Wicked Nix by Lena Coakley - OPTIONAL

Wicked Nix by Lena Coakley, illustrated by Jaime Zollars, 163 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Amulet Books (Abrams), 2018. $17. 9781419728693

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A young fairy is upset because someone has moved into his part of the woods. The fairy tries all his tricks to get the man to leave, but he will not. When the two finally meet face to face we learn that Wicked Nix, the fairy, is not a fairy at all but a young boy. And not just any boy, but the man’s long lost brother who was taken by the fairies and never aged. 

I really enjoy a story set in the woods with characters like Mr. Green representing nature. I loved the setting and the characters and the whimsical nature of fairies mixed with the realities of the human word. What I really didn’t like though was that this story hinges on a young boy being kidnapped as a child and includes one additional child kidnapping by fairies. I think this is more often than not anxiety inducing in young readers.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Raise the Flag: Terrific Flag Facts, Stories, and Trivia! by Clive Gifford - ADVISABLE

Raise the Flag: Terrific Flag Facts, Stories, and Trivia! by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Tim Bradford. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. QEB Publishing (The Quarto Group), 2018. $15. 9781682973387

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book is divided up into bite size pieces of information on flags. No topic in this book takes more than a two page spread, making all the information short and concise. Some pages tackle the design of the flag, while others cover the history of certain symbols used on flags. There are pages on the history of flags and pages with geography and corresponding flags. The book contains some photography, but mostly illustrations. 

This reads like a basic trivia or fact book, but with more depth, given it is all one topic - flags. My favorite pages were the pages on flags that look similar and why that is and what sets them apart. I never felt like I got a handle of the organization of the book since the maps and corresponding flags are spread out and interspersed with history and descriptions. That inability to organize myself was not a deal breaker for enjoyment. Since it reads so much like a fact book, that flow was unnecessary.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo - ESSENTIAL

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo, 227 pages. Candlewick Press, 2018. $17. 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Louisiana’s grandmother has abruptly uprooted them due to “the curse of sundering” that she believes they are under. They end up in a motel in Georgia and although things are dire financially and physically (granny has to have all her teeth pulled), they do cross paths with good people. Granny ends up leaving Louisiana alone in Georgia, but Louisiana realizes that she is not alone - she has made friends and she herself is stronger and braver than she once thought. 

This book was such a delight to read - both perfectly heartbreaking and hopeful. The language is beautiful but accessible to a young reader. The thing that most impresses me with this book is that the author takes difficult situations and reveals them gently to a reader who may have never been exposed to those situations. I would recommend this as a classroom read aloud novel for students around third or fourth grade. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience and Fortitude by Josh Funk - ESSENTIAL

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience and Fortitude by Josh Funk, illustrated by Stevie Lewis. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt & Co., 2018. $18. 9781250155016.
 
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL, ADULTS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL(K-3), EL - AVERAGE; ADULTS - HIGH

Patience and Fortitude are the two lions who stand guard outside the New York Public Library. Early one morning--before New Yorkers are awake--Fortitude discovers his best friend, Patience, is missing! Fortitude heads into the library and discovers lots of cool features of the place while he searches for his friend. He finally finds Patience in the children's section reading stories--the very same kinds of stories Patience is always telling him!

This book is a masterpiece for those who love the New York Public Library or children's libraries, in particular. The author's dedication in the front is even to children's librarians! And I loved it. There is a wonderful flow to the rhyming text, the illustrations are beautiful, and I found myself smiling through the entire thing. I especially loved that by the end Fortitude is intrigued by the stories and wants to sneak back in the next night to read more--a great message for young readers about the power of books! This should be in every library.

Reviewer: TC

The Hotel Between by Sean Easley - OPTIONAL

The Hotel Between by Sean Easley, 352 pages. Simon Schuster, 2018. $16.99. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS – OPTIONAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Walking home from school Cam happens upon a glamorous hotel in an otherwise empty strip mall. The emblem on the door matches the coin given to him by his father before disappearing many years ago. Cam knows there’s a connection between the hotel and his father’s disappearance. When Nico, the bellboy, invites him into the Hotel Between, Cam has no idea what awaits him. The hotel itself is an intricate layout of corridors and doors that enable guests to move between countries instantly. But the hotel is losing its magic and doors are disappearing. Cam wants to help, but he doesn’t know who he can trust. He must go with his gut and take a risk, if there’s any chance of finding his father.

The book cover alone will make you want to read this book. It’s gorgeous and the first few chapters will capture your interest. However, once the hotel becomes the focus, things get confusing. The hotel layout, hinge and pin doors and a concept called binding never did sort themselves out in my mind. This is one of those books that requires you to pay attention. Middle grade readers may have a tough time with the abstract concepts.  

Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

Once Upon a Prank by Roy Hinuss - ADVISABLE

Once Upon a Prank (Prince Not-So-Charming #1) by Roy Hinuss, 120 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2018. $6.   9781250142382

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Prince Carlos Charming wants to be a jester, but his father, the king, will hear nothing of it. He sets Carlos up with a few lessons in sword wielding, then off to slay the dragon. Carlos can’t stand the thought of killing a dragon. Luckily, he and the DINO (Dragon In Name Only) hit it off and no slaying is required.

This is a fast-paced story with a lot of humor, especially the potty variety. All the characters are fun and silly. Kids will love Carlos and the friendly dragon. Illustrations throughout.

Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams - OPTIONAL

 If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams PICTURE BOOK, NON FICTION Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2018. $18.00 9781250143198

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The sea ice is melting because of climate change. Polar bears depend on the sea ice for hunting, traveling, and caring for their young. Less sea ice means less habitat for the plants and animal that live in the polar regions; climate change affects all of them, seals, whales, shrubs, caribou, even lemmings. 

Williams text seems a little heavy handed - it has a disclaimer "The information in this book is a simplified description of a complex process", so be sure to read the author's note. Includes a bibliography, acknowledgements and additional sources. 

Lisa Librarian

The Sinking of the Vasa by Russell Freeman - ESSENTIAL

The Sinking of the Vasa by Russell Freedman illustrated by William Low, NON FICTION Henry Holt (MacMillan), 2018. $19. 9781627798662

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE;  MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In 1628, the King of Sweden built a massive warship. At the time, Sweden was the most powerful country on the sea, so a ship of epic proportions was essential. But when the biggest sailing ship ever cast off on its maiden voyage (with over 100 sailors and their whole families on board) it barely made it out of dock before it tipped over and sank. 

Well told with a nice transition to modern day and the discovery and restoration. So beautifully illustrated. A great read for middle school, too. 

Lisa Librarian

Out of the Ice : How Climate Change is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer - ADVISABLE

Out of the Ice : How Climate Change is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer, Illustrated by Drew Shannon, NON FICTION Kids Can Press, 2018. $18. 1771387319

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Global warming is melting the glaciers and permafrost revealing long frozen artifacts. Tools, clothing, animals and even ancient people are being revealed as the ice recedes. Radiocarbon dating helps us place the age of organic material, and tools and weapons found along side bodies and animal remains are rewriting history. 

 Short chapters make this so easy to read, illustrations are provided alongside photographs, and boxed text of "additional information" ties everything together. Includes a glossary, timeline, index and bibliography. This is a great springboard for a report on archaeology, climate change or global warming. 

 Lisa Librarian 

Mama's Belly by Kate Hosford - ESSENTIAL

Mama's Belly by Kate Hosford, illustrated by Abigail Halpin. PICTURE BOOK. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2018. $17. 9781419728419. 


BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL(K-3), GIFT - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A young girl anxiously awaits the birth of her baby sister. She talks to her mama's belly, and asks questions about what it will be like to have a baby in their family. She is especially interested to know if her mama will love her just the same, and learns there is enough love for all of them.

This is an excellent book to prepare children for the coming of a new baby into the home. Its ridiculously heartwarming and charming in the tone of its text and illustrations. I do think the book will generally appeal more to girls, and perhaps the hope is to really market it to the mothers-to-be more than even the kids. In any case, I love it. I think this would also be a great selection to gift to anyone expecting their second or third child.

Reviewer: TC

Celebrate with Zaza by Mylo Freeman- ADVISABLE

Celebrate with Zaza by Mylo Freeman, PICTURE BOOK. Clavis Publishing Inc., 2018. $15. 9781605373768

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Zaza is throwing a birthday party for her stuffed bear, Rosie. They have cake, sing the birthday song, and open presents. All of Zaza and Rosie’s friends are there and Rosie loves her special gift.

This is another take on something toddlers and preschoolers love to pretend. Young readers will relate easily to the story and how much fun it is to throw a party for their good friends.

Shay, High School Librarian, MLS

Calling Dr. Zaza by Mylo Freeman- ADVISABLE

Calling Dr. Zaza by Mylo Freeman, PICTURE BOOK. Clavis Publishing Inc., 2018. $15. 9781605373751

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Zaza’s animals are all sick! They can’t play until Dr. Zaza helps them feel better. She checks temperatures. She bandages cuts. She listens to heartbeats. Soon, the only thing that is left to do is give lots of kisses and then they can all play together.

I have a two year old at home who absolutely loves to doctor her stuffed animals and dolls. This would be right up her alley. I can see her completely relating to this story. This is a good pick for preschool aged children. I also like that it has a different culture represented than what you would normally see in a children’s book.

Shay, High School Librarian, MLS