Middle School Fiction
G/A Vigilante, Danette. The Trouble with Half a Moon. Putnam, 2011. 192p. 9780399251597. $16.99
Dellie's family hasn't been the same since the death of her brother. Her parents barely let her leave the house, except to go to school. After a shooting in her apartment building, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She and her best friend Kayla start helping out Corey, a young neighbor who they suspect is being neglected and possibly abused by his mother. Through her interventions and the help of a new, Jamaican neighbor, Dellie starts to heal.
Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Twenty Gold Falcons
Middle School Fiction Category
G/A Gordon, Amy. The Twenty Gold Falcons. Holiday House. 2010. ISN: 978-0-8234-2252-4.. 216p. $16.95.
Twelve years old Aiden Farmer moved back to Gloria with her mother where her great-grandfather once lived. Moving into Uncle Tony’s apartment was the only thing that she and her mom can afford now after her father passed away. Aiden grows up on a farm so people in school call her the “Farmer” girl and she definitely was not part of the “in crowd”. Her only friend at school was a nerd named Adam. One day, Marisa the most popular girl in school announced that she is going to find the Gold Falcons in the Ingle Building. It just happened that her Uncle Tony’s apartment was in the Ingle Building. Together with Adam and cousin Liesl, she not only find the Gold Falcons, but also some of her long lost relatives inside this building. In this book the Gold Falcons refers to the gold coins that Aiden’s grand-grandfather once collected. A good adventure story for middle-grade readers. Dora Ho, Los Angeles Public Library - Youth Services.
G/A Gordon, Amy. The Twenty Gold Falcons. Holiday House. 2010. ISN: 978-0-8234-2252-4.. 216p. $16.95.
Twelve years old Aiden Farmer moved back to Gloria with her mother where her great-grandfather once lived. Moving into Uncle Tony’s apartment was the only thing that she and her mom can afford now after her father passed away. Aiden grows up on a farm so people in school call her the “Farmer” girl and she definitely was not part of the “in crowd”. Her only friend at school was a nerd named Adam. One day, Marisa the most popular girl in school announced that she is going to find the Gold Falcons in the Ingle Building. It just happened that her Uncle Tony’s apartment was in the Ingle Building. Together with Adam and cousin Liesl, she not only find the Gold Falcons, but also some of her long lost relatives inside this building. In this book the Gold Falcons refers to the gold coins that Aiden’s grand-grandfather once collected. A good adventure story for middle-grade readers. Dora Ho, Los Angeles Public Library - Youth Services.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Mockingbirds
High School Fiction
G/A Whitney, Daisy. The Mockingbirds. Little Brown, 2010. 352p. 978-0-316-09053-7. 16.99.
Themis Academy administration thinks that their students are perfect. But of course they aren’t. Since the administration won’t discipline students, the students have formed their own secret committee to do it, the Mockingbirds. Even though Alex is confused about the details, she knows that she was date raped by Carter and wants the Mockingbirds to try him in their court. The book follows Alex through the process and emotion of dealing with the crime committed against her. With all of it’s references to To Kill A Mockingbird, this book would make a great companion book to students reading Harper Lee. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve
G/A Whitney, Daisy. The Mockingbirds. Little Brown, 2010. 352p. 978-0-316-09053-7. 16.99.
Themis Academy administration thinks that their students are perfect. But of course they aren’t. Since the administration won’t discipline students, the students have formed their own secret committee to do it, the Mockingbirds. Even though Alex is confused about the details, she knows that she was date raped by Carter and wants the Mockingbirds to try him in their court. The book follows Alex through the process and emotion of dealing with the crime committed against her. With all of it’s references to To Kill A Mockingbird, this book would make a great companion book to students reading Harper Lee. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Annexed
High school fiction
G/A. Dogar, Sharon. Annexed: a novel. Houghton Mifflin, 2010. 352p. ISBN: 978-0-547-50195-6. 17.99
Teens grow up learning the story of Anne Frank, but what about those who were in hiding with her? Peter van Pels, 16, provides a new perspective of life in the annex, and of Anne. Peter’s story begins from the sick bay of Mauthausen concentration camp, where he cannot help but remember all that came before. These memories are told in diary format, with Peter’s present-day comments following some entries. He arrives at the annex, angry and resentful. Of all the annoyances in this new, cramped existence, nothing is worse than Anne Frank and her curiosity, self-assurance, and optimism. As time passes, Anne evolves from pest to the girl Peter loves. Dealing sensitively with pent-up teenage energy as well as the horrors of the concentration camps, this will appeal to fans of realistic as well as historical fiction.
Anjelique Granados, CoLAPL-Angelo M. Iacoboni Library
G/A. Dogar, Sharon. Annexed: a novel. Houghton Mifflin, 2010. 352p. ISBN: 978-0-547-50195-6. 17.99
Teens grow up learning the story of Anne Frank, but what about those who were in hiding with her? Peter van Pels, 16, provides a new perspective of life in the annex, and of Anne. Peter’s story begins from the sick bay of Mauthausen concentration camp, where he cannot help but remember all that came before. These memories are told in diary format, with Peter’s present-day comments following some entries. He arrives at the annex, angry and resentful. Of all the annoyances in this new, cramped existence, nothing is worse than Anne Frank and her curiosity, self-assurance, and optimism. As time passes, Anne evolves from pest to the girl Peter loves. Dealing sensitively with pent-up teenage energy as well as the horrors of the concentration camps, this will appeal to fans of realistic as well as historical fiction.
Anjelique Granados, CoLAPL-Angelo M. Iacoboni Library
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Clockwork Three
Middle School Fiction, G/A (Good, Average Reading Level)
Kirby, Matthew. The Clockwork Three. Scholastic, 2010. 400p. 978-0-545-20337-1. $17.99.
Three children, down on their luck, from different parts of the city, find themselves drawn together by circumstances that could change their lives forever. First, we meet Giuseppe, a street urchin and brilliant violinist. Will the gorgeous green violin he's found free him from the scheming Stephano or pull him into further debt? Then, we meet Frederick, a talented clockmaker's apprentice with a blurry past. A bright future may await Frederick, should he finish his secret project. Last, but not least, we are introduced to once wealthy Hannah, who now works as a hotel maid. Can these three trust each other to find the fortune and freedom that each of them seek? This adventure would appeal to tween fans of Pullman's His Dark Materials series and light steampunk.
-Candice Mack, Los Angeles Public Library
Kirby, Matthew. The Clockwork Three. Scholastic, 2010. 400p. 978-0-545-20337-1. $17.99.
Three children, down on their luck, from different parts of the city, find themselves drawn together by circumstances that could change their lives forever. First, we meet Giuseppe, a street urchin and brilliant violinist. Will the gorgeous green violin he's found free him from the scheming Stephano or pull him into further debt? Then, we meet Frederick, a talented clockmaker's apprentice with a blurry past. A bright future may await Frederick, should he finish his secret project. Last, but not least, we are introduced to once wealthy Hannah, who now works as a hotel maid. Can these three trust each other to find the fortune and freedom that each of them seek? This adventure would appeal to tween fans of Pullman's His Dark Materials series and light steampunk.
-Candice Mack, Los Angeles Public Library
Friday, January 7, 2011
I Am Number Four
General Fiction
F/A Lore, Pittacus. I Am Number Four. Harper, 2010. 448p. 978-0-06-196955-3. 17.99.
Nine young planet Lorien survivors travel to Earth after their planet is destroyed. The invading aliens follow them there and have successfully tracked down and killed three of them. John Smith is number four on their list. But John is happy in Paradise, Ohio; he has a girlfriend, a new dog and an actual friend. His legacies (special Lorien powers) are starting to appear and it’s a good thing since he will soon have to battle the aliens. Although the book is action-packed and fast paced, the writing is mediocre and the story is full of holes. Teenagers looking for adventure with an interest in alien/conspiracy theory will still enjoy. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
F/A Lore, Pittacus. I Am Number Four. Harper, 2010. 448p. 978-0-06-196955-3. 17.99.
Nine young planet Lorien survivors travel to Earth after their planet is destroyed. The invading aliens follow them there and have successfully tracked down and killed three of them. John Smith is number four on their list. But John is happy in Paradise, Ohio; he has a girlfriend, a new dog and an actual friend. His legacies (special Lorien powers) are starting to appear and it’s a good thing since he will soon have to battle the aliens. Although the book is action-packed and fast paced, the writing is mediocre and the story is full of holes. Teenagers looking for adventure with an interest in alien/conspiracy theory will still enjoy. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
You
High School Fiction
G/M Benoit, Charles. You. Harper Teen, 2010. 240p. 978-0-06-194704-9. 16.99.
In this dark novel, troubled teen Kyle recounts his life changing sophomore year of high school. Kyle is not really a bad kid, but he is having trouble with his grades, girls, bullies and his parents. When transfer student Zack shows up Kyle starts to come out of his shell, but Zack has ulterior motives. There are mature themes and violence, including fighting, drinking, sexual exploits and betrayal, so this is not for the faint of heart. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
G/M Benoit, Charles. You. Harper Teen, 2010. 240p. 978-0-06-194704-9. 16.99.
In this dark novel, troubled teen Kyle recounts his life changing sophomore year of high school. Kyle is not really a bad kid, but he is having trouble with his grades, girls, bullies and his parents. When transfer student Zack shows up Kyle starts to come out of his shell, but Zack has ulterior motives. There are mature themes and violence, including fighting, drinking, sexual exploits and betrayal, so this is not for the faint of heart. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.
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