|
|
"You know how teachers are. If they get you to take out a book they love too, they're yours for life." ~ from Gary D. Schmidt's Orbiting Jupiter
|
|
|
The nest by Kenneth OppelHorror. Steven must fight for his own life as well as for his baby brother's when he's offered a chance to exchange human life for something better. Steve has figured out strategies to cope with many of his anxieties and OCD behaviors, but this summer the pressure is on. Readers see through Steve's eyes his parents' fears for the new baby, whose congenital health issues are complicated and unusual. Everything feels a bit skewed, conveying the experience of being in transition from the familiar to the threateningly unfamiliar. Klassen's several illustrations in graphite nicely express this sense of worry and tension. Steve's battle with the enemy is terrifying, moving from an ominous, baleful verbal conflict to a pitched, physical, life-threatening battle.
|
|
| The Blackthorn Key by Kevin SandsHistorical Fantasy. The Cult of the Archangel is murdering apothecaries in 1665 London. Their latest victim is kind Benedict Blackthorn, master of 14-year-old apprentice Christopher. With Blackthorn dead, Christopher is forced to go on the run while he frantically decodes his master's final message, unlocking a series of twisty puzzles that might reveal the Cult's deadly goal. History, humor, science, and explosions come together in this clever, fast-paced book (the first by Canadian author Kevin Sands). If you prefer a bit of steampunk in your alchemical adventures, try Kent Davis' A Riddle in Ruby. |
|
| The Hired Girl by Laura Amy SchlitzHistorical Fiction. Joan is only 14, but she manages to pass as 18 in order to get a job in the wealthy Rosenbach household. She just couldn't stay on the farm with her awful father, and since it's 1911, working in nearby Baltimore is Joan's only escape route. Smart but unsophisticated, Joan has a lot to learn -- crabby housekeeper Malka is hard to please, and Joan's Catholic background comes between her and the Jewish Rosenbachs even as she starts falling for younger son David -- but her struggles are sure to entertain readers who love authentic historical fiction and spirited, imaginative heroines. |
|
| Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. SchmidtFiction. Twelve-year-old Jack isn't sure what to expect from the new foster kid, Joseph. Fresh out of juvie, 14-year-old Joseph is silent and wary when he arrives at Jack's family's farm. Though some of the kids and teachers at school give Joseph a hard time, the foster brothers strike up a friendship. Once Joseph learns to trust Jack, he finally opens up about his past: by the age of 13, he'd survived abuse, fallen in love, and become a father. Now, all he wants is to find Jupiter, the baby daughter he's never met. Despite its short length, Orbiting Jupiter is a powerful, heart-wrenching story that will stay with you. |
|
| The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy GownleyGraphic Memoir. How do you go from being a regular middle schooler to a published graphic novelist? For Jimmy Gownley (creator of the Amelia Rules! series), it began with a bout of chicken pox. Smart, popular, and athletic, Jimmy suddenly found himself sidelined by illness. However, as his grades and social life took a nose dive, his creativity flourished, and by the age of 15, Jimmy had self-published his first comic book. Without shying away from the bumps in the road, this cartoon-illustrated memoir manages to be both funny and inspiring -- a perfect fit for fans of Raina Telgemeier. |
|
| Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani; illustrated by Maris WicksGraphic Biography. This vibrant biography offers fascinating peeks into the lives of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas, three of the most famous scientists to study great apes. The distinct, first-person narration draws you into the perspective of each remarkable woman, helping you understand where she came from, why she loved primates, and why her discoveries were important. The lively, clean-lined illustrations add to the cozy, personal feel of the book, capturing the excitement and quiet wonder of being in the jungle, close enough to touch a gorilla. For another highly visual biography of trailblazing women, check out Tanya Lee Stone's Almost Astronauts. |
|
| Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong by Prudence Shen; illustrated by Faith Erin HicksGraphic Novel. The age-old battle between jocks and nerds gets a makeover in this clever, off-the-wall book for older readers. Hollow Ridge High can't afford both new cheerleading uniforms and a robotics club, so the two groups face off in a fierce (and dirty) fight for funding -- a fight that might destroy the friendship between star athlete Charlie and robotics club president Nate. But when all of their plans go south, the two cliques join forces in a wild attempt to win the prize money at a robot rumble. Stylish, expressive illustrations add both heart and humor to this "silly, earnest, and delightfully stirring" (Booklist) graphic novel. |
|
| Cardboard by Doug TenNapelGraphic Fantasy. As birthday presents go, an empty cardboard box is pretty terrible, but it's all Cam's dad can afford. Deciding to make the best of it, Cam and his dad use it to build a cardboard man, and it becomes clear that this isn't normal cardboard -- their creation, Boxer Bill, comes to life. But so do the monsters that mean kid Marcus makes from stolen cardboard scraps. Can Cam and Bill defeat the homemade army terrorizing their neighborhood? Find out in this inventive, fast-moving graphic novel packed with striking illustrations and "heaps of bizarre fun" (Booklist). |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|