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186 pp.
| Simon
| January, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-2817-1$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-2819-5
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Rayner Alencar.
Ebullient third grader Meena sees sparkles in snow, rainbows in puddles, and potential in other people's discards. She's upset and confused when her best friend seems to snub her; struggles with schoolwork and a scary medical diagnosis further shake her positive outlook. Support from Meena's loving extended family and her own resilience and creativity lead to reconciliation with her friend and new self-acceptance. An author's note provides information about epilepsy.
344 pp.
| Algonquin
| June, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61620-676-5$18.95
(4)
YA
Lizzie, a timid, studious class-of-1989 senior at a private school outside Philadelphia, is suddenly drawn into new, life-changing relationships: a romance with her longtime crush, Matt; and a friendship with mysterious, aloof new girl Claire, who's rumored to have a troubled past. Griffin packs this historical coming-of-age novel with entertaining eighties references, rad details of the Philly art scene, and almost too many plot elements.
328 pp.
| Charlesbridge Teen
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58089-802-7$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-63289-649-0
(2)
YA
Leo's older brother, Caleb, has autism, epilepsy, and some developmental disabilities and has recently become physically aggressive. Leo, running away from Caleb out of necessity, finds a hidden talent and joins the high school cross-country and track teams. New friends help him maintain balance amidst the chaos. Leo's complicated relationship with Caleb and the suspenseful track races are the novel's strengths; the story ultimately takes a tragic turn.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2017
(2)
YA
Eighteen-year-old Monty, spoiled heir to a wealthy estate in eighteenth-century Britain, is determined to retrieve an alchemical panacea and cure his lifelong best friend Percy (with whom Monty is hopelessly in love) of his epilepsy. Mayhem, adventure, and a swoon-worthy emotional roller coaster of a romance ensue. A genre tribute, satire, and exemplar in one: trope-filled in the most gleeful way.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2017
496 pp.
| Dial
| August, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-4071-6$17.99
(4)
YA
Three teens' stories intersect in this convoluted mystery with an intriguing premise set alternately in 1980s Berlin and modern-day California. In the present, Molly Mavity can't escape the reputation of her arsonist father, while Pepper Al-Yusef struggles to graduate from high school. Together, they unravel the secrets behind the life and death of Ava Dreyman, an East German teen whose diary was published posthumously.
(4)
YA
Ollie and Moritz leave their relatively secluded lives to find more "Blunderkinder," genetically engineered young people with strange disabilities and enhanced abilities. They need help from Moritz's scientist mother, but neither Ollie in America nor Moritz in Germany can track her down. A meandering, less-memorable sequel to Because You'll Never Meet Me.
(3)
YA
Finally back in Hilo with her family, Leilani (The Islands at the End of the World) must strengthen her connection to the Emerald Orchid in order to prevent a rival from sending the alien entity away and dooming Earth to nuclear winter. This enthralling post-apocalyptic adventure provides high-stakes action, survival drama, strong character relationships, and an inside look at Hawaii's Big Island.
247 pp.
| Scholastic
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-83951-8$16.99
(4)
4-6
Sixth grader Josie loves volunteering with her dog Clementine at the hospital, and she's dismayed to learn that the hospital's children's Christmas Festival has been canceled. She offers to organize the event and is forced to work with two difficult classmates; of course, the three become friends. Despite a predictable plot and some awkward prose, this is an enjoyable tale of compassion and friendship.
(2)
YA
Ollie is allergic to electricity; his German pen pal and "fellow hermit" Moritz was born without eyes and has a pacemaker. Beneath the surface of this realistic fiction novel about friendship and alienation is something more speculative: Ollie actually repels electricity, Moritz can echolocate, and these abilities may be manmade. The protagonists' distinct, deeply memorable voices make this an affecting page-turner.
(3)
YA
Leilani would rather be surfing in Hilo than traveling to Honolulu to participate in an experimental epilepsy study--especially when all the technology on the Big Island of Hawaii goes dead and Leilani and her father lose contact with the outside world. The pair will do whatever it takes to get home in this thrilling apocalyptic adventure story with strong exploration of Hawaiian religion and culture.
277 pp.
| Simon
| September, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-4495-9$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4424-4497-3
(2)
YA
High schooler Finn survived a freak accident years ago in which a dead horse fell from an overpass, killing his mother. After girl-of-his-dreams Julia moves away, crestfallen Finn embarks on a college visit with his friend Cade, a trip that turns them into heroes. Finn has a funny, fluid narrative voice, and his banter with Cade is excellent--and often hilariously vulgar. Unusual and memorable.
Reviewer: Sam Bloom
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2014
(4)
YA
During a terrifying vampire attack, Emma's epileptic seizure interrupts the monster's feeding, preventing her from being fully "turned" while giving her super-vampire-like powers. Hiding at a NASA base, Emma meets an aspiring astronomer who helps her defeat the vampire. The overlong story sometimes struggles to connect its many strands, getting mired in exposition. However, its premise and characters are engaging.
32 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-865-6$25.27
(4)
4-6
Dog Heroes series.
These volumes showcase the work done by dogs serving in active military units (Combat) or assisting people with disorders such as epilepsy (Seizure). Double-page spreads feature facts about the characteristics dogs need to function in these specialized roles, how they are trained, and examples of their work; photographs accompany the texts. The books, though slight, are effective in their accessibility. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Dog Heroes titles: Combat-Wounded Dogs and Seizure-Alert Dogs.
297 pp.
| Llewellyn/Flux
| March, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7387-1257-4$16.95
(3)
YA
Full of small-town charm, this entertaining sequel to Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend finds Belle dealing with her senior year of high school, her insecurities about her boyfriend, and the scary news that her best friend is pregnant. Humorous and touching, this story will appeal to readers with its wit, wisdom, and sometimes brutal honesty.
191 pp.
| Candlewick
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-2858-1$16.99
(2)
YA
To end his life at his mother's grave, Zane steals his brother's car and the pistol his mother used to kill herself and embarks on a road trip. He's visited by ancestors whose stories intertwine with that of the gun. Wolf's writing successfully straddles magical realism and unreliable narration. The verse format seems a natural extension of Zane's self-contemplation.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2007
(3)
4-6
After a car accident leaves her prone to seizures, Chula feels anything but strong. Her father enlists notorious Mexican prizefighter El Jefe to fight the local champ, winning money for the cash-strapped family. The hard lessons about strength Chula learns from the boxer are painful but authentic. The south Texas setting is portrayed realistically, including details of intolerance, language, and culture.
359 pp.
| Candlewick
| March, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-7636-2022-X$16.99
(2)
4-6
In this final volume in the series, Jinks once again marries finely researched medieval geopolitical history to outstanding characters and voice. Pagan is now a mature Archdeacon of Carcassonne, and narrative duties have passed to Isidore, a hyper-intelligent, unworldly fifteen-year-old scribe who suffers from epileptic seizures. Brimming with wit, this emotionally satisfying epic brings the Middle Ages to life.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2005
56 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 1-4034-4601-6$$27.07
(4)
YA
Just the Facts series.
Randomly arranged short chapters cover the histories, symptoms, causes, current and likely future treatments, and challenges of living with these chronic disorders. (Asthma never mentions one frequent trigger: the common cold.) The information is clearly stated and accompanied by color photos of and quotes by individuals (some famous) coping with the disorder. The busy design is a drawback. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Just the Facts titles: Asthma, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Sickle Cell Disease, Allergies, and Epilepsy.
290 pp.
| Philomel
| October, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23897-2$18.99
(2)
4-6
Yolen and Harris relate a story of thirteen-year-old Duncan, an eighteenth-century Highland boy burning with desire to go to war and prove his courage. The authors' skill at bringing the era's feudal and martial mindset to life gives the horrific mid-book battle scenes great impact in a gripping tale that will leave readers mulling over thoughts of war and peace.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2004