Book Review: Totally Joe by James Howe

Genre: 
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 to 14
 
Reading Level:
Lexile 910, Grades 4-8

Book Theme:
Friendship, bullying, LGBT issues
 
Books with Similar Themes: 
Boys Meets Boy by David Levithan, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Bibliographic Information:
Howe, J. (2005). Totally Joe. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
 
Plot: 
The second of The Misfits series, Totally Joe is the story of gay thirteen-year-old Joe Bunch. For a school assignment Joe writes his alphbiography, which is something about him for every letter of the alphabet. In his alphabiography Joe tells about his friends,his childhood, his family (especially his favorite aunt who has to move away), his boyfriend Colin, his life at school, and the school bully. Colin plays a large role in Joe's story because Colin doesn't want people to know they are seeing each other, which makes Joe sad. He wants to be able to be open about who he is dating and not have to hide it, but until Colin is ready (if he is ever ready) that will have to wait. His friend Addie tries to organize a club to support the LGBT students, but some parents try to shut it down, one of them being the mother of the school bully. The school bully taunts Joe throughout the story, and it isn't until the end that Joe decides it's time to take a stand.

Review:  

Totally Joe is a fun and witty book that many tweens will enjoy for both its humor and its likeable characters. Joe is a great character who describes some tough situations in his life in a way that will make the reader empathize with him, and with enough silliness to keep the reader laughing even during Joe's hard times. All of Joe's friends from The Misfits return to Totally Joe and are just as memorable as they were in the first book. Tweens will love Joe and his friends for the bravery,close bonds, and amusing anecdotes. Totally Joe is the kind of book that tweens will enjoy again and again and will make them want to read even more about the adventures of misfits Joe, Addie, Skeezie, and Bobby. Totally Joe is a great book for tweens that can't be more highly recommended! 

Book Review: Making Friends: Cool It, Carrie

Genre: 
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 to 13

Reading Level:
Grades 4 and up

Book Theme:
Friendship, bullying, writing

Books with Similar Themes: 
Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star by Rachel Renee Russell,  Making Friends: Face Facts, Sky by Kate Andrews

Bibliographic Information:
Andrews, K. (1997). Making friends: Cool it, Carrie. Canada: Troll Communications L.L.C.

Plot:  
Despite being a talented writer, Carrie is doesn't want anyone to read the story she has written.but finally finds the courage to read some of it to her friends like Alex and Sam. When her friend Jordan finds it in her backpack later he decides to take it home to read it. He discovers it's really good and submits it to a writing contest at a local bookstore. He doesn't tell Carrie any of this and she panics when she can't find her story. When the bookstore calls to say she won the contest Carrie is furious, especially when she finds out she has to read it in front of people at the store that Sunday! Carrie gets used to the idea, but is scared that the Amy's, a group of girls that bully Carrie and her friends, will ruin her reading. And then to top it off her mother forbids her to go! Will Carrie be able to read her story at the store, and if she does can she stop the Amy's from humiliating her?

Review:  
Making Friends: Cool It, Carrie is the second book in the Making Friends Series. Carrie's story is one that tweens will enjoy for a number of reasons. Carrie deals with things like bullying and a parent who doesn't understand her, something many tweens will understand. Carrie also has a secret talent that she feels shy about, but then she finds the courage to face her fears and share her talent with the world, something many tweens will admire. Carrie's friends are very important to her, even though they sometimes drive her crazy, which many tweens will be familiar with in the own lives. Carrie will inspire tweens to write stories and to reach for their dreams. Making Friends: Cool It, Carrie is fun, engaging, and entertaining, and one that is recommended for anyway tween who loves to see the underdog persevere.

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Genre:
Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 12 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 820, Grades 6-12

Book Theme:
Survival, family, love, rebellion

Books with Similar Themes: 
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Bibliographic Information:
Collins, S. (2009). Catching fire. New York: Scholastic Press.
 
Plot:  
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have returned to District 12 after being crowned victors of the Hunger Games. They pretend to both be in love to convince they evil President Snow that their final act at the Hunger Games was one of love and not rebellion, but Snow isn't buying it and tells Katniss she must convince him or she will die. They tour the districts and soon see that their rebellious act has wreaked havoc. Their own district has seen increased vigilance and violence from the peacekeepers. President Snow is not convinced that Katniss loves Peeta, so when the 75th Hunger Games comes around he orders that previous Hunger Games victors must be sent back to the arena to fight to the death.  Katniss and Peeta must return to the very place they never wanted to see again, but this time Katniss vows her job will be to keep Peeta alive.

Review:  
Catching Fire is the second book from The Hunger Games trilogy. It is just as fast-paced and engaging as its predecessor, and it also throws in new twists that the reader won't see coming. Tweens will love this story for its adventure, action, and well-developed characters. The relationships between Katniss and Peeta and Katniss and her friend Gale will leave tweens in suspense, wondering which one of them she will be with in the end. Katniss is still a great role model for tweens because of her determination, bravery, and great loyalty to those she loves most. Catching Fire is an unforgettable book tweens and everyone else will love that will leave them on the edge of their seat, and when they finish they will be ready to dash out the door to get the final book!

Book Review: Racing the Sun by Paul Pitts

Genre:
Realistic Fiction, Native American Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 9 to 12

Reading Level:
Grades 4-6

Book Theme:
Family illness, family heritage, relationships with grandparents


Books with Similar Themes: 
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, See Behind Trees by Michael Dorris

Bibliographic Information:
Pitts, P. (1988). Racing the sun. New York: Avon Books.

Plot:  
Twelve-year-old Brandon Rogers doesn't know very much about his Navajo background. Both his parents left the reservation long ago and are not interested in living the Navajo way, so Brandon has not learned about it. This all changes when Brandon finds out his paternal grandfather is sick and will be coming to stay with them while he gets care. Brandon feels pretty uncertain about this, especially when he finds out he'll be sharing his room with his grandfather! At first his grandfather's chanting and other habits annoy Brandon, but then his grandfather starts to teach Brandon about his culture and he finally understands what it means to be Navajo. The doctors discover that the grandfather's illness is terminal, and his last wish is to return to his home. Brandon's parent's won't hear of it, but Brandon comes up with a plan to get his grandfather home one last time.


Review:  
Racing the Sun is an incredible story about a boy who learns about his culture for the first time. It's a story that tweens will love for it's funny and insightful main character Brandon. Brandon goes through all sorts of tweens issues like being embarrassed by family members while also loving them dearly, trying to establish his independence and discovering himself. Brandon's relationship with his grandfather is one that is unforgettable and will encourage tweens to open dialogue with their grandparents or other family members about the stories and histories of their own family. The story also includes a list of the Navajo words used at the end. Racing the Sun is a funny, moving, and touching book that tweens will love!

Book Review: The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister by Charlotte Agell

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 8 to 12

Reading Level:
Lexile 690, Grades 2-5

Book Theme:
LGBT Parents, Friendship, Family Acceptance, Adopation


Books with Similar Themes: 
Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles, Ellie McDoodle by Ruth McNally Barshaw

Bibliographic Information:
Agell, C. (2010). The accidental adventures of India McAllister. New York: Henry Holt.

Plot:  
Nine-and-a-half-year-old India McAllister is adopted Asian-American girl being raised by her artist mother in Wolfgang, Maine. Her parents are divorced and her father has moved in with his German boyfriend, Richard. India isn't very fond of Richard but tries to be nice to him whenever she visits her dad. Her best friend is a boy named Colby, who she starts developing a small crush on a bit into the story. India has all sorts of adventures with her friends, family, her dog, and the little bird Richard buys. India climbs trees, gets lost in the woods with her dog, and accidentally loses Richard's bird. She starts to warm up to Richard a bit after he doesn't get upset with her for letting the bird out, which makes her stays at her dad's apartment much easier.


Review:  
The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister is an adorable story that is more suited to younger tweens. India's adventures will draw in young tweens and make them laugh. They will relate to her character because she still sees the world through the eyes of a child, but is also beginning to see things with a new adult perspective as well. India's adjusting to her father's boyfriend is something that any tween can relate to who has had to adjust to a parent's new boyfriend or girlfriend. The story is cute, funny, and engaging, and the characters are incredibility likeable. It's a great story for tweens to read on their own or to share with their families as well. The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister is one that tweens will want to return to again and again!

Book Review: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 8 to 12

Reading Level:
Lexile 470, Grades 3 to 6

Book Theme:
Sibling Rivalry


Books with Similar Themes: 
Superfudge by Judy Blume, Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney.

Bibliographic Information:
Blume, J. (1972). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York: Dutton.

Plot:  

Fourth grader Peter Hatcher has a very hyper two-year-old little brother named Fudge who drives him crazy. The story tells of many of the crazy things Fudge does like refusing to eat, pretending to be a dog, accidentally knocking out his front teeth at the park, imitating Peter, and throwing colossal tantrums. He also has cray friends who throw tantrums, overeat, bite, and pee on the floor to be funny. Despite all this Peter's parents dote on Fudge, which also drives Peter crazy. Peter is given a pet turtle that he names Dribble, and he becomes very fond of Dribble. He tries to teach his brother to respect his turtle, but instead of respecting the turtle Fudge eats him, and that's the last straw for Peter!


Review:  
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a hilarious story that depicts a tween's relationship with his maddening little brother. You can't help but feel for all that Peter puts up with, despite the fact that all of Fudge's anecdotes are hysterically funny! The story shows just how hard it can be to have siblings sometimes, but it does it in a humorous way. Tweens who are big brothers or sisters will love this story for the way Peter candidly shares his frustration of Fudge and his doting parents, who just don't seem to understand how annoying Fudge really is. The story is funny, memorable, and all-around enjoyable, especially for tweens who are siblings, or even just for tweens who want a good laugh! Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a great book, one that all tweens should read!

Book Review: Heat by Mike Lupica

Genre:
Realistic Fiction, Sport Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 940, Grades 4-12.

Book Theme:
Loss of a parent, issues faced by immigrants

Books with Similar Themes: 
Best of the Best by Tim Green, The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane

Bibliographic Information:

Lupica, M. (2006). Heat. New York: Puffin Books.

Plot:  

Twelve-year-old Cuban American Michael Arroyo is a stellar pitcher who dreams of playing with his team at the Little League World Series. A coach on a rival team believes that Michael has been lying about his age and that he is older than twelve years old, so he reports his suspicions. Michael is suspended from playing until his father can obtain his official birth certificate from Cuba, only that won't be possible. What people don't know is that Michael's father died and that he and his older brother Carlos have been covering it up so they can remain together before Carlos turns eighteen and can obtain legal guardianship. A social worker becomes suspicious and starts investigating the situation in the Arroyo family, so Michael and Carlos must find a way to fool him while also trying to figure out a way to get the birth certificate somehow so Michael can play again. Can they pull it all off, or will Michael lose his brother and the sport that he loves?


Review:  
Heat is an unforgettable story that tweens will love, especially  tweens who love baseball. There's a lot of references to famous baseball players and the New York Yankees. It also talks about the game itself and describes Michael's games in detail. The description of the games can be a little hard to follow for someone not familiar with baseball, but Michael's passion for the sport makes it easy to get past anything that is unfamiliar to the reader. Michael's story of losing his father is one that many tweens who have lost parents can relate to personally. His grief is described in ways that are sad and also moving. Some tweens who have immigrated to the United States will also understand Michael's frustration and struggle to obtain his birth certificate. Michael's fear of losing his brother, his last family member, is something tweens can relate to who have already dealt with a family loss. Heat can be summed up as a powerful, feel-good story that will make baseball lovers and everyone else smile as they keep turning the pages!

Film Review: Knockout

Genre: 
Sports films

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Rating
PG

Theme:
Bullying, self-confidence, fighting back


Films with Similar Themes: 
The Karate Kid, The Bad News Bears


Bibliographic Information:
Cowell-Plain, T.(Producer), Greenberg, L. (Producer),  Heller, J. (Producer), Meyerowitz, B. (Producer), Nasser, J. (Producer), Nasser, J. (Producer), Sonnier, D. (Producer), Webber, D. (Producer) & Wheeler, A. (Director) (2011). Knockout [Motion Picture] United States: Phase 4 Films.

Plot: 
High school student Matthew Miller (Daniel Madger) and his over-protective mother (Janet Kidder) have just moved in with the mother's new husband (Sean Divine), which means Matthew must start over at a new school. The first day of school he is dared to ask one of the cheerleaders on a date. Unfortunately the cheerleader's boyfriend Hector (Jaren Brandt Bartlett) does not appreciate this and starts bullying Matthew. Life at school doesn't go very well after that, but then the school janitor (Steve Austin) named Dan suggested Matthew try out for the boxing team. Hector is also on the team and provokes Matthew during tryouts, which causes Matthew to punch him and lose his chance to be on the team. Dan offers to coach Matthew privately and to get him a spot in the upcoming box-off. provided he get a permission form signed by a parent. Matthew's mother would never approve, so Matthew forges his step-father's signature. The principal finds out, fires Dan, and tells Matthew's parents. It seems as thought Matthew will never be able to be on the team or to stand up to Hector, but then things turn around in a way that Matthew didn't except.

Review:  
Knockout is a great sports film for kids that is both action-filled and inspirational. Matthew deals with many issues common to tweens today such as moving to a new school, adjusting to a new parent, and facing the school bully. The roles are well-cast and well-played, especially Hector, who is a very convincing bully. Matthew is an inspirational lead who overcomes many issues, including leukemia when he was a child. It's a great film for tweens who want to learn to find the power to stand up for themselves and for what they believe is right. It's also a movie that tween WWE fans will love since it features wrestling star Steve Austin in what some would call his best role yet. Knockout is a great film for all tweens who love boxing, and most importantly who want to see the underdog stand up for himself against the bully!

Book Review: Box Girl by Sarah Withrow

Genre:
Realistic Fiction, Canadian Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Reading Level:
Grades 4-9

Book Theme:
Friendship, LGBT parents, absent parents, abandonment

Books with Similar Themes: 
The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood, The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

Bibliographic Information:
Withrow, S. (2001). Box girl. Buffalo: Douglas & McIntyre .

Plot:  
Gwen is a thirteen-year-old Canadian girl who decides she isn't going to have friends when she starts her eighth grade year old school so she can be ready for her mom to get her at a moment's notice. Her mom ran away when she was five and has been sending postcards from France, which is the only way she communicates with her daughter. Each night Gwen makes a box out of the postcards, imagines herself inside it, and says a special spell she created to bring her mother to her. Gwen's postcards are a secret and she fears that telling anyone about them will break her spell, another reason why she doesn't want friends. Her plans start to waiver when Clara, a new girl from school, attaches herself to Gwen and wants to become friends. Gwen tries to ignore her but finds herself becoming friends with her anyway. She kind of likes having a friend, but she is also terrified that her friend will find out her secret and her mother will never come. What she doesn't realize is that Clara could really use a friend too, and that maybe they can help each other.

Review:  
Box Girl is a wonderful story that tells of a heartbroken girl who tries to hide from the world and push people away at a time when she needs them most. The story includes many tween related-issues, such as the parental abandonment seen by Gwen's mother, the need for friendship in tough times, and  the life of a tween being raised by LGBT parents (Gwen's father is gay). Another highlight of the story is that it does a great job showing how Gwen is both angry and vulnerable at the same time. Her friendship with the new girl Clara also shows how fragile yet crucial friendships can be in the tween years. The way the two girls help each other through their difficulties is emotional and touching. Box Girl is a great story for any tween whose parent has disappeared or who wants to shut out the world because of the pain in their lives. It shows that the power of friendship can heal even the deepest of wounds.

Film Review: The Hunger Games

Genre: 
Dystopian Fiction, Book-to-film

Interest Level:
Ages 11 and up

Rating
PG-13

Theme:
Survival, Rebellion, Dystopian Society

 Films with Similar Themes: 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Brave

Bibliographic Information:
Rosner-Meyer, L. (Producer), Bissell, R. (Producer), Collins, S. (Producer) & Ross, G. (Director). (2009). The Hunger Games [Motion Picture]. United States: Lions Gate Home Entertainment.

Film Website
http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/index.html

Plot:  
Set in the future in a dystopian society called Panem, The Hunger Games is a film based on the novel of the same name about sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a talented hunter and archer. She lives with her mother (Paula Malcomsom) and younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields). Each year the Capitol, which leads Panem with an iron fist, puts on a reality show called the Hunger Games in which two adolescents from each district are selected to fight to the death, and the lone victor goes home to a life of security. Primrose is selected as one of the tributes from District 12, and Katniss volunteers to take her place in order to save her life. Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) travel to the Capitol where they are prepared for the Hunger Games. It's revealed that Peeta is in love with Katniss. Katniss and Peeta are released into the area and the bloodbath begins. Eventually they team up to survive, but in the end there can only be one victor.


Review:  
The Hunger Games is a faced-paced film that successfully follow the book while also adding a few elements to the story, such as the evil President Snow's (Donald Sutherland) desire to get rid of Katniss, and Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) and his team's control over the arena. Like the book the film deals with themes like independence, family loyalty, friendship, and love. The love between Katniss and Primrose is beautifully acted by Lawrence and Shields. Katniss' brief friendship with District 11 tribute Rue (Amandla Stenberg) is also well-acted and very touching. Though rated PG-13 the film is actually less graphic and bloody than the book, but does still includes the fighting and killing. Tweens who are fans of the novel The Hunger Games and also those who are not familiar with the book will love this movie for it's action, adventure, young romance, and much more!

Film Review: An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong

Genre: 
Realistic Fiction, Book-to-film

Interest Level:
Ages 8-11

Rating
G

Theme:
Bullying, adjusting to a new home

Films with Similar Themes: 
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, An American Girl:McKenna Shoots for the Stars

Bibliographic Information:
Amin, M. (Producer), Coolidge, M. (Producer) & Coolidge, M. (Director). (2009). An American girl: Chrissa stands strong. [Motion Picture] United States: HBO Home Entertainment.

Film Website
http://www.americangirl.com/movie/chrissa/

Plot:  
Eleven-year-old Chrissa Maxwell (Sammi Hanratty) and her family have just moved to Minnesota to live with her recently widowed grandmother (Michael Learned). The move is very hard for Chrissa and she really misses her best friend back home. Chrissa is shy and unsure about starting at a new school, so her grandmother tells her to say hello to the first person she meets. Unfortunately the first person she meets is the mean popular girl Tara (Adair Tishler). Tara and her two friends bully Chrissa mercilessly. On her first day of school, Valentine's Day, they steal all of Chrissa's Valentine's. They post mean pictures of Chrissa on all the lockers. Tara even starts an online rumor that Chrissa has a skin disease after she joins the swim team. Chrissa doesn't want to tell her family or teachers about the bullying, but with the help of a caring art teacher (Jennifer Tilly) she realizes that it's time to ask for some help.


Review:  
An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong is a film that deals with a number of issues that are very prominent in the life of many tweens. It includes bullying, cyber-bullying, homelessness, friendships, and starting over at a new school. The characters, all based off the characters in the American Girl books about Chrissa, all have unique personalities that will draw tweens into their stories. The films shares some great wisdom tweens will appreciate such as the importance of reporting bullying, the importance of standing up for yourself, and most important, the importance of believing in yourself. It also features some great lessons about teamwork during Chrissa's swim meets. The ending seems a bit unrealistic, but the values taught in the ending make it worthwhile. An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong is a great film that tweens will love and want to share with their friends and family!

Book Review: Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle

Genre:
Realistic Fiction, Multiple Perspectives

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 710, Grades 3 to 7

Book Theme:
Friendship, peer pressure, bullying, fitting in

Books with Similar Themes:  
The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, The Girls Get Even by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Bibliographic Information:
Myracle, M. (2009). Luv Ya Bunches. New York: Amulet Books.

About the Author:
http://www.abramsbooks.com/flowerpowerbooks/bio.html

Plot:  
Luv Ya Bunches is the story of four fifth graders, all name after flowers, who are trying to fit in, make friends, and make sense of their crazy fifth grade lives. Yasamean, a young Muslim girl, longs to make friends. Katie-Rose, a know-it-all half Asian and half white girl longs to be friends with Milla, who was her friend at camp but has now gone back to the popular crowd. Milla longs to get away from bossy popular girls Modessa and Quin. And Violet, the new African American girl, longs find her place in her new school, and finds herself joining the popular clique. The story takes place over the course of a week starting on the first day of school. All sorts of crazy things happen, like Katie-Rose and Yasamean becoming friends, Violet's feeling guilty for stealing Milla's good luck wooden turtle and trying to get in back to her, and Milla's mad hunt for the turtle. Meanwhile, Modessa and Quin are becoming unbearable, which brings the four girls together for a daring plan to give a girls a taste of their own medicine!

Review:  
Luv Ya Bunches is a hilarious and fun story with unique and unforgettable characters all dealing with the ups and downs of school life. All of them long for acceptance and friendships, something tweens will definitely understand. Tweens will love the funny moments in the story, such as Katie-Rose discovering what the word dingleberry means, Katie-Rose catching their classmate on tape picking her nose, and several of the girls hearing a classmate accidentally giving an X-rated report in front of the entire class. Tweens will love the technological references to things like IMing, Facebook, and cellphones. Tweens will also cheer when the four girls get even with the popular ones.  It's a great book for reluctant readers or tweens who want to read a different format from the books they typically read in school. Luv Ya Bunches is modern, witty, and just all-around enjoyable, and book that tweens will love!

Book Review: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 9 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 700, Grades 3 and up

Book Theme:
Running away, museum visits, the value of imagination, brother and sister relationships

Books with Similar Themes:  
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, The Sixty-Eight Room by Marianne Malone

Bibliographic Information:
Konigsburg, E. L. (1967). From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. New York: Atheneum.

About the Author:
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai/konigsburg.html

Plot:  
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is the story of two siblings, Claudia and James Kincaid, who decide to run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. The two children stay at the museum for several days, spending the night there as well after sneaking past the guards. They spend their time studying the art and having adventures like bathing in the fountain. They discover a beautiful statue of an angel that was just donated by Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, one that is rumored to be made by the artist Michelangelo. Claudia becomes obsessed with discovering the truth about the statue and the two children begin doing all the research they can to find out if it was indeed made by Michelangelo. When they run out of answers they decide to go to the very person who donated the statue, Mrs. Frankweiler, but will she tell them the truth, or send them back to their family?

Review:  
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is an amazing story of two tweens who strike out on an unforgettable adventure. It's a story filled with imagination and mystery. The relationship between Claudia and James is very typically for tweens, especially because they are fighting one moment and then the best of friends the next. Despite their fights the two are very close and work as a team, something many tweens do with their own siblings. Tweens will love Claudia's boldness and James' ability to stand up to her stubbornness. Claudia is a tween who longs to be independent and grow up like many tweens. The characters both have many elements tweens to relate do, as does the story. It's one that tweens will love and return to again and again, not to mention instill a love of art and museums.

Notable Tweens:

Claudia Kincaid- Claudia is a headstrong, brialliant, and sometimes bossy twevle-year-old. She is the oldest of four children. She often feels like she is ignored by her family or not treated as well as the rest of her sibilings. She likes to do things differently from everyone else and decides to run away to something instead of running away from something.

James Kincaid- Nine-year-old James is the third of the four Kincaid children. He loves saving money and has earned quite a lot of it by cheating his friend when they play cards. He refuses to spend lots of money on their adventure and often insists on walking instead of taking a taxi or the bus, which doesn't make Claudia especially happy.

Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Genre: 
Historical Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 9 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 820, Grades 3 and up

Book Theme:
Importance of family, loss of family members, the power of imagination


Books with Similar Themes:  
Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans, The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

Bibliographic Information:
Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret: A novel in words and pictures. New York: Scholastic Press.

Story's Website:
http://theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm

Plot:  
The Invention of Hugo Cabret takes places in France during the 1930's. The main character is Hugo Cabret, a young orphan boy. Hugo is working on a Automan, a robot his father worked on before he died in a fire at a museum. Hugo is being cared for by his uncle, who keeps the clocks running in the city. One day he disappears and doesn't come back, so Hugo takes over the job to avoid being discovered. He has to steal to survive but is caught by toy seller Papa Georges. Papa Georges steals Hugo's prized notebook and threatens to burn it. Hugo must help Papa Georges in his shop to get it back. He befriends Papa Georges' god-daughter Isabelle who tries to help Hugo get the notebook back. The children discover that Papa Georges has some secrets he's been hiding about his part life, including his connection to the Automan. Can the two children discover them, or will they remain secrets forever?

Review:  
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an incredible story with unforgettable illustrations. It's very similar to a graphic novel, which tweens love, so many tweens will be drawn in just by the pictures alone. The story deals with tween issues such as establishing independence, the importance of family, and the value of friendship. Hugo and Isabelle also are learning more about the world around them, or at least the world of their families, as the stories unfolds, something tweens will understand as well. The Invention of Hugo Cabret was made into a popular film titled Hugo, which may draw reluctant readers to the book. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is also a great story for tweens to share with their parents and families because of the family theme and illustrations. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a must-read for all tweens, especially those who are reluctant readers, who enjoy amazing illustrations, or who just want to escape into a world that will stimulate their imagination!

Notable Tweens:

Hugo Cabret- The main character of the story, twelve-year-old Hugo is a mechanical genius who can wind all the clocks in Paris and tinker with machinery like the Automan. He is also resourceful and can survive on his own, that is until he got caught!

Isabelle Méliès- The god-daughter of Papa Georges, Isabelle is also an orphan. She is precocious, curious, and a bit annoying, but she and Hugo eventually become good friends.

Book Review: The Giver

Genre: 
Dystopian Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 12 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 760, grades 6 and up

Book Theme:
Importance of memory, importance of differences, growing up, self-discovery

Books with Similar Themes:  
Truesight by David Stahler, The Unnameables by Ellen Booraem

Bibliographic Information:
Lowry, L. (1993) The Giver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Author's Website:
www.loislowry.com 

Plot:  
Jonas lives in a future dystopian society where people live in a community that appears to be happy and orderly. Everyone is polite and there are no arguments. Everyone has a role that is assigned to them. Birthmothers give birth to children, the children are cared for in the nurturing center until it is determined if they can function in the society, then they are given to a family. Families are only allowed two children. When people die, they pass through a special door and are "released" from the society. Each year there is a Ceremony of Twelve where the children who have been in the society are given their roles. Jonas is given the role Receiver of Memory, the person who holds the memories of the societies before their time. His role is a great honor. His is apprenticed to an old man he calls The Giver, the man who gives him memories. As Jonas receives the memories he starts to realize things in his society are not what they seem, and after a frightening discovery he realizes he has to escape.

Review:  
The Giver is a haunting story that tells the tale of tween who discovers his society is not the place he believes it to be. This discovery makes him realize he must escape, which is also a form of asserting independence, something many tweens relate to themselves. Through learning that the world is not what he believed it to be Jonas also sees the world with new eyes, something else tweens will relate to as they grow older and discover things about their worlds that they didn't see before. The Giver is a frightening book at point but also one that is hard to put down. The storyline is so intense that the reader will want to know what happens next. It's a story that will both captivate and haunt tweens, make them think about the world around them, and most importantly make them appreciate their individual identity. This book does contain some scenes that some find disturbing and graphic, so it may not be for everyone, but despite those scenes it is still a compelling story that will stay with you long after you have read it!

Album Review: Taylor Swift's Fearless

Genre:
Country

Interest Level:
Ages 9 and up

Album Theme:
Young love, first love, unrequited love, growing up

Albums with Similar Themes:  
A Year Without Rain by Selena Gomez and the Scene, Red by Taylor Swift

Bibliographic Information:
Swift, T., & Chapman, N. (2008). Fearless. Nashville, TN: Big Machine Records.

Artist Website:
http://www.taylorswift.com/ 

Review:  
Fearless is the second studio album of singer Taylor Swift. The album includes thirteen songs with tween-friendly themes. Some of the most popular songs include Fifteen, Love Story, and You Belong with Me. A number of songs refer to school settings, such as You Belong to Me which tells the story of a girl on the bleachers comparing herself to the cheering captain, who is dating her love interest. Fifteen tells the story of a girl in high school going on a first date with a boy who has a car. The song The Best Day tells the story of a girl's relationship with her parents as she grows up and mentions her at thirteen having a bad day because of her mean friends at school and how her parent comforts her. The song is a reflection of how important both families and friends are to tweens. These songs and many more are what make Fearless a great tween album!

Best Lyrics:
Taken from The Best Day

I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean  
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys  
And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away  
And we talk and window shop 'til I've forgotten all their names
I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school  
But I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you  
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay  
But I know I had the best day with you today

Video for The Best Day:

 

Book Review: All of-a-kind Family by Sydney Taylor

Genre: 
Historical Fiction, Jewish Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 9-12

Reading Level:
Lexile 750, Grades 4 and up

Book Theme:
Jewish customs, family adventures, sister adventures

Books with Similar Themes:  
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Bibliographic Information:
Taylor, S. (1951). All-of-a-kind family. Chicago: Follett Publishing Company.

More Information About the Author: 
http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/taylor-sidney


Plot:  
All-of-a-kind Family is a story set in New York during the early 1900's. It' tell the story of five Jewish sisters, twelve-year-old Ella, ten-year-old Henny, eight-year-old Sarah, six-year-old Charlotte, and four-year-old Gertie, and their life with their family over the course of a year. The girls have all sorts of adventures, such as the mad search for a library book, Mama's creative game for dusting the house, preparing for the Sabbath, celebrating Jewish holidays like Purim, Passover, and Succos, shooting off fireworks on the Fourth of July, and much more! The sisters are all very close and obedient, rarely disobeying their parents. They love their parents dearly and their father's friend Charlie too, who they discover is looking for his lost love. The end of the book includes one final surprise that will change their family, one that little Gertie isn't too happy about unfortunately!

Review:  
All-of-a-kind-Family is a Little Women-like story that does a great job of depicting Jewish life in New York at the turn of the century. It also does a great job of explaining Jewish holidays and customs through the adventures of the five young sisters. The story is fun and the sisters are all loveable. This book falls more into the interest range younger tweens between 9 to 12. Like tweens in that age range the sisters are still young, carefree, and imaginative, but the older sisters do start to assert some independence from their families. It is still a story that some older tweens can appreciate too if they like feel-good books written with the feel of classic literature. This is a great book to introduce to both Jewish children and children who want to know more about Jewish customs. It's a great book for tweens to read alone or to read with their parents or teachers.

Notable Tweens:
Ella- Ella is twelve and the oldest sister. She has beautiful dark brown hair. Being the oldest she often helps her mother take care of the smaller girls. She develops a romantic interest in Charlie, a family friend, and is sad when she discovers his heart belongs to another woman.

Henrietta (Henny)- Henny is ten and described as the family's "wild one." Henny has beautiful blond curls and is very outspoken. She hates school and is jealous of her sister Sarah when she gets sick with scarlet fever and gets to stay home. Henny realizes being sick isn't so fun when all the sisters become ill, except her, and then she is all alone for Passover!

Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Genre: 
Realistic Fiction, Native American Fiction, Diary Novels

Interest Level:
Ages 13 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 600, Grades 7 and up

Book Theme:
Native American families, alcoholism, dysfunctional families, loss, new schools

Books with Similar Themes:  
Racing the Sun by Paul Pitts, Looking for Alaska by John Green

Bibliographic Information:
Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little Brown & Company.

Author's Website:
http://www.fallsapart.com/

Plot:  
Fourteen-year-old Junior lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation with his family, which is very poor. Junior has been growing tired of the hopeless life on the reservation. With a teacher's encouragement he decides to transfer to Reardan High, a school off the reservation, in hopes of a better education and future. Things don't go very well at first. People on the reservation think he has abandoned them, especially his best friend Rowdy. He also doesn't seem to fit in at his new school. Slowly he starts to make friends and even joins the basketball team, but then he has to play the team at his old high school! Then tragedy starts happening left and right in his family. Life isn't easy for Junior, and he has to find a way to pull through and to balance his two worlds, one on the reservation and the other at Reardan High, which proves to be very difficult to do!

Review:  
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a story that has everything, humor, tragedy, friendship, budding romance, and much more! The story touches on some profound issues like alcoholism and death, but does it in a way that isn't overwhelming. The characters are unique and each one almost seems real. Tweens will appreciate this story for it's funny moments and sad ones too. They will also love Junior's sense of humor and his bravery to strike out on his own in order to better his education and future. Many tweens will understand what it's like to lose a friend like Junior did when Rowdy ended their friendship, and the sadness that surrounds that loss. This is a great story for both for Native American tweens and tweens who want to know about some of the issues faced by Native Americans today!


Notable Tweens:

Arnold (Junior)- The fourteen-old main character, Junior enjoys playing basketball, writing in his journal, and drawing cartoons.

Rowdy- Junior's best friend on the reservation, Rowdy has a mean streak and beats up Junior for leaving. Rowdy is abused by his father and takes his anger out on people, but he also has a soft side and cares deeply for his friends.

Penelope- The pretty white girl at Reardan High who Junior develops a crush on and takes to the school dance. Penelope has a racist father, and suffers from bulimia.

Gordy- A nerdy kid at Reardan who is brilliant. He does everything in the name of science, and eventually becomes good friends with Junior.

Book Review: Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Genre: 
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 860, Grades 4 and up

Book Theme:
Dysfunctional families, death of a parent, foster children, friendship

Books with Similar Themes:  
Crash by Jerry Spinelli, Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

Bibliographic Information:
Dowell, F. O. (2005). Chicken boy. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Author's Website:
http://www.francesdowell.com/ 

Plot:  
Seventh grader Tobin McCauley has things pretty rough. His mother passed away a few years ago, his dad is negligent, his family is dysfunctional and doesn't have the best reputation, he doesn't fit in at school, and his first day of seventh grade began with his grandmother getting arrested when she dropped him off at school! Life is pretty lousy, so bad that sometimes there's no food in his house! He asks his grandmother is he can move in with her, and is crushed when she says no. Things seem pretty bad, but then one day Tobin befriends a classmate who convinces him that he can learn the meaning of life by raising chickens. Tobin isn't too sure about this, but when they start raising chickens for a science project Tobin becomes fascinated by them. His work with the chickens and new friendship help him begin to turn his life around, but then something happens to his family that could tear them apart, and Tobin doesn't know what to do!

Review:  
Chicken Boy is a story that will both make you laugh and tug at your heartstrings.The most incredible thing about this book is how it captures Tobin's confused feelings towards his dysfunctional family, such as his desire to escape from his family mixed with his great love for his father. Tobin is a child many children will relate to because he wants to establish independence from his family while feeling fiercely loyal to them at the same time. Children will relate to his mixed feelings about his classmates too, such as how he wants to fit in with them but isn't sure how to do it, or if he even wants to try. Chicken Boy is also a story tweens will find interesting to read. The story has sad moments mixed with funny ones, such as when Tobin's friend tells him they need to examine the chicken's poop. There are moments of self-discovery and triumph. It's a great story that shares the difficulties that no boy should have to go through while teaching about the unique experience of raising chickens. Chicken Boy is a great story for tweens!

Personal Thoughts:
Chicken Boy is a story that opened my eyes on a number of levels. When I first started reading about Tobin he reminded me of the boys I went to school with who got into trouble and were reluctant to do their school work. As a tween I always thought they acted that way just because they were bad kids. As an adult I know that isn't the case, but I didn't have any idea of what it might feel like to be one of these boys. Now I do thanks to reading Tobin's story. It's given me a whole new level of understanding and empathy for why children behave this way sometimes. It reminded me that sometimes we just don't know what's going on with tweens and we can't just brush them aside. I really wish I had read this book when I was tween because it would have helped me to better understand the behavior of some of my classmates. This is a book that needs to be shared with tweens so they can understand that even the kids who are labelled as "the bad kids" have a story to tell too.

Notable Tweens:
Tobin McCauley- Seventh grader Tobin is the main character, and the story is told from his point of view. Aside from his life with his dysfunctional family and his chicken project, Tobin is also a very fast runner, so fast his friend Henry encourages him to try out for cross country!

Henry Otis- Tobin's new friend, Henry loves chickens and think studying them holds the answer to the meaning of life. Henry comes from a loving, supportive family, something Tobin envies. Henry helps Tobin get back on track by encouraging him to do homework and to show his classmates what a fast runner he is.

Harrison Otis- Henry's nine-year-old brother, Harrison is in charge of the business end of raising the chickens, which is selling their eggs. Harrison is so excited about his role that he wants to send hourly emails to Tobin about his progress. Harrison also loves to run and asks Tobin to race him all the time.

Book Review: The Death-Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean

Genre: 
Adventure stories, historical fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 920, Grades 4 and up

Book Theme:
Adventure, running away from family, changing identity

Books with Similar Themes:  
The Mostly True Adventure of Homer P. Figg by W. R. Philbrick,  Maniac McGee by Jerry Spinelli

Bibliographic Information:
McCaughrean, G. (2009). The death-defying Pepper Roux. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. 

Plot:  
Young Pepper Roux is a young boy from France who has just turned fourteen. It's a day he has dreaded his whole life. When he was born his aunt Mireille, a devout Catholic, dreams that St. Constance speaks to her and predicts that Pepper will die when he turns fourteen. His whole family believes the aunt and spend all of Pepper's life waiting for his untimely death. They are sure his fourteenth birthday is his death sentence, and so is Pepper, so he decides to run away from death  by stealing his father's identity as a ship's captain. While posing as his father the ship is sunk under questionable circumstances Pepper must change his identity again in order to avoid trouble, which leads him on a wild adventure of repeatedly changing his identity and running to a new one, all the time afraid that St. Constance and death will finally find him. It eventually it becomes clear that his past and all the running are going to catch up with him. Can Pepper survive, or will his life end?

Review:  
The Death-Defying Pepper Roux is a story that is both beautifully written and captivating. Pepper's adventure's are so vivid that you want to know what will happen to him next and who he will be. Pepper is a young boy who is struggling to find his place in the world like many tweens, and to make sense of a family belief that has haunted him his whole life. Pepper also, like many tweens, wants to establish independence. He chooses to try to escape his fate instead of waiting for it to overtake him like his aunt would have him do, something many tweens will admire. Pepper is also a tween that others can relate to because his is naive about some things, which gets him into trouble, but he is also much wiser than some give him credit for. Pepper Roux is a story tweens will love for its adventures and suspense, and for the character of Pepper himself. It's a great read for any tween who wants to read a great story of adventure and self-discovery.

Notable Tweens:
 Pepper Roux- Pepper is the only tween who is prominent in this story, but what a tween he is! Pepper is intelligent, adventurous, and resourceful, which can be seen each time he changes identity. The death prediction has made Pepper an old soul in many ways, and although he is young he typically fits in better with adults than those of his own age group. Despite his obvious youth many adults forget how young he is and view him as an adult as well. Pepper can fool adults, but his lack of life experience is often what gets him into trouble and forces him to assume another identity. In spite of that Pepper is a loveable child who longs to escape his curse and to find a place that he can call home.

Book Promotion #4

Book Promotion #4

Book Review: Two Weeks with the Queen by Morris Gleitzman

Genre: 
Realistic Fiction, Australian Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 10 and up

Reading Level:
Grades 4 and up


Book Theme:
Family illness, childhood cancer, death of a loved one



Books with Similar Themes:  
A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry, Up on Cloud Nine by Anne Fine

Bibliographic Information: 
Gleitzman, M. (1991). Two weeks with the Queen. New York: Putnam.

Plot:  
Twelve-year-old Australian boy Colin Mudford's little brother Luke can be really annoying. He always seems to get more attention than Colin and more presents than Colin on the holidays. Then one Christmas Luke gets a terrible stomach ache and has to go to the hospital. Luke is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his devastated parents decide to send Colin to stay with his aunt and uncle in England to spare him the pain of his brother's dying. Colin decides he has to find a cure for Luke's cancer, and plans to speak with the Queen so she can help, but this doesn't prove to be as easy as he thought. Along the way he makes friends with a Welshman named Ted who shares that his friend Griff is also dying from cancer. Colin later learns that Ted and Griff are lovers and that Griff is actually dying from AIDS. When Colin watches Ted lose Griff he realizes that he has to get back to his brother, but is not sure how to since he family doesn't want him there.

Review:  
Two Weeks with the Queen is a story that does an excellent job of showing the stages of grief through a young boys eyes. Colin moves from shock to denial, then from anger to acceptance like many tweens with loved ones facing death. Like many tweens Colin also has to establish his independence, especially from his aunt and uncle, who try to keep him from reaching the queen. He also has to prove to his parents that he has a right to be with his brother, no matter how painful it is to watch him die. Like Colin many tweens are faced with painful situations in life and must prove to their parents that they are strong enough and mature enough to face them. This book illustrates that point perfectly, making it a must-read for any tween coming to terms with the death of a loved one, especially a sibling.

Book Review: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Genre: 
Historical Fiction


Interest Level:
Ages 11 and up

Reading Level:
Lexile 750, Grade 4 and up


Book Theme:
Moving to a new culture, family survival, migrant life



Books with Similar Themes:  
 Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata, Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse

Bibliographic Information: 
Ryan, P. M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic Press.
        
Plot:  
Young Esperanza Ortega lives a privileged life in Mexico with her mother and father. When her father is killed, her uncle the mayor tells her mother she must marry him. If she refuses him can make terrible things happen to the family. Esperanza and her mother decide to flee to the United States to work in Southern California. Life is very different there. The living conditions are cramped and the adults must work all day. Esperanza, who never even learned how to sweep the floor, must start pitching in as well and helping to take care of the smaller children and do chores. But after a sand storm her mother becomes gravely ill and it is feared that she will die. Esperanza is terrified that she will lose her mother too and become an orphan. Will her mother be able to pull through, or will Esperanza lost both parents?

Review:  
Esperanza Rising is a compelling story that tells the tale of a young girl determined to survive and keep her family intact in the face of difficult times. Esperanza deals with a number of tween issues including fitting in in a new place, something she finds very difficult at first. She also has a very close relationship to her mother, reflecting the importance of family that is often seen in tween literature. Esperanza also develops independence when she has to help take care of her mother and of the children around her. Esperanza rising is great story for tweens who are part of migrant families or who want to learn more about what it's like to be in a migrant family. Esperanza is a great role model to tweens because she is strong, determined, and brave in the face of adversity. 

Book Review: How it Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages by Judith E. Snow

Genre: 
Non-fiction


Interest Level:
Ages 11 and up

Reading Level:
Grades 5 and up


Book Theme:
LGBT parents, bullying, fitting in



Books with Similar Themes: 

Let's Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth with LGBTQ Parents by Tina Deen-Fakhrid, GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel

Bibliographic Information: 
Snow, J. E. (2004). How it feels to have a gay or lesbian parent: A book by kids for kids of all ages. New York: Harrington Park Press.
        
Plot:  
How it Feels to Have A Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages is a nonfiction book that interviews children of gay and lesbian parents from elementary school age all of the way to people in their thirties.  It includes the stories of ten tweens between the ages of 9 to 14 named Trisha, Justin, Sophia, Lilly, Avery, Tara, Ally, Andrew, Chloe, and Rickey. All of these children share their experiences with having gay parents including what it was life to find out their parents were gay, how they feel about their parents today, what it was like living with a parent's new boyfriend or girlfriend, how their classmates treated them, how they were sometimes teased, and how likely they thought it was that they would be gay themselves later in life. The stories were all taken from interviews with the tweens and all ended with the question of what they wanted to do when they grew up.

Review:  

How it Feels to Have A Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages is a great book for tweens because it tells these ten tween's stories from each tween's perspective. All of these tweens dealt with things like accepting family issues, fitting in at school, dealing with teasing, bullying, and losing friends, and dealing with prejudice. This book does a great job of sharing these stories in the tween's own voices, making the stories sound authentic and easy to relate to. Best of all, it shows that tweens with gay or lesbian parents are just like all other tweens. This book is great for any tween with a gay or lesbian parents who wants to know they are not alone or wants to hear the stories of other people their own ages. It's also a great way to educate all tweens of what it's like to have a gay or lesbian parents so they can better understand their peers.