Pretty Face, by Mary Hogan

Rating: Recommended

HarperTeen, 2008, $17.89
ISBN: 978-0060841126

Age/Grade Level: Older teen

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Hayley is an overweight teen living in Umbria, CA. Her best friend Jackie is thin and cute. Hayley's crush, Drew, likes Jackie, which bums Hayley. But Jackie is a true best friend and doesn't encourage Drew. Hayley's mom is obsessed with her weight issue, and so she sends her to Italy to stay with Hayley's mom's best friend for the summer.

Hayley falls in love with Italy, among other things. She finds the life there very calm and beautiful. And she loses weight because she has to walk everywhere. This book is definitely one for the older teen, as there are sexual situations toward the end. All in all, the book was a fast, enjoyable read.

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

Asian Art (Come Look With Me series), by Kimberly Lane

Rating: Additional
Charlesbridge, 2008, $15.95

ISBN: 978-1890674199
Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12

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Part of an art appreciation series for children, this Asian Art volume features twelve masterpieces from all parts of Asia. Each work of art is accompanied by its background and information about its creator. The book also features discussion questions for examining each piece and instructions on how to use the book. An interesting and educational read, it would make most sense as a companion to other books in the same series.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Waltur Paints Himself into a Corner and Other Stories, by Barbar Gregorich

Illustrated by Kristin Sorra

Rating: Very Good

Houghton Mifflin, 2007, $15.00
ISBN: 978-0618747962

Age/Grade Level: Ages 6-8

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Though I am not entirely sure if children will understand the cliche's, this was a very humorous read for adults. Waltur the bear finds himself in trouble after each warning from his friend Matilda that he should "let sleeping dogs lie," "not paint himself into a corner," and "not put the cart before the horse." Waltur literally manages to do all of these things, with comically disastrous results, and Matilda is always back at the end to help him put things to right. The loveable accident-prone bear will be appreciated by young readers, and the explanation of these saying is broken down in simple terms so that children can hopefully see some of the humor in each clever adventure.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Bedtime at the Swamp, by Kristyn Crow

Rating: Recommended
HarperCollins, 2008, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0060839512

Age/Grade Level: 4-8

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It's time for bed, but there's a monster out there! A young boy hides from it in a tree, while every child in his family ends up joining him as they deliver the bedtime message from Ma only to be scared into hiding by the monster's splishes, spashes, rumbas, and booms. Finally, the swamp monster himself is scared up a tree by the frightening presence of a frustrated Ma. The illustrations are unique and absolutely delightful, very reminiscent of a Pixar film instead of just still pictures. This is a story that will capture a child's imagination. The rhyming verses are easy to get a feel for the rhythm and the repetitive monster noises would make a great storytime chant.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Big and Bad, by Etienne Delessert

Rating: Marginal

Houghton Mifflin, 2008, $17.00

ISBN: 978-0618889341
Age/Grade Level: 4-8

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A twist on the "Three Little Pigs" story, the animals fear that the appetite of the ravenous wolf will soon devour the planet. They devise a plan, consisted of three different types of houses, culminating to the wolf trying to make it down the chimney of the brick house only to end up a fiery ball forever circling the earth. This is definitely an interesting concept, though I have several concerns: the cover shows three pigs lighting another animal with a match. I have a great apprehension about featuring this illustration on our library shelves. Also, I would recommend the story for the 6-8 age range, though it says age 4 would be appropriate, because the illustrations along with wolf's frightening habits may be unsuitable for children that young.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

The Best Chef in Second Grade, by Katharine Kenah

Illustrated by Abby Carter

Rating: Additional
HarperCollins, 2007, $15.99
ISBN: 978-0060535612

Age/Grade Level:

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Ollie wants to be the best at something in his second grade class, and the opportunity to cook for famous class guest Chef Antonia seens to be the perfect time to shine. But will his family be able to decide on what their favorite dish is for Ollie to make in time? And if so, will their choice be too silly for such a renowned chef? Ollie finally finds his niche, and this is a nice story for teaching kids at the early reading stages that it is all right to be different. It also gives an idea for getting picky young eaters to finish their dinners.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

WorldWeavers: Gift of the Unmage, by Alma Alexander

Rating: Very Good

Eos (HarperCollins), 2007, $16.99

ISBN: 9780060839550
Age/Grade Level: Grades 6 and up

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In a world where being magical is the norm, Thea is born the seventh child of the union of two seventh children and the only daughter. There is surprise at her birth that she is not the anticipated 'seventh son', but it is assumed all the same that she has great magical potential. The years go by and she continues to fail at the simpliest of spells; in a final act of deperation, her parents decide to give her 'awakening' a last chance by invoking the great spirits of earlier ages. This works, though not in the way that had been expected, as Thea realises that, for reasons she is only now beginning to understand, she had previously chosen not to reveal her mystical abilities. She decides that she needs to continue to conceal her powers - as a result, she is required to attend a school for the 'un-magical'. At her new school, away from family pressures, she is able to be herself - until the strange "Nothing" threatens the world …... !

Part school story, part fantasy, part myth, this is also a coming of age story. Thea changes from a frustrated - and somewhat depressed - teenager into a young lady with increasing confidence and self-knowledge. There are vivid, lyrical passages as Thea interacts with the mage, Cheveyo and Grandmother Spider - the World Weaver - and more obscure sections where Thea realises that computers are necessary for her magic to work in her world. Despite the stylistic variance, Thea is an engaging heroine and readers will look forward to the following titles in this trilogy.

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

Johnny and the Bomb, by Terry Pratchett

Rating: Very Good
HarperCollins, 2006, $16.99
ISBN: 9780060541910

Age/Grade Level: Grades 6 and up

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If time is a pair of trousers, which leg are we in?

This time-traveling fantasy begins as Johnny works on a school report about WWII - his topic is the only bombing raid suffered by Blackbury, his small hometown, during which a whole street was destroyed. As he and his friends are out comparing the modern town to what used to be, they come across the semi-conscious figure of a local bag-lady. They act responsibly, call an ambulance and see her taken off to hospital; Johnny takes charge of her supermarket trolley with its black plastic sacks, piles of junk and vicious cat, and leaves it in his garage for the night………

Nothing is ever the same again. There is obviously more to the bag-lady than ugly black sacks ..(bags of time…?) as the trolley seems to be some form of time machine, giving Johnny and his friends the opportunity to travel back to the Blackbury of WWII and see life as it really was.
Unfortunately, in returning to the present they discover they have landed in an alternate future and one of them is missing …. left behind in 1941. The group then face a moral dilemma - to return to rescue their friend and try to get back to their own present, or to live without him in an alternate present - the other leg of the trousers of time.

There is a certain amount of social commentary behind the fun as Johnny and his friends learn how childhood and attitudes towards race and gender have changed over time. They are likeable teenagers, but seem slightly old-fashioned, reminiscent of characters in children's stories of the 1950s.

In true Pratchett fashion, the fantasy is well-laced with humor and wit. It is, however, very English wit which may not translate well to an American audience.

I first read this book when it was originally published in 1996 - it is still a good read and Pratchett fans will not be disappointed. It is the third of three titles about Johnny and his friends and possibly the most satisfying.

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

Stoneheart, by Charlie Fletcher

Rating: Additional

Hyperion, 2007, $16.99

ISBN: 9781423101758

Age/Grade Level: Grades 6 and up

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George is an unhappy 12-year-old, who, on a school trip to a London museum, is blamed for something he did not do. In a fit of temper, George hits out at a stone gargoyle, breaking off its head. This action sends him into an alternative reality where London's statuary comes to life and is divided into 2 camps - the evil 'taints' and the good 'spits'. His action has him pursued by 'taints' but with the aid of a WWI gunner he manages to evade them. The complications arrive thick and fast - Edie, (a time-shifting girl), a minotaur and a mysterious 'Walker'. A Sphinx on the Embankment gives George a riddle to solve, which sends him looking for the 'Stoneheart' of London.

At the beginning of his adventures, George is a stereotypical kid, uncertain of himself and of how he should react in certain circumstances. Through the challenges he faces, both mental and physical, he grows as a character and we become more interested in him & the way he accepts responsibility for his companions. The plot premise - that there are several different parallel universes, is not original, but the idea of living statues adds to the interest of the story.The narrative is rather 'dry' in places which may deter casual readers . This is the first volume of a trilogy - it will take committed readers to stick with it.

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

The Redheaded Princess, by Anne Rinaldi

Rating: Recommended
HarperCollins, 2008, $16.89
ISBN: 9780060733759
Age/Grade Level: Young Adult

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The Redheaded Princess is a compelling narrative, turning the fairytale of being born a princess into a true tale of the life-threatening dangers, political intrigue and personal responsibilities of becoming a queen. Anne Rinaldi once again provides a true glimpse into the hearts and souls of her characters (in this instance a young Queen Elizabeth I), making history come alive .

Reviewer: Linda Cundiff, Orange Public Library