New Juvenile Chapter Book Review: Ruby Lu, star of the show

By Lenore Look

Call Number: J LOOK, L

Pages: 136

Grades 1-3



Ruby Lu is back and starting the 3rd grade! In the latest of the Ruby Lu series, we follow Ruby as she deals not only with the changes of starting a new school year but with the changes that come when her father loses his job. Her cousin, Flying Duck, who communicates through Chinese sign language, her brother Oscar, dog Elvis, and neighborhood friends as usual, are always there to help her get through these changes.



When Ruby realizes how desperately the family needs extra money, she and her friends come up with some ideas that can save the family. Though Ruby has the best of intentions, some of these schemes are more troublesome than helpful and produce hilarious results. The author takes a realistic look at a family struggling with a job loss and treats it with humor, sensitivity, and a lightheartedness that keeps the story uplifting. Ruby is charming and entertaining and the cartoonish illustrations add humor to the text.



As a Chinese American who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I love reading the Chinese words, phrases, and cultural references that are sprinkled throughout the books and would have enjoyed reading a series with a character like Ruby Lu when I was a girl.



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If you enjoy this book, check out the others in the series!



Ruby Lu, brave and true



Ruby Lu, empress of everything



~ML

New Book Review: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

By Jeanne Birdsall
Pages: 295
Best for Ages: 8-13 (and younger for read-aloud!)
Call Number: J Birdsall, J.

The Penderwicks are back! But this time torn apart—Mr. Penderwick has flown off to England with the lovely Iantha for their honeymoon, Rosalind is going on a much needed vacation to New Jersey with a school friend, leaving soccer and science loving Skye as the Oldest Available Penderwick (or OAP) for the first time to take care of younger sisters Jane and Batty as they visit Main with Aunt Claire.

This is the longest that the sisters have ever been apart and Skye isn’t sure she’s up to the challenge—Can she keep Jane from falling in love head over heels (literally) for the first boy who rolls by on his skate board? Can she keep Hoover, the small dog next door from terrorizing their own dog Hound? Can she keep Batty from blowing up? Luckily the Penderwicks good friend Jeffery is back and loving his music more than ever (especially when the next door neighbor lets him play his piano). But Jeffery has some discoveries of his own to make…

What I like best about the Penderwick series is that each sister gets to tell part of the story—Not only do we know the stress that Skye is under, but also how much Batty misses Rosalind, and what motivates Jane to learn all about love for her writing. While this third installment will make most sense if you’re already familiar with the Penderwicks from their first or second book, each character is fully developed and important points are revisited so even if you jump in with number three you’ll enjoy the vacationing sisters as their lives change at Point Mouette.

The perfect start to Summer Vacation!

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-JW-

New Fiction Book Review: Small Persons With Wings

(They hate to be called fairies)

By Ellen Booraem
302 pages
Best For Grades 4-8
J Booraem

When Mellie Turpin was in kindergarten she had a fairy friend named Fidius. Only they don’t like being called “fairies” they are “Small Persons with Wings” and they speak Latin. But when Mellie tried to take Fidius to school for show-and-tell he got mad and left. When she showed up at school without a fairy her classmates call her “Fairy Fat.” Not very nice, right? The bullying gets so bad that Mellie herself even starts to believe that Fidius never existed.

This continues for years until the summer after 7th grade when Mellie and her parents receive a phone call that her Grand-père had passed away and they have inherited his Inn. They move to away, far from the mean classmates and people who called her “fairy fat.” Mellie is excited to make a new life for herself and is just about ready to settle to the hard work of cleaning the Inn with her parents when what do they uncover but another Small Person With Wings.

This starts all the Turpins on a great adventure involving a whole colony of Small Persons, a missing magical ring, a grandfather clock that doesn’t tell time, and a walking store front mannequin that enchants men. All the Turpin’s lives are at stake until Mellie can come up with a plan to save them.

What I liked most about Small Persons with Wings is how Mellie grows into her grandeur and makes a few real friends along the way. Told entirely in her voice this fun read gets more exciting with each chapter as more secrets of magic are reviled.

Just a few weeks of school are left! Time to get into the mood of summer with a fast paced fun book full of adventure, magic, and fun.

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-JW-

New Book Review: Moon Over Manifest

By Clare Vanderpool
Pages: 351
Call number: J Vanderpool, C.
Best for grades 5-8

As soon as I heard that Moon over Manifest won the Newbery Medal this year I added my name to the hold-list and just finished reading it. This historical fiction novel alternates between over two time periods in the small fictional town of Manifest, Kansas. We start in the depression—the summer of 1936 with Abilene Tucker, 12, who’s father sends her to Manifest while he works on the railroad.

Abilene stays with Pastor Shady who is, well… shady, and has been the interim Pastor/bartender for the last 14 years, and much to her dismay she has to go to school, even if it is just the last day. Assigned with the summer homework of writing a story and a couple of cousins to help, Abilene visits Miss Sadie, the fortune teller who begins to tell her stories of Manifest in 1918, during WWI when her father was in town.

Miss Sadie tells her the stories of Jinx and Ned and all the trouble they get into. While is starts with the predictable hijynx of small-town boyhood we soon learn that there’s more to the story than meets the eye, and that these boys could not only bring terrible trouble to Manifest, but also could become the town’s salvation. Not only during WWI, but also 18 years later during the depression.

Moon over Manifest brings to life the fact that everyone has a story, and there is more to every story than can ever really be told. This is a book you can read again and again and always find something new.

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-JW-

Pocketful of Posies

by Sally Mavor

(2010)(Children's New Books J398.8 POC)

for ages infant to preschool

Although it is full of classic rhymes, beginning with morning rhymes and ending with bedtime rhymes; this is no ordinary nursery rhyme book! The artwork is truly amazing and makes this book stand out. Each scene is sewn by hand by the author. In her author's note she says she uses naturally dyed felt, a variety of stitching methods, found objects and the very occasional drop of glue. You could spend a lot of time just enjoying the details on each page.

Included in the back is an index of first lines for the rhymes therein. It's a lovely book that could be enjoyed for years.-sc-

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The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester

by Barbara O'Connor (2010)

for ages 8-12 years

Owen Jester just moved into his grandfather's house in Carter, Georgia. He must now contend with his grandfather's cranky housekeeper and his new nosy girl neighbor named Viola. On top of that he is now farther away from his two best friends.

He has a stroke of luck, though, when he catches the biggest, most beautiful toad around. He names the frog Tooley and is reluctant to give Tooley up even when he appears not to be thriving in captivity.

His second stroke of luck is when he hears something big fall from a train at the nearby railroad tracks. His investigations lead him to something wonderful that just might be the answer to some of his problems. Unfortunately, he must keep it secret from his parents and from Viola, both of which are hard to do. At the risk of damaging his friendship with his two best friends he may have to bring Viola in on the secret, though.

This is a charming story of good old-fashioned summer intrique. The story will appeal to both boys and girls. Plus, the giant toad on the cover is quite eye-catching.-sc-

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New Book Review: Mockingbird

by Kathryn Erskine
235 pages
Best for 4th grade and up
Call number: J Erskine

This year’s National Book Award winner, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is one of the best (and fastest) books I have read in a long time. Aimed at 4th-6th grade readers, Mockingbird deals with issues that even adults and teens struggle with. It is a great read for late elementary and middle school book clubs, as well for teens and adults to discuss.

Caitlin, 11, is a wonderful artist that only draws pictures in black and white—it’s easier than using colors, because colors are messy. Caitlin could very well be the best artist in the state, at least her brother and dad think so. That is, until "The Day Our Life Fell Apart" when her brother is a victim of a shooting at his middle school. Now Caitlin, her father, and the rest of their small town have to deal with the aftermath and attempt to find closure. A tragic event told through the eyes of a child with Asperger’s, we can see how Caitlin views her classmates and how they treat each other. We see her interact with her councilor, her teachers, and try to make friends in the wake of tragedy all the while remembering her brother’s favorite movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

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-JW-

Boom!

Boom! by Mark Haddon

2010

for ages 8-12 years

Jim and Charlie are regular boys until they overhear two teachers in the teacher's lounge. Mr. Kidd and Mrs. Pearce appear to be normal teachers, but they talk to each other in a very strange language when no one else is around. Out of curiosity Charlie says, "spudvetch" to Mr. Kidd and that's when they know things will never be the same.

Charlie soon disappears and it's up to Jim to find him. With the help of his sister Becky, Jim heads to the Isle of Sky in Scotland with nothing but mysterious coordinates to guide him. What he finds there is beyond belief! Before he knows it he must save mankind.-sc-

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Imaginalis

Imaginalis
by J.M. Matteis
2010

The kids at school think Mehera Crosby is a dork because, among other things, she really loves a book series called Imaginalis. She's been writing book reports about it for years! She is deeply disappointed when she finds out the final book in the series has been cancelled! Mehera believes so much in the book that she is able to receive a distress call from the beings in Imaginalis, who are slowly disappearing. In fact, she believes so much that she is able to construct the Unbelievable Bridge, over which she is able to bring her favorite characters from Nolandia to Earth. Unfortunately, she also brings over the bad guy, Pralaya. Can she save the people of Nolandia in time?-sc-

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New Fiction Book Review: The Dancing Pancake

By Eileen Spinelli
Best for grades 3-6
Call number: J Spinelli, E.
Copyright 2010


Bindi's whole life is changing. First her father, after months of frusterating unemployment moves out, then her aunt has a great idea to open a pancake restaurant with her mother as a partner. What follows is a novel in verse with a colorful cast of characters, from her little cousin and Inky, his pet rubber spider, to Grace a regular at the restaurant who pushes a cart with all the stuff she owns inside. Bindi must come to terms with her feelings about her parents, having to move, and the new responsibilities and relationships she finds herself in.

The Dancing Pancake is a first-person realistic fiction story set in short free-verse poems so it is easy to start and stop. It is a great choice if there is a reader in your life who only has a few minutes to read here and there, or who prefer short reading sessions, or anyone wanting to experiment with a novel in verse with a excellent storyline.

The following box contains notes to parents/guardians and teachers about The Dancing Pancake. Because it contains spoilers you must select (or "highlight") the box with your mouse to read the following text.

Parents and Teachers be advised: This book deals with the feelings of both the children and the parents when parents try separation. At the end of this story Bindi's Dad comes back to town, and while he's not quite ready to move back in with the family, it is implied that Bindi's parents will remain married and work out their problems. Because not every separation ends this way, children may want to talk about how theirs or their friends experiences are similar or different to the ones in The Dancing Pancake.

There's just enough time before school starts to sneak in a few more fun reads!

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-JW-

New Book Review: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

By: Maryrose Wood

Best for: 4th grade and up or as a read aloud for 2nd grade and up
Copyright: 2010
Call number: J Wood (also in J Holiday: Christmas)

Miss Penelope Lumley has recently graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females and has just landed her first job as a governess for three children at the Ashton Place. But these are no ordinary children. In fact Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia Incorrigible were found in the woods and believed to have been raised by wolves.

Not only must Miss Lumley teach the children English, how to wear clothing, and not to chase squirrels, she must also get them ready to be the guests of honor at Mrs. Ashton’s Christmas party with all the dancing and small talk that even some grown-ups have trouble with. It’s a good think Miss Lumley is a Swanburne Girl and able to handle it all!

The Incorrigible Children of the Ashton Place is what I imagine Jane Eyre would be had it been written by Lemony Snicket. I can’t wait for the second book in the series to see how the mystery unfolds!

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-JW-

The Pickle King

The Pickle King
by Rebecca Promitzer (New Books)(J Promitzer, R.)(2010)
for ages 8-12 years

It's summer in the tiny town of Elbow, and all it does is rain from May to September. Bea, her friend Sam and his dog Jellybean stumble onto a mystery when they find a dead man in a house. He turns out to be Herman, the Pickle King, who is famous for Herman's Devil Tongue relish.

The kids are forced by school to hang out with the other "Raintown Convicts," who are the kids who stay behind in the summer. One by one they drag Madison, Butterfly and Eric into the mayhem. First there is a possessed camera, with a mind of its own. Then there is a mysterious bag of intestines. Add a ghostly encounter on an abandoned train. Next sprinkle in a castle shaped ring, a secret society, underground garbage people, an ancient romance, and the town's founder. Strange things keep happening and the kids put all the pieces together to discover a bizarre secret. -SC-

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New Book Review: It’s Raining Cupcakes

By Lisa Schroeder (Oregon Author)
Best for Grades: 4-7
Call Number: J Schroeder

Twelve year old Isabel has a lot on her plate… literally! When her mom, who suffers from what her grandma calls a 'lack of gumption,' decides that what will make her most happy is opening a cupcake shop, the family packs up and moves to an apartment above what will soon be ‘It’s Raining Cupcakes’-- the newest confectionery in fictitious Willow, Oregon.

That’s right—I said Oregon. Isabel has never been out of our very own state, and she spends the summer watching her friends and neighbors go on their fascinating vacations. She takes notes of what she’ll do when she can travel, and tries everything she can to see the world, from earning money babysitting twins to entering a baking contest.

In addition to scrumptious chapter titles, the most fascinating part of the book is Isabel’s often strained relationship with her mom and best friend, especially in the face of the famous national chain--Beatrice’s Brownies--moving a few blocks away and offering stiff competition.

Be sure to flip to the back for a couple delicious cupcake recipes you can try yourself.
If you’re looking for fun quick read to make you drool, check out It’s Raining Cupcakes.

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-JW-

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
by Tom Angleberger (Children's New Books)(J Angleberger, T.)(2010)
for 3rd-6th graders

Is Origami Yoda real? Origami Yoda is a finger puppet on the finger of a classmate but he gives incredibly good advice. Is it really yoda giving advice, or is it Dwight, the weird kid whose finger holds the yoda? Most kids think Dwight is too kooky to give that kind of advice, and no one would take Dwight's advice about anything.

The book is comprised of stories of the spot-on advice given to classmates by Origami Yoda. It is a case file put together by 6th grader Tommy. He has his friends weigh in at the end of each example of origami yoda's incredible advice. He predicted a pop quiz that even the teacher didn't know he would give until the day it was given. He gave advice about how to camouflage water spilled on one kid's pants, how not to be known as the "cheetoh hog", and knows if your crush likes you or not!

Plus, he is very funny. He looks like yoda, and he talks like yoda. When asked "Origami yoda, can you help me find my jacket? Yoda replies "Last place you had it remember can you?" The issues yoda deals with are all very pertinent to middle school kids and the representation of their struggles is very apt.

A bonus section at the back gives you instructions on how to make your own origami yoda!-SC-

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I Fooled You: Ten Stories of Tricks, Jokes and Switcheroos

I Fooled You: Ten Stories Of Tricks, Jokes and Switcheroos

edited by Johanna Hurwitz (Children's New Books)(J I Fooled You)(2010)
Ages 8-14 years

Children's writer Johanna Hurwitz has collected 10 stories from different authors that revolve around the theme, "I fooled you." Each author approached the theme with different ideas so each story is very different. The first story is actually a poem by Douglas Florian. Megan McDonald wrote a Judy Moody and Stink story, where Judy tries to fool her brother-who in the end fools her. Matthew Holm has a funny graphic story about monkeys that has hardly any words. In the end it's the monkeys who do the fooling needless to say. There is a story about twins by David Adler that touches on more serious topics like fairness. Johanna Hurwitz herself includes a story about a girl who is bothered when she sees one of her classmates consistently wearing her cast off clothing. This story, too, touches on some more serious topics but in a lighthearted way.
The stories are short and easy to read and the cover art is cartoonish so really the stories could be read by younger readers, even though the book is geared toward 8-14 year olds. The cover art would probably not interest a 14 year old, so they would most likely pass this book by.-SC-

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead (Children's New Books)(J Stead)(2009)

for ages 9 to 12

Miranda lives with her single mom in New York City. Lately her best friend Sal and she have become distant. It all started when Sal got punched.

Miranda is forced to seek friends elsewhere and takes on a job at lunch time with two new friends, Colin and Ann-Marie. There Jimmy instructs them not to mess with his plastic novelty toy bank, and she has to count the bread order every day. She also gets to know the boy, Marcus, who punched Sal. Then there is the crazy "Laughing Man" who is always on their street corner, kicking into the street.

Meanwhile she helps her mother prepare to be on a tv gameshow. They practice speed rounds and giving clues so her mother is prepared to play the game with a celebrity partner.

Four mysterious notes show up, one by one-each in a different location. Each offers clues and ask her to pen a letter to write it all down. One claims to need information to help save a friend. One knows the date her mom will be a contestant on the game show. They all seem to allude to things that have not yet happened. The writer says, "I will not be myself when I reach you."

Gradually Miranda ties the clues together with the people she knows as the dramatic climax involving the endangered friend unfolds. After she puts it all together she realizes time is not as solid as she once thought.

This book has several storylines going at once and is highly engrossing. It's won parent's choice awards and is a 2010 Newbery award contender.-SC-

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