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Book: Lenny Cyrus, School Virus
Author: Joe Schreiber
Illustrator: Matt Smith
Pages: 288
Age Range: 9 and up 

Lenny Cyrus, School Virus is a middle grade novel about a geeky middle school boy who figures out how to shrink himself down to the size of a virus. Instead of calling the news cameras, Lenny uses this scientific breakthrough to insert his miniaturized self into the body of Zooey, a girl he's had a crush on for five years.

The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Lenny, Zooey, and Lenny's best friend, Harlan. These alternating viewpoints are necessary, given that, you know, Lenny can't see what's going on outside of Zooey's body for much of the story. The voices of the three kids aren't incredibly diverse, but their situations are so different that I only once had trouble remembering who was narrating a given chapter (this was late in the book, where the chapters become quite brief as the action ramps up). 

Despite the characters being in middle school, Lenny Cyrus, School Virus feels like a middle grade novel. The plot is a fun ride, though it does require a certain suspension of belief. Lenny and Harlan are able to communicate by cell phone, for example, while Lenny is miniaturized to the size of a virus. The other viruses and cells and what-have-you inside of Zooey have faces and personalities and active social lives.

[Personally, the detail that I found most implausible was that Lenny's parents could be high school sweethearts, and both have IQs above 187. How could there be two super-geniuses like that in one high school? And if there were, how could they be normal enough to function and marry? But that is a quibble.]

There are crushes, and one ludicrous attempt at a kiss, but there's no serious dating or anything like that. There is bullying, but even that is rendered more in humorous than serious vein. (Remember that scene in A Christmas Story where Ralphie beats up the bully? Yeah. Like that.)

Schreiber's writing is witty, albeit with a scientific bent. I flagged quite a number of passages. Like:

""Are you crying?"

"What? No. No. I'm just ... sweating."

"From your eyes?"

I gazed at her, unable to speak. I was only eight years old, but I knew true beauty when I saw it. She had smooth hair that swung down past her shoulders and the kind of scratchy voice that made it sound like she'd just stopped laughing or was about to start again. Behind her glasses, her eyes were that mure methylene blue that you only see in perfectly balanced chemical solutions." (Page 4, Lenny)

And this:

"The moment they saw us--saw me--a predatory glint flashed through Mick's expression. Anybody who doubts that middle school is like a Discovery Channel documentary on natural selection just hasn't been paying attention." (Page 10, Lenny)

And finally (though I could go on):

"He can't help it. You try growing up with two Nobel Prize-winning scientists sitting across the breakfast table from you. Lenny doesn't like to talk about it, but he's at least as smart as his mom and dad, probably smarter. And let's face it: You can't be that smart without being extremely dumb in other ways. It's like the universe strapped this jet-pack on his back, then Gorilla-glued his sneakers to the floor. He's constantly reaching out too far and falling flat on his face." (Page 13, Harlan)

I especially loved that last bit, about the jet-pack and the Gorilla glue. But lots of other passages made me smile, too. 

Lenny Cyrus, School Virus includes occasional black and white illustrations by Matt Smith. Small drawings of each narrator mark the start of each chapter, and are helpful in conveying the different personalities of the three kids. Other illustrations bring to life Lenny's inner-world mission. The funniest, I thought, was of a curvaceous molecule located inside Zooey's ovary - but I really can't describe it. An astrovirus who befriends Lenny is pretty cute, too. 

So what we have here is, yes, another quasi-science-themed book featuring a smart but geeky male hero (see also Itch by Simon Mayo). But Lenny Cyrus, School Virus is a lot of fun. The shifting perspectives also, I think, help to make the book both boy and girl-friendly. Which is quite an accomplishment for a book in which a pivotal scene takes place inside of an ovary. 

Lenny Cyrus, School Virus is not going to be for everyone. But if you know any middle grade or middle school-age kids who like science and/or adventure, and have a good sense of humor, I think they'll enjoy this book. Definitely worth a look for library purchase, and especially recommended for a young friend of mine who lives in Newton, MA. 

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (@hmhkids)
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

FTC Required Disclosure:

This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links (including linked book covers) may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

© 2013 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. You can also follow me @JensBookPage or at my Growing Bookworms page on Facebook. 

Book: The Runaway King: Book 2 of the Ascendance Trilogy
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen (@NielsenWriter)
Pages: 352
Age Range: 10 and up 

The Runaway King is the second book in Jennifer Nielsen's Ascendance Trilogy, following last year's The False Prince. The Runaway King is that rare second book of a trilogy that completely holds up. If you haven't read The False Prince, stop here, because there will be spoilers for the first book (though not the second). Just go read it. The False Prince is fabulous. 

While The Runaway King lacks the unforgettable solo twist that characterized The False Prince, Nielsen compensates by repeatedly upping the stakes for Sage/Jaron, now King of Carthya. In order to save his kingdom, and himself, Sage sets off in disguise on a dangerous quest. There are pirates, surprises, and betrayals. There are swordfights, ethical dilemmas, and enemies (old and new). But there are also new friends and allies for Jaron, and a much better understanding, by the end of the book, of who his friends really are.  

Nielsen's plotting is multi-layered and adept, and will keep readers eagerly turning pages. The very first line of the book is "I had arrived early for my own assassination." Who could stop reading after that? Well, the whole book is like that. You simply can't put it down. 

But what I personally love most about this series, and this book, is the character of Jaron. His central character trait is stubbornness. He is the very personification of the expression "loyal to a fault." He is self-deprecating in his speech, but in a endlessly entertaining sort of way. Like this:

"I nodded, and when Kerwyn entered the room, Mott made an excuse about finding more alcohol and left. I thought he looked a little exasperated when he glanced back, but people often did when they talked with so it was hardly worth noting." (Page 40)

and this: 

"Erick continued to look at me. "I think I may grow to hate you before this is over."

"You don't already and that's got to be some sort of record."

To my surprise, Erick laughed." (Page 161)

Here is one more passage that shows you Jaron's character:

"This had become my favorite place on the frequent occasions when I needed to get away from everyone. The bright springtime flowers were surrounded by tall, dense hedges and lined with plants of every variety. Majestic trees kept the view from above concealed through most seasons of the year, and the grass was soft enough to make bare feet nearly mandatory." (Page 2)

I love that "to make bare feet nearly mandatory." Just listen to the way I talk about this character. It is as though he is real. I predict that we'll see him in a movie or three one day.

The Runaway King has a strong central character, complex supporting characters (I love Mott), an action-packed plot, and a fully realized setting. No sophomore slump for Jennifer Nielsen, that's for sure. This is a perfect book to give to kids who love adventure. Though it's set in an imaginary, medieval sort of land, there are no magical elements to the story. But there are pirates! A map of the pirate camp is included at the start of the book, as a hint to where things are going. 

Highly recommended for middle grade readers as well as teens, boys and girls. But make sure they read The False Prince first. As for me, I'm already looking forward to Book 3. 

Publisher: Scholastic (@Scholastic) 
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
Source of Book: Bought it at a book signing

FTC Required Disclosure:

This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links (including linked book covers) may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

1. Timmy Failure is aimed at her demographic, 
2. She's a voracious reader of this genre,
3. She regularly discusses and swaps books with her third grade posse, and 
4. She stole the advance review copy the day it arrived at our house before I even had the chance to open the cover.

Book: Zebra Forest
Author: Adina Rishe Gewirtz
Pages: 208
Age Range: 9-12 

Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz is a dark, brooding novel for middle grade readers. Eleven-year-old Annie and her younger brother Rew live with their Gran in a house that backs up to a wood that they call the Zebra Forest. Gran is just barely able to care for the children, taking to her bed for days at a time. But their small, broken family is managing. Right up to the day that an escaped prisoner breaks in and holds the family hostage. The rest of the book takes place primarily in the house, as an unexpected connection between the prisoner and the family is revealed. Other long-hidden family secrets eventually come out, too.

Zebra Forest is set during the time of the Iran hostage crisis, in the summer of 1980. This choice serves two purposes. It allows Gewirtz to draw parallels between Annie and Rew's situation and that of the hostages, and it sets the story in a less-connected time, when it is plausible that a family could just vanish into their home, with no outside contact, for an extended period. Annie's family doesn't even have a television set - the isolation of the four people in the house is near-total. 

I did have a bit of an issue with the central coincidence on which the story is based, though discussing it would be a bit of a spoiler. Suffice it to say that I kept waiting for the author to find a way to explain it, to make it not a coincidence, without satisfaction. But for readers who can suspend belief on that one point, Zebra Forest is a compelling story. The characters are all complex, and Gewirtz doesn't take the easy way out in resolving their interpersonal conflicts. There is growth and healing in the book, but not so much as to feel implausible. Most of the tension in the book is around relationships and secrets, rather than dramatic action. Gewirtz's taut prose keeps readers turning the pages.

""I don't like people snooping around," she said. "We're enough for each other, aren't we?"

I always told her yes, of course we were. And on her good days, it was even true. But by the end of sixth grade, I'd counted more bad days than good, more days when Gran didn't wake until noon, and then only got up to sit in the kitchen, staring  through the windows  at the Zebra, grinding the tip of her slipper into the linoleum until it left little bits of gray rubber scattered like eraser dust on the floor." (Chapter 2)

and this:

"I woke to a noise. The lights were still on, and Rew was asleep on the floor, head between a couple of stray pawn.

Someone was rattling the back door in the kitchen. We never locked it, but it stuck, and if you rattled it once or twice, it opened. I got up, stepping on Rew in the process, and made my way to the kitchen just as the back door opened, and a man stepped in.

I blinked, trying to make sense of him." (Chapter 6)

A theme one sees fairly often in children's books is the kids protecting their dysfunctional caregiver from the scrutiny of the system, because their imperfect home is better than the alternative. Gewirtz handles this sub-text well, through small examples. 

Zebra Forest is not an upbeat novel. But it's full of moments and characters that ring true, set in a suspenseful atmosphere. Zebra Forest is a book that will stay with the reader long after the relatively slim text is finished. Recommended for kids who enjoy suspense and kids who enjoy novels about dysfunctional families.

Publisher: Candlewick (@candlewick)
Publication Date: April 9, 2013
Source of Book: Advance review copy from the publisher

© 2013 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you). 

In my workshops, teachers often express the desire to use picture books in their classroom, but wonder how to do it most effectively. The answer to that question depends entirely upon what we want to accomplish.

Below I've provided a few thoughts on this topic, as well as some recommendations.

1) Teacher to Class Sharing

• Picture books activate not only prior knowledge, but also attitudes, beliefs, and misconceptions. Picture books create a bridge between the student’s prior knowledge and newly introduced learning. In a Social Studies lesson, for example, you might read aloud the picture book The Honest to Goodness Truth (see summary and lesson suggestions). After reading, you say, “I thought we all agreed yesterday in our discussion about elections that ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ Yet this book seems to say almost the exact opposite! So who’s right? Is there a time when honesty isn't the best policy?”

• Pictures books construct schema. A teacher wishing to introduce a fantasy genre might share a picture book which exemplifies six traits of that genre. Upon completion of the reading, the teacher asks her students to list the traits they noticed. How best to confirm or disqualify these traits? Have the students read additional fairy tales in small groups or stations (see below). Discovering the critical attributes of any genre could be done in this same way (see ideas on exploring Fables)

• Picture books create common ground. Before reading a novel set in the Depression, you might read aloud or show images from several picture books which deal with that topic. One might be illustrated with photographs and eyewitness reports, one with period art works sponsored by the WPA, and one with illustrations and a narrative by a contemporary author. In just a few minutes time, students would construct a shared set of images, feelings, and understandings on a single topic. Recently, my own students were challenged to address the topic "Is Winning Everything?" in an argumentative essay. In addition to a number of videos and discussions, our principal visited as a guest reader and shared :Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven and Chris Ellison (see summary). When finished, he asked, "What would these boys have to say about winning? Was that all they wanted?" (See the video prompts at my How to Teach a Novel blog).

• Picture books can make abstract concepts (such as life skills) concrete. As teachers we are often expected to teach “fuzzy” character concepts such as cooperation, responsibility, and integrity. Where are those lessons in our textbooks? Here is where picture books can play a large role. Through picture books, universal themes such as patience, empathy, teamwork, cooperation, forgiveness, fairness, and responsibility are captured in just sixteen or twenty-four pages, creating a memorable model for children who still think and generalize in very concrete terms. An idea such as integrity becomes very real to students through a shared reading and discussion of a book such as Demi's The Empty Pot.

Students read independently for a number of reasons, pleasure being the foremost. But as students mature, they should also read picture books as models for their own writing. This makes perfect sense, as picture books are typically the length of student stories in the upper elementary and middle grades, and the length of writing tasks expected on standardized tests. Sixth grade students such as my own might be seeking creative ways to include opposing viewpoints in their argumentative writing. A book like George Bellows: Painter with a Punch does that masterfully. 

Students may also read picture books as sources of reference. A student seeking background on the Sioux tribe, for example, might express reluctance to wade through a difficult nonfiction text, encyclopedia entry, or web site meant for more mature readers. This same student, however, could access similar information through three or four picture books whose illustrations would aid in deciphering and extending difficult terms and concepts. Now armed with a general understanding of the topic, he might now be more willing to check out that difficult nonfiction text, encyclopedia entry, or web site which seemed so onerous earlier. When my students were researching predators for their HOWL Museum essays, many chose to use trade books versus the Internet to gather facts and supporting details to prove that their creature was a predator worthy of the Hunters of the Wild Lands Museum (see Peerless Predators at my Animal Attraction post).

5. Independent Choice Reading

This one I can't emphasize enough. Having a library full of enticing titles, attractively displayed, is one of the best methods for getting students to read. And I'm not asking you to break the bank and spend all of your personal money on books! When I started out as a teacher a million years ago, I tried to build my classroom library as quickly as possible through garage sales, thrift shops, and Scholastic Book Club bonus points. But additionally, I would visit my public library and sign out twenty-five to fifty different picture books each week. These rotating titles offered my students plenty of variety and in turn encouraged them to visit the public library as well (our small private school didn't have a library). I continued to do this even when I began teaching at a public school, and in 25 years of teaching, only two books ever went missing. A small price to pay for encouraging the love of reading!

How do you share picture books in your classroom? We'd love to hear from you in the Comments section below.

Beyond Foo, Book 1: Geth and the Return of the Lithens by Obert Skye

Review by Bubs, Age 9 (who is apparently picking up on Daddy's sales skills.)

Book: See You at Harry's
Author: Jo Knowles (@JoKnowles)
Pages: 310
Age Range: 10 and up

See You at Harry's, by Jo Knowles, is brilliant, authentic, and devastating. I tend to skim reviews, because I hate spoilers, so I had only the vaguest notion that "something bad happens" to the family in See You at Harry's. But honestly, you can kind of tell from the tone of the book. I'm not going to say what that "something bad" is. Just that I personally found it very difficult. 

Sometimes, when a book is emotionally difficult, I don't finish it. Life is too short, too many other books to read, etc. But I never considered not finishing See You at Harry's. By the time the tragedy occurred, I was far too invested in the characters to stop. All of the characters, but particularly the narrator, Fern, are fabulous. Three-dimensional, unique, and authentically flawed. The family dynamics feel so real that one can imagine being right there at the dinner table with them. Here are a couple of examples:

"I wish Sara could be more like the Sara she was named after from A Little Princess. That Sara is nice to everyone. Even the mice in the attic. This Sara seems to find it necessary to look for everyone's weak spot. And then stomp on it." (Chapter 3)

"The thing is, my dad is the kind of person who gets carried away. When he thinks he has a good idea, there's just no stopping him. We all know he doesn't only care about the business. But sometimes ... yeah. Sometimes it does sort of feel that way." (Chapter 13)

Another aspect of the book that feels authentic is Knowles' depiction of family ownership of a restaurant. An afterword reveals that Knowles grew up in the restaurant business, and this makes complete sense. See You at Harry's is filled with little details about hanging out at the restaurant after school, interacting with employees who are like extended family, and customers who steal the silverware. I was reminded, a tiny bit, of my own childhood, essentially growing up in the family hardware store. 

While there is certainly humor in See You at Harry's, and even joy, parts of the book are very sad. Like this:

"I am holding on to Sara as I sob so hard, I think I will turn inside out. I sob and sob, and she does, too. I soak her shirt with my tears, and she soaks my hair with hers. And she holds me and holds me and doesn't get up. And eventually we tire ourselves out so much we fall asleep." (Chapter 22)

There are also other themes in the book: coping with bullying; coming out at home and school; and managing romantic feelings between friends. See You at Harry's is far more than a book about dealing with a family tragedy. But the tragedy, as far as I'm concerned anyway, is pretty gut-wrenching. So there you have it: brilliant but devastating. I do recommend See You at Harry's for those who enjoy tear-jerkers, and anyone who can handle the serious side of family drama, age 10 and up. 

Publisher: Candlewick (@Candlewick)
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2012 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you). 

Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #7: The Third Wheel
Author: Jeff Kinney
Pages: 224
Age Range: 8 and up 

The seventh Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, The Third Wheel, made me laugh aloud several times. Like the other books in the series, The Third Wheel doesn't follow a particularly linear plotline. The "third wheel" aspect of the book (involving a Valentine's Day Dance, a girl, and Greg's best friend) only directly comes into play quite late in the book. But it doesn't matter. Time spent peeking into Greg Heffley's diary is always entertaining. Some highlights that struck me from this installment included:

• Greg's memories from back before he was born (already capable of being embarrassed by his mother).
• The fact that Greg spent the first few months of his life sleeping in a dresser drawer ("which I'm pretty sure isn't even legal"). 
• The location that baby Greg found to hide the batteries for the TV remote ("when you're a baby, you can't really get around a lot, so there was only one place I could hide the batteries.")
• When Greg drove his father so crazy during Bring Your Child to Work Day that he was sent off to sit somewhere else, and ended up forgotten and left at work.
• A "pantsing" epidemic among the boys at the middle school. 
• A bizarre "bring your own toilet paper" fad at the middle school.

I think the reason that these books work so well is that although the incidents are over-the-top, there's an underpinning of universal behavior that comes through. The Wimpy Kid books will always be among my favorites, because I've known kids who were turned on to reading for the first time by Greg's exploits. I also think that there's a fair amount of humor in these books for adults, making these fun read-together books (or read in parallel, anyway) for the whole family.

The sketch-filled diary format has become fairly widespread in children's books, of course, but Jeff Kinney launched the craze, and remains a master at it. I found Diary of a Wimpy Kid #7: The Third Wheel to be a worthy installment of the series, a laugh-out-loud read for kids and adults. Recommended! (And no particular need to read the books in order, I don't think). 

Publisher: Amulet Books (@AbramsKids)
Publication Date: November 13,2012
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2013 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you). 

If you like The Westing Game, you’re sure to like Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and illustrated by Brett Helquist (illustrator of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events).   The book jacket says Chasing Vermeer “is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art.” A famous painting by Jan Vermeer known as A Woman Writing has disappeared and its mysterious thief has threatened to destroy it. Sixth-graders Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay start out as classmates but soon become friends and fellow sleuths as they boldly venture to follow a trail of clues and track down the missing painting.  Using their wits and intuition, they solve the puzzle of the painting’s disappearance and its mysterious thief  . Chasing Vermeer reminds me a bit of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Petra finds an old used book called Lo! that tells of coincidences throughout time.  As Petra thinks, “Why wasn’t more time . . .  spent studying things that were unknown or not understood .  . . ?  . . . To try to piece together a meaning behind events that didn’t seem to fit?” Perhaps there are no coincidences–perhaps life is really full of patterns and cosmic synchronicity.  Petra dreams of [...]

If you like The Westing Game, you’re sure to like Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and illustrated by Brett Helquist (illustrator of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events).   The book jacket says Chasing Vermeer “is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art.” A famous painting by Jan Vermeer known as A Woman Writing has disappeared and its mysterious thief has threatened to destroy it. Sixth-graders Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay start out as classmates but soon become friends and fellow sleuths as they boldly venture to follow a trail of clues and track down the missing painting.  Using their wits and intuition, they solve the puzzle of the painting’s disappearance and its mysterious thief  . Chasing Vermeer reminds me a bit of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Petra finds an old used book called Lo! that tells of coincidences throughout time.  As Petra thinks, “Why wasn’t more time . . .  spent studying things that were unknown or not understood .  . . ?  . . . To try to piece together a meaning behind events that didn’t seem to fit?” Perhaps there are no coincidences–perhaps life is really full of patterns and cosmic synchronicity.  Petra dreams of [...]

Book: The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man's Canyon
Author: S. S. Taylor
Illustrator: Katherine Roy
Pages: 320
Age Range: 10 and up

The Expeditioners by S. S. Taylor (illustrated by Katherine Roy) is the first middle grade novel published by McSweeney's McMullens. It's a middle grade adventure / steampunk / alt-history / dystopia, with frequent full-page illustrations. The premise is that in a future world in which computers have turned on society and been outlawed, technological innovation relies on steampunk types of devices (clockwork hands, steamcycles and gliders).

In this world, a series of government sanctioned (and government controlled) Explorers have discovered various lands previously unknown by the rest of humanity (hidden by a glitch in the now-defunct computer systems). Zander, Kit, and M.K. are the recently orphaned children of one such Explorer, struggling to survive on their own. When a cryptic message arrives from their father, the children end up becoming Explorers (or Expeditioners, as their father called it) on their own (picking up a helpful friend or two along the way).

Once I got through a bit of dense world-building at the start of the book, I found The Expeditioners to be an egaging romp, full of just the sort of devices that keeps kids reading (including lost gold, dirigibles, a complete lack of adult supervision, a genetically engineered and dangerous parrot, and plenty of maps!). Like this:

"It was brand-new, which would have tipped me off that it belonged ot the government even if it hadn't had the red BNDL logo imprinted on its side. The fancy steam-powered dirigibles were amazing things: egg-shaped lightweight Gryluminum balloons with gondolas below, and sealed, super-efficient steam engines that allowed them to travel nearly as fast as gliders." (Chapter Two)

I thought that the plot in The Expeditioners relied a little too much on conveniences. For example, the children all inherit vests that contain things to help get them through tight spots - they tend to try out these things at exactly the right time. Like this:

"I checked my own vest. Aside from the shining brass compass embedded in the animal hide on the front, there was also a small pocket on the inside that contained a sextant, just like the little tool Dad had used for navigation. I opened another inside pocket and found a brass spyglass. "Look at this," I told them. "It has ten degrees of magnification, like a really powerful set of binoculars!" (Chapter Nineteen)

There are also a couple of very timely rescues. I also found that Taylor occasionally slipped into telling instead of showing when it came to the children's personalities. But neither of these things kept me from thoroughly enjoying the book - they're basically attributes of the type of book that it is (over the top adventure/fantasy). Certainly I shall look forward to the next book in what promises to be a series.

Roy's illustrations definitely added to my appreciation of the book. They have a certain dark, melodramtic tone that suits the style of the book perfectly, and helps flesh out a mental picture of the characters. They also give The Expeditioners a hint of a graphic novel feel, which I think will broaden the book's appeal. 

If you know any 10-year-olds who like adventure stories and/or steampunk-type elements, The Expeditioners should be right on the mark. There is enough heft to the text to be satisfying, but not the overpowering length of some fantasies. Enourage the kids to plow through slightly dense world-building at the start of the book, because The Expeditioners reads much more quickly once you are a few chapters in. It's a fast-paced book full of creative details, a book that strong readers will enjoy. Recommended.

Publisher: McSweeney's McMullens (@McSweeneys)
Publication Date: December 11, 2012
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2012 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you). 

Book: Deadwood
Author: Kell Andrews
Pages: 250
Age Range: 9-12

Deadwood is an early offering by new small publisher Pugalicious Press. Written by Kell Andrews, Deadwood is the story of a cursed tree that has drained the luck from the small town of Lower Brynwood. 12-year-old Martin Cruz, new to Lower Brynwood, finds himself in reluctant partnership with schoolmate Hannah Vaughan. The two try to remove the curse, saving the tree and the town. 

The characterization in Deadwood is quite strong (at least for the protagonists). Martin and Hannah are both three-dimensional, and their conflicted relationship rings true. Hannah's relationship with her long-time best friend Waverly gives Andrews a chance to explore the way that friendships grow and change during adolescence. The adult characters are less nuanced. Martin's mean-spirited Aunt Michelle, who he is living with while his soldier mother is deployed, is a bit over the top, as is a former football hero who becomes a nemesis for the kids (and the tree). But this works ok - the plot itself is also over-the-top, and these adult characters fit right in with that. 

Deadwood feels more like magical realism than fantasy. There are unquestionably fantastical elements (the tree communicates with the children, even sending them text messages). And certain events are not strictly realistic (the political structure of the town, the rapid progression of the curse). But the relationships between Martin and Hannah (and Hannah and Waverly) and the kids' day-to-day challenges with school and family life, still make Deadwood read more like realistic fiction than fantasy. Like this:

"When she became friends with Waverly in second grade, Hannah realized she had a lot to learn about being a girl. It seemed like Waverly had been born knowing how to layer T-shirts, pair shoes with jeans, apply lip gloss, and toss her head so that her hair caught the light." (Page 60)

"... but Waverly was more tentative, and that made Hannah nervous. The two of them had never kept secrets from each other before, but Hannah had to admit that she had started it. She had introduced the space between them, allowing Libby to squeeze her way into the gap. Libby had might sharp elbows." (Page 165)

Deadwood is a fairly quick read (much less dense than many of the fantasy tomes crowding the market today). There's a nice mix of heart and humor, and plenty of attention paid to interpersonal dynamics. I thought that the culmination of the plot wrapped up a bit quickly (and I personally saw the bad guy coming from a long way off). But I still found it an enjoyable read. Give this one to middle grade readers who enjoy magical realism, or to anyone for whom the idea of talking with an ancient, enormous tree is irresistible. 

Publisher: Pugalicious Press (@PugaliciousPres)
Publication Date: November 15, 2012
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2012 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you). 

Book: The Fire Chronicle (Books of Beginning, Book 2)
Author: John Stephens
Pages: 448
Age Range: 9 - 12

The Fire Chronicle is the second book of John Stephens' Books of Beginning series. I thought that it was better than the first book, last year's The Emerald Atlas. Unlike many middle books of trilogies, which seem to exist mainly to mark time until the final book, The Fire Chronicle is a nice combination of a solid story with its own merits and lead-up to the final volume. 

The Fire Chronicle finds Kate, Michael, and Emma, children destined to bring together three world-changing books, marking time in an orphanage. The peace only lasts a few pages, however. Before the reader knows it, the siblings are separated. Kate, keeper of the book that manipulates time, finds herself trapped in New York City, a few days before the start of the 20th century. Michael and Emma travel in our own time with, and then without, Dr. Pym, on a quest for the second Book of Beginning. 

Although the action shifts frequently between the two time periods, The Fire Chronicle is primarily Michael's book. He is the eldest of the children in Kate's absence, and the one destined to be keeper of the second book, a book that has power over life itself. I thought that Stephens did an excellent job of character development with Michael, who bore aspects of Edmund Pevensie from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe in The Emerald Atlas. Michael comes a long way in The Fire Chronicle, pulled along by the book, and by his love for his sisters.

Kate's story, while less pivotal to this particular book, is also intriguing, as she comes into contact with a boy whose destiny appears tied to her own. Stephens also presents an appealing alternate history for New York City. The premise is that magical beings once existed out in the open (dwarves, elves, witches, etc.). However, after years of persecution from ordinary humans, the magical folk created a "separation" (at the turn of the 20th century), going into hiding and altering people's memories about them. This makes Kate's scenes an interesting balance between what New York City was like 100+ years ago and what the world might be like with magical beings living in the open next door to regular folk.  

Stephens uses the dual narratives effectively in keeping the reader turning the pages, switching over at various cliffhangers. Even when he doesn't switch narratives, he still uses cliffhangers at the end of most chapters. Like this:

"The cry of a Screecher echoed up the tower, and they heard boots pounding on the stairs, growing closer and louder. The children backed away from the door.

Michael heard Emma shout his name.

What was he supposed to do? What could he do?

Then the door flew open, revealing the dark, ragged form of a Screecher, and at that same moment, a pair of hands seized the children from behind." (Page 25)

Though there is a lot of danger and drama in The Fire Chronicle, Stephens does give the children small moments of happiness, too, like when Emma sees a penguin for the first time and marvels "That's the best thing I ever saw. Ever." Or this:

"... and as crowded and loud and smoky as the restaurant was, and though she was constantly being bumped and jostled, or feeling cold air against her neck when someone pushed through the rugs by the door, somehow it was all wonderful. It was as if Kate had managed to leave outside everything she carried with her on a daily basis, her thoughts of her parents, the need to find them, her constant worry about her brother and sister." (Page 197)

There are some parallels between the Books of Beginning series and the Harry Potter books. Both feature an evil wizard who was partially vanquished, but is now trying to come back to life, to take over the world. Both feature a kindly, not always forthright, elderly wizard who guides the orphan(s) trying to save the world. Both have the magical world existing next to, but rarely interacting with, the real world. And so on. But the Books of Beginning have more of a high fantasy feel to them than the Potter books do, with large swaths of the books taking place in settings like tunnels below ground, elven communities up in the trees, and so on. There's also more of a tie-in with actual historical events in the Books of Beginning series, which is a nice touch. 

The Books of Beginning series isn't as humorous as the Harry Potter series, though Stephens does present a pretty funny view of vain elves in The Fire Chronicle. But Stepehens' choice to make the three protagonists siblings, rather than friends, gives a certain emotional heft to the books. 

The Fire Chronicle is a strong second book in a solid middle grade fantasy series. The plotting is fast-paced, and the narrative structure pulls the reader forward. I enjoyed seeing Michael's character development throughout this book, and look forward to something similar when youngest sibling Emma takes center stage (presumably) in the next book. The Fire Chronicle is highly recommended for middle grade fantasy fans (but read The Emerald Atlas first). 

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (@RandomHouseKids)
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2012 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you). 

………………. Today we have a Special Guest Douglas Harris from the new book Millicent Marie is NOT My Name.  Douglas is “Millie” Millicent Marie’s ten-year-old younger brother. Douglas is at Kid Lit Reviews to explain his part in the Notorious Springside Elementary School’s Internet Deblogcle, written by “new girl” Amanda.  He assures us that he [...]

Book: Professor Gargoyle (Lovecraft Middle School, Book 1)
Author: Charles Gilman
Pages: 160
Age Range: 9-12 

Professor Gargoyle is the first book in the new Lovecraft Middle School horror series from Quirk Books. Although set in a middle school, it's actual a quick middle grade read, one that I think will appeal to dormant / reluctant readers. 

Robert is the only one of his friends to be assigned to the brand new Lovecraft Middle School. He thinks that his biggest problems will be finding someone to sit with at lunch, and staying out of bully Glenn's way. However, he soon discovers a stairway to a mysterious old attic (one that makes no sense at all as part of Lovecraft Middle School), an intelligent two-headed rat, and a teacher who isn't what he appears. And then things really get weird. 

Professor Gargoyle has an eye-catching cover, one of those ones that changes depending on what angle you hold the book at. You see the professor as a regular older teacher, or as a demon. It's pretty cool. (Ms. Yingling called it the best part of the book). I do think it may make younger kids pick up the book (though it may also make adult readers NOT pick up the book). There are also a few interior black and white illustrations, keeping the book reader-friendly for young readers.

The plotting in Professor Gargoyle is fast-paced and action-filled, with opportunities for kids to show bravery and cleverness. I thought that the resolution of Robert's relationship with Glenn happened a bit quickly, but relationship dynamics are hardly the point of the book. 

Here are a couple of examples of Gilman's prose:

"Up until this moment, Robert's life had been fairly quiet and ordinary. He had the same interests and hobbies as a million other twelve-year-old boys. He spent his days in school; he spent his nights doing homework and messing around on the computer. He'd never experienced anything that might have prepared him for a swarm of wild rats." (Page 19)

"Robert approached a round wooden table in the center of the room. On its surface was an open book, facedown. Robert shuddered. The book's spine appeared to be an actual spine--the bright white vertebrae of what might be a snake or lizard." (Page 43)

I like how the author says relatively deadpan, even when introducing fantastical elements. He does, however, occasionally tell instead of showing ("... everyone in the class listened without protest. They understood that Mr. Loomis was simply frustrated, that he was trying to prevent a terrible thing from happening again."). Still, I think that the storyline will appeal to fans of horror stories. 

The next book in the series, The Slither Sisters, is due out in January. While this series isn't going to be for everyone, I do think that librarians will want to add it to their arsenal. 

Publisher: Quirk Books (@QuirkBooks)
Publication Date: September 25, 2012
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2012 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

by Raina Telgemeier Scholastic 2012 Romance and friendships are tried and tested during the production of a middle grade play where everything is one giant emotional... drama. Callie is crushing on Greg, and after he breaks up with his girlfriend Bonnie it looks like she might get a chance at him, but after one sweet kiss it goes south when Bonnie and Greg reunite. Good thing there's the

Yesterday I wrote a "review" of R.J. Palacio's Wonder wherein I was trying to work out what I was thinking on the fly, on the screen, sorting out my thoughts in public. even as I was committing the post to go public I was still left with the feeling that I hadn't really scratched the surface. I've been trying to stay as close to gut-level in my reactions while at the same time shortening my

Book: So B. It
Author: Sarah Weeks
Pages: 254
Age Range: 10 and up 

My 8th book for the 2012 48 Hour Book Challenge is So B. It by Sarah Weeks. I've reviewed 2 of Weeks' earlier books, Jumping the Scratch and PIE, and found So B. It consistent with those (in a good way). So B. It is about 12-year-old Heidi, who lives with her developmentally disabled mother in Reno. Heidi and Mama are cared for by Bernadette, an agoraphobic neighbor with a connecting apartment. Heidi doesn't know anything about her father, or where she came from, because her mother only knows 23 words, and can't tell her. But when clues surface about Mama's background, Heidi sets out alone on a cross-country journey, determined to find out who she really is.  

Though technically realistic fiction, So B. It has overtones of fantasy. Heidi possesses a freakish lucky quality. She can call head or tails correctly 10 times in a row, no problem. And she has a way of coaxing extra money that her family needs out of slot machines. Luck also brought Mama, baby Heidi in tow, to Bernadette's door, at a time when the two damaged women needed one another. Their small, unconventional family works, but the notion that they could actually manage in the real world is a bit of a stretch.

But So B. It is also a book full of sharp insights and profound truths. Like this:

"I'd be lying if I said that given a choice, I wouldn't rather know than not know. But there are some things you can just know for no good reason other than that you do, and then there are other things that no matter how badly want to know them, you just can't.

The truth is, whether you know something or not doesn't change what was. If dinosaurs were blue, they were blue; if they were brown, they were brown whether anybody ever knows it for a fact or not." (Page 4)

and this:

"I cried for a long time. I cried so hard, it felt like my ribs might crack open. I imagined my heart flying out like a small, red bird escaping its cage, going off in search of a more promising person to live in. A person with history. A person who knew." (Page 63)

Although there is some humor to So B. It, there's sadness, too. The relationship dynamics feel real, albeit unconventional. Heidi's relationship with her child-like mother is touching, though her more traditional parent-child relationship is with Bernadette. There aren't a lot of kids in So B. It. Heidi mostly interacts with adults. But there's still a solid coming-of-age feel to the book, as Heidi works to understand her place in the world. 

So B. It is unique and suspenseful, heart-felt and moving. A perfect 48 Hour Book Challenge book. Highly recommended for readers age 10 and up. 

Publisher: HarperCollins (@harperchildrens)
Publication Date: April 2004
Source of Book: Bought it

© 2012 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All righ

Book: Children of Morrow
Author: H. M. Hoover
Pages: 240
Age Range: 10 and up 

My 9th book read for the 2012 48 Hour Book Challenge was Children of Morrow by H. M. Hoover. Children of Morrow is post-apocalyptic science fiction novel for kids, published in 1973. I suspect that this book was one of the first post-apocalyptic novels that I read when I was a kid. It doubtless contributed to my life-long fascination with the genre. I've been meaning to re-read it for several years, ever since my childhood copy turned up, and decided that this was the perfect opportunity. 

Children of Morrow is about 12-year-old Tia and 9-year-old Rabbit, who live in a struggling, patriarchal society, many generations after global disasters have nearly destroyed the world. As far as they know, their village is all that remains of mankind. Tia and Rabbit are both outcasts in the village, and they both dream of people from a technologically advanced civilization called Morrow. When a crime puts Tia and Rabbit in imminent danger, they learn (through telepathy) that the people of Morrow are real, and want them. They set out on a dangerous journey, pursued by men from their village, hoping to find a new home.

Most of the story is told from Tia's viewpoint. However, interspersed chapters show the people of Morrow, and fill in details about how Tia and Rabbit came to be, and what happened to civilization. 

Children of Morrow is fast-paced and suspenseful. The details of the old world that Tia and Rabbit run across (including a crumbling city) are interesting. Tia and Rabbit are sympathetic characters (unlike just about everyone else from their village). I enjoyed revisiting Tia and Rabbit's world, and I'm curious to re-read the sequel (though I don't believe that I have a copy). 

That said, I don't actually think that Children of Morrow holds up compared to modern-day dystopian science fiction. Hoover isn't consistent in her viewpoints. At one point Tia and Rabbit are discovering that an odd green fruit is edible, though they don't know what it is. A chapter or two later, they are eating avocados. When they discover the crumbling buildings, they see a series of balconies. But people raised in their primitive village would hardly have a word for balcony. I understand that using the proper words for things is easier, but this sort of thing took me out of the story. There's also not much emotion or character development to the story - Tia and Rabbit's trials seem to be more physical then emotional. I think that was the style of the day. 

I'm glad I took the time to re-read Children of Morrow, because I've been wondering about it, and only vaguely remembering it, for years. I know that it fascinated me as a 10-year-old. Fans of 1970s science fiction, or those interested in checking out older post-apocalyptic novels should certainly give it a look (though it's out of print and probably hard to find). But I'm not going to clamor for Children of Morrow to be brought back to print. The conventions of the genre have expanded since 1973, and I think that there are better, more recent novels to read instead. (But I'm still going to keep an eye out for the sequel, as a gift for my childhood self.)

Publisher: Penguin (