Summer Sizzles
Summer reads and graphic novels
"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August."
—Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty
Early Elementary Reads
Baby Monkey, Private Eye
Easy fiction
By: Brian Selznick and David Serlin
Scholastic Press, 2018
Lexile: 210L
Tags: Monkeys; Mysteries; Humorous stories
In Brian Selznick’s amusing new title, Baby Monkey investigates a series of mysteries, including a lost piece of jewelry, a missing pizza and a stolen spaceship. His method for solving crimes is the same: he looks for clues, takes notes, eats a snack, and wrestles to put on his pants.
The repetition of the first three chapters makes the slight deviations in the last two stand out. Similarly, at the end of each chapter, the discovered objects are accented in red, highlighting them in the more than 100 black and white illustrations characteristic of Selznick’s work. Be sure to look for clues in Baby’s office, which correspond to each client’s profession. A key to these famous references can be found at the end of the book.
Readers will enjoy Baby Monkey’s humorous antics and Selznick’s clever illustrations. Simple, repetitive text makes this an ideal selection for emerging readers. And, despite its length at 191 pages, Baby Monkey is a solid read-aloud choice. Verdict: A great addition to all elementary school libraries.
Reviewed by: Lori Micho, Library Services
If Kids Ruled the World
PS-2
Easy fiction
By: Linda Bailey
Kids Can Press Ltd., 2014
Lexile: 540L
Tags: Childhood; Fun; Imagination; Wishes
“If kids ruled the world, every day would be your birthday!” Everything would be fun. There would be no bedtime, and you could wear anything you want anytime. You could sail on a pirate ship or have any kind of pet you wanted. You could be a prince or a princess and have your own castle. No one would ever forget to play, even if you were one hundred and six years old.
This is a fanciful book, full of delightful illustrations that encourage children to look at a world loaded with fun and play. This would be a great read aloud for story time, leading to lively discussions as to how your listeners would rule the world.
Reviewed by:
Karen Burns
Place Bridge Academy
Me and My Dragon
PS - 2
East fictionBy: David Biedrzycki
Charlesbridge Publishing, 2017
Lexile: 470L
Tags: Pets; Responsibility; Dragons; Imagination
Who needs a pet dog or fish when you can get...your very own dragon! Pros: take your dragon camping and you've got easy campfire moments, and you can rent out your dragon in the winter to clear off the snow covering neighbors' driveways. Also, you will forever have a great show-and-tell. Cons: if he eats your broccoli, it will give him gas - and you don't want a dragon with gas.
These pages are filled with colorful, happy illustrations that teem with energy and creativity. The book lauds the concept of individuality: dogs are cool, but dragons are awesome!
Reviewed by:
Terri Faulkner,
Library Services
Upper Elementary Reads
New Shoes
Graphic novel
Written and illus. by: Sara Varon
First Second Books, 2018
Lexile: 590L
Tags: Guyana; South American animals
Francis the donkey is the best shoemaker in his village, and when he gets an order to make shoes for his calypso idol, Miss Manatee, he is ecstatic. He's a little worried that his squirrel monkey friend Nigel hasn't delivered the load of the tiger grass he needs, so he timidly ventures into the jungle to find his own supplies. Not only does he locate Nigel and discover why he disappeared, but he meets many animals he has only read about, making new friends and widening his horizons.
Illustrations in the bright colors of South America enrich this lively graphic novel with its themes of friendship, cooperation, and stretching oneself. The author's notes and photographs about her research add more details for students who get drawn into the cultural aspect of the book. A wonderful combination of entertainment and education.
Reviewed by: Peggy Obert
Alumni
Rooting for Rafael Rosales
Realistic fiction
By: Kurtis Scaletta
Albert Whitman, 2017
Tags: Baseball; Dominican Republic; Ecology
In the Dominican Republic, it's the dream of almost every boy to make it big in the world of American baseball, and Rafael Rosales is on his way to making his dream come true when he is scouted by one of the big training clubs. His road is a rough one, though, and years later when he meets twelve-year-old Maya at one of his games, his journey inspires her in her own quest to make a difference in the world by preserving the ecology of her town in spite of big business interests.
The book alternates between the story of Rafael's past struggles and those of Maya's present concerns. Family relationships and friends play a big part in the lives of both the characters as they learn to understand the forces that shape our lives and how they can maintain their integrity. Baseball fans looking for a little deeper plot will enjoy this.
Reviewed by: Peggy Obert
Alumni
Amal Unbound
Realistic fiction
By: Aisha Saeed
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018
Lexile: HL 600
Tags: Pakistan; Indentured servants; Girls; Education
Amal is the smart, book- and school-loving eldest daughter of a Pakistani farmer. Despite cultural norms frowning upon solid education for girls, Amal has college ambitions - until one terrible day and one terrible confrontation with the cruel landlord of the village. Amal quickly finds herself an indentured servant in his home, caring for his mother. As homesickness is replaced by honor-bound duty and her family's love is replaced by friendships among the other servants, Amal discovers courage she didn't know she possessed.
The rich details of Pakistani village life - the spices, foods, smells and colors - are mesmerizing, as is the beautiful cover art of this book. This is a powerful addition to positive stories of the importance of education - and how far someone will go to get one.
Reviewed by: Terri Faulkner, Library Services
Middle Grade & High School Reads
The Copernicus Legacy; The Crown of Fire
6-8
Fiction
By: Tony Abbott
Katherine Tegen Books,2016
Lexile: 730L
Tags: Adventure; Quest; Clues; Adventure
The Copernicus Legacy is a series of four books, and The Crown of Fire is the fourth. A group of four teens gets drawn in to an unusual quest to find twelve relics that Copernicus left behind that would lead to a dangerous weapon. The group travels around the world to unearth the clues to keep the weapon out of the hands of the evil Galina Krause, who's plan is to use the weapon to cause great global destruction
These four books are fast moving, filled with adventure and danger. The kids must use their knowledge to untangle the clues to solve the puzzle. It has action, adventure, and a group of clever kids to solve the puzzle. They travel the world and meet the most interesting people. This series would be a great summer read.
Reviewed by: Karen Burns
Place Bridge Academy
Dread Nation
9-12
Historical/Horror Fiction
By: Justina Ireland
Balzer + Bray, 2018
Lexile: 870L
Tags: U.S. Civil War; Survival; African American; Zombies; Alternative histories
The Civil War and slavery end the day the dead rise up and consume the living. But subjugation comes in many forms. At fourteen, Jane McKeene, the biracial daughter of a wealthy southern landowner, is required to attend Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore to train to be an Attendant. Jane is fierce, has a mind of her own, and not given to meekly obeying every rule. So when families begin to disappear and Jane finds herself in the middle of a brewing conspiracy, she does not back down. Instead she draws her sickles and charges ever forward, looking for answers.
This title is an edge-of-your-seat, high-action, zombie tale that explores various forms of enslavement and racial discrimination. The alluring cover featuring a woman of color is sure to attract readers to this skillfully written must-read.
Reviewed by:
Michelle Jensen
George Washington H.S.
The Traitor’s Kiss
9-12
Fiction
By: Erin Beaty
Imprint, 2017
Lexile: 760L
Tags: Spies; Soldiers; Matchmakers; Apprentices; Royalty
While not considered a good candidate to be matched, the willful, unruly Sage does make a good apprentice to the matchmaker. Her job: while travelling to the Concordium, spy on the brides-to-be and gather information that will determine the matches. But she soon finds herself also spying for the army contingent that is the escort for the brides. What Sage learns may decide the fate of her kingdom.
This layered tale is filled with intrigue, a slow burn romance, plenty of action, and plot twists. The main characters are complex and have a chemistry that does not need to be graphic. An enjoyable, fun read.
Reviewed by:
Michelle Jensen
George Washington H.S.
The Upside of Unrequited
9-12
By: Becky Albertalli
Balzar+Bray, 2017
Lexile: HL490
Tags: Families; Romance; LGBTQ
Molly and Cassie are twins - fraternal twins. Cassie is thin and blond, Molly is heavy and dark haired. Cassie likes girls, Molly is pining for a guy to like her, talk to her, kiss her. Unrequited love has taken over her life.
There is so much to love about this book. Real people live between these pages. Issues surrounding multi-racial, multi-religious, sexually diverse families are dealt with in an open and humain way. And perhaps the hardest issue of all, growing up from being 'we' to being 'she and me.'
Reviewed by: Chris Coble
CEC Early College
The Prince and the Dressmaker
6-8
Graphic novel
By: Jen Wang
First Second, 2018
Lexile: 360L
Tags: Gender identity; Fashion
Francis is a talented dressmaker. One day, she makes a dress for a client that both gets her fired from the client and hired by Prince Sebastian. The prince wants her to design his dresses and keep his secret; the secret being that sometimes he just feels like wearing a dress.
This graphic novel is so fun to read; filled with color and life. The panels flow seamlessly and are easy to follow. This book will be great in both upper middle and high school. The great takeaway from this story is making sure your secret doesn’t keep someone else from blooming.
Reviewed by: Chris Coble
CEC Early College
Scythe, Thunderhead
Science Fiction
By: Neal Shusterman
Simon and Schuster, 2017, 2018
Lexile 830L and 870L
Tags: Dystopia; Death; Adventure
Imagine a future in which death, disease, war and poverty have been eliminated. "The Cloud" has been replaced by The Thunderhead, technology which controls virtually every aspect of life on Earth. It's Utopia, except that with no death, there must be a system in place for population control. Enter the Scythes, an elite and honored group of men and women tasked with gleaning - killing - a set quota of people each quarter. But how does this system function if some Scythes are honorable while others are bloodthirsty? And how does the Thunderhead, designed to prevent injustice in the world, play a roll?
If dystopian books are your genre, this fast-paced, highly entertaining series will appeal.
Reviewed by Terri Faulkner, Library Services
Non-Fiction
Building Amazing Creations: Sean Kenney's Art with LEGO Bricks
3-12
Non-fiction
by: Sean Kenney
Henry Holt and Company, 2017
Tags: LEGO; Art; Models; Hobbies
This large-format photographic compilation features over 800 of Sean Kenney’s LEGO art creations. He currently has five traveling global art exhibits and is considered one of the world’s greatest LEGO builders. Chapters highlight Sean’s creations of animals, robots, architecture, vehicles, people, and events. Readers get a behind-the-scenes tour of his studio.
Kids and adults will marvel at the process involved in building these magnificent art pieces. The book is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages. Tie in a visit to the Denver Zoo to see Kenney’s life-size Leo the Lion creation, which is on permanent display.
Reviewed by: Lori Micho, Library Services
Copies on order.
Welcome to Yosemite National Park (National Parks series)
2-5
Non-fiction
by: Teri and Bob Temple
The Child's World, 2018y2k
Lexile: 780L-870L
Tags: National parks; Yosemite; California
Photos of Yosemite National Park’s spectacular scenery complement information about the park’s flora, fauna, topography, history, weather and attractions. Kids will learn about John Muir’s role in the park’s foundation as well as its iconic landmarks such as Half Dome, El Capitan and Tuolumne Meadows. Additional features include photo captions, sidebars, maps, a fast facts section, a phonetic glossary, and a bibliography for further reading.
Part of a 12-book series, these books give readers a guided tour of the national parks. A great resource for kids who want an overview of the parks, especially if they’ve never visited them.
Reviewed by: Lori Micho, Library Services
Keep a Pocket in Your Poem
Poetry
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Illus. by: Johanna Wright
Highlights, 2017
Lexile: 630
Tags: Poetry; Parodies
Thirteen classic poems are paired here with engaging parodies by J. Patrick Lewis. He explains in the introduction that his goal is not to write a better poem, but to echo the original and tweak and twist it to make it new. The title poem tells readers to keep pockets where imagination can grow from the most common things. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is paired with "Stopping by Fridge on a Hungry Evening," which laments the condition of the fridge's contents. Tennyson's "The Eagle" finds a match in "The Firefly," contrasting the great with the small, each with their own special qualities.
Paintings featuring a multicultural cast of children add tone and atmosphere to this playful book. Encourage students to try their hands at writing parodies of their favorites.
Reviewed by: Peggy Obert
Alumni