm, Arthur Anway: A Story about me with 138 footnotes, 27 exaggerations, and 1 plage of spaghetti 192 pgs. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012. $10.87.  (Rating: PG –Underage Drinking)

Max is not excited to go to a family style summer camp. But when he make a split second decision to pretend to be a bolder version of himself –“Mad Max”. He discovers that being cool is much easier and he has a great time. When he gets home, back to his job at his family’s women’s clothing store, and his real friends –well he can’t quite be Mad Max. Who can he be?

I loved this book! The author did an amazing job capturing that hazy area between being a child and being a tween. Max is slowly discovering who he is, and it’s a great kid who is fun, interesting, and has heart. The quirky inclusion of footnotes make a great example for an “intrusive narrator”, which was fun. I also enjoyed the flow of the story –memories mixed with interesting tidbits and real life events. Very well written. Students will relate to Max, but also be entertained –and might just learn something accidently.

MS–ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Beware the Ninja Weenies: and other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar –NOT RECOMMENDED

Lubar, David Beware the Ninja Weenies: and other Warped and Creepy Tales 192 pgs. Starscape, 2012. $11.67.  (Rating: PG)

A series of short creepy stories. Most of them end in some macabre or twisted way. For example, a bully gets his just desserts when his victim comes up with a twisted plot to get revenge. After being forced to buy and give him soda after soda, the boy gives the bully his extra sticky old Caramel/toffee –which sticks his mouth closed. On the next ride they go on –it fizzes up and has no place to go. Ends up pretty violent.

I hated this book. I don’t mind a few twilight zone endings but most of this was gross, stupid, or just plain horrifying. Well, I know that sounds like the perfect recipe for students –but this book didn’t have heart. Part of what makes stories really scary and creepy is bonding a bit with the characters first. These stories don’t provide that and are not well written -just cold and angular. See the Deadtime Stories series if you want some better supernatural and/or scary stories.

ELEMENTARY–NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Cupcake Diaries: Katie and the Cupcake War (Book 9) by Coco Simon –ADVISABLE

 Simon, Coco Cupcake Diaries: Katie and the Cupcake War (Book 9) 160 pgs. Simon Spotlight, 2012. $5.99.  (Rating: G)

Katie is shocked when she finds out her former friend Callie (and her snobby club) are going to enter the school fundraiser contest with a cupcake stand. Everyone knows that Katies and her friends are the Cupcake Club –experts at what they do. Now the girls must come up with something extra creative to stand out. Katie is thrown into a situation where she must spend time with Callie –will the girls iron out their differences?

I have reviewed a few of the books in this series now and I still really like it. I think the character development is fun and the story lines are simple but really entertaining. The only thing is that the girls are allegedly in middle school –but this reads like a book for 3^rd -4^th graders to me, and the characters act that age too -so keep that in mind. Cupcakes are still going strong in popularity –so this might be a fun series to add to your collection.

ELEMENTARY–ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Ivy & Bean: Make the Rules (Book 9) by Annie Barrows –ESSENTIAL

Barrows, Annie and Illustrated by Blackall, Sophie Ivy & Bean: Make the Rules (Book 9) 127 pgs. Chronicle Books, 2012. $10.19.  (Rating: G)

Bean is too young to go to camp with her older sister Nancy. So Bean & Ivy decide to make their own camp, at the same park, with similar activities. They set up a tent and eventually their creative antics get the attention of other kids at the park. Camp Flaming Arrow causes mischief galore –from invading the park as zombies to tap dancing so loud on a tin bucket that Bean’s mom can hear all the way from home!

This was a fantastic book! I know that this series is wildly popular with the students but this was my first time reading. The characters are memorable, quirky, and well written. The story was constantly surprising me with its creativity and fun. I was entertained and I just know that students will be too –maybe even inspired!

EL, ELEMENTARY–ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Heidi Heckelbeck: Gets Glasses (Book 5) by Wanda Coven –OPTIONAL

Coven, Wanda and Illustrated by Burris, Priscilla Heidi Heckelbeck: Gets Glasses (Book 5) 128 pgs. Little Simon, 2012. $4.99.  (Rating: G)

Heidi is envious when her friend at school, Lucy, gets glasses. So Heidi lies her way into a pair of her own. But they hurt to her eye's to wear and it causes her no end of trouble and accidental mischief. Especially when magic is involved.

I was liking this book quite a bit until the magic part came in. I am a first time reader of this series so I didn’t know about it beforehand.  Almost the whole book happens, with no mention of magic, then when Heidi goes to an aunt's house and gets into some magical trouble -well suddenly Heidi is in a witch family! It was awkward as can be. It was like that part was written by a different author and the two didn't fit together. If the series is popular at your school –well this was a fun book and easy to read. I can’t say I would pick up the whole series based on this book though.

EL, ELEMENTARY–OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.