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Publisher’s Weekly has announced its picks for the Best Children’s Books of 2009.  “From accounts of civil rights heroes, to harrowing (and hopeful) stories about contemporary teenagers, to picture books that perfectly capture friendship, curiosity, or flights of fancy, 2009 held a treasure trove of wonderful reading for children of all ages and interests. Narrowing them down to just 30 titles wasn’t an easy task, but we believe the following books stand out for their remarkable writing, indelible characters, and arresting artwork.” Publisher’s Weekly 11/2/09 Read the full Publisher’s Weekly article here. Congratulations to Chris Gall, Tucson author and illustrator of the awesome Dinotrux!Read More →

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In: Middle Grade Reviews, Mystery & Suspense, Supernatural & Horror
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F.E. Higgins’ newest book for middle readers, The Eyeball Collector, takes us to another macabre setting in her stories from Urbs Umida.  It’s full of mystery, danger, blackmail, the grotesque, and of course, revenge.   Hector Fitzbauldy lives a rich and privileged life on the north side of the River Foedus in a Victorian-esqe Urbs Umida, but he is curious about the seedy, dangerous life on the South side of the river, far from the safety and wealth of his father’s comfortable home.  But after his father is blackmailed into losing his wealth, influence and even his life, the gritty life of a street urchin is Hector’s reality.  AsRead More →

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Teenreads.com conducted a survey of teen readers and the results, along with an analysis, are available in this article from Publisher’s Weekly.  Looking at what teens read, what they buy, influences and conflicts for time and dollars, there are some interesting results and ideas for educators and booksellers.  Check it out!Read More →

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In: Action & Adventure, General Book Reviews, Middle Grade Reviews, Multicultural, Mystery & Suspense
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Dweeb: Burgers Beasts and Brainwashed Bullies by Aaron Starmer follows the tale of five boys- Denton, Wendell, Eddie, Elijah and Bijay-who are thrown together after Vice Principal Snodgrass frames them for stealing the Bake Sale money. Snodgrass’ punishment is extreme-he locks the boys in a secret room beneath the school and forces them to study for the upcoming Idaho tests- if the boys ace them, their crime will be forgiven. But there is something more going on at the school and the 5 misfits, now collectively called DWEEB, must use all of their skills to unravel the mysterious happenings at Ho-Ho-Kus Junior High. This isRead More →

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In: Middle Grade Reviews, Romance (YA), Supernatural & Horror, Supernatural & Horror (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
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I may have been watching too much Buffy: The Vampire Slayer lately, but… 16 year old Nikki’s just moved to another town and unlike other schools, seems to have been able to make friends with the most popular girl in school. And, the cutest guy has just asked her to attend the winter formal dance.  But then a strange, secretive guy starts stalking her.  When Michael finally catches up to Nikki, he reveals that her long-lost father is actually a demon king, charged with protecting the Shadowlands and prohibiting the demons of Hell from reaching Earth.  Now that Nikki is 16, her powers as a Darkling, half-human, half-demon will emerge.Read More →

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When Beatrice, aka Robot Girl, moves to a new town and meets Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, they form an unexpected friendship. Jonah is a loner who hasn’t made a new friend (or much of an impression on anyone) since the third grade–but he might make the exception for Bea. Bea describes herself as Robot Girl (except for the made-out-of-metal part). As this quirky tale unfolds,  Bea and Jonah bond through honest conversations, shared escapades, and late night calls into an “old-timer radio show.” As their friendship grows, Bea learns about Jonah’s history and their relationship becomes more meaningful than either of them ever expected. ThisRead More →

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In: Middle Grade Reviews, Sci Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
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In the not-to-distant future, civilization is divided into 4 realms: the privilidged classes in Realm One, living a life of comfort, safety and ease; the working classes living in an overly industrialized Realm Two that isn’t much different from today’s dirty industrial cities; social misfits, outcasts and dangerous elements in a harsh, prison-like Realm Three; and a foreboding, frightening Realm Four from which no one and no real information returns.  And all that divides these Realms and their citizens is a mysterious Test that all citizens take when they’re 14. It’s administered by the Great Processor and no one challenges the test or the results. 14 year oldRead More →

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12 year old Samuel Collier is a street urchin and orphan on the mean streets of London in 1607.  He’s learned to trust no one, fend for himself, and fight off any one who gets in his way. After attempting to steal back a locket pawned by his dead mother, he ends up in a orphanage. But soon Samuel finds himself, another boy, and the kindly Reverend who ran the orphanage, aboard a ship bound for the New World. Samuel becomes page to Captain John Smith and spends months at sea on the way to the new Virginia colony, James Town.  Everyone imagines that theRead More →

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Rooted firmed in the steampunk genre,  Scott Westerfeld’s new series opens with gusto in Leviathan, released last week from Simon Pulse. In this alternate reality where the Central Powers (Clankers) have invented amazing mechanikal war machines, 15 year old Prince Aleksander Ferdinand’s parents, the heir to the throne of the Austria-Hungarian Empire Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Chotek, have been assassinated and he is whisked away in the dead of night by just a few loyal men in a giant walking war machine, a Stormwalker.  Naive to the intricacies of politics and international intrigue, Alek slowly realizes this assassination has been the spark to set off the greatest warRead More →