The Winter 2007/2008 Children's Book Sense Picks

November 12, 2007

1. AGATE: What Good Is a Moose?, by Joy M. Dey, Nikki Johnson (illus.) (Lake Superior Port Cities, $17.95, 9780942235739 / 0942235738) "Agate is a moose with self-esteem issues. He really is a gem -- he just doesn't know it. Dey's lively, lyrical text reminds us to look for inner strength in ourselves and others. Johnson's stunning yet simple watercolors capture the personality and beauty of every animal in the book." --Anita Zager, Northern Lights Books & Gifts, Duluth, MN

2. IGRAINE THE BRAVE, by Cornelia Funke (Chicken House/Scholastic, $16.99, 9780439903790 / 0439903793) "While Igraine's absent-minded parents and brother are immersed in the Singing Books of Magic, she spends time in the armory, learning the ways of knighthood. When a spell goes awry and Pimpernel Castle is threatened, will Igraine have the courage to save her home and family? Funke's delightful illustrations complement her fanciful text, which is sure to please daring elementary readers." --Sarah Todd, Children's Book World, Haverford, PA

3. IF YOU SEE A FAIRY RING: A Rich Treasury of Classic Fairy Poems, by Susanna Lockheart (illus.) (Barron's Educational Series, $16.99, 9780764160288 / 0764160281) "If You See a Fairy Ring, combines superb poetry and beautiful drawings. When you open this book, you might start to believe in magic." --Garrad Bradley, The Imagine Atrium, Jersey City, NJ

4. THE ARRIVAL, by Shaun Tan (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, $19.99, 9780439895293 / 0439895294) "The Arrival is a wordless graphic novel about the immigrant experience. A man wraps up a picture of himself with his wife and child, packs it in his suitcase, says goodbye to them, and embarks on a journey to a new world. Shaun Tan tells both a particular and a universal story -- one that is especially relevant now." --Nancy Felton, Broadside Bookshop, Northampton, MA

5. THE MYSTERIOUS EDGE OF THE HEROIC WORLD, by E. L. Konigsburg (Ginee Seo Books, $16.99, 9781416949725 / 1416949720) "Amadeo is the new kid in a small Florida town where no one cares that he misses New York City's art world. Then, he is swept into an adventure involving a sketch, an old man's memoirs, and a secret dating back to the Nazi occupation of Holland. This intriguing story of unlikely friendships and the power of truth is a must-read for Konigsburg fans." --Kris Vreeland, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA

6. THE BLACK BOOK OF SECRETS, by F.E. Higgins (Feiwel & Friends, $14.95, 9780312368449 / 0312368445) "Young Ludlow escapes his abusive parents and goes to the country, where he meets Joe Zabbidou, the Secret Pawnbroker: People sell him their secrets so they can be at ease. However, the town they are trying to serve pushes Ludlow and Joe toward a violent conflict that may reveal everyone's secrets, for better or worse. This blend of fantasy and history explores how keeping secrets can tear a person apart." --Andrew Owen, Posman Books @ Grand Central, New York, NY

7. SLAM, by Nick Hornby (Putnam, $19.99, 9780399250484 / 0399250484) "A novel about teen fatherhood -- reasons, reactions, acceptance, and, finally, the resolution and continuation of life. Sam is a shy teen who, with the help of his divorced parents, faces maturity and personal responsibility all too soon...but does so successfully." --Jack Blanchard, Fairy Godmother, Washington, DC

8. A STAR SO BRIGHT: A Christmas Tale, by M. Christina Butler, Caroline Christina Pedler (illus.) (Good Books, $14.95, 9781561485369 / 1561485365) "The classic Christmas manger tale from the animals' point of view. Leaving the people out is nice, and toddlers will delight in identifying the animals on each page as they watch the twinkling star in the sky." --Catherine Carpenter, Cate's Books and Stuff, Louisiana, MO

9. WHAT-THE-DICKENS: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy, by Gregory Maguire (Candlewick, $15.99, 9780763629618 / 0763629618) "A delight! The character development of What-the-Dickens the orphan tooth fairy is wonderful, and the memorable characters face difficult decisions on all levels in this story-within-a-story. I just loved it! A great read from the author of Wicked that I recommend to all!" --Megan Cressey, Sherman's Books & Stationery, Boothbay Harbor, ME

10. THE CASTLE CORONA, by Sharon Creech, David Diaz (illus.) (Joanna Cotler, $18.99, 9780060846213 / 0060846216) "Castle Corona -- home of King Guido, a spoiled monarch who longs to take a nap and wear a robe that doesn't itch -- has been robbed. Two peasant children, Pia and Enzio, find the King's stolen pouch, the contents of which will unlock secrets and transform lives." --Betty Jo Harris, Windows a bookshop, Monroe, LA Also available in unabridged audio.

ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS, by Claire Freedman, Ben Cort (illus.) (Barron's Educational Series, $14.99, 9780764160875 / 0764160877) "This hilarious rhyming tale of aliens' love for underpants will keep children picking up this book over and over again. What kid doesn't want to see a spaceship full of aliens 'wearing undies on their feet and heads'?" --Summer Moser, Summer's Stories, Kendallville, IN

CHERRY AND OLIVE, by Benjamin Lacombe (Walker & Company, $16.95, 9780802797070 / 0802797075) "This bittersweet story is beautifully written and illustrated in a style both contemporary and classic. Cherry is very shy, but she finds a friend in Olive, a dog at her father's animal shelter. What will happen if Olive's owner comes to claim her? Lacombe's realistic portrayal of Cherry's loneliness and her relationship with Olive genuinely touched me." --Lori Kauffman, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, MA

THE CURIOUS ADVENTURES OF THE ABANDONED TOYS, by Julian Fellowes (Holt Books for Young Readers, $17.95, 9780805075267 / 0805075267) "The children's hospital no longer wants Doc the bear. His new life at the dump gets off to a rough start, but the other thrown-away toys try to make him feel welcome. This lovingly illustrated text is a great read-aloud. Pair it with a stuffed animal, and you have a wonderful holiday gift!" --Margaret Brennan Neville, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

GLASS SLIPPER, GOLD SANDAL: A Worldwide Cinderella, by Paul Fleischman (Holt Books for Young Readers, $16.95, 9780805079531 / 080507953X) "This is the best multicultural book I've seen in a long time. The Cinderella story is told in more than one thousand countries, and this book opens windows to many of those traditions. Cinderella flits to a different country on every page, and the illustrations are gorgeous. We cannot keep this book on our shelves." --Laura DeLaney, The Rediscovered Bookshop, Boise, ID

HOW MANY? Spectacular Paper Sculptures, by Ron Van Der Meer (Robin Corey Books, $24.99, 9780375842269 / 0375842268) "An exciting new title from a pop-up book pioneer. From the vivid colors to the outstanding design, this is an easy book to recommend." --Autumn Lynn, River Reader LLC, Lexington, MO

KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A Case of Mistaken Identity, by Mo Willems (Hyperion, $16.99, 9781423102991 / 1423102991) "Trixie is excited to share her Knuffle Bunny with her preschool friends. A classmate has a Knuffle Bunny, too -- and at bedtime that night, Trixie realizes she brought home the wrong bunny! Cartoon-like illustrations superimposed on photos of New York make this a fun read-aloud for preschool-age children." --Pat Byrne, Book Ends, Winchester, MA

KNUT: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World, by Isabella Hatkoff, Juliana Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, Gerald R. Uhlich (Scholastic, $16.99, 9780545047166 / 0545047161) "If you enjoyed the intimate tone and photographs of Owen and Mzee, you'll like Knut. Hatkoff, his daughters, and Uhlich have written a true story about the rescue of a newborn polar bear by a determined zookeeper. The controversy and media attention are noted, but it's the bond between Knut and the zookeeper that you'll always remember." --Rosemary Pugliese, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

I LOVE YOU MORE, by Laura Duksta, Karen Keesler (illus.) (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $16.99, 9781402211263 / 1402211260) "A great flip-story book with an appealing message! The colorful pictures are simple but elegant, and the large font is appealing to kids. Parents will enjoy the book's sentiments, and teachers will find it useful in the classroom. A must-have for the holidays, and a great way to say 'I love you!'" --Diane Van Tassell, Bay Books, San Ramon, CA

LIBRARY MOUSE, by Daniel Kirk (Abrams Books for Young Readers, $15.95, 9780810993464 / 0810993465) "Sam the mouse lives in a library. He sleeps while it's open, but when it closes for the night, it's all his! He reads every book he can get his little paws on, and he gets the idea to write his own. Will people enjoy stories by a well-read mouse? A fun tale about how anyone, even a mouse, can become an author if they really want to." -- Joey Puente, DIESEL, A Bookstore, Malibu, CA

OLIVIA HELPS WITH CHRISTMAS, by Ian Falconer (Atheneum, $18.99, 9781416907862 / 1416907866) "Our favorite girl-pig is up to her usual tricks, in the best way possible! The story of a family's Christmas day is sweet, and Falconer's illustrations get better and better. My favorites are the family in front of the fireplace, and the stunner at the end: a mix of photography and drawing." --Suzanne Perry, The Secret Garden, Seattle, WA

THE ONE THE ONLY MAGNIFICENT ME, by Dan Haseltine, Joel Schoon Tanis (illus.) (Mackinac Island Press, $14.95, 9781934133217 / 1934133213) "A great book to build self-esteem and confidence, with a message about the uniqueness of every child. The art is incredible -- vibrant colors really add to the story." --Beth Phelps, Tuesday Books, Williamston, MI

THE ORANGE SHOES, by Trinka Hakes Noble, Doris Ettlinger (illus.) (Sleeping Bear Press, $16.95, 9781585362776 / 1585362778) "Delly walks to school barefoot. In class, she sits next to a girl who has lots of everything. Prejudice and cruelty are explored in this tale, but staying true to oneself wins out. An inspirational story for all ages." --Donna Bucholz, Mostly Books, Gig Harbor, WA

RABBIT'S GIFT, by George Shannon, Laura Dronzek (illus.) (Harcourt, $16, 9780152060732 / 0152060731) "A beautiful retelling of an ancient, universal tale of giving and sharing. This book, with Dronzek's wonderful and muted illustrations, is a perfect selection for the holiday season." --Ann Combs, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA

THE SHORT AND INCREDIBLY HAPPY LIFE OF RILEY, by Colin Thompson, Amy Lissiat (illus.) (Kane/Miller Book Publishers, $15.95, 9781933605500 / 1933605502) "This picture book contrasts the lives of humans who always want more with the life of Riley the rat, who is quite happy with less. The illustrations are particularly witty, which makes this book a joy for both parent and child." --Lauretta Nagel, Constellation Books, Reisterstown, MD

TAP DANCING ON THE ROOF: Sijo (Poems), by Linda Sue Park (Clarion, $16, 9780618234837 / 0618234837) "This book introduced me to sijo, a poetic form that originated in Korea. Sijo have a fixed number of syllables, similar to haiku, but with an unexpected twist at the end. They're clever and fun -- you can't just read one." --Sara Carter, Children's Bookshop, Kent, WA

TOOT & PUDDLE: Let it Snow, by Holly Hobbie (Little, Brown, $16.99, 9780316166867 / 0316166863) "The small, vibrant illustrations in this final book in the Toot & Puddle series are warm and captivating. And the story of friendship is simply perfect for curling up to read on a wintry day." --Caitlin Doggart, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Chatham, MA

ALCATRAZ VERSUS THE EVIL LIBRARIANS, by Brandon Sanderson (Scholastic, $16.99, 9780439925501 / 0439925509) "In our profession, 'evil' is not an adjective often used to describe librarians, but in this wry pre-teen and early teen fantasy, they form a network bound on world domination. This novel's humor will be appreciated by readers older than the obvious target audience." --Linda Brummett, BYU Bookstore, Provo, UT

CANDYFLOSS, by Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt (illus.) (Roaring Brook, $14.95, 9781596432413 / 1596432411) "Flora Barnes, better known as Floss, is an upbeat British girl who has just learned to cope with her parents' post-divorce setup. Then, her mum and stepfather, Steve, announce they are moving to Australia! Floss has to make a decision: stay with dad, or go with mum? What will she do?" --Sarah Durkin, Kepler's Books & Magazine, Menlo Park, CA

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, by Jeff Kinney (Amulet, $12.95, 9780810993136 / 0810993139) "This hilarious mid-grade graphic novel about a nerd's first year in middle school is wonderfully realistic. Written in journal format with illustrations, we learn about Greg Heffley, a bright but non-athletic young man. The author portrays school life and the cruelty of children in a manner that is all too familiar. Highly recommended." --Bob Spear, The Book Barn, Leavenworth, KS

ELEPHANT RUN, by Roland Smith (Hyperion, $15.99, 9781423104025 / 1423104021) "The year is 1941, and Nick's London apartment is bombed. His mother decides Nick would be safer on his father's Burma plantation, but the Japanese march into Burma soon after Nick's arrival and his father is imprisoned. Nick knows he must try to
rescue his father and save the plantation. An exciting tale of a little-known part of World War Two." --Diane Betz, Butterfly Books, De Pere, WI

ELIJAH OF BUXTON, by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic, $16.99, 9780439023443 / 0439023440) "This is one of those rare books that can make you laugh one minute and cry the next, even as you learn about a time and culture different from your own. This book would be fantastic to use in a classroom while studying slavery and the Underground Railroad." --Beth Phelps, Tuesday Books, Williamston, MI

THE FOREST IN THE HALLWAY, by Gordon Smith (Clarion, $16, 9780618688470 / 0618688471) "After her parents go missing, Beatriz moves to New York City to live with her uncle. There, she finds a magic doorway that leads to a strange land. She discovers an odd assortment of people, including a witch with sinister intentions. If you love fantasy, you'll enjoy the modern-day Beatriz suddenly finding herself in a magical realm." --Linda Goodman, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI

THE GARDEN OF EVE, by K.L. Going (Harcourt, $17, 9780152059866 / 0152059865) "When Evie's mom dies, she and her dad move to an eerie upstate New York town. The whole town seems to be in mourning, and Evie strives to unlock the long-hidden life of the community. A beautiful story with themes of spiritual and physical rebirth." --Carol J. Stoltz, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA

THE GOLDEN COMPASS, by Philip Pullman (Yearling, $7.50 paper, 9780440418320/ 0440418321) "In a landmark epic of fantasy and storytelling, Philip Pullman invites readers into a world as convincing and thoroughly realized as Narnia or Redwall." --Lelia Taylor, Creatures 'n Crooks Bookshoppe, Richmond, VA

HOME OF THE BRAVE, by Katherine Applegate (Feiwel & Friends, $16.95, 9780312367657 / 0312367651) "Kek is a young refugee who comes to America from Africa. When he passes a nearby farm and sees a cow -- the only familiar thing in an unfamiliar land -- he befriends it and begins to make connections in his new hometown. Well-written and powerful." --Carol Schneck, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI

KIKI STRIKE: The Empress' Tomb, by Kirsten Miller (Bloomsbury, $16.95, 9781599900476 / 1599900475) "This sequel to Inside the Shadow City features the original Irregulars -- six teenage girls. Oona's family conflict may break up the group, and art thieves, animal rescue, and humans appear in this novel, too. The Irregulars can handle any situation admirably...and kick butt as needed." --Andrea Vuleta, Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book Shop, La Verne, CA

LITTLE KLEIN, by Anne Ylvisaker (Candlewick, $15.99, 9780763633592 / 0763633593) "Little Klein is a gem! He is the youngest of several strapping, mischievous Klein boys. Their salesman father is absent for weeks at a time, and their mother is a wise, gutsy woman. A stray dog named LeRoy joins the fray, with delightful results." --Sue Carita, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

MIDDLEWORLD: The Jaguar Stones: Book One, by Jon Voelkel and Pamela Voelkel (Smith & Kraus, $22.50, 9781575255613 / 1575255618) "Max Murphy's archaeologist parents are studying the ancient Maya when they accidentally let loose forces determined to take over the world! In this fast-paced book, the reader is treated to fascinating information about the Maya even as Max overcomes his dislike for his parents' job and saves the world. I'm looking forward to the other books in this trilogy." --Lisa Sharp, Nightbird Books, Fayetteville, AR

THE NAME OF THIS BOOK IS SECRET, by Pseudonymous Bosch (Little, Brown, $16.99, 9780316113663 / 0316113662) "The name of the book is secret, the characters cannot be revealed, and the story's location must remain hidden. And so begins a wonderful adventure with 11-year-olds Cass and Max-Ernest, plus a mysterious box full of smells...and even more predictions, fun, and secrets." --Diane Betz, Butterfly Books, De Pere, WI

THE NORTH POLE WAS HERE: Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World, by Andrew C. Revkin (Kingfisher, $10.95 paper, 9780753461389 / 0753461382) "An adventure and a cautionary tale about the wonders of the North Pole and the implications of global warming. Well organized and illustrated." --Eileen Charbonneau, Merritt Bookstore Vol. III, Cold Spring, NY

PAINT THE WIND, by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic, $16.99, 9780439873628 / 0439873622) "Orphaned Maya is thrust into a different life when she goes to live with her mother's relatives in Wyoming horse country. She discovers her innate courage while bonding with Artemisia, a horse her mom used to ride. A wonderful adventure story written in sophisticated language that girls will love." --Carol J. Stoltz, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA

PETER AND THE SECRET OF RUNDOON, by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson (Disney, $18.99, 9780786837885 / 0786837888) "This is an inventive conclusion to the trilogy that redefines the history of Peter Pan -- it's satisfying and creative. I do believe that, if J. M. Barrie were alive today, he would have read this series." --Krys Tourtois, Schuler Books & Music, Lansing, MI

SATCHEL PAIGE: Striking Out Jim Crow, by James Sturm (Jump At The Sun, $16.99, 9780786839001 / 0786839007) "This excellent comic-book-style biography portrays the peerless pitcher's life from the viewpoint of a fellow Negro League baseball player, whose parallel story shines a light on the crushing experience of being a second-class citizen. In perfectly paced words and illustrations, Paige's oddball, grandstanding career arrives like a cool drink of water that reminds fans of their worth and equality." --Mark Bradshaw, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS

STILL JUST GRACE, by Charise Mericle Harper (Houghton, $15, 9780618646432 / 0618646434) "Grace is a likable girl with a few problems. Her best friend may be hanging out too much with the new neighbor (a boy!). Also, there are three girls named Grace in her classroom, and she is stuck being called 'just Grace.' In chatty, diary-like form, Grace describes her adventures in school and at home. A great girl-book with plenty of realistic situations." --Lorna Ruby, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA

THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY, by Adam Rex (Hyperion, $16.99, 9780786849000 / 0786849002) "Do not let the odd title put you off: This unusual, funny, charming, funny, book features fantastic characters, moving drama, and a plot that keeps you guessing. And did I mention it's funny?" --Melissa Manlove, The Storyteller, Lafayette, CA

THE WILD GIRLS, by Pat Murphy (Viking, $16.99, 9780670062263 / 067006226X) "Two imaginative girls find a hideaway in the forest and learn to write...but that little synopsis doesn't do justice to this remarkable story of friendship and bravery. This book has the feel of a classic; it's the type that will be read and reread until the covers come off." --Jennifer Laughran, Books Inc., San Francisco, CA

THE WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS PUZZLER DECK: Science! Ages 9 to 11, Grades 4-5, by Lynn Brunelle (Chronicle Books, $9.95, 9780811859592 / 0811859592) "These colorful cards are fun for kids of all ages, and offer 75 curriculum-based thinking activities about science. It's a new take on flash cards." --Debbie Buck, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

THE WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS PUZZLER DECK: World History & Geography! Ages 11 to 13, Grades 6-7, by Lynn Brunelle (Chronicle Books, $9.95, 9780811852814 / 0811852814) "Fun, educational flash cards that use games, puzzles, facts, and more to teach kids about history and geography. From the creator of the games 'Cranium' and 'Brainquest.'" --Debbie Buck, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

ANA'S STORY: A Journey of Hope, by Jenna Bush, Mia Baxter (illus.) (HarperCollins, $18.99, 9780061379086 / 0061379085) "Jenna Bush addresses difficult subjects (HIV/AIDS, abuse, and teen pregnancy) with compassion. Readers will be drawn in by her simple and direct style and will grow to like and respect Ana as much as the author does. The photos are an integral part of the book, and there is a section with resources and facts about HIV/AIDS and abuse." --Angela McCauley, Banquet of Books, Fredericksburg, TX Also available in Spanish-language and audio editions.

BULLYVILLE, by Francine Prose (HarperTeen, $16.99, 9780060574970 / 0060574976) "It's a familiar scenario: boy wakes up with a fever, Mom stays home to care for him. But this is no ordinary day: It's 9 / 11, and Mom and Dad work in the World Trade Center. Thus, Bart becomes the 'miracle boy' who saved his Mom from certain death. When he is a offered a private-school scholarship, Bart realizes the school lives up to its nickname: Bullyville. This novel for our times is provocative and insightful." --Angela Mann, Kepler's Books & Magazines, Menlo Park, CA

DISGUISED: A Wartime Memoir, by Rita La Fontaine De Clercq Zubli (Candlewick, $17.99, 9780763633295 / 0763633291) "The author's story is a remarkable one. Not only did she pose as a boy during the three-and-a-half years in which WWII overshadowed life in her native Indonesia, she did so while working right under the noses of the Japanese government -- sometimes even advocating on behalf of the women and children in her POW camps." --Alison Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA

ECLIPSE, by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown, $18.99, 9780316160209 / 0316160202) "Third time is definitely the charm for Meyer. I couldn't put this book down. Like her earlier novels, Twilight and New Moon, this one captures more than your attention: It captures your heart." --Monica Shambaugh, The Next Page Bookstore, Decatur, IN

EXTRAS (Uglies Series), by Scott Westerfield (Simon Pulse, $16.99, 9781416951179 / 1416951172) "The newest Uglies book is finally here! There are no more 'uglies' and 'pretties' in Aya's city, but there are those who get what they wish because they're popular. Aya is not popular, and her face-ranking is low. She plans to boost it by 'kicking' a story on the Internet. She stumbles on something so big that the most famous person in the world comes looking for her!" --Laura Spies, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

FRANNIE IN PIECES, by Delia Ephron (HarperTeen, $16.99, 9780060747169 / 0060747161) "A distinctive, endearing narrative voice and a subtle shift from realism to magical realism make this a standout. Frannie is great kid: smart and funny, even as she comes to grips with her father's death. Finding a magical jigsaw puzzle he crafted helps her (forgive me) put the pieces together. Her thoughtfulness and growth are believable and impressive." --Banna Rubinow, The River's End Bookstore, Oswego, NY

LONG MAY SHE REIGN, by Ellen Emerson White (Feiwel & Friends, $15.95 paper, 97803612367671 / 0312367678) "At first glance, Meg -- daughter of the president of the United States -- has it all. But then we learn that, six months ago, she was kidnapped by Islamic radicals. Now, she's navigating her freshman year at college: trying to stop the nightmares in her head and wondering how she will forgive her mother, who refused to negotiate with the kidnappers. Meg is a compelling young woman with an authentic young adult voice." --Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

THE SHADOW SPEAKER, by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu (Jump At The Sun, $16.99, 9781423100331 / 1423100336) "Ejii, a young woman from West Niger who can see into other people's minds, travels across the Sahara in 2070 in search of her father's killer. She contends with sand cats, desert magicians, and villages constructed entirely out of vegetation -- and befriends a boy with the power to change the weather. This is a thoughtful, awesome fantasy for young adults." --Tasha Pohrt, Shaman Drum Bookshop, Ann Arbor, MI

68 KNOTS, by Michael Robert Evans (Tanglewood Press, $15.95, 9781933718149 / 1933718145) "Eight teenage sailors on a leadership-skills cruise get more than they signed up for when their captain commits suicide and the counselors jump ship. Their idyllic summer on Maine's waters becomes quite a learning experience! Pirate raids, parties, and power plays mean interesting consequences for the teens on The Dreadnought." --Sue Carita, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

SOMETHING ROTTEN: A Horatio Wilkes Mystery, by Alan Gratz (Dial, $16.99, 9780803732162 / 0803732163) "A high school boy-detective, a father's mysterious death, and a mother with a new boyfriend all combine for a witty story based on the Bard's sweet prince, Hamlet." --Flossie McNabb, Carpe Librum Booksellers, Knoxville, TN

SPUD, by John van de Ruit (RazorBill, $16.99, 9781595141705 / 1595141707) "Long live John 'Spud' Milton! Set in 1990 South Africa as its apartheid system unravels, Spud tells his story in diary form. And as a 13-year-old scholarship student at an exclusive boys' boarding school who lives with a dorm group called the 'Crazy 8,' he's got a lot to report. My 13-year-old son loved this book, and I did, too." --Rosemary Pugliese, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, by Jay Asher (RazorBill, $16.99, 9781595141712 / 1595141715) "At first glance, Hannah Baker's reasons for committing suicide seem shallow and slightly unbelievable. However, underneath that is a more complex story of how a high school rumor can snowball, leaving a young woman feeling so isolated and unknown that she believes the only way out is to end her life. Even with the slight flaws of a debut novel, this story will stay with you even after the last page is turned." --Holly Sleight, Schuler Books & Music, Lansing, MI

UNDERGROUND, by Jean Ferris (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $16, 9780374372439 / 0374372438) "Charlotte is a 16-year-old slave working in the Mammoth Cave Hotel in Kentucky. When she learns about the Underground Railroad, she wonders if she, too, should escape to freedom. Her decision is complicated by her relationship with Stephen, a slave who is a respected cave-guide. He doesn't want to leave; Charlotte decides to stay with him. An interesting exploration of the different kinds of freedom, and the notion of a person's worth." --Sue Carita, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

ZEN AND THE ART OF FAKING IT, by Jordan Sonneblick (Scholastic, $16.99, 9780439837071 / 0439837073) "San Lee invents a different identity for himself at each new school. This time, he decides to pass himself off as a Zen Master. Will it win him popularity, relief from bullies, or the girl of his dreams? The best thing about this hilarious, touching novel is Sonnenblick's spot-on teenage voice. San Lee comes off as a real teen, with real worries and a terrific sense of humor." --Joanne R. Fritz, Chester County Book & Music Company, West Chester, PA

Topics: Children, Specialty Bookselling, Book Sense,