A Whole Nother Story, by Dr. Cuthbert Soup

Mr. Cheeseman (not his real name) is perfecting his Luminal Velocity Regulator (LVR) which, when complete, will bring his wife Olivia back to life. Until it is complete, though, Mr. Cheeseman and his three children must outrun the "coats" who want to steal the invention for evildoing. Along the way, readers meet many interesting characters like Mr. Cheeseman's son, Crandall, who is never without his one-eyed sock puppet named Steve. Interestingly, Dr. Cuthbert Soup is both the author and the narrator of A Whole Nother Story.

Because this a book full of "suspense, danger, adventure, mystery, simple yet delicious recipes for squash, and, of course, paper" it is recommended to tweens with all sorts of interests. This is one of the most creative and inventive (some pun intended) books I have picked up this semester. Warning: sense of humor required!

Cuthbert, S. (2009). A Whole Nother Story. New York: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books. ISBN 978-1599904351

The Same Stuff as Stars, by Katherine Patterson

Stars backlight the story of eleven year old Angel, who lives with her seven year old brother Bernie at her grandmother’s house. Angel takes on much of the responsibility for Bernie as Grandma simply sits by the fire most of the day and wraps herself in poverty and despair. Angel is thrust into the adult world by having to keep a constant watchful eye on her little brother and help out her old grandmother, when she just needs to still be a little girl.

The butt of mean girls at school, Angel keeps to herself and sometimes talks to the stars… or even to the entire universe or any power out there; she just wants to be heard. Fortunately, she is befriended by her uncle who lives on the property and he teaches her about the stars in which she takes her only solace.

The drama takes a twist when Bernie is unannouncedly picked up from school by her low-life mother, and Angel finally makes grandma face all the hard facts from which she has been hiding. Guided by her faith in the stars and belief that someone is listening, Angel rises to her challenges and teaches the adults in her life that they must move past obstacles and hurtfulness and find the positives in their given lot.

Entertaining and gripping, The Same Stuff as Stars is a great book for any tween and most meaningful for any older sibling responsibly caring for and loving a younger brother or sister.

Patteron, K. (2002). The Same Stuff as Stars. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0618247448

Harry Sue, by Sue Stauffacher

Harry Sue has a plan at eleven years old to toughen up and become a criminal. She ultimately hopes the calculated moves will land her far away from her grandmother’s home, granny’s disturbing in-home day care and into jail where her mom is serving hard time for cooking and selling crystal meth. Harry Sue knows Mom was only trying to do the right thing and help them get by.

Harry Sue has a tough name, and with humor, sassiness and urban grittiness, she tries to make a tough way for herself. But Harry Sue really does have a kind heart and learns many lessons about love and helping other people in unlikely places.

Stauffacher vividly describes in jive language the various settings, layered characters and meanings of everyday life. This novel does include a lot of mature content but it is mentioned in a manner that keeps it appropriate for tweens, and Harry Sue is definitely a story worth reading again and again.

Stauffacher, S. (2005). Harry Sue. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375932748

Ida B… and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world.

Ida B’s enthusiasm and love for life are contagious! This is not your typical paperback heroine who spends all day daydreaming about a boy asking her to a dance or worrying if her wardrobe is keeping her from being popular. Ida B. (and yes, the “B” is mandatory) embraces everyday to the fullest and takes charge of any problems she sees in her life.

Ida B. has been home-schooled since the second week of kindergarten, when both her and her parents decided she would be much happier at home with mama and daddy and the orchard and their dog, Rufus. She balances her time between her studies, listening to the wisdom of the trees (whom she affectionately gives names like Philomena and Jacques Cousteau), and sending messages on homemade sailboats down the brook on her family’s property, hoping to hear from people in Canada. Overall, it is a great life.

But when mama is diagnosed with cancer, Ida B.’s carefree spirit is crushed. It is extremely difficult for her to hear mama and daddy talking in hushed voices. Mama no longer has the energy to quiz on her spelling or to give her difficult word problems. Ida B. notices that no one in the family, even the dog, looks each other in the eye anymore.

And just when Ida B. doesn’t think life can get any more difficult, her parents decide they can no longer home school her. In the fourth grade, Ida B. must return to a brick and mortar school, which she refers to as the “Place of Slow but Sure Body-Cramping, Mind-Numbing, Fun-Killing Torture.” Although it is tough for the reader to watch their heroine navigate difficult family changes while facing a new school, classmates, and teacher, we always suspect that Ida B. always has “plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world.”

Recommending this book to children who have experienced terminal illness in their family and area dealing with the questions, anger and sadness that accompanies such life events could be tricky business. (I'll admit I shed tears thinking about a family member who battled leukemia.) But with that "warning," Katherine Hannigan’s novel is a true gem. This novel carries the timely theme of environmental awareness, with the Southern landscape becoming a character in itself. It is also great for librarians to have literature featuring a home-schooled child on-hand.

Hannigan, Katherine. (2004). Ida B… and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0-06-073024-2

Sideways Stories From Wayside School, by Louis Sachar

In this first installment of the Wayside School series, the reader is introduced to the quirky building and its quirkier students through thirty vignettes, one for each of the school's thirty stories (except for the missing nineteenth floor of course). We meet stinky Sammy, John who can only read upside down, and Mrs. Jewls, who has very unconventional ways of teaching her students. Sachar's Wayside School series continues to be a favorite even after three decades. I am always seeing this book on reading lists of funny stories and I would highly recommend it for those on the younger end of the tween spectrum.

Sachar, L. (1978). Sideways Stories From Wayside School. New York: harper trophy. ISBN 978-0380731480

Loser, by Jerry Spinelli

Donald Zinkoff is that kid. The awkward, sometimes loud and different kid who never fits in the neighborhood or at John W. Satterfield Elementary School. In a naive Junie B. Jones sort of way, Zincoff bumbles through life not noticing all the eyes cast his way with lids in widened amazement. We all know one of these stand-out kids who “just doesn’t get it.” One thing Zincoff does get is the freshness and excitement of a snow which is “sticking” and beacons to him one evening after supper. As he envelopes himself in visions of a forthcoming snow day and glances up and down his street, he spies some reflecting red lights which draw him to the next street and upon a crisis involving what he perceives to be to a search for a missing toddler named Claudia.

Zincoff uses his laser focus and takes off in a childlike search for the little one. In only Spinelli fashion is the reader drawn into Zincoff’s world and realizes only in the end what has happened. Perception becomes reality with OMG moments as young readers will learn to build empathy with those amongst us challenged cognitively and or socially.

Spinelli, J. (2002). Loser. New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN 978-0060540746

Confetti Girl, by Diana López

Apolonia Flores (or “Lina”) is a star volleyball player who believes her choice of socks can affect her day. A year ago, Lina unexpectedly lost her mother from a blood infection. Her best friend, Vanessa Cantu, is dealing with the divorce of her parents. Both girls have just entered middle school in the prominently Latino community of Corpus Christi, Texas. As the girls each deal with the absence of a parent, they realize that their remaining parents’ lives have also been fractured. Lina’s dad, an English teacher, absorbs himself in his huge collection books. Ms. Cantu obsesses over making endless numbers of cascarones, hollowed out eggs filled with confetti, even when Easter has long past. Lina and Vanessa try to survive the usual middle school craziness while also helping mend their families.

I especially loved the Spanish phrases and influence within López’s novel. Mr. Flores conveys fatherly wisdom through dichos (Spanish proverbs), like Lo mismo el chile que aguja, a todos pican igual (“both the chile and the needle sting”) On El Día de los Muertos, Lina and her father visit Mrs. Flores’ grave. Corpus Christi and the Latino community essentially become characters themselves.

It is immediately evident that Lina is in the transition from child to adult – she openly admits that her sock collection is a bit immature, but makes no attempt to get rid of it- making Confetti Girl an excellent pick for tween girls who are likewise experiencing that “in between” feeling.

López, D. (2009). Confetti Girl. New York: Little, Brown & Company. ISBN 978-0-316-02955-1

All American Girl, by Meg Cabot

Much like her previous novel The Princess Diaries, Cabot’s All American Girl imagines its heroine in a somewhat fantastical, although delightful, situation. Nevermind that Sam’s family lives in Washington, D.C., her younger sister attends school with the President’s son, and she takes her dogs on walks through the grounds of the National Cathedral. Sam is an ordinary sophomore who loves Gwen Stefani, draws during class, dies her wardrobe black in protest, and both envies and loathes her popular older sister, Lucy.

That is, until she foils an assassination attempt on the President outside of the Capitol Cookie store while skipping drawing class. Suddenly, Sam finds herself wrapped up in a world of paparazzi and politicians, and she is even appointed US Teen Ambassador to the United Nations! Can Sam handle the sudden transformation from a quirky, artsy and boyfriend-less teen to the nation’s hero and the object of the first son’s affections? Cabot’s novel proves that sometimes what you have wished for most does not turn out exactly as planned.

Although the idea of a rags-to-riches storyline may sound cheesy at first, Cabot develops rich characters that set this story apart from all the other Cinderella-esque novels out there. Sure, most girls have never lived in Morocco because of their dad’s job and have never been invited for dinner with the President. But tween girls will love All American Girl’s hilarious scenarios and relatable characters, like Sam’s best friend, Catherine, whose strict, religious parents force her to stay in on Sundays and allow her to wear only knee-length skirts. For those who enjoyed The Princess Diaries, this book is a must-read!

Chabot, M. (2002). All American Girl. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-029469-8

The Trouble Begins, by Linda Himelblau

Du and his grandmother recently left Vietnam and traveled to California to reunite with the family they haven't seen since Du was a baby. So far, Du hates a lot of things about America:

• His old, nosy neighbor called the police when Du picked berries from his yard
• The school cafeteria food and American frozen food are both disgusting
• The principal doesn't understand that being quiet doesn't mean you are disrespectful
• Americans say stuff is free when it's not
• His name in English means 'dog poop'
  

His older brother and two older sisters, who speak perfect English and totally understand the American way of life, think Du just messes around all the time and isn't thankful for his new home. Du slowly starts to realize that maybe he should try harder to impress his father, who is constantly disappointed or angry with him.

Himelblau's novel provides young readers with a heightened awareness of the norms in other countries. While other students may speak different languages or do things that appear weird, they are probably facing the same fear and insecurities as everyone else. This is also a great book for any kid who has ever felt like an outsider. Just like Du, we can all discover our inner Dragon and overcome life's challenges.

Himelblau, L. (2005). The Trouble Begins. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0-385-73273-2

Lily B. on the Brink of Cool, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

This is the first year that thirteen-year-old Lily and her best friend, Charlotte, will not be attending summer camp together. While Charlotte attends Young Executive Camp for three weeks, Lily is stuck at home with her boring parents, who think visiting the Quilt Museum is fun for the whole family.

At a cousin's wedding, Lily meets distant relatives, the LeBlancs, and the summer starts to look up. The LeBlancs wear fashionable clothing, work as environmental fundraisers, and drink only green tea and water with lemon. Although Lily's parents warn her to stay away, Lily secretly becomes friends with their daughter, Karma. When Charlotte finally returns from camp, Lily must choose between her level-headed, future business woman bff, or the glamorous and worldly Karma.

Lily hopes to be a world-renowned writer someday- she even addresses readers as F.B.s or Future Biographers. Although she is keeping a journal for an English assignment, she takes the task very seriously, recording every moment of her summer days. Through the journal, the reader is given a play by play on Lily's life, and her hilarious commentary will make you lol.

Ultimately, Lily learns to make decisions independent of her parents, even if her Mom and Dad were right all along. She also learns what true friendship is all about. Lily B. on the Brink of Cool is the first in Kimmel's Lily B. series and I think it will appeal highly to girls ages 8 and up.

Kimmel, E.C. (2003). Lily B. on the Brink of Cool. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-000586-6

Stranded in Boringsville, by Catherine Bateson

After her parents' divorce, Rain and her mother relocate from a bustling Australian metropolis to her late grandmother's delapitated house in the country. With a slow combustion cooker instead of a normal stove and no pizza joint for miles around, Rain tries to convince her mom that they shouldn't even bother unpacking. They should just rent out the old Clarksville house and move back to the city. Slowly, though, memories of time spent with her grandma in the garden and eating delicious, home-cooked meals return. Rain also meets the quirky but charming neighbor, Daniel, who is one year younger and proclaims himself "phenomenally bright." When Daniel eventually reveals a secret to Rain, she realizes that perhaps she doesn't have as much to complain about as she thought. This is a moving story about two isolated kids who find friendship and solace with the other.

Adding to the story are the many different forms of writing. As the cover art suggests, Rain and her mother communicate through refrigerator magnet poetry. This is their forum to express all the emotions that are difficult to share with eachother elsewhere. The point of view also switches from Rain in traditional prose format to Daniel, who communicates through his Star Trek-esque Captain's Log. Presenting both characters points of view makes this story feel "whole" and makes it a great book for girls and boys alike. And at 138 pages, Stranded in Boringsville is an excellent addition to lists of recommended short books.

Bateson, C. (2002). Stranded in Boringsville. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0-8234-1969-X

Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli

The cover gave me the creeps the second I plucked it from the chelf, so of course I had to check it out. In Wringer, Palmer is dreading the day when he turns ten. That is when young boys are expected to work as wringers at the town's annual Pigeon Day shooting contest. And wringers, well, they get to finish off the birds that get wounded instead of shot down and killed immediately. Will Palmer accept the role that is part of a long-standing tradition in his community or will he stand up for what he believes in? Those who liked The Chocolate Wars will enjoy the similar sinister tone and moral dilemma faced in Wringer.

Spinelli, J. (1997). Wringer. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-440578-8

Heartbeat, by Sharon Creech

Some people think

we are a little bit crazy

running barefoot

through rain and mud and snow

but it doesn’t feel crazy to us

As usual, Creech’s characters are breathtaking. In Heartbeat, we meet Annie, who is surprisingly worldly for her twelve years. When asked to list her fears as part of a school assignment, Annie lists “people killing other people because our people killed their people” and is shocked to find her classmates lists filled with trivial items like algebra. Annie’s best friend, Max, is a self-described “small-town boy without a father” who runs in hopes of escaping his life and becoming a famous athlete. Grandpa, who won medals for running when he was Annie’s age, is now losing his memory and forgets that Annie’s mom is pregnant. As she anticipates the loss of her grandfather and welcomes a new sibling, Annie rediscovers the things in life that are most important to her.

Through pure coincidence, I read Heartbeat immediately after Make Lemonade. While the settings and main characters are quite different, the authors’ uses of poetic form are strikingly similar. Creech’s onomatopoeia pulls the reader right into each scene. (I bet you’ve never considered all the sources of the sound thump-thump, thump-thump!) Creech also uses footnotes to add a surprising and fun element to the story.

According to the book jacket, the book is geared toward ages 8-12, but the verse is so impressive that I recommend Heartbeat for poetry lovers well beyond that age group.

Creech, S. (2004). Heartbeat. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-054022-2

Make Lemonade, by Virginia Euwer Wolff

The lemony yellow and summery blue on the cover of this novel belie the depressed surroundings and tough circumstances faced by Wolff’s characters. Once you read the first few pages, you quickly remember that lemons, despite being the color of sunshine, are indeed sour.

In fifth grade, LaVaughn asks her single mother if she can go to college someday. After that, LaVaughn says, “COLLEGE is in my house,/ and you have to walk around it in the rooms/ like furniture.” LaVaughn’s mother will not let the dream of college die, even though they barely have enough money for food and their small apartment. When LaVaughn responds to a help-wanted ad for a babysitter, she sees a prime opportunity to start saving for her future. She quickly falls in love with baby Jilly and toddler Jeremy, and doesn’t mind helping their seventeen-year-old mother, Jolly, who is even poorer than LaVaughn and her own mother. Ultimately, LaVaughn must choose between helping herself rise out of poverty or sacrificing her own success to help Jolly, Jilly, and Jeremy, who have become her second family. Although LaVaughn is four years younger than Jolly, LaVaughn quickly exceeds the young mother in maturity and responsibility, making her quite the heroine in the reader’s eyes.

While the story line itself is amazingly powerful, it is also Wolff’s writing that sets this book apart. Imagine Shakespeare as a teen girl living in the projects in the 21^st century and you will get a taste of Make Lemonade. The beautiful but raw blank verse compliments the action within the story, making this ideal for both literary geeks and those who avoid anything referred to as a novel. An introductory page lists all of the awards that Make Lemonade has won. Read one chapter and you’ll have no doubt why this book is a winner.

Please click on the screen below to view a trailer for Make Lemonade:



Wolff, V.E. (1993). Make lemonade. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-0-8050-8070-4.

Shug, by Jenny Han

Shug [shoog] – noun: short for Sugar, as used in The Color Purple. Real Name: Annemarie. Twelve year old female entering middle school.

Shug’s mother thinks she should “squeeze every last drop out of life and be special.” But Annemarie Wilcox feels far too freckly, tall and flat-chested to be anything special. She finds it hard to compete with her gorgeous, Korean-American friend Elaine, who hails from New York and has amazing city style. At her friend Sherilynn’s annual back-to-school pool party, all the girls are wearing two piece bathing suits, while Shug gets teased by the guys for being as flat as the diving board. And to top it off, she recently discovered that she wants her bff, Mark, to be more than just her friend. As they have been friends since they were five, Annemarie fears he will never see past their long-standing friendship.

I loved Annemarie because despite her insecurities, she does embrace who she is, her family, and where she comes from. Unlike most teens who desperately want to get away from their hometown, Shug extrapolates on the many reasons why she loves her small town. Certainly every kid feels nervous and insecure like Shug on her first day of middle school, navigating class changes, locker combinations, and a new cafeteria hierarchy. This may not be the award-winning piece of literature like The Color Purple, but for tween girls looking nervously ahead to middle school, Shug is a perfect companion to ease some of the insecurity and elicit lots of laughs.

Han, J. (2006). Shug. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4169-0942-2.

Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman

Catherine’s mother expects her to sit with a circle of ladies day after day mending linen and gossiping. Catherine’s mean-spirited father can’t wait to send her off with a proper young man. But Catherine has no interest in the things which proper young ladies in the thirteenth century are expected to do. She would much rather put a toad in her uncle’s bed, run in the mud, or pretend that she has the worst table manners ever during visits by potential suitors. Will Catherine be forced into an arranged marriage? Read her diary, written over an entire year, to find out if she can outsmart her father and live the life she wants to lead.

It is actually Birdy’s brother, Edward, who challenges her to keep a diary – Edward is one of the few male characters in this book that the readers finds respectable, rather than repulsive. Any reader with siblings will appreciate the love and support they provide eachother, despite any physical distance between them. Tween girls will also totally sympathize with Birdy as they too try to break away from their parents and define their own lives.

I loved Cushman’s novel and believe her portrayal of medieval daily life is accurate; but it should be noted for lovers of the medieval genre that this novel doesn’t include any fairies or dragons. But for lovers of straightforward historical fiction, and in particular for girls in grades 6-8, Catherine, Called Birdy is an excellent read.

Cushman, K. (1994). Catherine, Called Birdy. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0-395-68186-3.

So B. It, by Sarah Weeks

Heidi was barely a baby when her and her mentally disabled mother appear on the doorstep of their agoraphobic neighbor, Bernadette, in Reno, Nevada. Heidi’s mother has no identification and the ability to speak only 23 words. Bernadette knows the two cannot survive on their own, so takes them under her wing and deems them So B. It (the only words that came out of Mama’s mouth) and Heidi It. From that day on they form an odd family, but one that is full of love.

Agoraphobic Bernadette always says Heidi and her mother simply “fell from the sky” but when Heidi discovers old photographs in their apartment that reveal a piece of her mother’s past, she must know more. Bernadette cautions her that “there are some things in life a person just can’t know.” But Heidi insists on making a solo journey thousands of miles away to Liberty, New York, to the special home she believes her mother stayed in years ago to figure out not only her mother’s past, but her own history. So B. It is literally and figuratively a story of personal exploration and growth, with a dash of mystery and suspense. This is also an amazing portrait of unconditional love and the many definitions of family.

Because of the strong presence of a mentally challenged character, Weeks’ novel reminded me a lot of Al Capone Does My Shirts. So B. It may not have as much boy appeal as Al Capone, but it is equally as captivating and powerful and, in my opinion, a great contender for big screen adaptation.

Please click on the screen below to view a trailer for So B. It:



Weeks, S. (2005). So B. It. New York: Harper Collins: ISBN 978-0064410472

What every girl (except me) knows, by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Gabby Weiss is twelve. Of the three journals she keeps, one is an ongoing list titled “Things I Need to Know to Be a Woman.” Gabby has no YBF (Your Best Friend). She lost her mother when she was three. It is these disclosures that begin What every girl (except me) knows and outline the issues that Gabby deals with in sixth grade.

When Gabby’s dad gets serious with Cleo, Gabby couldn’t be more excited at the opportunity to learn things like how to pick out the perfect Winter coat. Then a new girl, Taylor, enrolls at New Paltz School and the two quickly become YBFs, with their own inside jokes and even a spot in the cafeteria. However, as Taylor laments about rarely seeing her father after her parents’ divorce, Gabby realizes she may not have come to terms with the loss of her own mother. She simply knows it was “an accident” but since she was so young when it happened, has only relied on others’ descriptions of that fateful day. The novel explores in depth the matter of establishing one’s identity as a woman without a mother figure.

Tween girls will sympathize with Gabby’s attempts to navigate the vicious middle school social strata. Gabby is also a generally admirable and kind protagonist, in that she sympathizes with girls from all circles, including Lynette (the weird girl) and Amanda, who hangs with “The Ones.” (Okay, she does use the word “asshole” when she has to stop the popular cliques from harassing the new girl.) It is worth mentioning that this library paperback was well-worn, almost falling apart in my hands, supporting my suspicion that this is a book tweens girls will secretly read in bed until one in the morning.

Baskin, N.R. (2001). What every girl (except me) knows. New York: Dell Yearling. ISBN 978-0440418528.

Forget Me Not, by Coleen Paratore

In this fourth installment of the Wedding Planner’s Daughter series, the reader spends a week with Willa Havisham on Cape Cod. Between helping her mom run the Bramblebriar Inn, practicing her skills to become a great writer, hanging with her best girlfriends, and enjoying biking and picnicking dates with her boyfriend (nicknamed JFK), Willa is quite a busy young lady. But Willa is also quite content.

Things start to fall apart when Tina, Willa’s “best friend forever,” becomes distant and JFK spends more time at baseball practice than he does with Willa. While dealing with relationship issues, Willa is also hoping to prove to her mother that she is capable enough to plan a wedding at the Inn for an aunt she has never met. The planning starts off smoothly- Willa expertly selects the location, music, and cake- but Aunt Ruthie, a free spirit and hardcore environmentalist, might be more than Willa can handle. Readers will root Willa on, since it is immediately clear to them that Willa is strong and capable, even if she doesn’t yet realize it herself.

There is a deeper literary aspect to Forget Me Not that keeps this from becoming just another superficial summer novel. Each chapter starts with a quote from Willa’s favorite writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Willa also reveals her own journal entries with us, reads excerpts from Alice Hoffman, and has JFK share the insightful rap lyrics he composes. In fact, I loved Willa’s impressive vocabulary so much that I am going to adopt a term from her: “skinny-punch books” which she defines as “short but powerful books.”

Although tween girls will probably want to start with the first book in the series, Forget Me Not is also great as a stand-alone read… for West Coast and East Coast girls alike!

Paratore, C.M. (2009). Forget Me Not. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 978-0-545-09401-6

Esperanza Rising, by Pamela Munoz Ryan

On her family’s ranch in 1920s Mexico, Esperanza Ortega has servants to help her bathe, a pile of gifts on her birthday, and never has to cook or clean. She has no idea about life “on the other side of the river.” But when a huge tragedy forces the family to travel to California and find work as field workers, Esperanza quickly learns about life for those less fortunate. Esperanza herself is forced to (gasp!) sweep, care for the younger children, and eventually join the farm laborers. Life becomes ever more difficult for Esperanza with the threat of a workers’ strike, a family illness, and raging dust storms. Can she let go of her spoiled habits to help her family get back on their feet?

My favorite part of Ryan’s novel is seeing Esperanza slowly transform from a spoiled, aloof little girl into a mature and driven young woman who consistently values her family above all. Although Esperanza is facing the start of adulthood within a very specific time period and setting, I believe most tweens will be able to relate to the acceptance of more adult roles and responsibility.

Also, even though the novel is set during the Great Depression, many of the same immigration and labor issues are still relevant today, especially in border states like California. This is great as a leisurely read or could be tied into fourth grade state history or social studies curriculum.

Please click on the screen below to view a digital trailer for Esperanza Rising.

Ryan, P.M. (2000). Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0-439-12041-1.

Knitgrrl, by Shannon Okey

This is not your grandmother’s knitting guide! In conjunction with the recent knitting resurgence, Shannon Okey’s Knitgrrl offers amazing DIY advice and proves that knitted goods can actually be stylish. From classic scarves and caps to text messaging mittens and ipod cozies, this book offers a project for every modern girl. There is even a quiz readers can take to determine which kinds of yarn (like natural fibers, eyelash yarn, or boucle) best suit their personal style.

With detailed written instructions and colorful photos and illustrations, Knitgrrl is great for all levels of knitters. It provides basic advice on selecting needles and yarn and then walks beginners through casting on and the basic two stitches. More advanced knitters can learn difficult techniques like ribbing, cables, and using double-pointed needles. Okey’s suggestion for a knitting party made me wish I had some knitting-knowledgeable friends to invite me over!

Readers can explore beyond the text at its companion site, www.knitgrrl.com. The book also provides links to online yarn suppliers and project idea sites. I would recommend this as a gift for a crafty young lady who is always looking for a new project. Librarians can use Knitgrrl and similar texts to promote a knitting programming at their library. It won’t sit on any shelf for long!

Okey, S. (2005). Knitgrrl. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 0-8230-2618-3

A note on the final project - books for girls

For the final project in our Materials for Tweens course, we were asked to concentrate on a specific genre of books. Since I wanted to read materials I personally would enjoy, I decided to focus on books for girls. I am not always a fan of distinguishing between books for girls and books for boys, but the reality is that certain books immediately appeal to far more girls than boys, with little male crossover into this genre. There are far more girls willing to read a guy-centric book than there are guys are willing to pick up a girl-centric book.

I selected the specific final project items primarily because they either feature female lead characters or because they highlight some of the social, emotional, and physical issues that tween girls are facing. I recognize that there may be boys who have read or would like to read the books I review herein for my final project. I also recognize that some girls will find my selections completely uninteresting.

With that, I really hope you enjoy my selections for tween girls...

Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine

Imagine if someone told you to clean your room and you had to clean it from top to bottom, with not a speck of dust left. Imagine if your mom told you to go outside and play and you couldn’t come in until she said “Stop!” When Ella was born, she was given the gift of obedience. She tries to fight it. She tries to hide it. But until the curse is broken, Ella is doomed to be at the mercy of everyone’s orders for the rest of her life. What kid can't relate to the burden of being under their parents rules and dreaming of the day when they can do as they please?

Ella Enchanted takes place in medieval times, where ogres, fairies, and evil stepmothers are a rough reality. This could be considered a Cinderella tale with a twist – instead of resigning herself to a life of compliance, Ella runs away to find the fairy who originally bestowed the “gift.” Readers will be dying to find out if Ella eventually overcomes her lifelong burden.

Levine’s novel was also released as a movie in 2004 starring Anne Hathaway. Girls who loved Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries both in book and movie form would also enjoy Ella Enchanted, another excellent page-to-screen transformation. After reading Ella Enchanted, I will certainly be adding the film to my Netflix queue!

Levine, G.C. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-440705-5.

So You Think You Can Dance (on Fox)

Having been a huge fan of this American Idol spin-off a few seasons back, it was fun to revisit the show with a tween perspective in mind. If the throngs of screaming girls in the audience are any indication, they are the target audience. So You Think You Can Dance shows that ordinary teens can be catapulted to stardom through hard work and dedication, and by avoiding dance floor injuries and the judge’s harsh critiques. The contestants are extreme cases of success, but I think it still proves to tweens that you can mold your own future. Aside from a few suggestive outfits and dance moves, So You Think You Can Dance is an excellent show the whole family can watch, and even place a few friendly wagers on, together.

(The image above shows Allison and Ivan two of my favorite dancers from Season 2.)

The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney

Imagine if you suddenly had reason to believe that the people you called Mom and Dad were not actually your parents. (And what teen hasn't thought that at least once?) That's exactly what happens when Jane Johnson comes face to face with her own picture on the back of a milk carton. Because Cooney's novel was published in 1990, today's readers will likely notice the characters' glaring lack of computers, media, and cell phones as Jane searches for answers. However, it remains a very clever and suspenseful storyline and Jane (who eagerly anticipates driver's training, daydreams about her future children, and constantly tries out more glamorous spellings of her name) will resonate with many female readers.

Cooney, C.B. (1990). The Face on the Milk Carton. New York: Bantam Doubleday. ISBN 0-440-22065-3.

Tripping Over the Lunch Lady and Other School Stories

Tripping Over the Lunch Lady is a hilarious compilation of short stories from popular young adult authors. Sarah Weeks (whose novel So B. It I am currently reading and will be reviewing here shortly) presents a clever solution to writer's block in Experts, Incorporated. Using the graphic novel style, author James Proimos and illustrator David Fremont retell Proimos' monotonous days as a grade school student living with his heavily accented Italian grandmother in The Grade School Zone. Readers will especially love the interviews and author photos that accompany each story, proving that the authors dealt with lunch ladies and dreaded assignments themselves once upon a time. This is a great collection for reluctant readers or for family read-alouds.

Mercado, N.E. (ed.). (2004). Tripping over the lunch lady and other school stories. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0-8037-2873-5

Boy Meets Boy, by David Levithan

Boy Meets Boy focuses on gay tenth-grader Paul, who attends a very accepting California high school, where many students are open about their sexuality. Paul has openly dated many boys in his school but suddenly finds himself in a dead end relationship-wise. That is, until he meets the adorable, green-eyed Noah in the self-help section of his favorite bookstore...

My favorite sections of the novel involve Paul's coming out stories. At five years old, he announces to his mom, “I'm gay!" In response, his mother shouts across the house to Paul’s father, “Honey, Paul’s learned a new word!” Levithan also brings to life several colorful characters. We meet drag queen Infinite Darlene, who is both the Homecoming Queen and the star of the football team. We also see how Paul's best friend, Tony, battles his homophobic parents and a religion that does not accept homosexuals.

The tween literature landscape is already rife with a variety of races and backgrounds, characters with handicaps, kids with a variety of interests, and many different family structures. It is great to finally see so many characters with which LGBT teens can relate. Levithan’s novel provides kids with an excellent example of what an accepting school and community looks like and could provide much-needed hope for LGBT kids whose home and school lives are not so welcoming to their sexuality. Simply because the central characters are already well into high school, I would recommend this book mostly for seventh through ninth graders. I would also recommend Boy Meets Boy to straight and gay readers alike; yes, this book focuses primarily on homosexual characters, but it's not far off from any other tween novel that focuses on love and relationships.

Levithan, D. (2003). Boy Meets Boy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-375-82400-6

Rotten School: The Teacher from Heck

Having been a huge fan of R.L. Stine's Fear Street books many years ago, I already considered the author a master of creative suspense. Although his Rotten School series elicits far more laughter than horror, Stine continues to entertain readers with his original and cleverly crafted stories. In The Teacher from Heck, the eighth installment in the series, student Bernie Bridges squares off against the meanest teacher EVER, Mr. Skruloose, after the sweet, old Mrs. Heinie just could not stand anymore of the rotten students. As Bernie schemes to outwit Mr. Skruloose and bring back Mrs. Heinie, hilarity ensues. Because of the short chapters, slapstick humor and overall content, I recommend this outrageous novel for students in grades 4-6.

Stein, R.L. (2006). Rotten school: The teacher from heck. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN:978-0-06-078821-6

The Klipfish Code, by Mary Casanova

While most people are aware of the horrors that took place in Germany during World War II, most do not know about the Nazi occupation in other countries. When her home country of Norway is invaded by the Nazis, Marit refuses to accept their presence. She wants to do something to return her country to peace, but what? Marit starts by secretly saving paperwork written by other resistance fighters. Then she wears a paperclip on her collar as a covert sign of solidarity among the Norwegian people. But when her family members start to disappear, she knows she needs to take much bolder actions. Marit and her younger brother use what was known as the klipfish code and risk their lives to see their family again.

This is obviously heavy subject matter, especially with Marit’s separation from her parents when they join the Nazi resistance, but Casanova handles the topic in a manner appropriate for tweens. I would not outrightly recommend The Klipfish Code for anyone under 10 because of the mature content, but parents can be the best judge of their child’s maturity and reading level.

Finally, this book will have a greater impact if the reader has some previous knowledge of WWII and Nazi occupation. As such, it would be an excellent addition to a classroom lesson plan on this critical time in world history.

Casanova, M. (2007). The Klipfish Code. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 978-0-618-88393-6

Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor

When he is only thirteen, Sam leaves his home in England to see the world working aboard a merchant ship. He is instead forced aboard a dangerous naval ship and put to work hauling gun powder to the cannons for battle. Sam lives in constant fear of beatings, injury, or even death. Should he have just stayed at home and worked in his father’s shop? Can he earn the respect of the hardened sailors? Will he ever see his mother again? Dowswell paints an excellent (and sometimes gory) picture of life aboard a ship in the nineteenth century, and tween boys especially will appreciate this adventure on the high seas.

Dowswell, P. (2005). Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1-58234-675-5

Boys' Life, August 2010

Any publication sanctioned by the Boy Scouts of America is sure to be squeaky clean, but it should not be assumed that Boys’ Life is therefore boring. The August 2010 edition features a story about Hurricane Hunters, an Air Force squadron that bravely flies into the eyes of brutal storms to forecast when the storm will hit and where, potentially saving thousands of lives. Of course, Boys’ Life also features scout-friendly tips, like tying a better fly fishing knot and properly planning a backpacking trip. Some of the games and anecdotes may be too juvenile for older readers, but otherwise this is a magazine that would be of interest to boys of all ages.

The Chocolate Wars, by Robert Cormier

“They murdered him.” Any book that opens with such a line is sure to be tense, mysterious and, most likely, violent. The Chocolate War will get your heart pounding and make you squirm in your seat. While it is a suspenseful story of an underground society steeped in the history of Trinity private school, it can also be viewed as an extreme commentary on the cliques and cruelty often present among teens.

After examining his father’s monotonous life, Jerry Renault decides he wants a life that stands out, where there are no days that are just “fine.” The high school freshman gets the opportunity to stand out when he challenges the school’s secret society, The Vigils, and their malicious leader, Archie.

While I don’t think girls would necessarily dislike this book, it should be mentioned that there are no female characters in Cormier’s novel; the most prominent female character is Jerry’s deceased mother, who is described through flashbacks. Also worth remembering is that The Chocolate Wars was originally published in 1974. As such, today’s young readers may not fully grasp the contrast between the prep school boys and the free-thinking hippies that pass through his town. However, this book is considered a classic for many reasons. For instance, Jerry’s maxim- “"Do I dare disturb the universe?"- will still ring true among readers. And Jerry’s eventual answer may surprise them....

Cormier, R. (1974). The Chocolate Wars. Alfred A. Knopf: New York, NY. ISBN 978-0375829871

Summer reading programs

Library summer reading programs are one of those things that the public intrinsically believes to be good. While public libraries are constantly asked to prove that they are still useful and relevant, I do not see many instances where libraries are challenged to prove the worth of summer reading programs specifically.

A post on the State of Delaware Division of Libraries blog looks at a three-year study performed at the New York State Library whose results may call into question the widespread effectiveness of summer reading programs. While the study applauds the effects of summer reading programs, it also suggests that libraries may need to do more for disadvantaged youth to combat the “summer slide.” Students from a higher socioeconomic background generally have more access to books and encouragement outside of school already. Their participation in summer reading programs is of course advantageous, however, engagement in some sort of summer curricular activity may be more critical for youth who do not have “positive reading practices, and connections with institutions supportive of self-discovery and reading” outside of the classroom.

A second article I examined this week from School Library Journal, titled Flipped!: Want to Get Teens Excited about Summer Reading? Just Add Video proposed an innovative way to spark teen interest in reading programs. I was particularly interested in this article as I often wonder if traditional summer reading programs actually entice alliterate teens into picking up a book. The opportunity to win free passes and novels might be enticing for a kid who already loves to read, but I don’t think a movie ticket is enough to get non-readers to suddenly pick up a book. To solve this very problem, the King County Library System (Washington) created a Read.Flip.Win. program, which asked teens to create video trailers for their favorite reads. As the author affirms, this spin on a traditional summer reading program appealed to existing patrons, but drew new library users as well. The librarians were especially impressed with how at ease their young patrons were with this medium. Also, even though the library purchased some flip-style video cameras so that patrons without the necessary technology could still participate, they found that very few participants needed the library’s cameras. It would therefore be interesting to know if participants were primarily middle- or upper-class teens.

However, it still remains, in my humble opinion, that getting kids to read or even just visit the library under any circumstance (and at any time of year) can never have negative consequences.

Wooten, J. (2009). Flipped!: Want to Get Teens Excited about Summer Reading? Just Add Video. School Library Journal, 55(5), p. 38-40.

Everything on a waffle, by Polly Harvath

What, you don’t believe you can get lasagna on a waffle? Well, talk to Primose, who believes anything is possible. Primrose stills believes her parents are stranded on an island somewhere after being lost at sea in a nasty storm and never seen again. Although suddenly faced with a tough life which includes moving in with her uncle and being teased by her peers, where only The Girl on a Red Swing diner and its the sassy chef, Miss Bowzer, seem to cheer her up, Primrose keeps beating to her own optimistic drum. Because the main character is only eleven and has a flighty innocence that older tweens may not relate to, this book is best for tweens ages 8 to 11.

Horvath, P. (2002). Everything on a waffle. Scholastic: New York, NY. ISBN 978-0439451307

Money Hungry, by Sharon Flake

Unlike most of the tween titles I have read thus far which feature female lead characters, Money Hungry’s protagonist is hardened and streetwise. With memories of homelessness and the current reality of the projects haunting her, Raspberry Hill thinks constantly of money, whether she is selling candy to her classmates or counting change to fall asleep. Raspberry hopes for a better life for her and her mother but her money hungry ways may land her into more trouble than good. Although this story is hard and raw, it is written in a way that keeps it appropriate for most tweens. Impressively, this may be a book with a female lead that would be of interest to boys as well.

Flake, S. (2007). Money Hungry. Hyperion Books: New York, NY. ISBN 978-1423103868

Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen

A favorite since its 2002 debut, Hoot remains a laugh-out-loud story about Roy Eberhardt’s attempts to avoid bullies and find some excitement in his new hometown. When Roy repeatedly witnesses a strange boy running barefoot and at full speed through the neighborhood near his middle school, Coconut Grove, Florida suddenly seems a lot more interesting… and strange. Featuring port-a-potty vandals, several burrowing owls, a couple of bullies, one oily black hair, and Roy’s dry humor, this part-comedy, part-mystery is a novel unlike any other.

Hiaasen, C. (2002). Hoot. Alfred A. Knopf: New York, NY.

Rodzina, by Karen Cushman

After losing her siblings in a fire, her father by a runaway horse, and her mother to despair and fever, Rodzina is “alone, hungry, and miserable.” She finds herself first living on the streets of Chicago and then being taken in by the Little Wanderers’ Refuge orphanage. The orphanage can only house and feed Rodzina for so long, and as per their usual practice, puts Rodzina and dozens of other parentless children on an orphan train headed West. Although Rodzina is frightened and even imagines jumping off the train to live on the streets again, she knows there are good people in the world and continues to pray that she will be adopted by a loving mother and father. She also finds solace in caring for the younger children on the train, and especially feels for those orphans whose families are still alive but could not care for them.

Will Rodzina become a slave to a rich family, wind up homeless again, or find a loving mother and father? Rodzina’s story, as well as the rich Polish and American history woven into the novel, will hook readers and keep them guessing to the very end of this Newbery Medal Winner. Cushman also does an excellent job of detailing the American landscape in late 1800s.

Please click on the screen below to view a trailer for Rodzina:



Cushman, K. (2003). Rodzina. Dell Yearling, New York, NY. ISBN 0-440-41993-X

A long way from Chicago, by Richard Peck

It seems everyone has a family legend. For Mary Alice and Joey, who hail from Chicago, their family legend is born in yearly trips to visit larger-than-life Grandma Dowdel on her rural farm. The narrator, Joey, reveals hilarious stories about Grandma, including her connection to Abraham Lincoln’s top hat and her expert use of a twelve-gauge shotgun. Readers who plowed through Al Capone does my shirts will love Peck's A long way from Chicago.

Peck, R. (1998). A long way from Chicago. Dial Books for Young Readers: New York, NY. ISBN 0-8037-2290-7