Lucy Long Ago by Catherine Thimmesh

Grades 4 and up--

Lucy Long Ago tells the story of one of the biggest scientific discoveries of the 20th century: the uncovering of “Lucy”: the “oldest, most complete fossil skeleton ever found.” The book begins with the discovery of the bones in 1974 and traces the scientific research that followed. It is an intriguing combination of science and imagination written in an engaging narrative style.

Intended audience: Elementary or middle school students interested in evolution, science, anthropology or just generally curious about the world we live in.

Audience to whom it may appeal: This book has the potential to engage young and old audience alike with it’s clear explanations, vivid graphics and images and accessible story structure.

Strengths: Though the book is nonfiction, it is written in a narrative style so it has the potential to appeal to a variety of readers as informative as well as entertaining. The pictures and graphics are well done and help the reader to better understand the scientific research that went into Lucy’s discovery and subsequent theories about the history of humanity.

Weaknesses: Some of the science jargon could be a bit off-putting to lower level readers or those with minimal science education. In a way, it might be considered a challenge to creationism, which might bring about requests for removal in certain districts.

Special considerations: This book very much describes science consistent with Darwin (and others’) theory of evolution and could potentially face challenges from parents who prefer their children to focus on their religious teachings of creationism.

VERDICT: I think Lucy Long Ago would make an excellent addition to any elementary, middle or even high school library. Its unique content, vivid graphics and images and narrative style make it a great book for kids of all ages.

Sex: A Book for Teens by Nikol Hasler

Ages 15 and up--

Intended audience: This book is written for teenagers who are curious about sex, whether or not they are having it or plan to have it.

Audience to whom it may appeal: Although the content may appeal to a younger audience, I think would be difficult to convince a K-8 or younger library to carry this book. It could also appeal to adults who have lingering questions about sex. (I learned a lot!)

Strengths: This book is very straightforward with facts, figures and clear explanations. It is also inclusive of various sexualities and gender identities. The author incorporates humor as well, which could help to alleviate some of the awkwardness of reading such a book.  There are also many resources (websites, phone numbers) for learning more about safe sex including the possibility of STIs and teen pregnancy.

Weaknesses: The cover, style, and content of this book could be construed as giving permission or even promoting teens to have sex. There is also the potential for bits and pieces (chapter titles, cartoons) of the book to be taken out of context and misconstrued. Although the purpose of the book is to inform, I can foresee potential challenges to its forthright (and potentially encouraging) nature.

Special considerations: Clear explanations of sex in all of its variations including GLBT, as well as thorough objective descriptions of the spectrum of gender identities. This may be a book that, although not labeled “reference,” might not wander far from its shelf, though incurring frequent perusal from curious patrons.  

VERDICT: Although the chance of challenge might be high, I would still promote the selection of this book in a high school media center. It is a humorous look at an awkward topic and has the potential to be extremely informative in an area that is often considered taboo. I think that the (mostly) objective explanatory style of the book would be an excellent addition to the library collection.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Grades 8 and up--

Although Between Shades of Gray is a narrative capturing the horrors of WWII, it is unlike any other period novel I've ever read. This is the tale of the Baltics under the reign of Stalin, specifically tracing the journey of 15-year-old Lina and her family as they are deported from their home country (Lithuania) and dragged through Siberia into the frozen tundra if the Arctic Circle.

Intended audience: High school students interested in WWII history.

Audience to whom it may appeal: People of all ages, those interested in art, persevering through life's most unbearable struggles, family and history.

Strengths: The novels two biggest doorways are its story--wanting to know the fate of its characters-- and the characters themselves. Sepetys names few characters, Lina's family and three or four others, while the others are given nicknames such as “the bald man” and “the grouchy woman” which allows the reader to truly experience the events of the novel through Lina's eyes.

Weaknesses: The graphic descriptions of the conditions and violence they experience is quite intense and might be a turn-off for some readers. The ending is also quite abrupt and unexpected which might leave readers whose main doorway was characters a bit disappointed.

Special considerations: Prior knowledge of WWII history is critical to a full understanding of the context. Some Russian is used, but most often defined in context.

VERDICT: Due to the graphic nature and violence of the subject matter, this book best fits in a high school media center where students might be better able to contextualize the events of the novel. High school is also often the time during which WII is taught at length in history classes. This book will engage and likely elicit a visceral reaction from thoughtful readers. It is an important book to have on the shelf, not only for its unique perspective on a pivotal moment in history, but for the beauty and strength of its characters.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Grades 6 and up--

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix tells the story and events prior to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. It tells the story through the lenses of three young women: Yetta, a Russian immigrant who’s passionate about women’s suffrage; Bella, an Italian immigrant, who feels lost without her family close by; and Jane, a girl with means but no real relationships to speak of. The story begins with Yetta and other women in the factory getting the idea to strike against their employers and ends with the fire, the rest you’ll have to find out on your own.

Intended audience: Young people interested in history, likely female, as all of the protagonists are girls.

Audience to whom it may appeal: This book would be an excellent companion text to a historical unit of study, in which case it might appeal to boys and girls if given in context. I also think that this book appeals to adults, male and female. It is not particularly challenging in regard to reading level, but the history significance and the subject has a wide appeal.

Strengths: Three interwoven stories from varying perspectives made for an interesting read, especially those from very different backgrounds. The historical aspects were very accurate from what I’ve researched and the writing is accessible, but not at all dull.

Weaknesses: Some parts move a bit slow and those with little or no knowledge of the women’s suffrage movement might struggle given the lack of context provided. At the end--without giving anything away--there were a few too many plotlines that were wrapped up in a neat little “bow,” which contrasted with the overall style of the novel.

Special considerations: Could be an excellent compliment to a history unit on women’s suffrage or the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Also promotes open and honest discussion about laborers rights as well as rights for immigrants.

VERDICT: I would absolutely add this to a middle or high school collection for its historical value, its unique style and the way it helps reveal the struggles of immigrants, women, and the working class in a way that is still extremely relevant.

Addie on the Inside by James Howe

Grades 6 and up--

Intended audience: Middle school girls, GLBT tweens.

Audience to whom it will appeal: I think that much of this text could be relatable to boys as well as girls, though the initial interest would be difficult to attain given the cover and title. In order to promote this book to a wider audience, I would post some of the engaging, edgy poems from the book up in the Media Center. I think this book would also be an excellent and enjoyable read for parents or teachers of tweens or teens.

Strengths: Addie on the Inside realistically portrays the inner thoughts and emotions of tweens, both male and female. Addie calls middle school “purgatory…when so many things that never mattered before and will never matter again, matter.” Addie is outspoken, yet self-conscious, happy to be different, but wants badly to fit in; just like most of the middle schoolers I know. The anti-bullying sentiment sends a positive message and gives those wanting to speak up some literary courage. The author also incorporates a fair amount of homages to other YA novels and pop culture references, both of which give the opportunity to make connections outside of the text.

Weaknesses: For those who aren’t fans of poetry, the style of the novel may be a turn-off, although it alternates between free verse and rhyme-scheme poetry. Although I think the thinking, emotions, and experiences of Addie seem to be relatable to both boys and girls, the female voice of the narrator might be less appealing to male readers. The pop culture references are great, but they might be too specific to be accessible to readers in the next few years.

Special considerations: This novel is a companion to an anti-bullying series including The Misfits and Totally Joe that focuses on homophobia and GLBT issues. The books also cite and are supported by GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network). This would be a great book to use with a Gay-Straight Alliance in preparation for the National Day of Silence.

VERDICT: This is a book I would stock multiple copies of and would promote a large or small group reading of it for an anti-bullying group,GSA or even teacher PLC. This is a true middle school book and should grace the shelves of any and all middle school libraries.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Grades 8 and up--

E. Lockhart’s mysterious coming of age novel begins with Cadence Sinclair Eastman in her seventeenth summer on her family’s private estate, Beechwood Island. The novel bounces back and forth between this summer and “summer fifteen” during which a mysterious accident has happened that she can barely recollect. The book is a series of half remembered moments in her quest to figure out what happened before her accident.

Intended audience: Similar to E. Lockhart’s Printz winning novel The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and John Green’s Looking for Alaska, this novel is definitely geared towards a upper-middle-class white high school audience. The setting is a private island near Martha’s Vineyard and its character's cousins who are living off the wealth of their bigoted grandfather.

Audience to whom it may appeal: Although the references often feel a bit highfalutin, the characters still cope with some of the same issues many teens do including: the desire to be autonomous of their parents, wanting to right worldly injustices, and falling in love with the one person their family disapproves of. I think male and female high schoolers of various backgrounds, as well as adults, could find connections, if minimal, in this novel.

Strengths: Given the mysterious nature of Cadence’s accident, I found the book to be a quick read because I wanted to find out what happened. Some strengths of the story include: memorable characters, descriptive setting language, and an engaging plot line with a haunting climax. I also appreciated "the liars'” self-awareness of privilege and their willingness to challenge their grandfather’s bigotry.

Weaknesses: This novel seems geared towards a very specific audience with little invitation for those with varying socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. Knowledge of the privilege lived by those who have experienced “life on the vineyard” seems relatively critical to understanding and enjoying the novel. I imagine this book on a "take a book, leave a book" shelf at the country club I worked at for many summers.

VERDICT: Although the book seems to have a minute intended audience, the mystery of it has the potential to appeal to a wider audience. I would include one copy of this novel in a high school library and promote it as a “haunting mystery about a teenage girl living in a dreamlike state on the fantasy world of her family's private island."

I Remember Beirut by Zeina Abirached

Grades 6 and up--

This stunning graphic novel is compact, but powerful. The artwork is similar to the stark black and white drawings of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis and illustrate the divided world in which she lives: Beirut, Lebanon in the 1980s and 1990s. Written like a list poem, with each page or so beginning with “I Remember,” Abirached tells the story of her life growing up in a war zone.

Intended audience: Young adults interested in history.

Audience to whom it may appeal: I think this book could appeal to upper elementary students to grandparents, of all genders, races and religions. Its universal themes of memory and perseverance through struggle have the potential to provide connections for many.

Strengths: The artwork is visually very appealing. The solid black and white images are simple but captivating. The poetic style and repetition makes it accessible for a wider variety of audiences.

Weaknesses: Without much historical context, this book might be hard to understand, but it can also stand on its own as a story of a young girl’s life and all of the things she experienced. Although the prose and dialogue are relatively simplistic, there are historical and cultural references that will likely be missed by students with little background knowledge.

Special considerations: The book is a companion to A Game for Swallows which focuses on one particular night during war time.

VERDICT: This book would make a great addition to either the graphic novel or history section of any upper elementary through high school media center. The accessible format will appeal to lower readers, while the historical content might entice higher level readers to try a new format: graphic novel.