Book Review: Unbecoming

UNBECOMING by Jenny Downham is a compelling work of realistic fiction focusing on family secrets and

three generations of women.

When Katie’s estranged grandmother suddenly moves into her home, the whole family must adjust to not only grandma’s dementia but also to long hidden family secrets. Multiple crises converge as Katie adjusts to a realization about her own sexuality, tries to understand her mother’s bizarre behavior, and wrestles with her younger brother’s special needs.

Downham’s beautifully written prose provides fascinating insights into the lives of a grandmother, mother, and teenaged daughter. This poignant, moving story will resonate with many teens.

Librarians will want to add this book to their growing collection of young adult novels focusing on multi-generational issues. Young adults are likely to enjoy the authentic look at aging, relationships, and family secrets.

Published by David Fickling Books, an imprint of Scholastic on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Data USA

DATA USA provides easy-to-access visualizations of critical issues facing the United States.

Describing itself as “the most comprehensive visualization of U.S. public data”, the website is a collaboration between corporations and MIT. The easy-to-use website puts public US Government data in the hands of citizens.

In the Profiles section, users can conduct a general search or narrow their focus by location, industry, occupation, or education. Within each of these four profile areas, users can focus in on specific aspects by scrolling down the page and viewing an engaging infographic.

The Stories section provides fascinating insights into the data in particular areas such as men and industry or obesity and diabetes. These short articles are written by experts and demonstrate the importance of data across disciplines.

The Map area allows users to zoom in on particular areas of the United States to explore the data.

The Data component details the data sources used in building the website.

Use the Glossary page in the About section to introduce youth to key terms related to data analysis.

Librarians will find this tool to be an excellent way to address data literacy topics. Youth can use the website to access information, conduct their own analysis, and create their own stories about America’s people, places, industries, and educational institutions. From basic comparisons of two places to complex analysis of issues such as rural vs urban locations, the website is a great way for youth to explore data and visualizations.

In addition to containing useful information, students will find the website to be visually stunning.

To visit the website, go to http://datausa.io/.

Book Review: Lucky

LUCKY by Chris Hill is an animal adventure that tells the story of feuding squirrel clans.

Lucky is a small, red squirrel who has been adopted by a band of gray squirrels. He quickly learns that he must develop some new skills in order to fit in and to survive in Albion Park. Along the way, he meets a cast of interesting characters including dogs, a fox, and a rival group of gray squirrels.

The author’s note provides information about the history of gray and red squirrels in the UK.

Librarians will find that this book appeals to middle grade animals lovers. Fans of the Warriors series and classics like Watership Down, The Wind in the Willows, and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMN will immediately be drawn to the characters. It’s also a good choice for readers who enjoyed the Elliot’s Park books and are ready for something a little longer.

Published by Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Longbow Girl

LONGBOW GIRL by Linda Davies is the first book in an exciting time-travel adventure trilogy.

Merry lives in the mountains of Wales where she’s the latest in a long line of archers. When she stumbles upon an old book in the woods and discovers an underground river into the past, Merry must use her archery skills to save her ancestral land.

With lots of action, intrigue, and hint of romance, librarians will easily find an audience for this engaging mystery fantasy. Many young adults will be attracted to the Welsh setting, strong female lead, and autocratic kingdom of King Henry VIII. Of particular note is the effective way the author weaves the protagonist’s loss of sight in one eye into the storyline without making it the focus of the novel.

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

Published by The Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Tooth by Tooth

TOOTH BY TOOTH: COMPARING FANGS, TUSKS, AND CHOMPERS by Sara Levine is a fun follow-up to the popular Bone by Bone.

This informational picture book designed for the primary grades introduces readers to the teeth of mammals. Taking a question-and-answer approach, children are asked to look at their own teeth, then think about the teeth of other creatures including dogs, cats, and bears.

T.S. Spookytooth’s illustrations add to the fun, but they also contribute to the high-quality learning experience.

Information about animal adaptations adds depth to the text. The book includes additional facts, a glossary, bibliography, and online resources.

Librarians will find the humorous approach will appeal to young readers who enjoy informational reading. Use this book as the focus of a dental health display that includes nonfiction works along with models of teeth.

Published by Lerner Publishing Group on March 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Chrome Music Lab

CHROME MUSIC LAB is an addictive, interactive music website from Google.

The intuitive web project provides a dozen easy-to-use music tools. Each experience helps users explore some aspect of how music works. Users can create, analyze, and visualize music using their web browser. Topics include rhythm, spectrogram, chords, sound waves, arpeggios, Kandinsky, melody maker, voice spinner, harmonics, piano roll, oscillators, and strings.

Librarians will find this app to work well in a music maker station along with traditional hands-on music activities. While even young children can explore music using this website, older students will be interested in how the freely available code can be repurposed for other programs.

To visit the website, go to https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/.

Book Review: A Big Surprise for Little Card

A BIG SURPRISE FOR LITTLE CARD by Charise Mericle Harper tells the sweet story of a young card who is destined to become a library card.

When Little Card opens the wrong letter, he thinks he’ll going to be trained as a birthday card. However he soon realizes that his destiny lies with a librarian named Miss Penny and a young library user called Alex.

The easy-to-read font and whimsical illustrations will appeal to young readers.

Librarians will find this picture book to be a nice addition to their collection focusing on library topics. Use it to introduce young readers to the library.

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

Published by Candlewick Press on February 9, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: How Many Saturdays?

HOW MANY SATURDAYS? is an amazing data app from Exploratorium that helps young people explore units of time.

Users enter their birthdate and the app shows how much time they’ve lived in hours, minutes, and seconds. It also provides fascinating data based on the time an individual has been alive such as the number of Friday the 13ths, lightning strikes, presidential elections, and hours watching television. For each item, the app provides an image, animation, video, or audio to accompany the data.

Librarians will find this data app to be a fun way to gather information for autobiographical infographics. Ask youth to think about how they would display different types of data.

To download the app, go tohttp://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/apps/how-many-saturdays.

Published by Exploratorium.

Book Review: The Great Pet Escape

THE GREAT PET ESCAPE by Victoria Jamieson is a hilarious graphic fantasy about what class pets do at night.

When hamster, inventor, and class pet GW (George Washington) escapes from his cage in the second grade classroom, he sets off to free his friends. However he soon finds out that many of his peers like being class pets. Along the way, GW and his friends discover an evil plot by the Harriet, the fourth-grade mouse and must save their school.

Designed for beginning chapter book readers, the simple, colorful panels and engaging storyline will appeal to the target audience.

Although some of the humor may be “over the heads” of younger readers, they’ll “get” the general sarcastic tone. Librarians will find children asking for a sequel. Until then, connect this book with the many other beginning graphic chapter books published the past couple years. Readers of this title are likely to enjoy the Toon Books early chapter books too.

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

Published by Henry Holt on February 16, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: Messy Mia & the Tale of Ancient Technology

MESSY MIA & THE TALE OF ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY is an interactive story and learning app focusing on old and new technology.

Designed for preschool and primary aged children, the 20 page storybook explores how technology such as televisions, phones, and music players have changed over time. The large text, engaging storyline, and attractive illustrations will keep young children interested. The app provides “Read it Myself” and “Read to Me” options. Readers are encouraged to interact with the screen using predictable icons. In addition, a “What’s That Picture?” quiz and three, short games will appeal to users and keep them involved in the story content.

Librarians will find this app an effective way to address digital literacy standards related to changes in technology.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/messy-mia-tales-sto…/id928647708…. The basic app is free, but additional resources can be purchased.

Published Avatar Generation.

Book Review: Big Friends

BIG FRIENDS by Linda Sarah is an adorable picture book that tells the story of cardboard boxes, imagination, and friendship.

Birt and Etho share a passion for turning ordinary paper boxes into imaginary worlds featuring pirates and astronauts. However when Shu joins the group, Birt becomes uncomfortable and retreats to his house. Shu and Etho find a way to bring Birt back into the fold by combining their boxes together.

The simple illustrations and pleasing rhythm of the story will appeal to young children. Youth will easily empathize with the friendship themes.

Librarians will find that this authentic story is an excellent resource to jumpstart discussions about friendship, jealousy, change, and working together. Use the book as the centerpiece of a cardboard box themed project with hands-on activities involving groups of two and three working together.

Published by Henry Holt on January 19, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: Who is the Ugliest of All?

WHO IS THE UGLIEST OF ALL? is an engaging, interactive e-book app by Joshua and Donna Wilson.

This clever story follows a girl as she prepares to go out for the evening. Her fashion choices seem strange until readers discover she’s getting ready for a Halloween party. This short, interactive picture book incorporates interesting interactions, appealing illustrations, and entrancing rhymes.

Readers move forward or backward through the story by touching the right or left side of the screen. Users can explore each story page by touching various areas of the screen. Touching the words will read the page aloud.

Librarians will find this storybook app to be an exciting addition to the growing number of holiday-themed interactive books.

To purchase the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/who-is-the-ugliest-…/id930248798….

Published by The Happy Dandelion. Advanced copy courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Titans

TITANS by Victoria Scott is a captivating near-future, science fiction, young adult novel involving high-stakes, mechanical horse racing.

Astrid Sullivan lives in a working-class neighbor near the race track where jockeys practice with their robotic horses known as Titans. Designed by and for the wealthy elite, these life-like horses have ruined the lives of many poor people who gamble on the outcome of their popular races. However math-whiz Astrid jumps at the chance to recondition an old Titan and enter it in a race that could change her life.

The heart-pounding race descriptions along with the moving stories of friendship and family will keep teen readers engaged from beginning to end. Fans of romance may be disappointed, but others will enjoy the lack of a love interest and focus on friendship instead.

Librarians will find that this book appeals to both horse and fantasy lovers. Fans of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater will enjoy this title too.

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

Published by Scholastic Press on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Flu Near You

FLU NEAR YOU is an informative and educational website focusing on community health in North America.

Users can identify where flu is more prevalent and also report instances of the flu.

Using data from the CDC, the Flu Map shows flu in your local area. The map can be expanded to show all of North America. Icons show areas exhibiting flu-like symptoms, any symptoms, and no symptoms.

The About section provides information about how the data is collected and who is sharing the data.

The News section features short articles about flu, prevention, and related health issues.

Librarians will find that this focused, easy-to-use website useful in teaching data literacy. The attractive format will appeal to students and the quality content will draw in teacher users.

To visit the website, go to https://flunearyou.org/.

Book Review: Nettie and Nellie Crook: Orphan Train Twins

NETTIE AND NELLIE CROOK: ORPHAN TRAIN SISTERS by E. F. Abbott is based on the true experiences of twin girls in the early 20th century.

When their parents can no longer take care of them, Nettie and Nellie are taken by the Children’s Aid Society to live in an orphanage. Eventually, they travel to Kansas then South Dakota to be adopted.

Orphan train stories are popular with children. Readers will enjoy the biographical information and the historical photographs will bring the time period to life for readers.

Librarians will find that this new series is a good way to introduce middle grade youth to the heartbreaking reality of children’s lives in key time periods in American history. Although written as historical fiction, the books are based on real events. The titles are short and easy-to-read making them useful for classroom activities.

Other books in the new “Based on a True Story” series include Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Rider, John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy, and Mary Jamison: Native American Captive.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on February 16, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Last Boy at St. Edith's

THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH’S by Lee Gjertsen Malone is a humorous, heart-warming school story for middle grade readers.

When seventh-grader Jeremy becomes the last boy attending an all-girl’s private school, he tries to figure out a way to get expelled so he can transfer to another school. However when one of his pranks backfires, he realizes the consequences of his actions and reconsiders what’s important.

Librarians will find this school story to be an enjoyable experience for middle grade readers. The blend of humor with serious, age-appropriate topics make this debut novel a good choice for a broad range of youth.

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

Published by Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Just Think Twice

JUSTTHINKTWICE is a website for teens focusing on topics related to drug abuse and prevention.

Sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the website contains text, videos, images, and infographics related to topics of interest to young adults.

The Drug Information section includes details regarding specific types of drugs and paraphernalia.

The News and Media area includes articles, videos, publications, and other current information about drugs and drug abuse.

The True Stories section features teens whose lives were destroyed by drugs.

The Consequences area explores the impact of drugs on health, family, and future.

The Facts and Stats section provides facts, quizzes, and resources related to drug abuse.

Librarians will find this website to be an excellent source for student researchers in health or social studies classes.

To visit the website, go to https://www.justthinktwice.com/.

Book Review: The Lincoln Project

THE LINCOLN PROJECT by Dan Gutman is the first book in the exciting new time-travel adventure series titled Flashback Four.

Four children are invited to go back in time to take a photo of Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address. Along the way, they develop an understanding of history in general along with the specific time period of the adventure.

This fast-paced, light-hearted adventure immerses readers in history using an approach that will appeal to a broad audience.

The book includes an author’s note, further readings and websites, as well as places to visit.

Librarians will find fans of Dan Gutman flocking to his new middle grades series. Readers will particularly enjoy how the narrator jumps into the story providing historical information. The diverse cast of characters and unique approach will keep readers coming back for more.

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

Published by HarperCollins on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Girl from Everywhere

GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE immerses readers in a world of time travel, fantasy, adventure, and romance.

Nix and her father literally sail through time. Traveling to both real and fantasy locations, Nix’s father is seeking a map of 1868 Honolulu in hopes of changing the past. However, this mystery map has serious implications for Nix.

Librarians will want to add this title to their growing collection of books focusing on time travel adventures.

This story of loyalty, family, and adventure is sure to engage young adult audiences. Readers who enjoy intrigue and well-developed characters will be drawn to this fantasy. A sequel is in the works.

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

Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins on February 16, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Salt to the Sea

SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys tells the story of refugees on a dangerous journey at the end of World War II in Europe.

Joana, Emilia, and Florian along with thousands of others make their way along dirt roads and the back country in hopes of finding a place on a ship to freedom. Told through alternative voices, readers learn the backstory of each character and how they came together in these desperate times. In addition to the three refugees, readers also gain insights into the life of a German soldier named Alfred. Along the way, the author skillfully integrates important war topics including the loss of great artwork, rape by soldiers, and prejudice.

This well-researched young adult work of historical fiction weaves in true events including the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff carrying ten thousand wounded soldiers and refugees. The back matter includes author notes connecting the real events to the narrative along with sources, maps, and other information.

Librarians will find this book to be an excellent addition to their World War II historical fiction collections. The alternating viewpoints and variety of well-developed characters will be of particular interest to teen readers. The constant threats and ever-changing landscapes help the plot move quickly.

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

Published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin on February 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.