Book Case, written by Dave Shelton, reviewed by Kalie Mehaffy

Summary: The Book Case by Dave Shelton follows Daphnie, a young girl who is sent to a boarding school called St. Rita's, all set up with a scholarship and a job as the Assistant Librarian. When Daphnie arrives, she quickly learns that St. Rita's is not at all what she expected. There are holes in the driveway from chemistry experiments, a hole in the floor from a cannonball, a Latin teacher who drives a motorcycle, a library with no library books, and the Assistant Librarian position that is already filled. Daphnie learns to navigate this crazy boarding school with the help of a clumsy boy named George and the grumpy Assistant Librarian named Emily all while solving the mystery of a bank robbery and school break-in and while trying to fill the empty library with books.

Straight Talk for Librarians: I think that The Book Case by Dave Shelton is very fun, but I absolutely wish it had a little bit more world-building explanations. There were so many world questions I had while reading this book that were not answered. It was a great fun mystery and adventure, but I love being immersed in the world when I read, and unfortunately, I struggled with that immersion in this book. Overall, however, it was a fun mystery story. I do not think I would use this as part of the curriculum, but I would have it on my middle school classroom bookshelf for my lower readers, and if I taught fifth grade I would absolutely have it on my bookshelf. I think students can use The Book Case as an independent reading book and complete notes sheets on plot, action, climax, and dialogue, but I do not think there is enough to justify this novel being a class book. All in all, this is a very fun book to have on the classroom library bookshelf, but not one I would use in a lesson.

Kill the Boy Band, written by Goldy Moldvasky, reviewed by Stephanie Wilson

Summary: Kill the Boy Band is by turns uproariously funny and tragically pathetic. The unnamed (almost certainly unreliable) narrator unravels the true story of the time she and three of her friends kidnapped the least popular member of The Ruperts. The Ruperts are the most popular boy band in the world. Ironically or tragically depending on your perspective, the band is comprised solely of chaps named Rupert. The four fangirl friends will do anything to meet their favorite band. All the girls really wanted were tickets to The Ruperts sold out show. Apple scores a room in the hotel where the band is staying. Isabel seems to have an inside track on the band's every move. Erin is plotting something and even her best friend, the unnamed narrator cannot figure out what. Apple kidnaps Rupert P. and drags him back into their room. She unwittingly sets in motion events that quickly spiral out of control Kill the Boy Band is an ode to the extreme behavior of super fans who will stop at nothing to get close to their idols. Moldavsky expertly pokes fun at the carefully crafted images of celebrities and celebrity culture offered up for public consumption. The girls are broken into subgroups based on the band member they love best. Rupert X is the pretty boy/rebel. Rupert L is the dumb one. Rupert K is the good-looking looking and too good to be true one. Rupert P. is the one that cannot sing. Apple loves Rupert P. Isabel loves Rupert L. Erin loves Rupert X and the narrator is smitten with Rupert K. She refers to him as a “life ruiner.”

Straight Talk for Librarians: Kill the Boy Band is irreverent and funny and amazing. The writing is clever and littered with references to 80's pop culture movies. The unnamed narrator gives various names throughout the book, none of which is her own. At one point, she says her name is Sloane Peterson (the lead female character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off). The references will probably not register with teen readers. However, curious teens might question their parents or Google to understand the connections. Due to the nature of some of the scenes in the book, I cannot recommend it for younger teen readers. There are references to drinking, taking drugs and teenage sex. Readers with an interest in music will enjoy this novel. I highly recommend it for current and recovering fangirls and fanboys.

Clark in the Deep Sea, written by R.W. Alley, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Zuhaib S. 
Summary: In the book, Clark in the DEEP SEA by: R.W. Alley, he starts off by explaining what is going on in the book, with the youngest sister who is named Gretchen, and drops her teddy bear. After it falls, Clark who is the older brother as well as the protagonist, has to go on a journey to save it. The journey involves imagination of the main character and he has to deal with a few objects that are stopping him from obtaining the bear. The type of conflicts that the protagonist faces are those that are related to the protagonist’s pets like his dog and fish. Since it is raining outside, Clark relates it to the sea and his pet dog is a shark which has hold of the bear. At the end everything gets happy because Clark is able to retrieve the bear and end up giving it back to his little sister and everything was happily ever after.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book could be used in the classroom because there is a lot of imagery present as well as descriptive words that could be useful to learn about in a literature class. This book could be used in the classroom is because the medium is watercolor which would also be used in an art class. This book is interesting because the author connects things in the real world to the imagination in the main character’s head. A good choice for a school library.

Good Night, Mr. Panda, written by Steve Antony, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Ajit R. 
Summary: Good Night Mr. Panda, by Steve Antony, discusses a topic that everyone is familiar with, the daily routine when going to bed at night. Mr. Panda and his friends are all getting ready to go to bed, however his friends are forgetting essential parts of the routine before the go to sleep. First, Hippo tells Mr. Panda that he is going to bed, however, Mr. Panda informs him that he forgot to brush his teeth. Since Hippo is tired, he tells Mr. Panda that he will brush his teeth twice in the morning to make up for not brushing his teeth right now. Lemur, another one of Mr. Panda’s friends represents a person who follows the perfect routine and remembers to complete it all before bed. Next, Skunk informs Mr. Panda that he is going to bed, however like Hippo, Skunk forgot to complete a step in his routine, taking a bath. Once again Skunk goes around taking a bath by saying that he takes a bath once a month. Mr. Panda’s other friends, Sloth and the Sheep also inform him that they are going to sleep, however, they also forget to complete their routine, because Sloth is too tired to move, and the Sheep forgot pajamas. Mr. Panda is the responsible animal that is helping his friends get ready for bed until Mr. Panda goes to bed himself. The dialogue in this story either all involves Mr. Panda, and are either between an animal and Mr. Panda or between Lemur and Mr. Panda. The dialogue is kept short and between two individuals to represent the connection that the characters have with each other, especially with Mr. Panda. Mr. Panda is the balance between him and his friends, and he keeps the routine before going to bed until he goes to bed himself. The irony in the novel is that when Mr. Panda goes to bed, he does everything correctly but accidentally sleeps in Lemur’s bed instead of his own. Mr. Panda is helping his friends do everything correctly and complete their routine, however he ends up sleeping in the wrong bed due to how tired he is. The color used for the background represents a dark blue to resemble a dark night to complement the theme of going to bed.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story is perfect for readers of all ages, and is perfect for parents who have readers that are not as excited or enthusiastic about going to bed. The fun story, colorful clothes and dark blue night background all keep the readers engaged and may even help them to think that bedtime is not so bad. A great choice for any school library.

Cicada, written by Shaun Tan, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Riccardo S.
Summary: The story begins with a green cicada. He is working at an office and seems to be bullied by his many co-workers. Throughout the entire story, he complains about the harsh working conditions and how he works harder but gets less than the rest of the workers. He is the target of prejudice as his colleagues do not understand him because he is not like them. Towards the end, the reader will see cicada start the climb the stairs to the top of his office building. Before jumping off the building, he instead gets his wings, flies away and escapes the business. The book looks to analyze the situation of the common person in the workforce. Many people work hard and do not get what they deserve. It seems as though cicada does not have much to live for and readers might jump to the conclusion that he is about to commit suicide. Instead, cicada goes through metamorphosis and it seems as though he is liberated from his drab existence and his next step in life is joyful. He flies to a place where he is most happy: the forest. He gets the last laugh on the human race.

Straight Talk for Librarians: The art showed a grey hue throughout the entire book except for the end when redness erupts from the cicada depicting growth.The art seems deceptively simple, but at the same time, when you take the time to study it, it is very detailed. There are many layers of meaning throughout this book. Although, each page only holds about 10 words, they all bring a great amount of emotion. Many of the phrases seem sad. This book seems to be a commentary on how we let our lives become caught up in society's expectations and we just live with it. If we have the courage to change, then we may change the direction of our happiness. This is definitely a picture book aimed at older teens and adults as it is a bit dark, but it will make the reader ponder their existence and what is being accomplished.

Rabbit Magic, written by Meg McLaren, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Emily M.
Summary: Rabbit Magic is about a magician and his star assistant Houdini, who is a rabbit that is excellent as a performer and a manager. One day during a show, the magician makes a mistake and in trying to help, Houdini turns him into a rabbit. While this was popular with the crowd, it seemed as if the magician’s new role as a rabbit was permanent. Therefore, Houdini takes over the show, and although he was not very popular with his team during rehearsals, Houdini became very popular with audiences. More and more, audiences grew to love Houdini’s show, but unfortunately Houdini himself became less excited and realized that others needed the spotlight more. So, Houdini gathered his team and they figured out how to turn the magician back into a person for his last show. In the end, the magician, Houdini, and his team are all happy together. Indeed, the book concludes that life is better when it is shared with other people.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This would be a great book to use to help kids learn to read; there are not too many words to a page and the illustrations are engaging because they are used to help develop the plot. Furthermore, this book is a nice way to help kids learn that not every job is just for one person, it is not always good for people to try to take over someone else’s job, and life can be better when they share it. For instance, even though Houdini becomes successful as a performer, he learns that he does not enjoy being the only one in the spotlight; a somewhat lonely tone is used here that emphasizes that this is a low point for Houdini even though the crowds love him. Therefore, he rallies his team to help the magician, who is sad because he had to give up performing, which makes him happy. The last page has a very celebratory and welcoming tone, which is made by everyone standing together and smiling. This brings home the idea that life is more special when people share it.

Nya´s Long Walk: a Step at a Time (Review #2), written by Linda Sue Park, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Josephine L.
Summary: Taking place in an African village, Nya is given the job of retrieving water for the other people in the village. Given that it is very far away Nya must go through may difficult tasks in order to complete her tasks. For example, Nya had to carry her sister for some of the distance. Due to all of this, Nya dreads getting the water and the journey seems long and impossible. However, by breaking up the task into smaller segments, Nya makes everything more enjoyable. She looks at the trees and bushes on the way as checkpoints, viewing the journey as a bunch of small ones combined.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This story shows how even during tough times there are always positives. Teachers could read this book to students to teach them about other cultures. Elements such as what life is like in Africa and the sense of community is shown. Things that are often taken for granted, such as water, is shown as the valuable resource it is, gaining respect within the readers. Additionally, a positive message is shown taught to younger students. Even though the majority of the readers cannot relate to Nya's task, they can incorporate her ideas into their own lives. Learning early on that tasks are as bad as you make them, teaches students to always have a positive outlook. I would recommend this book because along with the simplistic artwork and interesting plot, a clear message is shown.

Real Cowboys, written by Kate Hoefler, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: William R.
Summary: To begin, the visual contrast of the vibrant colors, both dark and light appeal to the contrast of the human persona. The bright colors grasp the attention of anyone who may scan over or through the book. The colors are also very deep which adds to a sense of intrigue and warmth, similar to that of a campfire which begs the attention of readers. Furthermore the use of child-like stencils layered over the background serves to create a comforting mood, helping the reader to connect and become intrigued by the book. These childlike stencils also create a sense of safety, capturing the reader’s attention and emotion. This connection allows the reader to have an emphasized experience while reading Real Cowboys. Within the story each page is plastered with colors relating to the events of the page. For example in the beginning the cowboy starts the day with actions such as herding cattle, riding fast horses through treacherous paths, and dealing with stampedes and storms. This is matched with very bright colors such as reds, yellows and oranges that help add to the action-packed mood. As night seeps into the day and the cowboys begin to settle down, making camps underneath the stars, the colors of the page begin to darken and deepen. The colors migrate from reds to purples, and from oranges to blues, representing a more calm mood. Throughout each day the cowboys work hard to take care of their cattle, friends and family while continuing on their journey.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Within classrooms and libraries, this is a very good story to read aloud with young children due to its visual appeal and positive message. This would also be a great book for a children’s book club due to the sufficient amount of talking points that the story brings up. The main message, or theme of the story is that anyone can be a cowboy. The qualities that define being a cowboy are not limited to the tough, strong, “manly” traits that appear to be necessary, but rather cowboys are people who care for everyone and everything around them. Cowboys are those that take the time out of their day, even when they are busy, to continually care for, show emotion towards, and guide the people and world around them. This is a great message to portray to children at a young age in order to promote acceptance and care in our youth which will help lead to creating a better world in the future. Overall, I would give this book a rating of 5 stars because I feel the message truly hits home and is very important, especially given the state of our world in this day and age. It was a wonderful read with a positive message that all people should hear.

Best friends in the Universe by Hector and Louie (Review #2), written by Stephanie Watson, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Abhinav N.
Summary: Hector and Louie are best friends, the greatest of friends they do everything together. They tell funny jokes and make funny drinks and they even named both their fishes python! Hector and Louie are the best of friends and want to write a book to celebrate it, but when a secret is revealed Louie and Hector had to face a huge dilemma, they must overcome each others mistakes and return back to the greatest of friends.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Overall, this book really spoke to me as the perfect thing to teach young kids valuable life lessons through cute and nicely drawn graphics and short sentences. The book begins with Hector and Louie being best friends and the things that they did together, really going into depth on why they are the best of friends. Many kids could relate to the silly things that these kids both love to do-  one being making new types of food like peanut butter toast milkshakes and both loving hilarious knock knock jokes. The story then flips the plot completely as Hector accidentally spills Louie's secret, combatting back Louie spills a secret about Hector and the both of them insult one another and develop a hate for one another. After a period of boredom and forgiveness the two reunite and become best friends again knowing that no matter if one of them spills another's secrets they still are the best of friends and they always will be. This book would be very useful young kids and their parents as the book teaches two very valuable lessons through the story one being that your best friends will always stay your best friends through all the ups and downs of any friendship, it is shown through nice and cute graphics that any kid finds amusing. The next lesson shown is one of forgiving and forgetting, the kids in the story fight and make up soon after realizing they are best friends, this situation will be remembered by kids and thus can then choose to exercise the forgiving and forgetting that brought Hector and Louie back together. To summarize, the art makes the book a very attractive read to young kids who love color and pictures, the sentences are short and simple which will also encourage small kids to read as well and overall will teach them valuable life lessons through such a simple medium.

Second Grade Holdout (Review #2), written by Audrey Vernick, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Naveen N.
Summary: Second Grade Holdout is about a child who is afraid of moving on. He was very successful in the first grade and experienced many new and exciting events. In addition, he was with his best friend Tyler. But as the second grade began, he was told to take school more seriously and he was separated from his best friend. Sad and confused, he went back to the first grade. Going back to the first grade meant he could experience all those amazing feelings he had, and he did not have to move on and become more responsible and mature. Although his parents didn’t approve, he didn’t care. The child had heard that second grade is difficult and liked his first grade experiences better. Then, he figures out that second grade is amazing and that he wants to move on and have new experiences, when is ultimately the reason why he changed his mind.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This children’s book can be used in the classroom and libraries in many ways. The point of the book is to demonstrate a child who does not want to move on but ends up becoming more mature and responsible as the story progresses. It is a great way to teach a child these lessons. Every child experiences moments where they want to stay at a certain place and do not want to move on if it means leaving behind good experiences and friends. Teachers and librarians can use that to demonstrate how children should want to have new experiences, as this book portrays the child as a person who wants to stay the same instead of exploring new things. The story also shows how people shouldn’t believe everything they hear from other people. This message is conveyed when Tyler’s sisters talk to the child, as they make second grade out to be a negative place, even though it’s not. The story also uses tone, character analysis and dialogue between the characters to convey those two main themes.

Daddy-Sitting, written by Eve Coy, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Saleh M.
Summary: A children’s picture book in which the roles between a daddy and daughter are reversed, but through the eyes of the child. The daughter describes how she “babysits” her daddy and the special things she needs to do to take care of her father. She says daddy likes to get up early (we all know that the kids are the first ones up!). She makes him breakfast, they go for a walk, swimming, do errands around the house and go grocery shopping. Throughout the book, she writes that sometimes she can’t be there for her daddy and cannot be watching him every minute (because the daughter fell asleep from a long day), and in those moments daddy needs to take care of himself.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a beautiful book with illustrations painted in watercolor. There is a modern Scandavian vibe going on in some of the clothing and colors chosen for the illustrations. They are earthy and soft. Parents will enjoy this story of role reversal and it allows the reader to see the day through a child’s eyes. The story is filled with love and you can tell the little girls loves to spend her days with her dad. It’s so adorable. The daughter has a very vivid imagination and thinks that maybe her dad can be an astronaut, lion tamer or famous chocolate maker. This is a great purchase for any school library and will leave readers with the warm fuzzies.

Seven Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the Cafeteria (Review #2), written by John Grandits, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Jacob L.
Summary: In Seven Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the Cafeteria, Kyle has to buy lunch from the cafeteria for the first time. When Ginny hears this on the school bus, she gives him a list of seven rules he has to follow when he buys lunch, which makes Kyle nervous. Once Kyle tries to buy lunch, he accidentally breaks all of the rules, making him have a run in with a bully, a scary lunch lady, and scary 6th graders. When the lunch lady makes him sit with the 6th graders, including the bully, the bully turns out to be nice, and Kyle tells the 6th graders facts about bugs. He has a fun time at lunch, and when he goes on the bus home, he tells Ginny that the 8th rule is to never follow Ginny’s list of 7 rules.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Emerging readers will enjoy the over the top acrylic, colored pencil, and digital illustrations. This book could be read by teachers on the first day of school to try and ease younger students’ fears about the cafeteria and older students. The bully’s redemption arc shows readers that they don’t have to be afraid of the “older kids”, and Kyle’s overall enjoyment of lunch despite breaking the rules tells them they shouldn’t be nervous about buying lunch. Readers will also enjoy the funny ending when Kyle says the 8th rule. Students who are interested in bugs will especially enjoy this story, as bugs are often used to represent the other students in the class. Kyle even shares bug facts towards the end of the story, which will further interest these readers. If not read out loud to class, students could read the book on their own. Due to the somewhat high word count, it may be challenging for some emerging readers. It will help them practice their reading skills.

Back to School with Bigfoot (review #2), written by Samantha Berger and Martha Brockenbrough

Student Reviewer: Marti L-S.
Summary: This picture book teaches readers to check their privilege in the face of diversity. It provides an excellent window through which to mend the minds of developing readers and place a mirror up to their faces and display ignorance in their life whilst using Bigfoot as a motif for those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. The book is also designed to also be approached from the perspective of someone in as similar position of Bigfoot and offers so many examples that the character becomes almost universally related to anyone’s situation. Bigfoot is introduced as a character that struggles with the aspects of the education system and battles between the direct benefits school may provide him and the issues he may face as a result of attending school. It is astonishing that a picture book could be tailored to developing students and yet teach such complex ideals that are ever more important in today’s political climate. As for the art design, the vibrant colors contrast perfectly to keep the viewers attention throughout the picture book and does wonders for the understanding of each page as it works with the text to help the reader build an understanding.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This picture book should be tailored more to an individualistic approach instead of being presented in a classroom environment as the illustrations are extremely important to the full understanding of the picture book and every child might have a different approach. The interpretation is also a reason that an individual approach to the material should be used as the picture book heavily changes meaning depending on what the situation of the reader is and therefore would benefit from individual interpretation instead of a single, class enforced point of view. The book should still be part of a class as its message about individuality and struggle is extremely important to teach readers as it plays a large role in our society today.