The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

Shelley Pearsall’s The Seventh Most Important Thing sneaks up on you. What starts out as a story about a 7^th grade boy who is assigned by a judge to help the local junk man turns out to be a story with themes as profound as redemption. It also approaches the topic of outsider art, which is unusual for children’s fiction, and subtly suggests the existence of fine lines between mental illness, creativity and spiritual inspiration. Then, just as the reader has settled into this quasi-philosophical realm, he is shifted back into the world of realistic fiction, with a protagonist who has matured, and whose family situation has improved.

Arthur Owens’ father has recently died in a motorcycle accident. Spotting the elderly neighborhood junk man wearing his father’s hat, Arthur takes out his anger with the world on the man by throwing a brick at him. Hearing about the boy’s motivation, the junk man, whose name is James Hampton, convinces the juvenile court judge to assign Arthur the task of helping him in his junk collection, instead of a more traditional disciplinary choice. It turns out that James Hampton is collecting very specific types of junk, the seven most important things referred to in the title, some of which go on to hold symbolic meaning for Arthur. Arthur eventually discovers that the junk man is using these seven things to assemble a work of art entitled The Throne of the Third Heaven, in a rented garage. This part of the story is based on a real artist of the same name, whose masterpiece is now housed in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Arthur’s nerdy sidekick, Reginald, and probation Officer Billie are likeable seconday characters.

This book will appeal to a wide audience of children and younger teens who enjoy realistic fiction and stories of friendship, including those featuring male characters such as Rebecca Stead’s Liar and Spy.  It will also appeal to readers of books with a mild fantasy element such as Wendy Mass’ series that began with Eleven Birthdays. The plotline and theme of redemption bears strong similarity to Neal Shusterman’s young adult novel, The Schwa Was Here. Recommended. 2015

D. Rosen-Perez

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

Below by Meg McKinlay

 Below

The day 12 year old Cassie was born is a memorable one in the history of her hometown. It is the day that Old Lower Grange was purposely flooded by the town's mayor, in order to provide access to water for surrounding areas. Every building in the town was replicated in great detail and renamed "New Lower Grange." For Cassie, the mystery of the original town which now lies beneath a large lake, is irresistible, even though the town's inhabitants are repeatedly warned to steer clear of the area of the lake beneath which Old Lower Grange resides.

Despite not being a strong swimmer, Cassie decides to swim out to the forbidden area, just barely being rescued by a boy named Liam who also seems drawn to the mysterious waters. Together they unlock a secret that lies beneath the lake that provides some much needed answers for Liam's family and the true nature behind the mayor's seemingly friendly behavior.

While the story starts off seeming a bit like a futuristic type of novel, it is actually more of a mystery/suspense  story. The "big reveal", however, doesn't quite live up to the level up suspense that builds throughout story and leaves the reader wishing for more details behind the decision to "flood" the original town.

P.Sassoon. 2013.

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

Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan

Kindred Souls

Jake and his family live with his grandfather, Billy, on the family farm that his grandfather's family started  over eighty years ago. Billy was born on the farm, in the sod house that his family lived in when they first settled there. Remnants of the house are still on the property.

Jake and Billy are kindred souls, according to Jake's mom. Jake loves Billy's stories and his way with animals. Every day when Jake finishes his chores, he and Billy walk the farm visiting the animals and their favorite spots, ending at the site of the old sod house.

Billy is extremely nostalgic about the old sod house and would like to see it rebuilt, something he is not physically capable of doing at this point in his life. He asks Jake to do it, but Jake, who loves his grandfather tremendously and is usually on his wavelength, doesn't really want to do it. It is physically taxing work and would take big chunk out of his summer. He doesn't see the need for it, nor understand his grandfather's desire to see it rebuilt.

When Billy is taken ill, however, rebuilding the sod house becomes a labor of love and soon the rest of the family join in, all hoping that Billy will survive to see it.

This is a very sweet, inter-generational family story. It would be a good choice for any child dealing with the potential loss of a grandparent.       2012

R. Rauch                                                                              

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

Snowmobile: Bombardier's Dream Machine, by Jules Older. Illustrated by Michael Lauritano

Snowmobile: Bombardier's Dream Machine

This is a well-written, slightly fictionalized story of the French Canadian inventor of the snowmobile, Joseph-Armand Bombardier (1907-1964). While the story itself is true to the facts, the author has added interest by imagining conversations that could have taken place, and also by placing the invention of the snowmobile in context. Being snowbound, and unable to transport his young son to a hospital, Bombardier knew the value of being able to "drive" over deep snow.
Very readable, and with appealing pen-and-ink illustrations as well as photographs, this book is highly recommended for middle-grade elementary students. 2012.
K. Muhm

Stuck, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Stuck

When Floyd's red kite gets stuck in a tree, he tries to get it unstuck--by throwing all kinds of things up into the tree: his shoes, his cat Mitch, the family car, the front door of his house, a rhino, a whale--you get the picture. Nothing works. Finally, something does work, and it's not what you would expect! This is one of the zaniest, most hilarious picture books that I have read in a very long time, one that will surely appeal to adults and children alike. Its large format would make it a great choice to read aloud to a class. 2011.

M. Cooney

Theodore Boone, The Abduction by John Grisham

Theodore Boone, The Abduction

In this second book in the Theodore Boone series, Theo's best friend, April, has disappeared in the middle of the night. It turns out that Theo was the last person to speak to her, at 9:30 on the night of her disappearance, and the police wish to speak to him the next morning.

Theo, the only child of two lawyers, is very familiar with the law profession and spends a great deal of time at his parents' office, in their law library. He also spends a lot of time at the local courthouse, where he observes as many trials as he can.

April's disappearance, naturally, throws their small town of Strattenburg into a panic, as everyone hopes for April's safe return and worries that the other children in town may be in danger. April's family situation, of which Theo was aware but sworn to secrecy, comes to light. Her father, an aging and not very successful rocker, is on the road with his band. Her mother, who raises goats and peddles cheese from a old hearse that is painted yellow, stays out until all hours of the morning, partying. That is why she doesn't discover that April is missing until 3:30 AM. When both parents are home, they fight constantly and pay little attention to April.

The police discover correspondence between April and a convict, who has recently escaped, named Jack Leeper. Sightings of him in the area, prior to April's disappearance, are reported and the police pursue the lead, finally picking Leeper up. He proves to be quite a slippery character. Next, a body is recovered from the river, lending more suspense to the tale.

Theo and his friend, Chase, pursue leads on their own, when they think the police are going in the wrong direction. They turn to Theo's uncle, Ike, when they need adult help to finish the case.

The first book in this series and this one was got mixed reviews, but this is a good mystery. It is a page turner, but without the gruesome violence that some mysteries have. Unlike some of the snarky protagonists that populate many of the books for this age group, Theo has a healthy respect for adults and turns to them for help when he needs it. 2011

R. Rauch

My Rotten Life by David Lubar

My Rotten Life

Nathan Abercrombie, 10, was having a really bad day. He was not invited to Shawna's Halloween party and she made a point of telling him in front of the whole fifth grade at lunch. He was picked last for a team in gym. The coach singled him out for his lack of athletic ability and told him he had seen babies crawl faster than he could run. To top it off, he completely bombed on a video game, earning him the nickname "vidiot."

When Abigail, a very nerdy, quiet girl from his class, offers Nathan a way out of his pain, he jumps at the opportunity. She tells him that her scientist uncle has developed an experimental formula that makes anyone who takes it impervious to pain, physical or emotional.

After Nathan takes the formula, he feels better and even notices that his asthma seems to be improving. But then his ability to withstand pain becomes frightening, as he is stabbed with a fork in the face during a food fight and doesn't even feel it. He has no appetite and his asthma is improving because he doesn't seem to need to eat or breathe. The formula has turned him into a zombie.

Abigail's uncle has disappeared and the government is pursuit of him. Can Nathan, Abigail and Nathan's best friend, Mookie, find the missing uncle or come up with an antidote on their own, in time to prevent Nathan from becoming a zombie permanently?

In the process of their search, Nathan comes to some realizations about people, popularity and the social order in middle school that will ring true with many middle schoolers. It may even open the eyes of others.

This is fun, quick read that will appeal particularly to boys of this age, but can be enjoyable for either gender. It is the first in a series, Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie, and the title pretty much answers the question as to whether or not Nathan remains a zombie permanently. It does turn out to be a matter of choice,however, rather than a failure to find a cure in time.  2009

R. Rauch

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

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

The Mostly True Story of Jack

Jack has always felt as though there were something different about him. No one seems to pay much attention to him, even his own family. It's almost as if he were invisible. Things really start to get strange when, following his parents divorce, he is sent to live with his eccentric aunt and uncle. He swears he has never met them before, but they have photographs of him in their home and the townspeople all seem to know who he is. Unaccustomed to all the attention, Jack struggles to make sense of his new life as he makes strange new friends, including Wendi and her twin brother Frankie, who has recently resurfaced after having mysteriously disappeared for several years. Frankie seemingly cannot speak and appears to hold the key as to why the whole town, including some nefarious characters, are so interested in Jack. As magic and mystery continue to unfold, Jack discovers his destiny and his true place in the world, which is nothing like his ordinary life back home.

This novel definitely draws the reader in with its magical elements and feeling of suspense. However, in the end, the premise doesn't completely make sense, even if you suspend disbelief and give yourself over to the "fantasy" of it all. Still, it is a unique story and one that children certainly wouldn't have encountered before. For that reason it is recommended, especially for fantasy lovers. 2011.

P.Sassoon

A Storm Called Katrina, by Myron Uhlberg. Illustrated by Colin Bootman

A Storm Called Katrina

Bootman's watercolor illustrations and Uhlberg's first-person fictional account is of a ten year-old boy and his parents who are displaced by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

The child describes what he sees, and goes through; his observations of the things his parents, and other adults say and do affects how he feels.

This picture book is a moving and well-crafted story, intended for elementary school-aged children.

2011.

Where Do You Stay? by Andrea Cheng

Where Do You Stay?

Jerome is eleven years old, and is trying to come to terms with his mother's recent death from cancer. An only child, he and his mother were very close; he misses her terribly. He moves in with his aunt and uncle and their two sons. Both boys are a bit resentful because Jerome seems to be without any faults--at least that's what their mother is always saying, suggesting that they try and be more like him. Jerome, mature beyond his years, senses that he and his cousins need some time to adjust to one another. While he's waiting for this to happen, he bonds with an elderly man who works for his aunt and other folks in the neighborhood, in exchange for food. Jerome and Mr. Willie share a love of music, gardening, and stone walls.

Mr. Willie lives in a dilapidated carriage house on the property of a nearby empty mansion. He has very few possessions and that's the way he likes it; he believes in minding his own business and thinks that other people should do the same. His homespun wisdom appeals to Jerome.

A "For Sale" sign appears one day on the mansion, and Jerome fears that both the mansion and the carriage house will be demolished. The new owners arrive and begin restoring the large house, but decide to tear down the carriage house. Mr. Willie disappears when he hears the bulldozers approach. Jerome and his cousins are hired to help clean out the mansion which will be turned into a school. He was told by Mr. Willie that there was a lovely piano in the house, and he starts searching for it. It cannot be found, and Jerome is very disappointed. The piano is missing, Mr. Willie is missing, and Jerome feels that his new life is unraveling before it has hardly begun. He thinks of his mother's advice to "listen and come back in" whenever he would miss a musical note, and he decides that he's going to do that in his new life, too. You cannot help but wish that only good things happen for Jerome from now on in this new life. 2011.

M.Cooney

Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen

Liar, Liar

Kevin is a gifted liar. He doesn't lie to hurt people, he just lies to make life go more smoothly or to spare people's feelings. His intentions really aren't bad and he always has a justification. He lies to his social studies partner so that she has to do all the work, but he reasons that she likes being in control and likes doing all the work anyway.

When Kevin's attention is drawn to his classmate, Tina, he spins a web of lies designed to allow him to spend time where Tina will be and to become friends with her friends, so that he can get to know her better and so that she will notice him. He lies to his friends, her friends, his teachers and even his family.

Gradually, Kevin's lies spin out of control and Tina still hasn't even noticed him. Kevin is very surprised that people are not instantly willing to forgive him when he admits his mistakes and offers his sincerest apologies. Maybe honesty is the best policy?

Gary Paulsen has created a very funny and likeable character, who creates a situation that becomes more outlandish as each lie builds on the last. This book will appeal to reluctant readers because of the short chapters, but is great for anyone looking for a laugh, especially Gary Paulsen fans. 2011

R. Rauch

Dad, Jackie, and Me, by Myron Uhlberg. Illustrated by Colin Bootman.

Dad, Jackie, and Me

Set in 1947 in Brooklyn, when the great Dodger Jackie Robinson was still being discriminated against, a young boy and his deaf father strengthen their relationship when they get caught up in the excitement of Dodger baseball. The discrimination the father experiences does not hinder his zest for life. The story culminates with a personal touch from the great first baseman. The watercolor illustrations and the endpapers showing actual newspaper articles and photos from the sports pages help the reader imagine life in the 1940's.

Sick Boy by Sean Waller

 Sick Boy

Kudos to Westfield author Sean Waller for writing a sensitive, informative and very real story about an 8th grade boy diagnosed with cancer. Tim is a likable, typical middle school student – focused on his friends, girls and his quest to make the freshman high school baseball team. Yet all that changes the instant he gets the devastating news that he is sick – seriously sick – with cancer.

His courageous fight against this dreadful disease is filled with poignant moments of hope and humor and reveals an underlying strength of character. The “middle school” dialog rings true in this fresh, well-paced story that never resorts to melodrama. An uplifting story on a serious, emotional subject. Highly recommended. 2011

A. Basso