Knock! Knock!
by Anna-Clara Tidholm

Adapted from the original Swedish, this charming title with rhyming text plays on the peek-a-boo concept so loved by young children. Every other spread is a colored door. By opening the door (turning the page), the listener is introduced to characters such as “Baby banging on the drum. / Hear it going? / BRUM, BRUM, BRUM”. With short sentences on each page and colorful pictures, this one will be requested over and over. For ages 2 to 5. (Tracy Taylor, MLIS)


The Zoo I Drew
by Todd H. Doddler

With an illustration of and a four-line stanza about one animal for each letter of the alphabet, this menagerie of zoo residents enjoys a graphic look and feel. As Doddler couldn’t find an animal for the letter “X” he had a snack of cookies and headed on to “Y”. My personal favorite is “U is for Unicorn / The unicorn isn’t really real, / and it wasn’t really at the zoo. / I’m just seeing if you’re paying attention, / so I played a trick on you!” For ages 3 to 6. (TT)


My Hippo Has the Hiccups and Other Poems I Totally Made Up
by Kenn Nesbitt, illustrated by Ethan Long

There are over a hundred silly poems with a third of them read by the author on the accompanying CD. These fun poems cover a wide range of zany topics: a Dracula dad, meatloaf, a musical ant farm, warts, and yes, a hiccuping hippo (“hiccupotamus”?!). Puns, triple negatives (do they make a single negative?), and wordplay abound. For ages 7 through 10; great for older struggling readers, too, who can use the audio as they read. (Becky Walton, MLIS)


101 Ways You Can Help Save the Planet Before You’re 12!
by Joanne O’Sullivan

O’Sullivan’s book is a reminder to kids that they can be powerful! They need not feel that, because of their age, they can’t make an impact. A helpful “how to use this book” page in the front sets the tone so that readers don’t feel overwhelmed; a quote from Margaret Mead reminds children: “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed citizens to change the world. Indeed, it has never been done otherwise.” The author has kids think about what their interests and talents are, such as hiking, gardening, or a love of animals, and shows them how to use these traits to easily move into acts of environmentalism. A glossary is provided since kids may often hear words such as “carbon footprint” and “renewable energy” but not fully understand their meaning. As promised, 101 (more than that, really) easy and creative tips are provided. This green jewel is recommended for ages 8 through 11. (BW)

The Magician’s Elephant
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka

Come one, come all!  Come all those who dare to dream and wonder and hope!  Witness the amazing appearance of DiCamillo’s new gift for young readers, The Magician’s Elephant. Adventurous and hopeful readers will enter a world where daily city life is difficult--miseries, hardships, and injustices abound--but where also anything is possible: love, redemption, perhaps even an elephant appearing from thin air. This world is peopled with a colorful cast of characters who speak to each other with diverting (in the entertaining sense) circular dialogue, like a chorus singing a storytelling ballad.

One character in particular is our hero, Peter Augustus Duchene, whose one question he wants answered is whether his sister lives. Peter is an orphan living with his father’s comrade-in-arms, Vilna Lutz, whose goal is to teach Peter to be a soldier, brave and true, just like his father. When Vilna sends Peter out to the market to buy bread, he is caught instead by a fortuneteller’s sign promising the answer to “the most profound and difficult question that could possibly be posed by the human mind or heart.” Peter cannot resist the idea or the hope of finding out if his sister is indeed alive, and was not stillborn as Vilna Lutz insists. The fortuneteller’s answer is that his sister is alive and he is to follow the elephant to find her, to which Peter retorts with sinking heart, “There are no elephants here.” The fortuneteller then says, “That is surely the truth, at least for now. But perhaps you have not noticed: the truth is forever changing.”

This sentiment is surely the heart of DiCamillo’s fable; if one questions what if? and is it possible?, and is willing also to say yes, then the truth of our world can change. What a great message of optimism that is.  Interior art had not been seen by this reviewer, but Tanaka’s cover art is a muted, magical piece of visual delight.  Very highly recommended for ages 8 to 12. (Jill Barton)


The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Middle School
by David Borgenicht, Ben H. Winters and Robin Epstein

After being a middle-school teacher for 15 years, I know how much this title would have helped calm the nerves of my students entering our school for the first time. This handbook is filled with hints on how to be successful in middle school, which of course means navigating the halls, opening your locker on the first try, using your planner for homework assignments, and how to save your failing grade! The social scene is so very important too and tips are given on making friends and how to deal with bullies as well as what to do when trying out for a team or activity. Every student entering middle school will find this book invaluable as they head off for the life of bells, lockers, and friends! For ages 10-12 (Jeanne Martin, M.ED.)
The Storm in the Barn
by Matt Phelan

Here’s a magnificent example of graphic novel storytelling at its best, one in which the illustrations carry the story and allow all the action, drama, and emotions to unfold. Many pages and panels are totally wordless. The setting is 1937 Kansas. Eleven-year-old Jack Clark, his family, and fellow town members have been suffering the consequences of the Dust Bowl. For years, rain has stopped falling, taking a terrible toll on the people and the land.  As tensions rise to a peak and all hope seems lost, Jack glimpses a mysterious entity in a deserted barn. What ensues is a dramatic confrontation that’s part thriller and part tall tale, one that teaches Jack what it means to be a true hero when one is needed the most. This rich, full-color volume is highly recommended for all libraries and readers age 10 and up. (Jeannine Wiese)

Tales of the Madman Underground
by John Barnes

Karl Shoemaker has a goal for his senior year of high school--to be freaking normal. Throughout his high school career he has been pegged for the school psychotherapy group, but Karl is determined this year will be different.  Dubbed the “Madman Underground” by those obligated to attend group therapy every year, the teens have formed a bond across class, personality, and clique.  Though Karl is close to all the “madmen” he wishes for normality--something he can never have because of his atrocious life with his mom.  The tension set up between his desire to be normal, his personal problems at home, his five jobs, school, and his friends is emotionally exhausting but ultimately satifsying; the novel has the ability to make the reader both laugh and cry.

Tales of the Madman Underground is the maiden YA voyage for published author John Barnes.  Though it shows in some ways (mainly length and tightness of plot), in others he hits the nail on the head in portraying teen lives and concerns.  Barnes also has a gifted ability to make a scene simultaneously hilarious and horrifying.  His characterization, especially of the protagonist, is what really stands out, however.  The subtitle, An Historical Romance 1973, does not best serve as accurate description of the book.  Though set in the 70’s there is no feeling of the past, indeed, the novel feels entirely contemporary or perhaps just timeless.  Because of profanity and mature themes, this one is recommended for ages 14 and up. (JB)

Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl
by Albert Marrin

Albert Marrin, the recipient of the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal, uses his social studies knowledge from his high school teaching days in this informational book about the Great Depression Era.  He begins with the history of the Great Plains writing about the Native Americans, buffalo, transcontinental railroad, the Depression and Roosevelt’s New Deal. He next takes his readers to the dust storms that covered the plains and everything in sight relating how the farmers tried to cope with these catastrophes. Actual accounts and photography are so captivating that one wants to reach out and help these families living through this terrible time period of 118-degree heat, hoards of grasshoppers, and a foot of dirt covering their homes. This title is great for high school students studying The Great Depression Era. Recommended for ages 15-17 (JM)



Meet My Neighbor
Grades K-2

Introducing some different occupations (taekwondo master, artist) to a young audience, this four-book series contains simple text, a picture glossary, and photographs taken by the author. Although the endings are a bit abrupt, the diverse cast and current look of these titles updates an aging section of the collection. I hope more professions are explored next year. All titles are available in both library binding and paperback. (TT)


Biomes of the World
Grades 5-8

This six-book series examines the diverse biomes that exist around the world. Starting with a brief overview of the concept of a biome, each title then examines the distinctive traits of a particular biome. Illustrations, diagrams, and colorful photographs enhance the learning experience. Current threats and challenges to the biomes are also examined. The books conclude with helpful sections, such as glossaries, bibliographies, and related organizations. The titles in this series are available in library binding and paperback. (BW)


Deal With It
Grades 6-9

The adolescence stage of life can be a trying time for both teens and their parents. This series deals with problems that can rear their heads during this time. Peer pressure, privacy, teasing, gossip, and cyberbulling are just a few of the topics highlighted in the series. The books come in a magazine layout with different fonts being used thus keeping the reader’s interest. Each section has a quiz following it with scenes depicted by graphic illustrations. Teens will find answers to their problems on the pages with the “Dear Abby” format with questions such as: “Someone hacked into my account and started changing my profile information.  What can I do?” This series provides a wealth of information on how to cope and solve troubling situations adolescents might run into in middle or high school. Recommended for ages 11-14 (JM)
Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions, 8th ed.

Sometimes we need to remember the standard titles comprising our collections as everyone re-evaluates their reference collections and budgets.  And such the case for this encyclopedia identifying 2,800+ religious sects in the United States and Canada and providing historical facts to current information.  Arranged in religious families, the thorough coverage presents illustrations, maps, bibliographies, and chronologies offering your user a complete understanding for each entry. For your youth patrons, this resource should remain a constant title on all library reference shelves. (Dr. William R. Taylor)