Wyatt Burp Rides Again (The Adventures of Jo Schmo #2) by Greg Trine -OPTIONAL

Trine, Greg Wyatt Burp Rides Again (The Adventures of Jo Schmo #2) 112 pgs. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013. $12.98.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Jo Schmo is bored, impatient that there are no big crimes to solve. Little does she know that the means girls at school have decided to become super villains! Jo decides to build a time machine and go back in the past to fight the evil Wyatt Burp. His burping powers are going to present a big challenge!

This the second book I have read in this series, and I am not sure that it’s growing on me. The language is choppy and stilted, often really corny too.  I think the cover is unappealing as well.  I wouldn't purchase this one for my school library, I just think there is better options.

EL –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The End of the World (Icky Ricky #2) by Michael Rex –NO

Rex, Michael Toilet Paper Mummy (Icky Ricky #1) 128 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. $4.99.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Here we find Icky Ricky and his friends trying valiantly to re-deliver a pizza mis-delivered to them. But its raining, and they drop it, and they try to remake it. Well it’s a mess and they boys decide to have a funeral. We also meet Icky Rickys toenail collection. Then the boys have some adventure’s on a Cleanup day.

Although this book is better than the first one, I still would choose not to spend money on this series. I wish the author would take the great banter between the boys, the sense of fun, and his creativity –then take it down a notch.

EL –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Toilet Paper Mummy (Icky Ricky #1) by Michael Rex –NO

Rex, Michael Toilet Paper Mummy (Icky Ricky #1) 128 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. $4.99.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Icky Ricky is a boy who very creative when it comes to using food in a variety of ways, many of them really messy, gross, and of course, fun. Will Ricky be able to turn in his homework on cheese slices? Will a half watermelon helmet really work? Is Ricky going to take the fall for the bully Dean’s lost RC car? What about all that canned cheese?

I didn't care for this book. It was like a giant collection of ideas on how to waste food by making a giant mess with it. Although there was some continuing plot lines and decent vocabulary, I didn't feel like they justified purchasing this for a school library –even as entertaining filler.

EL –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

It Jes' Happened by Don Tate -- ADVISABLE

Tate, Don and R. Gregory Christie It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw 32 pgs. Lee & Low Books Inc. 2012. $17.95.

A biography of self-taught artist Bill Traylor. As a former slave, then sharecropper, husband, and father, Traylor saw a lot in his lifetime. Without knowing it, he saved up all his experiences and emotions inside until one day, when he was alone and eighty-five, he sat down and poured everything out in a series of drawings and paintings. Although he saw little to no fame in his own lifetime, and eventually lost heart, his work has recently been rediscovered and finally appreciated.

This is a nice reminder that artists must live life in order to have a creative well to pull from, and an inspiration for those who begin to draw either late in life or without formal training. The text-heavy pages make this one more suitable for older students, perhaps ones who are themselves budding artists. While the illustrations mimic Traylor's style, and his artwork is described several times, the book itself contains only one piece of his work, a small painting on the very last page.

EL, MS -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by: Caryn

Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School by Barbara Park –ESSENTIAL

Park, Barbara Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School 144 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition, 2013. $9.35.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

In this book the famous first grader, Junie B, reveals all her secret school survival advice from school supplies, how to deal with teachers, how to stay out of trouble, homework, and even information about the best color clothes to wear to avoid stains from school lunch!

Students love this series, and reprints are great –since they avoid the older style covers. The glossy pages are fully color illustrated over notebook style paper that students will find very appealing. Junie B.’s quirky personality doesn't fail to come across in her eclectic advice.

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

Matt and Dave Yuck: Yucks Big Booger Challenge by David Sinden –NO

Sinden, David Matt and Dave Yuck: Yucks Big Booger Challenge 112 pgs. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2013. $13.09.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Yuck is obsessed with boogers, especially his own. His mom really wants him to stop picking and eating them and also, to wear clean socks. Yuck comes up with a recipe for the stinkiest stink imaginable. Features many black and white illustrations.

I honestly don’t care if students might love this book, I am the one making the purchases, and this book made me want to vomit. Give me Captain Underpants any day of the week. This book was just trying to top itself over and over again on the gross out factor. I don’t want to give impressionable students any ideas that I or their parents, or both as I get yelled at, will live to regret –especially when it comes to boogers and stinky socks.

EL –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery –OPTIONAL

De Saint-Exupery, Antoine The Little Prince 112 pgs. HMH Books; Reprint edition, 2013. $8.99.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

A 2013 reprint of the classic story of a downed pilot stranded in the desert who meets an unusual little prince.

I can’t for the life of me figure out what makes this re-print necessary. I already have multiple copies of this story in my library, like many of you probably already do.  Just contains the original illustrations, like many editions.

Elementary, MS –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.