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I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President

Posted by Ray on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 2:58 PM

Title: I Am a Genius of Unspeakble Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

Recommended Grade Level: 5-9

NoveList K-8 Plus gives the reading level of this book as Grades 5-9. I, an adult (well, somewhat), saw an ad for it in a journal and found the title intriguing. As the last book I read was about the Byzantine Empire, Mr. Lieb's book, in comparison, reads quite easily and much quicker. Although written by a grown adult (I presume!), the story is sort of a child fantasy. A middle school student, Oliver Watson, who appears somewhat overweight, lazy and, well, stupid, is in actuality industrious, a genius, the third richest guy in the world and, uh, somewhat overweight. His billion-plus fortune is based upon his stealing $20 from his mother's purse and then through his genius investing and reinvesting with amazingly profitable results. With this funding, he has had built an immense underground "lair" beneath his bedroom at home, has made his-knowledge-only improvements in his school that he manipulates for his benefit and pleasure (including drinking fountains which if you know how to operate them, run soda pop), and has a team of "minions" at the school who protect him in various ways including shooting into the necks of bullies darts tipped with a chemical he invented, Lazopril, which saps hostility from those pricked and has the side effect of intense (and embarrassing) flatulence. That which moves the plot is Oliver's desire to be nominated for and winning election as class president and the story, narrated by Master Oliver himself, is what transpires both among the faculty and staff, his classmates, his henchmen and his family. Through it all we learn, if only his father had shown more interest in and support of him, things would have been much different and much better. The book has a surprising and pleasant ending.

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo

Posted by HilaryL on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 4:36 PM

Title: The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo

Recommended Grade Level: 5-8

As if navigating the halls of middle school wasn't tough enough! Enter Vinny "Biggs" Biggio and his ruthless crew of squirt gun wielding thugs. One strategically aimed squirt and any middle schooler will find herself on the "outs" faster than a skate on ice. Nicole "Nikki Fingers" Finnegan, the most feared squirt gun assassin in school, is about to get payback, and it's up to Matt Stevens to solve the case and figure out who did Nikki Fingers in. A fun parody of hard-boiled detective novels complete with a gumshoe (Matt), dames, a corrupt police force (hall monitors), and a geeky newspaper reporter. A few plot points seem to be left dangling (what about Matt's dad? What's the beef between Matt's mom and boss? etc...), but perhaps this suggests a future sequel? A crowd pleaser that should satiate the appetites of mystery lovers and those looking for a good book about middle school drama.

A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum

Posted by Rebecca on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 1:23 PM

Title: A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Will is 15 years old, nearly 16. His cowboy skills are excellent. He is ready to be a man. But if he stays at the ranch he can't. His father has him constantly play "nursemaid" for his twin brother Denny who has Down's Syndrome. The big rodeo, for which Will has spent a year saving money for, is coming up very soon and Will is hoping not only to win every event and the overall prize purse but to use the rodeo as the opportunity to escape the ranch and Denny and, finally, begin living his own life. Hitch number one: his father reneges on his promise and refuses to let Will go. Hitch number two: when he leaves anyway, Denny follows him.

This is a solid story about the frustrations involved caring for a person with disabilities and not being able to prove yourself when you know you can do it, and the very complicated feelings someone must have when the person you believe is holding you back is also your beloved twin brother.

Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

Posted by Bronwyn on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 1:21 PM

Title: Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Milada, a young Czech girl living during the Nazi invasion of her country, is taken from her family and becomes part of the Lebensborn program of the Third Reich. This program took blonde, blue-eyed children who fit the "Aryan" mold by Hitler and forced them to become "good German children." She is given to a German family who lives close to the Ravensbruck concentration camp where the father is a high-ranking officer. Milada becomes Eva and is forced to speak only German without question, and to forget she was ever Czechoslovakian; but she hides a small piece of jewelry from her grandmother which reminds her to remember who she really is, no matter what happens.

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

Posted by Bronwyn on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 1:19 PM

Title: The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Martine Allen's parents are killed in a house fire, and she is sent to Cape Town, South Africa to live on a wildlife reserve with a grandmother she never knew she had. As it turns out, the grandmother isn't too happy about her being there. The 11-year old girl is sent to the local school where she is the outsider, and is mocked by students and her teacher as well. Martine, however, learns the legend of the white giraffe and is drawn to find it and befriend it. She also finds out that poachers are on the lookout for it as well. The descriptions of the wildlife reserve, the vastness of the land and the legend of the white giraffe will draw the reader in.

I found the book slow-going at first, but began to like the story very much as Martine grew to love her new home, understand her powers of healing, and I appreciated her love for Jemmy, the white giraffe.

Martine's story continues in Dolphin Song and The Last Leopard.

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

Posted by Librariann on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 1:17 PM

Title: Shark Girl by Bingham Kelly

Recommended Grade Level: 6+

It only takes a second for your life to change. Fifteen year old Jane knows it very well. One moment, it's a summer day and she is swimming in the ocean. The next, she's the victim of a random shark attack. She survives. Her right arm does not. Once awake in the hospital, she’s newly famous, thanks to a video shot by a person on the beach. But fame can't return her arm. How will she adapt? Are her dreams of becoming an artist gone forever? And how will her friends treat her when school begins in the fall?

Told in verse, news clippings, letters and conversations, this story about recovering from a life-altering event will be especially appreciated by preteen and young teen readers.

Generation Dead by Dan Waters

Posted by HilaryL on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 9:53 AM

Title: Generation Dead by Dan Waters

Recommended Grade Level: 9+

A phenomenon has taken over the United States - dead teens aren't staying dead. They're becoming the living dead, zombies, differently biotic (the socially acceptable term). Many would like to see the differently biotic disappear. There are others, like The Hunter Foundation, who are working toward better understanding of what makes the differently biotic so...different, and then there's girls like Phoebe who just might be falling for one of the differently biotic much to the chagrin of everyone around her including her best friend, her parents, and Adam, the boy next door.
Waters has expanded his concept with a blog (www.mysocalledundeath.com) written by Tommy, the main undead character in the story. It's kept surprisingly up to date, and will almost make you believe that Zombies are out there. A witty read that is sure to keep fans of the undead entertained.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by W. R. Philbrick

Posted by HilaryL on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 2:25 PM

Title: The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by W. R. Philbrick

Recommended Grade Level: 5+

When Homer's older brother, Harold, is illegally sold to fight with the Union Army, he escapes from his Uncle Squint's farm in an attempt to rescue his brother from the terrible Civil War that is raging. Along the way he encounters everything from escaped slaves on the underground railroad to Professor Fleabottom and his traveling medicine show, eventually finding himself smack-dab in the middle of the battle of Gettysburg. Philbrick has given Homer a believable voice and the vernacular of the story fits in line with a small town boy in the Civil War era. He is a little scallywag, a tremendous storyteller, and a quick-witted escape artist, reminiscent of Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. Philbrick's writing is often humorous, but turns sharply sinister as the horrors of the Civil War are shown. A glossary of Civil War terms and slang from the area is an added bonus. Highly engaging and exciting - a must read Civil War story for all young historians.

Elephant Run by Roland Smith

Posted by HilaryL on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:58 PM

Title: Elephant Run by Roland Smith

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

As World War II rages, and bombings become more and more frequent in Nick's London neighborhood, his mother decides it will be safer for him to return to Burma, where his father owns an elephant timber farm. Nick is ecstatic to return to the farm he remembers from his childhood, but isn't there long before the Japanese invade Burma and find their way to the timber farm, taking Nick, his father, and any mahouts (elephant trainers) who sympathize, as prisoner.

Elephant Run takes a part of World War II that we don't often hear about and weaves it into an intense and action packed story.

It;s a great story that will appeal to many different types of readers — those who like action, those who like history, and those who like animals. This book is a crowd pleaser.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

Posted by Kathryn on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:56 PM

Title: The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader with an unusual name. He is also the lone Presbyterian in a class of kids who are either Jewish or Catholic. And as a result of this, Holling is forced to spend every Wednesday afternoon alone with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, who he believes can't stand his guts from their very first meeting. Over the course of the school year, Holling has to contend with many potential disasters — cream puffs, rats and Shakespeare to name a few. Fate sneaks up on Holling over and over again but along the way, he learns the definitions of tragedy and comedy and learns what it means to become a man.

This is a very funny book that at times is a true slice of life of a seventh grade boy growing up in 1967.

The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo

Posted by HilaryL on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Title: The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

On the eve of his 50th birthday in which he is to perform a solo concert, famed violinist Levi Paolo reveals to a young reporter the story of how he first learned to play violin. As a boy living in Venice, young Levi hears that his father was once a magnificent violin player. He begs his mother to tell him about it, and one day she promises to show Levi his father's violin only if he promises to never ask about it again. Levi is immediately transfixed by the instrument and begins taking lessons with a violinist that he meets playing along the canals. His talent eventually leads to a secret his parents have been keeping that changed the course of their lives and will in turn change the course of Levi's.

Told in a comfortable and conversational tone, as though you are the reporter sitting across from Levi, the tale grabs you like a documentary film does. Soft pastel toned watercolors add depth to the story and are a nice touch. Don't let this slim, picture filled volume fool you, though — it's a story best saved for a more sophisticated reader.

Kimchi and Calimari by Rose Kent

Posted by Rebecca on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:52 PM

Title: Kimchi and Calamari by Rose Kent

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Joseph Calderaro, a Korean adoptee raised in a loving, very Italian family, is as happy as a kid has a right to be until a homework assignment about family heritage turns him inside out. Frustration is added to his confusion when his parents are less than forthcoming about his adoption details. A Korean family moves in nearby and Joseph begins to feel he's not a "real" Korean but he's obviously not Italian either. What about his birth parents? Who are they? Why did they give him up? Many of Joseph's decisions and behavior at this confusing time makes his relationship with his father tense and unhappy. On top of all this, Joseph's trying to spark up a relationship with the very pretty and popular Kelly.

The back of the book has advance praise from three known children's authors who claim the author has done a superb job capturing the voice of a 14-year-old boy. I disagree. Lines like "That stinks worse than skunk juice!" and phrases like "between their dumb bunny eyes" haven't been used by any middle schooler since the '50s (and maybe not even then). Kent has written a book where the characters talk, think, and behave in a way which she wishes was so, instead of the way it really is. Disappointing.

Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

Posted by Bronwyn on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Title: Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Victor Flores, a 15 year old Mexican boy, makes the desperate decision to leave his home in Mexico and cross the border into the United States. He is the sole support for his widowed mother, his sisters and little brother. Victor hasn't the money to pay the cruel coyotes, those who lead other illegal workers through the desert and over the border, so he goes it alone. Along the way he meets others who, like himself, will try almost anything to find a better life in El Norte and earn enough money to send home to feed their hungry families.

Hobbs has written a strong story of post 9/11 fears and anger, indictments of money-hungry landlords and companies, and a persistent young boy who risks his life to save his family.

Freedom Walkers by Russell Freedman

Posted by Kathryn on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:48 PM

Title: Freedom Walkers : The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

In December 1949, Jo Ann Robinson was a Professor of English at Alabama State University in Montgomery. Tired after a long day of teaching, Jo Ann got on the bus, her thoughts on the upcoming Christmas holiday that she would be spending with her family in Ohio and made the mistake of sitting in the fifth row. It was then that she suffered the most humiliating experience of her life: the bus driver got out of his seat, raised his arm at her, shouted at her and told her to get up out of her seat and move to the back of the bus — she was sitting in one of the first ten rows on the bus that were reserved for Whites Only. Startled and frightened, she broke into tears and got off the bus. After this experience she decided to join the Women's Political Council and that she would do everything in her power to challenge Montgomery's segregated bus seating laws.

Jo Ann was one of many who banded together to have this inhuman treatment stopped. Many others joined the cause. Among them were Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, but there were thousands others who helped in this fight for civil rights. This book has a lot of detail and information regarding this interesting and turbulent period in our country's history, including many photographs from the time.

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Posted by Librariann on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:46 PM

Title: Shooting the Moon by Francess O'Roark Dowell

Recommended Grade Level: 4-8

Jamie is almost thirteen and she thinks she knows all there is to know, especially about the Army. She was born on an army base in Germany and spent her early childhood engaging in mock battles along with her older brother TJ under the eye of her father, the Colonel. Jamie is quick to tell anyone that she would go to Vietnam and heroically fight in the war there if someone would just let her. But when TJ enlists after high school, she's surprised by the Colonel's lack of enthusiasm at her brother's choice to become a medic instead of attend college. As Jamie spends the summer working in the rec center on the Texas base where she lives, what she learns about what's really happening in Vietnam — from the stories told to her by the soldiers on base and from the rolls of film her brother sends from overseas that she learns to develop — turns out to be much different from the valor and glory she'd once played at.

This quick read focuses on the effect that the Vietnam War has on Jamie's small world rather than America's outlook on the war as a whole and will appeal to younger readers.