Book Review: The Wolf's Boy

THE WOLF’S BOY by Susan Williams Buckhorn tells the compelling story of a boy and his wolf set during the Ice Age.

Born with a clubfoot, baby Kai is left for the wolves. Miraculously he survives and forms a special bond with the wolf pack. Although shunned by his people, the boy develops a relationship with a homeless wolf cub and the pair journey into dangerous, unknown territory.

From fascinating rock art to amazing Paleolithic creatures, this carefully researched novel will bring the prehistoric time period to life for young readers.

Librarians will find a large audience among middle grade youth who enjoy action-adventure stories. The Paleolithic time period will be a particular draw as well as the animal story.

To learn more about the author, go to http://suebeckhorn.com/

Published by Disney-Hyperion on June 7, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Series Review: Mission Rescue

The MISSION RESCUE series from National Geographic is intended to inspire young people to learn about endangered animals and how they can be saved.

MISSION SHARK RESCUE begins by exploring the threats facing sharks. Then, each chapter explores some aspect of sharks including their role as predators, their habitat, life cycle, physical characteristics, and connection with humans. Stories, facts, photos, and rescue activities and challenges are woven through the book to keep readers engaged.

MISSION PANDA RESCUE examines the reasons why pandas are endangered. The six chapters explore the panda’s habitat, characteristics, families, and relationship with people. The many photographs and other visuals bring these animals to life. Interesting stories, interviews, facts, and activities help generate reader interest in saving these adorable creatures.

The series also includes titles focusing on lions, wolves, polar bears, elephants, tigers, and sea turtles.

Librarians will find that this series appeals to animals lovers as well as children who enjoy nature, the environment, and social change. Students who enjoy biographies will like the many one-page interviews woven through the books. The focus on photographs, infographics, and small blocks of text will be of interest to nonfiction fans.

Published by National Geographic Children’s Books on March 8, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Most Dangerous

MOST DANGEROUS: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR by Steve Sheinkin is a powerful, nonfiction narrative exploring issues of war, espionage, and government trust.

Written for young adults, Sheinkin skillfully tells the story of Daniel Ellsberg, an analyst who exposes decades of government deceit. Tracing Ellsberg’s life from his boyhood through to the end of the Vietnam War, the author weaves together an unbiased look at the man who exposed what became known as the Pentagon Papers.

Librarians will find a large audience for this book among the growing YA fans of narrative nonfiction. In addition, the combination of war and government secrets will be attractive to readers who enjoy military and spy stories.

Youth will be drawn to connections with recent whistleblowers like Edward Snowden described in the book’s epilogue.

For many librarians who remember this time period or have read books like “All the President’s Men”, this provocative biography will help put the time period in context and revisit the key issues and events in an easy to digest chronology.

Look for this title on the “best of 2015” lists.

Learn more about the author at http://stevesheinkin.com/.

Published by Roaring Brook Press an imprint of Macmillan on September 22, 2015. ARC from publisher.

Book Review: Extreme Planet

EXTREME PLANET by National Geographic Kids follows Carsten Peter’s adventures exploring intense environments around the world.

In each exciting chapter, author Carsten Peter explores a different amazing landscape including volcanoes, glaciers and ice sheets, deserts, caves, canyons, and other extreme places. The topics feature maps, diagrams, and full color photographs. In addition to an interesting narrative, each chapter also includes expert tips, notes from the field, necessary gear and gadgets, and sidebars containing related facts.

Activities are woven throughout the book. Youth learn to make a tornado in a bottle, use a topographical map, and grow stalactites. The book also includes a glossary, resources, activity ideas, and an index.

Librarians will find that youth enjoy following an explorer visiting exciting destinations around the work. Connect the book with nonfiction works focusing on the science of each destination such as volcanoes and caves.

Published by National Geographic Kids on October 13, 2015.

Book Review: The Scorpion Rules

THE SCORPION RULES by Erin Bow is a fast-paced, young adult, dystopian drama set four hundred years in the future.

Known as Children of Peace, the heirs of each country are sent to live in a boarding school controlled by the United Nations which is run by an artificial intelligence. If a war is declared, the “hostages” of the countries involved with the conflict are killed. Greta along with her friends Elian, Xie and other classmates are faced with difficult decisions when their school is attacked.

Librarians will find this science fiction novel to be equally popular among boys and girls. The balance of violence, romance, and life-changing dilemmas will appeal to young adults who enjoy a thought-provoking storyline with a twist of wicked wit. Fans of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will find Talis’ dark humor particularly compelling.

Unlike many of today’s dystopian works that rely on adventure and violence, this story leans more toward classic science fiction storytelling and questions about the nature of humanity. Readers will enjoy the satisfying ending but still be thirsty for more books about the Children of Peace.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.erinbow.com/.

Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster on September 22, 2015. ARC paper and ebook.

Book Review: If You Love Honey

IF YOU LOVE HONEY by Martha Sullivan is an amazing informational science picture exploring connections in nature.

Each page of the story begins with some variation of “if you love…, then you…”. Readers are taken through a series of connected flora and fauna starting with honey and ending with children at a picnic. Supplemental information on each page describes the importance of each aspect of nature including insects, birds, and soils.

In addition to the narrative, readers will enjoy additional information and activities at the end of the book including an I-Spy game; information about pollination and honey; and bee activities.

While many science books for children focus on a single topic or gloss over the big picture, this beautifully illustrated picture book manages to pack in dozens of essential science concepts into an engaging narrative.

Librarians will find lots of connections to the science curriculum. Use this book to kick off an exploration for each of the creatures in the story. Create a display that includes nonfiction books on bees and honey.

To download activities to accompany the book, go tohttp://www.dawnpub.com/activities/honey/.

Published by Dawn Publications on September 1, 2015.

Book Review: I'm New Here

I’M NEW HERE by Anne Sibley O’Brien is a touching picture book following three immigrant children adapting to their new American school.

When Maria, Jin, and Fatimah first arrive in their new school, they’re shy, apprehensive, and confused. However as they observe their peers and begin to participate in classroom activities, they slowing gain confidence.

The colorful, realistic illustrations along with the simple sentences and speech bubbles are perfect for the primary grades.

Librarians will find this book to be an excellent addition to their nonfiction collection focusing on diversity, multicultural issues, and the immigrant experience. Connect this book with social studies in the primary grades.

The author recommends a website called I’m Your Neighbor that promotes children’s literature featuring new arrivals. Go to http://www.imyourneighborbooks.org/.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.annesibleyobrien.com/.

Publish by Charlesbridge on August 4, 2015.

Book Review: Because You'll Never Meet Me

BECAUSE YOU’LL NEVER MEET ME by Leah Thomas tells the story of pen pals who bond through their unique challenges and perspectives on life.

Ollie is allergic to electricity and Moritz lacks eyes, but has super-sensitive echolocation skills. They live lonely lives a world apart, but become close friends through their correspondence. Dealing with a disability and the challenge of being different are at the core of this engaging work of young adult fiction.

Through letters in alternating chapters, Thomas tells a humorous, but also serious story of two teens growing up in isolation. Careful readers will enjoy seeing the plot unfold and be satisfied by the multi-faceted conclusion.

Librarians will find this work of fiction appealing to those that enjoy quasi-realistic fiction with an epistolary approach. However, the hint of fantasy makes the story intriguing for those that enjoy mystery and science fiction.

Published by Bloomsbury, Macmillan on June 2, 2015.

Book Review: The Orphan Army

THE ORPHAN ARMY by Jonathan Maberry is the first book in the new Nightsiders fantasy series.

When Earth is invaded by aliens, young Milo becomes part of a group of scavengers helping soldiers in a remote area of the Louisiana bayou. During a scouting expedition, Milo stumbles upon magical creatures who are also battling the alien invaders. Together, they form a ragtag army, save their friends, and take back an ancient, magical artifact stolen by the evil Huntsman.

This fast-paced, science fiction adventure is well-written with engaging plot elements that keep the heart-pounding tension going from start to finish. Middle grade readers will enjoy the banter among the well-developed fantasy creatures reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy. The author skillful interweaves dream segments and diary entries to add appeal.

With both giant bug aliens and magical creatures, this new series will appeal to a wide range of fantasy and science fiction fans. Youth will be begging librarians for the next book in this hot new series.

To learn about the author, go to http://www.jonathanmaberry.com/.

Published by Simon & Schuster, May 19, 2015.