Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce and Laura Geringer

Pages: 228
Intended Audience: Tweens
Genre: Fantasy / Legend
Notes for Parents: Contains some scenes that can be scary to younger readers

The Back Cover

Before St. Nick was St. Nick, he was North, Nicholas St. North, a daredevil swordsman, ruffian, and notorious outlaw. His prowess with weaponry of all kinds was infamous and he sought treasure and riches at all costs. Hardly hero material. But heroes are not born—they’re tested. When real villains enter the scene in the shifting shape of Pitch and his dreaded Fearlings, North finds a different use for his famed fighting abilities.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in the Guardians series that traces the nefarious origins of beloved legends like the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and, of course, St. Nick. He also wrote and executive produced The Rise of the Guardians, an animated movie based on his Guardians series. (The book series is also referred to as The Guardians of Childhood series).

What’s good?

This classic story of good versus evil is filled with excitement and danger. It’s a whimsical tale that includes the wizard Ombric, brave young Katherine, and the bandit Nicholas St. North. There is also a giant bear, talking bugs, yetis, moonbeans, and host of other imaginative characters. The chapters are short, the language is simple, and the plot is uncomplicated. The plot is fun and action-filled.
Best Part: The fantastic illustrations!

What isn’t good?

It definitely reads more like a picture book than a chapter book. The characters and plot lack depth and the story is filled with predictable outcomes.
Worst part:  While we assume Nicholas St. North is the future Santa Claus, the legend of St. Nick is not explored.

Recommendation þþþoo

While this wasn’t what I expected, it was still an imaginative tale of fanciful people and places. Themes of friendship, courage and imagination, as well as wonderful illustrations, make this a great story for all ages. Recommended…for the young.

Joyce, William and Laura Geringer. Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King. New York: Scholastic, 2011.

Grounded by Kate Klise

Pages: 196
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Real life
Notes for Parents: Deals with death and grieving

The Back Cover

After her brother, sister, and father die in a plane crash, Daralynn Oakland receives 237 dolls from well-wishers, resulting in her new nickname: Dolly. And she doesn’t even like dolls! Dolly would much rather go fishing—not that she’s allowed to go anywhere on her own after the accident. As she sees it, her whole life has turned terrible, and there’s nothing she can do about it.
But when her angry, grieving mother’s new job as a hairstylist at the local funeral home is threatened by the new crematorium, Dolly decides it’s time to take action. She suggests throwing Living Funerals—a chance to attend your own funeral and hear all the nice things people say while you’re still alive to thank them.
Will Dolly’s new plan heal her mother’s broken heart and save a dying business?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book won the Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature.

What’s good?

Left adrift by her silent, grieving mother after a terrible accident claims her father and two siblings, Daralynn Oakland – called Dolly – is an independent tomboy who is instantly likeable thanks to her curiosity and keen sense of observation. Dolly is supported by an excellent cast of characters including her mom, Hattie, her flamboyant Aunt Josie, the quiet Uncle Waldo, and Clem, the new man in town who stirs things up. Despite being set in Digginsville, Missouri in the 1970s, it retains a contemporary feel. The heavy subjects of loss and grief are treated with a gentle touch and mixed with a little mystery, some humor, and a lot of small town quirkiness.
Best Part: Putting the fun in funeral.

What isn’t good?
It’s a quaint story that lacks any true depth in terms of plot and characters.
Worst part: I guessed the ending pretty early on.

Recommendation þþþoo

This is a poignant tale of a young girl experiencing bereavement for the first time who is trying to reconnect with her grieving mother. It’s short and easy to read. While it lacks some character development, it’s still a charming story that stayed engaging right up to the end. Recommended.

Klise, Kate. Grounded. New York: Scholastic, 2010.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Pages: 332
Intended Audience: Mature Teens
Genre: Historical thriller
Notes for Parents: Contains scenes of violence

The Back Cover

On October 11^th, 1943, a British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. But only one of the girls has a chance at survival.
Arrested by the Gestapo, “Verity” is given a choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. They’ll get the truth out of her. Only, it won’t be what they expect.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The author is a pilot herself and, in writing this book, wanted to explore the possibilities that would have been open to female pilots during WW2. She includes a “debriefing” and a bibliography at the back of the book.

What’s good?

This is an intimate story of two female friends who play very important but very different roles in the allied fight against the Nazis in World War II. While being a very taut thriller, it also manages to be an emotional tale of friendship, a brutal story of war, and a complex adventure with espionage, suspense, and plenty of surprises. A well crafted plot, strong female leads, a cruel but very human antagonist, and a wonderful cast of supporting characters makes this a tour de force worth reading.
Best Part: That heart-stopping moment on page 285 that I didn’t see coming!!

What isn’t good?

The beginning was slow and the point of view was a bit confusing so it took me a several chapters to really get into the story. A couple of times I even considered putting the book down, but luckily I stuck with it and it was well worth the effort. Some of the technical information is bland but overall it lent itself to the interesting story of female pilots in World War II.
Worst part: Nothing struck me as completely terrible, but the beginning was definitely a challenge.

Recommendation þþþþo

This is a heavy read, but it’s not difficult, per se. It requires some effort and it probably helps if you have an interest in historical fiction and women in World War II, which I do. The story was intriguing, the characters were worth the investment, and I finished the book feeling very satisfied that it was time well spent. Definitely recommended.

 

Wein, Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. New York: Hyperion, 2012.

Shine by Lauren Myracle

Pages: 359
Intended Audience: Mature Teens
Genre: Real life
Notes for Parents: Contains scenes of violence, coarse language, and scenes of sexuality. Recommended for mature readers only.

The Back Cover

When Patrick Truman is found beaten, bound, and left for dead, sixteen-year-old loner Cat is determined to discover the truth of what happened to her former best friend. The local sheriff blames out-of-towners, but Cat is sure someone in their small, tightly knit Southern community is guilty of the crime.

Patrick is gay, and for years he has been teased and bullied by people claiming to be his friends, people Cat calls “the redneck posse.” She plans to start her hunt for the culprit with them. But there are two problems. Cat’s brother is a member of the posse, and so is the boy who assaulted Cat years ago, forcing her into the self-imposed exile from which she must now emerge…for Patrick and for herself.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book benefits the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization founded in memory of a 21-year-old man who was murdered in October 1998 because he was gay.

What’s good?

This is a powerful story about a young girl moved to action when her estranged friend is beaten and left for dead because he is gay. The mystery of who and why unfolds slowly as Cat wrestles with her own issues and struggles against the apathy of her small town. The story is full of well-drawn characters both colorful and dark, ones that offer hope and others that epitomize the worst of small town life. The town of Black Creek itself is a vivid character, a beautiful portrait of a tightly-knit, church-going community that hides poverty, drug use, and ignorance.
Best Part: “…I spent a lot of time comparing my insides to other people’s outsides, which made me feel broken and didn’t get me anywhere.” (Cat’s revelation on page 346)

What isn’t good?

No one benefited from the truth because the truth was never told. There were no consequences for Cat’s abuser and the truth of Patrick’s attack is simply buried. No one talks about the whys and what fors and so the town and its people continue on as they always have.
Worst part: The end.

Recommendation þþþþo

This is a heavy subject but a fairly easy read. The language is strong at times, and some of the scenes are graphic and disturbing. But the story is good, the mystery is compelling, and the overall message is important. While I’m definitely not keen on how it ended, I do think it’s well worth the read. Recommended.

 

Myracle, Lauren. Shine. New York: Amulet Books, 2011.