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Snap and Tall and Short
by Jonathan Litton
Tiger Tales continues to release board books in their My Little World series. Two of their Fall offerings are Snap: A Peek-through Book of Shapes, and Tall and Short: A Peek-through Book of Opposites. Both of these titles use bold colors and simple die cut shapes to highlight the topic at hand. Inside Tall and Short, each two page emphasizes the opposite it is showcasing (I especially like "Camel likes HOT / Penguin likes COLD" as the hot page is in warm colors and the cold page is illustrated in cool tones.) Snap features a game and each spread encourages the Kindergarten readiness skills of shape recognition and matching by having the child find the corresponding shape. For a complete list of the library friendly titles in this series, click here. Highly recommended for ages 2 to 3.
—Tracy Gallagher, MLIS, Collection Development
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My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.)
by Peter Brown
Ms. Kirby makes Robert, a.k.a. Bobby, who of course does nothing wrong (paper plane flying is his specialty) stay in at recess, hence monster = teacher. Saturdays are Bobby's favorite day as he loves to visit the park, but this time guess who is sitting on a park bench reading a book? Should he pretend not to see her? No, Bobby is brave and sits down to say hello and compliments Ms. Kirby on her enormous hat using those exact words. A gust of wind blows through and both Bobby and Ms. Kirby begin chasing her hat with Bobby finally grabbing it becoming Ms. Kirby's hero! They then spend the day together at the duck pond and yes, flying paper planes. Ms. Kirby still runs her classroom as usual with no nonsense, but surprisingly her monster face has gone away. A fun book to read showing that all teachers have a human side too! Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
—Jeanne Martin, M.Ed., Collection Development
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Comics Squad: Recess! paperback and library binding
edited by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
Does Daryl have what it takes to join the secret ninja club? Can Betty defeat the pizza monster? Will Babymouse ever get to play outside? This comics anthology is super-fun, edited by the creators of Babymouse and Squish. Among the contributors are Raina Telgemeier (Drama), Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants), and Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese). The art is black and white with bright orange shading. Each of the eight stories has a theme of recess. This book is bound to be a hit for young comic lovers and reluctant readers. This graphic novel is highly recommended for ages 7-10.
—Jenny McCluskey, MSIS, Collection Development
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Secrets Underground: North America's Buried Past
by Elizabeth MacLeod
This title was a must read for me as I have visited the underground secret bunker specified for members of the Senate and Congress in southern WV. It was a trip back in history seeing the bunks with bedding enclosed in plastic and boxes of food lined up along the walls as the government was prepared for a Cold War catastrophe. MacLeod includes photos from the underground bunker along with data and photos from the sailing ships found beneath San Francisco, tunnels used by gangsters during the Prohibition and hidden temples in Mexico. New York City holds many underground secrets as the tunnels beneath were heavily guarded during WWII in case of sabotage on the train system. Have you ever wondered why it is rare to ever see a picture of FDR sitting in his wheel chair? A specialized railcar with enough room for a car was found in one of these tunnels belonging to FDR allowing for a secret entrance and exit. Let's not forget the alligators in the New York City sewers mentioned in a sidebar information box piquing the interest of any reader. Are they for real or just a myth? Many other fascinating underground secrets are revealed in this high interest title making it a must for history buffs and reluctant readers. Recommended for ages 10 to 13.
—Jeanne Martin, M.Ed., Collection Development
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The Kiss of Deception
by Mary E. Pearson
Pearson (Jenna Fox Chronicles) offers an enthralling new series opener, switching from science fiction to fantasy, with The Kiss of Deception. It's a bit of the court-intrigue trope that has been so perennially popular, turned on its head; princess Lia flees court life, arranged marriage for political alliance, wealth and power to live a life of simplicity and self-determination with a faithful servant turned best friend. Such idyllic life cannot last, however, as she is found by not one but two trackers--one, her spurned ex-fiancé, and the other, an assassin sent by a third country eager to weaken both kingdoms. Neither revealing his true identity, both prince and killer find reasons to want to protect Lia from a fate she didn't choose. Deceptions are revealed, and the reader may be surprised, despite having POVs from all 3 main characters. (I am always thrilled when an author can pull off that sleight of hand!) You'll want to make room for this winning fantasy, first in The Remnant Chronicles, for ages 12 to 17.
—Jill M. Barton, MLIS Collection Development
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Positive: A Memoir
by Paige Rawl
Born HIV positive, Paige Rawl can never remember a time when her daily routine didn't include taking numerous pills. To her, it was as normal as other morning activities like brushing teeth and eating cereal. Until sixth grade, Paige enjoyed the typical life of most young girls: sleepovers, parties, and pals. But her world changed the moment she told her best friend about her infection. Within hours, word spread like wildfire; her secret was written on the stalls in the bathroom, posted on social media, and giggled about in the hall. Her friends withdrew from her. But worse was to come: she was harassed and ridiculed so badly that she began having stomach problems, depression, and stress-induced seizures. The responses from the middle school's teachers, coaches, and administrators ranged from denial to hostility to greed (her soccer coach suggested the team could use her infection to their advantage: the opponents would be afraid to get near her on the field). It grew so unbearable that her mother took her out of school, began homeschooling her, and filed a lawsuit against the school for failing to protect Paige. Eventually, Paige found a welcoming school, but not before her depression grew so deep that she started self-harming and overdosed on sleeping pills. As the title says, though, this beautiful young lady from Indiana learned from the love and acceptance of others to be Positive. She now lobbies for awareness of the infection, discrimination against those infected, as well as bullying in general; gives talks to other young people; and studies molecular biology at Ball State University. In her Afterword, she encourages readers: "If you…are in the middle of your own darkness, hold tight. Your own people are out there – those friends who will love you for exactly who you are….That laughter will fill all the nooks and crannies of your heart, all those places where pain had been." Readers will finish Paige's memoir feeling that they've done just that. Highly recommended for readers ages 14 to 17 as well as adults who work with them.
—Becky Walton, MLIS, Collection Development
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