May B: A Novel-in-Verse

Middle School Fiction

G/A Rose, Caroline Starr. May B: A Novel-in-Verse. Random House, 2012. 240p. 978-1-58246-393-3. 15.99.

Set in early 20th century Kansas, this novel-in-verse centers around 12-year-old May who is sent to work for a family 15 miles away from her own home. But 15 miles away might as well be across the country in the desolate farmlands of Kansas during this time period. When the family doesn’t return home one day, May must do what she can to survive alone through the winter. Great book for reluctant readers, historical fiction fans and especially Laura Ingalls Wilder fans. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Bake Sale

All Ages Graphic Novel

G/E Varon, Sara. Bake Sale. First Second, 2011. 157p. 978-1-59643-419-6. 16.99.

Cupcake bakes fresh treats daily at his Brooklyn bakery and plays drums in a band on weekends with his best friend Eggplant. When Eggplant plans to save money to visit his family in Turkey, Cupcake decides to join him to meet the famous Turkish Delight. In order to save money though he has to quit the band and start selling baked goods at local events. Will he save enough to make the trip? This short graphic novel by the author of Robot Dreams has great illustrations and a “sweet” story. It is family friendly with recipes for all of Cupcake’s treats at the end. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Mush! Sled Dogs With Issues

Graphic Novel

F/A Eichler, Glenn. Mush! Sled Dogs With Issues. First Second, 2011. 119p. 978-1-59643-457-8. 17.99.

In rural Alaska, the boss, his mate and their six sled dogs live a quiet secluded life. The dogs of all different breeds just want to run all the time and when they are not running, they are dreaming of breeding or plotting to be the lead dog. Each dog has his own personality and ideas for the future. The illustrations are great and the story is good with lots of sled dog drama, but finding an audience might be difficult. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

The Fox Inheritance

General YA Fiction
VG/A. Pearson, Mary. The Fox Inheritance. Henry Holt and Company, 2011. 294p. 978-0-8050-8829-8. $16.99.

Locke and Kara lost their lives in a gruesome car accident. Their bodies did not survive, but their minds were scanned and uploaded into a special environment, a cube measuring no bigger than 6x6 inches. There they were stored in the hopes that a future technology would exist to bring them back to life. Two hundred sixty years later, Locke and Kara awaken to find themselves in new, improved bodies with heightened senses and greater strength fashioned for them by Dr. Gatsbro. Not only do they have to become acclimate to their new selves, but also to a much changed world. Nothing they remember is still the same. No one they remember is still alive, until Dr. Gatsbro tells them about Jenna. Jenna was also in the accident that fateful
day. She was also saved with technology from Fox BioSystems, but two hundred sixty years earlier and is still alive. Locke and Kara set out determined to find Jenna, intent on discovering why she never came to help them all these years. Although, a sequel to Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox, this story can stand on its own.

C. Campos, LAPL, Angeles Mesa Branch

The Downside of Being Up

General YA Fiction

G/A. Sitomer, Alan Lawrence. The Downside of Being Up. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011. 224 p. 9780399254987. $16.99

Bobby Connor is a normal thirteen-year-old boy with a normal boy problem: erections at awkward moments. After an unwanted erection causes his math teacher to have a serious fall, he is being threatened with expulsion. His father strikes a deal with the school, no expulsion but Bobby has to complete “correctional erectional therapy” Between therapy, falling for the new math teacher’s daughter, and dealing with his gross friend and even grosser Grandpa, will Bobby ever feel like a normal kid again?

Recommended for anyone who loves bathroom humor, this book is overflowing with it.

Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library

Under the Mesquite

General YA Novel in Verse

VG/A. McCall, Guadalupe Garcia. Under the Mesquite. Lee & Low books, 2011. 240 p. 9781600604294. $17.95

Lupita is the oldest of eight children living in a Texas border town. As she begins her freshman year of high school, she knows something is wrong. Her mother is keeping a secret, she has cancer. While her parents travel for treatments, Lupita balances her budding interest in being a writer with running the household. Written in verse, Lupita tells her story simply and clearly.

Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library

Gathering Storm

General Young Adult Fiction

G/A Bridges, Robin. The Gathering Storm (The Katerina Trilogy #1). Delacorte Press, 2012. 400p. 978-0-385-74022-7. 17.99.

Katerina Alexandrovna is a 16-year-old Russian princess with a dark secret; she is a necromancer. While Katerina is embarrassed by her “curse,” others who become aware of her abilities have darker motives that involve her “gift.” The safety of the Russian throne is in her hands. The nineteenth century, St. Petersburg, Russia setting adds a fresh twist to the current paranormal trend. Even though there are too many characters to keep track of in this first book of a new trilogy, it will still enthrall paranormal fans and possibly attract fans of historical fiction too. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve