GUIDE BOOK TO GIFT BOOKS AN ANNOTATED LIST OF BOOKS FOR YOUTH 2012

T’S HARD TO IMAGINE FINER GIFTS THAN BOOKS—they o!er enjoyment, knowledge, and artistic stimulation. "ey’re also gifts that go on giving without requiring any upkeep or cleanup, they’re a cinch to wrap, and they’re easily sent through the mail! IAll of these titles have been reviewed in the Bulletin, so they’ve been recommended by profes- sionals. All were in print in the U.S. at the time of this guide’s compilation, so they should be either in stock or quickly available through a special order from bookstores both brick-and- mortar and virtual.

You know your recipient better than we do, of course, so you’re the best judge of a title’s suitability and promise for an individual reader. We’ve included A LOOK INSIDE a broad range of styles, genres, subjects, and chal- lenge levels (roughly divided by audience age), so PICTURE BOOKS ...... 2 whether you’re looking for a cheerful picture book, an absorbing non#ction title, or a pulse-pounding novel, there will be something here for the young BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS person on your gift-book list. GR. 1-3, 6-8 YRS ...... 8

While titles are sorted into four categories accord- BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS ing to their most likely use—picture books for read- GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS ...... 13 ing aloud to youngsters, books for primary-grades readers, books for middle-grades readers, and young adult titles—neither books nor readers are so eas- BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS ily categorizable, so we’ve included age/grade-range GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS ...... 20 designations to help you get an idea of just who in that category is a title’s likeliest audience. And since many books reach across category borders but could only be included once, you’ll want to check the next category younger for titles whose audience stretches up into the higher age range.

—Deborah Stevenson, Editor

A Publication of the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science 501 E. Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6211 PICTURE BOOKS &

BARNETT, MAC Extra Yarn; illus. by Jon Klassen. Balzer & Bray, 2011. BILDNER, PHIL !e Hallelujah Flight; illus. by John Holy#eld. $16.99 5-8 yrs Putnam, 2010. $16.99 5-8 yrs "e gentle, folkloric premise of a never-ending stash of yarn partners With tall-tale aplomb, this #ctionalized account retraces the historic with slyly comic illustrations for a winning combination that will 1932 $ight by the # rst African-American pilot to $y across the appeal to both aspiring knitters and jokesters alike. continental United States.

BINGHAM, KELLY Z Is for Moose; illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. BROACH, ELISE Gumption!; illus. by Richard Egielski. Atheneum, Greenwillow, 2012. $16.99 3-7 yrs 2010. $16.99; e-book $12.99 5-8 yrs In this cleverly silly staging of an alphabetical pageant, an endearingly A young boy accompanies his explorer uncle on an arduous African goofy moose disrupts the order in a book that works both as funny safari and gets some much-needed assistance from a few friendly alphabet book and comic story. jungle creatures in this vibrantly illustrated tale replete with hapless adults and mischievous animals.

BUITRAGO, JAIRO Jimmy the Greatest; illus. by Rafael Yockteng. Groundwood, 2012. $18.95; e-book $18.95 5-8 yrs In Jimmy’s small town in Latin America, there’s nowhere to go but church and the boxing gym, and Jimmy’s embrace of boxing allows him to #nd himself and, as he grows up, to #nd a way to give back to his town; easygoing comic-style art is accessible yet subtly detailed.

BURNINGHAM, JOHN !ere’s Going to be a Baby; illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick, 2010. $16.99 4-6 yrs A little boy discusses what the future holds for his new baby sibling in this imaginative and cozy tale perfectly suited for expectant big brothers or sisters.

BLACKALL, SOPHIE Are You Awake?; written and illus. by Sophie CAMPBELL, K.G. Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters; written and illus. by K.G. Blackall. Henry Holt, 2011. $12.99 3-6 yrs Campbell. Kids Can, 2012. $16.95 6-9 yrs Sleepless toddlers (and their sleepy parents) will be all too familiar Kids who have been secretly horri#ed by their relative’s attempts at with the give-and-take of little Edward’s attempts to keep his mom DIY gifts will greatly appreciate this ready-made tale of one youngster awake for some nighttime mischief. who #nds an ingenious fate for his aunt’s less than welcome knitted creations. BOTTNER, BARBARA Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I Don’t); illus. by Michael Emberley. Knopf, 2010. $17.99; e-book $10.99 5-7 yrs CLARK, EMMA CHICHESTER, ad. Goldilocks and the !ree Bears; ad. "is sparkling, funny tale of a reluctant reader who comes to embrace and illus. by Emma Chichester Clark. Candlewick, 2010. $14.99 2-5 the wonder of the library is pleasingly free of the heavy-handed yrs messaging of most pro-librarian titles. British illustrator Clark breathes new life into the classic tale in her delicious, spirited, yet respectful adaptation. BROWN, MONICA Waiting for the Biblioburro; illus. by John Parra. Tricycle, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs COLE, BROCK !e Money We’ll Save; written and illus. by Brock Cole. In this picture book based on a real Colombian librarian’s work, Ana Ferguson/Farrar, 2012. $16.99 6-9 yrs is thrilled when a librarian rides into her rural Colombian village with In this enjoyable period tale, the live turkey that’s supposed to end two donkeys and a portable collection of books that feed her hungry up as the family’s Christmas dinner causes mayhem in their tenement imagination. house—and becomes too much of a pet to be eaten; Cole’s cozily rumpled watercolors are rich with light-hearted warmth. BROWNE, ANTHONY How Do You Feel?; written and illus. by Anthony Browne. Candlewick, 2012. $14.99 3-6 yrs COMPESTINE, YING CHANG Crouching Tiger; illus. by Yan Nascimbene, Vivid watercolor and gouache art featuring an overalled child-proxy Candlewick, 2011. $16.99 6-9 yrs chimp expressively illustrates moods such as “happy,” “angry,” and A young boy #nds it di%cult to connect with his visiting Chinese “shy.” grandfather until he realizes that Grandpa’s a cool and admirable guy; streamlined watercolor illustrations include diagrams of tai chi poses. BRYAN, ASHLEY Who Built the Stable?: A Nativity Poem; written and illus. by Ashley Bryan. Atheneum, 2012. $16.99 4-7 yrs COOPER, ELISHA Beaver Is Lost; written and illus. by Elisha Cooper. "is engaging Nativity verse focuses on the young boy whose father Schwartz & Wade, 2010. $17.99 4-7 yrs built the stable in which Joseph, Mary, and child shelter; legendary Luminous watercolors tell the story in this nearly wordless picture illustrator Bryant’s radiant celebratory art is both fantastical and book that follows a young beaver as he takes a detour through the inviting. hustle and bustle of the big city. PICTURE BOOKS (

CORDELL, MATTHEW Another Brother; written and illus. by Matthew GEISERT, ARTHUR Ice. Enchanted Lion, 2011. $14.95 5-9 yrs Cordell. Feiwel, 2012. $16.99 4-6 yrs An intricately illustrated, wordless picture book recounts the e!orts of Expectant siblings will appreciate this absurd story of Davy the sheep an industrious colony of pigs as they attempt to obtain and use a giant and his ever-expanding family; even only-children will chuckle over iceberg to cool o!. the ridiculously plump and pop-eyed sheep that #ll the over-the-top illustrations. GIBBS, EDWARD Little Bee; written and illus. by Edward Gibbs. LB Kids/Little, 2012. $8.99 2-4 yrs CUNNANE, KELLY Chirchir Is Singing; illus. by Jude Daly. Schwartz & Vivid saturated colors and high-action line distinguishes the Wade, 2011. $17.99 5-8 yrs illustrations in this lively rhyming board book, where a little bee is Life in a rural Kenyan village is lyrically depicted in this cozy, touching only the #rst in a sequence of several critters $eeing from a pursuing tale of one girl’s e!orts to help out her family. animal.

CZEKAJ, JEF Cat Secrets; written and illus. by Jef Czekaj. Balzer + Bray, 2011. $16.99 3-6 yrs Youngsters have to prove their feline prowess before the furry narrators of this book will let them explore the extra-special, super-secret book of cat secrets.

DALY, CATHLEEN Prudence Wants a Pet; illus. by Stephen Michael King. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2011. $16.99 6-9 yrs "ere’s poker-face humor galore in this tale of plucky Prudence, who when her parents forbid her a pet tries out creative alternatives such as a Branch (named Branch).

HARPER, CHARISE MERICLE Pink Me Up; written and illus. by DODD, EMMA I Love Bugs!; written and illus. by Emma Dodd. Charise Mericle Harper. Knopf, 2010. $16.99 4-6 yrs Holiday House, 2010. $16.95; paperback $6.95 3-6 yrs When her mother can’t make it for a special girly outing, little bunny Wee animal lovers whose tastes extend to the creepy and crawly will Violet transforms her father into a suitably decorative companion for especially appreciate this celebratory, rhythmic introduction to all the “Pink Girls Pink-nic” in this comedic yet sweet picture book. manner of multi-legged critters.

HILLENBRAND, WILL Mother Goose Picture Puzzles; ad. and illus. by DURAND, HALLIE Mitchell’s License; illus. by Tony Fucile. Candlewick, Will Hillenbrand. Marshall Cavendish Children’s, 2011. $17.99 4-6 2011. $15.99 3-6 yrs yrs Lively art partners with this inventive story of Mitchell, whose "is large-formatted compilation of twenty traditional Mother Goose bedtime ritual involves driving his father, complete with Dad’s rhymes will have youngsters poring over the pages as they puzzle out obliging automative noises and responses to steering, to bed. the rebus poems, and visually astute children will quickly #nd other signi#cant clues as well. FALCONER, IAN Olivia and the Fairy Princesses; written and illus. by Ian Falconer. Athenaeum, 2012. $17.99; e-book $12.99 5-7 yrs HOFFMAN, MARY !e Great Big Book of Families; illus. by Ros Asquith. Young girls weary of the onslaught of pink that daily comes their way Dial, 2011. $16.99 3-7 yrs will #nd a kindred soul in independent-minded Olivia, who eschews Ho!man thoroughly tumbles together images of racial, religious, the princess fashions of her classmates in favor of a “more stark, ethnic, economic, educational, residential, emotional, and modern style.” generational diversity, e!ortlessly demonstrating the point that there are all kinds of ways to be a family. FLEMING, DENISE Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy; written and illus. by Denise Fleming. Holt, 2010. $16.99 1-3 yrs HOLMES, JANET A. Have You Seen Duck?; illus. by Jonathan Bentley. A tour of adorable baby animals at the edge of sleep will encourage Cartwheel Books, 2011. $8.99 2-5 yrs even the most fractious toddler to join them for a little shut-eye. A towheaded boy loses his beloved stu!ed duck only to be happily reunited with the object of his a!ection later on in this beautifully told FOGLIANO, JULIE And !en It’s Spring; illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring tale that will please fans of Knu'e Bunny. Brook, 2012. $16.99 4-6 yrs Spare, gentle prose describes the achingly gradual progress of spring HUGHES, CATHERINE D., ed. National Geographic Little Kids: First Big in partnership with tender, fetchingly detailed illustrations that follow Book of Dinosaurs; illus. by Franco Tempesta. National Geographic, the gardening e!orts of a determined young boy and the collection of 2011. $14.95 3-7 yrs critters that follows him. Intuitive organization and helpful fact boxes make this a veritable dinofest for youngsters interested in the natural history behind the googly-eyed cartoonish creatures that populate their pajamas. PICTURE BOOKS )

INTRIAGO, PATRICIA Dot; written and illus. by Patricia Intriago. KOSTECKI-SHAW, JENNY SUE Same, Same but Di"erent; written and Ferguson/Farrar, 2011. $14.99 4-7 yrs illus. by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Henry Holt, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs Aspiring artists will #nd an intriguing muse in this entertaining Acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper combine in this richly exploration of the simple but versatile dot. composed picture book that follows the correspondence between pen pals, Elliot (an American boy) and Kailash (a boy in India) and their JOOSSE, BARBARA Sleepover at Gramma’s House; illus. by Jan Jutte. discovery that their lives are “same, same but di!erent.” Philomel, 2010. $17.99 2-5 yrs In this ebullient readaloud, the joy of spending time with a grandparent LO, GINNIE Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic; illus. by Beth Lo. Lee is celebrated as our little elephantine narrator prepares for a night with & Low, 2012. $18.95 7-9 yrs her beloved Gramma. A story based on the author’s own family history chronicles an immigrant Chinese family’s annual tradition of sitting down together KAMKWAMBA, WILLIAM !e Boy Who Harnessed the Wind; written by at a nearby soybean farm for a delicious soybean picnic; fascinating William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon. hand-painted plates provide the illustrations. Dial, 2012. $16.99 5-9 yrs "is picture-book version of the adult title uses vivid illustrations to LOBEL, ANITA 10 Hungry Rabbits: Counting & Color Concepts; written help tell the story of ingenious teenager William Kamkwamba, who and illus. by Anota Lobel. Knopf, 2012. $12.99; e-book $9.99 3-6 yrs created a windmill out of scrap to help his devastated Malawi village. A lively story rich with age-appropriate concept opportunities chronicles the various veggies that ten bunny siblings #nd and add to Mama’s simmering soup; Lobel’s illustrations are clear on the concepts and pretty darned adorable to boot.

LODGE, JO Icky Sticky Monster; illus. by Jo Lodge. Candlewick, 2012. $12.99 5-7 yrs Young readers with a yen for the yucky will #nd plenty to delightfully “eeewww” over in this vibrantly hued pop-up book that describes the gross shenanigans of Icky Sticky Monster.

LYON, GEORGE ELLA All the Water in the World; illus. by Katherine Tillotson. Jackson/Atheneum, 2011. $15.99 5-9 yrs Lyrical text compactly describes the hydrological cycle and the global contrast between plenty and dearth of the key life-giving substance with the aid of strong, inviting visuals.

MACDONALD, MARYANN How to Hug; illus. by Jana Christy. Marshall KARAS, G. BRIAN !e Village Garage; written and illus. by G. Brian Cavendish Children, 2011. $16.99 3-6 yrs Karas. Ottaviano/Holt, 2010. $16.99 4-8 yrs "is delightful picture book navigates attendant youngsters through "ere’s no rest for the weary in this small-town public works the dos and don’ts of the basic embrace by pairing pieces of advice department, where each season brings di!erent machinery out to keep with visuals of children and critters hugging. the roads clear and safe—and a young spectator fascinated.

MACLACHLAN, PATRICIA I Didn’t Do It; written by Patricia KAPLAN, MICHAEL Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake; illus. by MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest; illus. by Katy Schneider. Stéphane Jorisch. Dial, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs Tegen/HarperCollins, 2010. $16.95 5-8 yrs A precociously bubbly bunny learns a valuable lesson in patience after "is kennelmate to Once I Ate a Pie (BCCB 6/06) o!ers fourteen falling hard for the sweet taste of chocolate cake. more appealing poems in various doggy voices.

KNUDSEN, MICHELLE Argus; illus. by Andrea Wesson. Candlewick MACY, SUE Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Press, 2011. $15.99 5-8 yrs Put Women’s Hoops on the Map; illus. by Matt Collins. Holiday House, Dry humor and airy illustrations recount a science experiment gone 2011. $16.95 6-9 yrs awry when Sally’s class gets eggs to hatch, one of which eventually "is #ctionalized tale of women’s basketball at Stanford in 1896 produces a large, reptilian creature with a penchant for mischief. supports its lively sports story with solid historical research.

KNUDSEN, MICHELLE Big Mean Mike; illus. by Scott Magoon. MARCUS, KIMBERLY Scritch-Scratch a Perfect Match; illus. Mike Lester. Candlewick, 2012. $15.99 5-8 yrs Putnam, 2011. $16.99 4-7 yrs It’s rare to #nd a book that will appeal to both the lovers of monster Crisply scanning anapestic verse and energetic illustrations tell a tale trucks and fuzzy critters, but this humorous picture book following of a madcap friendship that begins when a tiny $ea takes a giant bite the friendship between one tough dog and several adorable bunnies out of an unsuspecting dog. might just do the trick. PICTURE BOOKS *

MCCARTHY, MEGHAN Pop!: !e Invention of Bubble Gum; written NA, IL SUNG Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons; and illus. by Meghan McCarthy. Wiseman/Simon, 2010. $16.99; written and illus. by Il Sung Na. Knopf, 2011. $15.99 4-6 yrs e-book $12.99 5-8 yrs A white rabbit observes the changes in nature in this quiet and spare Bubble gum is the ultimate combination of food, toy, and adult- animal story that has just a touch of the hush of winter in its tone. annoying-mess potential, and McCarthy’s high-spirited picture-book account of its origin will charm chewers and non-chewers alike. NEWMAN, JEFF !e Boys; written and illus. by Je! Newman. Simon, 2010. $15.99 6-9 yrs MCCARTY, PETER Henry in Love; written and illus. by Peter McCarty. "is nearly wordless picture book follows a little blond tyke as a richly Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2010. $16.99 3-5 yrs characterized quartet of old guys take him under their wing in the McCarty, of Hondo and Fabian fame, tries his hand at romance in park, build up his social and ball-playing con#dence, and become this sweetly funny story of Henry and his attempts to capture the his cheering section as he #nally joins his age-mates on the #eld. attention of a fellow classmate with cartwheels and blueberry mu%ns. NIVOLA, CLAIRE A. Orani: My Father’s Village; written and illus. by MCDERMOTT, GERALD, ad. Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India; ad. Claire A. Nivola. Foster/Farrar. 2011. $16.99 6-9 yrs and illus. by Gerald McDermott. Harcourt, 2011. $16.99 4-7 yrs Intricate illustrations make this tribute to the Mediterranean home of "is latest installment in McDermott’s series of multicultural trickster the author’s father both elegant and interesting. stories draws on the Jataka tales of ancient Buddhist tradition to tell the story of a clever monkey who twice tricks a hungry crocodile. NUMEROFF, LAURA Ponyella; by Laura Numero! and Nate Evans; illus. by Lynn Munsinger. Hyperion, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs Yup, it’s what the title suggests—the story of “Cinderella” featuring a pony, with all the pink ribbons, evil pasturemates and pony championship victories that one might expect, and it’s exactly what its audience has been waiting for.

NYEU, TAO Bunny Days; written and illus. by Tao Nyeu. Dial, 2010. $16.99 3-6 yrs Controlled old-fashioned art recalls Crockett Johnson while poker- faced humor provides gentle silliness in this picture book following the misadventures of a $ock of toylike bunnies and the tender assistance of their friend Bear.

OFFILL, JENNY 11 Experiments !at Failed; illus. by Nancy Carpenter. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. $16.99; e-book $10.99 5-8 yrs MEDINA, MEG Tia Isa Wants a Car; illus. by Claudio Munoz. Budding scientists--especially those of the “mad” variety--will #nd Candlewick, 2011. $15.99 5-9 yrs plenty of inspiration for their mischievous research in this how-to tale Spanish dialogue is seamlessly woven into this story that has our that includes step-by-step diagrams and a fair dose of humor. plucky narrator and her spirited aunt longing for the open road. OGBURN, JACQUELINE K. Little Treasures: Endearments From Around MENOTTI, ANDREA How Many Jelly Beans?; illus. by Yancey Labat. the World; illus. by Chris Raschka. Houghton Mi'in, 2012. $16.99 Chronicle, 2012. $18.99 4-7 yrs 4-7 yrs "is oversized picture book uses the device of a jelly-bean competition "is playful, a!ectionate book identi#es the creative endearments between a boy and a girl to provide striking visual illustrations of (from “my bubble of joy” to “little coconut candy”) people have for numbers from ten to a million. their children in fourteen di!erent languages and countries; exuberant illustrations add energy as well as sweetness. MOORE, INGA A House in the Woods; written and illus. by Inga Moore. Candlewick, 2011. 5-7 yrs PATRICELLI, LESLIE Potty; written and illus. by Leslie Patricelli. An industrious team of hard-hatted beavers is called in to save the day Candlewick, 2010. $6.99 1-3 yrs; Tubby; written and illus. by Leslie when Moose and Bear accidentally destroy the homes of their beloved Patricelli. Candlewick, 2010. $6.99 1-3 yrs friends, the two Little Pigs, in this cozy, autumnal-hued critter tale. "ese two stout board books o!er cheerful treatments of two key challenges of childhood. MURRAY, ALISON Apple Pie ABC; written and illus. by Alison Murray. Disney Hyperion, 2011. $16.99 3-7 yrs PEARSON, SUSAN How to Teach a Slug to Read; illus. by David Slonim. "is cleverly terse, alphabetically organized story follows the tale of Marshall Cavendish Children’s, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs a girl who bakes an apple pie and the dog that desperately wants to Listeners can follow the titular young slug as he follows his mama’s eat it. practical steps for reading success in this visually clever and thoroughly accessible introduction to the wonders of the book. PICTURE BOOKS +

PECHTER, LESLEY WYNNE Alligator Bear Crab: A Baby’s ABC; written RUNTON, ANDY Owly & Wormy, Friends All A#utter!; written and illus. and illus. by Lesley Wynne Pechter. Orca, 2011. $9.95 1-4 yrs by Andy Runton. Atheneum, 2011. $15.99 4-7 yrs Two pre-reader staples, the animal book and the alphabet book, make Runton’s rotund cartoon owl has been charming young comics readers a happy mash-up in this attractive board book. for nearly a decade in his black-and-white wordless graphic-novel iteration, and now he debuts in full color in this inviting picture book. PHILLIPPS, J. C. Wink: !e Ninja Who Wanted to Be Noticed; written and illus. by J. C. Phillipps. Viking, 2009. $15.99 6-9 yrs SAMUELS, BARBARA !e Trucker; written and illus. by Barbara Samuels. Young Wink is thrilled to join the Summer Moon School for Young Farrar, 2010. $16.99 3-6 yrs Ninjas, but his tendency to holler “Look at me!” and wear brightly In an attempt to get her truck-obsessed son more in touch with his $owered out#ts suggests he hasn’t quite grasped the concept of stealth. feminine side, Leo’s mom presents him with a sweet, $u!y kitten only to be surprised by the results. PINKWATER, DANIEL Bear in Love; illus. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick, 2012. $15.99 4-6 yrs SAUER, TAMMI Me Want Pet!; illus. by Bob Shea. Simon, 2012. $15.99 "e art is awash with delicate yet cozy charm in this appealing story of 4-8 yrs a bear who’s exchanging gifts with a secret admirer. Plenty of youngsters will relate to Cave Boy’s desire for a pet (though a few may balk at the thought of caring for a saber-toothed tiger) PLECAS. JENNIFER Pretend; written and illus. by Jennifer Plecas. in this chuckle-worthy tale that features Bob Shea’s saturated, thickly Philomel Books, 2011. $15.99 4-7 yrs outlined illustrations. Young make-believers will readily relate to this charming story of a father-son team and their adventure through an imaginative landscape SAVAGE, STEPHEN Where’s Walrus?; written and illus. by Stephen that springs from their living room. Savage. Scholastic, 2011. $16.99 3-6 yrs "is hilarious wordless picture book follows the attempts of an adventurous walrus to blend with various groups of people after he slips out of the zoo for a lark.

SAY, ALLEN !e Boy in the Garden; written and illus. by Allen Say. Houghton, 2010. $17.99 6-9 yrs "is spare, mystically touched picture book follows a lonely Japanese boy as he happens into a folktale-based world and tries heroically to make the story conclude with a happier ending.

SCHOONMAKER, ELIZABETH Square Cat; written and illus. by Elizabeth Schoonmaker. Alddin, 2011. $14.99 4-7 yrs It’s not easy being a square cat in a round world, but the humorous trials and tribulations of the rectangular Eula are sure to tickle the funny bones of listeners of all shapes and sizes.

SEEGER, LAURA VACCARO What If?; written and illus. by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2010. $15.99 3-6 yrs A trio of nearly wordless scenarios, depicted in softly textured, beachy ROCCO, JOHN Blackout; written and illus. by John Rocco. Disney golds and blues, invites young audiences to #gure out how three seals Hyperion, 2011. $16.99 5-8 yrs can cooperate in playing together. A power outage on a hot city night brings a family and a neighborhood together to make a festive occasion out of adversity. SHEA, BOB I’m a Shark!; written and illus. by Bob Shea. Balzer + Bray, 2011. $16.99 5-7 yrs ROSEN, MICHAEL Tiny Little Fly; illus. by Kevin Waldron. Candlewick, Our ebullient and toothy protagonist thinks he’s pretty awesome until 2010. $15.99 2-4 yrs he meets an eight-legged arachnid in this wonderfully humorous tale It’s little versus big in this rhyming picture-book outing featuring that distinguishes bravado from just plain common sense. a pesty and very lucky $y that taunts a sequence of large annoyed animals. SMALLCOMB, PAM I’m Not; illus. by Robert Weinstock. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. $15.99; e-book $10.99 6-9 yrs ROSENTHAL, EILEEN I Must Have Bobo!; illus. by Marc Rosenthal. "e young narrator talks admiringly about her vivacious and Atheneum, 2010. $14.99 4-7 yrs adventurous friend, who is everything she’s not, in a tribute to the Willy just adores his stu!ed monkey Bobo but when his favorite lovie complementary strengths of friendship; lively illustrations bring extra goes missing, he realizes another household member may need some absurdity to the friends and their doings. attention as well. PICTURE BOOKS ,

SNYDER, BETSY Sweet Dreams Lullaby; written and illus. by Betsy VERE, ED Banana!; written and illus. by Ed Vere. Holt, 2010. $12.99 Snyder. Random House, 2010. $15.99 2-4 yrs 2-4 yrs Gentle rhythms and charming illustrations invite listeners to join a "is nearly wordless picture book features two monkeys, two words baby bunny as he nods o! and “dreams of comforts all around” in this (“Please” and “banana”), and one banana in a spirited, funny story perfect choice for a bedtime readaloud. about sharing.

SOLHEIM, JAMES Born Yesterday: !e Diary of a Young Journalist; illus. WALSH, ELLEN STOLL Balancing Act; written and illus. by Ellen Stoll by Simon James. Philomel, 2010. $15.99 6-9 yrs Walsh. Beach Lane/Simon, 2010. $16.99; e-book $12.99 3-6 yrs In this hilarious picture book, our infant narrator carefully documents Cut-paper mice work through the physics and group dynamics of the novelty and indignities of being a brand new human. sharing a teeter-totter in this enjoyable picture book.

SYMES, SALLY Yawn; illus. by Nick Sharratt. Candlewick, 2011. $7.99 WILLEMS, MO Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!; written and illus. 1-3 yrs by Mo Willems. Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2011. $17.99 5-8 yrs Rhyming text in this board book treats the familiar phenomenon Six—well, six and one-half—very short, very funny stories suitable for of yawn contagion, starting here with a yawning baby and traveling reading aloud or a lone document the relationship of young Amanda through various animals; crisp, yawn-focused illustrations will appeal and her beloved toy alligator. to young sleepyheads. WOOD, AUDREY Piggy Pie Po: 3 Little Stories; illus. by Audrey and TUCK, JUSTIN Home-Field Advantage; illus. by Leonardo Rodriguez. Don Wood. Harcourt, 2010. $16.99 2-4 yrs Simon, 2011. $16.99; e-book $12.99 5-8 yrs "ree little rhyming stories focused on porker Piggy Pie Po treat Art that blends reality with hilarious hyperbole makes a comedic epic youngster-appealing topics (dressing, learning, eating) with all the out of New York Giant Justin Tuck’s tale of an unfortunate childhood bouncy personality of nursery rhymes. run-in with his hair-styling sisters. WOODSON, JACQUELINE Pecan Pie Baby; illus. by Sophie Blackall. TRASLER, JANEE Caveman: A B.C. Story; written and illus. by Janee Putnam, 2010. $16.99 5-8 yrs Trasler. Sterling, 2011. $14.95 3-6 yrs Gia has heard all she can take about “the ding-dang baby” that her Plenty of visual humor and context clues make this tale of Palezoic mother is expecting and she’s already missing the sweet time when antics perfect for the prereading sect. her mother was hers alone in this sympathetic story partnered with vibrant illustrations. UNDERWOOD, DEBORAH Granny Gomez & Jigsaw; illus. by Scott Magoon. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $16.99 4-6 yrs Young fans of slapstick humor will delight in this clever tale of Granny Gomez and her “special pet” Jigsaw, a perky little pig with a nose for mischief.

VERNICK, AUDREY Brothers at Bat: !e True Story of an Amazing All- Brother Baseball Team; illus. by Steven Salerno. Clarion, 2012. $16.99 5-9 yrs "e Little Golden Book-style illustrations joyfully evoke the golden age of baseball in this delightful true story of the Acerra all-brother baseball team. BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (GR. 1-3, 6-8 YRS) -

AGEE, JON Mr. Putney’s Quacking Dog; written and illus. by Jon Agee. BOELTS, MARIBETH !e PS Brothers. Harcourt, 2010. $15.00; di Capua/Scholastic, 2010. $16.95 Gr. 2-4 paperback $5.99 Gr. 3-5 "is loosely themed series of “What do you call . . . ?” riddles, all "ere’s comedy, industry, and a heartfelt story about learning to trust featuring animal friends of the titular Mr. Putney and punchlined with in this accessible chapter book about Russell and his best buddy, punny portmanteaux (“Who wakes Mr. Putney up in the morning? Shawn, who #nd themselves caught in an ethical animal-welfare An alarmadillo”), will tickle readers and readaloud audiences. dilemma.

AGUIRRE, JORGE Giants Beware; illus. by Rafeal Rosado. First Second/ BOLGER, KEVIN Zombiekins; illus. by Aaron Blecha. Razorbill, 2010. Roaring Brook, 2012. $14.99 Gr. 3-6 $10.99 Gr. 3-6 Vibrantly hued illustrations tell the story of plucky, punky Claudette Gruesome hilarity reigns in this story of Stanley, whose creepy-cute and her pals as they embark on a quest to fell the local giant in this stu!ed toy called Zombiekins undergoes reanimation and brings on entertaining graphic novel that will appeal to fans of comic books and a zombie uprising. fairy tales alike. BURKS, JAMES Beep and Bah; written and illus. by James Burks. ATINUKE !e No. 1 Car Spotter; illus. by Warwick Johnson Cadwell. Carolrhoda, 2012. $16.95; e-book $12.95 Gr. 2-3 Kane Miller Books, 2011. Paperback $5.99 Gr. 2-4 With a storyboard-like sensibility, this appealingly cartoony tale Automotive hijinks and boyish mischief are spotlighted in this follows the goat Bah and his unlikely pal, the robot Beep, as they e!ervescent chapter book that centers on life in a small African village search for a missing sock. and its “No. 1 car spotter,” Oluwalase Babatunde Benson. BURLEIGH, ROBERT !e Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn; illus. by Barry Blitt. Atheneum, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 2-5 With Burleigh’s, ahem, editorial assistance, Huck chronicles his creator in his own homespun voice, resulting in a lively, stylish, and accessible early biography.

CHAD, JON Leo Geo and His Miraculous Journey !rough the Center of the Earth; written and illustrated by Jon Chad. Roaring Brook, 2012. $15.99 Gr. 3-6 With his indefatigable enthusiasm and his ability to spew science facts nonstop, Leo Geo invites readers to join his quest into the belly of our planet in this quirky geoscience lesson that will appeal to kids who wear their nerdiness as a badge of honor.

COULOUMBIS, AUDREY Jake. Random House, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 3-5 "is tender yet unsentimental story follows ten-year-old Jake as he BAKER, JEANNIE Mirror; written and illus. by Jeannie Baker. discovers the strength of his extended and somewhat makeshift family Candlewick, 2010. $18.99 Gr. 2-4 after his mother breaks her leg prior to Christmas. "is ingeniously devised wordless picture book explores of the everyday activities of two families—one Moroccan and one Australian—in COULOUMBIS, AUDREY Lexie; illus. by Julia Denos. Random House, side-by-side foldouts. 2011. $15.99; e-book $5.99 Gr. 3-6 In this invitingly accessible exploration of family frailties and BEATY, ANDREA Attack of the Flu"y Bunnies; illus. by Dan Santat. strengths, ten-year-old Lexie is stunned and disappointed to #nd that Amulet/Abrams, 2010. $12.95 Gr. 3-5 her special vacation by the sea with her father will be shared with his Exaggerated illustrations, interspersed mini-comics, and frenetic, new girlfriend and her two sons. dorky middle-grade humor will draw readers into this goofy tale of a camp invaded by a trio of alien bunnies bent on world domination. CRONIN, DOREEN !e Trouble with Chickens; illus. by Kevin Cornell. Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2011. $14.99; e-book $4.99 Gr. 2-3 BILDNER, PHIL !e Unforgettable Season: !e Story of Joe DiMaggio, Big print and short chapters add accessibility to this humorously Ted Williams and the Record-Setting Summer of ’41; illus. by S. D. rawboned tale of a search-and-rescue dog hired by a hen to #nd her Schindler. Putnam, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-5 missing chicks. Baseball-mad youngsters won’t be able to resist this as-it-happens account of a legendary summer in baseball. CRUM, SHUTTA !omas and the Dragon Queen; illus. by Lee Wildish. Knopf, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 3-5 BISHOP, NIC Nic Bishop Lizards; written and illus. with photographs Early fantasy readers will #nd themselves absorbed in this lively story by Nic Bishop. Scholastic, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 3-6 of "omas, a small-in-size but big-in-heart squire charged with saving In the hands of master nature documentarian Bishop, lizards are both a princess from the formidable dragon queen. gorgeous and fascinating. BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (GR. 1-3, 6-8 YRS) .

DALEY, MICHAEL J. Pinch and Dash Make Soup; illus. by "omas GOODMAN, SUSAN E. It’s a Dog’s Life: How Man’s Best Friend Sees, F. Yezerski. Charlesbridge, 2012. $12.95; paperback $5.95; e-book Hears, and Smells the World; illus. by David Slonim. Roaring Brook, $9.99 Gr. 1-2 2012. $16.99 Gr. 3-5 With its simple vocabulary, short chapters, and a quiet tone, this story An endearingly scru!y mutt narrates this informative guide to our of animal critter friends Pinch and Dash will serve as a great appetizer canine pals and their behaviors; pet-friendly readers everywhere will for youngsters looking for just a taste of independent reading. be wagging their tales and barking for more.

DAVIES, NICOLA Talk, Talk, Squawk!: A Human’s Guide to Animal GRAVEL, ELISE A Day in the O$ce of Doctor Bugspit. Blue Apple Communications; illus. by Neal Layton. Candlewick, 2012. $14.99 Books, 2011. $10.99; paperback $4.99 Gr. 2-4 Gr. 3-5 "is Balloon Toon series opener featuring the medical prowess of alien Budding naturalists (and maybe even a few science-minded gossip Dr. Bugspit o!ers a goofy combination of picture book and junior hounds) will be fascinated by this informative but entertaining graphic novel that will draw in many a reluctant reader with its wacky overview of both animal and human communication. sensibility and mild grossness.

DEACON, ALEXIS A Place to Call Home; illus. by Viviane Schwarz. GREENE, STEPHANIE Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade; illus. Candlewick, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 2-4 by Stephanie Roth Sisson. Putnam, 2010. $12.99; paperback $4.99; In this hilarious picture-book adventure, a litter of feral hamster e-book $4.99 Gr. 1-2 brothers outgrow their cozy den in an abandoned junkyard couch and Readers anxiously awaiting a new school year will #nd a kindred spirit make their way out into the wide world—eventually. in Posey as she overcomes her #rst-day jitters in this pleasingly quiet early chapter book. DOWSON, NICK North: !e Story of Arctic Migration; illus. by Patrick Benson. Candlewick, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-5 GREENFIELD, ELOISE !e Great Migration: Journey to the North; illus. Lyrical prose and elegant illustrations introduce readers to the by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Amistad/HarperCollins, 2011. $16.99 Gr. “warmer” side of the Arctic and the many animals, including the 2-4 gray whale, white crane, wolf, and caribou, that migrate north in “the Arresting art partners with simple yet compelling poetry in this greatest journey on earth.” compact and personal introduction to the movement of African Americans north in the early twentieth century.

HATKE, BEN Zita the Spacegirl; written and illus. by Ben Hatke. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2011. $17.99; paperback $10.99 Gr. 3-6 Landing on a doomed planet after her friend is sucked into a vortex, Zita gathers a motley crew of aliens and humans to rescue her pal and possibly save their world in this intergalactic graphic novel.

HEIDE, FLORENCE PARRY Dillweed’s Revenge: A Deadly Dose of Magic; by Florence Parry Heide with Roxanne Heide Pierce, David Fisher Parry, and Jeanne McReynolds Parry; illus. by Carson Ellis. Harcourt, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6 In this dark comedy reminiscent of Edward Gorey, young Dillweed, left behind by his parents with mean servants, takes his revenge by unleashing ghouls that put a stop to the adults’ mischief—for good.

HEPPERMANN, CHRISTINE City Chickens; illus. with photographs. Houghton Mi'in, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 3-5 Urban dwellers looking to bring a bit of the country to their concrete EVANS, SHANE W. Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom; written surroundings will delight in this non#ction photo-essay focusing and illus. by Shane W. Evans. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2011. $16.99 on a rescue shelter for abandoned and relinquished chickens in Gr. 2-4 Minneapolis. "is artistic treatment of the Underground Railroad translates the experience of a family’s nocturnal escape from slavery into a sequence HOBERMAN, MARY ANN Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart: of quick, tersely texted yet vivid glimpses. illus. by Michael Emberly. Megan Tingly Books, 2012. $19.99 Gr. 2-5 GEORGE, KRISTINE O’CONNELL Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems; Noted versi#er Hoberman gathers over 120 poems here along with illus. by Nancy Carpenter. Clarion, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 2-4 guidance and tips for committing the poems to memory, making this Being an older sister isn’t always easy, as narrator Jessica describes in a true treat for bards in the making. this sequence of thirty-four perceptive free-verse poems tracing her relationship with pesky little sister, Emma. BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (GR. 1-3, 6-8 YRS) /0

HOBERMAN, MARY ANN You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short LEWIN, TED Stable; written and illus. by Ted Lewin. Flash Point/ Fables to Read Together; illus. by Michael Emberley. Tingley/Little, Porter/Roaring Brook, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 2-4 2010. $16.99 Gr. 2-3 You probably don’t think “horses” when you think of New York, but You can’t go wrong with this series, and Hoberman’s latest installment equine fans in particular will revel in this pictorial essay about the last includes an assortment of popular and lesser-known tales delivered public stable in Brooklyn. with a punchy, fresh tone and playful illustrations. LEWIS, JOSH Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry; illus. by HOLM, JENNIFER L. Squish: Super Amoeba; illus. by Matthew Holm. Douglas Holgate. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $16.99; paperback $4.99 Random House, 2011. $6.99 Gr. 2-4 Gr. 2-4 Babymouse too pink for you? "e Holms return in a new graphic "is quirky, fast-paced superhero satire is sure to please fans of Captain novel series, this time featuring plucky Squish the amoeba and his Underpants and Franny K. Stein as it recounts the beginnings of schoolmate microorganisms in a cheerfully snarky and green-toned Super Chicken Nugget Boy and his gigantic, lightning-fast amphibian adventure. sidekick.

IGUS, TOYOMI I See the Rhythm of the Gospel; illus. by Michele Wood. LIN, GRACE Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!; written and illus. by Zonderkids, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 3-6 Grace Lin. Little, 2010. $14.99; paperback $3.99 Gr. 1-2 Densely textured compositions featuring African design elements and Six compact chapters, suitable for reading aloud or alone, introduce American quilt patterns dominate this look at the development of the twin sisters Ling and Ting in everyday-life adventures that have an distinctive style of gospel music. inviting, plausible silliness.

JACKSON, DONNA M. What’s So Funny?: Making Sense of Humor; illus. LOOK, LENORE Alvin Ho: Allergic to Dead Bodies, Funerals, and Other by Ted Stearn. Viking, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-6 Fatal Circumstances; illus. by LeUyen Pham. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. In nine short, cartoon-illustrated, gag-infused chapters Jackson culls $15.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 2-4 the #elds of neurology, psychology, and physiology to explore the A serious subject is treated with both compassion and a touch of essence of humor. humor in this third outing featuring the anxiety-ridden Alvin Ho as he struggles to come to terms with mortality, particularly in regards to JENKINS, STEVE Bones: Skeletons and How !ey Work; written and his aging grandfather. illus. by Steve Jenkins. Scholastic, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6 Kids who’ve never looked much further than the bones in their chicken wings will #nd much to marvel at in this clear and inventive visual overview that demonstrates how similar all of us vertebrates are on the inside.

JENKINS, STEVE Just a Second: A Di"erent Way to Look at Time; written and illus. by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mi'in, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 2-5 "e seconds will $y by for readers of Jenkins’ latest non#ction work, a chronicle of chronology itself that examines units of time by using examples from the natural world (in one second, “a hummingbird beats its wings 50 times”) and provides a wealth of backmatter.

JONES, DIANA WYNNE Earwig and the Witch; illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. Greenwillow Books, 2012. $15.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 2-4 In this whimsical chapter book, a witch looking for a servant adopts an irascible orphan and ends up with a stubborn apprentice whose dabbles with magic have hilarious results.

LONG, ETHAN Rick & Rack and the Great Outdoors; written and illus. KELLY, DAVID A. !e Fenway Foul-Up; illus. by Mark Meyers. by Ethan Long. Blue Apple, 2010. $10.99 Gr. 1-3 Random House, 2011. Paperback $4.99; e-book $4.99 Gr. 2-4 One of the Balloon Toons series, this sequence of three short, self- "is opening entry in an enticing baseball-mystery series follows contained stories introduces the easygoing friendship between two cousins Kate and Mike in their search for a star Red Sox player’s very di!erent pals, Rick the raccoon and Rack the deer. suspiciously missing bat.

MACK, JEFF Hippo and Rabbit in !ree Short Tales; written and illus. LAROCHE, GILES If You Lived Here: Houses of the World; illus. with by Je! Mack. Cartwheel/Scholastic, 2011 $3.99 Gr. K-1 photographs. Houghton Mi'in, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 2-5 Clever humor shines in the spare text of this chapterized beginning Fort architects and treehouse masons will #nd inspiration among the reader featuring chums Hippo and Rabbit. various types of shelter explored here, including homes carved from caves in Spain and $oating pontoon abodes in the Netherlands. BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (GR. 1-3, 6-8 YRS) //

MACAULAY, DAVID Castle: How It Works; written and illus. by PARK, LINDA SUE !e !ird Gift; illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Clarion, David Macaulay with Sheila Kennan. Roaring Brook, 20012. 2011. $16.99 6-10 yrs $15.99; paperback $3.99 Gr. 2-4 A quiet, contemplative story about a boy apprenticing his father as "is well-crafted chapter book features the intricate art of the he gathers myrrh from trees concludes with a joyful, and most likely #rst iteration of Castle for picture book viewers but has more familiar, Nativity scene in this unique holiday book. information and o!ers a complete story for beginning readers. RODRIGUEZ, BEATRICE Fox and Hen Together; illus. by Beatrice Rodriguez. MACLACHLAN, PATRICIA Kindred Souls. HarperCollins, 2012. Enchanted Lion, 2011. $14.95 3-7 yrs $14.99 Gr. 3-5 After #nding friendship with a fox in "e Chicken "ief, Hen’s e!orts to "is simply told tale of an a!ectionate, loving relationship between put some dinner on the table go awry in this charmingly quirky wordless a boy and his grandfather has the added bonus of a solid dog picture book. storyline and deals with death in a respectful, unforced manner. ROSENTHAL, AMY KROUSE !is Plus !at: Life’s Little Equations; illus. by Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior. Dial, 2011. Jen Corace. Harper/HarperCollins, 2011. $14.99 Gr. 2-4 $16.99. Gr. 2-4 Whether it be simple de#nitions (“big buildings + bustling = city” while "is high-spirited picture-book look at manners showcases the “winding roads + rustling = country”) or more complicated operations talents of fourteen illustrators, each of whom get a spread to (“cozy + smell of pancakes – alarm clock = weekend”), this book explore a particular area of behavior, with results that are high- cunningly uses mathematical equations to creatively convey familiar spirited and hilarious while also making some indelible points. concepts.

MCGUINESS, DAN Pilot and Huxley: !e First Adventure; written and illus. by Dan McGuiness. Graphix/Scholastic, 2011. $8.99 Gr. 2-4 "e gross-out hijinks of this graphic novel’s titular pals will give the talking toilets and bionic boogers of Captain Underpants a run for their money and will surely #nd a audience among fans of the absurdly disgusting.

NELSON, MARILYN Snook Alone; illus. by Timothy Basil Ering. Candlewick, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6 A bouncy, rat-chasing terrier #nds himself eking out a living alone on an unpopulated island when bad weather separates him from his master.

NIRGIOTIS, NICHOLAS Killer Ants; illus. by Emma Stevenson. Holiday House, 2009. $17.95 Gr. 3-6 Nirgiotis o!ers an introduction to four fearsome insects you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley—army ants, #re ants, driver ants, and bulldog ants—in dense but zesty text accompanied by ROSTOKER-GRUBER, KAREN Ferret Fun; illus. by Paul Ratz de Tagyos. detailed and menacing illustrations. Cavendish, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 2-4 With graphic-novel overtones and general good humor, this comic O’CONNOR, BARBARA !e Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester. Foster/ tale follows ferrets Einstein and Fudge as they try to outwit their new Farrar, 2010. $15.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 3-5 roommate– a carnivorous cat with a taste for rodents. Under O’Connor’s sure touch, this tale of small-town kid Owen, who wrestles with peer dynamics, an ethical struggle over his SALAS, LAURA PURDIE Bookspeak: Poems about Books; illus. by Josee newly captured frog, and the irresistible opportunity presented by Bisaillon. Clarion, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-5 a found mini-submarine, shines with tenderness and matter-of- Bibliophiles will delight in this cheerfully quirky collection of book- fact understanding. themed poetry that ranges in theme and style and includes perspectives of the book, characters, and readers. O’CONNOR, JANE Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth; illus. by Robin Preiss Glasser. HarperCollins, 2012. Paperback $9.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. SANTAT, DAN Sidekicks; written and illus. by Dan Santat. Levine/ 2-3 Scholastic, 2011. $24.99; paperback $12.99 Gr. 3-6 Fancy Nancy is back, this time in chapter book form and armed Lively, insightful, and just plain fun, this convergence of capes and with a rhinestone-encrusted magnifying glass, a pink trenchcoat, creatures will #nd a wide audience in animal lovers and superhero fans and a sassy attitude perfect for some light-hearted sleuthing. alike. BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (GR. 1-3, 6-8 YRS) /&

SINGER, MARILYN Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse; illus. by elicit both giggles and “awwws” from young readers as they relate to Josée Masse. Dutton, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 3-6 Piggy’s attempts to master the trumpet and be a good friend. Fourteen “reversos,” poems that reveal something quite di!erent when the free-verse lines are reversed bottom to top, provide ingenious, WINTER, JEANETTE !e Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps; compact takes on famous folktales. written and illus. by Jeanette Winter. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 2-5 SMITH, ALEXANDER MCCALL !e Great Cake Mystery; illus. by Iain Winter’s gentle, speci#c descriptions and sturdy and vivid illustrations McIntosh. Anchor Books, 2012. $12.99; paperback $6.99; e-book provide an e!ective introduction to the work of the great naturalist. $6.99 Gr. 3-5 Before she was the starring heroine of the adult mystery series "e No. Ladies’ Detective Agency, Precious Ramotswe was just a girl living in Botswana, cracking her #rst ever case when unattended sweets start disappearing at her school.

SPINELLI, EILEEN !e Dancing Pancake; illus. by Joanne Lew- Vrietho!. Knopf, 2010. $12.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 3-6 Cozy, accessible free verse poetry adds to the charm of this tale of friendship in the face of adversity as sixth grader Bindi is forced to deal with her anger over her parents’ separation.

SPINNER, STEPHANIE Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird; illus. by Meilo So. Knopf, 2012. $17.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 2-4 Science minded animal lovers will #nd this slender picture-book biography chronicling the life of Alex, the African grey parrot whose ability to learn language challenged scienti#c beliefs, both intriguing and delightful.

STERNBERG, JULIE Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie; illus. by Matthew Cordell.Amulet/Abrams, 2011. $14.95 Gr. 2-3 Sternberg captures a sensitive kid’s #rst experience of loss with tender respectfulness in this story of Eleanor, whose beloved babysitter from birth, Bibi, moves away.

STOEKE, JANET MORGAN !e Loopy Coop Hens; written and illus. by Janet Morgan Stoeke. Dutton, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 1-2 Hens Midge, Pip, and Dot adore their wonderful Rooster Sam, but they begin to realize he’s not all he seems in this hilariously deadpan picture book.

VAN ALLSBURG, CHRIS Queen of the Falls; written and illus. by Chris Van Allsburg. Houghton, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 3-6 "e noted picture-book writer tackles non#ction in this engrossing and ultimately bittersweet account of sixty-two-year-old Annie Edison Taylor’s record-setting barrel ride over Niagara Falls in 1901 and her subsequent not-entirely-successful attempt to make a living from her celebrity.

VOAKE, STEVE Hooey Higgins and !e Shark; illus. by Emma Dodson. Candlewick, 2012. $14.99 Gr. 2-4 Wry humor and witty prose make this story of young Hooey’s e!orts to get money to buy an enormous chocolate egg an ideal choice for aspiring entrepreneurs and mischief makers alike.

WILLEMS, MO Listen To My Trumpet; written and illus. by Mo Willems. Hyperion, 2012. $8.99 Gr. K-1 "e punchline of this latest installment of Willem’s dynamic duo will BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) /(

ABDEL-FATTAH, RANDA !e Friendship Matchmaker. Walker, 2012. BARTON, CHRIS Can I See Your I.D.?: True Stories of False Identities; $15.99 Gr. 3-6 illus. by Paul Hoppe. Dial, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 5-9 Seventh grader Lara Zany is con#dent in her skills as the school’s "is o!beat collective biography chronicles, with suspense and energy, Friendship Matchmaker until new girl Emily Wong challenges her to the exploits of ten people who engaged in dramatic, sometimes a matchmaking contest in this satisfying novel about the true meaning famous, acts of identity fakery, from a teen passing as a New York of friendship. subway driver to black slave Ellen Craft posing as a white slaveowner.

ALBEE, SARAH Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom BLACKWOOD, GARY Around the World in 100 Days. Dutton, 2010. Up; illus. by Robert Leighton. Walker, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 5-9 Paperback $7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 5-8 What sounds like a keen grossout gimmick is actually an original Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days introduced the and interesting premise explored in breezy text and invitingly lively world to adventurer Phileas Fogg; now Fogg’s reckless seventeen- formatting, as Albee traces social history, mostly European and year-old o!spring, Harry, follows the family tradition with a high- American, through its sanitation practices and the consequences and stakes promise to drive around the world in 100 days in this dramatic bene#ts thereof. adventure.

ALLEN, CRYSTAL How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy. BLUMENTHAL, KAREN Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 5-8 Years of Prohibition. Flash Point/Roaring Brook, 2011. Gr. 6-10 Lamar is determined that this summer he’s going to get a girlfriend, Blumenthal deftly weaves together tales of temperance crusading, meet his bowling idol Bubba Sanders, and get his own Pro "under legislative action, widespread skirting of the law, and underworld bowling ball, and maybe show up his older brothers in this fresh and crime in this fascinating account of Prohibition in the U.S. funny boy story that should please fans of Christopher Paul Curtis. BOND, VICTORIA Zora and Me; by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon. ALMOND, DAVID Slog’s Dad; illus. by Dave McKean. Candlewick, Candlewick, 2010. $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-7 2011. $15.99 Gr. 5-8 "is folklore-based story of Southern crime, intrigue, and secrets After Slog’s dad, the beloved hymn-singing garbage collector of their e!ectively features a young Zora Neale Hurston as a lively, determined, small English village, #nally loses his battle with cancer, Slog spends and yarn-spinning protagonist. the spring awaiting his father’s promised return in this wondrous and captivating tale. BOLDEN, TONYA Finding Family. Bloomsbury, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 4-7 Inspired by century-old photographs collected from various sources, AMATO, MARY Invisible Lines; illus by Antonio Caparo. Egmont, this story of an early twentieth century African-American girl 2009. $15.99; $7.99 Gr. 5-8 unraveling the mystery of her heritage will appeal to fans of historical Trevor Musgrove, an underdog struggling to #nd a place in his low- #ction and family drama. income housing, privileged school, and beloved soccer team makes an endearing hero in this this high-interest, easily readable sports and BOWERS, RICK Spies of Mississippi: !e True Story of the Spy Network school story. that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement. National Geographic, 2010. $16.95 Gr. 6-10 ARNI, SAMHITA, ad. Sita’s Ramayana; illus. by Moyna Chitrakar. A true-crime tone, short, well-focused chapters, and an arresting Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2012. $24.95 Gr. 5-8 subject combine in this dramatic exploration of Mississippi’s o%cial With illustrations based on Indian folk-art scrolls, this graphic novel State Sovereignty Commission, which investigated and in#ltrated civil retells an ancient Hindu legend through the female eyes of Sita, the rights groups in a concerted e!ort to preserve segregation. queen over whom an epic war was fought. BOYCE, FRANK COTTRELL Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again; Illus. by Joe Berger. Candlewick, 2012. $15.99; e-book $15.99 Gr. 3-6 After Mr. Tooting repairs a camper van using an old engine found in a scrap lot, he discovers that the camper has a will of its own, causing the Tooting family to embark on epic road trip around the world to track down Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s other parts in this thoroughly modern sequel to the classic Ian Fleming novel.

BRANDEIS, GAYLE My Life With the Lincolns. Holt, 2010. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 5-7 When an attempt to save her parents’ failing marriage goes awry, twelve-year-old Mina #nds herself in the middle of 1960s Chicago’s equal housing movement in this touching coming-of-age story that captures both a moment in history and a moment in adolescence. BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) /)

BURGIS, STEPHANIE Kat, Incorrigible. Atheneum, 2011. $16.99; FRAZIER, ANGIE !e Midnight Tunnel. Scholastic, 2011. $16.99 Gr. e-book $6.99 Gr. 5-8 4-6 "is breezy, delightful romp through Regency England follows the "is wonderfully atmospheric period whodunit features Zanna indomitable twelve-year-old Kat as she invokes magic in order to save Snow, who works in her family’s hotel but who really longs to be a her oldest sister from an unwelcome marriage. detective—and #nally gets her chance.

CURTIS, CHRISTOPHER PAUL !e Mighty Miss Malone. Lamb/Random FRAZIER, SUNDEE T. Brendan Buckley’s Sixth-Grade Experiment. House, 2012. $15.99; paperback $7.99; e-book $10.99. Gr. 4-7 Delacorte, 2012. $16.95; paperback $8.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 4-6 Narrated by intelligent, spunky, and resourceful eleven-year old Deza Science geek Brendan Buckley is gunning to win the sixth grade Malone, this Depression era novel captures the impact of economic science fair, but when he overhears his jock father calling him an strain on a family who struggles to persevere through many setbacks. “egghead,” he wonders if he shouldn’t be pursuing more athletic goals that might #nally earn him Dad’s favor. DALY, CATHLEEN Flirt Club. Porter/Roaring Brook, 2011. $15.99 Gr. 6-9 GRADY, CYNTHIA I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery; Best friends Annie and Izzy document their e!orts to develop their Illus. by Michele Wood. Eerdmans, 2012. $17.00 Gr. 4-7 feminine wiles in a way that does not include stammering, blushing, Fourteen expertly crafted free verse poems mirror the style of traditional and/running away, the result of which is a delightful and humorous quilt making accompanied by vibrant and intricate illustrations in this lesson in all sorts of girl power. heartbreaking poetry collection that chronicles slaves’ experiences in America in their daily lives. DOWELL, FRANCES O’ROARK Ten Miles Past Normal. Atheneum, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 6-9 GRIMES, NIKKI Planet Middle School. Bloomsbury, 2011. $15.99; Dowell’s quiet wisdom imbues this tale of Janie, who’s #nding it e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-8 tough to break loose from her family’s crunchy-granola lifestyle to Readers will cringe, laugh, and relate to twelve-year-old tomboy Joylin #nd herself a niche in the challenging new world of high school. as she stumbles her way through puberty in this thoughtful, funny story told in verse. DUNLAP, SUSANNE In the Shadow of the Lamp. Bloomsbury, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 6-10 "ere’s classic historical romance aplenty in this tale of Victorian servant Molly Fraser, who joins Florence Nightingale nursing in the Crimea and #nds not only a calling but also possible love.

DUNKLE, CLARE B. !e House of Dead Maids; illus. by Patrick Arrasmith. Holt, 2010. $15.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 6-8 "is spooky prequel to Wuthering Heights o!ers a taste of the drama to come for the youthful Heathcli! as well as a ghost story all its own.

FAGAN, DEVA !e Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle. Holt, 2010. $17.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-6 Hints of Southern folklore echo throughout Fagan’s easygoing yet atmospheric tale of failed young witch Prunella Bogthistle, who embarks on a quest through the supernaturally populated swamplands HARKRADER. LISA !e Adventures of Beanboy. Houghton, 2012. in the hope of earning her way back into her family’s good graces. $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-6 Comic book superfan Tucker MacBean hopes that entering a contest FLEMING, CANDACE Amelia Lost: !e Life and Disappearance of Amelia to create a new sidekick, Beanboy, for his favorite superhero, H2O, Earhart. Schwartz & Wade, 2011. $18.99 Gr. 5-9 will be the solution for his family’s money troubles in this action- Fleming dramatically combines a chronicle of Earhart’s life with an packed and thought-provoking novel that is sure to please Dairy of a as-it-happens account of the developing news story of her #nal fatal Wimpy Kid and Origami Yoda fans. $ight in this engaging biography.

HOOSE, PHILLIP Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor FORD, CHRISTOPHER Stickman Odyssey: An Epic Doodle; written and B95. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012. $21.99 Gr. 7-12 illus. by Christopher Ford. Philomel, 2011. $12.99 Gr. 5-9 "is high-interest non#ction book provides an intimate look at the "is quirky graphic novel blends Homeric epic and D&D-style seldom-seen experiences of endangered red knot birds by following adventures in a tale of Zozimos the stickman (drawn as an actual stick the migration of a single bird named B95 from Tierra del Fuego, #gure), who’s helped by his friends on his quest to regain control of Argentina to the Canadian Arctic and back again. his homeland, Sticatha. BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) /*

HOPKINSON, DEBORAH Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. Scholastic, the Appalachian train with only her dog for company in this involving, 2012. Gr. 5-8 middle-grades-friendly survival story. "is chronological, straightforward retelling of the infamous maritime disaster features period photographs, #rsthand recollections KELSEY, ELIN Not Your Typical Book about the Environment; illus. by of survivors, wreckage reports and a plethora of backmatter that make Clayton Hanmer. Owlkids, 2010. $22.95; paperback $10.95 Gr. 4-8 it the go-to source for Titanic a#cionados. "is upbeat, creative, wide-reaching exploration gives kids a broader, more nuanced view of the challenges of environmental responsibility and the directions in scienti#c innovation in a lively, cartoon- illustrated format.

KENNEDY, EMMA Wilma Tenderfoot: !e Case of the Frozen Hearts. Dial, 2011. $16.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 4-7 Sherlock enthusiasts will delight in Wilma’s plucky resolve and winsome spirit as she tries to prove her sleuthing skills to the great and very Holmes-like detective "eodore P. Goodman.

KIRK, ELLEN Human Footprint: Everything You Will Eat, Use, Wear, Buy, and !row Out in Your Lifetime. National Geographic, 2011. Paperback $6.95 Gr. 4-8 Images of towering piles of diapers and mountains of milk cartons make for some arresting visuals in this exploration of mass consumption and its e!ects on the environment.

KLUGER, JEFFREY Freedom Stone. Philomel, 2011. $16.99; e-book GEPHART, DONNA How to Survive Middle School. Delacorte, 2010. $13.99 Gr. 6-9 $15.99; paperback $6.99 Gr. 5-8 Well-paced adventure and mystery blend with history in this Despite his recent ascent into online stardom as the host of his own compelling tale of a young black girl’s e!orts to win her family’s online talk show, middle-schooler David Greenberg #nds his o'ine freedom during the Civil War. existence increasingly chaotic when his best friend ditches him and his mom takes o!. KRIEG, JIM Gri" Carver, Hallway Patrol. Razorbill, 2010. $15.99; e-book $12.99 Gr. 4-7 HURWITZ, MICHELE WEBER Calli Be Gold. Lamb, 2011. $15.99; Gri! Carver, fabled hallway monitor and loose cannon, has gotten e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-6 a whi! of something rotten in the rough-and-tumble corridors of Eleven-year-old Calli, the quiet, noncompetitive member of a high- Rampart Middle School and suspects a counterfeit-hall-pass ring in powered, all-go family, #nally stages a revolt when her family fails to this clever nod to police procedurals and crime noir. acknowledge the importance of her achievements in this accessible and engaging novel. LAWRENCE, CAROLINE !e Case of the Deadly Desperados. Putnam,

2012. $16.99 Gr. 5-8 IGNATOW, AMY !e Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Twelve-year-old P.K. “Pinky” Pinkerton is forced to $ee after Whittlin’ Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Walt and his gang of desperados murder his foster parents in the Graham-Chang; written and illus. by Amy Ignatow. Amulet/Abrams, pursuit of a mysterious land deed from Pinky’s birth father in this 2010. $15.95; paperback $8.95 Gr. 4-6 action-#lled Western mystery. "is charming, comic, and surprisingly wise scrapbook-like #ctional journal documents Lydia and Julie on their scienti#cally plotted plan LIN, GRACE Dumpling Days. Little, 2012. $15.99; paperback $6.99; for junior-high popularity. e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-6 Preteens wondering about their identity or even readers just looking JONES, DIANA WYNNE Enchanted Glass. Greenwillow, 2010. $16.99; for an international $ight to a distant land via a book will appreciate paperback $6.99; e-book $5.99 Gr. 5-7 Pacy’s journey to self discovery as she spends a month with her With a delightful balance of wit, danger, and magic, Jones’ latest extended family in Taiwan. fantasy follows a befuddled magician and his orphan charge as they attempt to defend their magical estate against the ghastly beasties who MACY, SUE Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom would use it for less than pleasant purposes. (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way). National Geographic, 2011. Gr. 4-8 KELLEY, JANE Nature Girl. Random House, 2010. $16.99; paperback As Macy demonstrates in this compact, lavishly illustrated history, $6.99 Gr. 4-7 the bicycle wasn’t just an advance in transportation, it was a cultural Eleven-year-old Megan is a sulking city girl dragged to the country, breakthrough that gave women new and controversial freedoms. but she’s determined to prove her spirit by hiking thirty miles along BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) /+

MARGOLIS, LESLIE Girl’s Best Friend. Bloomsbury, 2011. $14.99 Gr. Batman at the hands of writer Bill Finger, who never received credit 4-7 for his work, is #nally revealed in this meticulously researched graphic Seventh-grader Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair starts out as a dog-walker biography. and ends up a sleuth when petnapping plagues her Brooklyn neighborhood in this engaging mystery. O’CONNOR, SHEILA Sparrow Road. Putnam, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 4-6 Twelve-year-old Raine and her mother are spending the summer at a MCCAUGHREAN, GERALDINE !e Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine writers’ getaway, where Raine bonds with the artists, explores her own Queen. Harper/HarperCollins, 2011. Gr. 5-8 writing, and discovers the father she’s never known in this $uidly and "is Twainian adventure featuring twelve-year-old Cissy Cissney, thoughtfully written novel. a gang of mismatched companions, and a slightly illicitly acquired steamboat, de#nes the world “rollicking.” OKORAFOR, NNEDI Akata Witch. Viking, 2011. $17.99; e-book $14.99 Gr. 6-9 MCCLAFFERTY, CARLA KILLOUGH !e Many Faces of George Sunny’s albinism causes her Nigerian classmates to call her “akata Washington: Remaking a Presidential Icon. Carolrhoda, 2011. $20.95 witch,” and it turns out they’re right—she’s a Leopard person, with Gr. 5-9 natural magical abilities, and she must learn to understand and wield McCla!erty explores science, art, and history as she follows the her powers in this gripping fantasy that draws on Nigerian Igbo fascinating project that used historical portraits, sculpture, and religion and lore. information to create life-sized models of George Washington at three di!erent ages.

MESSER, STEPHEN !e Death of Yorik Mortwell; illus. by Gris Grimly. Random House, 2011. $15.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 4-6 Youngsters who cut their teeth on Edward Gorey will #nd this chilling tale of young (and deceased) Yorik’s battle against the treacherous Yglhfm just to their liking.

MONTGOMERY, SY Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot; illus. with photographs by Nic Bishop. Houghton, 2010. $18.00 Gr. 5-9 An awkward yet strangely beautiful $ightless green bird found only on one small island o! New Zealand is the subject of a dedicated preservation e!ort—and this arresting and informative photoessay.

MYERS, WALTER DEAN Just Write: Here’s How. HarperCollins, 2012. $17.99; paperback $7.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 6-9 Aspiring writers will #nd an expert guide in proli#c author Myers, PATT, BEVERLY Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook; illus. who gives readers both the inspiration and the practical know-how to by Shula Klinger and with photographs. Cavendish, 2010. $17.99 get started on their literary career. Gr. 5-7 "is #ctional scrapbook o!ers a picture of an era and of a friendship NELSON, KADIR Heart and Soul: !e Story of America and African as it follows fourteen-year-old Louise Krueger during World War Americans; written and illus. by Kadir Nelson. Balzer + Bray, 2012. II as she attempts to maintain a friendship with her BFF Dottie, a $19.99 Gr. 4-7 Japanese-American girl now living in an internment camp. With his characteristic dramatic oil paintings, Nelson tells the story of African Americans and their central role in the building of this PATTERSON, JAMES Middle School: !e Worst Years of My Life; by country and its future. James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts; illus. by Laura Park. Little, 2011. $15.99 Gr. 4-7 NEWSOME, RICHARD !e Billionaire’s Curse; illus. by Jonny Duddle. In this lively outing, a bored middle schooler decides to treat his #rst Walden Pond/HarperCollins, 2010. $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book year as a videogame, including accruing points and losing lives, with $5.99 Gr. 5-8 the goal of breaking every rule in the handbook by the end of the year. After inheriting a rather large fortune from his great-aunt, thirteen- year-old Gerald Wilkins #nds himself in danger up to his newly PEARSALL, SHELLEY Jump into the Sky. Knopf, 2012. $16.99; e-book tailored suit shoulders in this adventure-packed mystery that will $10.99 Gr. 5-9 appeal to fans of !e 39 Clues. Fans of Christopher Paul Curtis will #nd humor and insight in this tale of thirteen-year-old Levi and his father, a member of the 555th NOBLEMAN, MARC TYLER Bill, the Boy Wonder: !e Secret Co-Creator Parachute Infantry Battalion, a colored division of the military in of Batman. Charlesbridge, 2012. $17.95 Gr. 3-5 World War II. "e true story of the creation of the immortal comic book character BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) /,

PEOT, MARGARET Inkblot: Drip, Splat, and Squish Your Way to SCIESZKA, JON, ed. Guys Read: !e Sports Pages; illus. by Dan Santat. Creativity; written and illus. by Margaret Peot. Boyds Mills, 2011. Walden Pond Press, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 4-7 $19.95 Gr. 5-9 Sports fans will cheer for this collection of stories from writers and Kids of all levels of artistic ability and interest are invited to join the athletes about the greatest games on earth that o!ers a blend of action- fun of creating a controlled mess and turning it into a project of packed #ction and non#ction in the third installment of Scieszka’s surprising loveliness or bizarre imagination in this informative and Guys Read Library of Great Reading. inviting guide to using inkblots as the germ for artistic creations. SHANG, WENDY WAN-LONG !e Great Wall of Lucy Wu. Scholastic, POTTER, ELLEN !e Kneebone Boy. Feiwel, 2010. $16.99; e-book 2011. $17.99 Gr. 4-6 $9.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-7 Sixth-grader Lucy Wu is dismayed when her elderly great aunt from Fans of gothic mysteries will #nd this darkly witty recount of the China moves in with her family, takes over half of Lucy’s room Hardscrabble children and their trials and tribulations just to their and inspires her parents to tighten their restrictions on her, but she liking. gradually #nds herself won over by her gentle relative.

RACZKA, BOB Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word; illus. by Nancy Doniger. Roaring Brook, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 3-7 Twenty-two clever verses introduce readers to an ingenious form wherein every word in the poem is drawn only from the letters in the poem’s title.

REEVE, PHILIP Fever Crumb. Scholastic, 2010. $17.99; paperback $8.99 Gr. 5-7 It’s a prequel to the fabulous Hungry Cities Chronicles, and it’s delightful in its own right—do you really need to know more?

RIORDAN, RICK !e Red Pyramid. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $17.99; $9.99 Gr. 5-8 After their archeologist father blows up the Rosetta Stone, siblings Carter and Sadie Kane must take on ancient Egyptian gods in this zany but nonetheless thrilling start to the Kane Chronicles. SIDMAN, JOYCE Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night; illus. by ROSS, STEWART Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found !eir Rick Allen. Houghton, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 4-7 Way by Land, Sea, and Air; illus. by Stephen Biesty. Candlewick, 2011. Sidman produces another stellar volume of nature poetry, here $19.99 Gr. 4-8 following the activities of nocturnally active organisms; intricate What looks like a gimmicky collection of glitzy foldouts is actually a linocut prints trace the journey from dusk to dawn and entice readers tidily focused, intriguingly illustrated account of fourteen landmark to hunt for featured creatures in their backgrounds. explorations. STROUD, JONATHAN !e Ring of Solomon. Hyperion, 2010. $17.99 RUPP, REBECCA Octavia Boone’s Big Questions about Life, the Universe, Gr. 6-9 and Everything. Candlewick, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 5-8 "is prequel to the Bartimaeus trilogy sets the irascible, brilliant djinni A careful blend of humor and hope infuses this tale of one girl’s Bartimaeus back in Jerusalem in 950 B.C.E., where he’s involved in an struggle to come to terms with the new dynamics of her family after attempt to steal a magical ring from King Solomon. her mother takes o! to #nd enlightenment. SULLIVAN, GEORGE Tom !umb: !e Remarkable True Story of a Man RUSCH, ELIZABETH !e Mighty Mars Rovers: !e Incredible Adventures in Miniature. Clarion, 2011. $20.00 Gr. 5-8 of Spirit and Opportunity. Houghton, 2012. $18.99. Gr. 5-9. Sullivan follows the careers of both Charles Stratton, the nineteenth Take a trip to Mars in this spectacular non#ction book that follows century’s celebrated Tom "umb, and P. T. Barnum, the showman a team of the scientists as they explore the surface of Mars using the who launched him into international stardom. rovers Spirit and Opportunity. SULLIVAN, LAURA L. Under the Green Hill. Holt, 2010. $16.99; SCALETTA, KURTIS Mamba Point. Knopf, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 5-9 paperback $7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 5-8 Plagued by anxiety and panic attacks, seventh-grader Linus Tuttle Kin to classic British fantasies, this atmospheric tale follows four sees his family’s move to Liberia as an opportunity to remake himself, siblings sent to the home of relatives in the English countryside especially when he realizes he has a strange connection to one of who #nd themselves involved in the Midsummer War between the Africa’s most deadly reptiles. beautiful Seelie and the much more threatening Host. BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) /-

SWINBURNE, STEPHEN R. Wi" and Dirty George: !e Z.E.B.R.A. "is compilation of sixteen Greek myths o!ers vibrant tellings, Incident. Front Street, 2010. $17.95 Gr. 4-7 thoughtful organization, and regal artwork to bring classics to a new London in 1969 is the perfect setting for the kooky adventures of generation. twelve-year-old Wi! and his pal Dirty George when they attempt to save the Queen from a mad inventor in this absurdly quirky caper. URSU, ANNE Breadcrumbs; illus. by Erin McGuire. Walden Pond/ HarperCollins, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 4-7 TASHJIAN, JANET My Life as a Book; illus. by Jake Tashjian. Ottaviano/ A wintry fairy-tale forest provides the backdrop to this poignant tale Holt, 2010. $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 4-6 of a young girl negotiating the transition from the magical world of Young fans of the Wimpy Kid series will no doubt recognize a bit of childhood to the confusing place of adolescence. themselves in twelve-year-old Derek Fallon as he fends o! his parents’ attempts to add “educational value” to his summer and embarks on an adventure of his own.

TAYLOR, SARAH STEWART Amelia Earhart: !is Broad Ocean; written and illus. by Sarah Stewart Taylor and Ben Towle. Center for Cartoon Studies/Disney/Hyperion, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 5-9 "is compelling graphic-novel account explores the life of Amelia Earhart through the eyes of young Grace, a #ctional resident of the small Newfoundland village from where Earhart and her pilot hope to begin a transatlantic $ight in 1927.

THOMSON, RUTH Terezín: Voices from the Holocaust. Candlewick, 2011. $18.99 Gr. 5-8 "omson tells the story of the Terezín concentration camp almost entirely in the voices of those who lived there, grounding it in solid research and presenting it in an accessible magazine-style layout. VALENTE, CATHERYNNE M. !e Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland TOOKE, WES King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige. in a Ship of Her Own Making; illus. by Ana Juan. Feiwel, 2011. $16.99 Simon, 2012. $15.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 4-7 Gr. 5-8 Readers looking for a more realistic alternative to Dan Gutman’s When the Green Wind o!ers to take young September to Fairyland time-travel baseball adventures will #nd a homerun in twelve-year- via $ying leopard, she jumps at the chance; the resulting quest story old Nick’s story about his apprenticeship under the renowned Negro is a perfect balance of whimsical enchantment and playful profundity League pitcher, Satchel Paige. that recalls Alice in Wonderland and !e Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

TOWNSEND, MICHAEL, ad. Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and VAN CLEVE, KATHLEEN Drizzle. Dial, 2010. $16.99; paperback Blunders; ad. and illus. by Michael Townsend. Dial, 2010. $14.99; $7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 4-7 e-book $12.99 Gr. 4-8 Life on Polly’s magical farm, where her best friend is a warm-hearted "e illustrations in this graphic-novel-styled narrative are rendered chocolate rhubarb plant and where there’s a regularly scheduled with runaway goo#ness, giving a humorous, even slightly satiric touch supernatural rainfall, seems to losing its enchantment, so Polly must to these nine snappy retellings of classic Greek myths. #gure out the secret of her beloved home’s survival.

TRACY, KRISTEN !e Reinvention of Bessica Lefter. Delacorte, 2011. VANDERPOOL, CLARE Moon over Manifest. Delacorte, 2010. $16.99; $15.99 Gr. 4-7 paperback $7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 5-8 Bessica is looking to start sixth grade as a whole new woman, but "is solid historical novel follows Abilene Tucker, who in 1936 #nds without her best pal Sylvie at her side, she’s barely avoiding being a box of letters from 1918 that begin to shed light on long-simmering branded a loser in this authentic and heartwarming portrayal about family and town secrets. #nding yourself in unexpected places. WADSWORTH, GINGER First Girl Scout: the life of Juliette Gordon Low. TURNAGE, SHEILA !ree Times Lucky. Dial, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 5-7 Clarion, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 5-8 Rescued from a hurricane as a baby by the amnesiac Colonel and Wadsworth has created an in-depth portrait of the extraordinary life raised by him in the town of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Moses and times of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, who worked for (Mo) LeBeau is determined to solve the twin mysteries of a local the betterment of American girls. man’s murder and her own unknown origins in this rollicking murder mystery. WALLACE, RICH Sports Camp. Knopf, 2010. $15.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 5-7 TURNBULL, ANN, ad. Greek Myths; illus. by Sarah Young. Candlewick, Sports-story stalwart Rich Wallace spins an appealing yarn with this 2010. $18.99 Gr. 5-10 tale of eleven-year-old Riley at sports camp. BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS (GR. 4-6, 9-11 YRS) 19

WEITZMAN, DAVID Skywalkers: Mohawks on the High Steel. Flash YEE, LISA Warp Speed. Levine/Scholastic, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 5-8 Point/Roaring Brook, 2010. $19.99 Gr. 5-9 Fans of Yee’s previous works will remember Marley as the forgotten Social history, architectural history, and engineering case studies friend of Stanford Wong but here the veteran outcast is the star of the mingle in this involving account of the Kahnawake Mohawk of show, even if he’d much rather go unnoticed. southern Quebec, who became famed high-steel workers instrumental in the creation of New York’s skyscrapers. YLVISAKER, ANNE !e Luck of the Buttons. Candlewick, 2011. $15.99; $6.99; e-book $15.99 Gr. 4-6 WEST, JACQUELINE !e Shadows; illus. by Poly Bernatene. Dial, Small town life in 1929 America is richly depicted in this story of 2010. ("e Books of Elsewhere) $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book young Tugs Button, who shocks her hardscrabble family by winning $6.99 Gr. 5-7 a brand new camera and then uses it to pursue her suspicions of an Eleven-year-old Olive, newly moved into an old house, #nds that it oily newcomer. holds more than she expects in this delightful concoction of classic fantasy elements ranging from talking cats to animated paintings. YOUNG, ED !e House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China; illus. with photographs. Little, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 5-9 WHITE, RUTH You’ll Like It Here (Everybody Does). Delacorte, 2011 An elegant combination of altered photos and episodic text make this $16.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $6.99 Gr. 5-7 memoir of Young’s childhood growing up in Shanghai both moving When Meggie Blue and her alien family have to speedily escape Earth, and intriguing. they’re initially optimistic about the Earth-like Fashion City, but soon they realize its pleasant appearance hides sinister secrets.

WILLIAMS-GARCIA, RITA One Crazy Summer. Amistad/HarperCollins, 2010. $15.99; paperback $6.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 5-8 It’s 1968, and eleven-year-old Delphine reexamines her family when she and her little sisters spend the summer in Oakland with their estranged mother, now a poet involved with the Black Panther movement.

WILSON, DANIEL Bro-jitsu: !e Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown; illus. by Les McClaine. Bloomsbury, 2010. Paperback $12.99 Gr. 5-8 You may need to shut your eyes to the practice, but this guide to sibling annoyance (the Basic Hair Pull, Wet Willy, and Doll Mutilation are some familiar examples) will have young readers gleefully poring over the pages and planning mayhem.

WOLITZER, MEG !e Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman. Dutton, 2011. $16.99; paperback $7.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 5-7 Fans of Carl Hiaasen and E. L. Konigsburg will appreciate this solid, thoughtful, and funny story about three kids competing in the national Youth Scrabble Tournament for their own complicated reasons. BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS) &0

ADOFF, ARNOLD Roots and Blues: A Celebration; illus. by R. Gregory BEAM, CRIS I Am J. Little, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 Christie. Clarion, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 8-12 Despite being born a girl, J knows he’s male, and his struggle to explain Sixty poems, each visually creative and lyrically impressive, present a himself to his family and friends and journey toward transition are dramatic but accessible look at the smoky dives, legendary artists, and sensitively treated in this novel on a still-new topic in YA literature. moody sounds at the heart of the blues. BELLSTORF, ARNE Baby’s in Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcli"e, ALCOTT, LOUISA MAY Little Vampire Women; ad. by Lynn Messina. and !e Beatles; tr. from the German by Michael Waaler; written and Harper Teen, 2010. $15.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 7-12 illus. by Arne Bellstorf. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2012. $24.99 To be sure, all the old familiars are here, including Amy, Beth, Jo, and Gr. 8-12 Laurie—they’re just a bit more, ahem, bloodthirsty in this particular A graphic novel featuring the compelling yet doomed romantic version. What’s not to love? relationship between the Beatles’ original bassist Stuart Sutcli!e and the band’s visionary photographer Astrid Kirchherr, done in shadowy AMATEAU, GIGI Come August, Come Freedom: !e Bellows, the Gallows, pencil and thick black ink. and the Black General Gabriel. Candlewick, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 7-12 While trial records and newspaper clippings provide historical BEAUDOIN, SEAN You Killed Wesley Payne. Little, 2011. $16.99; legitimacy to this #ctionalized version of the 1800 Virginia slave e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 insurrection, Amateau’s poetic language lends the tale an emotional Enticed by a beautiful girl (aren’t they all?), amateur sleuth Dalton Rev resonance that readers will not soon forget. takes on the case of her apparently murdered brother in this slick and snarky send-up of the classic noir detective genre. ANDERSON, JODI LYNN Americapedia: Taking the Dumb Out of Freedom; by Jodi Lynn Anderson, Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Andisheh Nouraee. Walker, 2011. $24.99; paperback $16.99 Gr. 7-12 "is high-spirited overview gets young adults up to speed on the civics, economics, and global issues that they may have dozed through in class; a scrapbook-style format and lively cartoons will lure browsers.

ANTHONY, JESSICA Chopsticks; illus. with photographs by Rodrigo Corral. Razorbill, 2012. $19.99 Gr. 9-12 "is romance, told through emotive full-page compositions of photographs, mementos, and a smattering of dialogue, questions musically gifted Glory’s mental state as her possibly-imagined relationship with Francisco unfolds.

ARCHER, E. Geek Fantasy Novel. Scholastic, 2011. $17.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-10 A fourteen-year-old gamer on a trip to England #nds his cousins’ wishes take him into an eccentric fantasy world in this story that both BEAUFRAND, MARY JANE !e River. Little, 2010. $16.99 Gr. 7-10 plays with fantasy tropes and o!ers a great geeky coming-of-age tale. Veronica is stunned and griefstricken at the death of her ten-year-old neighbor, who had helped Veronica adjust to her new small-town life, ARONSON, MARC, ed. Pick-Up Game: A Full Day of Full Court; ed. by so she turns sleuth in this haunting, atmospheric mystery. Marc Aronson and Charles R. Smith, Jr. Candlewick, 2011. Gr. 7-12 Nine all-stars in the #eld of YA lit contribute stories that form a BICK, ILSA J. Ashes. Egmont, 2011. $16.99 Gr. 9-12 cumulative portrait of a ten-hour summer day at the famous West 4th In this brutal post-apocolytpic world, seventeen-year-old Alex must Street Cage in Greenwich Village. combat starvation, natural disasters, and those ever persistent $esh- eating zombies after an electromagnetic pulse kills o! most of the BADOE, ADWOA Between Sisters. Groundwood, 2010. $16.95 Gr. 7-10 population. "is absorbing tale of sixteen-year-old Gloria, a Ghanaian girl who’s thrilled yet overwhelmed by life in the fast lane when she moves into BILLINGSLEY, FRANNY Chime. Dial, 2011. $17.99; e-book $10.99 a relative’s urban home, conveys local detail as it explores universal Gr. 7-10 teen issues. Sparkling prose and a lush, spooky setting mark this supernatural romance that twists and turns through the small town of Swampsea BARRACLOUGH, LINDSEY Long Lankin. Candlewick, 2012. $16.99; where young Briony attempts to protect her family from the Old e-book $16.99 Gr. 7-10 Ones at the beginning of an alternative twentieth century. In a disquieting English village with an unexplained history of murdered children, Cora and her sister Mimi confront portentous BLUMENTHAL, KAREN Steve Jobs: !e Man Who !ought Di"erent. spirits, deranged townspeople, and a genuinely terrifying villain in Feiwel, 2012. $16.99; paperback $8.99 Gr. 6-10 this adaptation of a British folk ballad. Blumenthal traces Jobs’ rise to technophile superstardom from early- BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS) &/

career personality quirks and con$icts to the age of the iPod and his CLEMENT-MOORE, ROSEMARY Texas Gothic. Delacorte, 2011. $17.99; ultimate battle with pancreatic cancer. e-book $10.99 Gr. 9-12 "e Texas ranch setting and colorful cast add sparkle to this BLUNDELL, JUDY Strings Attached. Scholastic, 2011. $17.99; supernaturally touched mystery featuring one sister who’s a rational paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-12 skeptic and another who’s in touch with the spirit world. Kit and Billy are seemingly a happy young couple in 1950s New York, but little does Billy know that his mobster father has set dancer Kit up COCKRELL, AMANDA What We Keep Is Not Always What Will Stay. Flux, with all she has in this noir tale. 2011. Paperback $9.95; e-book $9.95 Gr. 7-10 A miraculous apparition, a family split, and a troubling relationship BOWERS, RICK Superman Versus the Ku Klux Klan: !e True Story of bring #fteen-year-old Angie to a spiritual crisis in this provocative and How the Iconic Superhero Battled the Men of Hate. National Geographic, ultimately hopeful read. 2012. $16.95; e-book $18.95 Gr. 7-10 During the post-WWII resurgence of the infamous hate group, COLLINS, YVONNE Love Inc.; written by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Adventures of Superman’s radio producers stage a takedown of the Rideout. Hyperion, 2011. $16.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99 not-so-subtly named Clan of the Fiery Cross in the climax of this Gr. 7-10 historical narrative. Sharing the same cheating boyfriend gives three girls a brilliant business plan, and soon Love Inc., is booming with business from spurned lovers and their desire for payback in this fun and frothy novel perfect for the recently broken hearted.

COOK, KRISTI Haven. Simon Pulse, 2011. $16.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 "e steamy romance between Violet and Aidan takes a turn when she realizes her destiny as a vampire slayer and his status as a bloodsucker in this seriously sexy tale that will have Twilight fans swooning.

CORTEZ, SARAH, ed. You Don’t Have a Clue: Latino Mystery Stories for Teens. Piñata, 2011. Paperback $16.95 Gr. 7-10 Eighteen mysteries by a mix of prominent and lesser-known Latino/ Latina authors creatively interpret the genre and take readers on strange, suspenseful, and sometimes even creepy journeys.

CRISPIN, A. C. !e Price of Freedom. Disney, 2011. $22.95; e-book $22.95 Gr. 7-12 BRAY, LIBBA Beauty Queens. Scholastic, 2011. $18.99; paperback "is fast-paced and adventurous prequel to !e Pirates of the Caribbean $9.99; e-book $9.49 Gr. 7-10 follows a young Jack Sparrow as he tries to work his way through the Adventure blends with satire in this story of a wrecked plane of beauty- legitimate naval ranks and to leave behind his pirate upbringing— pageant contestants who use their pageant skills and equipment to most of the time. survive. DAY, SUSIE My Invisible Boyfriend. Scholastic, 2010. $16.99; e-book BROSGOL, VERA Anya’s Ghost; written and illus. by Vera Brosgol. First $16.99 Gr. 7-10 Second/Roaring Brook, 2011. $19.99; paperback $15.99 Gr. 8-10 In this e!ervescent British comedy, Heidi invents her perfect boyfriend A juicy mystery, a bit of horror, a compelling cast, and a deceptive and then #nds that keeping the #ction going among her friends is ghost make this graphic novel a strong and appealing standout. more trouble than she expected.

BUNCE, ELIZABETH C. Starcrossed. Levine/Scholastic, 2010. $17.99 DOGAR, SHARON Annexed. Houghton, 2010. $17.00; paperback Gr. 7-10 $7.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 7-10 Impeccable suspense marks this deliciously intriguing tale of Digger, "is #ctionalized account of the experiences of Peter van Pels, who hid a young thief drawn into a web of political scheming after she in the famous annex with Anne Frank, provides a moving, accessible, masquerades as a noblewoman’s lady-in-waiting. and original approach that intersects e!ectively with the famous diary.

CARD, ORSON SCOTT Path%nder. Simon Pulse, 2010. $18.99; DONNELLY, JENNIFER Revolution. Delacorte, 2010. $18.99; paperback paperback $10.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10 $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10 "is sweeping novel o!ers interconnected stories from thousands of When Andi, staying with her father in Paris after her brother’s death, years apart that converge around the life of one young boy who dares #nds the diary of one of the French Revolution’s victims, she #nds to challenge his world. herself obsessed with the two-hundred-year-old tragedy in this rich, original, and compelling story. BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS) &&

DURST, SARAH BETH Drink, Slay, Love. McElderry, 2011. $17.99; GREEN, JOHN Will Grayson, Will Grayson; by John Green and David e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-12 Levithan. Dutton, 2010. $17.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 9-12 Fans of campy horror can’t ask for more than this whimsically gross Told in alternating chapters, this story tells the tale of two Will Graysons and tale that features unicorns, vampires, and one snarky and bloodthirsty their search for friendship and love—and one stellar high school musical. protagonist. GRIFFIN, ADELE Tighter. Knopf, 2011. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book EPHRON, DELIA !e Girl with the Mermaid Hair. HarperTeen, 2010. $8.99 Gr. 7-10 $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10 In this update of !e Turn of the Screw, seventeen-year-old Jamie takes a "is thoughtful realistic novel has a delicate touch of the supernatural summer job caring for eleven-year-old Isa in a mansion on an exclusive as it follows teenaged Sukie, who thinks everything in her life is perfect, island o! of the New England coast and discovers that she’s identical to Isa’s until her parents’ shifting dynamics causes her to consider what’s going previous au pair—who tragically died. on below the surface. GRIFFIN, PAUL Stay With Me. Dial, 2011. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book FLEMING, CANDACE On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave. Schwartz $8.99 Gr. 9-12 & Wade/Random, 2012. $16.99. Gr. 7-10. From the $ustered anxiety of a #rst kiss to the eventual recovery from Mike Kowalski is drawn into the company of a group of teenage ghosts heartbreak, this touching portrayal of the doomed romance between good who share the horrifying tales of their deaths in Chicago that occurred girl Cece and bad boy Mac will require an additional gift of a few hankies. over the course of the past century, providing a satisfying and creepy twist on the traditional ghost story collection with 9 ghost stories HANDLER, DANIEL Why We Broke Up; illus. by Maira Kalman. Little, 2011. suitable to read on a dark and stormy night. $19.99 Gr. 9-12 Supported by full-color illustrations and conversational prose, this fervent GILL, DAVID MACINNIS Black Hole Sun. Greenwillow, 2010. $16.99; ; re$ection on the dissolution of young love between artsy Min and basketball paperback $8.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 9-12 star Ed gets high school heartbreak just right. Movie-ready doesn’t even begin to describe this lightning-paced action novel about a group of teen mercenaries out to make a living on a HAUTMAN, PETE Blank Confession. Simon, 2010. $16.99; paperback hardscrabble Mars and, if it’s #nancially rewarding, save a few lives $8.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 7-10 along the way. "is ably plotted reverse mystery story and e!ective quick-pick read opens with a murder confession by sixteen-year-old Shayne Blank, and as the novel unfolds, readers piece together the circumstances of the crime and its victim.

HINDS, GARETH, ad. !e Odyssey; ad. and illus. by Gareth Hinds. Candlewick, 2010. $24.99; paperback $14.99 Gr. 9-12 It may be a hair-raising adventure tale that’s lasted well over two millennia, but the classic epic gains freshness in this moody and gory graphic-novel interpretation.

HOOPER, MARY Fallen Grace. Bloomsbury, 2011. $16.99; e-book $16.99 Gr. 8-12 With dastardly villains, vindicated heroines, and true love just over the horizon, how can this delightfully Dickensian novel miss?

KIRBY, JESSI Moonglass. Simon, 2011. $16.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10 Family secrets, a beach setting so well realized that you can smell the salt air, and a moonlit romance (with a lifeguard, of course) combine in this emotional and satisfying story of past loss and present love. GOTO, HIROMI Half World; illus. by Jillian Tamaki. Viking, 2010. $16.99; e-book $13.99 Gr. 9-12 KRAUS, DANIEL Rotters. Delacorte, 2011. $16.99; paperback $10.99; e-book In this elegant, compelling, and vivid fantasy, fourteen-year-old Melanie $9.99 Gr. 9-12 discovers that she was actually born in the realm known as Half World, You don’t need zombies or vampires for a good scare as proven by this and she returns to its grotesque, terrifying futility to rescue her mother wonderfully creepy and downright gruesome tale of graverobbing and family and right the balance between the worlds. loyalty, making the perfect thriller for the thinking teen. GREEN, JOHN !e Fault in Our Stars. Dutton, 2012. $17.99 Gr. 9-12 JAFFE, MICHELE Ghost Flower. Razorbill, 2012. $9.99 Gr. 7-10 With their razor-sharp wits but failing, fragile bodies, exquisitely Siblings Bain and Bridgette approach foster care runaway Eve with a characterized Hazel and Augustus embark together on a journey both depraved—yet lucrative—scheme to impersonate the pair’s disappeared dashingly intellectual and thoroughly romantic after meeting in a teen cousin in this ghost-laden, contemplative mystery. cancer support group. BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS) &(

JAY, STACEY Juliet Immortal. Delacorte, 2011. $17.99; paperback $9.99 LYNCH, CHRIS Angry Young Man. Simon, 2011. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 e-book $13.99 Gr. 9-12 "e truth behinds Shakespeare’s most famous star-crossed lovers is a bit Lynch continues to be an edgy yet compassionate spokesman for working- more twisted as reotld in this book that pits the angelic Juliet against the class kids, and here he tackles issues of masculinity, brotherhood, and devilish Romeo. family loyalty.

JOHN, ANTONY !ou Shalt Not Road Trip. Dial, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 8-12 LYNCH, CHRIS Hothouse. HarperTeen, 2010. $16.99; paperback $9.99; After #nding himself on a Christian book tour with his former best friend, e-book $7.99 Gr. 8-12 accidental author Luke faces the consequences of his poor friendship Russell, whose #re#ghter father has just died in a con$agration along with decisions and challenges both professional and spiritual. his best buddy, #nds that the #re#ghter culture he’s grown up in hides some secrets in this moving story of heroism, community opinion, the JOHNSON, MAUREEN !e Name of the Star. Putnam, 2011. $16.99; evanescence of reputation, and father-son love. e-book $10.99 Gr. 8-12 It seems that even in modern times, Jack the Ripper isn’t quite done with MANZANO, SONIA !e Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Scholastic, 2012. London, as seventeen-year-old Rory discovers when she runs afoul of a $17.99; e-book $17.99 Gr. 7-10 murderous ghost. Manzano (whom readers may know as Maria from Sesame Street) laces an emotional journey with historical facts in this story of the titular Evelyn’s KRISTOFF, JAY Stormdancer. Dunne/St. Martin’s, 2012. $24.99; e-book coming of age in a Puerto Rican neighbor in New York during the civil $10.99 Gr. 9 up rights era. "is mash-up of industrial steampunk and Japanese culture follows the relationship between heroine Yukiko and a gryphon-like mythical MCBRIDE, LISH Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Holt, 2010. $16.99; creature as they battle a corrupt regime; fans of dystopia and animal paperback $9.99 e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-12 companion tales will #nd much to like here. In this surprisingly nuanced, emotional, and witty supernatural horror story (yes, that’s right), amiable fast-food worker Sam #nds his life thrown into bloody chaos when he meets sinister necromancer Douglas.

MECHNER, JORDAN Solomon’s !ieves; illus. by LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland; color by Hilary Sycamore. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2010. Paper ed. $12.99 Gr. 9-12 "ere’s swashbuckling adventure aplenty in this historical graphic novel focusing on knight Templar Martin of Troyes, who with the aid of trusty companions defends his beleaguered fellow knights and their historic treasure from the corrupt French king.

MEEHL, BRIAN You Don’t Know about Me. Delacorte, 2011. $17.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 7-10 In this stylish contemporary road story inspired by Huckleberry Finn, Billy Albright #nds himself on a cross-country treasure hunt for his inheritance from his father, guided by a man who forces Billy to examine his own prejudices.

MOSS, JENNY Shadow. Scholastic, 2010. $17.99 Gr. 6-9 LAFEVERS, ROBIN Grave Mercy. Houghton, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 9-12 With its dashing knights, pretentious queen, and put-upon protagonist, As a daughter of Death, Ismae in#ltrates Brittany court politics and this story starts out like any other garden-variety fairy tale but soon takes the convent of St. Mortain to take down French-allied nobles while a turn for a darkly compelling world of pagan religions and political cultivating her own identity, especially in her relationship with Duval. scheming.

LEAVITT, LINDSEY Sean Griswold’s Head. Bloomsbury, 2011. $16.99; MYERS, WALTER DEAN Kick; by Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman. ;paperback $9.99; e-book $16.99 Gr. 7-10 HarperTeen, 2011. $17.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $7.99 Gr. 7-9 Leavitt manages to take a painful family crisis and makes one girl’s Kevin Johnson, avid soccer player and son of a slain police o%cer, could reaction to it genuinely gu!aw-worthy in this insightful and ultimately be facing charges of auto theft, kidnapping, and destruction of property uplifting dramedy that includes just a dash of romance. after a car crash in which he was the underage driver in a story that’s an absorbing blend of mystery and sports. LINDNER, APRIL Jane Poppy/Little, 2010. $17.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 7-10 NELSON, JANDY !e Sky Is Everywhere. Dial, 2010. $17.99; paperback After losing her estranged parents in an accident, Jane seeks work as a $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 8-12 nanny in this romantic and faithful retelling of Jane Eyre for the modern In this touching, authentic tale of grief, family, and romance, eleventh- teen. grader Lennie struggles to rede#ne her identity after the death of her vivacious older sister, even as she #nds the possibility of love with a talented fellow musician. BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS) &)

NORTHROP, MICHAEL Trapped. Scholastic, 2011. $17.99; paperback ROSENTHAL, LORRAINE ZAGO Other Words for Love. Delacorte, 2011. $9.99; e-book $17.99 Gr. 7-10 $17.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 A record snowstorm isolates seven teens in their high school in this Seventeen-year-old Ari must pick up the pieces after the demise of her literally chilling survival story where the suspense mounts as the snow romantic relationship with Blake in this moving tale that will speak strongly accumulates. to the recently heartbroken and perhaps remind them that there is a reason we call them “#rst” loves. NYE, NAOMI SHIHAB, ed. Time You Let Me In: 25 Poets under 25. Greenwillow, 2010. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7 up ROY, JENNIFER Mindblind. Cavendish, 2010. $15.99 Gr. 6-9 Over a hundred poems by gifted young poets treat family, the craft of In this compellingly voiced novel, fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Clark knows writing, and other subjects in moving, memorable verse suitable for he’s super-smart, but his Asperger’s syndrome renders him much more reading aloud or alone, in quick browses or in one absorbing read. comfortable cocooned in his own world than interacting with others.

OLIVER, LAUREN Delirium. Harper/HarperCollins, 2011. $17.99; SÁENZ, BENJAMIN ALIRE Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the paperback $8.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 8-12 Universe. Simon, 2011. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10 With elements reminiscent of Westerfeld’s Uglies trilogy, this story of a Lyrical prose explores the lives of restless Ari and his bookish, ephemeral girl about to turn eighteen and thus undergo the government-mandated friend, Dante, as they struggle with notions of identity and sexuality during procedure to eliminate her ability to love is a provocative dystopia sure a hot, languid summer in 1987 El Paso. to elicit discussion. SCHUMACHER, JULIE !e Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls. OPPEL, KENNETH !is Dark Endeavor. Simon, 2011. $17.99; paperback Delacorte, 2012. $16.99; e-book $10.99 Gr. 8-12 $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 Adrienne’s summer plans suddenly include a mother-daughter book club, "is prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein builds faithfully and and the forced camaraderie with wildly dissimilar classmates is fertile ground atmospherically on the spirit of the original as it imagines the episode for Adrienne’s coming-of-age with saucy social commentary and surprising that planted in the adolescent Victor Frankenstein the seeds of the adult dimension. scientist who would create and then reject a monster. SEPETYS, RUTA Between Shades of Gray. Philomel, 2011. $17.99; paperback OSTLERE, CATHY Karma. Razorbill, 2011. $18.99; paperback $14.99; $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 8-12 e-book $15.99 Gr. 8-12 Focusing on #fteen-year-old Lina, this harrowing historical novel recalls the "is lush novel in free verse recounts the story of Maya, a #fteen-year- systematic deportation to Siberia of thousands of Lithuanians following the old Canadian girl who journeys with her father in 1984 to her parents’ Soviet invasion of their country in 1939. native India, #nds herself caught up in the turmoil following Indira Gandhi’s assassination, and then begins to #nd herself and real love.

PEARCE, JACKSON Sisters Red. Little, 2010. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $2.99 Gr. 8-12 Dark, gritty, and superbly suspenseful, this modern-day sequel to Little Red Riding Hood follows a pair of sisters who hunt the werewolf-like Fenris.

PÉREZ, ASHLEY HOPE What Can(t) Wait. Carolrhoda Lab, 2011. $17.95; e-book $9.95 Gr. 7-10 Generations clash in this story about Marisa, a gifted student, who struggles to convince her Mexican-immigrant father of the value of her academic goals.

QUINTERO, SOFIA Efrain’s Secret. Knopf, 2010. $16.99; paperback $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 9-12 In this compelling look at inner-city life, honor student Efrain Rodriguez SHEINKIN, STEVE Bomb: !e Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most hopes to leave the crime-ridden Bronx for college in the Ivy League, but Dangerous Weapon; illus. with photographs. Roaring Brook, 2012. $19.99 desperation makes him risk his dreams when he takes a job dealing drugs Gr. 7-12 with his best friend. "is fascinating true-life spy tale is edge-of-your-seat material and both history bu!s and YAs looking for a good thriller will #nd much to be REEVES, DIA Slice of Cherry. Simon Pulse, 2011. $16.99; paperback captivated by here. $9.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 Twin girls, the daughters of a multiple murderer, decide to use their SHIGA, JASON Empire State: A Love Story (or Not); written and illus. by Jason own lethal impulses for good in this bizarre, absorbing, supernaturally Shiga; color by John Pham. Abrams Comicarts, 2011. $17.99 Gr. 9-12 touched horror story. Simple but nuanced art accompanies this quiet semi-autobiographical tale about unrequited love. BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GR. 7-12, 12-18 YRS) &*

SUMA, NOVA REN Imaginary Girls. Dutton, 2011. $17.99; paperback WARMAN, JESSICA Between. Walker, 2011. $17.99; paperback $9.99; $8.99; e-book $8.99 Gr. 8-12 e-book $7.99 Gr. 9-12 "is deliciously disturbing tale chronicles the relationship between Liz’s eighteenth birthday is also her last, and she’s now roaming in limbo, Chloe and her magnetic older half-sister and primary caretaker, Ruby, joined by the spirit of a classmate who died the previous year, and trying a relationship that, it becomes clear, comes at a terrible, unearthly price. to piece together the events that led to her death in this provocative, intriguing title. TAYLOR, LAINI Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Little, 2011. $18.99; paperback $9.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 9-12 WEIN, ELIZABETH Code Name Verity. Hyperion, 2012. $16.99; e-book A human raised by human-animal hybrids known as chimaera, Karou $16.99 Gr. 9-12 #nds herself caught in an ancient war between chimaera and seraphim Wein masterfully delivers methodical, plot twist-driven suspense and when she’s attacked by a seraph—to whom she then discovers a powerful sweeping wartime inquiry of hatred and heroes as captured British attraction. spy Verity and pilot best friend Maddie give harrowing accounts of survival. TOMLINSON, HEATHER Toads and Diamonds. Holt, 2010. $16.99; e-book $9.99 Gr. 7-10 WERLIN, NANCY Extraordinary. Dial, 2010. $17.99; paperback $9.99 With a vividly imagined landscape rife with beauty, power, and plague, Gr. 8-12 this India-set retelling of a lesser-known Perrault tale is sure to please fans A surprising friendship between two high-school girls proves to be just of Shannon Hale. the opening gambit in a cunning setup to secure an appropriate sacri#ce to pay o! a centuries-old supernatural debt in this complex and nuanced VALENTINE, JENNY Double. Hyperion, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 7-10 fantasy. In this mystery-driven thriller, Chap is mistaken for disappeared Cassiel and walks into the family he thinks he’s always wanted, saving himself WOLF, ALLAN !e Watch !at Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic. from deep-seated loneliness—until secretive details shrouding Cassiel’s Candlewick, 2011. $21.99 Gr. 7-10 disappearance begin to emerge. Wolf’s poetic recreation of the Titanic disaster gives #ctional voice to a score of real-life passengers, an undertaker who helped retrieve bodies VIOLI, JEN Putting Makeup on Dead People. Hyperion, 2011. $16.99; from the sea, and a pair of non-human participants in the catastrophe in paperback $8.99; e-book $16.99 Gr. 8-12 an absorbing as-it-happens unfolding of the tragedy. "ere are a lot of satiric and fantastical literary looks at death, but Violi’s story of Donna Parisi, who after her father’s death decides that her career path is to become a mortician, is a serious, wise, and poignant exploration of the meaning of life and death.

VOLPONI, PAUL !e Final Four. Viking, 2012. $16.99 Gr. 7-12 A rousing March Madness matchup between swaggering, star-powered Michigan State and underdog Troy University o!ers edge-of-your-seat sports suspense and a mindful examination of four dynamic characters in the hands of college athletics.

WALLACE, JASON Out of Shadows. Holiday House, 2011. $17.95; paperback $8.95 Gr. 9-12 When Jacko moves from England to Zimbabwe in 1983, he discovers that his boarding school, newly integrated following the war that brought Robert Mugabe to power, is a hotbed of racial tensions that force him to grapple with personal and political realities. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS &+

Permission to print the following material is gratefully acknowledged:

Cover image from Nick Dowson’s North ©2012 used by permission of Candlewick Press.

Cover image from Audrey Vernick’s Brothers at Bat ©2012 used by permission of Clarion Publishing.

Cover image from William Kamkwamba’s !e Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ©2012 used by permission of Dial Books.

Cover image from John Rocco’s Blackout ©2011 used by permission of Disney Hyperion.

Cover image from Meg Wolitzer’s !e Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman ©2011 used by permission of Dutton Children’s Books.

Cover image from Kelly Bingham’s Z is for Moose ©2012 used by permission of Greenwillow Books.

Cover image from Samhita Arni’s Sita’s Ramayana ©2011 used by permission of Groundwood Books.

Cover image from Anne Ursu’sBreadcrumbs©2011 used by permission of HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Cover image from Lisa Harkrader’s Beanboy ©2012, and cover image from Robin Lafever’s Grave Mercy ©2012, and cover image from Gerald McDermott’s Monkey: A Trickster’s Tale ©2011 used by permission of Houghton Mi'in Harcourt.

Cover image from Atinuke’s !e No. 1 Car Spotter ©2011 used by permission of Kane Miller Books.

Cover image from Sean Beaudoin’s You Killed Wesley Payne ©2011, and cover image from Edward Gibb’s Little Bee ©2012, used by permission of Little, Brown and Company.

Cover image from Karen Rostoker-Gruber’s Ferret Fun ©2011 used by permission of Marshall Cavendish Children.

Cover image from Steve Sheinkin’s Bomb: !e Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon ©2012 used by permission of Roaring Brook Presss.

Cover image from Libba Bray’s Beauty Queen ©2011, cover image from Deborah Hopkinson’s Titanic: Voices of Disaster ©2012, and cover image from Wendy Wan- Long Shang’s !e Great Wall of Lucy Wu ©2011, used by permission of Scholastic.

Cover image from Lenore Look’s Alvin Ho: Allergic to Dead Bodie, Funerals, and Other Fatal Circumstances ©2011 and cover image from Jeannette Winter’s !e Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps ©2011, used permission of Schwartz & Wade Books.

Cover image from Hiromi Goto’s Half World ©2010, cover image from Nnedi Okorafor’s Akata Witch ©2011, and cover image from Paul Volponi’s !e Final Four ©2012, used by permission of Viking Children’s Books.

Annotations and production by Deborah Stevenson and Kate Quealy-Gainer; additional annotations by Lauren Chenvert and Eti Bertland; design by Jennifer DeBaillie. ABOUT THE BULLETIN &,

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!e Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, founded in 1945, is published monthly except August; it is devoted entirely to the review of current books for children and young adults, and is one of the nation’s leading journals of literature for youth. In addition to providing concise summaries and critical evaluations, each review gives information on the book’s content and reading level.

More information about the Bulletin can be found on our website: http://bccb.lis.illinois.edu

For subscription information and a sample copy of the Bulletin, contact the Johns Hopkins University Press via mail at 2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, via email at [email protected], on the web at http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/ bulletin_of_the_center_for_childrens_books/ or toll-free at 1-800-548-1784.

GUIDE BOOK TO GIFT BOOKS: AN ANNOTATED LIST OF BOOKS FOR YOUTH © 2012 by "e Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois