In Search of Mockingbird

Erin's mom died when Erin was just a baby, and she has been living with her dad and two brothers ever since. They simply do not get her. She retreated into books, To Kill a Mockingbird specifically. Even Erin's bestfriend Amy wants her to stop carrying it around!

When Erin's father announces he is to marry his longtime girlfriend, Erin snaps. He had to tell her the day before her birthday? To top things off, her dad gives Erin her mother's diary. Her father never even talks about her mom, and now that he's marrying someone else, he hands over this treasure?

Erin hops the Greyhound with the final destination of Monroeville, Alabama. She is in search of Harper Lee. Erin just knows that if she meets Miss Lee everything will be okay.

What Erin doesn't count on is who she will meet along the way. Fancy Sedushia, and odd Epp are two of the strangers who take Erin under their wings on her journey south.

Erin will use this journey to get to know her mother, and to get to know herself.

So, at first I wasn't sure if I was going to place this title with the Tweeners or not. I only came to Mockingbird lately, and the lead character in this homage is turning 16. But Erin is a very young 16. Karyn and I had a discussion about what having a dead parent does to you (she thinks it grows you up, and I think it kind of stunts you a bit), and I decided that this is where In Search of Mockingbird would land!

Feathers

It's 1971 and Frannie is just living her life at school when the new boy comes along. He has long curly hair, and he is white. What's he doing on this side of the highway?

The new boy calls himself Jesus. For real.

At home, it's Frannie, mom and dad, and brother Sean. Sean is deaf and signing is a part of daily life for Frannie. Imagine her surprise when Jesus signs to her at school!

Woodson has penned a beautiful character driven story, laden with issues of difference, racism, religion, and the sorrow of miscarriage. All as seen through a middle school girl's eyes.

Poignant and lyrical, Feathers is Woodson at her best. This title has staying power...audiences will be immediately sucked into Frannie's world, and classroom connections abound. This is a story that has lodged itself into me. Always a good thing!

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff : You Wish

This is a title that I heard about at the Random House preview a few weeks ago. It has an adorable cover, intriguing title, and well named protagonist. Yay!

Ever since his parents died in a tragic plane accident, Benjamin Bartholomew Piff has been living in an orphanage run by the evil Mr. Roach and the despicable Mrs. Pinch. Ben often finds himself inside the large kitchen pots, scrubbing with a toothbrush as punishment. He has plans to run away, but is thwarted in his efforts when a well meaning social worker brings him a birthday cake. The cake is quickly pilfered by Mrs. Pinch and it's not until Ben can steal away into the kitchen late at night that he can make a birthday wish and have some cake. Birthday wishes never come true, but Ben figures he will give one a shot anyhow.

As Ben makes his wish, things over at the Wishworks Factory erupt into chaos. Ben has made the perfect wish. He has followed all the rules. He has told noone his wish. The wish for unlimited wishes.

But if his wish comes true, what happens to the wishes of others?

What follows is a rip roaring romp of a tale. Parallel universes, morality and mortality, wishes vs curses, and friendships despite differences all hold a place in the story.

The start reminded me of Dahl, and Mr. Candlewick painted a Wonka-esque portrait. Once the story gets moving, however, author Jason Lethcoe takes the reader to a world where children can change anything. This is a fast-paced adventure that fans of Eager, Dahl, and even Ibbotson should love!

The Green Glass Sea

So, imagine my surprise upon finishing this and then hearing from my friend Jen, that she had just attended a dinner for this very book! Timely, indeed.

As a Canadian, I really didn't learn much in school about the whole Los Alamos thing, so besides being enjoyable, I found The Green Glass Sea to be quite the learning experience as well.

Dewey and her dad have been making it on their own for a long time. Now that the war is on, however, Dewey's dad's scientific thinking has taken him away from her. First to Nana's place while Daddy was in Chicago, and then to New Mexico. To a place called "the hill" that's not even on a map. Dewey doesn't care so much about the standard issue housing, or the fact that the other kids call her Screwey Dewey...because at least she is back together with Daddy.

The kids on the hill really do have to make it on their own. All of their folks are military or scientists of some kind, and they aren't even allowed to discuss their work with their own families. Dewey and the other kids know that their parents are working on a "gadget", that will hopefully end the war.

This is a quiet and poignant look at the lives of the everyday people who were gathered up to work on "the bomb", as we used to call it. Oppie and Fermi are there, but so are regular families that just happen to have scientist parents.

A particularly thoughtful scene is when Suze's parents take Dewey and Suze out to "trinity" -- the testing site. The desert has turned to green glass. The girls are walking on it and taking chunks of it home. Suze's dad says that it's not "too hot". Let me tell you, as a parent knowing what we know now, my heart was in my throat. Can you imagine?

This quiet character driven story would work well for fans of Peach Hill, A Drowned Maiden's Hair, or even Private Peaceful. As someone said to me, it has a very Stand By Me feel, that translates easily to adults as well.

This is a story that will stay with me.

Hannah West

Hannah and her mom are technically homeless in that they don't have a place of their own. They spend their time house-sitting for others, and are currently residing in Seattle's swanky Belltown Towers. Hannah is an animal lover are quickly finds a job dog-walking for neighbour Dorothy. Between living up on the 11th floor, and her dog-walking gig, Hannah gets to notice a lot of what is happening around town!

The big news is the art heists that are taking place in Hannah's new neighbourhood and even in the Belltown Towers! Can Hannah and her mystery obsessed best friend Lily figure out who is stealing the Mimi Hansen paintings? The task gets both easier and more difficult when Mimi's daughter shows up as one of Hannah's classmates!

Now, girl detectives are nothing new (hello....Nancy Drew), but there is something about Hannah that suggests staying power. Add to this the fact that Hannah is an adopted Chinese daughter to a single white mother, and author Linda Johns is writing to a demographic that has seen itself little outside of books about adoption. This book is not about adoption, which in my mind, is exactly why I will put it into the eager little hands of my numerous patrons who are adopted Chinese girls. And into the hands of every other mystery obsessed tweener!

The Higher Power of Lucky

So...a little slow to the boat on this one. A shame about the whole scrotum mess. What a beautiful book.

Lucky is living in Hard Pan (pop. 34) with her legal guardian Brigitte, friend Lincoln, pest Miles and a few other characters. She has one of the few paying jobs in town: sweeping up the patios after the anonymous people's meetings. The drinkers, gamblers, and smokers all leave behind different things that the members of the other groups would not likely enjoy seeing. Lucky tends to listen in on the meetings. She especially likes hearing about folks hitting rock bottom, finding their Higher Power, and getting their lives together.

Lucky wishes she could find her Higher Power too. Ever since her mother's tragic death, Lucky has felt like she was searching.

Newbery winning author Susan Patron has written a lyrical novel about that chasm between kids and adults. How easily we misunderstand each other. Nuances of language which are seemingly so obvious to grown-ups are generally misinterpreted by the younger set. With memorable characters like Lucky and Lincoln Clinton Kennedy Carter, The Higher Power of Lucky is a slice of life book that will appeal to fans of each little bird that sings and The Beloved Dearlies.

Mr. Chickee's Funny Money

Steve is one of the only kids in his Flint neighbourhood who doesn't make funny of Mr. Chickee. Mr. Chickee is old and he is blind, so most kids are nice with their words, but not so nice with their faces. They all have wild stories about where Mr. Chickee came from, or his secret powers. Steve happens to like Mr. Chickee a lot, and accompanies him on his weekly shopping, which tends to end in a bottle of Vernonr's and a bag of chips! Not a bad thing.

One day, Mr. Chickee says that he is going away for a couple of months, and hands Steve an envelope saying that he will know what to do with it. Afterall, Steve is a member and CEO of the Flint Future Detectives...he can figure out anything! Imagine his surprise on opening the envelope and finding a piece of currency. A very large piece of currency. Inside the envelope is a quadrillion dollar bill with James Brown's face on it.

What follows is a wonky, riproaring adventure featuring a sarcastic dictionary, a bear sized dog, Agent Fondoo, espionage and peanut butter. Christopher Paul Curtis has written a slapstick comedy/mystery with characters to fit the most disfunctional of family reunions. Boys with a dry yet still silly sense of humour will eat this up!

We Are SO Crashing Your Bar Mitzvah!!

Thanks to Karyn for the recent ALA arcs! Hurrah.

Stacy Adelaide Friedman is back. Stacy and Lydia have been away at camp all summer. While they were there, they met cool girl Laila. Laila's from LA, she's had surgery and everything (nose job), and she knows all about current rocker fashion. She teaches Stacy and Lydia all she knows.

The girls are back in town and dying to hook up with next-best-friend Kelly before the big "First Night". You know, when all the kids break into the Pepsico grounds and hang out before the first day back to school. Stacy and Lydia get all glammed up for the occasion. They have their Sedu ceramic hair straighteners, whitened teeth, smoky eyes and rock chick attire.

Then the chicas roll in. Kelly is with them. Kelly is with them!. All of the Rye girls are dressed in flowy peasant tops and gauchos...not skin tight rock chick clothes. Stacy and Lydia try to pass it off as a joke, but they can't help feeling like the outsiders once more. Kym is holding court again, and while Kelly is in the inner circle, Lydia and Stacy are outside of it.

All of a sudden a limo a la "My Super Sweet Sixteen" appears on the scene. Out pop 2 boys dressed in white tuxedos. Once has a silver tray with a bunch of necklaces on it. Each necklace is a delicate gold chain with a capital letter "E" hanging from it. Apparently this is the invitation to Eben's bar mitzvah. Each of the chicas are presented with the golden "E". Then Kelly receives hers. A subtle shake of the head from Kym seals Stacy and Kelly's fate. No invites for them. They are officially "out".

What do you do when 8th grade changes everything? Moreover, do you have to become a mean girl to be part of the mean girl posse? How much of yourself do you have to sacrifice for fashion?

Once again, Fiona Rosenbloom has penned an angst ridden tween novel that, while seemingly shallow, is pitch perfect. Designer label names are dropped along with celebrities and "oh my God" slang. While Stacy is truly unlikable in the beginning, we watch her grow, and her genuine concern for her friend's well being is apparent and refreshing. Fans of You are SO uninvited to my Bat Mitzvah will eat up this new title, as will younger fans of chicklit.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

Here is a pretty cute cover! I have been reading buzz about this title for awhile, and was delighted to find it on my colleague Jen's desk.

Jeremy Fink is about to turn 13. He's not big on change, so he is wondering what this will mean for him, when a mysterious package arrives at his home addressed to his mother. The return address is a law firm. Jeremy and best friend Lizzy decide to open the package without his mom.

What is inside will change Jeremy's life.

It's a box from his dad. His dead dad. It's a beautiful handmade box, with a lock on each side and no keys. Inscribed on the top is "The Meaning of Life. For Jeremy Fink. 13th Birthday."

Jeremy's dad always thought he might die early. Ever since that palm reading on the Atlantic City boardwalk said he would pass at 40. In reality, he was 39. It was a total and random accident, but Jeremy has always been a little suspicious. Had he put this box together right before he died? More importantly, how the heck was Jeremy going to get it open without the keys.

Here starts a summertime bestfriend adventure of the best sort. Jeremy searches for the keys while learning to accept and deal with change. He slowly learns about the man his dad was, and the man he himself is becoming.

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I enjoyed this title. As you know, I do like the NYC story, and boy protagonists are always good. The reader has to commit to the title, and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to. There is a MetroCard detail that I didn't quite buy. City kids, no matter how stuck to their neighbourhood, tend to have a kind of media savvy that I haven't found elsewhere. Once I got over that detail, and gave myself over the Wendy Mass' storytelling, I enjoyed the ride.

Headless

My colleague Jen and I were just having a conversation about this the other day. Today over at BookBurger, you can read about the headless covers on teen chicklit.

Why are the girls being decapitated? Really. There's a ton of feminist theory written on this subject, and there just seems to be a proliferation of bodies sans heads!

The Secret History of Tom Trueheart

I have FINALLY been reading some more tween stuff. Hopefully with the publication of the Notables List, there will be more to come!

Have you ever wondered if fairytales are true? Ask a Trueheart, and you will hear a resounding "Yes!". You see, fairytales are more than just stories...they are adventures. In the Land of Stories, the Truehearts reign supreme with Tom's brothers Jack, Jacquot, Jackie, Jackson and Jake taking the lead role in a number of stories that have beginnings written by the Story Bureau, and endings "performed" by Tom's family.

Tom has only been able to play and practise at being an adventurer, because his training doesn't start until his 12th birthday. That day is rapidly approaching, and Tom is excited about entering into the Land of Stories himself. Just before the big day, all of his brothers receive letters from the Story Bureau, and are off on adventures. They promise to return in time for Tom's big day.

Days go by. All of the Jacks are nowhere to be found. Tom and his mother know that something is amiss...his brothers simply would not miss Tom's birthday. On this day, there is an envelope for Tom. He is scheduled for his first adventure! Eventhough he has received no training, the Bureau needs his help to locate his missing brothers.

With familiar characters, and a storybook setting, Ian Beck has penned an adventure equally appealing to girls and boys. There is action, intrigue, magic and friendship, and even readers who think they know all about these familiar stories will be surprised! Beck has left the ending wide open for a sequel. Fans of Peter and the Star Catchers, and Capt. Hook will delight in this romp!

Me and the Pumpkin Queen

I have a thing for pumpkins. Orange is my favourite colour and I love all foods made of pumpkin. But when this book came across my desk, I was a little skeptical. I am one of the people who tried to read Squashed but couldn't. I know that the age group is different, but I was worried. My worries were unfounded, however. This is a sweet little story.

Mildred isn't like other girls. She isn't all excited about fashion and movie stars. She wears jeans and tees from the discount store and is quite happy with that. Her mom died a few years back, and Mildred and her vet dad are doing the best they can.

What Mildred loves is pumpkins. And giant pumpkins at that. For the past few years she has been trying to grow one that is big enough to show at the Circleville Pumpkin Show, but so far it hasn't happened. Mildred's dad doesn't have a problem with her tomboy ways and penchant for pumpkins. But Aunt Arlene? She's another story.

Aunt Arlene doesn't think that Mildred should be "wasting" all her time on her hobby. She should be hanging out with other girls her age, shopping at the mall and things like that.

What Aunt Arlene doesn't know, however, is that Mildred's mom used to want to grow a big pumpkin for the Pumpkin Show. Mildred is only trying to honour her mother's memory. How can she ever explain that when she can't even say it to herself?

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This is a sweet family story. Mildred is coming into her own and standing up for herself. She knows the importance of family and is trying to show everyone that there are different ways to honour someone's memory.

This title will likely appeal to tween girls who love animals and who do not necessarily follow the crowd. Mildred is not a loner by anymeans. She has a best friend and gets along easily with others, it just seems like sometimes other folks don't understand her.

4/5

Kiki Strike

Ananka Fishbein is living a milk-toast life. She goes to the tony Atalanta School in Manhattan, but isn't rich enough to fit in with the rich girls, and doesn't fit the scholarship bill either. She just keeps her head down, and tries not to get noticed.

Everything changes during class one day, when the students get asked the perenial question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The answers are obvious. Then Ananka hears one girl say, "Dangerous!". Who is this pint sized, white haired girl that Ananka hasn't noticed before?

The answer is, Kiki Strike. Soon Ananka's life is anything but milk-toast, as she and Kiki and four other girls are off exploring Manhattan's underground, getting in scrapes with Chinatown gangs, breaking into warehouses and warding off rats!

This is an adventure story of the best sort. Lots of twists and turns. Self reliant, capable girls. Espionage. A bit of back stabbing. And a lovely dash of NYC history thrown in as well.

I enjoyed this book tremendously, and cannot wait to put it in the hands of some 6th grade girls I know!

5/5

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Go, Trenton Lee Stewart!

Reynie is off to take a test. An important test. A test for gifted children looking for "special opportunities". Reynie's tutor, Miss Perumal, thinks that Reynie is just the child to take said test. Reynie lives at an orphanage in Stonetown, and could use some "special opportunities".

But the whole test set-up is unlike anything that Reynie had expected. The questions seemed a bit odd...especially the last one. "Are you brave?" Just what is this test all about?

Reynie soon finds out as Sticky, Kate and Constance are the only children left after the series of tests. They are soon in the home of Mr. Benedict and his associates - Rhonda, Milligan, and Number 2, where they learn that the four of them have a mission to complete. Being the brightest children around, they need to infiltrate the local private school, and bring down "The Emergency".

Sound cryptic? It is.

The four children each bring something to the mix, and must work together to stop the evil Mr. Curtain from taking over the world.

Trenton Lee Stewart has written a timeless story about friendship, family and trust. Perfectly plotted, The Mysterious Benedict Society calls to mind a combination of Dahl and Bellairs. Just enough evil adults, mixed with a creepy and mysterious situation. The characters are over the top without being unbelievable, and the storyline is just James Bondesque enough.

The story is perfectly timeless in that modern day technology, slang and pop culture are left out all together. This could take place anywhere and anytime. I love that in children's books.

When this title comes out in March, I plan on purchasing it to keep aside for my daughters.

What fun!

5/5

The Book of One Hundred Truths

Truth be told, I picked up this book because of the cover and the fact that there is a character with my daughter's name. But I am glad I picked it up, because I truly enjoyed this story.

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Thea is a liar. She fully admits it. She's not sure why she lies so much, but the lies just jump out of her mouth much easier than the truth.

It is summer time and she is off to the Jersey shore to spend some weeks with her grandparents. This summer, however, is different. The house is filled with cousins. Older cousins who don't give Thea the time of day, and younger cousins who need babysitting.

An unlikely alliance forms between Thea and her younger cousin Jocelyn who is constantly pestering her to find out what is in her notebook. Thea's mom gave her the notebook in order to encourage some truth out of her daughter. Thea starts off writing small fact like truths in her book, but soon the reader finds out what happend in Thea's life that makes the lies come so readily. Thea's not the only one lying, afterall.

Julie Schumacher has written a quiet, character driven novel. I think that Jocelyn steals the show on a number of occasions. My heart went out to her the most.

This is a story that will likely appeal to girls in 5th-7th grade.

4/5

Lowji Discovers America

Back to hunting for titles for this year's lit night. Our theme this year is "East Meets West" - dealing with bridging cultures. It may be more than 30 books in 30 minutes this year because our fab library assistant is adding a graphic novel portion!

Enter Lowji.

Lowji and his family are moving from Bombay to Illinois. Even though his best friend from home, Jamshed, insists that there will be many "silver linings" when Lowji gets to the States, Lowji is not so sure.

Once Lowji moves into his new home, he starts to notice the differences. Where are the kids? In Bombay they are everywhere! Why is the school empty? In Bombay he goes all year. Where are the pets? This is something that is the same. Just like in his old apartment building, the new Landlady Crisp says, "NO PETS!". That wouldn't be so bad if Lowji could make some friends.

The boys at the All Mart don't seem interested in him. The girl on the bicycle rides by too fast.

Lowji starts hanging out with Landlady Crisp. She doesn't really want him around, but Lowji has so many ideas about how she can have less work. She wouldn't have to set traps if she had a cat. She wouldn't need burglar alarms if she had a dog. She wouldn't have to fix her lawn mower if she had a goat.

Before long it seems that Jamshed was right. There are many silver linings to be found in Lowji's new home.

Fleming has written a sweet friendship / family story about making the most of change. While the culture shock is there, it is gentle and handled carefully. Lowji is an incredibly likeable boy, and I for one, would like to read more about him.

Escape from the Carnivale

I love Dave Barry! Peter and the Starcatchers was such an amazing read, and now he and Ridely Pearson have started a Neverland series for the younger set! Yay.

Little Scallop is a princess of the Mollusk tribe, yet she is bored. Her brothers get to go off on spying missions, but she is left behind. One night Little Scallop and her mermaid friends Surf and Aqua, sneak out of their homes to go and dive for pearls in the Shark Cave so that they can have their very own pearl necklaces. Unfortunately, Surf gets caught up in a net - not any net at that, but the net of an "oddity" collecting pirate.

Will Aqua and Little Scallop be able to hatch a plan to save Surf? Afterall, Peter is off exploring, and Little Scallop's own tribe is not around.

A fun, quick read with familiar characters. This is a series that kids will eat up, and works well as a filler read for older kids who are looking for a "skinny book" to pass the time.

4/5

shug

This book has the cutest cover ever!

Annemarie Wilcox (Shug to her friends and fam) is just about to enter junior high. She and bestfriend Mark are eating cherry popsicles just like they always do when Shug turns and looks at Mark. Really looks at Mark. Everything has changed.

He is perfect, and the moment is perfect for a first kiss.

Problem is, Mark doesn't see Shug. At least not the way she wants him to.

There is noone at home to talk to about this. Sister Celia is just too perfect. Daddy is always gone on business. And Mama...well, Mama is either drinking or in bed. Shug just has to figure it out herself.

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Jenny Han has the 12 year-old voice down perfectly. The big highs and big lows. The lonliness. The fact that friends will turn on you on a dime. She blends the unfortunate reality of alcoholism, and broken families seemlessly into everyday life. Because for kids who are experiencing it...that's just what it is.

Eventhough some of the topics are heavy, I think that most tween girls can find themselves in these pages. I'd say it's for sophisticated 6th graders and up.

The Gold-Threaded Dress

This book has been staring at me from the stacks at school for a couple of years now. I finally got around to reading it!

Oy and her family have moved to a new neighbourhood, and Oy has had to switch schools. In her old school, nobody bothered her about being Asian. At this school, things are different. Frankie kept saying, "What are you?" He keeps calling her Chinese. In fact, because of Frankie kids on the playground keep calling her China, or Chinita. Oy, in fact, is Thai.

All Oy wants to do is fit in. The cool girls, led by Liliandra, all hang out in her clubhouse under the jungle gym. Oy wishes that she could be invited as well.

One day a photo falls out of Oy's backpack and Liliandra sees it. It is Oy in her traditional Thai dress that her grandmother had brought to her from Thailand. It is a beautiful pink dress, run through with gold stitching. Liliandra decides to invite Oy over to the clubhouse. But there is a catch. She must bring her special Thai dress with her.

Oy is torn. She desperately wants to fit in, but she is also worried about lying to her mother and bringing her dress to school.

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This is a very young story. The characters are in fourth grade and are quite innocent. The best thing about the story is the honest portrayal of Oy's being "stuck" between two cultures. She has one foot in the Thai world, and one in her American neighbourhood.
Marsden has done a great job of exploring race between children. The majority of Oy's classmates are Mexican American, and her own household is traditional Thai. The insensitivity of her classmates calling her Chinese or from Taiwan, does not get lost on the reader.

I would recommend this to younger readers who are interested in contemporary fiction, and to those readers who may find themselves merging cultures.

4/5

Water Street

Check out the review for Water Street, by Patricia Reilly Giff over at Booktopia!