The Dangerous Alphabet, by Neil Gaiman

Illustrated by Gris Grimly

Rating: Additional
HarperCollins, 2008, $17.99

ISBN: 9789960783334

Age/Grade Level: Ages 8 and up

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Not for the faint of heart, Gaiman and Grimly do what they do best with The Dangerous Alphabet, a creepy book stuck somewhere between beginning alphabet and teen gore. Each letter (with two purposely switched, can you catch which?) tells a piece of a story as two siblings and their pet gazelle explore an odd sewer-like world of monsters and gore. Sepia toned illustrations follow their journey while in the background, children are eaten by gooey creatures, a girl is chained to a wall, and body parts float in jars. Readers will be inspired to read mulitiple times, once for the text and many more to explore the pictures. Though the inside flap indicates that the book is for children 5 and up, I would be hesitant to put the eerie book in the hands of a kindergartner, as nightmares could surely follow. This would be a fascinating title for a middle grade book club; plot, pictures and even appropriateness could be topics of interest. More for 8+ children who want something very spooky to mull over, adults or the coffee table than the picture book area.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Barry, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park Branch

Ever, by Gail Carson Levine

Rating: Very Good
HarperCollins Eos, 2008, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061229626
Age/Grade Level: Ages 10+

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Two voices, male and female. One very young (17) and good-looking god - and one bright, beautiful human girl. Olus, the young Akkan god of the winds, leaves his home and travels in human form in search of adventure and youthful companions; arriving in the land of Hyte, he meets Kezi, a dancer and rug weaver whose family are devout followers of their god, Admat. Their devotion is so great that Kezi's father has promised a human sacrifice to Admat if his wife is spared from death through illness. Unfortunately, Kezi becomes the sacrifice and, when the story begins, has only 30 days left to live. Unable to bear the sorrow of her family, she leaves home. She is followed by Olus. They meet and fall in love. Is their love strong enough to enable them to overcome their difficulties? He is, after all, immortal, and she is counting down the days to her death. They can only be together if Kezi is raised to the ranks of the gods, and to do that, the courage of each must be tested.

This deceptively simple story, told alternately by Olus and Kezi, raises several issues: If Admat, the god of Hyte, is the one true god, then how can Olus be the god of the winds? Religious conviction is called into question and does Kezi really appreciate what her life would be like as an "immortal" being? As a title by Gail Carson Levine, this book should gain a readership - I hope that those finding it will see beneath the story. It would be an interesting choice for a book discussion group.

Reviewer: Ros Wilkes, Orange County Public Library/Mesa Verde Branch

The Otherworldlies, by Jennifer Anne Kogler

Rating: Very Good

HarperCollins Eos, 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 9780060739591

Age/Grade Level: Ages 10+

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Fern McAllister is weird - a friendless freak, if her persecuting classmates are to be believed. Certainly, she talks to dogs, can predict the weather and spends a lot of time in trees, but Fern considers all of that to be normal behaviour and her family loves her as she is. However, on the day that she disappears during a boring English class and finds herself on a local beach, she accepts that she really is very different from the other kids at school. Soon she discovers that she has powers other than teleportation - she has the ability to move water and can listen in on conversations about herself - but these changes are outweighed in her mind by the worsening relationship that she has with her mother and brothers. As Fern reaches her lowest point, she is befriended by Lindsey Lin, the most popular girl in the school. Lindsey expalins that Fern is an "Otherworldly", the PC term for vampire, and clues her in on the background to all the strange things that have been happening.

From this point, the story is less about Fern and more about vampires and a tenuous link with Greek mythology. The ending seems rather contrived with many loose ends being tied off in a hurry, possibly leaving the door open to a sequel. The characters and their relationships made for a very strong first half to this book; the "who is good, who is evil" and "why is Fern in danger" plot twists of the second half are less appealing and - in places - confusing. For all that, the popularity of the vampire genre will attract readers to this title and the early sections will draw them in.

Reviewer: Ros Wilkes, Orange County Public Library/Mesa Verde Branch

Sisters of the Sword, by Maya Snow

Rating: Very Good
HoughtonMifflin, 2008, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061243875
Age/Grade Level: Gr 5-8

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In this tale of 13th century Japan, sisters Kimi (the tomboy) and Hana (the "girly" one) have a privileged life as daughters of the Jito - the much-respected local representative of the Shogun. Their upbringing has been somewhat unusual - they have learned martial arts as well as the gentler skills required of ladies of their social standing. Their secure childhood ends when their uncle, jealous of his brother's growing power, determines to wipe out the family and become Jito himself. The sisters witness the brutal murder of their father and brothers; with their mother and youngest brother, they escape a similar fate but are separated from them in the ensuing confusion. Together they set out to find a safe haven which they find in a nearby Samurai school where, disguised as boys, they gain positions as servants.

The main plot theme is obvious from the beginning - the girls need to survive and avenge the deaths of father and brothers. In the telling, however, the story rises above this basic premise. The girls are likeable, their danger is well-described and feels real; the insight, strength and courage that they show in overcoming their situation take this tale above many adventure stories and make it a satisfying read. The ending leaves many issues unresolved - a sequel is to be expected.

Reviewer: Ros Wilkes, Orange County Public Library/Mesa Verde Branch

The Willoughbys, by Lois Lowry

Rating: Recommended

HoughtonMifflin, 2008, $16.00
ISBN: 9780618979745

Age/Grade Level: 9 and up

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Fans of Snicket and Dahl will eat up this "nefariously written and ignominiously illustrated" book by award-winning author Lois Lowry. Certainly a break from the author’s other works of historical and realistic fiction, The Willoughbys follows intertwining narratives with snappy dialogue and old fashioned fun! The four Willoughby children want to be orphans because of course, the orphans depicted in their favorite old books live the most exciting lives. Likewise, the Willoughby parents don't much like their children and would rather not be bothered by questions about breakfast and sweaters. Add together two wicked plots, a lost baby, a clever nanny, an avalanche, a chocolatier millionaire and very badly pronounced German and readers will laugh out loud at the Willoughby adventures! Complete with witty glossary and regal-sounding but hilariously-placed allusions to classic literature, this title is sure to become a future favorite! Recommended to all, especially young avid readers who will understand subtle humor.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Barry, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park Branch

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation, by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Rating: Very Good
HarperCollins, 2008, $17.89

ISBN: 9780060821197

Age/Grade Level: grades 2-4

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An intriguing, but not entirely successful effort to evoke the feeling of the blues in art and poetic prose. The subject is the 1955 bus boycott inspired by Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama. Brian Pinkney's swirling, ink-filled illustrations complement his wife, Andrea Davis Pinkney's, soulful narration, which begins, "Child, child. You have not known weary till you have walked in my shoes." What may be too abstract for children to grasp is their decision to picture a dog for "dog-tired" and a swirly black, almost unrecognizable crow as Jim Crow personified, going peck-peck-peck as Rosa Parks and others come up against the laws of segregation. This would be most effective read aloud by someone who could do justice to the African American speech patterns.

Reviewer: Mary Smith, Orange County Public Library/El Toro Branch

Hurricane: a novel, by Terry Trueman

Rating: Very Good

HarperCollins, 2008, $16.89

ISBN: 9780060000196

Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12

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A fictional account of a true disaster, and how a thirteen-year-old boy had to cope with the horrific aftermath. Hurricane Mitch hit the village of La Rupa, Honduras with a terrific fury, leaving only two houses out of twelve standing. Jose Cruz is the oldest child at home when the category 5 hurricane hits. His father and older brother and sister were away, and even his dog wasn’t home. Jose knows he must not give in to fear and be brave and strong for his mother, younger brother and sister and the remaining townspeople who depend on him. He helps dig in the mudslide for any survivors and the dead. He shares his house with villagers who lost their homes and searches for food and water. When his little brother gets sick, he tries to find a doctor. All this time, he doesn’t know if the rest of his family is dead or alive. This is a survival story where readers might learn from Jose how to find their inner strength and courage when faced with a seemingly impossible situation.

Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma Branch