Flebrain Loves Franny

Title: Fleabrain Loves Franny
Author: Joanne Rocklin


Awards 
Bank Street Children's Books "Best Books of the Year," Fiction Ages 9-12
Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers

"Heartwarming and endlessly funny, Fleabrain Loves Franny will delight readers of all ages. Rocklin’s sharp wit and exuberant writing style are refreshing. This book is not to be missed."
--VOYA

"Franny—a compassionate, thoughtful and sympathetic protagonist—is believably erratic in her emotions and reflections on her illness and its effects on her previously carefree life."
--Publishers Weekly

"Rocklin perfectly captures the era of 1952 and creates a sympathetic, realistic character in Franny, who begins to accept her condition, rejoin her friends and even protest her school’s inaccessibility."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Comedic and philosophical, readers will find multiple levels to enjoy."
--School Library Journal

The Fourteenth Goldfish

Title: The Fourteenth Goldfish
Author: Jennifer L Holm
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0375870644

Publishers Weekly starred review, May 26, 2014:“This is top-notch middle-grade fiction with a meaty dilemma, humor, and an ending that leaves room for the possibility of a sequel. “

Booklist starred review, July 1, 2014:"A great choice for book groups and class discussions as well as individual reading."

New York Times Books Review, August 24, 2014:
"“Youth, old age, life, death, love, possibilities, and – oh yes – goldfish all come together in this warm, witty and wise novel.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, September 2014:
"Holm’s writing is crisp, accessible, and well paced, and her enthusiasm for science and its impact emerges clearly and consistently but not overbearingly, with clear, appreciative nods to the world of theater and its purpose in our lives. Indeed, this novel explores weighty elements of human existence with a light touch, allowing readers to engage with the issues at multiple levels; an excellent appendix of recommended readings encourages exploration and dialogue. This novel would make an ideal classroom read aloud, particularly to expose students to the rich and rewarding STEM fields."

Echo- Pam Munoz Ryan

Title: Echo
Author:Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0439874021

From School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—"Long before enchantment was eclipsed by doubt," a young boy named Otto lost in the woods is rescued by three sisters imprisoned there by a witch's curse. In return, he promises to help break the curse by carrying their spirits out of the forest in a mouth harp and passing the instrument along when the time is right. The narrative shifts to the 20th century, when the same mouth harp (aka harmonica) becomes the tangible thread that connects the stories of three children: Friedrich, a disfigured outcast; Mike, an impoverished orphan; and Ivy, an itinerant farmer's child. Their personal struggles are set against some of the darkest eras in human history: Friedrich, the rise of Nazi Germany; Mike, the Great Depression; Ivy, World War II. The children are linked by musical talent and the hand of fate that brings Otto's harmonica into their lives. Each recognizes something unusual about the instrument, not only its sound but its power to fill them with courage and hope. Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy are brought together by music and destiny in an emotionally triumphant conclusion at New York's Carnegie Hall. Meticulous historical detail and masterful storytelling frame the larger history, while the story of Otto and the cursed sisters honor timeless and traditional folktales. Ryan has created three contemporary characters who, through faith and perseverance, write their own happy endings, inspiring readers to believe they can do the same.—Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

Review

Praise for Echo :

* "Ryan has created three contemporary characters who, through faith and perseverance, write their own happy endings, inspiring readers to believe they can do the same." -- School Library Journal, starred review

* “A grand narrative that examines the power of music to inspire beauty in a world overrun with fear and intolerance, it's worth every moment of readers' time.” -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "The book’s thematic underpinnings poignantly reveal what Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy truly have in common: not just a love of music, but resourcefulness in the face of change, and a refusal to accept injustice." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Ryan’s ingenious plotting harmonizes as sweetly as the famed mouth harp itself, and her eloquent prose breathes life and energy into likable characters whose stories are individually compelling and historically resonant." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

"A satisfyingly multilayered tale of music, self-sacrifice and redemption." -- Wall Street Journal

“After reading Pam Munoz Ryan’s enchanting new novel, you’ll never see the harmonica the same way again….Start to finish the book is a joy to read….
The music swells, the book sings.” -- New York Times

Sisters- Raina Telgemeier

Title: Sisters
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Publisher: Scholastic 
Date of Publication: Aug 26 2014

Plot and Review:

Raina always wanted a younger sister. She thought about it for years but when her wish finally came true, it wasn't as exciting as she previously thought. Dealing with the wants and emotions of a little sister can be difficult but nothing a little music cant fix. Things go sour when the family takes a week long car trip to visit cousins. Will sisters stick together or not? 

This book was an easy read with a flowing story. The storyline flows from present to past easilyand the reader is not confused. This book brings together a family that may be falling apart slowly. It shows the importance of the people you spend your days with. It is well written and once again, Telgemeir writes a relevant story for preteens trying to find where they fit in the world.

What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World- Henry Clark

Title What we Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World
Author: Henry Clark
ISBN 9780316206662

Review:  This is an adventure that the reader wont easily forget. Three friends River, Freak and Fiona find a beat up sofa near their bus stop. They find many oddities in the sofa but the most interesting object is a rare green crayon. One thing leads to another and the three end up finding out that things aren't always as they seem. With the help of a cat, a domino with intellect and an odd neighbor, can these three save the world from a menacing billionaire?

The adventure is non stop. This is a book that will appeal to reluctant readers as well as avid readers. The character development is adequate, but the action is full of life.

Pi in the Sky- Wendy Mass

Title: Pi in the Sky
Author: Wendy Mass
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
ISBN: 978-0316089166
Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wendy Mass writes with a flow that makes the reader just continue to read. Joss is a likable character from the first page and his adventures keep everything intriguing. I liked that at the beginning of the book, Mass explains what we know about Dark Matter and how she created her world in this Dark Matter. It sets the reader up for success when reading the book. There are science terms and concepts in this book which could encourage further research. The adventure, friendship and science together make an amazing book! The students I have talked to about this book are excited for our order to come in. 

Green Angel- Alice Hoffman

Title: Green Angel
Author: Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN:

Plot and Review:

This is a powerful book that brings the reader to a time of tragedy and loss. Green has always been in the garden. She loves her garden and what she can do in it.  She stays to tend to the garden on the day her whole family dies in the city along with many other people. On her own, Green changes her name, and decides she is not the same girl. She hardens and gives herself tattoos. She feels like things are not going to be OK again. The most unlikely being comes to shift her thoughts and life. This is a wonderful book about the changes in life. Alice Hoffman normally writes adult books. This one crosses over and it is truly worth the read.

Love That Dog- Sharon Creech

Title: Love That Dog
Author: Sharon Creech
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 0439442427

Plot and Review:

This book has been on my list to read for a while and I do not know why I did not just crack it open sooner. It is a fast read and yet so full of interesting things to think about and relate to that sometimes the reader simply wants to stop and think. At first, I was not sure about this book because of the many references to the various famous poems used in class. All these poems are in an appendix in the back of the book which makes it a wonderful teaching tool. The reader can make the connections from the famous poems to those written by Jack, the narrator of the book. Jack is not sure about his writing skills at the beginning and he slowly comes into his own. He finds his voice as the excerpt on the back of the book tells us. I highly recommend this book to feel good and to explore the ideas of finding your own thoughts. Anyone can write. 

Anything But Typical- Nora Raleigh Baskin

Title: Anything But Typical
Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545296533

Plot and Review:

Jason is a 12 year old boy with autism. He is very aware that he is different from what he calls "neuro-typicals" Jason is trying to navigate the world of these people who are so different from him and maintain his sanity. He has a younger brother who is odd but not quite as odd as Jason. His safe haven is Storyboard. He uses this to write his story his way. This is where he meets PhoenixBird, or Rebecca. She actually likes his stories and feels like she can relate to him, but what happens if she meets him? Will she not like him when she finds out about his autism? So many people already think he is weird and gross. Jason does not want Rebecca to be like them.

This is a story that tells about the struggles of living with autism in a world that does not understand how you think. Jason lives much of his life in his head. Things like being touched or hearing every detail are battles he fights each day. With more and more children being diagnosed with autism each year, it is important for all kinds to read this book. This is one boy's journey through the world being different.

Dead Boys- Royce Buckingham

Title: The Dead Boys

Author: Royce Buckingham
ISBN: 978-0399252228
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Lexile: 850
Interest Level: 9-12

Plot and Review: 

Buckingham has written a thrilling book featuring a tree altered by nuclear waste in Richland, Washington. The tree feeds on the energy of little boys it takes with its branches. It needs a new boy every ten years. Teddy moves to town with his mother. They move right next to te tree. Now the tree thinks it has found it's next victim. Will teddy fall into this trap? 

This book is certainly a page turner. The reader is captured from the very first page. This would be a great book for a reluctant reader because it is full of thrill. Teddy is faced with many challenges throughout the book leaving the reader on the edge of their seats waiting to see if he will survive. 

The One and Only Ivan- Katherine Applegate

Title: The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate


Plot:
Ivan lives his life in a cage he calls a domain. He remembers very little of the outside world because he was captured from the wild as a baby. His drawings sell in a gift store and people come from all over to see him. He lives next to an elephant Stella and with a stray dog who says he doesn't want a home. When a new elephant comes to the mall, everything changes. Ivan feels as though he needs to create a better environment for her. Can he do this?

Review:
This book is written from the perspective of Ivan and is his diary. This makes the book come to life in a way that would not have been possible in a different format. Ivan sees things from a new perspective and brings a softness to such a giant creature that often is not seen as soft. The baby elephant Ruby is a light in Ivan's life to spark something new in him. This story highlights cruelty to animals in circuses without being too graphic. The reader is quickly emotionally involved with the well being of the characters. It is no wonder this book wont the Newberry this year.

Her Permanent Record- Jimmy Gownley

Title: Her Permanent Record
Author: Jimmy Gownley
Lexile: GN380
Genre: Graphic Novel

ISBN: 9781416986157

Plot: Amelia has had many different adventures and in the last book in her series, she is working on becoming the best cheerleader at Joe Mccarthy Elementary. She wants to make the best superhero group ever as well. Her Aunt Tanner is famous and everyone wants to be like her, but Aunt Tanner disappears after a book comes out releasing embarrassing information. Amelia decides she must find her aunt and make things right in the world. Can she do it?

Review: This book is full of color, action and has an interesting plotline. Having not read the others in the series, I felt a little lost as the reader. It would be best to start from the beginning of the series to gather the background information on Amelia and her life. For reluctant readers, this would be a good place to start. Graphic novels draw in students differently than other books. They can be a great starting point and lead into traditional novels.

15 Days Without a Head- Dave Cousins

15 Days Without a Head
Dave Cousins
May 8, 2013

This was a powerful book about the resilience of the human spirit. Laurence is only 15 and he is dealing with adult problems. His mother, an alcoholic, disappears and he is left to take care of his younger brother. The chapters are titled for days of the week with a twist, giving the reader a sense of how much time has passed and what is happening each day. Cousins writes the story from Laurence's perspective. He is trying to juggle school, friends, and taking care of his brother who is in first grade all at the same time. He is trying to keep his mother's disappearance a secret because Child Protective Services would be involved. Will the boys find their mother? Will they survive with little food and can they make it through together?

Cousins writes with such an easy flow that the reader cannot help but fly through this book. The characters are lovable and irritating all at the same time. This book is something adults and teens alike can enjoy. The adolescent readers could see themselves or someone they know in Laurence. He is a likable guy who keeps to himself and always seems to be somewhere else. More kids than we would like to think experience situations where they are in charge because their parents are not functioning. The sad reality of this book is clear. Laurence wants nothing more than his mother's love and happiness.

Among the Hidden- Margaret Peterson Haddix

Title: Among the Hidden
Author: Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 1998
ISBN-13: 9780689824753

Genre: Drama, Mystery
Reading Level: 800 Lexile
Interest Level: 8+
Series: Shadow Children

Readers Annotation: Only two children are allowed in a household, but what happens if a third child comes along? Does the family kill the baby or do they hide the child?

Plot:
Luke has spent his whole life in hiding. He is the third child in a family and he is not supposed to exist. The Population Police will take him away and maybe even kill him if they find out he lives. He has been able to spend time outside even though he cannot leave his yard because there are woods around him. Now, a housing development is going to be built and he must stay in the house all the time. One day when he is looking out the small window wishing he could go outside he sees another face! There is another hidden child. She is blonde and beautiful. Luke is so excited that he wants to meet her badly. He has always followed the rules, but will he continue to even though things have changed?

Review:
This is the first book in a series called the Shadow Children. The children are not allowed to be and yet they are. This book is full of a need to find companionship and the nature of humans to want what they cannot have. The hidden children know the policies but do not understand why they are not allowed in the world. Families cannot bear to kill their children so as the series progresses there are many hidden children. This is an interesting concept and tweens still love reading them today.

Similar Materials:

The others in the series
Hoot- Carl Hiaasen
Fever 1793- Laurie Halse Anderson

The Sisters Grimm- The Fairy Tale Detectives- Michael Buckley

Title:The Sisters Grimm- The Fairy Tale Detectives
Author: Buckley, Michael
Publisher: Abrams, 2005
ISBN-13: 9780810959255

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 840 Lexile
Interest Level: 9+


Readers Annotation:What would you think if magic and folktales were real? What if the stories were about your family members?

Plot:
Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are two sisters who have had a rough life. Their parents have disappeared and there is no telling where they went or why they are gone. The girls get sent to live with their grandmother because their parents are gone. What they find at the grandmothers house is strange happenings each day. The fairy tale brothers, The Brothers Grimm, are ancestors of the girls and they find out the tales are real! Sabrina is not pleased about this and does not believe it for a second. Whether she wants to or not the girls must help the family fighting the creatures. They are to help stop a giant from taking over the town and destroying the land. Can they do it?

Review:
This is the first in a series of books about these girls and their adventures. It is a great spin on the Brothers Grimm stories because they are lighter in nature and have a comical aspect to them. Buckly writes with a voice that keeps the reader engaged but does not have too much detail to overwhelm the reader. I look forward to reading more in the series.

Similar Materials:
Sisters Grimm Series
Brothers Grimm

Falling In- Frances O'Roark Dowell

Title:Falling In
Author: Dowell, Frances O'Roark
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition, 2012
ISBN-10: 1416999027

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 850 Lexile
Interest Level: 8+


Readers Annotation: Are fairy-tales real? Isabelle thinks so and then finds out. 

Plot:
Isabelle has a hard time paying attention. Her head is in the clouds a lot of the time. One day, she is sitting in class when she hears an odd buzzing sound. She gets sent to the principal's office to think about her learning. While waiting she checks out the closet and falls in. Isabelle ends up in a fairy-tale land that she has never seen before. Because of her red boots, everyone in this land thinks she is "the witch." Can she convince them otherwise? Isabelle goes on a quest to prove her innocence all the while learning more about this strange land. She encounters strange creatures and is lucky to make it through alive. Maybe this adventure will help her in the real world.

Review:
This is a fun story similar to Alice in Wonderland. Dowell wrote this book in a way that the reader is directly spoken to and part of the book. This makes the book easier to read and adds a personal element to the book that could have otherwise have been lost. Isabelle is a girl who has a hard time making friends and lives in her imagination because of it. There is something comforting about this book because the reader knows in their heart that she will make it back to the real world, even if at some parts it does not seem so.

Similar Materials:
Alice in Wonderland
The Sixty-Eight Rooms- Marianne Malone

Flawed Dogs- Berkeley Breathed

Title: Flawed Dogs
Author: Breathed, Berkeley
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780399252181

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 920 Lexile
Interest Level: 9+


Readers Annotation: Sometimes plans change from what you expect. Is it always a bad thing?

Plot:
Sam is a dachshund and was bread to be a show dog. He lived a life of privilege and love until one day a nasty poodle named Cassius frames him for something terrible. Sam is kicked out of his home and banished to the streets. Because he has never been on the streets before, terrible things happen including the loss of a leg. He uses a ladle as a leg to get around. One man scoops him up to have as a companion and then puts Sam into a dog fighting ring. When Sam escapes the dog fight he sees a sign for the dog show and guess who is on it, Cassius. Sam decides he is going to find and confront his enemy head on.

Review:
This is a cute book about rising even through tough times. Children and tweens can relate to this when they feel as though there are sad things going on in their life. Sam was put in many different situations where many dogs and people would have given up but he didn't He used the ladle like his own leg and became successful. I would recommend this to many readers who want a heart warming story.

Similar Materials:

Scat- Carl Hiaasen

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup- Sharon Creech

Title: Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
Author: Creech, Sharon
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2003
ISBN-13: 9780060292904

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 810 Lexile
Interest Level: 9+

Readers Annotation: Soup and other recipes can make the world a better place.

Plot:
Rosie's grandmother is an amazing cook. She is always cooking something delicious and teaching Rosie the way around the kitchen. Her friend Bailey on the other hand has made her mad. She was just trying to be more like him and now he is upset. Bailey is blind and Rosie has helped him for their entire lives to "see" the world. As Grandma finds out about the rift, she decides they need to cook something together to heal the problem. Will it work?

Review:
This is a story about friendship, love and cooking. Rosie's grandmother imparts knowledge of all kinds to her granddaughter while in the kitchen. She reflects on her past to help Rosie. Many readers have had this experience with an adult sometime. The kitchen is a place people come together. I liked this story. It was short but very sweet.

Similar Materials:

Walk two Moons- Sharon Creech
Eggs- Jerry Spinelli

Tale of Despereaux-Kate DiCamillo

Title:Tale of Despereaux
Author: DiCamillo, Kate
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2003
ISBN-13: 9780763617226

Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 670 Lexile
Interest Level: 8+


Readers Annotation: One brave mouse, one different rat, and two women. What could happen?

Plot:
This is a story of love, bravery and the meaning of life. Despereaux was doomed in the mouse community from the start. He was extremely small, had large ears and was the only mouse of his litter to survive. He was different from the beginning and never became a normal mouse. He broke all the rules and not only entered a room to listen to music, but fell in love and talked to a human! He was banished to the dungeon. Roscuro is a rat who wishes to be in the light not the darkness of the dungeon and Miggery Sow is a girl who wants something she cannot have. The three stories come together in an unusual way and the three learn something about themselves.

Review:
This book was very cute and a fast read. I loved the format of the book and the voice in which it was written. DiCamillo did a great job creating characters the reader will love. The story was being told to the reader and the narrator actually addresses the reader throughout the book. I enjoyed this book and understand why it has been read for many years.

Similar Materials:
Because of Winn Dixie- Kate DiCamillo
Feathers- Jacqueline Woodson

Baby- Joseph Monninger

Title:Baby
Author: Monninger, Joseph
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 2007
ISBN-13: 9781590785027

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 580 Lexile
Interest Level: 13+


Readers Annotation: Bobby helps her escape from foster homes every time, but what if that's not a great thing?

Plot:
Baby's mom disappeared years ago and no one knows where she is. At 15 she is in foster homes where she cannot become happy. She runs from each one for one reason or another. Bobby gets it and he gets her. They smoke together and run together. This is the last place they say before juvenile hall. Still, Bobby finds her and she escapes. One of the sled dogs the family has comes with her. Baby and the dog are on the run. What comes next? Luanne, a girl they are staying with pan handles and wants to fake prostitute for money and drugs. The circles they are in will not go anywhere but Baby is not sure what to do. She is just trying to survive. 

Review:
This is a sad story that has been told a few times and yet it still seems fresh and new. Baby is a character the reader hopes comes out of her hole. She is simply a girl striving to feel love. Many people feel this way at one time or another. Fifteen is a hard age because one is trying to find out who they are. When stability is gone, fifteen can be harder.