Nightmareland by James Preller

Just in time for the spooky Halloween season, we have this new book, Nightmareland, by James Preller.

Part of the Scary Tales series, Nightmareland is a spine-tingling book that describes the night a nine-year-old boy really gets into his new videogame.  Once Aaron starts playing the game, he quickly finds himself in a land inhabited by creatures from his own nightmares -- wolves and evil snowmen.  He uses his own knowledge of video games to help himself survive, but is eventually overwhelmed.  It takes the help of his sister and the pizza-delivery guy, who luckily knows quite a bit about video games himself, to help Aaron escape from the nightmare castle.

This is a good book for children looking for a scary, but not too terrifying, book.  It is good at describing atmospheric scenes, but stays away from anything likely to cause too many real nightmares.  Good for anyone who enjoys Goosebumps or other scary stories for younger readers.  At 85 pages, it is a quick read, and good for anyone looking for a shivery tale just right for chilly nights when the darkness falls early.
2014
M. Adams

The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett

The Carpet People

Remember the good old shag rugs of the 70's?  No? If you're too young, picture the glories of a room like this:

  Now imagine if a whole world had sprung up deep in the undergrowth of the fabric, complete with towns and villages and warring tribes.  That is exactly what the popular author Terry Pratchett imagined back in his youth, in 1971.  Now, all these years later, this book has been reissued, and the humor is still fresh, more than 40 years later.

The Carpet People tells the story of the Munrung Tribe, who are forced to leave their home when the terrible Fray attacks (picture a very large noise and a terrible wind that pulls things upwards -- now what could that be on a carpet?).  Led by the tribal chieftan Glurk ("Admittedly he moved his lips when he was thinking, and the thoughts could be seen bumping against one another like dumplings in a stew") and his more educated brother Snibril, they encounter other tribes and lots of adventures as they  wander.

Pratchett's typical dry humor is evident throughout the book, but it is also full of battles and strange creatures, all of which add up to make a very entertaining read.  This is definitely a book for older children, not because of any inappropriate content, but because the humor is dry and at times sophisticated.  However, for any reader who appreciates wit and adventure in a fantasy book, I would definitely recommend The Carpet People.  2013
M. Adams

I Represent Sean Rosen by Jeff Baron

I Represent Sean Rosen

Say you're a kid with a great idea -- a really, really great idea -- that you want to sell to Hollywood.  Then you find out that they won't pay any attention to you unless you have an agent, but you're just a kid, and you can't afford an agent.  What can you do?  If you're Sean Rosen, you just invent one!

This book, told in the first person, perfectly describes Sean's life and thoughts as he develops "Dan Welch," agent for Sean Rosen.  We never even learn what Sean's really big idea is, because he decides to start with a trial run, selling a movie idea.  The fact that he doesn't actually have a movie idea doesn't worry him until he unexpectedly gets a quick reply and has to come up with an idea in a hurry.  But Sean is a 13-year-old who is not easily discouraged, and he is never lacking in ideas.

This is a very entertaining book, and it's great fun to watch Sean's progress as he deals with each difficulty in negotiating with a major entertainment company.  You not only get to see his movie idea develop, you get descriptions of his parents, his friends, and his school, all told in Sean's inimitable style.  "I Represent Sean Rosen" manages to convincingly portray the thoughts of a bright 13-year-old, while at the same time serving up delightful doses of dead-pan humor. 

I greatly enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it to anyone, especially anyone interested in someday becoming a major figure in the entertainment industry.  2013

M. Adams

In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz

In a Glass Grimmly

This book warns readers from the start that true fairy tales are "strange, bloody, and horrible," not like the drivel children hear nowadays, and that readers are about to hear many terrible things.  Not unlike the warnings in A Series of Unfortunate Events, this is certain to pique the interest of most kids reading it.  And in a style similar to the Lemony Snicket books, In a Glass Grimmly does indeed present some horrid deeds, but in such an entertaining and light-hearted style that kids are much more likely to laugh than to be frightened.

The book tells of the exploits of cousins Jack and Jill, accompanied by their friend Frog the frog, as they search for The Seeing Glass.  As they go on their travels, many of their adventures are based on some sort of fairy or folk tale, although they are often very different than the original story.  But whether they're killing giants or outwitting goblins, Jack and Jill always triumph through the use of their wits and their daring.

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable book, and it's great fun to see old fairy tales being re-imagined in such creative ways.  There are a few mentions of horrible deaths and mutilations, but in true fairy-tale style, they come to those who have earned such a fate.  I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun book with lots of imagination and adventure.  2012

M. Adams

One Gorilla: A Counting Book by Anthony Browne

One Gorilla: A Counting Book

 

This beautifully illustrated book is very simple -- it counts from one to ten, using illustrations of different primates.  But the illustrations themselves are not simple at all; they are lovely and incredibly detailed, and each animal clearly has its own personality.  I think children will enjoy studying each picture and talking about each animal and what he might be thinking. 

Then at the end of the book, the author points out that all the animals in the book are primates, and are part of one big family, our family.  It ends with another sweet illustration of all sorts of people.  This is a book to linger over with your favorite little primate!  2013

M. Adams

Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School by Kim Baker, illustrated by Tim Probert

Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School

If the schools in town suddenly have a outbreak of silly pranks, you won't have to look far for the cause -- that'll be proof that someone has read Pickle:  The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School.  Luckily, this good-natured book emphasizes light-hearted pranks that are not cruel or mean-spirited; they are done for the sheer fun of it. 

Ben, the founder of the group, performs his first prank on a whim.  I mean, if you suddenly found yourself the proud owner of a whole ball pit's worth of plastic balls, wouldn't you have to think of something cool to do with them?  After the success of that first prank, the momentum builds, and Ben realizes he needs a group of friends to help him continue the pranks.  And what better cover story for the group is there than a boring sounding name like the League of Pickle Makers?  The book describes their exploits as they each try to come up with a prank, so they can become full members of the group.  But what should Ben do about his best friend Hector?  It doesn't seem right to leave Hector out of the group, but Hector's grandmother is the principal, and Hector is not great at keeping secrets. 

This is a fun, easy read that is sure to please.  Kids will enjoy the escapades of the group as they plan and carry out their pranks, with varying degrees of success, but they'll also appreciate the description of the shifting dynamics of friendship in middle school.  Adults will appreciate that the kids, while certainly mischievious, are basically good kids, who still get along with their families and try to do well at school.  But that doesn't mean that adults are allowed to look at the super-secret website of the Pickle club.  After all, once you're over twenty your sense of humor starts leaking out, and soon you're just boring.

2012

M. Adams

Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus

Shadow on the Mountain

If someone asked you to risk your life, and the lives of your family, to do what was right, would you do it?  This exciting novel, based on real events, describes the adventures of a teen boy, Espen, and his friends in Norway during World War II who did just that.  Faced with the occupation of Norway by the Nazis, many Norwegians reacted with defiance and rebellion.  The rebellion could take many forms -- from subtle clothing messages (wearing red, the color of Norway, or putting a paper clip on your clothes to show you were bound together) to outright espionage and spying. 

Espen starts out by doing small acts of daring, such as distributing illegal newspapers, but performs more and more complicated tasks for the Norwegian resistance movement.  The work is so dangerous that he can tell no one about it, not even his family, for fear that they may be tortured or imprisoned.  And even his former friends cannot all be trusted -- some have decided to join the German side.

Shadow on the Mountain is obviously well-researched, with many true events written into the story.  But more than that, it is also well-written.  You really get a sense of what it was like to live in Norway during that period, with the food shortages and cold and the fear.  But you also feel the tremendous spirit of the Norwegian people as you share Espen's exciting adventures.  This book will be a great choice for anyone who enjoys adventure stories, historical fiction, or just a great read.  2012

M. Adams

Red Thread Sisters by Carol Antoinette Peacock

Red Thread Sisters

Red Thread Sisters is a moving novel about Wen, a girl who is adopted from China when she is eleven years old.  Although she is thrilled to be chosen to be adopted, her happiness is tempered by the sadness she feels at leaving her best friend at the orphanage.  Wen and Shu Ling have been inseparable ever since Shu Ling comforted Wen after Wen was left at the orphanage.  But now it is Wen's turn to comfort Shu Ling with the promise that she will find a new family for Shu Ling in America. 
As Wen adjusts to life in America and learns to trust and love her new family, her emotions remain conflicted as she remembers her best friend.  Can she find a family for Shu Ling before Shu Ling becomes too old to be adopted?  Will her new family send her back if she causes trouble by trying to help Shu Ling?  This well-written and touching book details Wen's life and development as she bravely does all she can to help Shu Ling while coping with the many changes in her own life.    2012.

M. Adams

Flabbersmashed About You by Rachel Vail, Illustrated by Yumi Heo

Flabbersmashed About You

This lovely picture book tells the story of Katie Honors, "a really friendly kid" whose best friend is Jennifer.  Jennifer's smile "is as bright as the morning sun in your eyes."  They always play together and walk in together from recess -- always, that is, until today.  Suddenly Jennifer is playing with Roy, and Katie is left out and hurt.  "My whole self felt like a bruise."  Worse yet, Katie and Roy hold hands to walk in together.  Katie is left feeling flabbersmashed.  Luckily, Arabella, the quiet kid in the class, takes Katie's hand, and smiles a smile "gentle like the afternoon sun between the leaves." 

Flabbersmashed About You addresses a common concern for children in a simple yet entertaining story.  I liked that Jennifer is not portrayed as deliberately mean, instead, she is simply interested in playing with someone else.  Katie is still hurt, but she is open to Arabella's offer of friendship.  By acknowledging Katie's feelings but showing that other friends can also be fun, the book gently suggests a solution for children smarting over the shifting alliances between friends.  Yumi Heo's illustrations are bright and cheery, yet effective at portraying Katie's feelings when she is upset. 

This book is entertaining for anyone, and particularly good for instigating a discussion about feelings, friendship, and loyalty.  2012.

M. Adams

The Hunger Games--Our Own "Read-Alike" Suggestions

Are you a Hunger Games fan pining for something new and exciting to read? Here is our list of read-alikes!

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 Jefferson's Sons

Jefferson’s Sons is an interesting, sometimes disturbing, novel told from the point of view of three slave children on Thomas Jefferson’s estate, two of whom are Jefferson’s sons. The author did extensive research, and in this story she imagines how life may have been for the children of the slave Sally Hemings. Well written and engaging, the story covers twenty years as it describes growing up on the Monticello estate as the secret children of Thomas Jefferson.

Told in the first-person voice of each of the three narrators, Jefferson’s Sons manages to convey the complexity of emotions the children feel as they grow up and realize their complicated situation. Drawn to Jefferson as a father and yet repelled by his status as a slave-owner, Beverly and Madison face difficult decisions as to what to think and what to do as they get older. Their friend Peter also grows up as a slave at Monticello, and faces his own difficult future.

This book does not shy away from dealing with the topic of Sally Heming’s relationship with Jefferson – she goes up to his house each night – making it appropriate for children who would understand that concept. However, for children ready for life’s nuances, this book gives a fascinating look at the lives of the slaves, and of Jefferson’s family at the great house. Historical notes at the end of the book tell what is thought to have happened to the people in the book after it ends. The author’s meticulous research and excellent writing style combine to make this book a story you will remember long after you finish reading it. 2011

M. Adams

Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach

Missing on Superstition Mountain

Missing on Superstition Mountain is a good old-fashioned adventure story, with enough suspense and intimations of creepiness and danger to spice it up, but not enough to truly frighten the readers. When three brothers, Simon, Henry, and Jack, move to a new town in Arizona, they are bored and lonely, and in search of something to do. The one thing they are told not to do is to go near Superstition Mountain, which looms invitingly behind their back yard.

Of course they soon find themselves climbing the very mountain they were warned away from, but they have a good excuse -- they are looking for their lost cat, who was seen heading that way. They don't find the cat on the mountain, but they do see something more intriguing: three skulls lined up on a ledge. When they return to town, they decide to do more research about the mountain, and find out why the townspeople are so tight-lipped about it. They team up reluctantly with the girl who found their cat, and with the help of the local library and a few local residents, they discover even more creepy facts about the mountain, including a history of mysterious deaths and disappearances.

The climax of the book finds them back up on the mountain, facing perils as the night falls. They eventually are rescued, but the book leaves enough open questions to set up the next book in the planned trilogy, which readers are sure to await eagerly. For now, however, this book stands alone as a rollicking adventure set on a real-life spooky mountain. 2011
M. Adams

Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich

Say Hello to Zorro!

Say Hello to Zorro! is a charming book about a dog, Mister Bud, who has the perfect life. He has his own house, his own bed, and his own schedule, and he likes it that way! All that is changed, however, when an interloper named Zorro shows up one day, right at Greet and Make a Fuss time. Mister Bud is not at all happy at having to make room for another dog in the house. Luckily, over time Mister Bud and Zorro disover that in fact, they have the same schedule, and that life is better when you have someone to share in the fun.

What really makes this book stand out is its delightful illustrations. Carter Goodrich must own a dog, because he has captured their expressions and their habits so perfectly, from the noses on the bed in the morning to the tussling on the couch in the evenings. And while you're enjoying the simple yet lovely story and the perfect illustrations, you're also getting a deeper lesson in the rewards of sharing and accommodating. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs or friends! 2011

M. Adams

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Press Here

This enchanting picture book is sure to be a hit with young children and the people who read to them. Very simply drawn dots in bright colors are accompanied by a series of instructions for the young readers -- "rub the dot on the left" or "five taps on the blue," for instance. Each time they follow the instructions, something has changed on the next page. When they blow on the dots, they have blown them to the top of page, and must hold the book up straight to make them fall back down. The kids will have great fun following the instructions and seeing what happens, and I'm certain it will elicit giggles. Because the book must be manipulated, it is probably best as a one-on-one book, instead of being read to a group. For a parent and a young child to share some time together, this book will be perfect. 2011.

Girl's Best Friend, by Leslie Margolis

Seventh-grader Maggie Brooklyn has a lot on her mind -- her ex-best-friend Ivy is now her enemy, she is hiding her dog-walking business from her parents, and, worst of all, dogs in her neighborhood are disappearing and she's worried that Milo, the boy she has a crush on, is responsible. Then there's the odd way her landlady is behaving... It's a good thing that Maggie has studied Nancy Drew and knows a thing or two about being a detective.

This book, the first in a series featuring Maggie, is an enjoyable, well-written mystery set in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Written from Maggie's viewpoint, it builds up the clues about the mysteries well, while at the same time developing Maggie's personality and introducing us to her friends and family. Fun, intelligent and entertaining, Girl's Best Friend will leave readers happily anticipating the release of the next book in the series. 2010.

M. Adams

Mockingbird, by Kathryn Erskine

It would be very hard for any fifth grader to deal with the death of a beloved older brother in a school shooting. But for Caitlin, the narrator of Mockingbird, it is even harder, because Caitlin has Asperger's Syndrome. Her brother, Devon, was her friend and guide in dealing with the world, and since The Day Our Life Fell Apart, she has to learn to deal with things on her own. This sweet book, told from her point of view, traces her life as she and her father try to cope with their grief. Caitlin counts on books to help her understand the world, and when she looks up the word Closure, she knows that is what she and her father, and the community, need. But finding it will not be easy. By using empathy and finesse, however, Caitlin achieves her goals. Although this book deals with a sad topic, it has humorous moments, and Caitlin is an appealing character, who provides real insight into the thoughts and viewpoints of someone with Asperger's. 2010.
M. Adams

Me and Rolly Maloo, by Janet S. Wong

Jenna Lee is thrilled when the most popular girl in fourth grade, Rolly Maloo, calls and invites her over for a playdate. Jenna is good in school, especially at math, but she doesn't have many friends, so this is a big step! In fact, Jenna is so excited that she barely notices that Rolly is saying something about the big math test coming up. However, when Jenna's mother says she can't go to Rolly's house, Jenna is sure her one big chance to be friends with Rolly is gone.

So when Rolly passes a note in the middle of the test asking for the answer to question #8, Jenna decides to help her, even though she knows it is wrong. The rest of the book shows the consequences of this decision for everyone involved, from the kids to the teacher, parents and principal. Cartoon-like illustrations are scattered throughout the book, showing various people's reactions to the rumors going through the town about the incident.

Somewhat unusually for a children's book, Me and Rolly Maloo portrays the parents and school officials as complex people; not all of them are portrayed positively. Even the mothers can be catty and prone to spreading rumors, and the principal and the teacher don't like the new school board decision. Children reading this book might be surprised to see these glimpses into the adult world, but they may also enjoy them.

Overall, this book is well written and handles the subject of cheating intelligently and with sensitivity. The suspense builds throughout the book as you wonder how it will all turn out, and Me and Rolly Maloo will keep most readers glued to the pages right through to the ending. 2010

M. Adams

Lulu and the Brontosaurus, by Judith Viorst. Illustrated by Lane Smith.

"There once was a girl named Lulu, and she was a pain. She wasn't a pain in the elbow. She wasn't a pain in the knee. She was a pain -- a very big pain -- in the b u t t ." So begins this humorous, irreverent story of a very spoiled girl who decides she wants a brontosaurus for her birthday (well, except for an introduction explaining that even though people and dinosaurs never lived on Earth at the same time, the author gets to choose what she writes, because she's the one writing the story).

When Lulu's parents decide, for once, to stand up to her tantrums and refuse to get Lulu a brontosaurus, Lulu takes matters into her own hands and goes off to the forest to look for one herself. Undeterred by any of the ferocious animals she meets on her way, Lulu finally finds her brontosaurus. But little does she know, the brontosaurus is looking for a pet too. And Lulu suddenly finds the tables turned.

Full of humorous asides, and featuring three alternative endings, this fun book would be a great read-aloud. Just practice Lulu's hunting song: "I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, gonna get, A bronto- bronto- bronto- Brontosaurus for a pet." 2010

M. Adams

I Am Jack, by Susanne Gervay

What do you do when you're eleven years old and suddenly your happy world is turning into a nightmare? Why are all the kids in school calling you Butt Head? And how do you make it to class safely when George Hamel and the other bullies are waiting for you? Jack doesn't want to bother his mother with all these problems when she works so hard to support him and his sister, but eventually his friend Anna realizes that something must be done about the bullying at school. This book, set in Australia but universal in its topic, is written from Jack's viewpoint, with the simple sentences and the limited attention span of an eleven-year-old. While at times the book portrays Jack's family as almost too happy, and the resolution at the school seems to occur remarkably quickly, I Am Jack is still an effective and entertaining book that deals with an important topic. 2009.
M. Adams

The Nightmarys, by Dan Poblicki

An ancient curse, a dragon mural that comes to life, and nightmarish girls named Mary are just some of the scary elements in this truly creepy story. Timothy, a seventh grader, must overcome his own fears in order to conquer the evil he has discovered. Working with Abigail, whose grandmother knows more than she's letting on, he eventually solves the mystery of the curse of the jawbone. For kids who like their stories high on the frightening scale, this book has some effectively gruesome scenes. At times there are so many different story-line threads that it gets a little confusing, but overall the idea of a boy who sees terrifying events that few other people around him can see is compelling. 2010.

M. Adams