New Kid by Jerry Craft

Do your readers need more read alikes for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Dork Diaries, and Smile? Behold the next big graphic novel, New Kid by Jerry Craft. 

I know saying that this is the next big thing is something we hear a lot, but what makes this book special is its diversity. This is a diverse version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and a boy version of Dork Diaries. Interested? 

Let's chat with a quick overview of the book. 

Here are all of the important things you need to know about this book. 

New Kid 

by Jerry Craft 

Release Date : February 5, 2019 

Audience : Tweens 8-12 years old 

Pages : 256 

The Story 

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself? 

* This description is provided by Goodreads* 

Verdict 

My library got this book a few weeks ago and my manager told everyone in the department that this book will be the new Raina Telgemeier.  As librarians, we often hear publishers pushing books by calling it the next big thing, and if you are like me, it lost its significance. 

Despite my feelings, I saw this book available on Overdrive and decided to skim through it. After reading just a few pages, I busted out laughing and knew that this book was a winner. The characters were well developed and authentic. 

Not only does this book tackle everyday middle school worries and woes, but it takes it to a deeper level by tackling issues like black identity and racism that open the door for further discussion. 

It a necessary addition to children's literature that we have needed for a long time. 

With that in mind, I am happily awarding this book the five-star rating! 

Run to your nearest library or book store and grab a copy. 

Enjoy it for yourself and then gift it to a classroom or tween in your life. 

Have you read it? What did you think? 

Best, 

Pamela

A Hogwarts Reading List : Books for Teens in Slytherin

I am continuing my Hogwart Reading series for teens. This week I will be covering books every teen Slytherin should read. 

People in this house are ambitious, cunning, strong leaders, and tend to form unbreakable bonds with their own. As a result, they tend to be brave, driven, and very intelligent. They will stop at nothing until they get what they are after. Teens in this house tend to appreciate plot-driven books with complex characters that possess these qualities. They also tend to like characters that get into a little mischief too (Can you blame them?) 

Here are a PDF of a few of my favorite teen books books for Slytherins. Feel free to print this out and use it for reader's advisory or for display purposes. 

Need more? Check out these other titles! 

                                For your reading convince, each book is linked to Goodreads. 


                                                    Fatal Throne by Candace Fleming 

Sky in Deep by Adrienne Young 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black 

Warcross by Marie Lu 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber 

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee 

Dry by Neal Shusterman 

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton 

As always, if you need any more suggestions or if you have any questions feel free to contact me. 

 If you would like to view the tween version of this, follow this link to the ALSC Blog.  

Until Next Time, 

-Pamela

A Hogwarts Reading List : Books for Teens in Gryffindor

Last summer, I did a special series on the ALSC blog where I highlighted books tweens would like based off of their Harry Potter Hogwart's house. Harry Potter is such a special series because people of all ages can enjoy it. With that in mind, I wanted to share my teen version of this series! 

 Gryffindors have always had a great reputation. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are all in this house. Need I say more? Gryffindors are known to be courageous, honest, and brave. They are daring and tend to root for the underdog who bravely does what they need to do.

People in this house tend to enjoy reading books with characters who have the same qualities and usually enjoy plot-driven page-turners that center around the hero’s tale or survival stories. They tend to gravitate toward books that are a series so they can watch the character grow and develop from underdog to hero.

Here are a PDF of a few of my favorite teen books books for Gryffindors. Feel free to print this out and use it for reader's advisory or for display purposes. 

Need more? Check out these other titles!

 For your reading convince, each book is linked to Goodreads. 

The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby 

 

Want by Cindy Pon 

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter 

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson 

American Panda by Gloria Chao 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi 

The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed 

What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper 

If you need more, please let me know! This has been such a fun reader's advisory tool and it opens the door for connections you can make with teen customers through conversation and Harry Potter!

Until Next Time, 

-Pamela 

P.S. If you would like to view the tween version of this, follow this link to the ALSC Blog.  

The War that Saved My Life

The War that Saved My Life

By: Kimberly Bradley 

The Story 

From Amazon

Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother  refues to let Ada out due to her clubbed foot. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But as the War goes on, Ada's mom comes back and forces Ada and Jamie to come home. Ada must find a way to win her own war and go back home with Susan. 


My Thoughts 

I LOVED this book! I have heard talk of it being on the Newbery list, and I can see why. It has some new things to offer to the WWII genre, and it is beautifully written. I enjoyed the theme of the story which was that people with disabilities can do anything. Ada even caught a spy. How much cooler can you get? I also felt like it did a great job of describing the British attitude and hardships during the war. I was especially interested in the bombing. 

 It reminded me a lot of The Book Thief in the aspect of describing the bombing. 

Even though I think this book is phenomenal, please proceed with caution when using this book for reader's advisory.  

Some things to be aware of in reader's advisory with this book: 



1. It describes some extreme forms of abuse that may upset some readers. 

For instance, Ada is locked away in a cabinet for long periods of time & forced to use the facilities in a bucket. 

It also ends with her mom telling her that she never wanted her at all - which I myself had some trouble reading. 

2. It is hinted that Susan Smith (Ada's guardian) was involved in a lesbian relationship. 

It does not go into detail about her relationship. Susan's partner passed away, but it does dance around this relationship for the majority of the book. 

I would not recommend this to families who are uncomfortable with gay / lesbian relationships. 

Please note that I am just noting these reasons for reader's advisory purposes & school purposes. 
I feel like one has to be extra careful with middle grade books in advisory due to the array of maturity levels, 

 I do think that this book is buzz worthy for the right audience though!



Have you read this novel? What did you think of it?

Until next time,

Pamela

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes 

By Sabaa Tahir 

     Age Range: 14 & up 

·         Grade Level: 9-12

·         Paperback: 464 Pages

·         Published: April 2015

The Story 

Told in alternate perspectives, the story of An Ember in the Ashes follows two characters namede Laia and Elias. These characters live in a harsh society  where a group called the masks rule. Laia's family is a supporter of the resistance, and Elias is a mask himself. 

One night while Laia is at home with her grandparents and her brother, the masks break into her home. The masks brutally kill her grandparents & place her brother under arrest. Laia is able to get away, but the only people she can turn to for help is the resistance leaders who were responsible for her parent's death. In order to save her brother, Laia works with the resistance and goes undercover as a slave in Empire's greatest military academy. There she meets Elias. 

Elias is a mask, but he would give anything to run away and give it all up. On the day of his graduation to become a mask, it is announced that trails will be held to find the new emperor of the empire. Elias and his graduating class are the only contestants in this trail. In order to find freedom, Elias must compete in the trails to become emperor, but if he fails, he will die. Laia and Elias soon realize that the are each others only hope to becoming free & to getting what they want. 

Review 

With such an overwhelming buzz, I was drawn to this book.  I found the story  to be very action packed and suspenseful. It starts out with Laia's house being invaded and it follows the characters all the way up to the end of the trials. It will leave readers on the edge of their seat.  With the trails, and the idea that Elias has to fight his classmates to the death,  it reminded me of a very grown up hunger games. I think it is key to mention that it is very grown up. With the setting, it naturally has a great deal of violence.  One scene that left me particularity uncomfortable was a scene where Laia is branded as a slave with a knife, and in another scene where Laia is nearly rapped. There were also some  disturbing scenes as Elias tries to overcome the trials as well.  This is just my take on it. Please note that not everyone might feel this way, but I do feel like it is important to note this for reader's advisory.  I feel like this is a great fantasy to recommend to older teens and young 20 somethings, but I would not hand this book to a tween without a great deal of caution.  Overall, I did enjoy this book very much. It took about 100 pages for the story to completely set up, but after those 100 pages I was hooked. I will be on the lookout & hope that this book has a sequel. 

Have you read this book yet? What did you think of it? 


- Pamela

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Okay, I admit it. I am a Sarah Dessen fanatic. I am  that patron that waits around the circ desk for every new Sarah Dessen novel.  Recently, Ms. S. gave me an advanced copy of the new Dessen.  

(I have the best job & work with the best people).  

Book Talk 

Sydney has always felt invisible.

Sydney's brother, Peyton, has always been the focus of the family’s attention and, lately, a concern. Peyton is handsome and charismatic, but seems bent on self-destruction. Now, after a drunk-driving accident that crippled a boy, Peyton’s serving some serious jail time, and Sydney is on her own, questioning her place in the family and the world.

When Sydney meets the Chatham family, she is quickly drawn into their warm, chaotic circle, and Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance for the first time. There’s effervescent Layla, who constantly falls for the wrong guy, Rosie, who’s had her own fall from grace, and Mrs. Chatham, who even though ailing is the heart of the family. But it’s with older brother Mac—quiet, watchful, and protective—that Sydney finally feels seen, really seen, at last. Sydney must now try and navigate her new place and find her voice to apologize to the victim of her brother's accident. 

Book talk provided by Amazon

Review

In a Sarah Dessen fashion, Dessen explores the feelings of grief, finding oneself, and renewal. I think this is one of Sarah Dessen's best books since Lock and Key. Although it did have some romance in it, the books focus was on Sydney finding herself and her voice. I enjoyed the depth Dessen added to this novel and I really enjoyed the Chatham family's dynamic.  I think the Chatham family's dynamic was the magic that made this book. 

Although it does have some wonderful elements to it,  it does have some darker elements to it as well. 

These elements are no stranger to Dessen. 
I feel  like  it is reminiscent of some of Dessen's previous works such as  Just Listen or Dreamland. I would not suggest this to sensitive readers  

(This is besides for the obvious reasons such as the drunk driving accident & drugs that her brother was involved with) 

There is a scene where Sydney is involved in an attempted rape. I found this portion and the scenes leading up to it to be upsetting. Sydney's best friend also faces some dating woes that hints at some verbal abuse. Even though I felt a little uncomfortable, I felt like it was a great introduction to introduce our teens and tweens to these issues. As we know, these are issues that teens deal with on a daily basis & Dessen's ability to make her books so relatable is what makes her so successful. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I feel like Dessen is back! I look foward to sharing this book with my older teens. 

Look for Dessen's new novel to be released May 5.


-Pamela

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

It is Young Adult Monday! 

When it comes to working in Youth Services, you have to read a little bit of everything. One of my favorite young adult authors is Sarah Dessen. I fell in love with her books after reading the book This Lullaby.  I even named my cat Dexter after one of the characters in the book. Meet my awkward cat Dexter. 

To mix things up a little bit, I had to read one of her most recent books The Moon and More.  

Age Range- ages 12 and up 

Pages- 448 

Release Date- June 2013 

Quick Summary 

Emaline lives in Colby. Colby is a small tourist spot. She has the perfect boyfiend and she is getting ready to go off to college. When her biological father comes into town, her life is shaken up. Her biological father wants more for her then the little town of Colby. Shortly after her father arrives, Emaline and her longtime boyfriend break up, and Emaline immediately rebounds with a visiting tourist. As the summer quickly passes by, Emaline must balance what she wants with what she already has. 

Review

I am a huge Sarah Dessen fan. I recommend her stories about change to my older tweens and teens, but this was the first book by her that I really didn't like. Maybe it is just because I am getting older and I cannot relate to her books anymore. I don't want to give away too much, but one thing that really bothered me was the plot holes! The biggest plot hole was having to do with her tourist boyfriend named Theo. Dessen never wraps up what happens to him. He was a major character in the book, and it was a loose end that left me tied in knots. I also didn't love some of the characters in the book. I might hold off on recommending this particular Dessen book. I would have to give this one only three stars. It was good, but not a must read like her previous titles. 

I must say, I am really excited for Dessen's new book though.  

Check out her new book Saint Anything . 

Look for it to come out on May 5,2015. 

Are you a Dessen fan? Which one is your favorite? 



-Pamela