Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt

Carter Jones, a sixth grade student at Longfellow Middle School, has a messy life. With his father in the military and stationed overseas, it leaves his mother to keep Carter and his sisters—Emily (a second-grader), Charlie (fourth-grader), and Annie (fifth-grader)—on schedule and in order. A new school year is starting and chaos ensues getting ready for the first day. The doorbell rings and an unexpected person enters their lives. Mr. August Paul Bowles-Fitzpatrick is going to bring order to their house and profoundly change their lives.

Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick has been employed by Carter's recently passed paternal grandfather, who bequeathed the services of  his butler to the family. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick quickly assumes control, easing stress on Carter's mother by directing the kids to do their part around the house. He is firm but fair, and the kids reluctantly acquiesce to his demands. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick drives the kids to school every day in his British Bentley, a bold, purple car that Carter dubs "the Eggplant". The Butler never fails to send each young Jones off to school with the same advice: "Make good decisions and remember who you are." 

Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick recruits Carter and his best friend, Billy Colt, to learn the British sport of cricket, having to share limited field time with the cross-country team. Coach Krosoczka and the cross-country running team are intrigued, and soon the Butler teaches the eighth-grade runners to play and excel at cricket, a game he perceives as superior to baseball.

Carter's life seems to be settling, but he harbors a past that haunts him and he is unwilling to share. When he learns that his father is not returning anytime soon, his disappointment turns to anger. It becomes apparent that Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick was sent for more important reasons; to help Carter rise above adversity and unlock his potential.

While a good read, it's not among Gary Schmidt's best. See my reviews for Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, or Orbiting Jupiter for  better reads.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.8

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 7 • Lexile Level: 840 • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin • Pages: 217 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-544-79085-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

In a scene that has happened all too often, this book has become even more relevant since I first read this book.

Jerome is a 12 year old African American boy who is shot and killed by a police officer while playing with his toy gun. As his spirit rises, as a ghost, he is able to observe the heartbreak wrought upon his family, as well as the devastation and acrimony brought upon his community.

We get to know Jerome from chapters alternating between when he was alive and his current state as a ghost. We learn that Jerome was a very average, unassuming young man with potential. As a ghost, he is confused as to why he was killed, and needs answers. He meets the ghost of Emmitt Till, the African American boy lynched in the 50's, who helps Jerome understand and process what has happened to him. As he visits the home of the police officer who shot him, he discovers that there is one living person that can see and communicate with him...the young daughter of the police officer.

What this situation sets up allows the story to explain and explore the systemic racism our country faces, the devastation wrought upon the families and communities in which it occurs, and allows us to explore both sides; the side of the victim of the racism, and the perpetrator. 

Well written, Jewell Parker Rhodes as created a perfect vehicle, at a perfect time, to learn, discuss and explore our options/solutions to the systemic racism/#BlackLivesMatter facing our country to young people. 

Mark's Book Pick Score: 4

Reading Level: 3 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 3AR • Lexile:360L • Publisher: Little, Brown • 217 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-316-26226-2 • Available in Perma-Bound binding

The Toll by Neal Shusterman

The final installment to the Arc of a Scythe trilogy is an intense and explosive ending to what I believe is Neal Shusterman's finest dystopian series (my favorite singular novel is Bruiser).

If you're reading this review, you've probably already read the first two installments; Scythe and Thunderhead.  I can't reveal too much without spoilers. I will tell you that there is resolution. Thundering, earth shattering resolution.  I can also tell you that there is much political commentary here, with so many parallels to the current political climate.

Marks Book Pick's Score: 5

Reading Level: 6.6 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 24 • Lexile:850L
Publisher: Simon & Shusterman • 625 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-481-49706-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding

When Angels Sing; The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana by Michael Mahin, art by Jose Ramirez

This picture book is as colorful and beautiful as the music of the subject of this book, Carlos Santana. Jose Ramirez's illustrations in acrylic and enamel markers pop from the page with their color, graphic simplicity and latin flavor. Michael Martin's text brings Santana's story to life in an unconventional way. The story of Carlos Santana is told in the second person to Carlos Santana himself. It's as if "the angels" are telling Carlos the story of his life.

Carlos was born into a supportive family in Mexico. His father was a traveling violinist. He felt his father's music made angels real, made them sing for people. Carlos wanted that too, so he started playing the clarinet, trumpet and violin, but none satisfied him. He heard the blues and the guitar and that was what he wanted. His father sent him an old battered guitar, which he learned to play himself, from his heart. His family was poor, but eventually immigrated to San Francisco. Life was hard but eventually Carlos found that a combination of blues, jazz and rock was unique and drew a following for his Santana Blues Band. It was not until he performed in front of 400,000 people at the Woodstock Music Festival did Carlos discover that he was looking for the angels in the wrong place, the angels were inside himself all the time. Carlos became and is a world famous musician that makes people feel and enjoy music in a way that they never had before.

The book speaks to the struggle success comes with, and that failure is what pushes us forward. A picture book for older readers. A fine read-aloud, but would be best accompanied by Santana's music.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 4.0 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 610 • Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-534-40413-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Max & the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

After reading such heavy, depressing books, I needed something light. Sent to me a few months ago as an advance reader copy, Max & the Midnights sat with a pile of other books. In my depression, I looked at the cover, saw that the author is the writer of the Big Nate series, and decided that this just might be the right medicine...

Max travels from town to town with his troubadour uncle, Budrick. This is the middle ages, and travel like this can be dangerous. Max is frustrated with Uncle Budrick, as he is a poor business man, and consistently loses focus on what he's doing. Max is bored, and wants nothing to do with this troubadour business. Max wants to be a knight! They approach a town called Byjovia, which Max finds out is Uncle Budrick's hometown, and was once in knight school there.  This amazes Max, as Uncle Budrick is such a wuss...the reason he is now a troubadour.  Lo and behold, as they travel to Byjovia they are threatened by a robber. While Uncle Budrick freaks out, Max hits him in the head with a rock. It's lights out for the robber, and Max takes his knife. As they approach Byjovia, Uncle Budrick talks of Byjovia's kind king, King Conrad. When they get to the city gates, they notice that people are cold and mean. They find out King Conrad has died, and has been replaced with his scalawag brother, Gastley. King Gastley's cruelty has rubbed off on his subjects, making Byjovia an unwelcoming place. Max can't put up with this, and speaks up to the King. King Gastley takes Max, but Uncle Budrick pleads mercy and offers himself. King Gastley takes Uncle Budrick captive as his personal troubadour. And so the adventure starts, how will Max save Uncle Budrick?

Max & the Midknights is half graphic, and half text...well, maybe a little more graphic than text. It is a fun romp with puns and jokes galore. It's a simple story, and while somewhat predictable, who cares? It's what we look for in a story like this! While fun, there is a  strong agenda here in gender equity, family, and friendship. Ideal for upper elementary and middle school.
Marks Book Pics Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 3.0 • Interest Level: 3-6 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA 
Publisher: Crown Publishers • 279 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-10-193108-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Matthew Dunbar is pecking away on an old Remington typewriter to tell the story of his brother Clay. The story comes out as jumbled memories, with no time continuity, that ultimately goes beyond his brother Clay and becomes a sweeping saga of the Dunbar Family. There are five Dunbar boys, Matthew, the narrator, Rory, Henry, Clay, and Tommy. The boys live by themselves in a house on Archer Street. Their father, who abandoned them, is thought of as The Murderer, because the boys feel he took their lives when he left.  He suddenly reappears, and is greeted with hurt and anger. Their father lives several hours away in the country, and has come back to ask his boys to help him construct a bridge. All his sons refuse, except one, the one that said "Hi, Dad." That one is Clay. Clay leaves his brothers, with much resentment on their part, to help his father build a bridge. A bridge that ultimately becomes a metaphor for the bridge that brings the Dunbar family back together. The story beautifully unfolds revealing the back stories of their father, Michael, their mother Penny, and of Clay. This is a story of warmth, love, family and extreme grief.

I will not lie, this is a difficult book. The story jumps time and place; there is no continuity. Parts drag on with horse racing details that add little to the story's progression. Yet it's a story that is so poetic, told with such love, that I couldn't help but embrace it and read with tears often streaming. I well up just writing about it. This book will be with me for a very long time.

Bridge of Clay  is really an adult book. While marketed as YA in the U.S., it is considered adult elsewhere. For mature high school readers and beyond. The story's value is in the way these five brothers hold together, overcome their hardships and grief, and how the strength of family provides a bond that can't be broken.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 19 • Lexile: HL650L 
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf • 537 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-9848301-5-9 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

Living in Southern California my entire life, I get earthquakes, fire and drought. I made it through the Northridge earthquake, I was recently evacuated because of the Woolsey fire, and my grass is a parched brown in the summer. I conserve water, as a good citizen should, but have never given a second thought to the thought of the tap running dry. Until Now.

Dry, while somewhat dystopian, explores what would happen if the tap went dry, called the Tap-Out. Taking place in a quiet suburban Orange County neighborhood, Dry is told through the voice of alternating characters, but primarily Alyssa. Alyssa, lives with her parents and 10 year-old brother Garrett. The government, warning that water supplies are extremely low, has turned off all water. Her parents seem unconcerned, feeling the crisis will end soon. Slow to react, by the time they go to Costco to get water, all supplies are gone, and the atmosphere has become every-man-for-himself. With supplies running low, her parents go to get water from a desalinization facility set up on the beach. They never come back. Left to their own resources, Alyssa and her brother turn to their survivalist neighbors, the McCrackens. Kelton McCracken is your Boy Scout geek that always has an answer. Kelton's one weakness is Alyssa, having had a long crush on her. Kelton warns Alyssa that society will break down very soon. Against his better judgement, Alyssa convinces Kelton to go with her to look for her parents. As society quickly disintegrates, and not finding her parents, Alyssa and Kelton return to find their neighborhood a war zone. Now it is all about survival.

As Alyssa, Kelton and Garrett struggle to survive, they meet some nefarious characters along the way; Jacqui, a fiercely independent squatter, living in unoccupied vacation homes, and Henry, a slimy conniving self-serving huckster. The story unfolds through their four voices (Garrett only gets one little chapter). Occasionally the story is interspersed with informational "snapshots"  that add to the understanding of the situation and what is going on.

Dry hits very close to home. In fact, I was reading it as the hills behind my house were burning and we were evacuated. Seeing the way first responders mobilized, and the way the community responded, made the premise more difficult for me to accept. Shusterman, and his son, Jarrod, do an excellent job of setting the ground work, building the characters, and creating an exciting story arc. While not my favorite Shusterman stand-alone novel (that would be Bruiser), it is very good.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 7.0 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Simon & Shuster • 390 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-481-48196-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Love by Matt De La Peña, Illustrated by Loren Long

How do you explain the concept of love to a young child? How do you make it universal in its appeal so it speaks to all people of all ages? How do you create images that convey the deeper meaning of the words but are easily relatable to all that view them? Love by Matt De La Peña and illustrated by Loren Long is one of those rare picture books.

Starting with a first experience of love, that of a baby looking up at adoring parents in their crib, the book presents us with vignettes of the way life presents us with love. A couple dancing on the roof of their trailer, frolicking in the water from a fire hydrant, watching the stars at night, the embrace a loved one after a nightmare, a family game of horseshoes ...these snippets of life show us that love really is all around us. More importantly, situations where love can be lost, and the emptiness created are beautifully integrated into the vignettes. The illustrations created with acrylic and colored pencil perfectly integrate with the text. The images' colorful, rich hues help to reinforce the vibrancy of the message: love is all around us, love is what binds us.

This is a book I'd read over and over to my children. In the classroom, read it every time a little love is called for.  Ask, "How did love touch you today?"
Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 3.7 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Penguin • 40 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-524-74091-7 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

In Your Shoes by Donna Gephart

Miles Spagoski loves to bowl. How could he not? His family owned the only bowling alley in Buckington, a small Pennsylvania town. While shy and a bit socially awkward, in the bowling alley, Miles is as proud and confident as a lion.

Amy Silverman has been torn away from Chicago, her school, and her friends, when the death of her mother forced Amy and her father to join her undertaker uncle in podunk Buckington. She is bitter and angry about the move.

Before school, Miles and his fashionista friend Randall, bowl an early morning game. As Miles' father takes the boys to school, he notices that Miles forgot to change out of his bowling shoes. While his father and Randall feel that wearing the shoes to school will label him as a pure dork, Miles decides that he is making a fashion statement and decides not to change into his tennis shoes. As they walk into school, Miles and Randall get into a heated argument over the shoes. A fight ensues, one of the bowling shoes come off, Randall throws it, and knocks over a girl as it hits her in the head.

Amy, feeling uncomfortable on her first day of school, is worried about her outfit and is self-conscious of the special shoe she wears to accommodate one leg shorter than the other. As she is walking into school, she suddenly finds herself on the ground, knocked down by a flying object. Why would anyone do this to her?

And so meet Miles and Amy, an awkward pair to say the least. From this chance meeting builds a friendship that has its many ups and downs, but becomes one that helps Miles and Amy work through the difficulties and challenges that life has thrown at them. A sweet story, that while not challenging or thought provoking, is the right kind of warm escapism that we need ever-so-often.  The story is interrupted intermittently with a message to the reader to inform or fill in the gaps. While informative, I felt they were unnecessary. Most readers will figure things out on their own.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 3

Reading Level: 4.0 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Random House • 323 Pages • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-524-71373-7 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Mike by Andrew Norriss

Floyd, a teenage British tennis prodigy is unbeatable. He is absolutely dedicated to his game, supported by loving parents. Floyd has everything going for him. During a competitive match he sees Mike walking in the stands. He has seen Mike quite often, usually observing him during practice, never during a match. Mike walks down the stands, opens the gate and walks on to the court. Floyd tells the umpire to ask Mike to leave. The umpire is confused. Floyd's father (also, his coach) comes on to the court to find out what's wrong. Floyd explains, that Mike must leave. His father is confused as well. When Floyd tells Mike that he must go, his father, equally frustrated, says, "but I can't see anyone..."

The pressure and the stress of the constant practice and competition are starting to affect Floyd. As Floyd enters therapy, his therapist, Dr. Pinner, works to peal away the facade and get to the root cause of what Floyd is experiencing. What Floyd discovers has a ripple effect on those that love and care about him, as Floyd begins to question who he is, and what he wants out of life.

Andrew Norris's text is clear, a bit sparse, but pulls you right into the story. While character development is not detailed, which for me in this instance, was fine, you do see Floyd change and grow. While the plot was predictable, it was a pleasure to see it unfold. The ending is neat and tidy, which for many young readers is the way they like it. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Note: This review is from an advanced readers copy. The book is not available until February 26, 2019.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level:  • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points:  • Lexile:   
Publisher: David Fickling Books, Scholastic • 240 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-338-28536-9 • Publication details will be added when available.

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Three children escaping tyranny and war is sadly, not a new story. The immigrant story is one of our times, and also of our past. Refugee looks at three fictional characters leaving their homelands for a journey seeking a better life. While each character is from a different time period in different parts of their world, their similarities are what reminds us that little has changed.

Josef's story starts in 1938 Berlin, Germany. Asleep at home, it is the evening of Kristallnacht and his home is ransacked by Nazis, who take his father, a lawyer, from his home. His father is eventually returned, but after being tortured and mentally beaten down, he is not the man he used to be. His family gets passage on the St. Louis, a cruise ship filled with Jewish refugees escaping the tyranny of Nazi Germany, bound for freedom in Cuba. Initially, his family believes that all is well...

Isabel's story starts in 1994 Havana, Cuba. She is a talented trumpet player, living under the communism of Fidel Castro. A riot has broken out in the streets, and Isabel enters the pandemonium looking for her father. She finds him being beaten by policemen and jumps in to stop it. Her father is now a marked man, and her family must leave Cuba. Isabel knows that her friend, Ivan's, father is building a boat. When Castro announces that he will not stop people from fleeing Cuba, Isabel convinces Ivan's family to allow Isabel's family to share their homemade boat to leave Cuba and head for Miami, where the freedom of the United States awaits.

Mahmoud's story starts in 2015 Aleppo, Syria. Mahmoud is a quiet boy with few friends. The Syrian civl war has taken its toll on Mahmoud. The sound of fighter jets, bombs, and gunfire has made him nervous. Everyday he must lead himself and his younger brother home from school, taking a different path to avoid fighters in the streets as well as bullies from school. Sitting at home, doing his homework, Mahmoud hears the whine of an incoming missile. He dives under the kitchen table and after the deafening sound of a bomb, discovers the whole side of his apartment is gone. His mother, baby sister and brother are okay. They find Mahmoud's father and the decision is made. They must leave. They grab what money they have, what belongings they can carry, and head for Germany, one of the few countries in Europe accepting Syrian refugees.

The difficult part of this book is knowing that what these three young people and their families go through is based on what people were/are experiencing. Each character goes through a series of unfortunate events, one more tragic than the next. The human will to survive and search for a better life is exemplified in these stories. While sometimes the stories get bogged down a bit, my curiosity kept me going.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 10 • Lexile: 800L  
Publisher: Scholastic • 338 Pages • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-545-88083-1 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros; Illustrated by Dana Wulfeotte

James has a lot of balloons, and each one of his balloons keeps one of his memories. Mom and Dad have even more balloons, but Grandpa has the most balloons and loves to share his memories with James. Lately, Grandpa has been having trouble with his balloons. Sometimes they get caught in trees, and he tells the same stories over and over. Other times he loses a balloon and doesn't know its lost. Soon Grandpa has lost all his balloons. James can't understand what is happening to Grandpa, but discovers he has many more balloons, each containing his grandpa's memories. Now, James is the storyteller, who reminds Grandpa of all his memories.

This is one of the most touching books I've ever read.  A beautifully told story that makes understanding dementia and Alzheimer's accessible to young people. Beautifully illustrated with pencil drawings on stark white backgrounds, with only the balloons in color. This is a picture book for all ages. An excellent opening for discussion on aging, memory loss and Alzheimer's.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 2.0 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: NA  
Publisher: Simon & Schuster • 48 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-1-481-48915-7 

Warcross by Marie Lu

Emika Chen is gifted with unsurpassed skills in technology. She has lost her father, is alone in New York, and has no money. Scanning police transmissions, she tries to round-up criminals for bounty, but luck never works in her favor. Even though she is about to be evicted, Emika plays her favorite game, Warcross, on a hacked account.  The first tournament of the Warcross world championships are about to begin, and the entire world is watching. Emika decides to do the impossible; hack into the game and affect its outcome.

When she wakes up in the morning, she finds out that her hack is making news all over the world. Now the founder and owner of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka wants her. Emika has always admired him and his fame, but is now fearful of what he will do to her. She is confused by his actions. He has deposited a large sum of money in her bank account. He has paid all of her bills. He has sent an agent to fly her on his private jet to Warcross corporate headquarters in Japan. Why? What are his plans?

Warcross is a near-future dystopian novel that at times is a page turner, and other times drags, especially during some of the longer game-playing sequences. Marie Lu offers a little bit of everything here, and her fans will enjoy this one. The cliff hanger at the end, will make you groan for the next installment.
Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 5.6 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 16 • Lexile: 810L  
Publisher: Penguin • 416 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-399-54797-3 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

This book made me squirm. Not because it is scary, but because of my empathy for the main character Imogene. Imogene's parents have regular jobs, but are seasonal characters in a Renaissance Faire. The moment is exciting for Imogene. She has been home schooled, and now, will go to public middle school. The faire is starting soon, and now Imogene for the first time, gets to be a full character in this year's faire. Exciting times! So one would think.

Imogene now has to navigate the academic and social norms of middle school. Daunting for any 6th grader, but especially one who has never attended school. How will she handle the academic load? Studying for exams? Making up missed work? How will she navigate her friendships between the social girls, the "nerds", as well as boys? How will she manage all of this, while devoting most of her spare time with the faire? Then there is her little bother, her parents, and other adults at the faire? How she does this, you'll have to read the book, but discovering how she handled all of this made me squirm with the memory of all the awkwardness that is middle school!

This is a fun graphic novel. The artwork is humorus and simple, while the text moves you through the story smoothly. There is a lot that middle schoolers will relate to here. Ties in especially well with the 7th grade history curriculum.
Marks Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 3.4 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 3 • Lexile: GN460L  
Publisher: Dial • Pages: 247 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-525-42999-9 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Squirm by Carl Hiaasen

Squirm is another environmental/animal book by Carl Hiassen that holds up well with the other books he has written for young readers. As with his other books, there is a focus on an animal; this time snakes. But, the true center of this, and Hiassen's other books are people and their relationships. In Squirm we are introduced to Billy who has a fascination with snakes, and has become an expert amateur handler. Billy lives with his mother and sister, Belinda. Billy's mother has a fascination with bald eagles, a fascination so extreme that she will uproot Billy and his sister to follow them, wherever they nest. Billy and Belinda have difficulty making lasting relationships because they move so much. They both hope the most recent move is their last. Billy's parents are divorced, and he doesn't know his father. He does know that a support check comes monthly like clockwork. Billy's father is a mystery that he wants to solve. Billy's mother is so secretive in regards to his father that he thinks that his father must be an FBI or CIA agent. His curiosity drives him to dig in his mother's trash to see if he can find some return address on a envelope used to send the support payment. He finally finds one. It is an address in Montana. He decides he is going to the Montana address and uses his savings to buy a plane ticket. When he gets there, he discovers a woman, a teen-aged girl, but not his father. What he does find is something more mysterious than he could imagine, leading to an adventure that will take him deep into the Montana forest.

This is a  typical, fun and adventurous Hiassen read that will hold readers to the climatic ending. For upper elementary and  middle school students. Excellent for tying into environmental studies and animal conservation units. This book goes on sale on September 25, 2018, but can be pre-ordered now.
Mark's Book Picks Rating: 4

Reading Level: 3.0 • Interest Level: 3-6 • AR Points: NA • Lexile: 740L  
Publisher: Knopf • 276 Pages • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-385-75297-8 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

The Age of Anarchy brought an end to civilized society. The world was ruled by gangs of anarchists; prodigies with super powers that felt betrayed by the world and would exact revenge.  Gatlon City was at the center of the chaos. But, hope was on the horizon. A group of superheroes called the Renegades would bring stabilization and order. They promised protection. One little girl, Nova Artino, counted on that protection. Her father could pull energy from the air and create threads of metal. She too had powers. She never required sleep, and her touch caused grueling nightmares. When her father refused to help the anarchists, he relied on the Renegades' protection. She witnessed her home invaded and her family murdered. Where were the Renegades? They failed her and her family. Nova would become Nightmare, an anarchist who would would dedicate the rest of her life to destroying the Renegades.

Fast forward 10 years. A world of chaos and anarchy is brought together and stabilized by superheroes Captain Chromium, The Dread Warden, Lady Indomitable and others on the Renegade Council. Lady Indomitable was killed in battle. Her son, Adrian is a young prodigy who can sketch an object, and then make his drawings a reality. Adrian would soon become known as the Renegade called Sketch. After his mother's death, Adrian was adopted by Captain Chromium and the Dread Warden, and he is now dedicated to finding his mother's murderer. Sketch and Nightmare will soon confront each other, while Adrian and Nova will become a budding romance...

Having devoured Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series, I had extremely high hopes for this new saga. My hopes were extinguished quickly when reading this long over-reach of a novel. I had so many issues, but I read on hoping that my issues would be resolved, but they were not.  The superheroes and their powers seemed like a stretch on the ridiculous and were difficult for me to accept (as far as superheroes go). The world building just left me empty. The plethora of characters were often confusing, using both their given names and their superhero name, requiring me to refer to the list of characters in the front of the book. This one just didn't do it for me.  Renegades does end on a cliff-hanger that will have me reading the second installment, I just hope I can make it through the whole book
Mark's Book Picks Rating: 3

Reading Level: 6.5 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 25 • Lexile: 860L  
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends • 552 Pages • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 1-250-04466-2 • Available in Perma-Bound binding.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Russell Pickett, billionaire, has been missing, disappearing before his arrest for bribery. Now there is a $100,000 reward for him, and Daisy Ramirez is going to tap Aza Holmes to help find him and collect the reward.

Daisy and Aza are juniors in high school and best friends. Daisy learns that years ago Aza was a camp friend of Davis Pickett, Russell Pickett's son, and recruits Aza to find Russell Pickett and split the reward money. The problem is, Aza suffers from invasive thoughts...thoughts that spin out of control subjugating her life.

When they wade through the White River, running through the Russell estate trying to find evidence, they get caught by security. Aza tells them she is a friend of Davis, so security takes them to Davis to verify. Davis immediately remembers Aza. As they talk, Aza can see the pain Davis is in, as his mother has passed, his father's missing and he is left caring for his younger brother Noah. Davis welcomes this friend from the past, and trusts her. As their friendship grows into attraction, Aza's issues start spiraling out of control....especially when they kiss. "...billions of people kiss and don't die, just make sure his microbes aren't going to permanently colonize you come on please stop this he could have campylobacter he could be a nonsymptomatic E. coli carrier get that and you'll need antibiotics and then you'll get C. diff and boom dead in four days..."  Aza must deal with school, her friends, her mom, her relationship with Davis, all while trying to deal with these thoughts that paralyze her.

Solving the mystery, the budding relationship with Davis, Aza's relationship with Daisy, her visits with her therapist, and her thinking spiraling out of control are what drives the plot along, but it plods more than drives. While not my favorite John Green novel, I mostly enjoyed the way he represented Aza's  spinning thoughts, her sessions with her therapist, and learning to live life with what we've been dealt. Fans of Green will demand this and enjoy it. For high school, and sophisticated older middle schoolers with f-bombs sprinkled throughout.
Mark's Picks Rating: 3.5

Reading Level: 5.6 • Interest Level: 9-12 • AR Points: 10 • Lexile: 840L
Publisher: Penguin • 286 pages • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-525-55536-0 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Booked by Kwame Alexander

Having to read a dictionary from beginning to end is not anyone's idea of entertainment. Yet, to Nick Hall's father, a wordsmith who has written a dictionary of unusual words, nothing could be further than the truth. The dictionary has become required reading for thirteen year old Nick...

A wordsmith himself, Kwame Alexander's free verse poetry always finds the right rhythm, tone and precision to voice Nick; an extremely bright, passionate soccer player suffering through the bends and curves that life brings. The poems capture the true voice of a thirteen year old boy whose parents are divorcing, is being bullied at school, and has a mad crush on a girl with whom he hasn't the foggiest idea of how to approach. He is supported by a well rounded, dedicated friend, Coby, parents who are supportive and loving, a school librarian that is cool and insightful, and April, the girl his heart melts for, who is understanding, patient, and who also has a crush...on Nick.

Alexander beautifully weaves the soccer play, and Nicks devotion to the sport, with all the emotional hurdles that Nick deals with. Humor abounds, and the word play is fun, with footnotes defining words learned from his father's dictionary and often funny commentary explaining why he used it. There are so many uses and discussion points for the classroom; dealing with divorce, bullying, relationships, as well as gaining an appreciation for poetry. Excellent for reluctant readers.
Mark's Picks Rating: 4

Reading Level: 3.9 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 3 • Lexile: 660L
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin • 314 pages • Copyright: 2016 • ISBN: 978-0-544-57098-6 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Trees and animals that talk? I knew this book was not for me, not my cup of tea.
As it turns out, I loved it!
Red is a Red Oak, well over 200 years old. She has seen much in life and is currently the home to a family of owls, opossums, skunks, and a crow named Bongo. The tree has deep roots in the community. Every May, people write their wish on a scrap of fabric and tie it to the tree. A young girl, Samar,  moves in across the street with her family. Often, Samar sneaks out of her house late at night to come and sit by the tree. One night, Samar ties a scrap with a wish to Red; she wishes for a friend.  Samar is lonely and has no friends because her family is not welcomed by the community, as they are Muslim. The young boy next door, Stephen, takes note of Samar, but will not talk to her. Red has decided that she must do something to make Samar's wish a reality. She schemes with Bongo and the other tree residents to get Samar and Stephen together as friends. Red is motivated to help Samar not only to make her happy, but also because she knows she is going to die. The property's owner has decided that the tree is causing too many problems and has scheduled to have Red taken down.

At first, I was put off by a story told in the voice of a tree, but was immediately pulled in by the beautiful, lyrical writing. It begs to be read aloud. The early chapters are a bit pedantic, but that dissipates quickly. There is much to discuss here with young people. Tolerance, intolerance, acceptance, friendship, and family all come into play. But what touched me, was Red's acceptance of her imminent death. She understands that she has had a long, good life and that if it is her time, then let it be so. As a senior myself, this truly resonated, and expresses beautifully an appreciation of life. Beautifully illustrated by Charles Santoso, the pictures help bring the story to life. For grades 4-7, maybe older if you can pull them in.
Mark's Picks Rating: 4.5

Reading Level: 4.2 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 3 • Lexile: 590L
Publisher: Feiwell & Friends • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-250-04332-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

Thunderhead is all knowing and encompassing. Once the Cloud, the Thunderhead now stores all human knowledge, provides leadership and order, and oversees almost every aspect of life on earth. The world has never been more stable or peaceful since the mortal years. Death, disease, hunger and poverty are all constructs of the past. Scythes, the order of humans ordained to control population by gleaning (killing) people at random cannot be overseen by the Thunderhead.  They are held to a high standard of humility, morality and equity to avoid corruption. Until now.

Book two of the Arc of the Scythe Trilogy, starts one year after the end of book one, Scythe. Rowan is now Scythe Lucifer, hunting and destroying corrupt Scythes. His best friend Tyger has been hired to train in the martial art of Bokator, with the hope to become a Scythe himself. Citra is now Scythe Anastasia, whose destiny is to have a profound influence on Scythes and the world. Working with Scythe Curie, they have had an attempt to destroy their lives, and are now in seclusion. Scythe Faraday is in Alexandria, doing research, looking for the land of Nod, where he hopes to find answers that will stop the corruption plaguing Scythedom. Enter Greyson Tolliver. A young man, all but abandoned by his family, has been raised and mentored by the Thunderhead to which he is resolutely devoted. The Thunderhead has recruited him to be his agent, using his human eyes and ears to keep the Thunderhead informed and carry out actions it deems necessary.

In Thunderhead, Shusterman builds the world with great detail that he started in Scythe. With several story lines, so much going on, so many twists and turns, there is just no time to stop turning the pages. The 504 pages will go fast, but be prepared. The crescendo is a cliff-hanger that will leave you yearning for book three.
Mark's Picks Rating: 4.5

Reading Level: 6.7 • Interest Level: 7-12  • Lexile: 870L• AR Points: 20
Publisher: Simon & Schuster • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-442-47245-7 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding