Prairie Winter, by Bonnie Geisert

Rating: Additional

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, $16.00

ISBN: 9780618685882

Age/Grade Level: Grades 4-6

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With the wild winter we have been having, this book's subject matter is stilli topical even though it is set in the 1950's. Rachel and her family, who live on a farm, get cut off by severe blizzards. She and her two older sisters are allowed to move into a motel in town so they can continue school. The story, as were the earlier titles Prairie Summer and Lessons, is based on autho Bonnie Geisert's memories of growing up in South Dakota. Unfortunately, it reads more like a memoir than a novel; characters are only sketchily developed and the overall writing style is wooden.

Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro

Whistle Bright Magic, by Barb Bentler Ullman

Rating: Additional

Katherine Tegen Books, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061882869

Age/Grade Level: 8-12 years

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Zelly sees her first fairy at her Grandmother's funeral. Zelly and her mother have come to take over Plunkit Books in the town where her mother grew up and got married. Zelly hasn't seen her father since she was little and wants to know more about him. Zelly and her new friends discover Whistle, who explains the veil between the two worlds becomes thin when he caught Zelly's mood and concentrated on her. The explanation is convincingly contrived to explain how the girl and fairy Whistle can communicate. Zelly's mother doesn't even remember she once had the talent to be able to see the other world.

Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley

The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister, by Charlotte Agell

Rating: Recommended

Henry Holt, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 9780805089028

Grade/Age Level: 3rd-6th grade

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Creating a microcosm of real-life dilemmas, Agell's authentic 9-year-old voice examines familiar emotions such as jealousy, friendship, and social mores from the fresh and charming perspective of India McAllister. Fourth grader India, of Chinese descent, is the adopted daughter of Rosemary and Andrew. Rosemary, an artist, and Andrew, a doctor, divorced when India was seven. Andrew now lives with Richard, and the only problem India has with that is sharing her father with someone new. Agell deftly develops familial acceptance and love through Tofu and Beatrice Strawberry while guiding the reading down the perilous path of friendship via Colby and Amanda "the rodent," while solidifying how truly loved India is by all. Agell's perky illustrations offer just enough humor and wit to make it enjoyable reading for young and old alike.

Reviewer: Marie Louise Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

The Naming of Tishkin Silk, by Glenda Millard

Illustrated by Patrice Barton
Rating: Very Good
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, $15.99
ISBN: 99780374354817
Age/Grade Level: Grades 3-5

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Griffin Silk is the youngest member of the Silk family, an almost ethereal family in a small town. He is attending real school for the first time because his mother has "gone away," and though he draws quite a bit of attention because of his rather eccentric family, he makes a friend in Layla, a sweet classmate who wears a daisy-chain crown. As the two become friends, Layla breaks Griffin's fragile shell and learns the details of his family's silence as to why their mom lives somewhere else and why there was once a baby sister whose crib lays empty. At only 100 pages with large margins and pictures, this is a quiet and sweet story of grief, forgiveness and family. A great pick for parent and child to read together and discuss.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park

Be a Genie in Six Easy Steps, by Linda Chapman and Steve Cole

Rating: Very Good

Harper, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061252198

Age/Grade Level: 4th Grade and up

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A fun, old-fashioned story about four chidlren in a new combined family becoming a family, as they deal with relocation from London to a small English village and they find a magical book. In that book is an enchanted bookworm, who guides them through the steps and rules of being a real genie. While the children show real aptitude, they have to deal with the moral and ethical aspects about granting worthy wishes and how to select the best way to do it. No Harry Potter, but a good read with a satisfactory conclusion that gives the reader something to think about!

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra

Just Grace Goes Green, by Charise Mericle Harper

Rating: Very Good

Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00

ISBN: 9780618959570

Age/Grade Level: Grades 2-5

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Like the prior books in the "Just Grace" series, Just Grace Goes Green presents a fun and spunky narrator, "Just" Grace, who encounters small, child-friendly conflicts (like a favorite stuffed animal being "borrowed" for too long) and quickly solves them with the help of her supportive friends and family. In this installment, Grace's class is learning about "going green", so the story contains tips and ideas for how children can help the environment. The ideas are well placed and match the plot without seeming didactic. The subplot of a visit from her best friend's cousin is also sweet and of course ends well. Interspersed with lists and drawings, this is an excellent choice for readers who are new to chapter books. The format is easy to follow and fun, even if you haven't read the previous titles. Though Grace gets in less trouble than her spunky-girl-character cohorts, this is also recommended for fans of Ivy and Bean, Clementine, and Junie B. Jones.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch

Something Wickedly Weird: The Wooden Mile, by Chris Mould

Rating: Additional

Roaring Brook Press, 2008, $9.95

ISBN: 978-159673830

Age/Grade level: 4th grade and up

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Clever illustrations help this fantasy adventure, but it seemed a bit contrived and cliched. It does have werewolves though, and that should make it popular.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, Orange County Public Library/La Habra Branch

The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap, by H.M. Bouwman

Rating: Recommended
Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0761454410
Age/Grade Level: Ages 10 and up

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What's better than a great book with an inspiring female protagonist ? A great book with two! Move over heroines and make room for Lucy and Snowcap, from the pages of The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap. This "Thelma and Louise" like tale for children takes place in Tathenland, a thirteen-island chain imbued with magical properties. The indigenous islanders, the "Colay" are forced to share their land with shipwrecked penal colony convicts. Every thing is not well and good, resulting in the journey of the heroine, or in this case, heroines. Bouwman's prose works nicely, melding fantasy and history. Likeable and strong girls debut in this well written, interesting book. Make this a recommended read!

Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach Branch

Stolen, by Vivian Vande Velde

Rating: Marginal

Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0761455158

Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12

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Vivian Vande Velde used pictures of unknown people for an exercise when she led writing workshops. She was fascinated by a girl's photo one day and that's how the heroine of this book was born.

The story starts when an old witch, who had just stolen another baby from the village, was hunted down by the blood-thirsty villagers, crying for revenge. Scurrying to spare her life, the witch cast her spells…

A girl was running through the woods, panic stricken, being chased by vicious dogs. She lost consciousness to pure terror, only to wake to face an even bigger one. She does not know who she is or where she came from. When Mady and Frayne show up to claim her as their long lost daughter, Isabelle, she is skeptical.

Isabelle, it turns out, was six when she was taken by the witch six years ago. The little baby, the newly stolen child, was Isabelle's sister. Honey, Isabelle’s elder sister, does not seem too keen on warming up to her. The story goes on slowly as Isabelle tries to find out her true identity; a surprise ending is revealed.

Vivian Vande Velde’s book Heir Apparent made a great impression on me. However, this book, although full of suspense leading to a shocking revelation, is slow-paced and never has enough excitement for young readers who enjoy substantial adventure and horror stories.

Reviewer: Zhen Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel Branch

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

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

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, by Gerald Morris

Rating: Recommended
Houghton Mifflin, 2008, $15.00

ISBN: 978-0618777143
Age/Grade Level: ages 9 and up

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Chivalry is not dead! The defender of Arthurian tales, Sir Lancelot, endures, slashing one heck of an enjoyble read. The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great is a hero's quest, beginning when newly knighted Lancelot leaves home pursuing honor, nobility and the "shiniest armor in all the world." Amusing in its tales, with a hint of Monty Python for children, the Sire doth make a reader contented. Gerald Morris writes with especially good command over dialogue and Aaron Renier's illustrations complete the good show. Recreants aside, purveyors of a good tale will enjoy this tale to the hilt.

Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach branch

Hate That Cat, by Sharon Creech

Rating: Recommended

Joanna Cotler, 2008, $16.89
ISBN: 978-0061430930

Age/Grade Level: ages 9 and up

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Grief's sting is still palpable in Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat, an appropriate sequel to Love That Dog. The main character, Jack, continues his poetic bildungsroman with room 204's Miss Stretchberry. A critical uncle, a hearing-impaired mother, a nasty cat, and a summons to love another animal provide grist for his self-expressive poetry. What is to "love, love, love" about this gem of a book is its real and raw look at death and the pain that follows loss. Poetry provides a nice vehicle for the call to love again. The question is not whether to read this book, but how much time to allow between reading the two Creech companion books.

Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach branch

Bird Lake Moon, by Kevin Henkes

Rating: Very Good

HarperCollins, 2008, $16.89
ISBN: 9780061470783
Age/Grade Level: Gr. 3-5

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Nobody loves Mitch. Not his father, who left his mom for another woman. Not his mother, who is too busy to hide her true emotions. Not his grandparents, who are forced to provide a temporary place for Mitch and his mom, by the Bird Lake.

Spencer is depressed. He’s fed up with his younger sister’s “weird” behavior, and upset by his mother’s paranoia, ever since they made a trip to the Bird Lake. The thing is that Spencer lost his elder brother, Matty, by drowning in Bird Lake several years ago and around his parents, Spencer is trying to be sensitive.

It is Jasper, Spencer’s dog, who brought these two frustrated boys together. Will the new friendship help these two frustrated boys cope with their struggle?

Caldecott medalist Kevin Henkes is well known for the mouse characters he created in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Wemberly Worried. Now older children will enjoy his latest novel that is full of intriguing emotions.

Reviewer: Tracy Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel Branch

The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy, by Diane Stanley

Rating: Additional
HarperCollins, 2008, $17.89

ISBN: 978-0006085186
Age/Grade Level: grades 3-7

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Not just anybody is admitted to the Allbright Academy, which was founded by two Nobel Prize winning scientists. Only the creme de la creme are enrolled. Four of the school's students are Franny and her friends Cal, Brooklyn, and Prescott. Once the gifted children arrive, it is time for their mind-control lessons and their chemically formulated brownies, as the Academy prepares to rule the world, or at least portions of it, through their alumni. New recruit Franny and her pals begin to unravel the sinister machinations of the power-hungry echelons. The plot thickens rather predictably for adult readers expecting grist. Children may enjoy exploring the theme of mind control or freedom and the aspect of students vs. teachers.

Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach branch

Mary Ingalls On Her Own, by Elizabeth Kimmel Willard

Rating: Recommended
HarperCollins, 2008, $16.89
ISBN: 9780060009069

Age/Grade Level: ages 8-12

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Mary Ingalls has been blinded by scarlett fever. Her family find enough money to send her to a college especially for the blind. This book is about her adventures at college. Willard does a good job writing in her own style. I was worried when I first picked up this book because I don't like reading books that authors of today try to write similarly to authors of time past. But Willard doesn't try to copy or match Laura Ingalls Wilders "Little House" series. Willard admits that she is a life time enthusiast of Little House. She does a good job with this story of Laura's sister Mary.

Reviewer: Kim Bell, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch