Page 63 - SLC AUG SEPT 16

REVIEWS | Fiction
McCowan, Patricia
Upstaged
2016.143pp. $9.95 pbk.
Orca Book Publishers.
9781459810044. Grade 7
& Up
Ellie has moved to a new city with
her Dad, leaving behind her friends
and the school where she has
always been the star. She soon
discovers that auditioning for a part in a big city theater
production for youth isn’t at all what she expected. Ellie never
had to audition for her lead roles at her old school, where she
was automatically given the part. Now she not only has to
audition, but also share the role, and her counterpart isn’t very
friendly. Throughout the production of the play, Ellie learns
to grow as an actress and make new friends. She also learns
that being a competitor is not the same thing as a saboteur.
This book is easy to read, not controversial, and a good choice
for high-low readers. Kyla M. Johnson, NBCT Librarian,
Farmington (New Mexico) High School
Recommended
Narsimhan, Mahtab
Mission Mumbai
2016. 272pp. $16.99 hc. Scholastic, Inc.
9780545746519. Grades 5-8
Dylan has it all—money, large house, servants, freedom—at
least that’s how his best friend sees it. But Rohit doesn’t see
Dylan and his dad ?ghting over playing soccer (his dad’s idea)
and photography (Dylan’s passion). Rohit is hoping he will
be invited to spend the summer at Dylan’s house, but it turns
out that Dylan will spend the summer in India with Rohit’s
family. Dylan’s lack of awareness about Indian customs gets
him into trouble. First, Dylan angers the community when he
throws a stick at a cow to get it to move out of the middle of
the road. Not wanting to offend his host family again, Dylan
kneels down and pays respect to a stray dog which gets him
into more trouble. The boys encounter one mishap after
another—including chase scenes, a ?re, and a monsoon. In
the end, Dylan and Rohit learn to stand up for themselves
and let others know their wishes. Middle school students will
enjoy this funny novel set in India. Deborah Creamer, Media
Specialist, Dinwiddie (Virginia) Middle School
Recommended
Palatini, Margie
Isabella for Real
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham.2016. 208pp.
$16.99 pbk. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
9780544148468. Grades 5-8
This is a quirky, fast-paced story about what can happen
when your life goes viral. Isabella is catapulted into dubious
YouTube fame by way of her Cousin Vincent’s family home
videos. Humor abounds as Isabella, who has somehow
managed to convince her new school friends that she is
the incognito daughter of Italian royalty, is outed for who
she really is—a ?bbing phony. Quick-witted, sharp dialog
and funny family anecdotes introduce the reader to her big,
loud, hilarious Italian family. Middle schoolers will love the
colorful idioms, the talk fast, think fast pacing, the snappy
conversations, and the references to a very familiar teen
outlet—YouTube. Though a little confusing in the beginning as
Isabella sets the stage by introducing the reader to her huge
family, the story falls nicely into place as she tries to “?x” her
problem. A mix of traditional narrative paired with graphic
novel elements, the book blends both formats seamlessly.
The ending sets up for a sequel which promises to be just as
exciting! Sabrina Flegal, Library Media Specialist, Corporate
Landing Middle School, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Recommended
Rust, Ned
Patrick Griffin’s Last Breakfast
on Earth
2016. 397pp. $16.99 hc. Roaring Brook Press.
9781626723429. Grade 7 & Up
This science ?ction/fantasy hybrid places Patrick Grif?n, a
very normal 12-year-old, in a dangerous interplanetary battle
to save Earth. Transported to Ith, Patrick is treated like royalty The ending leaves a promise for more adventures. Esther
as a visitor from Earth. He attends school and lives with a host
family, all the while noticing how repressive and controlled
society is. When he hears about a rebel group called the Com-
monplacers, he joins up in an effort to make sure Earth stays
free from the oppressive rule of Ith. This story is convoluted
and the length seems excessive considering it leaves the story
wide open for a sequel. This novel is confusing and zany and
only a middle school reader would have the patience for it, but
the inclusion of crass language is ill-suited for them. Suzanne
Dix, Middle and Upper School Librarian, The Seven Hills
School, Cincinnati, Ohio
Not Recommended
Schrefer, Eliot
Rescued
2016. 272pp. $18.99 hc. Scholastic, Inc.
9780545655033. Grade 7 & Up
John seldom gets attention from his businessman father, so
when Dad promises to bring him back a gift from his trip to
Indonesia, John doesn’t expect much. Without consulting
anyone, John’s father thoughtlessly brings back a baby
orangutan to be John’s new friend and “brother.” After a tragic
accident and a divorce, John and the now much larger Raja
are separated. Once John’s father loses his job and home,
there is no choice but to place Raja in a seedy roadside zoo.
Ravaged by guilt, John takes it upon himself to rescue his
“brother” from a life imprisoned in a tiny cage. With support
from a sympathetic vet and his long-suffering mom, John
?nds a program in Sumatra that agrees to place Raja back
in his natural habitat. Although the plot has many holes, stu-
dents may appreciate the lovable Raja’s sad story enough to
want to read more about primates and the devastation of the
ecosystem in that area of the world. It is clear that the author
is well versed on the many problems facing these amazing
animals. Easy to read and quickly paced, this book will appeal
to many middle and high school readers. Laurie Balderson,
English & Social Studies Teacher, St. Mark Catholic School,
Wilmington, North Carolina
Recommended
Shanker, Tarun & Kelly Zekas
These Vicious Masks
2016. 320pp. $9.99 pbk. Swoon Reads.
9781250073891. Grade 7 & Up
This supernatural Victorian era romance will ?nd an audience
with readers looking for a good dose of twists and turns
and a fast-moving plot. Evelyn’s innermost desire is to go
traveling abroad and see the world, though she is sti?ed by
society’s expectations. But when her sister Rose disappears,
everything changes. Though her parents believe Rose has run
off, Evelyn is sure that isn’t the case and goes off to London
to ?nd her despite their ultimatums. Evelyn is thrown into an
unknown world of vicious villains and supernatural abilities,
including one of her own. There are many surprises along the
way, and the story will keep readers guessing. The characters,
while well-drawn, are very much taken from classic literature,
though the target audience for this book probably won’t mind.
Keller, Librarian, JHS 278 Marine Park, Brooklyn, New York
Recommended
Svingen, Arne
The Ballad of a Broken Nose
2016. 224pp. $15.99 hc. Margaret K. McElder-
ry Books (Simon & Schuster). 9781481415422.
Grades 6-8
Middle Schooler Bart has a tough life in Norway. His alcoholic
mother doesn’t provide for him and often leaves him hungry.
He longs to meet his father and, after searching the internet
for months, he ?nds him, only to ?nd the name given to him
by his mother was a lie all along. He is involved with boxing,
but his true dream is to sing, even though he is afraid and
often can’t make his voice be heard in public. He is pushed
to become his true self by his loving aunt and new friend Ada
in this heartwarming story. The plot is enticing with several
twists and events going on. Readers will root for Bart and care
about his ending. There are a handful of profanities through-
out the book. This book is an eye-opener for readers and will
help them understand some of the hardships their peers
endure. Britney Kennedy, Media Specialist, North Wilkes
Middle School, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Recommended
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