Peggy M. Johnsen & Kris Dinnison

Novels of 2006-2007 March

Peggy M. Johnsen & Kris Dinnison

Alexander, Alma. World Weavers, Gift of the Un-mage. HarperCollins. March, 2007. ISBN 0060839562.

Thea seems to have absolutely no magical abilities and this is especially viewed with great disappointment by her parents who are the both seventh children born and their daughter should possess great powers. When Thea is sent through time to work with the great mage, Cheveyo, she begins to learn her new magical identity. She returns to her world and enrolls in the WandlessAcademy, where she learns that powerful enemies seek her out and hope to consume the world. Thea, along with other unmages successfully foil these hungry Alphiri creatures. Alexander blends present day computer virtual reality with ancient spiritual elements from other cultures to “weave” this fantasy.Grades 7 and up.

Anderson, M. T. The Po Part: the Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Candlewick Press, 2006.ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-2402-6

This book won the National Book Award this year, and the award was well-deserved. Set in early America, Anderson traces the bizarre life of a slave boy who is brought up by scientists as an experiment to see what a black child could accomplish if given the same experiences as a white child. But when his life is revealed to him as an experiment, and his true status as a slave is made clear, the subject of their test starts to make his own rules. This is the first in a series, and the author definitely leaves us wanting more of his hero's story.

Barrows, Annie Ivy + Bean Chronicle Books, 2006 ISBN-13: 978-0-8118-4903-6

This first volume in what looks to be a series starts with tomboy Bean trying to avoid making friends with her new next door neighbor, Ivy. But soon Bean sees Ivy Is not who she first appears to be and the two team up to play a trick on Bean's older sister, cementing their friendship. This is a good chapter book read for those kids just transitioning to novels.

Block, Francesca Lia. Dangerous Angels, The Weetzie Bat Books. HarperCollins. 2006

(revised paperback edition). ISBN 9780064406970.

This is a rich young adult collection of all five Weetzie Bat Books that will appeal to 116-18-year-olds. The stories move swiftly, characters with fierce edges, plot realities in which YA readers will identify, powerful messages of the different degrees of love, AND a thread of fantasy woven through out.

Bloor, Edward London Calling Knopf, 2006ISBN-13: 978-0-375-93635-7

This book is part historical fiction, part fantasy. A modern boy is given his grandmother's old circa 1940s radio. When he turns it on he doesn't hear a modern radio station, but the voice of a dead British boy asking for his help. The action keeps jumping back and forth between current day interpretations of history, and the actual events as experienced by the boys when they travel back to the London Blitz during WWII. The story presents some compelling questions about who writes history, how accurate it is, and who gets to decide who the heroes are.

Bruchac, Joseph. Bearwalker. HarperCollins. July, 2007. ISBN 0061123099.

Once again Bruchac has brought his heritage of Native American story and history to the written page. I like his writing greatly: his characters are well developed, the plot is believable, and there is always that element of the ancient magic of the land and the animals that live on it. This is a haunting-appealing fast story for ages 10 and up.

Coburn, Ann. Glint. HarperCollins. 2007. ISBN 0060847239.

When Ellie’s younger brother, Danny, disappears, Ellie knows that she is the only one who can find him. At the same time, in another world, a young girl names Argent sets off on a quest to reclaim a stolen dragon hatchling. The two quests run parallel within the story; a fascinating writing technique that blends magic, anguish of loss, desperation, fear and courage. Excellent novel for grades 5-8.

Collins, Suzanne Gregor and the Marks of Secret Scholastic Press, 2006ISBN-13: 978-0-439-79145-8

The Gregor books are one of those series that kids race through and ask for a new one every week. Gregor and his sister Boots discover an underground world inhabited by people, but also by giant bats, cockroaches and rats. Gregor and his sister are a part of the prophecies left to the Underlanders by their founder. In this story, Gregor and Boots discover that the leader of the rats, who they had saved when he was a baby, is now being controlled by evil forces. They go on another quest with their underlander friends to find out who is endangering their world.

Collins, SuzanneGregor and the Code of Claw Scholastic Press, 2006ISBN-13: 978-0-439-79143-4

The fifth in the Underland Series, this one finds the underlanders trying to avoid sharing one of the prophecies with Gregor because it predicts his death. But he has to ignore his own fate, decode the prophecy and save the Underland from destruction. An exciting and unique series.

Delaney, Joseph. The Last Apprentice, Curse of the Bane. Greenwillow Books. 2006. ISBN 99780060766214.

This is the sequel(second in many) to the Last Apprentice series; Tom Ward continues to hone his wizard skills with the guidance of Mr. Gregory (aka the Spook) as they attempt to stop a dangerous boggart called a ripper that is terrifying the country. The story flows, we cheer for Tom and of course we are also cheering for the young witch, Alice, who we hope will be in every book and continue to assist Tom. Grades: 5-8.

Duble, Kathleen Benner. Hearts of Iron. Simon & Schuster. 2006, ISBN 9781416908500.

Jesse and Lucy, two teen-agers who have been best friends since 4-years-old, live in a small mountainside community in 1820 and feel the conflict of their futures between their desire to be married and their respective families’ goals for them. Jesse’s parents expect him to continue in the family tradition of working at the forge on the mountain and Lucy’s father expects her to marry someone off the mountain and find a better, more sophisticated life somewhere else. This story is based on the historical accuracy of the building of the blast furnace on MountRiga in 1810. Workers came from Latvia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Lithuania to work the iron forges from 1810-1850; this iron community was famous for the navy coming to buy their iron products. The anchor of the USSConstitution was forged there. Believable story and accurate account of this time in history, both about economics and the choices that young adults were making. Ages: 12-15

Ferris, Jean. Much Ado About Grubstake. Harcourt, Inc. 2006. ISBN 9780152057060.

Grubstake is a grubby down-on-its luck mining town filled with grubby done-on-their-luck miners. So when a decidedly nongrubby city slicker show up and offers to buy the tapped-out-mines, the miners are sorely tempted; but not Arley, the brash sixteen-year-old girl who runs the boardinghouse. She smells a rat. This is a lighthearted, endearingly goofy story, packed with quirky, lovable characters and piercing insights. Ages: 10 and up.

Gates, Susan. Beyond the Billboard. Harcourt, Inc. June, 2007. ISBN 9780152059835.

Almost nobody knows that thirteen-year-old Firebird Tucker and her family exist. Their primitive ramshackle house is completely hidden, thanks to the massive billboard shielding it from prying eyes. Firebird is not allowed to leave their wilderness swamp, not even to go to school. And she must never, ever talk to strangers. Suddenly, strangers are everywhere. This is a wonderfully striking coming-of-age novel, set in an isolated world, just on the other side of a major freeway and city in Florida. Middle school girls.

Greenburg, Dan. Secrets of Dripping Fang: Book Seven, Please Don’t Eat the Children. April, 2007. ISBN 9780152060473. Book Eight, When Bad Snakes Attack Good Children. Harcourt. May, 2007. ISBN 9780152060565.

Sequels continue for the twins, Cheyenne and Wally Shluffmuffin. Book seven finds the twins discovering about what the ant army is up to, all the while trying to avoid getting cooked for dinner. In book eight, if the twins can’t reach the FBI in time, the people captured by the ant army are going to die. Ages: 8-12.

Harper, Charise Mericle. Just Grace. Houghton Mifflin. April, 2007. ISBN 9780618646425.

This is the first book about this charming, curious, creative, seven-year-old; book number 2 will be out in fall 2007. This is wonderful read for 7-10 year-old girls. This is a funny first chapter book for anyone who lines mystery and has ever gotten into a little bit of trouble. I can hardly wait until my granddaughters turn six so I can share this delightful new “friend” with them. Ages 7-10

Harper, Suzanne. The Secret Life of Sparrow Delancey. Greenwillow Books. July, 2007.

ISBN 9780061131585.

No one knows it, but Sparrow Delancey is the most talented psychic in a family of skilled mediums, in a town nicknamed Spookyville. She keeps all of thissecret from her peers, even from her mother, grandmother, and six sisters. A charismatic, but irritating, teenage ghost has decided that Sparrow is the only one who can help him with his unfinished business. This novel is smartly written, has a touch of romance, resounds with young adult issues and language (tenth graders), and has the reader wanting more as the last page is reached. Ages: 12 and up.

Helgerson, Joseph. Hors & Wrinkles. Houghton Mifflin. 2006. ISBN 9780618616794.

The stretch of the Mississippi where Claire lives is under a spell: river trolls, rock, trolls, blue wing fairies and more. Claire’s cousin, Duke, takes a swim and sprouts a horn, a long, pointy, handsome thing. The is a wonderful tale of twisty and unpredictable turns (just like a river) and wonderful, delightful characters that are prickly, loving, evil, and mischievous. This funny fantasy will delight ages 9-11 readers.

Hofkin, Sabrina. Magnolia. ManzanitaFalls Publishers. 2005. ISBN 0976391600.

This “first novel” by Hofkin is included as it will appeal to any young student pilot who is working toward a private pilot certificate. Hofkin is obviously writing from her own experience and from her love of biology, especially the preservation of local habitat and fauna. Sixteen-year-old Magnolia Holden has not only the passion for attaining her private pilot license, but for saving the bear habitat next to her family’s vineyard. A sequel to this first novel is soon to follow. I would buy directly from the author’s publishing company (40% discount). Adult

Jennings, Richard W. StinkCity. Houghton Mifflin, 2006. ISBN 13: 9780618552481.

This is definitely a funny, fast-paced novel for middle schoolers. Cade Carlsen’s family successfully manufacture the most effective bait to catch catfish; unfortunately, it has the foulest of odors ever know and Cade is determined to save the dath of countless catfish which he believes feel pain. Leigh Ann, his best friend and neighbor, attempts to keep Cade out of trouble, but a series of wild misadventures make this zany story of activism hilariously funny. Ages: 10-13.

Kelly, Tom. Finn’s Going. HarperCollins. May, 2007. ISBN 9780061214547.

Danny and Finn are identical twins. One of them is the narrator of this book: one of them has run away and one of them is dead. This is a powerful story of how a twin copes with the death of his identical brother. Also, the language is the perfect, true voice of a boy FOR boys. The entire story quickly takes place within four-five days, but unfolds in beautifully powerful emotional learnings that seem to expand in time. Even though this is about a ten-year-olds’ acceptance of death, and more importantly the decision to accept LIFE, this read would be most appropriate for grades six through ninth (middle school readers and beyond). This would be a powerful addition to a death and dying literature study.

Kent, Deborah. Saddles, Stars, & Stripes On the Edge of Revolution. Kingfisher Pub. 2006. ISBN 9780753460009.

This is part of a series that covers US history from the Civil War to the California goldfields. Each story’s heroine comes from a different time and culture, but all share a great love of hourses and a unique brand of courage. This takes place in Pennsylvania, 1774, in which fourteen-year-old Eliza Carter works for her father’s company, which transports cargo in Conestoga wagons pulled by the special Connestoga horses. Her twin brother joins rebel farmers who plan to rise up against the British, and Eliza’s whole world changes. This story presents the believable and painful family ties and struggles in deciding which side each family member will take during this terrible but exciting time in history. Ages: 9-13. (Girls)

Kent, Rose. Kimchi & Calamari. HarperCollins, April 2007. ISBN 0060837691.

On his fourteenth birthday, Joseph Calderaro receives as one of his presents from his parents, a gold chain with a tiny gold goat horn … a corno, a good-luck Italian luck charm. Also on his birthday, his social studies eighth-grader teacher assigned at 1500 word essay: Tracing Your Past: A Heritage Essay. These two events establish the wonderfully sensitive story that follows; Joseph was adopted from Korea as an infant by his parents. This novel speaks eloquently to readers who are adopted, have mixed-race heritage, or feel caught between the cuture of their parents and the country where they live now. Hilarious and poignant. Ages: 9-14.

King, Donna. Kickoff. Houghton Mifflin. April, 2007. ISBN 9780753460825.

A great read for middle school female readers who are especially fond of soccer. Tyra Fraser’s move from sunny Florida to gloomy England means a new school, no friends, a younger sister with major behavioral problems, and the opportunity to play on a girl’s soccer team that hasn’t won a game in years! The story moves quickly with real-life social situations that all tweens experience. Ages: 12-14.

King, Donna. Double Twist.. Houghton Mifflin. 2007. ISBN 9780753460238.

This time King takes us to the ice sport of ice dancing. Twelve-year-old Laura Lee and her partner, Patrick, seem to definitely be on their way to the Junior Grand Prix competition, but Patrick falls and breaks his leg during a training session. Laura must fine a replacement for him if she wants to be able to attend the competition. She convinces a “cool boy” at the rink to step in with only six weeks to train. The ability to train and win a medal seems a little far-fetched for this story, but the actual knowledge of ice-dancing and the needed training is quite authentic. Light read. Ages:8-12.

Kladstrup, Kristin. Book of Story Beginnings. Candlewick Press, 2006ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-2609-9

A boy finds a book that contains story beginnings, and when he adds one of his own, the story comes true and he disappears. Two generations later, his great niece is living in the house, finds the book, and when she adds her story beginning, the boy reappears, but the girl's father goes missing. This is a wonderful fantasy quest that shows the power of stories, the strength of family, and the importance of doing what's right.

Kluger,Jeffrey. Nacky Patcher and the Curse of the Dry-Land Boats. Philomel Books. June, 2007. ISBN 9780399240643.

An entire ship, large as life, broken into thousands of pieces is discovered by Nacky Patcher and Teedie Flinn in the water of YoleLake. If they can rebuild this ship, perhaps the curse that has burdened the poor folks of Yole for generations can be lifted. This can only be accomplished by something the folks of Yole have done in a long while – work together as a team. The book is a difficult read in the beginning, but begins to pick up as delightful characters and past events fill the story to its conclusion. A great read for mature middle-schoolers and up.

La Fevers, R.L. Theodosia Throckmorton. Houghton Mifflin. April, 2007. ISBN 9780618756384.

Theodosia Throckmorton, whose father is the head curator at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London, and her mother, a famous Egyptian archeologist, has her hands full using old, nearly forgotten Egyptian magic to remove curses from the many artifacts brought to the museum. La Fevers cleverly has set this fantasy in the days before WW I, using the malevolent artifact, The Heart of Egypt, brought back by Theo’s mother as the reason for the rising chaos that will involve Europe in the terrible world war. Clever blending of clear, child reason, magic, trust, courage, and resourcefulness make this a delightful and believable read. Age: 9-12

Le Guin, Ursula K. Voices. Harcourt. 2006. ISBN 9780152056780.

This is the companion novel to Gifts, and is equally intriguing and challenges the ideas of the rights of all to literacy: reading and writing. Ansul lives in the Oracle House, which is a refuge not only to the last few undestroyed books, but where she finds family and learning, ritual and memory. With the assistance and courage of a poet and his wife, Ansul finds the strength to rebel against their oppressors who have taken their freedom away. This coming-of-age novel also provides insight to intolerance and means to understand not only the oppressed but the oppressors. Powerful story, as we should expect from Le Guin. They MUST by a third in the series… at least! Ages: 12 and up.