HIVE by Mark Walden - ESSENTIAL

Walden, Mark H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education, 309 p. Simon and Schuster, 2007. 

One day Otto is saving his orphanage home from eminent closure - the next he finds himself in a helicopter, headed towards a secret school for nascent villains. Already placed at the top of the class, an Alpha Villain, Otto is determined to gather a team of liked minded Alphas, find his way out off of the island and back to his life. 

 I was surprised to find a villain book that can buck the trend and create a villain (maybe) worth rooting for. 

 EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

Yellowbelly and Plum by Nathan Hale - ESSENTIAL

Hale, Nathan Yellowbelly and Plum go to School PICTURE BOOK. Putnam (Penguin), 2007.

EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

Yellowbelly can't go off to school without his best stuffed friend, Plum. The duo has a great time, until Plum wanders off to "visit" some other children. Yellowbelly is worried, until Plum is back in his arms. Then the two embark on new adventures with their new friends.

I love the mixture of human characters interacting with "alien" figures in a bright, busy atmosphere. Yellowbelly is adorable and really needs to be made into a toy! A great book for younger students.

Standard Hero Behavior by John David Anderson - ADVISABLE

Anderson, John David Standard Hero Behavior, 273 p. Clarion, 2007.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Mason has discovered that the only hero left in his town has actually been bribing the monsters to stay away. Now the monsters want more money than anyone has and it is up to Mason and his friend Cowel to find a hero to save the day. With the help of a book Mason's father wrote, the two set off and encounter a series of incredible characters.

Awfully cute and a load of fun to read.

CINDY