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Maple & Willow Together
by Lori Nichols
In a very sweet sequel to Maple, Nichols introduces us to Willow, Maple’s younger sister who was born at the end of the first book. These two sisters, with their own “anguagelay,” are always best friends, except when they aren’t. Always together, these two girls play outside year round and we see lots of sibling friendship and emotions. There is some slight drama, perfect for illustrating how to make up after a fight. Illustrations were rendered in pencil on Mylar and then digitally colored. Highly recommended for ages 3 to 6.
--Tracy Gallagher, MLIS, Collection Development
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Zoo Box
by Ariel Cohn and Aron Nels Steinke
While their parents are away for the evening, Patrick and his sister (both dressed in animal suits) get up to some mischief when they find a forbidden box in the attic. When it’s opened, out comes a whole bunch of animals. The animals proceed to the nearest zoo where humans are in the cages and on display. The animals think the children have escaped from their cage, so they are chased all the way back to their house. Just as it looks like they will be caught, the kids open the box and the animals jump back in just as their parents pull in the driveway. The punch line at the end, that they are told since they were good they can go to the zoo the next day, is cute. The art is very bright and simple, the large panels easy to read, perfect for young readers. This graphic novel is highly recommended for ages 5 to 7.
--Jenny McCluskey, MSIS, Collection Development
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Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution
by Mara Rockliff
Land Ho! Christopher Ludwick was a German baker who sailed to America to make it his home. His love for his new country and his love for baking gingerbread played a significant part in the American Revolution. Even though he was too old and had sampled his own baking one too many times to become a soldier in George Washington’s army, Christopher was still needed to help fight the battle for independence. His baking skills and German heritage proved to be essential as he helped feed the many hungry soldiers and later became a spy! Fun imaginative cut-paper illustrations of gingerbread–like soldiers allow for the story of the American Revolution to unfold in a way every child can comprehend. Complimenting this story is a short biographical summary of Ludwick’s life and his generosity for people in need found in the author’s notes at the end. This is a great title to add to a display for the 4th of July or for a social studies unit on the Revolutionary War. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
—Jeanne Martin, M.Ed., Collection Development
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Exquisite Captive
by Heather Demetrios
Powerful Nalia is the last of the ruling caste of jinni, victim of a palace coup, exiled to Earth and sold into slavery, a veritable jinni-in-a-bottle. Her rebellious nature earns her brutal treatment from her cruel but compelling master, Malek, whose latest and cruelest demand on her is to win her heart. Trying to escape her master with her will intact and the opportunity to save her brother from the evil Ifrit jinni leads Nalia to gamble her trust in a new, dangerous ally. This ally demands ancient secret knowledge Nalia's caste swore to protect, and she must decide whether to betray her murdered brethren, or sacrifice her freedom and let her brother suffer at the hands of the Ifrit. The strength of Demetrios's sophomore novel lies in her effortless worldbuilding, switching from a modern urban fantasy landscape to Nalia's remembrances of her jinni homeland, and the quick narrative pace that whips you along; readers will be on the hook waiting for book 2 of The Dark Caravan Cycle. If you have any fans of Rachel Caine's Weather Warden or Outcast Season series, this is a natural read-alike. Recommended for ages 14 & up, YA fantasy and adult crossover collections.
--Jill M. Barton, MLIS, Collection Development
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List of Things That Didn't Kill Me
by Jason Schmidt
This fall, we saw the publication of some exiting young adult memoirs, as discussed in last month’s issue. This winter brings one more: Jason Schmidt’s story. Born in the early 1970’s, Jason was raised by his drug-dealing, drug-addicted, abusive father who scraped by mostly by scamming people and systems. They moved a lot up and down the west coast. In the early 1980s, Jason’s dad learned he was HIV positive and not long after, he developed AIDS. He watched friends die of drug overdoses and suicide. Because of the unending brutality that Jason (and even his pets) experienced, he grew up with anti-social personality issues that we the readers witness him slowly and agonizingly grasp as he gets teased and bullied throughout school and realizes he is unable to form meaningful relationships. The turning point comes, though, when a retired man who has volunteered to clean homes for AIDs patients, makes good on a pay-it-forward event early in his life. He inspires and helps Jason get into college, something Jason had thought impossible up until that point; and Jason now holds a law degree. He offers no easy answers; he simply tells his story. Knowing there are others living through exceptionally horrific circumstances and prevailing may be just what some of your young customers people need to hear. Recommended for all libraries serving young people ages 14 and up.
-- Becky Walton, MLIS, Collection Development
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