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241 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-14380-8$16.99
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Iacopo Bruno.
In the 1920s, eleven-year-old Viviani Fedeler (based on a real girl) lives in the New York Public Library, where her father is the superintendent. Viviani loves to explore the building and tries--without success--to stay out of trouble, as when a prank leads to her investigating a possible ghost. Irrepressible Viviani and her story will appeal to the young reader who'd be thrilled to live in a library. Timeline.
(4)
K-3
Read Me!: Pirates! series.
O'Donnell provides basic insights into the world of piracy. Code discusses how pirates lived by a code and also covers the rules and punishments--including the means of inflicting death--used when crewmembers disobeyed. Gear touches on types of ships, weapons, ropes, sails, and navigational instruments necessary for operation on the high seas. Colorful illustrations enhance the abbreviated texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Read Me! Pirates! titles: Crack the Pirate Code and Get Into Pirate Gear.
(4)
K-3
Read Me!: Pirates! series.
O'Donnell provides basic insights into the world of piracy. Code discusses how pirates lived by a code and also covers the rules and punishments--including the means of inflicting death--used when crewmembers disobeyed. Gear touches on types of ships, weapons, ropes, sails, and navigational instruments necessary for operation on the high seas. Colorful illustrations enhance the abbreviated texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Read Me! Pirates! titles: Crack the Pirate Code and Get Into Pirate Gear.
186 pp.
| HarperCollins/Tegen
| June, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-246324-1$16.99
(3)
4-6
With drama and humor, pit bull Daisy relates her moving journey from the pound to life as a service dog for Colonel Victor, a war veteran suffering from PTSD. This unorthodox, surprisingly believable, and sensitive fictional narrative told from Daisy's perspective follows her as she is trained to help the colonel and his family, and also deals with traumatic events in her own life (revealed via flashbacks).
(4)
4-6
Based on a True Story series.
Illustrated by
Steven Noble.
These historical fiction stories introduce middle-grade readers to the experiences of real children. Written under one pseudonym by different authors, the novels, accompanied by black-and-white drawings and archival images and photos, are accessible if not riveting entrées into their subjects' lives. (Jemison's use of savage, true to the times, would have benefited from some contextualizing.) Each entry includes an author's note separating fact from fiction. Clem and Jemison contain glossaries. Review covers these Based on a True Story titles: John Lincoln Clem, Mary Jemison, Nettie & Nellie Crook, and Sybil Ludington.
134 pp.
| Owlkids
| October, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77147-070-4$15.95
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Aurélie Grand.
In their second case, elementary school detectives Myron (who's on the autism spectrum) and Hajrah (who has ADHD) investigate the theft of a robot made by a classmate for an upcoming tech competition. Engagingly narrated by Myron, the story bogs down a bit in the middle, but young readers will be captivated by the two main characters' spirited interactions and their winsome personalities.
128 pp.
| Owlkids
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77147-069-8$15.95
(3)
1-3
West Meadows Detectives series.
Illustrated by
Aurélie Grand.
On his first day at a new school, third grader Myron and new friend Hajrah investigate who trashed the school kitchen and stole their classmates' morning snacks. Myron's literalism (he's autistic) and Hajrah's hyperactivity become strengths as they examine clues and use deductive reasoning. O'Donnell's humorous and sympathetic characterizations are enhanced by Grand's cartoonlike black-and-white illustrations.
324 pp.
| Penguin/Razorbill
| February, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59514-713-4$16.99
(3)
4-6
Hollins, Becky, Nicki, and Little Gus are human children of a space crew chosen to colonize the asteroid Gelo. Child alien Chorkle accidentally meets and becomes friends with the young humans, much to the chagrin of the alien people. Told from Chorkle's point of view, O'Donnell tells an often humorous tale of intergalactic politics, friendship, adventure, and growing up.
265 pp.
| Feiwel
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-312-58352-1$16.99
(4)
4-6
If a thirteenth zodiac sign was suddenly added, how might the entire world change? In this book, every personality is instantly skewed, and thirteen-year-old Jalen must battle the twelve Keepers throughout New Orleans to send them back to their rightful places. A flat protagonist limits appeal, though astrology devotees will have fun figuring out which sign is represented by which character.
215 pp.
| Feiwel
| November, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-312-61122-4$16.99
(3)
4-6
The protagonist and her father are traveling vaudeville performers in 1910. Hope has had enough of the circuit, though, and wants to go home to Chicago. With Halley's Comet on the horizon, she and her friend--young Buster Keaton--hatch a scheme to sell "anti-comet pills" to the panicked public. The well-paced and entertaining narrative has an authentic historical feel.
(3)
4-6
Change is coming fast for eleven-year-old Autumn. It's 1934, and the government wants to evict her family to create a national park. Autumn is all set to fight until she realizes that losing her home means saving nature for future generations. Told in Autumn's quirky, folksy voice, the story will resonate with readers who know how it feels to give up something they love.
81 pp.
| Chelsea
| February, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-8507-3$31.95
(4)
YA
Deadly Diseases and Epidemics series.
As in other volumes in this series (all written by scientists), biological structures of and research into understanding each disease are described, as well as epidemiological considerations and current studies in treatment or prevention. Dense scientific terminology, sophisticated explanations, and complicated diagrams are off-putting and will make the books accessible only to a limited readership. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Deadly Diseases and Epidemics titles: Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer, Helicobacter Pylori, Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Rabies, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and Cervical Cancer.