Little Blue Truck's Valentine, written by Alice Schertle, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: Preschool aged children will love this book. The Little Blue Truck delivers several Valentine cards to friends like Hen, Pig and Horse. The vivid, cute illustrations by Jill McElmurry colorfully fill the thick, board pages. Little Blue Truck delivers more and more Valentine cards and wonders if, perhaps, friends will reciprocate. But, alas, as he delivers his cards to friends he does not receive cards in return. When Little Blue Truck arrives at his home his friends surprise him with a large Valentine card. The story and illustrations are both cute and will probably be popular with very young children. The sturdy book would make a nice Valentine's Day gift and a fun read aloud. The theme would also be good for discussing expectations and friendships. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This would, of course, be a great preschool book for Valentine's Day. It is a also a good story about friendship and expectations.

Valentine is missing!, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: A class of students is having a Valentine's party for their teacher. They make a Valentine for their teacher but it goes missing! The cute cut-outs (Valentine shaped of course) throughout the book will be a fun feature for young ones. Each page, around the cut-outs, depicts the items that may be hiding the Valentine. Balloons, strawberries, pizza, the owl and hot cocoa are some of the items that may be involved in hiding the Valentine. The illustrations by Anne Passchier are colorful and cute and perfect for preschool aged children. Children will enjoy this happy mystery of the missing Valentine. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is for preschoolers. It is a heavyboard book with cute cut-outs of Valentines. It is, of course, perfect for Valentine's Day.

Boyfriend App, written by Katie Sise, reviewed by Stephanie Wilson

Summary: Nothing in Audrey's life has gone right since her father died in a tragic accident at work. Her best friend ditched her. Most of her classmates think she's a freak. She has a small circle of friends from her tech class and that’s it. She has a crush on her techie friend Aidan. Audrey doesn’t want to ruin a good thing so she keeps her feelings hidden. One day, her principal announces that the largest tech company in the world (Public Corporation) is hosting an app designing contest for high school students. First prize is a $200,000 scholarship to the college of the winner's choice. Audrey designs The Boyfriend App as a way for teens to pair up with each other. Initially, the app takes off but it rapidly loses popularity when some of the matches go awry. Audrey accidentally discovers corporate secrets that reveal the true reason for Public Corporation’s success. Armed with this information, Audrey redesigns her app as The Boyfriend App 2.0. The improved app quickly causes pandemonium. Audrey has some tough choices to make as the novel races to its dramatic conclusion. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: What starts out as a straightforward teen romance, quickly morphs into a more sophisticated story. The novel’s plot builds slowly but once it's up to speed, it's amazing. Audrey is a hacker with a heart. Her father trained her to use her knowledge to help people, not hurt them. The Boyfriend App blends romance and a classic underdog story with a twist. Students with an interest in computer programing and emerging technology would enjoy this novel. Sise presents the programming information accurately without getting bogged down in jargon. The novel is recommended for high school students but mature middle school students could handle the content without any issues. There are several scenes of intense kissing, references to gay relationships and passing references to Blake losing her virginity. Blake is grounded when her dad finds out about it.

Golden Arm, written by Carl Deuker, reviewed by Stephanie Wilson

Summary: Laz Weathers has multiple strikes against him. He lives in a trailer park in the rough part of town. He was born two months prematurely and almost didn’t survive. He struggles with his classes and schoolwork. Kids mock him because he stutters. His only ally is his half-brother Antonio. Laz’s one salvation is his amazing pitching arm. Laz hopes to be drafted by a major league team after he graduates. When he receives the news before his senior season that his school has eliminated every sports team, including baseball, Laz is devastated. His only shot at a better future and his ticket out of Jet City is gone. Laz learns of an opportunity to play for one of the best teams in the state. He will have to leave his family behind and move in with a host family. Antonio has been spending too much time hanging out with the local drug dealer. Laz worries he will lose his brother forever if he leaves. Will Laz choose baseball and a life of success? Or will he stand by Antonio? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Golden Arm contrasts the only world Laz has ever known with his easier life in a wealthy suburb. Deuker aptly conveys the internal conflicts Laz faces. He is loyal to his family and never feels at home living with his teammate, Ian and his family. In his new home, there is too much of everything which stands in stark contrast to his former life. Deuker portrays Laz’s former home with a tenderness that belies its humble circumstances. Despite their problems, Laz’s mom and step-father are good people. Deuker clearly delineates issues of class and money from issues of character. Students will relate to Laz and his struggles because he looks and sounds  like them. While the ending is ultimately hopeful, it is realistic, and not the idealized fare usually offered up in sports novels for teens. The problems are real and the solutions are complicated. This is a refreshing change of pace. Please note: there are multiple scenes of violence and references to alcohol and drug use. I recommend it for fans of young adult sports books in upper middle school and high school.

Three Keys, written by Kelly Yang, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary: Mia Tang, the precocious fifth-grader who brought an eclectic group of immigrants together to buy a motel in “Front Desk”, is back for another heartwarming story about sticking up for yourself and your friends. As Mia starts sixth grade, the Calivista Motel is expanding under her parents’ ownership, a proposed immigration law is stirring up unrest and anger toward immigrants, and her best friend Lupe’s father is picked up by the immigration police. With her characteristic optimism, Mia forges ahead, starting a letter-writing campaign and a club at school to make sure everyone feels welcome. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Kelly Yang addresses extremely difficult topics with grace and makes them easy for young readers to understand and sympathize with. Lupe’s struggles with immigration lawyers, African-American Hank’s difficulty in procuring a bank loan, and Mia’s teacher’s prejudice against students of color are not sugarcoated, but still presented with a message of hope and a lesson on the power one individual can hold. Fans of “Front Desk” will love seeing Mia mature and stay true to herself and her friends in this sequel. An author's note explains the real immigration law that passed and the author's own experiences with it. Use "Three Keys" to discuss immigration issues in the United States today, or as an example of one person making a difference.

Twins, written by Varian Johnson, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary: Identical twin sisters Maureen and Francine have always done everything together: Maureen is the “thinker” and Francine is the “talker,” and that’s just how Maureen likes it. At the beginning of sixth grade, however, Francine starts to distance herself from being “one of the Carter twins” - she’s taking different classes, keeping secrets, and making new friends. When Francine announces she’s running for student council president, Maureen decides to run against her, sparking a bitter campaign filled with spilled secrets, hurt feelings, and split loyalties. Despite their competition, the two sisters will have to decide how to support each other while retaining their own individualism. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This bright and colorful graphic novel will appeal to readers of all abilities. Every student will see themselves reflected in at least one character - the lively illustrations depict characters of every color, size, and shape. Use this as a model before starting class elections to emphasize the importance of civility in campaign tactics. Fans of Raina Telgemeier will devour this celebration of family, friendship, and above all, sisterhood.

Show Me a Sign, written by Ann Clare LeZotte, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary: Growing up deaf on Martha’s Vineyard in 1805, Mary has never felt out of place because of her disability. She is surrounded by a large Deaf community - one in four people are born Deaf - that uses spoken and sign language interchangeably. When a stranger comes to visit Mary’s village, she is at first taken aback by his refusal to treat her and other Deaf members of her community as equals, and then terrified when he kidnaps her and brings her back to the mainland to be treated as a science experiment. Mary’s harrowing tale of kidnapping, isolation, and eventual rescue is heart-pounding and powerful. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This beautifully written historical fiction novel is suspenseful and action-packed, as well as educational. Readers will learn intricate details about the difference between spoken language and sign language (the version used here is the historical MVSL, or Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language), the history of deafness on Martha’s Vineyard, and the tensions between different races and abilities on the island. An author’s note includes additional research and material on the island’s native Wampanoag people, hereditary deafness, and the history of Deaf education in America. Above all, this novel sends enduring messages of hope and the importance of respecting and supporting every individual, regardless of ability or race.