The Oregon Trail #7: Gold Rush! written by Jesse Wiley and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This series that replicates the subject of a game I taught my earliest classes to allow us to better understand the problem solving needed during Westward Expansion was quite the hit. I hope this series will do the same for my current students. Each book in the series explains where the wagon train is at, the dangers of the next section of the trail, as well as some tips for avoiding those dangers. The path has a divide to reckon with: head to California or to Oregon. There are friendships to be made, hard decisions to be made, and animals to hunt or care for in order to move your wagons safely on that trail. Some may be trustworthy that you meet on the trail, but others have no good intentions. Reading the notes in the backmatter allows you the best chance to complete this story with success. Some endings will be loss of oxen to pull your wagons, loss of other humans, or your own life. Sickness is prevalent along the trail and you have to have your wits about you to stay well. This series and this book are a lot of fun. I hope my students will also have fun with the rest books. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I think this series is worth book talks as historical fiction is studied in my schools and the short chapters may engage my less motivated readers. Westward expansion is part of the curriculum and the issues of the 1800's might be fascinating for today's generation.

The Oregon Trail #8: The Oregon Trail: Calamity in the Cold written by Jesse Wiley and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Moving from Florida to Oregon is no easy feat in 1845. Unusual weather also makes the trail more difficult. Many hazards await. Will teaming up with a Cherokee family you meet along the way increase your chance of success? I made more mistakes in this book than in The Race to Chimney Rock. I realize that the game I used to play with students early in my career allowed me not to walk away. I saw the words The End, returned to my choice and continued the story. When I finally reached Oregon City, I felt that same rush. This book did not have to be read specifically before or after the last. It stands alone with its own challenges. I look forward to sharing this with students next year. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Some students like short chapters and a Choose your adventure book may be just what engages them. I will have to book talk these to explain how to check the back of the book notes, Guide to the Trail, before beginning the story. I will allow students to think about how to manage an early death due to the dangers on the Oregon Trail. I will likely also prep them that there used to be an enormously popular game that engaged students in Westward Expansion in wonderful ways. Though I don't think many of my students will find this series on their own, they may respond well to it once I talk about it.

The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe written by Ally Condie, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Poe Blythe is an orphan growing up in The Outpost. On her first voyage away from The Outpost, her mining dredge is attacked by raiders and the love of her life was killed in front of her. Two years later, Poe lives solely for vengeance, having created a brutal armor for the dredge that takes the lives of any who would attempt to take the ship. Setting out on the dredge once more, this time as its captain, Poe finds herself on a mission whose goals she doesn't understand with a crew she doesn't trust in a land where the raiders are lying in wait. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: While this story is set in the same world as Ally Condie's Matched trilogy, it functions as a standalone and no knowledge of the Matched trilogy is necessary. 

What is interesting about this novel is the complexity of the characters and their motivations. There are no clear "good guys" in this conflict between The Outpost and the raiders because both sides have been fighting for so long that no one's hands are clean. Answers to what is really going on (why DOES the Admiral need the gold? Why do the raiders want the gold?) don't come easily. For those who are looking for more realism, the story is unpredictable and original. It is also worth noting that the protagonist refreshingly does not immediately abandon her revenge to fall into the arms of the first good looking male character--Poe's story is very much rooted in her grief. 

Educators could easily draw parallels between many events in the book and real life history, such as the kidnapping of indigenous children and subsequent placement into boarding schools, the destruction of the environment caused by the colonizers, the difficulty of creating peace between warring groups when both sides have done harm to the other, and how grief can fuel anger.

A Baby Like You written by Catherine Thimmesh, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This board book is larger sized and delightfully engaging. The full page + color photographs of newborn babies are described along with the same with a human baby. First breath, transporting babies, eating habits, learning to play, walk, and communicate. The pages opposite the color photographs have two parts: one that is details about the animal baby and the act they are experiencing or learning from their parents while the other gives greater details in smaller font at the bottom half of the page. I really like this format as the top could be what is read for months before an older child may want more information. This book essentially grows with your baby and that would make it a lovely gift for new parents. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: As a teacher of young children I especially love the size. I read aloud to a class of about about nine 2.5 to 4 year old special education students. The size of this book makes it more approachable for my visually impaired students, the lovely photographs of all kinds of babies will most certainly engage my students, and the thick soft cover and the thicker pages will allow those of my students with the dexterity to turn the pages themselves to have that option. These are all very important considerations for me for this particular group of students!

Anya #1: Anya and the Dragon written by Sofiya Pasternack and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Anya is a Jewish girl growing up in a non-Jewish medieval Russian-inspired fantasy village where magic is banned but citizens quietly use it anyway, When a family with Fool magic authorized by the tsar arrives, Anya learns that the mayor is planning on evicting her family from their land for the new family but that she has an opportunity to earn the money to save her home by working with the newcomers to hunt the last remaining dragon. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Those with a deep love of fairytales from around the world will enjoy seeing familiar fairytale faces like the rusalka, Baba Yaga, and the Bukavac. That said, readers new to Russian mythology may find the beginning of the story heavy with Russian terminology and vocabulary more difficult to enter than other fantasy stories. Once past the beginning, the story quickly settles into an easier flow with engaging characters and an immersive story that is more accessible for the average middle school reader. More knowledgeable reviewers also have pointed out that there are some minor historical inaccuracies (for example, while Jewish men in medieval Russia would likely be able to read at least some Hebrew, it is unlikely that Anya would have been taught). Teachers could use this book to talk about world mythology, history of Russia, the expectations of children through history (ie child labor), or discussing how the depictions of dragons in stories have shifted over time. While the fairytale of Baba Yaga plays only a minor role in this story, the current resurgence in interest in Baba Yaga may spark interest in this story for some students.

Tower of Winds #2: Song of the Abyss written by Makiia Lucier and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: In book two of this series, main character Reyna dreams of attaining the rank of master explorer and cartographer but faces a lukewarm reception from others based on her gender. When raiders attack her ship, Reyna escapes and a mystery arises: the ship is later found but everyone aboard has vanished. As the number of ships attacked rises, Reyna must join forces with the handsome prince of a rival country to track down the missing men. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Romance in these books is an element but arises from mutual respect and is not a driving narrative force. The romance stays within PG bounds. While the first book stayed more in the realm of historical fiction (albeit in a made-up world), book two does include more magical elements.  

The author does not shy away from higher level vocabulary like this second paragraph in the novel "After, they would be all Reyna thought about: two carracks painted scorpion black. No emblem on either forecastle, no pennant flying above the mainmast to hint at a kingdom of origin." 

Teachers will have many opportunities to tie in curriculum since the novel focuses on the importance of cartographers, medieval medicine, isolationist countries, the practice of some ancient kingdoms in interring living people with a deceased ruler, and the terracotta warriors of ancient China.

Scientists in the Field: Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon's Shadow written by Ilima Loomis and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Amanda Cowan's illustrations will bring in the readers for this amazing book about eclipse scientists and how they accomplish the gathering of information to better understand eclipses. Ilima Loomis' 5 chapters filled with details about the planning and execution of eclipse studies over decades and chock full of absolutely breathtaking photo illustrations with captions and maps or sketches to break up the details of scientific study. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The Scientist in the Field series is consistently so very good at engaging my students in what they could do in the field of their choice. There is so much diversity in this series and so many fields of science to discuss with eager young science lovers. I am very happy to add this one to my collection.

Over the Moon written by Natalie Lloyd and reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Twelve-year-old Mallie lives in Coal Top where the boys work in the mines and the girls work as servants for the families down in the valley. With Pa injured, the family in debt, and Mallie's beloved younger brother in danger of being sent to the mines, Mallie jumps at the chance to earn the money to save her family in a dangerous competition, even if it means braving the monsters in the forest, the Dust which covers the sky and makes people emotionally sick, and the rich town bully. Mallie also becomes embroiled in dangerous secrets behind the town's leadership and the origins of the Dust itself. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The mining town setting works well for a fantasy novel and invites educators to make comparisons with the real history of what life was like in a mining town. The main character Mallie uses a prosthetic. This is not the focus of the story but Mallie does discuss issues such as how people condescend to her, pity her, how her old prosthetic doesn't fit right anymore, or the color of the prosthetic itself. This could open up conversations about accessibility. The fantasy world building was vivid and engaging.

Wolfie Monster and the Big Bad Pizza Battle: A Graphic Novel written and illustrated by Joey Ellis, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: Wolfe and his monster brothers, Jackson and Roy, own Magik Cheez Pizza. There’s a new pizza place in town run by Lord Mudpant and he has taken over all the other stores in town. He wants their pizza store too. Lord Mudpant has evil plans to turn the town into zombies and take their money. He is not going to let these brothers stop him. It’s up to Wolfie to get to the bottom of his deceit. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Entertaining, colorful artwork, and humorous. Every page was illustrated with interesting detail. Great for teachers to get a low level reader interested in reading. Elementary students were very interested in reading this book over my shoulder. A lexile of 430 makes it well suited for elementary students or struggling middle school students. Highly Recommended

The Frog Book written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: The Frog Book offers an engaging exploration of various frog species through vibrant illustrations and intriguing facts. It introduces readers to the unique characteristics, habitats, life cycles, and behaviors of frogs, including the alarming fact that many species are endangered. Organized into sub-topics like "What is a frog?" and "Finding a mate," the book invites curiosity and wonder. A table at the end provides additional information about the frogs discussed, making it a valuable resource for young learners. With its combination of art and science, this book captivates readers while educating them about the fascinating world of frogs. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The Frog Book is a great book to fit into a variety of library programming. It is a good book for themed storytime sessions, focusing on environmental awareness and biodiversity. Interactive activities such as scavenger hunts can help students find specific information within the text, enhancing their research skills. Additionally, librarians can encourage students to create KWL charts to track their prior knowledge and new learnings about frogs. This book can also serve as a springboard for informational writing projects, allowing students to delve deeper into their favorite frog species and present their findings creatively. Overall, it’s an excellent book for fostering curiosity and learning about nature.

You Owe Me a Murder written by Eileen Cook and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Kim finds herself in an unexpected predicament during a school trip to London with her ex-boyfriend, Connor, and his new girlfriend. After their breakup, Kim is less than thrilled about the trip but hopes to make the best of it. On the flight, she meets the daring and adventurous Nicki, who listens to Kim vent about her heartbreak. In a moment of dark humor, Nicki suggests they create a list of reasons to kill each other's tormentors: Kim's ex-boyfriend and Nicki's controlling alcoholic mother. Initially brushed off as a joke, the situation escalates when Connor is mysteriously killed shortly after their arrival in London. Nicki, who appears to have a sinister agenda, blackmails Kim into fulfilling their "deal." As Kim navigates the suspenseful twists and turns, she grapples with trust, morality, and the lengths one might go to escape their problems. The story blends psychological suspense with an unreliable narrator, keeping readers guessing about the truth behind the events. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book could be a good choice for a book discussion group and there is plenty to talk about on themes of morality, trust, and the consequences of actions. This book would lend itself to a writing workshop where students craft their own suspenseful narratives, inspired by Kim and Nicki's story. This book could be a part of a display incorporating elements of psychological suspense or thematic reading lists. This book not only promotes literacy but also engages students in meaningful discussions around real-life issues. This book is an excellent choice for readers seeking an engaging and suspenseful murder mystery that will keep them on the edge of their seats. It's a good purchase for a high school library.

Tiger Time written by Kama Einhorn, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Tiger Time is about an American rescue program for large cats in Colorado. Kama Einhorn continues her True Tales of Rescue series with one that is so heartfelt and fascinating as it connects to the problems for big cats around the world. Most are dwindling in numbers and that is due to the human race and how we choose to treat these magnificent beings. Well, Einhorn will take us from the rescue, to rehab, to recovery and finally to release in a more managed way than her other books. Most of these cats can no longer live wild, again. So, the Colorado rescue Hope and Haven finds a way to give them as close to natural habitat as they can with the help of community, rescuers, veterinarians, and educators they do everything possible to help the cats learn to be wild cats. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Some of my students struggle with non-fiction, but finding this series has helped them so much. They feel and look like a chapter book. There are wonderful photos throughout. The backmatter needed in non-fiction is all there including tips for understanding how humans can help wild animals without touching them. How to help them find safe places to live that are not likely to involve humans at all. Also, how to find a local rescue, if help is needed for a wild animal. Knowing about licenses and laws needed for rehabilitation of wild animals is important for all of us!

Raccoon Rescue written by Kama Einhorn, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Einhorn has stolen my heart with this one as raccoons are so very misunderstood and so often harmed with poisons and traps set by people who don't understand the needs of raccoons or don't care that they exist at all. First Kama tells about a northern California rescue and rehabilitation facility that focuses on returning rehabbed raccoons to the wild. (They also help other wild animals and try to release all of them back to the wild, if it is at all possible.) Then Einhorn takes us through the phases of Rescue, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Release. So many wonderful details and adorable photos keep the reader engaged and learning throughout the book. These True Tales of Rescue are WONDERFUL! 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Some of my students struggle with non-fiction, but finding this series has helped them so much. They feel and look like a chapter book. There are wonderful photos throughout. The backmatter needed in non-fiction is all there including tips for understanding how humans can help wild animals without touching them. How to help them find safe places to live that are not likely to involve humans at all. Also, how to find a local rescue, if help is needed for a wild animal. Knowing about licenses and laws needed for rehabilitation of wild animals is important for all of us!

Sherlock Bones: #1 Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery written by Renee Treml and reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: Sherlock Bones lives in the natural history museum with his trusty sidekick Watts, a stuffed blue parrot. When things go missing or lost, they are first to arrive on the scene. The Royal Blue Diamond goes missing and there is no time to waste. If only Grace, the silly new racoon, can stay out of their way, they may have the chance to find it. Time is getting away. The museum might close their doors if they don’t find it quickly. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Cute and funny for all ages and genders. Great way to introduce the concept of a natural history museum and all it contains. This graphic novel is written in chapters. There is a lot of satire when Sherlock has one sided conversations with his stuffed bird pal Watkins. Sherlock introduces students to using deductive reasoning by asking questions. The interaction with the pesky raccoon Grace turns into a real friendship and a lesson on how to deal with different types of friends. I would recommend this book to a child that doesn't like to read. The humor and characters are very entertaining. Highly recommended.

Slacker #2: Level 13 written by Gordon Korman reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary: Cameron Boxer has decided to take his love of video games into the streaming world. When Cameron discovers that the local beaver loves watching him play, his stream takes off. Cam's obsession with streaming causes complications with his friends and classmates, though. Will Cameron be able to maintain his friendships, the Positive Action Group he founded, and the video game stream? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Gordan Korman's books are super appealing, especially for middle school boys looking for humor and somewhat ridiculous situations. Librarians looking to expand their humor sections should buy most of what Gordan Korman writes, and the Slacker books (this one and the first one, Slacker) are no exception. While it's the second book in the Slacker series, it can also stand alone without prior context.

The Candle and the Flame written by Nafiza Azad, reviewed by Rebecca Lowe

Summary: Noor is a city on the Silk Road still recovering from the Shayateen djinn killing everyone except for Fatima, her sister, and one other survivor. Now ruled by a new maharaja and protected by the Ifrit djinn, Noor is again under threat due to rebels seeking to undermine the maharaja, the Shayateen, and monstrous Ghuls. When a powerful Ifrit dies, Fatima is left changed and becomes further involved in the intrigues of the city. Working with the Ifrit commander Zulfikar and trying to navigate a complicated relationship with her sister, Fatima must learn who she is and harness her power to save the city. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: A lush world filled with many sensory details, high level vocabulary and many terms related to life in a middle eastern culture given without definitions may prove a challenge for readers unfamiliar with the setting. This could prove an opportunity to learn new vocabulary and research The Silk Road. Many review sources list the book for grades 7 and up but writing style and vocabulary indicate an older intended audience. Themes of grief and trauma are sensitively handled. Issues of gender roles in society are also touched on.

Every Moment After written by Joseph Moldover, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Every Moment After follows best friends Matt and Cole as they navigate their lives in the aftermath of a tragic school shooting that took place eleven years earlier in East Ridge, New Jersey. The shooting left eighteen first graders dead, including their best friend, which has left deep scars on the survivors. Matt, who was home sick on that fateful day, struggles with guilt and self-destructive tendencies, while Cole, a survivor, grapples with PTSD, the recent loss of his father, and the desire for normalcy, including asking a girl out. The story addresses themes of grief, friendship, and the complexities of growing up while facing the shadows of a traumatic past. Told from both boys' perspectives, the novel explores their changing relationships and the challenges they face as they attempt to move forward without forgetting the pain they carry. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story centers around trauma, mental health, and the importance of friendship. The book can be included in literature circles or book clubs, encouraging students to share their thoughts and feelings about the characters’ experiences. Librarians can create guided discussion questions that focus on themes such as coping with grief, the impact of violence in schools, and the process of healing. Additionally, incorporating cross-curricular lessons that link the book’s themes to social studies or health education can foster a deeper understanding of the societal issues surrounding school violence. Providing resources for mental health support and facilitating safe spaces for students to express their feelings can also be beneficial. By using this book as a springboard for conversation, librarians can help students process their emotions and engage with important contemporary issues.

Captured: An American Prisoner of War in North Vietnam written by Alvin Townley, reviewed by Sara Zielinski

Summary: Captured tells the story of naval aviator Jeremiah Denton. He was shot down and captured in North Vietnam in 1965. The text shows what it was like for him as a prisoner of war. It shows his resilience of spirit as he was isolated and tortured. Denton helped develop a system of secret codes for the captured soldiers to be able to communicate. Captured utilizes images to help the reader visualize the people and places. Jeremiah Denton's story is powerful and will draw many readers in. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I really enjoyed this story. I think it covered an intense topic without simplifying it too much or making it too graphic. This is the kind of story that many budding history buffs will love. The fomatting of the text almost makes it feel like a diary. The edges are of the pages are greyed and the chapters have barbed wire details. I think this book can be used by students and parents to teach about war and how difficult things happen in life. This story has a positive message of resilience. I think this book could be used in English and History classes. The text has a bibliography, endnotes, photograph and map credits, and an index. This could be very useful when it comes to teaching different text features and their purpose. I have had several students read and enjoy this story.

Last of her Name written by Jessica Khoury, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: In Last of Her Name by Jessica Khoury, sixteen-year-old Stacia Androva discovers she is the last surviving member of the imperial Leonov family in the galaxy known as the Belt of Jewels. Living a quiet life on the planet Amethyne with her friends Clio and Pol, Stacia's world is turned upside down when the Direktor Eminent, Alexei Volkov, claims she is actually Princess Anya, the youngest child of a slain emperor. As she flees from the Union's grasp, Stacia must navigate a web of danger and deception, discovering her royal heritage and the power that comes with it. In her quest, she uncovers secrets about the mysterious Prisms that fuel space travel and their connection to her lineage. The story unfolds as she embarks on a mission to rescue Clio, who has been captured, while grappling with her newfound identity and the responsibilities it entails. Along the way, she faces moral dilemmas and learns the importance of friendship and loyalty. This fast-paced science fiction adventure blends elements of classic space opera with a retelling of the Anastasia saga, offering readers a thrilling ride filled with action, friendship, and self-discovery. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I thought this was a really fun read and the plot twist at the end sort of blew me away. History teachers will love the connections about the historical context of the Romanov family and its relevance to modern storytelling, encouraging students to explore themes of identity, resilience, and leadership. Additionally, librarians can host genre exploration sessions, comparing Last of Her Name with other science fiction works, analyzing narrative structures, character development, and world-building techniques. Creative writing workshops can be designed where students develop their own retellings of historical events in a science fiction setting. This not only enhances critical thinking skills but also fosters creativity and engagement with the text. Collaborating with teachers, librarians can create book clubs or reading challenges that focus on themes of empowerment and self-discovery found in the book, making it a vital part of the learning experience in the library.

That's Not What I Heard written by Stephanie Kate Strohm, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: In "That’s Not What I Heard" by Stephanie Kate Strohm, chaos erupts at William Henry Harrison High when the school's beloved couple, Kim and Teddy, unexpectedly break up. The rumor mill kicks into high gear after freshman Phil Spooner, desperate for attention, spreads a misleading story about the breakup. As gossip escalates, the school divides into factions supporting either Kim or Teddy, leading to comical misunderstandings and school-wide antics. With the prom approaching, students rally around their teams, resulting in a cafeteria food fight and the division of prom themes into four absurd categories. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, creating a fast-paced, humorous tale that reflects the absurdity of high school drama. Amidst the laughter, there are hints of deeper themes, such as the challenges of growing up and handling relationships. Strohm's writing captures the hilarity and chaos of teenage life, making it relatable and enjoyable for readers. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book can be a valuable resource in school settings, particularly for discussions around the impact of gossip and rumor in social dynamics. It offers an engaging way to explore themes of communication, relationships, and the consequences of misinformation. Librarians can use it to encourage reading among students who enjoy humor and relatable high school experiences. Additionally, it provides opportunities for creative writing exercises where students can explore their own versions of the story or write about their perspectives on gossip. I kept thinking that this whole story is a hyperbole on our current political situation. The ridiculous way the misinformation spread and how some students devoted their whole being to one of the sides was very divisive. I am a fan of Strohm's books, so I always enjoy them.