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

Twenty Heartbeats, by Dennis Haseley

Illustrated by Ed Young
Rating: Recommended

Roaring Brook Press, 2008, $16.95

ISBN: 9781596432383

Age/Grade Level: Preschool-Gr. 3

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This is a philosophically enriched story by critically-acclaimed author Dennis Haseley and Caldecott Medalist Ed Young. In ancient China, a wealthy man asked the master of horse painting, Homan, to paint his favorite horse. He waited year after year, until his hair turned gray, just like the mane of his horse. Running out of patience, the wealthy man went to Homan, demanding a finished art piece. He could not believe his eyes when Homan finished the portrait in twenty heartbeats, right in front of him. Infuriated, the wealthy man followed Homan into his studio, trying to reason why he had to wait for so many years. There, he finally understood why Homan's masterpiece took so many years of waiting.

Accompanied by Young's exquisitely layered collage work, this is a story with profound meaning that is up to your interpretation.

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

The Human Body, by Seymour Simon

Rating: Very Good

Henry Holt & Co, 2008, $15.99

ISBN: 9780060555412
Age/Grade Level: Preschool-Gr. 2

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From the prolific author of juvenile science books, Seymour Simon, and the Smithsonian Institution comes this fundamental yet comprehensive book on the human body. Young readers will learn about the twelve major systems that we are born with, how they function, and what they look like. The nice collection of photographs and diagrams is a good addition to the text.

This book can be paired with David Macaulay’s The Way We Work, for curious readers who want to explore in depth, the human body.

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

The Juliet Club, by Suzanne Harper

Rating: Additional

HarperTeen, 2008, $17.99
ISBN: 9780061366918

Age/Grade Level: Teen

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Kate Sanderson is the daughter of a rational law professor and a passionate Shakespeare scholar. When she wins a contest to study Romeo and Juliet in Verona, it's a great chance forher to experience romance in the setting of one of the most romantic stories ever. Which would be great--except Kate was cruelly dumped and has given up on romance forever. Then she meets Giacomo.

What sounds like a pretty interesting premise is actually not quite as interesting. The writing is good; however, it seems that the characters lack depth and ultimately they aren't very compelling. The romances between the characters seem forced, and the reader may find it hard to connect with any of the characters, even Kate. As much as I wanted to like this story, I could not.

I tthink this story ends up suffering from the "trying to do to much"s. Read it if you LOVE Romeo and Juliet, but for a better romantic comedy, you can read Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, or try Suzanne Harper's first book, The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney.

Reviewer: Shirley Ku, Fullerton Public Library

Mrs. Millie Goes to Philly, by Judy Cox

Rating: Very Good

Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $15.99

ISBN: 0761453873

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-7

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The main character, the teacher Mrs. Millie, plays on words and phrases that her students re-interpret with great amusement. This is a delightful book that would be a great read-a-loud, with great illustrations, a little bit of history and other facts as the class takes a trip to Philadelphia.

Reviewer: Katherine Robinson, Richman Elementary School

The Fisherman and the Turtle, by Eric A. Kimmel

Rating: Very Good

Illustrated by Martha Aviles

Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 0761453873
Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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A slight twist of "The Fisherman and His Wife," a tale from the Grimm's fairy tale collection, but with the same moral: "Be careful what you wish for." The illustrations are bright and appealing, with Aztec flavor. An AR book, level 3.0.

Reviewer: Katherine Robinson, Richman Elementary School

The Explosionist, by Jenny Davidson

Rating: Very Good
HarperTeen, 2008, $17.99

ISBN: 9780061239755
Age/Grade Level: Older teen

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The Explosionist is a unique book, combining elements of science fiction dystopias, alternative history, mystery, and a touch of romance. Set in an alternate 1937 Scotland, main character Sophie is a fairly ordinary girl at a boarding school who finds herself embroiled in politics and terrorism. The story has twists and turns, and events within the story have enough resonance within today's society to encourage teens to think about what terrorism/patriotism is.

This book is recommended for older teens, 14 and up. Younger teens could read it; however, they might miss some of the references to historical figures.

Reviewer: Shirley Ku, Fullerton Public Library

Prom Kings and Drama Queens, by Dorian Cirrone

Rating: Marginal

HarperTeen, 2008, $17.99
ISBN: 9780061143731

Age/Grade Level: Teen

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Emily is on the school newspaper staff and wants to be the editor during her senior year. A boy on the newspaper staff has a crush on Emily. She has a crush on the next-door neighbor boy.

I thought this book could have been a good story if the characters had been developed a bit more. Emily befriends the next door neighbor's grandmother, but their friendship didn't really grab me. Nor did the relationship Emily has with her crush, Brian. The author really needed to write another hundred pages or so developing relationships and characters.

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

The Greatest Story Never Told, by Ray Negron

Illustrated by Laura Seeley

Rating: Marginal
HarperCollins, 2008, $17.99

ISBN: 9780061471612
Age/Grade Level: Ages 6-8

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A well-meaning but awkward picture book that will have the greatest appeal to serious baseball fans. Hospital roommates Skippy and Connor, one black and one white, don't get along. Then Yankees batboy Ray takes them on a magic trip to meet Babe Ruth and Jackie robinson, who make them realize that they can be friends despite their differences. A former Yankees batboy himself, author Negron manages a cameo appearance for his current employer, Yankee manager George Steinbrenner (The Boss). This story belongs in the Yankee Stadium gift shop, but most libraries can live without it.

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

Smiles to Go, by Jerry Spinelli

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-0231330-5

Age/Grade Level: Ages 12-14

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Will Tuppence is a high school freshman whose world revolves around skateboarding, stargazing, protons and Monopoly pizza parties with his two best friends, BT and Mi-Su. His whole outlook changes when he finds out protons can die, so he is constantly concerned with how life lasts. He struggles with several issues in his life: The notion that nothing lasts forever, competition with his best friend BT, jealousy for the affections of a mutual friend, his first kiss, and a relationship with his annoying sister.

Reviewer: Pat Campbell, Orange County Public Library