Review: Every Day by David Levithan

Every Day by David Levithan.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780307931887

Review: "I didn’t think of myself as a boy or a girl -- I never have. I would just think of myself as a boy or girl for a day. It was like a different set of clothes." David Levithan has taken a unique look at adolescence through his novel Every Day - a story about A.

Every night A goes to sleep, and every morning A wakes up in someone else’s body. A is used to this as it’s been the routine since birth. However, when A wakes up in Justin’s body, everything changes. Through Justin, A meets Rhiannon -- a beautiful yet unhappy girl who changes the way A looks at the world. Because of Rhiannon, A finds the rules begin to change. No longer can A avoid being noticed. No longer can A not interfere. And most importantly, no longer can A avoid becoming too attached -- because A is in love. Even if A is able to reach out to Rhiannon and convince her that although he changes daily, he wants to be with her always, how can two people really be together when one of them can never predict who or where he’ll be in the morning?

Creative doesn’t begin to describe Levithan’s latest novel. Every Day centers around a theme of love and the sacrifices people make for love. Never, however, has that theme been exemplified in such a unique fashion. Through A’s life, readers’ eyes are opened to so many different lifestyles. Every Day chronicles 40 days in A’s life, and with each day comes new challenges. A experiences a drug addict, a suicidal teen, a family with strict rules, a family with no rules. It’s like experiencing 40 unique characters in one! Aside from the obvious storyline, readers enjoy the little snippets of every life A enters. While inhabiting the lives of these different teens, readers learn more and more about A’s character, and they will find themselves wishing as much as A that he and Rhiannon can find a way to be together. Every Day is not only a fascinating exploration into character study, but it is also a love story that will leave readers wanting more. Young adult readers will not be disappointed!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Every Day for this review.

Have you read Every Day? How would you rate it?

Review: Dead Strange: The Bizarre Truths Behind 50 World-Famous Mysteries by Matt Lamy

Dead Strange: The Bizarre Truths Behind 50 World-Famous Mysteries by Matt Lamy.

Zest Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9781936976270

Review: The world is filled with awe-inspiring mysteries that are easily explained, but it is also filled with mysteries that boggle the mind. Mysteries such as zombies, the supernatural, unsolved crimes, strange creatures, and even disappearing continents are baffling. But, Matt Lamy brings his readers closer to uncovering the truth in fifty of the most interesting and famous mysteries in his book Dead Strange: The Bizarre Truths Behind 50 World-Famous Mysteries.

Lamy's success with Dead Strange begins with his choice of mysteries. Not only does it include exciting topics for today's teens (zombies and vampires), but the topics are also interesting to adult readers as well. The more common mysteries such as Stonehenge are addressed, but he also includes scary topics (poltergeist and serial killers) as well as religious mysteries (Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant) plus countless other strange mysteries that will interest and excite any reader. Each mystery begins with a brief explanation highlighting the important aspects of the mystery which is followed by a more elaborate explanation of the history behind the mystery along with current research and investigations that hope to bring closure to these age-old mysteries. Also included is at least one illustration or photo to further enhance the article. Finally, there is a call-out section for each article that looks a little closer at one particular aspect of the mystery as it relates to pop culture or history.

A book that is as well organized and researched as Dead Strange has many functionalities for today's readers. On one level, it is a fascinating look into strange mysteries that are written in such a way that makes reading non-fiction "fun". But, it is also a valuable research tool. Oftentimes students are asked to research an unsolved mystery. Dead Strange should be the first-stop! Not only does it provide an extensive list of mysteries, but it also gives a valuable springboard for further research. For that reason, it is critical for every librarian to keep a copy on the shelf. Readers can't go wrong with Dead Strange.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Dead Strange: The Bizarre Truths Behind 50 World-Famous Mysteries for this review.

Have you read Dead Strange: The Bizarre Truths Behind 50 World-Famous Mysteries? How would you rate it?

Review: The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians by Sean Connolly

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians by Sean Connolly.

Workman Publishing
Publication Date: March 2012
List Price: $12.95
ISBN-13: 9780761163749

Review: Math - a word that makes some kids scream will now make them break out in raucous laughter. Sean Connolly has written quite possibly the most valuable math book of the decade, The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math. Connolly has finally answered that age old question, "What does this math have to do with me?" In The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math, algebraic equations not only have purpose, but they are also fun!

Each math challenge begins with a humorous and entertaining story. For example in "The Punk Prank Payback," you are in a rock band who has just won the local Battle of the Bands competition. As a celebration, you take your band to your uncle's beachside apartment. However, the celebration doesn't go as planned. When your band members play a prank on you, your once spotless apartment is a mess and you need to use math to find a way out of trouble! At the beginning of each story there is a set of statistics. For this story it reads:

CHANCES OF SURVIVAL: SLIM TO NONE

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES: GEOMETRY

DEATH BY: IRATE UNCLE

Included in The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math, there are "24 death-defying challenges." Topics that are so exciting for teens today (vampires and zombies) certainly find their way into a math problem. Also, a complete index of skills is included as well. Each challenge begins with a scenario that would quite possibly happen in real life, whatever data a mathematician would need to solve the problem, and graph worksheets for them to complete the challenge. It is a perfect accompaniment to any math student as well as any math teacher. There is one more bonus that must be mentioned as well - on the cover of the book, there is a warning that reads "CAUTION! These problems align with the Common Core Standards in mathematics." As a teacher who is trying to convert expectations to the Common Core, this book is invaluable.

Connolly has also written The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Media Masters for providing a copy of The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians for this review.

Have you read The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians? How would you rate it?

Review: Beyond by Graham McNamee

Beyond by Graham McNamee.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737753

Review: Being afraid of your own shadow takes on a whole new meaning in Graham McNamee's ghost story, Beyond. Beyond is a tale of Jane, a teenager who is afraid of her own shadow, and she has every right to be because her shadow is something menacing and horrifying that haunts her day and night.

Jane has had a bizarre life. Some might say she has a death wish. "It started with my difficult birth. Mom nearly died having me. When they finally dragged me out into the world, I was limp and lifeless, born without a pulse. They had to shock my tiny heart into beating. Born dead. That set the mood for everything later." Her parents believe that Jane is a miracle - the beautiful little girl who will grow up to be strong and healthy. But something haunts Jane from that day forward. After a series of events brought on by the pull of the shadow that threaten her life, Jane's heart stops once again. This time, however, when she's brought back to life, instead of a shadow that "merely" forces her to hurt herself, the shadow becomes more angry and haunts her day and night - speaking to her in a menacing voice, driving her insane. If it weren't for her one true friend, she'd probably have given up a long time ago. Lexi is the one person in which Jane confides her fear of her shadow and its increasing power. Together, they try to make sense of this specter and find a way to get it to stop before Jane runs out of "lives" and the shadow takes away her last one.

Beyond is a "one-of-a-kind" book. It is so much more than a ghost story where a ghost acts frightening and can be harmful. In Beyond, the ghost is attached to you! And, it forces you to hurt yourself with the hopes of killing you. This is so much more unsettling because everyone has a shadow, and everyone has jumped at some time or another at their own shadow. So any reader can relate to a fear of shadows. But the fear that a shadow can indeed be menacing and deadly will keep readers up at night. Simply stated, the plot is intriguing. However, the plot is not the only strength of Beyond. McNamee uses such matter-of-fact prose that readers quickly begin to relate to Jane. "I remember dying. After I got injured my heart stopped and I flatlined. I was done and gone. But I wasn't alone. There was something waiting for me when I died. Something dark and cold tried to take my soul away. When they brought me back to life I escaped from it. Left it behind. But what if it came back with me, followed me home like a hungry stray?" Instantly a reader is eager to read more. Plus in light of Jane's frequent "accidents" she is seen as an outcast at school. Teens are constantly concerned with their image, but Jane's character reminds readers that there is more to a person than their image and that it's okay to be "you". When Jane is faced with names like "Psycho Jane" or "Reaper Creeper", Jane takes it for what it is and moves on giving her a strength many teens lack. But, Beyond wouldn't be a good ghost story if it wasn't packed full of suspense - and it is. Every chapter ends forcing readers to think "just one more chapter" and next thing they know the hour is late, they are huddled under a blanket for protection, and they are turning the last page of the book. Then they are left with the nightmares of the shadow - their shadow!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Beyond for this review.

Have you read Beyond? How would you rate it?

Review: Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends) by Hallie Fryd

Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends) by Hallie Fryd.

Zest Books
Publication Date: February 2012
List Price: $13.99
ISBN-13: 9780982732205

Review: Gamblers Pay Chicago White Sox to Throw World Series (1919)

"Tennessee Puts Science Teacher Scopes on Trial for Teaching Evolution" (1925)

"Senator Kennedy Involved in Mysterious Death of Young Woman" (1969)

And the list goes on . . . . Scandalous! 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (So You Can Impress Your Friends) by Hallie Fryd is the most "scandalous" account of 50 shocking events that have shaped contemporary society.

Beginning with the 1906 account of "Famous Architect Stanford White Murdered by Ex-Lover's Rich Husband" all the way through 2000 to the account of "Tight Gore-Bush Election Results Lead to Bitter Battle Between Parties", Scandalous! takes readers on a journey through some of the most interesting events that have kept reporters enthralled throughout the 20th Century while their readers look on both aghast and in awe. These historic events are brought to life once again in a reader-friendly fashion to share the great scandals with today's teens - because after all, everybody loves a scandal!

The fifty scandals that are highlighted in Fryd's book are widespread - including all sorts of secrets involving celebrities, scientists, criminals, and politics. Each scandal is organized in an exciting fashion. They begin with "The Scoop" which looks similar to a newspaper and headlines. The next section is "What Went Down." In this section readers learn the basics of the scandal. Within the text is a picture of a spiral-bound pad of paper that includes "The Players" so readers can keep abreast of the main people involved in the scandal. Also included are a Polaroid photo of a key player or object and a section for "Quotables." In this section, readers can read actual quotes surrounding the scandal. In "The Aftermath" section, readers find out what happened as a result of the scandal, and Fryd brings the event closer to home in the "Why We Still Care" section. Each scandal is then followed up with a "More" section that shares other similar incidents throughout history.

Scandalous! will most certainly intrigue, entertain, and even teach young adults about history. Hopefully readers will not merely take away that some people did some really bizarre things, but instead consider how these scandals in essence shaped the society we live in today. Plus they will notice how history has a tendency to repeat itself - and not always in a good way. Regardless, without some of these scandals, the world would be a very different place today!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends) for this review.

Have you read Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends)? How would you rate it?

Review: Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubens

Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubens.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547612164

Review: Sons of the 613 is written by Michael Rubens. Michael Rubens was a producer for an award-winning television show. Rubens' first adult novel was published last year. This is his first youth novel. The two main characters are Josh and his younger brother Isaac. Josh is an undefeated wrestler that has been in college and recently dropped out to pursue a different path. Josh has moved back into his parent's home with the rest of his family, Isaac and Lisa. Isaac is turning thirteen and is going to have his bar mitzvah which is a celebration when a boy becomes a man in the Jewish faith. Isaacs's older brother Josh has a different idea. Before Isaac can make his bar mitzvah, Josh develops his own Quest for his little brother to complete. If Isaac can complete the Quest he will be a man in his brother's eyes.

The whole family is home, including Josh who is home from college. Isaac is preparing for his bar mitzvah which is in three weeks. Isaac has been keeping a secret about his bar mitzvah though. The tutor that is supposed to help him hasn't been showing up for the class times. Isaacs's parents are going to Italy, and he is worried because he still has so much to learn for his bar mitzvah. When Isaac's parents leave Josh in charge, Josh sees that his brother is worried about his bar mitzvah and decides he will help. He helps Isaac become a man in the Jewish faith and in his own eyes. To make Isaac a man in his eyes, Josh puts him through a Quest that only an older brother can conjure up. Josh wakes him up early everyday and decides whether it should be a physical or mental day. Each day Josh has a different challenge he tells Isaac about. If Isaac can complete the challenge Josh will finally see him as a man. Can he complete the tests? If he can, is he going to finish them in time? And why did Josh put Isaac through the bone rattling Quest in the first place?

I really liked Sons of the 613. However, the book started out slowly. After a couple of chapters, however, it started to pull me back in. I enjoyed learning about the Jewish faith because it taught me to stay close to my family. I liked the detail that Michael Rubens put into the book as well. I especially liked the characters because Rubens put so much thought into their backgrounds. I wish that Rubens was able to get to the Quest in the book sooner though, and then I would have been more eager to complete the book in the beginning. Overall, I really enjoyed Sons of the 613.

Review written by Michael (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Sons of the 613 for this review.

Have you read Sons of the 613? How would you rate it?

Review: President Lincoln, Willie Kettles, and The Telegraph Machine by Marty Rhodes Figley

President Lincoln, Willie Kettles, and The Telegraph Machine by Marty Rhodes Figley. A History Speaks Picture Books plus Reader's Theatre Book.

Lerner Classroom
Publication Date: August 2010
List Price: $9.95
ISBN-13: 9780761361312

Review: Being a telegrapher during the Civil War and meeting President Abraham Lincoln would be absolutely fascinating. But to receive a message from the army that is very important to everyone is even more amazing. Well that's what happens to Willie Kettles in President Lincoln, Willie Kettles and the Telegraph Machine written by Marty Rhodes Figly and illustrated by David Riley. First Willie goes to work for what seems like a normal day, but then he receives a message from Richmond. This is strange because it has been over four years since they last received a message from Richmond. Will this be the message that brings hope? Willie Kettles soon learns that even someone with a seemingly unimportant job can do something to change the course of history.

I rate this book a five out of five because it is a great read and very interesting. I enjoyed that it was a story about something in U.S history. The illustrations are amazing and they, along with everything that was going on in the story, keep readers interested throughout the book. Another reason I rated it five out of five is that in the back, there is a script along with instructions for putting on a reader's theater performance that goes with the story. I really enjoyed this book and that is why I rated it a five out of five.

Review written by Mia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Renier Fee for providing a copy of President Lincoln, Willie Kettles, and The Telegraph Machine for this review.

Have you read President Lincoln, Willie Kettles, and The Telegraph Machine? How would you rate it?

Review: Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carlson-Voiles

Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carlson-Voiles.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780547745916

Review: The small, petite earth colored pup wakes up every morning to its helpful mom pup for its first meal of the day. The little pup's future life though will never be the same as it must adapt to peculiar ways of humans when it is taken to the special facility for wolves. Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carson-Voiles is an awe-inspiring book. Summer of the Wolves begins with the back story of Nika and her little brother Randall and their life with their foster mom. The storyline continues to unfold every turn of the page. It is a great wolf book filled with love, sadness and of course "family" that becomes a "real" family.

Nika and Randall have lived their lives with their foster mom Meg until one day she finds out she has something wrong with her body. Nika and Randall must stay with their long lost uncle, Ian, who is a wolf researcher. They all say their goodbyes to Meg and leave to go Minnesota to live with their uncle. After getting settled, Ian takes Randall to a boy's house down to street while Nika stays with Pearl, the town's "grandma." When Nika and Ian go to find a pack of wolves to research, they discover a dead pack with the mother shot and only one pup living. They bring in the pup and help it live. It's only a couple of weeks old. In fact, its eyes and ears haven't opened. They decide to call the pup Khan. Through the weeks of taking care of the pup, its ears open as well as its eyes. Unfortunately for Khan, he can't go back into the wild and is now a captive. While taking care of the pup, Nika becomes attached to it only wanting the pup to be Ian and hers. However, the pup eventually becomes too big for them and is needed to be in a bigger place. The decisions Nike and Ian make result in danger, adventure, and ultimately happiness as they find a way for people to be with the wolves.

Summer of the Wolves is filled with everything a reader would want. It is a great story, with awesome characters and a concept and words that bring the story to life. It is a book that deserves five out of five stars. Summer of the Wolves gives information about wolves, but not enough to bore someone like a non-fiction book might. Carlson-Voiles wrote an interesting book for kids in middle school. It tells a life story of foster kids and the story of a pup and how it lives its life. I don't very often read books, but I'm glad I read this book. It kept me going on my vacation whenever I was bored, and it gave me something to do that was very fun. Summer of the Wolves is one of my favorite books, and I will read it when I have nothing to read. I could never set this book down and would read five chapters at a time. It'll keep you reading and you will never find a boring part in the story.

Review written by Logan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Summer of the Wolves for this review.

Have you read Summer of the Wolves? How would you rate it?