VG/E Boisrobert, Anouck and Rigaud, Louis. Popville. Roaring Brook, 2010. 16p. 978-1596435933. 16.99
This little pop-up book illustrates the growth of a new city with each turn of the page. The only words are on the final page, so it’s probably geared to a younger audience. It would be a great book in the classroom for all ages though, because it could generate discussion on many topics regarding city growth, including environmental effects and social issues. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Beat the Band
G/A Calame, Don. Beat the Band. Candlewick, 2010. 400p. 978-0763646332. 16.99.
It’s sophomore year for the boys from Swim the Fly and this time their antics are being narrated by Coop. The boys are all assigned partners in their health class and Coop gets paired with the worst possible girl in class, Helen. To try to save his social status he enters the trio into the battle of the bands, even though none of them really know how to play any instruments. Just like in the first book, hilarity ensues. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
It’s sophomore year for the boys from Swim the Fly and this time their antics are being narrated by Coop. The boys are all assigned partners in their health class and Coop gets paired with the worst possible girl in class, Helen. To try to save his social status he enters the trio into the battle of the bands, even though none of them really know how to play any instruments. Just like in the first book, hilarity ensues. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours
Middle School Fiction
G/A Springer, Kristina. My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours. FSG, 2010. 180 p.
When Tori's BFF Sienna comes back from summer vacation with a stories of her new boyfriend, Tori knows she's lying. Instead of calling her on it, she decides to make up her own wonderful boyfriend. Soon they are gaining new friends and popularity but what about the big dance? Will Tori and Sienna finally tell the truth?
A cute, fast read about middle school friendship.
Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library
G/A Springer, Kristina. My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours. FSG, 2010. 180 p.
When Tori's BFF Sienna comes back from summer vacation with a stories of her new boyfriend, Tori knows she's lying. Instead of calling her on it, she decides to make up her own wonderful boyfriend. Soon they are gaining new friends and popularity but what about the big dance? Will Tori and Sienna finally tell the truth?
A cute, fast read about middle school friendship.
Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library
Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer
High School Nonfiction
VG/A Lewak, Risa. Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer. Ten Speed Press, 2010. 198 p.
This book covers everything from deciding where to apply to how to decide if a gap year is right for you and everything in between. With irreverent quizzes and checklists, the author has taken a sometimes stressful topic and made it humorous. Her experience as an admissions counselor and alumni interviewer provides valuable insights which make this guide a must-read for anyone considering college.
Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL, AC Bilbrew Library
VG/A Lewak, Risa. Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer. Ten Speed Press, 2010. 198 p.
This book covers everything from deciding where to apply to how to decide if a gap year is right for you and everything in between. With irreverent quizzes and checklists, the author has taken a sometimes stressful topic and made it humorous. Her experience as an admissions counselor and alumni interviewer provides valuable insights which make this guide a must-read for anyone considering college.
Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL, AC Bilbrew Library
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Wager
Adult/YA Category
F/A Napoli, Donna Jo. The Wager. Henry Holt. 2010. ISN: 978-0-8050-87819. 259p. $16.99.
Napoli has always done an excellent job in YA Literature. However, this particular title was more suitable for adult than YA. Don Giovanni always has a very lavishing lifestyle. However, he lost everything after the earthquake hit Messina. A tidal wave washed away his wealth. He wandered off the country to look for food. He met a well-dressed stranger that offers him a wager – to remain in his clothes for three year and three month and three days. If he takes them off, he will lose the wager. It is a very unattractive wager, but as long as he complied, he can have all the wealth in the world. To him now, money is the most important thing because money can get him a place to rest, and food to feed himself. It he loses the wager, it is not only the money but also his soul. Without deep consideration, he entered into the wager and suffered three years, three months, and three days in his own clothes, unable to wash and clean his body. The best part of the book was the readers’ long expected happy ending. In a note to the reader Napoli mentioned that she chose to start the year in 1169 to correspond to the Mount Etna eruption. Dora Ho, Young Adult Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library.
F/A Napoli, Donna Jo. The Wager. Henry Holt. 2010. ISN: 978-0-8050-87819. 259p. $16.99.
Napoli has always done an excellent job in YA Literature. However, this particular title was more suitable for adult than YA. Don Giovanni always has a very lavishing lifestyle. However, he lost everything after the earthquake hit Messina. A tidal wave washed away his wealth. He wandered off the country to look for food. He met a well-dressed stranger that offers him a wager – to remain in his clothes for three year and three month and three days. If he takes them off, he will lose the wager. It is a very unattractive wager, but as long as he complied, he can have all the wealth in the world. To him now, money is the most important thing because money can get him a place to rest, and food to feed himself. It he loses the wager, it is not only the money but also his soul. Without deep consideration, he entered into the wager and suffered three years, three months, and three days in his own clothes, unable to wash and clean his body. The best part of the book was the readers’ long expected happy ending. In a note to the reader Napoli mentioned that she chose to start the year in 1169 to correspond to the Mount Etna eruption. Dora Ho, Young Adult Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library.
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Ghost and The Goth
YA Fiction
G/A Kade, Stacey. The Ghost and The Goth. Hyperion, 2010. 288p. 978-1-4231-2197-8. 16.99.
When Alona Dare gets hit by a school bus and dies, she doesn’t go peacefully into the afterlife. She’s stuck in the middle as a ghost where the only living person who can see and hear her is Will Killian, the weirdest loser at school. These two people who would have never been friends in real life now must rely on each other; Alona needs Will’s help to find the light and move on and Will needs Alona’s help in controlling all the ghosts that are desperate for Will’s attention and driving him crazy. Unlike most paranormal books these days, this one is a fun, light, quick read that is sure to entertain. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve
Short: Walking Tall When You're Not Tall At All
Non-Fiction
F/A Schwartz, John. Short: Walking Tall When You’re Not Tall At All. Roaring Book Press, 2010. 132p. 978-1-59643-323-6. 16.99.
Being short often has a lot of negative connotations. Schwartz wrote this book, geared towards pre-teen and teenage boys, to challenge that negativity. He not only explains the science of being short, but teaches readers to question statistics and media reports claiming that being short is a problem. He is proof himself that being short has not ruined his life; in fact he is an extremely successful and happy short man. Even though this book is written with teenage boys in mind, it seems more like something a concerned parent would read. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve
F/A Schwartz, John. Short: Walking Tall When You’re Not Tall At All. Roaring Book Press, 2010. 132p. 978-1-59643-323-6. 16.99.
Being short often has a lot of negative connotations. Schwartz wrote this book, geared towards pre-teen and teenage boys, to challenge that negativity. He not only explains the science of being short, but teaches readers to question statistics and media reports claiming that being short is a problem. He is proof himself that being short has not ruined his life; in fact he is an extremely successful and happy short man. Even though this book is written with teenage boys in mind, it seems more like something a concerned parent would read. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve
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