The New Libearian, written by Alison Donald, reviewed by Bethany Brathey

Summary: The kids are waiting patiently for storytime, but the librarian, Mrs. Merryweather, is missing. They travel through the library, which is alive with adventures spilling out of the books (space aliens, pirate ships, airport runways), to find paw prints and honey spills. Behind Mrs. Merryweather’s desk is a bear wearing a “Librarian” name tag, who dutifully follows the children back to the Kid’s Corner to read their book. Just as the New Librarian is getting engaged in reading the children a scary story about bears, complete with growls, roars, and stomps, Mrs. Merryweather returns, fresh from cleaning up a lava spill in the Ancient History section. It turns out that the New Librarian is a recent escapee from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, along with another character who makes a cheeky appearance on the last page. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This lovely picture book, set in a bright and colorful library complete with festive posters on every wall, has both a spirit of adventure and a vibe that radiates comfort. Children who have experienced the joy of a good storytime will relate to the diverse array of kids in the story as they anticipate the event, and subsequently become impatient for it to start. The book includes many humorous components, like the lava spill, and the bear trying to eat several of the library books, though many of these moments are not discussed and are simply included in the images. The amount of text per page and age of the children depicted suggests that this book is best suited to pr
eschool aged children, though older kids who have enjoyed storytimes in the past are likely to enjoy the book as well, and may spot more of the visual cues than younger children. https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com The inclusion of a non-threatening bear, delightfully dubbed the “LiBEARian”, will add an element of excitement without any fear, and the twist at the end, if noticed, will leave kids wanting to read the book again immediately. An easy addition to a read-aloud collection for preschoolers or young elementary students.

Cut Off, written by Adrianne Finlay, reviewed by Stephanie Wilson

Summary: Cut Off combines elements of reality TV, mystery, action, adventure, virtual reality and science fiction into a compelling tale. The story follows River, Cam, Liza and Trip who are contestants on a reality show called "Cut Off." Expensive high tech gadgets allow viewers at home to experience what the contestants do in real time. Each contestant has a reason for wanting to win. River wants to escape being sent to military school. He is a survivalist and the person best suited for the rough terrain of the island. Trip is the inventor of the hottest new app. He wants to win to cement his place as the newest high tech genius. Cam needs the money to buy the ticket to a better life for herself and her brother Benji. Liza is mysterious and not who she pretends to be.The show’s failsafe is an opt out button called a tap-out button, that the contestant can press. It triggers their immediate rescue and exit from the show. The contestants come together for the first time after the earthquake hits the island. They soon realize something has gone hopelessly wrong. Their tap-out buttons aren't working and they are utterly alone. No one is coming to save them. They will have to band together in order to save themselves. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The novel’s perspective shifts between the three main characters. Finlay does an excellent job of letting the reader see what is going on inside each character’s head, what makes them tick and what motivates them. The novel includes some sidebar sections which serve as background information about the contestants. Cam’s interviews are the funniest of the bunch. She manipulates the process and puts the interviewer under pressure. Like Cam, Finlay twists the plot and provides surprises where the reader least suspects them. The ending is broad enough that it could be the set up for a series or simply an intentionally vague ending. The novel contains elements of a romance between River and Cam though the scenes mostly consist of kissing and cuddling. Trip is an openly gay character. There are scenes of underage drinking and scenes where the characters strip down to their underwear. The novel is not recommended for younger teen readers.

Playing Possum, written by Jennifer Black Reinhardt, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: Alfred the Possum had a nervous nature so he did not like to be the center of attention. He did not do well at school or at sports and the thought of making friends terrified him. But one day Alfred noticed Sofia an armadillo. When an armadillo is nervous it curls into a ball and when a possum is nervous it plays dead. So, upon their meeting, Alfred played dead and Sofia curled up into a ball. The story progresses with these two characters feeling more comfortable with each other. If Alfred froze, Sofia waited. If Sofia curled up into a ball, Alfred waited. Children may identify with Alfred and Sofia who both felt afraid at times. Then Alfred and Sofia decided to help others who may be afraid like a cow, a skunk and an armadillo. It took patience and forgiveness to make friends but it worked. The story of friendship using animals with nervous characteristics that are real is fun and will resonate with children. And the illustrations of Alfred and Sofia working through their friendship with one another and with others are perfect. This book of friendship and overcoming situations that make us nervous is perfect for young children. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a great book about friendship for young children. If there are children who get nervous in situations or who have a hard time making friends this book will be helpful in teaching them that it happens to others and can be overcome.

Star Crossed, written by Julia Denos, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: Eridani is a student of the stars. Her friend, Acamar, is not a boy but a constellation. The two friends bond over their differences and care about one another so much that they ask pointed questions. The two met because Eridani was always looking out the window and looking up. The story is a great one about friendship between two very different beings. Eridani is such a good student about the sky that she is put in charge of celestial projects at school. She is a smart, positive role model. When Acamar asks her "How was class?" she responds, "Good," "But I still want to know more." The friendship is interesting. When Acamar asks "Eri, what's sunset like?" she feels bad knowing that he will never see a sunset. And when Eri asks, "What's flying like?" Acamar feels bad knowing that she would love flying but will never get the chance. One night they decided to wish on one another and it worked. Eri was able to fly as a constellation and Acamar had blood and bones and walked on earth. The illustrations beautifully depict the stars and the sky and how the friendship between Eridani and Acamar develops and strengthens. A beautiful book for children. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a beautiful book about friendship and possibilities. And the girl featured in the book is smart, kind and strong.

Follow That Car, written by Lucy Feather, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: What an adventurous and exciting book for young children! Mouse is trying to catch Gorilla and he goes through traffic, weather, construction and other hurdles to catch up with Gorilla. Each 2-page spread has a good explanation of where Mouse is in his mission and a reminder to the reader and listener of what to watch and to follow the arrows. Children will have to look at a lot of items and action occurring on the pages and figure out routes. It is a good book for helping children think about a situation and try to figure out the answers. The illustrations by Stephan Lomp are fun and, of course, colorful and lively. Children will pore over each page to see all of the fun and action. They will have to look closely to find the arrows in order to help Mouse in his journey but that's ok because that is what will help it to be a popular book. If you are looking for a problem-solving story for young children this should fit the bill. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book will help children in solving tasks. They will have to concentrate to help the task at hand in the book because there is a lot of activity on each page. This is a fun, cute and positive book for children on problem-solving.

Unicorn Magic, written by Sabina Gibson, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: Unicorn magic is real in this cute book and the magic has a lot to do with believing in yourself! Periwinkle, the ever-so-adorable, unicorn lives in the Forever Forest where all unicorns have magical powers. Periwinkle does not feel that she can do anything special like her friends. As other adorable unicorns, named Ruby, Pearl and Marigold, enter the story they listen to Periwinkle and talk to her about following her heart. But, as Periwinkle sees her friends use their powers she still feels sad. Like good, supportive friends, the other unicorns thank her for being a great friend and tell her to "believe in magic and follow your heart." Periwinkle does, as it turns out, have a magical power when she creates a beautiful rainbow. This is a very cute story of friendship, support and self-esteem. The illustrations are very nice with the unicorns represented as what looks like stuffed animals. Young children will enjoy the story, the illustrations and the unicorns! 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a very cute story for very young children. It is a great story about friendship.