Everything You Need to Know About Everything You Need to Know About by Daniel Tatarsky

Have you ever thought you needed to brush up on your knowledge of the solar system? Or maybe on the functions of the human body? Sure, many people have those thoughts, but the idea of flipping through a text book (or skimming a wikipedia article) can seem a bit boring. That's where Everything You Need to Know About Everything You Need to Know About comes in. In one neat volume, these colourful pages are packed with facts and figures and helpful visual representations. Need to settle an argument or just wanting to improve your knowledge? This is the book for you!

I was more than a bit skeptical when I started reading this book. In my life I've had so many books about general knowledge foisted on me that I've grown tired of them. I was so happy to find out that this book easily stands out from others. The key is the pictures. Not just illustrating the concepts, they give a visual representation of things like showing religions by number of followers. Reading this on a black-and-white Kobo didn't do it justice, but in print or on a tablet the colours and pictures will be quite vivid and easy to follow. Plus, I learned stuff! (I'd never heard of 'umami' before!) This book is equally at home in a young student's bedroom or on an adult's reference shelf and can easily be enjoyed by both - including those who are wary of general knowledge books.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Thunder Bay Press.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Everything You Need to Know About Everything You Need to Know About the Universe by Chris Cooper
Dan Dare: The Biography by Daniel Tatarsky
I Before E (Except After C) by Susan Randol

Lou! #1: Secret Diary by Julien Neel

Secret diaries aren't rare in literature; everyone from Charlotte Bronte to Laura Palmer seems to have one. But Lou's secret diary is something different, because Lou herself is a little different. She lives in a messy apartment with her mom (she's never known her father) and has a big, terrible, wonderful, at times debilitating crush on a guy named Tristan. She's trying to set her mom up with the new guy who moved in across the hall while balancing school, friendship, fashion design and video games.

Lou is a spunky, spirited character who I found to be completely engaging. Her energy jumps right off of the page. One of my favourite pages was of Lou running home in the rain only to jump in the shower when she got home. There were no words, just movement. This is my first time reading about Lou; I had no idea of her popularity in France or that this book was a translation of a French work until after I'd started reading. It did take a little while to get used to the rhythm of the story; there was something about it that seemed unfamiliar to me. Maybe it is the difference between an English and a French approach to comics? I haven't read enough French comics (or enough translations) to say anything conclusive. It seemed like it took awhile to get used to the rhythm, but Lou! is only 48 pages long, and I had a feel for it by the end, so maybe it didn't take as long as I thought. The first book, Secret Diary, is being published at the same time as a second book, Summertime Blues, so keep an eye out for both titles.

Here's a cartoon version of Lou that introduces all of the main characters:



 Here's Julien Neel's blog (it's in French).

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Lerner Books (Graphic Universe).

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Lou! #2: Summertime Blues by Julien Neel
Laser Ninja by Julien Neel
Owly: The Way Home and Bittersweet Summer by Andy Runton

Alien Investigation by Kelly Milner Halls

Aliens are a staple of science fiction books and movies, but they don't really exist...right? There are many people all over the world who firmly convinced about the existence of UFOs and aliens. Alien Investigation traces accounts of unidentified flying objects from the 19th, 20th, and 21st century. What's the truth about UFOs and aliens? You might be surprised.

As someone who watched a lot of X-Files growing up (and last summer, when I re-watched the series), I'm really excited to see books like this for a middle grade audience. It's a great age, where kids are thinking critically but also open to exploring fantastical concepts. Alien Investigation summarizes a lot of the historical evidence and reports about UFOs and aliens. The question is not 'will this book convince skeptics about the existence of UFOs?' (Would any book convince skeptics about the existence of UFOs?) Instead, a better question is 'what kind of information will readers find in this book, and how valid is it?' Intensely researched and brimming with eyewitness accounts, news reports, and expert opinions, this book presents a lot of information in an accessible way that can spark or flame an interest in the supernatural. It's a great addition to any library's non-fiction section.

Check out Kelly Milner Halls' website - lots of cool stuff!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Lerner Publishing. Alien Investigation is scheduled to be published on April 1, 2012.

Find it at Amazon.

Read it with:
In Search of Sasquatch by Kelly Milner Halls
Aliens by Judith Herbst
Alien Abductions by Justin Erickson

What to Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings by Bridget Héos with illustrations by Stéphane Jorisch

Are you a crocodilian parent-to-be? Congratulations! You're expecting a hatchling! Wait - make that several hatchlings. The next few months will be a busy time. There are eggs to lay, nests to make, and predators to ward off. And once the babies arrive they'll be so small that they'll completely depend on you for protection. But don't worry - within two years they'll be off on their own. You're about to embark on a wonderful journey of parenthood!

After previously reading about kangaroo parents and parents of larvae, I knew that I was in for a treat with What to Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings. Baby alligators and crocodiles weren't something I'd ever given a lot of though about before, so I had a lot to learn. This third book has the same tongue-in-cheek humour of the other two, and the illustrations seem zany and down-to-earth at the same time (they have a healthy streak of realism mixed with a large dose of anthropomorphism). This book is a great fit for classrooms, school/public libraries, and the personal shelves of kids who have a curiosity about the natural world.

Learn more about Bridget Héos at her website. 

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Lerner Books.

Find it at Amazon.

Read it with:
What to Expect When You're Expecting Joeys by Bridget Héos
What to Expect When You're Expecting Larvae by Bridget Héos
Alligators and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons

The Invitation by Diane Hoh

Cass throws the hottest party of the year and only the hottest kids in towns are invited. This year her parents are out of town, she has a brand new sauna, and an awesome band is going to be playing. But to make sure it's a party that no one forgets, she also has something special planned...something different. Sarah and her four friends were surprised to receive invitations; they aren't in Cass's group of friends at all. Sarah doesn't really want to attend, but her friends convince her to go. It will be a night that none of them ever forget.

(Some spoilers below.)

The Invitation starts off a bit slowly as it introduces characters and sets up the plot, but once the story got going I didn't want to put it down. Some elements were predictable (of course Sarah and her friends weren't invited because Cass was trying to be friendly), but trying to figure out who was behind the creepy turn of events made for a nice suspenseful mystery. Who was the real target? Several of the guests had people from their past who might have been the culprit. I didn't know that this was an older book until I was finished reading it (it looks like it was originally published in 1991), but that accounts for some of the questions/observations that I had while reading the book (for example, why don't these kids call each other on cell phones? And I think something that is described as a huge source of shame in the book is something that, while still illegal, would be less of a big deal now). Still, even with those time differences, this is a creepy, suspenseful mystery for kids who like to read books that might scare them just a little bit.

(The eBook file that I was reading had a number of spelling/typographical errors, but it was also clearly marked as an uncorrected proof, so I do hope that that gets addressed before it's released.)

I read a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Open Road Media.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
The Silent Scream by Diane Hoh
Virus by Diane Hoh
The Accident by Diane Hoh

Kasher in the Rye by Moshe Kasher

The book subtitle pretty much sums it up: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16. Born to deaf parents, Moshe Kasher's life was different from the norm from the start. After they divorced, his parents went in very different ways. His mother (Kasher's primary custodial parent) became a student with a strong feminist streak that manifested through bashing her ex-husband at every opportunity. His father threw himself into his Judaism and eventually married into the Satmars, a Chassidic sect. Before he was five, people were already trying to figure out what was 'wrong' with him, and in what might be considered a self-fulfilling prophecy, Kasher later turned to drugs, alcohol, and crime. This is the story of how a kid with a seventh-grade education and a very smart mouth navigated the dark hole that he went down - and how he got back out.

Kasher in the Rye is more than just an awesome title with a clever cover. It's a very funny, very honest, very compelling memoir. In writing about his early life, Kasher points out the factors that had an impact on his life without getting bogged down in assigning blame. The candor with which he writes gives this book an authenticity and it made me root for this messed up boy who was doing such terrible things. There's a part of me that would love a counterpoint memoir from his brother, not because I want to disprove anything in this book or poke holes in it, but I am just so genuinely curious about what things were like from his brother's perspective. Some of the scenes just scream cinematic potential  (the secret intervention from an interpreter, the discovery of a deaf kid at one of his schools), which again speaks to the pictures that Kasher is able to paint with words. I want more from him and his point of view - there is his comedy, of course, but I'm also greedy enough to want more books from him.

Find out more information about him at his website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Grand Central Publishing.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Teen Angst? Naaah by Ned Vizzini
We All Fall Down by Nic Sheff

Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin

Delia is a very quiet little girl; she never says anything and never talks to others. She's just moved into a very different place: Oddfellow's Orphanage. It's home to a unique group of students, teachers, and animals. Delia isn't sure how she's going to fit in with all of these people (and animals), but slowly she realizes that she's found a new kind of family who accept her just as she is.

Thinking about booktalking this book, it would almost be impossible not to sound like SNL's Stefon. This book has everything: an albino child with braids, a family of dancing bears, a well-dressed hedgehog who likes to eat, courses in cryptozoology, a boy with an onion for a head, bear-drawn carriages, a tattooed girl, Haircut Day (it's that day where twice a year the headmaster announces that everyone is going to get a haircut). There's whimsy and oddity and a sweetness. It also has a streak of sadness running though it (the children are orphans and have faced tragedy and loss), and this grounds the book from being too over-the-top and spinning off into a endless circle of cuteness. Information about the orphanage and its inhabitants is parceled out slowly over the course of the book, often coming between the chapters. The episodic nature of the story is great for readers who are still getting used to longer chapter books, and any fans of Martin's art will find lots to pore over. I'm excited to see more from this author and illustrator, so I hope she has another book coming out soon.

Find out more about Emily Winfield Martin at her website. She also has a shop that features art from and inspired by the book.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Random House Children's Books.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer by Emily Winfield Martin
Wildwood by Colin Meloy
The Girl Who Circumvented Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

S.A.V.E. Squad #1: Dog Daze by Lauraine Snelling and Kathleen Damp Wright

Aneta's life has gone through a lot of changes lately. She was recently adopted and is still adjusting to having a mom and a family. She's terrified that if she's not good enough, she will be sent back to the orphanage. Her English isn't strong and she's very shy and quiet, which makes it hard to make friends. Then she ends up working with three other girls on a community fundraiser project for Founder's Day. She has nothing in common with the other girls and they're having a really hard time coming up with a great idea. Then they find an abandoned Basset Hound, and they get the idea to have a dog-themed fundraiser. But their rival group is determined to sabotage Aneta and her friends, and Aneta is having a hard time convincing her mom that she should adopt the Basset Hound. How is Aneta going to make sure that everything works out in the end?

For such a small book, there sure is a lot going on. Aneta's struggle with her new life comes through in really interesting ways. When the story starts, she's called Annette by her mother but comes to the realization that she wants to be called Aneta, her birth name. She's still getting used to the idea of being a "Jasper" and thinks that she has to mold herself into someone that she isn't in order to get to be able to stay with her mother. Even the way she refers to her mother, as Mom, is a small point that illustrated the distance Aneta was putting between herself and the idea that she had a 'forever home.' She would say things like "I have to talk to Mom before I can do that," as if the woman's name was Mom and rarely possessive phrases like "my mom." I was a bit surprised to see a very dark scene involving the discovery of the Basset Hound, later named Wink - someone attempted to kill him by throwing him into a lake. This was a very fast way to set up the 'bad guy' as a truly terrible villain - who else would want to kill a dog? The mystery of discovering the identity of the attempted dog murderer had an almost Scooby Doo-like quality about it; I almost expected the person to exclaim that they would have gotten away if not for those meddling kids. Religion and church life are threads that run through the book, tying the plot together, and at several times the girls talk about being Christians. Parents and kids who are looking for a series featuring strong girls and cute animals wrapped up in an overtly Christian message should definitely keep an eye out for this series.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Barbour Publishing.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
S.A.V.E. Squad #2: The Great Cat Caper by Lauraine Snelling and Kathleen Wright
What a Pair #1: Double Trouble by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Gabby's Stick-To-It Day by Sheila Walsh

Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer

1985 is a pretty terrible year for Apron. As if it wasn't bad enough that her mother died, her father has taken up with her mom's nurse - who's now pregnant. Her father has retreated into his academic life, leaving Apron alone with the woman who hates her. Apron's friends are growing distant and her grandmother can only help so much, and she might even have to give away her pet guinea pig. The only bright spot in her life is Jesus - not the actual Jesus, but the guy who played Jesus in a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar. His name is Mike, and his aunt lives next door to Apron's family. As Apron gets to know Mike, she learns about what a great guy he is and spends time helping out Mike and his boyfriend Chad with their flower shop. But even this happiness comes with dark clouds, because Apron learns about other people's homophobia and Chad keeps getting sicker and sicker.

I could tell when reading it that this was a story that meant a lot to its author. All books, yes, mean a lot to their authors, but this story seems like it is deeply connected to Jennifer Gooch Hummer. You don't start writing this book because you think it's going to be a fun story. And yet, saying that somehow sells it short. Parts of Girl Unmoored are very dark and sad, but it's not defined by despair. Apron in particular is a fascinating character. Her process of dealing with her grief and frustration mixed with the more conventional transitions of growing up allow for her to be a character all her own. The entire book takes place over a span of a few months, showing how quickly one's life can change.  Spoiler alert: get some Kleenex along with this book, because by the last few chapters I was definitely needing some.

Learn lots more about Girl Unmoored and Jennifer Gooch Hummer at her website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Fiction Studio Books.

Find it at Amazon.

Read it with:
Bummer Summer by Ann M. Martin
Positively by Courtney Sheinmel
Same-Sex Marriage by Tricia Andryszewski

The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal

This is not the summer that Sirena wanted. Her parents are divorcing, her best friend is away at camp, and she's been sent off to spend the summer with her aunt. Sure, her aunt lives near a beautiful beach, but her house is haunted, and there's not much to do. Then Sirena catches a glimpse of the lifeguard who works on the beach...and she can't get him out of her mind. He's not like an ordinary guy; there's something different about him, and Sirena is determined to figure out what it is.

I'll be honest: one of the reasons that I was drawn to reading this book was because of the cover. White sand beach, beautiful blue water, and a very fit half-naked man? I imagine that it will make for an eye-catching display in stores. But now to what's on the inside. One of the things that Deborah Blumenthal really nailed was the self-absorption of a teenager. Sirena is quite wrapped up in her own drama (and at the beginning of the book I thought that she was much younger than in her late teens because of the lack of perspective she was showing about her parents' divorce). Her emotions change in an instant, she can be reckless, and she doesn't always think about the consequences of her actions. Themes of healing, spirituality and the supernatural give this book a deeper grounding than being just a light teen beach read, and that could resonate with readers who are looking for something with a bit more going on.

Learn more about author Deborah Blumenthal at her website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Albert Whitman and Company; the eBook is being published by Open Road Media.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Fat Camp by Deborah Blumenthal
What Men Want by Deborah Blumenthal

Ghostbusters Volume 1 by Erik Burnham, Dan Shoening, Luis Antonio Delgado and Tristan Jones

It's widely known that when there's a ghost on the loose, the best people to call are the Ghostbusters. But things have been a little strange lately. Ray's had a terrifying dream - or is it a premonition? - and Dr. Spengler wants to delve inside his brain. Meanwhile, Winston and Venkman are investigating a ghostly encounter in an apartment complex...but they're not prepared for what they find. At the same time, the very existence of the Ghostbusters is under threat...if the four men can manage to get out alive. This volume is probably best appreciated by knowledgeable fans of the series. I've seen Ghostbusters,  but only the first movie, and I had some trouble knowing who was who and what was going on. The plot moves along quickly and the illustration is creepy and, when the story calls for it, satisfyingly disgusting. I had to read it through a few times before I got a sense of what was happening, which I don't think the target audience will have to do, but it seems like a fun and suspenseful story for fans of the franchise.

(Note: this post is based on the first issue of the volume, not the entire volume. I received an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of IDW Publishing. )

For fun, here's the trailer for the original Ghostbusters movie:




Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Ghostbusters: The Other Side by Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen, and Drew Geraci
The Real Ghostbusters: Which Witch is Which? by Dan Abnett and Anthony Williams
Ghostbusters by Nathan Johnson

Michael Recycle and the Tree Top Cops by Ellie Patterson and Alexandra Colombo

Michael Recycle, Environmental Super Hero, is ready for a vacation. But where will he and his trusty sidekick, Tin Can Stan, go on holiday? They decide on a beautiful Redwood forest but quickly discover a terrible foe: deforestation! Fashion queens Celine and Delphine are chopping down the forest to make paper for their magazines. It's up to Michael Recycle to show them the error of their ways and save the trees!

Environmental picture books for kids have really found an audience in the last several years as parents and teachers are looking for fun ways to get messages about social responsibility out early. I was afraid that a book with a character named "Michael Recycle" would be a bit too much of  a 'lesson' for me, but I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Yes, Michael Recycle is passionate about treating the earth with respect and saving the environment, but there's also humour in the text and illustrations that softens the message without diluting it. I did pause a bit at the idea of magazine paper being the thing to fight against (shouldn't the publishing world stick together?) but was pleased to see how it was resolved (by promoting environmentally sound business practices).

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of IDW Publishing.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel
Redwoods by Jason Chin
All the World by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon

Miss Annie #2: Rooftop Cat by Frank Le Gall with illustration by Flore Balthazar

Miss Annie is excited with the new little door that allows her to go inside and outside as she pleases. Before long she is staying out all night and exploring the many rooftops around her house. That's where she spies a group of rival cats who have infiltrated the neighbourhood. Will Miss Annie and her friends be able to protect their homes?

This is an odd little book. Don't get me wrong - it's a fun book with beautiful art. Miss Annie is a great character: strong, a hint of mischief, inquisitive, loyal. But there were times when I felt that I was reading a comic or graphic novel for adults. There's a fair bit of attention paid to animal sexuality and the process of making babies - never really in so many words, but definitely present in comments and glances. (Spoiler alert) There's also a death of a main character, something that might be upsetting to young readers to see in a graphic novel about animals. And the text sometimes has the odd phrasing of a translation. But the art and the heart of the story (and the chance to see the world from Miss Annie's point of view) might make it a good choice for readers looking for a quiet story with a European sensibility.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Lerner Books.

Read it with:
Miss Annie #1: Freedom! by Frank Le Gall with illustration by Flore Balthazar
Lou! #1: Secret Diary by Julian Neel
Hamster and Cheese by Coleen AF Venable

The Catch by Rick Jasper

It was a one-in-a-million play known simply at "The Catch." Footage of the catch found its way to news programs, sports highlight shows, and YouTube. Suddenly Danny has fans cheering for him, people writing to him, and girls interested in him. A European businessman has a plan for Danny to wear the Ocelot brand of sports clothing; it's a deal that will make Danny a lot of money. But not everyone is happy for him. Are they just jealous of his success?

The Catch isn't just for sports fans, but I think that baseball fans will be the ones who gravitate towards the book. Danny is a likeable enough character who gets swept up into a messy situation; he's not perfect, but his actions are understandable. Readers who enjoy this book will want to check out the other books in the new 'Travel Team' series. The storyline, writing style, and length make this a solid choice for young readers who might not think of themselves as readers, while the page count will satisfy teachers who require books to be at least 100 pages long. This is a great pick for school, classroom, and public libraries.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Lerner Books.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Recruited by Suzanne Weyn
Plan B by Charnan Simon
Out of Control by Rick Jasper
Play Ball by Nunzio Defilippis, Christina Weir, and Jackie Lewis

The House on Dirty-Third Street by Jo S. Kittinger and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

A young girl and her mother are moving into a new house. Her mom says it's going to be an adventure...but the girl thinks it's more like a disaster! The house is a mess, there's garbage everywhere, and the neighbours don't exactly seem friendly. The girl is ready to give up; even worse, her mom is losing her faith in having the house of her dreams. How can any good come out of this situation?

There's a lovely sense of ambiguity about the set-up of the book. It's not spelled out why the mother and daughter need to move; some ideas that came to my mind were divorce or a finance-based downsizing. Similarly, the little girl isn't given a name, and neither is her mom. By not being too specific, the reader can fill in their own ideas and personalize the story. I also loved the progression of the illustration and how the pictures changed from having a gray, washed out tone to being vibrant and colourful. The illustrations will appeal to kids who like realistic styles (some of the pictures almost look like photographs), but there's also a dreamy, misty quality that's unlike many picture books that I've seen. This could be a good choice for children who are going through changes in their lives and are looking for a bit of reassurance that things can still turn out okay.

Check out Jo S. Kittinger's website for more information about the author and Thomas Gonzalez's website for more information about the illustrator.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Peachtree Publishers.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Mooshka: A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
Rosa's Bus by Jo S. Kittinger