50. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

CHASING VERMEER by Blue Balliett (Scholastic, 2004)

Illustrated by Brett Helquist

GENRE: Mystery

HONORS: Agatha Award Winner, Book Sense Book of the Year Award, Borders Original Voices Award, Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult Fiction, Edgar Allan Poe Award, Great Lakes Great Books Award

REVIEW:

Growing up in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, sixth-graders Petra and Calder could never have been considered friends, even with only two houses between them.  Then a book about unexplainable events brings them together and they start to connect some of the coincidental happenings in their own lives, including the woman in a Vermeer painting that sends Petra messages.  When that same Vermeer painting disappears, Petra and Calder find themselves in the middle of a mystery, making them suspicious of their neighbors, favorite teacher, and even Petra’s father.  Using the clues that keep popping up and their intuition, Petra and Calder set out to find the painting before it is too late.

OPINION:

Labeled by Newsweek as “a Da Vinci Code for tweens,” I was excited to read this novel and see if the comparison is accurate.  Filled with adventure and mystery, and even an international crime ring, this book definitely deserves such high praise.  Especially interesting for readers that enjoy solving puzzles, the book contains letters written in code between Calder and his best friend Tommy that readers can solve with the included key.  Also, the author points out in a note to the reader at the beginning that the illustrations contain hidden messages related to the code Calder and Tommy use, adding to the mystery for readers that desire to figure it out.  This adds an interactive element to the novel that many tweens will enjoy.  I found this to be a truly compelling novel that raises questions about seemingly unrelated happenings and challenges tween readers to further their imaginations as they put together the clues with Petra and Calder.

IDEAS:

This book would be a wonderful addition to a library display for mystery novels.  It would also be a fun book to design a library program around with tweens writing letters in code and solving puzzles inspired by the ones in the novel.

49. I Am...Sasha Fierce by Beyonce (CD)

I AM…SASHA FIERCE by Beyonce (Columbia, 2008)

GENRE: R&B / Pop

HONORS: Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Grammy Nomination for Album of the Year

REVIEW:

With Beyonce’s third studio album, eleven tracks are divided between two discs, representing the two sides to Beyonce’s personality.  The first disc, labeled I Am…, contains six slow and mid-tempo songs, showcasing Beyonce’s personal side.  Songs like “If I Were a Boy” and “Halo” represent the disc’s more mainstream, adult-contemporary feel, while also highlighting the serious and introspective elements of Beyonce’s true personality.  With the second disc, Sasha Fierce, Beyonce formally introduces the alter-ego that she becomes on stage, shifting to up-tempo dance songs.  The opening song on the disc, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” is a perfect example of the fun, aggressive personality that encapsulates Beyonce’s celebrity image.  Beyonce has grown with this album by incorporating several different styles of music and allowing listeners to experience the more intimate side of her, as well.

OPINION:

This album contains songs that will appeal to many pop and R&B fans.  The idea of splitting the album into two discs resulted in a bit of schizophrenia as listeners switch between discs, but there are still some really great songs on each.  The first disc holds a couple beautiful ballads that I absolutely loved, with “Halo” being my favorite.  Beyonce delivers the lyrics about an all-encompassing love with such conviction and the piano melody is perfect, making it one of those songs that I can listen to on repeat.  The second disc stays true to the style of music that has made Beyonce popular and it is sure to please her fans.  “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” has gone to take on a life of its own and it continues to be an extremely catchy song with a fun dance to go along with it.  The split between slow and up-tempo songs provides listeners with a collection of songs that they can choose from depending on their mood, but it leaves something to be desired as a complete album.

IDEAS:

This album could be included in a music-themed library program where tweens can learn some popular dances, including the “Single Ladies” dance.

48. A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky

A PIZZA THE SIZE OF THE SUN by Jack Prelutsky (Scholastic, 1997)

Drawings by James Stevenson

GENRE: Poetry / Humor

HONORS: ABC Children’s Booksellers Choices Award, Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books

REVIEW:

A Pizza the Size of the Sun is a collection of humorous poems by the master of children’s poetry, Jack Prelutsky.  Along with the drawings by James Stevenson, Prelutsky introduces readers to a smorgasbord of memorable characters, including Lester the levitator, Herman Sherman Thurman the perfectionist, and Gladiola Gloppe the inventive soup chef, among others.  The poetry plays to kids with an abundance of bugs, animals, aliens, and even a magical hat.  With a mixture of short and longer poems, Prelutsky throws in a few new forms that will surely please kids, as well, such as a poem that wanders around the page, one written backwards, and another poem that never ends.

OPINION:

Whether through clever word play or crazy characters, the whole collection brings hilarity from start to finish.  This is a book that is just begging to be read aloud, sharing the laughter with others.  I enjoyed that the structure of the book makes it so that readers can open it at any point and they will not loose any of the humor.  The black and white drawings illuminate many of the outlandish topics, adding to Prelutsky’s wit—and in some cases, absurdity.  One of my favorite drawings is of the teenage hippopotamus, bouncing along with his boom box on his shoulder.  Because each poem plays with a completely different topic than the one before it, tweens will not get bored and many will want to read the book the whole way through.

IDEAS:

This book would be great for a poetry library display, as well as to choose as a read aloud book.  The book would work well with a library program on poetry to give tweens examples on different types of poetry and invite them to construct their own.

47. Discovery Girls Magazine - August/September 2011

DISCOVERY GIRLS MAGAZINE – August/September 2011

Published by Discovery Girls, Inc.

GENRE: Magazine

HONORS: Although this issue has not won any awards, the magazine won the 2009 iParenting Media Award.

REVIEW:

Discovery Girls is a magazine with the motto, “A magazine created by girls, for girls.”  With each issue, the contributors visit a different state and selected twelve girls—“Discovery Girls”—to help put the issue together.  The magazine features advice on several different topics that interest tween girls, such as getting ready for school faster and the pros and cons of earning new privileges, as well as a regular column titled “Ask Ali” for readers to get advice on personal questions.  The Discovery Girls and multiple readers share their experiences in some of the magazine’s regular features, including “The Great Debate” and “Embarrassing Moments.”  There are also multiple-choice quizzes on topics such as peer pressure and organization that give girls insight to their own personalities.  With few advertisements, the magazine features bright, bold colors and real tween girls instead of models, appealing to the average girl.

OPINION:

As a fan of Seventeen and Teen Magazine when I was younger, I found several parallels between those magazines and Discovery Girls, with Discovery Girls being much more age-appropriate for nine to fourteen year olds, of course.  I especially liked the idea of using a different group of “Discovery Girls” with each issue, using real tween girls as the inspiration for the topics included.  This helps ensure that topics will be interesting and entertaining to readers, as well.  The majority of the magazine uses the opinions and writings of tween girls, making it a wonderful forum for girls to get their voices heard.  There are several places throughout the magazine that invite readers to send their letters in, demonstrating that it is a priority for the editors to have real girls contribute.  This is definitely a magazine that I will recommend to tween girls.

IDEAS:

This magazine would be helpful in designing library programs on issues important to tweens, such as peer pressure and being prepared for school.  Also, each issue includes a “Creative Corner” section that could be used for an arts and crafts program at the library.

46. The Greatest: Muhammad Ali by Walter Dean Myers

THE GREATEST: MUHAMMAD ALI by Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic, 2001)

GENRE: Nonfiction / Biography

HONORS: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers

REVIEW:

In this biography, Walter Dean Myers chronicles the public life of Muhammad Ali, the man Sports Illustrated named the Greatest Athlete of the 20^th Century.  Growing up in the segregated South, Ali, born Cassius Clay, became a role model for young people of every color when he won the gold medal for boxing in the 1960 Olympics and then went on to a successful professional boxing career.  His brashness and confidence especially influenced young African Americans in a time when many were demeaned with the nicknames “boy” and “uncle” and expected to ignore race.  Ali lived his life with the goal of doing what he believed was right, leading him to convert to Islam even though he faced many harsh critics.  He even risked his career and imprisonment by refusing to serve in the Vietnam War because it was against his beliefs.  The book follows Ali up through his last fight in the ring and the biggest fight of his life, his current fight against Parkinson’s disease.

OPINION:

With this biography, readers can feel Walter Dean Myer’s admiration for Ali and I came away from the book with a great amount of admiration for the legend, as well.  While other biographers may have chosen to make Ali’s personal life a larger part of the story, I appreciate Myers’ insistence on telling about the man he knows as the Greatest.  His personal life is definitely a part of him, but it is his public life that made him the role model he still is today.  His willingness to give up everything in pursuit of his beliefs is something that all tweens can look up to and honor.  In Myers’ final words about Ali, he writes, “Whatever he is doing, whatever he has done, he has always been a man of outstanding character.  He has always done what he believed to be the right thing.  It is the most that anyone can ask of a life.”  In a society in which athletes and actors are looked upon as role models, it is these last few sentences that emphasize what makes Ali different from many of them and what makes him a man worthy of admiration.

IDEAS:

This biography would be great in library displays about influential people and sports legends.  It would also be a great book to use in a library program on the Civil Rights movement.

45. John, Paul, George, & Ben by Lane Smith

JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE, & BEN by Lane Smith (Hyperion Books for Children, 2006)

GENRE: Picture Book / Humor / Historical

HONORS: Books of the Year Winner, Connecticut Book Award, National Parenting Publications Award Gold Book, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Winner, Quill Awards Nominee, Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor Book, Virginia Readers’ Choice Award

REVIEW:

Using their most famous characteristics, Smith reports some of the mischief that the Founding Fathers got into while growing up.  John Hancock was known to sign his name across the whole chalkboard at school.  Member of a bell-ringing club, Paul Revere had to scream to even hear himself talk.  George Washington admitted to his father that he chopped down his cherry tree and, when his father applauded his honesty, he confessed that he chopped down the rest of the forest, the barn, and his father’s carriage, too.  Ben Franklin loved to make up sayings for every situation and share them with others whether they wanted to hear them or not.  Independent Tom Jefferson always did his own thing, especially when he deemed school projects too amateur, and he even constructed his own Declaration of Independence from Idiotic Classwork.  In the end, all of there talents were put to good use as the colonists fought for and won their independence.

OPINION:

This is a hilarious book that elaborates on some of the myths and characteristics of the Founding Fathers.  While some of the humor will be lost on readers that do not know of the historical references, this book is a great way of introducing these influential men.  Smith takes obvious liberties with the material, but a true or false section at the back of the book clarifies any questions that young readers may have.  Although the nods to the Beatles may be lost on younger tweens, adults reading the book will appreciate them.  The antique-looking illustrations add to the humor of the book, especially with the childhood depictions of the famous men and their trademark hairstyles.  John, Paul, George, & Ben will especially appeal to younger tweens that do not like learning about history and hopefully peak their interest in an exciting time.

IDEAS:

This book is a perfect choice to read aloud to younger tweens in the library.  It could also be a starting point for a library program about the American Revolution, with tweens being introduced to the Founding Fathers in this fashion before branching off into more factual materials.  This would be a good book for a library display on American history, as well.

44. Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer

MIRROR MIRROR by Marilyn Singer (Dutton Children’s Books, 2010)

Illustrated by Josee Masse

GENRE: Picture Book / Poetry / Fairy Tale

HONORS: Mind the Gap Award, Flicker Tale Children’s Book Award Nominee, Gate City Book Award Nominee, Horned Toad Tales Nominee

REVIEW:

In this collection of fairy-tale poems, Singer introduces readers to the reverso, a form in which a poem read from top to bottom changes in meaning when read from bottom to top with only changes in punctuation and capitalization.  Emphasizing that there are two sides to every story, the poems transform some of the most popular fairy tales, including Beauty and the Beast, the Frog Prince, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Sleeping Beauty, among others.  The accompanying illustrations support the poems by depicting the two different views that the poems illuminate.

OPINION:

With Mirror Mirror, Singer has created a brilliant picture book of witty poems that will appeal to many tweens.  The combination of the poetry and the illustrations makes this book a pleasure to read, engaging readers as learn about reverso poetry.  While certain poems work better than others, the whole collection is entertaining for readers of all ages.  The one about Rapunzel has to be my favorite, explaining why she is so grouchy in one version by using the phrase “cut off” to describe Rapunzel being cut off from the world and in the other by using it to describe her cutting off her hair and having to sweep it all up.  Fans of fractured fairy tales will especially enjoy seeing how Singer tweaks the stories.  Singer’s invitation to create your own reversos will lead many readers to attempt this and discover for themselves how difficult it may be.

IDEAS:

This would be a wonderful book to inspire a library program teaching tweens about different types of poetry.  By reading this book to them, they could then attempt their own reversos and read them to the group.  This book could also be included in library displays for poetry and fairy tale books.

43. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION by Nancy Farmer (Scholastic, 2002)

GENRE: Science Fiction / Dystopian

HONORS: ABC Children’s Booksellers Choices Award, Arizona Young Readers’ Award, Bay Area Book Reviewers Association Award, John Newbery Medal Honor Book, Locus Award Finalist, Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book, National Book Award Winner, Rhode Island Teen Book Award, Sequoyah Book Award, South Carolina Junior Book Award, Volunteer State Book Award, Young Hoosier Book Award, Young Reader’s Choice Award

REVIEW:

Young Matt lives in isolation with his mother until the day he meets his first outsiders and learns of his actual identity.  In the country of Opium, an empire between the United States and Aztlan (formerly Mexico), Matt learns that he is the clone of the country’s dictator and drug lord, El Patron.  Taken away from his foster mother and sent to the main house, Matt is treated as livestock and he becomes aware of the hatred that humans have toward clones.  In contrast, El Patron treats Matt like a son.  Whereas most clones have their brains destroyed at creation, El Patron saved Matt and gives him the best in education.  Believing that El Patron is grooming him to be the next leader of Opium, Matt is shocked to find out his true purpose.  Fleeing, Matt makes his way over the border into Aztlan only to discover that things there aren’t as peaceful as they seem, either.

OPINION:

This book has earned a spot as one of my favorites that I’ve read for this project.  Farmer has created a horrific world with such detail that readers will have little difficulty imagining the landscape and the people within it.  The image of poppy fields with eejit workers tending to them leaves readers with a picture of the definition of inhumanity and many such images will stick with readers long after they finish the book.  Tween readers will identify with Matt as he grows up through the course of the book.  Although he makes several mistakes reminiscent of El Patron’s wickedness, he learns from them and demonstrates more humanity than many of the humans around him display.  There are several moments that will have readers on the edge of their seats and the exciting narrative will make it hard for them to put down.

IDEAS:

With the current popularity of dystopian fiction, it would be great to include this book in a library display of tween dystopian literature.  This could also be used for a tween book group at the library, leading them to discuss some of the themes of the book and imagine what could happen to Matt after the book ends.

42. Cirque Du Freak Book 1: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan

CIRQUE DU FREAK BOOK 1: A LIVING NIGHTMARE by Darren Shan (Little, Brown and Company, 2001)

GENRE: Horror

HONORS: YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

REVIEW:

When Darren and Steve sneak out to an illegal freak show, they witness a multitude of terrifying and exciting acts, including one featuring a man named Mr. Crepsley and his deadly spider Madame Octa.  Recognizing Mr. Crepsley from one of his horror books, Steve tells Darren to go back to his house and he confronts the man, telling him that he knows what he is—a vampire!  Hiding in the balcony, Darren watches in horror as Steve begs the man to turn him into a vampire, too.  Safe back at home, Darren is unable to stop thinking about Madame Octa, so he goes back to the theater and steals her.  However, when Steve receives a lethal bite from Madame Octa, he is instantly paralyzed.  Knowing that there is only one person that has the antidote, Darren goes to Mr. Crepsley and makes the horrific decision to be the vampire’s assistant in order to save his best friend’s life.

OPINION:

This book is full of horrific occurrences and supernatural characters that will appeal to many tweens.  The vivid descriptions of the freak show acts will make readers feel like they are there, watching the Wolf Man attack an audience member or Rhamus Twobellies eat two carts full of food.  Confined to Darren’s point-of-view, readers are not privy to what is going on outside of his consciousness, increasing the terror of the novel.  Also, the author adds another layer of horror by stating that this is a true story—his story.  In recounting the tale, there are a few points where Darren alludes to something horrible happening, believing that if he had only left the theater then or not gone back for the spider, everything would have been fine.  The author’s use of foreshadowing keeps readers glued to the book, needing to know what is going to happen to him.  I really enjoyed this book because of its fast-moving plot and the wonderful cliffhanger that will lure readers to pick up the next in the series.

IDEAS:

This book would be a welcome addition to any library display with horror books, especially around Halloween.  Libraries could also hold a Cirque du Freak night for tweens to hear creepy stories and play some Cirque du Freak themed games.

41. To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel

TO DANCE: A BALLERINA'S GRAPHIC NOVEL by Siena Cherson Siegel (Atheneum Books, 2006)

Artwork by Mark Siegel

GENRE: Graphic Novel / Memoir

HONORS: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor, ALA Notable Children’s Book, Beehive Award Master List

REVIEW:

As a young child growing up in Puerto Rico, Siena always loved to dance and, when the opportunity came to enroll in dance classes, she jumps at the chance.  After attending a performance of the Bolshoi Ballet, Siena cannot stop thinking about the prima ballerina as the dying swan and she realizes that she wants to become a ballerina.  Through her hard work and dedication, Siena is accepted at the School of American Ballet in New York.  Although it puts some strain on her family, they all move to New York so Siena can attend.  With her parents on the verge of divorce, Siena finds refuge in the ballet studio.  Attending the School of American Ballet until she is eighteen, an ankle injury helps Siena decide to go to college and experience new things.  However, she discovers that dancing fills a void in her and, even though she is not a prima ballerina, she still needs to dance.

OPINION:

Although I would have liked to learn more about Siena’s life outside of ballet, I’ve come to realize that the purpose of this graphic novel is to show the reader how she fell in love with dance and the journey on which it has taken her.  This is an enjoyable story that any young girl that wants to be a ballerina or loves going to ballets will love.  The illustrations are simply beautiful with many of the panels exuding the emotions that Siena is feeling.  In the drawings of Siena watching the ballet from the side of the stage, the colors and facial expressions convey the passion she feels for it as it seems to take her to another world.  To Dance gives a realistic view of ballerinas, showing the hours of practice, as well as the pain and injuries that come along with it.  Many tween girls will enjoy learning about Siena’s story, relating to her struggles in her home life and living vicariously through transformation into a ballerina.

IDEAS:

This would be a good choice for a library display of graphic novels for tween girls.  Also, a library program could be set up for tweens to read about different types of dance, with this graphic novel as one of them, and a dance instructor could lead a class, teaching them several of the dance techniques they have read about.

40. Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith

BONE: OUT FROM BONEVILLE by Jeff Smith (Scholastic, 2005)

GENRE: Graphic Novel / Fantasy / Humor

HONORS: Harvey Award for Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work, Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: Reprint

REVIEW:

When Fone Bone and Smiley Bone help their cousin, Phoney Bone, escape from Boneville, a swarm of locusts separate the cousins from each other.  After falling off of a cliff, Fone Bone only wants to find his cousins, so when he stumbles upon a forest, a talkative bug tells him that he must find Thorn.  Fone Bone encounters a cast of humorous characters as he attempts to get to Thorn, including a cigarette-smoking dragon that constantly saves Fone Bone from being the meal of a couple of dim-witted rat creatures.  When Fone Bone meets and instantly falls in love with Thorn, she assures him that she will help him find his cousins at the town’s spring fair with the help of her cow-racing grandmother.  After a close run-in with a large group of the evil rat creatures, Fone Bone is reunited with his cousins.  However, the appearance of a cloaked figure guarantees that the bone cousins’ troubles are far from over.

OPINION:

This is a fun graphic novel for tweens, full of humor and adventure as Fone Bone tries to find his cousins and escape the rat creatures.  The color illustrations are done beautifully, reminiscent of classic comic book art.  The graphic novel has a whole cast of characters that will stick with readers, from Thorn’s tough as nails grandma to the stealthy dragon that pops up at random times to help Fone Bone.  The story ends with a brilliant cliffhanger, leaving readers to wonder who the cloaked figure is and what he or she wants with the bone cousins.  Although I can see it being more popular among younger tweens, I found the graphic novel really enjoyable and the funny little main character may attract older tweens looking for a humorous story.

IDEAS:

This graphic novel would be great in a library display of humorous graphic novels.  Also, because the main characters are fairly simple to draw, it could be used in a library program about creating graphic novels, with tweens making their own graphic novels using the bone cousins.

39. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick (Scholastic Press, 2007)

GENRE: Historical

HONORS: Caldecott Medal Winner, National Book Award Finalist, New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007, Quill Award, Borders Original Voices Finalist, Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007

REVIEW:

When twelve-year-old Hugo Cabret’s father dies in a fire at the museum where he worked, Hugo’s uncle takes him to live in the walls of a Paris train station, forcing Hugo to help him tend to the station’s clocks.  Hugo’s uncle has a tendency of disappearing for days at a time on alcohol binges, but when days turn into months, Hugo realizes that his uncle may be dead, too.  Hugo continues to tend to the clocks to keep the station inspector from noticing his uncle’s absence.  Before his death, Hugo’s father introduced him to an automaton he discovered at the museum and, now hiding the automaton in the train station, Hugo needs all the time he can get—and spare parts he can steal—to repair the robot and uncover the mystery behind it.  However, when a toymaker and his goddaughter pry into Hugo’s secret life, he risks his biggest secret being exposed.

OPINION:

This is a remarkable book that blends together text, illustration, and movie stills to create a truly unique experience.  In keeping with the secret identity of Papa Georges, Selznick brings cinematic techniques to this work with several sequences of illustrations that move closer to focus on a specific element or pan across scenes to give the reader an idea about the overall setting.  It is a pleasure for the reader to discover that the allusions to filmmaking are more than just a storytelling technique, but they connect to the narrative itself.  Although reluctant readers may be hesitant to read this novel because of the page count, they need only to flip through the pages to see that a large amount of the book is told through illustrations and stills.  Also, the mystery of the automaton and its connection to Papa Georges will keep readers glued to the story.  With the film version of this novel coming out soon, I cannot wait to see how the story translates onscreen.

IDEAS:

This book could be used for a library display of books that have film adaptations coming out in the near future, as well as a display of Caldecott Medal Winners.  It would also make for a fun library program in which teens can read the book and then watch some of the films that are included in it, allowing for discussion about early filmmaking.

38. So Random! (TV Show)

SO RANDOM! (on Disney Channel)

Season 1 Episode 6

GENRE: Comedy

HONORS: N/A

REVIEW:

Originally a show within a show, So Random! now holds its own half hour spot after the cancellation of Sonny with a Chance with the departure of the show’s star, Demi Lovato.  With the majority of the show’s teen cast in tact, So Random! is a sketch comedy show with a live audience of teens and tweens.  This episode contains seven humorous sketches that address tween and teen interests, ranging from getting braces to asking a girl on a date to becoming popular.  Each of the episodes features a musical guest popular among tweens with past guests including Cody Simpson, Greyson Chance, and Selena Gomez and the Scene.  This episode ends with a musical performance by Coco Jones, a twelve-year-old singer and rapper that won Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing talent contest in 2010.

OPINION:

As a child of the nineties, this show reminded me of All That on Nickelodeon with the teen cast performing sketches and each episode ending with a musical guest.  Although that show will always have a place in my heart, I really enjoyed this episode of So Random! and I found many of the sketches very witty.  “Sally Jenson: Kid Lawyer” made me remember my own middle school days when other students would sign the standard responses of “KIT” and “Stay cool” in yearbooks.  Spoofing the commercials for lawyers like Larry H. Parker on television, Sally Jenson goes after kids that make false statements in yearbooks, fighting against yearbook fraud and delivering hilarious punishments.  This show is a wonderful tween alternative to Saturday Night Live, providing humorous sketches that they can relate to, as well as tween-friendly musical guests.

IDEAS:

The library could hold a So Random! night for fans of the show to come watch a couple of episodes with snacks and drinks provided.  It could also serve as inspiration for a sketch comedy library program, inviting tweens to write their own sketches along with help from a youth librarian and hold a performance of the best sketches at the program’s final meeting.

37. The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds

THE ODYSSEY by Gareth Hinds (Candlewick Press, 2010)

GENRE: Graphic Novel / Folktale

HONORS: School Library Journal Battle of the Kids’ Books Nominee

REVIEW:

In this graphic novel adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, King Odysseus begins his journey home to Ithaca with his men after winning the Trojan War.  Along the way, his crew battles storms, supernatural beings, and the man-eating, larger than life Cyclops.  However, when Odysseus’s crew angers the gods, their ship is hit with a tremendous storm and split apart by lightning.  Grabbing onto a piece of the ship, Odysseus drifts for nine days until he finds himself on the shores of Ogygia where the nymph Calypso keeps him for seven years.  Then released by order of Zeus, Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca to discover that suitors have taken up residence in his home, all wanting to marry his wife and become Ithaca’s new king.  Disguising himself, Odysseus devises a plan with his son, Telemachus, to seize back his kingdom.

OPINION:

This graphic novel gives a fresh spin on Homer’s epic poem, allowing the story to be told through images and some text when necessary.  The art works wonderfully to evoke the tone of the scene, especially through characters’ facial expressions and close-ups.  This technique works to give the reader a glimpse into characters’ minds, eliminating the need for text in many instances.  The story is nonlinear which could prove difficult for some tweens that have not heard about Homer’s poem before reading this, but it should not be a problem for those that understand the plot.  Also, there is a lot of violence in the graphic novel, but the gore is kept to a minimum until the battle scene between Odysseus and the suitors.  Nevertheless, the numerous adventures that Odysseus embarks on and the dangerous situations he gets himself into will especially appeal to tween boy reluctant readers—and a good amount of them won’t mind the violence, either.  By adapting the epic poem into a graphic novel, it makes the material much more engaging for tweens that look unfavorably upon the original.

IDEAS:

This would be a great graphic novel to include in a library display about mythology and folklore.  It could also be used to inspire a library program for tweens to create their own graphic novels based on other classic works.

36. The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton

THE PEOPLE COULD FLY: AMERICAN BLACK FOLKTALES told by Virginia Hamilton (Alfred A. Knopf, 1985)

Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

GENRE: Folktale

HONORS: New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year

REVIEW:

With The People Could Fly, Hamilton compiles twenty-four American black folktales that represent the attempts of those forced into slavery to remember the culture that white slaveowners suppressed.   The collection is divided up into four sections that stand for the majority of black folktales, consisting of stories about animals, fantasy, supernatural, and slaves earning their freedom.   Many of the tales feature a character that represents the slaves and the storyteller characterizes him as smart and able to outwit the slaveowner—or the larger animals as in the animal stories.  Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, the tales depict the sadness of the time, but there is also a ray of hope that shines through them.  In the introduction, Hamilton writes, “Remember the voices from the past.  As do the folktales, keep close all the past that was god, and that remains full of promise.”

OPINION:

This collection is filled with exciting and hopeful stories, demonstrating the strength of the storytellers as they endured such torturous times.  It is simply amazing that these folktales have been continuously passed down through several generations with one of the stories directly passed down through the author’s mother’s lineage.  At the end of each folktale, the author includes a passage discussing the history of the tale or other interesting information about it.  I think that this adds to the impact of the folktales, giving the reader a deeper understanding of the message or the inspiration.  Although folktales are not the most popular among tweens, these captivating stories of hope in even the worst circumstances can teach our tweens about their history as Americans and also about their own strength.

IDEAS:

This would be a great book for a library display about folktales from different regions, bringing attention to a genre that is highly overlooked.  Also, the stories within the book would be perfect to read aloud in a library program about African American history, as well as for a library display on the same topic.

35. Karaoke Revolution: Glee (Video Game)

KARAOKE REVOLUTION: GLEE (Konami, 2010)

GENRE: Video Game / Karaoke

HONORS: N/A

REVIEW:

Inspired by the hit television show, Karaoke Revolution: Glee features twenty-nine of the most popular songs from season one.  Players sing along as the lyrics appear on the screen, gaining points depending on how well they sing and getting a slushie thrown in their direction when they hit a few bad notes.  From the main menu, players must choose between two modes of gameplay: Quick Play and Scrapbook.  With Quick Play, players can select any song in the game, while Scrapbook has players select their favorite character from the show and sing the songs that are within their repertoire.   In addition, players may prefer to play solo or they can go head-to-head against a friend to see which of them earns the highest score.  Adding some fun to the game, videos from the show play in the background that go along with each of the songs, including some never-before-seen footage.

OPINION:

This is the perfect video game for a Glee fan.  While it is more like a sing-along game than a karaoke game, fans will enjoy harmonizing with their favorite characters and watching previously unreleased video clips.  I played this game along with a fellow Glee fan and we had tons of fun playing against each other.  There is a mode that has players shooting stars that float across the screen while singing that seemed impossible to do unless players have a mastery of the lyrics and timing.  We ended up handing the Wii remote to another friend and assigned them with the task of shooting the stars while we sang.  Aside from that, the game is very user-friendly, allowing players to choose the level of difficulty.  However, the song list felt too limiting and, after finishing all of our favorite songs, we could not imagine wanting to continue playing to try to beat our scores.  This makes me feel that the game would be perfect to checkout at the local library, but it does not have enough replay value to recommend purchasing it for one’s personal collection. 

IDEAS:

This game could be fun to include as part of a Glee night at the library along with other Glee-themed activities, such as a Glee trivia game and a costume contest.

34. Wii Sports Resort (Video Game)

WII SPORTS RESORT (Nintendo, 2009)

GENRE: Video Game / Sports

HONORS: BAFTA Video Game Award for Best Family & Social Game, Family Gamer Award for Games for Students

REVIEW:

Set on a beach resort on Wuhu Island, this sequel to Wii Sports includes twelve different sports from which players can choose, placing them on various spots around the island.  Some of the sports include swordplay, wakeboarding, Frisbee, archery, and basketball.  Taking advantage of the setting, the air sports game allows players to fly around, exploring the island while collecting points in a limited amount of time.  Requiring the Wii MotionPlus attachment for greater accuracy, players use the Wii remote to mimic the actions needed for the real sport.  While each player must have a remote for the canoeing game, the majority of games that allow for three or more players provide for the Wii remote to be passed amongst the group.  Represented by Mii avatars, players will increase or decrease in skill level depending on their performance in each sport.  Players can also unlock new levels for each sport, increasing the difficulty by either adding to the number of objects to defeat or changing the style of the sport.

OPINION:

Rated E for everyone, this is a wonderful game for friends and family members to play together.  While I enjoyed playing some of the sports by myself, the game really thrives when multiple people play.  Although individuals that are new to the Wii format and do not have a lot of gaming experience might need a little practice with the remote, the game is very user-friendly and it is simple to catch on quickly.  I was hooked as soon as I started the skydiving game, which has a solo player attempting to link hands with other avatars while skydiving and turning back to take a picture with them.  The more faces that are looking at the camera, the higher amount of points you earn.  It is definitely challenging, but I found myself playing it over and over as I tried to get a higher score.  There are sports that will appeal to all ages, making it a perfect party game.

IDEAS:

This game would be great for a library game night, engaging tweens in a game that they can play with their friends.  Because Wii Sports Resort consists of several mini-games, a large group of tweens can take turns playing without a lot of time between turns.

33. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

STARGIRL by Jerry Spinelli (Scholastic, 2000)

GENRE: Contemporary

HONORS: ABC Children’s Booksellers Choices Award, American Booksellers Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist, Arizona Young Readers’ Award, Charlotte Award, Garden State Teen Book Award, Iowa Teen Award, NAIBA Book of the Year Award, Young Adult Book Award, Young Hoosier Book Award

REVIEW:

At Mica Area High School, everyone dresses the same, talks the same, listens to the same music, and even eats the same food.  That is until Leo’s first day in eleventh grade when his whole life changes.  That is the day that Stargirl appears.  With her unique outfits, pet rat, and ukulele, Stargirl does not seem to notice that she stands out from the crowd.  Either that or she doesn’t care.  She is just being herself.  Even her name changes as she grows older and develops as a person.  Initially shunned, something miraculous happens when Stargirl becomes the most popular girl in school.  People are suddenly free to express their uniqueness and they do!  However, as wise Archie tells Leo, “The trouble with miracles is, they don’t last long.”

OPINION:

With Stargirl, Spinelli creates a story about conformity, showing that, even though we know it is better to be an individual, sometimes the comforts of the group win out.  Tween readers will recognize themselves in the characters of the novel, whether they are more like Stargirl or Leo or even popular Hillari.  With Leo as the narrator, readers will gather a deeper understanding of the effects that nonconformity can have on a society, as well as the damage that groupthink can have upon an individual.  Also, by addressing Stargirl’s inability to conform even for the boy she loves, the novel discusses the importance of being yourself and valuing your own happiness.  The message in the novel is one that all tweens should take in and, hopefully, it can change their attitudes about popularity and expand their tolerance for people that are different from them.

IDEAS:

On Jerry Spinelli’s website, he includes a list detailing how to start a Stargirl Society and I think this would make a wonderful library program, encouraging tweens to express their individuality and practice tolerance toward others.  After reading Stargirl, tweens can take part in activities inspired by events in the book, such as those suggested on Spinelli’s site: http://www.jerryspinelli.com/stargirl.htm.

32. The Dead Boy Detectives by Jill Thompson

THE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES by Jill Thompson (DC Comics, 2005)

GENRE: Manga / Mystery / Humor

HONORS: N/A

REVIEW:

First introduced in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: Season of Mists, Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine are two dead British teenagers that avoided going to the other side with Death, choosing to remain as ghosts in this world.  Working as detectives, the boys receive a letter from a girl at a boarding school in America, requesting their help to find her missing friend.  Since it is an all girls’ boarding school, Rowland and Paine are forced to dress in drag in order to freely wander the halls.  Following several leads with the help of some very rich girls, the boys work to uncover the school’s biggest secret.

OPINION:

Following the detective work of Rowland and Paine, this manga is filled with humor and mystery as the boys are thrown into the world of a bunch of super rich girls.  There are some moments in the beginning when the boys seem to forget that they are ghosts, causing some laughter as Rowland yells for Paine to watch out when he steps in front of a car.  Perhaps some of the most hilarious scenarios occur when the boys find out they must dress in drag whenever they are on school grounds.  I also really enjoyed Paine’s Victorian sensibilities, which are made the most obvious when the girls are too forward for him.  The mystery surrounding Elizabeth’s disappearance will keep readers guessing, especially with the introduction of some suspicious teachers.  The twist at the end will throw some readers as it seems to come out of nowhere, but it is especially relevant to today’s abundance of reality shows.  Overall, this is a manga that will appeal to tween boys and girls, having elements that both will enjoy.

IDEAS:

This manga would be good to include in a library display featuring graphic novels and manga for tweens, as well as ones that will appeal to both boys and girls.  Also, it would be a fun manga for tweens to study in a library program for learning how to draw manga art.

31. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose

CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE by Phillip Hoose (Melanie Kroupa Books, 2009)

GENRE: Nonfiction

HONORS: Carter G. Woodson Book Award, Cybil Award Finalist, Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor, John Newbery Medal Honor, National Book Award Winner, Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Recommended, Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Honor, School Library Journal Battle of the Kids’ Books Nominee, Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor Book, YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist

REVIEW:

While most people know of the impact that Rosa Parks had on the civil rights movement, few are aware of the fifteen-year-old girl that refused to move from her seat nearly nine months prior.  As the first African-American to challenge her arrest after being dragged off of the bus, Claudette Colvin got the attention of civil rights leaders.  She even risked her life in order to testify as one of four witnesses in the court case to desegregate the buses.  However, with becoming pregnant shortly after her arrest and coming from a poor family, leaders abandoned Colvin as not the right face for the cause and her name slipped from accounts of the movement for years.  With this book, Hoose gives readers an in-depth look at Colvin’s life during the civil rights movement, bringing awareness to a teen’s tremendous courage in a time when many adults would not stand up.

OPINION:

This is an important book for all tweens and teens to read.  Not only will they learn more about the civil rights movement and the injustices that supporters were able to overcome, but Claudette Colvin’s story highlights the strong impact that teens can have on pushing for change.  In the Author’s Note, Hoose writes, “Hers is a story of a wise and brave woman who, when was a smart, angry teenager in Jim Crow Alabama, made contributions to human rights far too important to be forgotten” (p. 107).  Through reading this book, Colvin’s story may inspire some tweens and teens to fight against the social injustices that still exist in the world, giving them hope that their age will not be a barrier to making real change.

IDEAS:

This would be a great book to include in a library display about the civil rights movement, as well as one about teen activists.  The book could be used in a library program about youth activism, inspiring tweens to do something as simple as writing to their congressmen or making a petition for something they believe in.

30. Taylor Swift by Taylor Swift (CD)

TAYLOR SWIFT by Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records, 2006)

GENRE: Country

HONORS: Academy of Country Music Awards Album of the Year Nomination

REVIEW:

In this debut album, Taylor Swift stands out as one of the few young artists with a writing credit on each of her songs.  By writing or co-writing all of her songs, the album has a deeply personal touch to it, with Taylor using songwriting as an outlet for her feelings.  Songs like “Tim McGraw” and “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” focus on young love and friendships.  However, many songs cover some heavier topics that affect tweens and teens, such as insecurity, heartbreak, and loneliness.  One of the album’s most popular singles, “Should’ve Said No,” puts a humorous twist on the feelings of rejection that accompany losing one’s first love, but “Cold as You” honestly expresses the pain of heartbreak with lyrics like “Oh what a shame, what a rainy ending given to a perfect day/Every smile you fake is so condescending/Counting all the scars you made.”  With the majority of the album written during Taylor’s freshman year in high school, it reflects the experiences of many tweens as they grow into teens.

OPINION:

After reading a quote from Taylor Swift stating that this album is her diary from her early teens, I knew that I wanted to listen to it and review it for this project.  Expecting it to be mostly songs about experiencing first love and heartbreak, I was struck by the wealth of emotions that the songs reflect.  While there are certainly love songs, the strength of the album comes from the honest portrayal of some of the darker moments of adolescence.  The song “Tied Together with a Smile” particularly affected me on an emotional level, addressing the insecurities that many young girls feel.  The chorus consists of the following lyrics: “Hold on baby, you’re losing it/The water’s high, you’re jumping into it/And letting go and no one knows/That you cry but you don’t tell anyone/That you might not be the golden one/And you’re tied together with a smile/But you’re coming undone.”  By including songs such as this one, the album provides tweens with a peer to look up to and it helps them understand that they are not alone, giving them hope that things will get better.  With this blend of upbeat and emotional songs, the album will be like a diary for many of the tween girls that relate to the music.

IDEAS:

This album would be great for a library display of young musicians.  Also, some of the songs could be wonderful to include on a resource list for promoting self-esteem in tween girls.

29. My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber (CD)

MY WORLD 2.0 by Justin Bieber (Island Records, 2010)

GENRE: Pop / R&B

HONORS: American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album, Billboard Music Awards Top Pop Album

REVIEW:

My World 2.0 is the follow-up to Justin Bieber’s short album My World, being his first full-length studio release.  The album consists of a mixture of R&B and pop, including some up-tempo dance songs and some slower songs that allow Justin to show his vocal range.  My World 2.0 birthed three singles that achieved international success.  The first single, “Baby,” is an up-tempo song about the singer’s first heartbreak, resonating with many young girls that either remember their own first heartbreak or want to be the one to console Justin.  The second single, “Somebody to Love,” is a mid-tempo dance song that has Justin professing his love for a girl and expressing his willingness to do anything for her.  The last single, “U Smile,” is a slow pop ballad with a bluesy feel to it that showcases Justin’s voice and the strong instrumental presence in contrast to the more produced previous singles.  With Justin turning sixteen just days before the release of this album, it is fitting that the majority of his songs discuss first love and the heartbreaks that come along with being a teenager, speaking directly to his tween and teen fans that are beginning to experience these same emotions.

OPINION:

Although I did not anticipate enjoying Justin Bieber’s music, I was surprised to find myself bobbing along to the beat.  There are a few songs that are really catchy and continue to get stuck in my head even days after listening to them.  My favorite, though, has to be “U Smile,” which never fails to get me swaying to the beat and singing along to the chorus.  As a fan of the boy bands of the nineties, I can understand how Justin has attracted such a large tween and teen girl fan base.  As a teenager himself, Justin relates to his fans as one of their peers and his music gives them something to listen to when they are going through similar experiences, whether they are reveling in the happiness of a first love or saddened by the pain of a first heartbreak.

IDEAS:

With Justin Bieber’s extreme popularity among tween girls, the library could put on a Bieber-themed program with music and activities, hopefully bringing in more tweens to the library.  Also, this could be included in a library display featuring teen music acts, along with books about the stars.