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!