Sharon Reads: The Odd Squad: Bully Bait by Michael Fry

October 3, 2013July 16, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

The Odd Squad: Bully Bait by Michael Fry is a children’s chapter book. Nick is short, he thinks he must be the shortest seventh grader in history. He does not really fit in with any of the groups at school, so spends most of his time bully dodging. An enthusiastic guidance counsel teams Nick up with two other outcasts, and the team is mentored by the eccentric janitor. The team of oddballs come together to a common goal, fighting a bully, and learn about themselves and the nature of bullies.

The Odd Squad: Bully Bait was a great read, and I think is accessible to both elementary and middle school students. It speaks to dealing with bullies, and how easy it can be to cross the line and act like a bully when feeling powerless. Some tough questions are dealt with, while still being funny. Nick is short but smart, stuck spending a good portion of his school day crammed in his locker. His family is a little different, and add to the quirkiness of the story. The other oddballs, Molly and Karl, have their own troubles and quirks. The bully, Roy, is as well developed as the three oddballs, as are the janitor and Nick’s grandmother. rumors of a school ghost, and mentions of other interesting kids at the school, left me wanting to read more about what happens in those halls.

I highly recommend The Odd Squad: Bully Bait to middle grade readers, particularly those that have ever felt like an oddball or on the receiving end of the bully effect. There is some cute, awkward romance in the story, and a collection of unforgettable characters that will keep readers turning the pages. Fry includes some illustrations, which only further enhance the heart, humor, and truth of the story. The sequel, the Odd Squad: Zero Tolerance is scheduled for release in September 2013. I gave this book 4 out of five stars on Goodreads.

This review was originally published on Sharon the Librarian.

Six Picks – Realistic Fiction for Young Adults

September 28, 2013July 16, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Summer’s over, and life is back to reality! If you like your fiction with a dose of realism, here’s a list of realistic fiction books for young adults (that adults can enjoy, too!).

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a about Sixteen-year-old Hazel, a stage IV thyroid cancer patient. She has accepted her terminal diagnosis until a chance meeting with a boy at cancer support group forces her to reexamine her perspective on love, loss, and life. (A movie adaptation is currently in production.)

Butter

Butter by Erin Jade Lange is about an obese boy everyone calls “Butter”. He is about to make history by eating himself to death, live on the Internet, and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online he gets morbid cheerleaders rallying around his plan. As their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. What happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn’t go through with his plans?

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth takes place in the early 1990s. After Cameron Post’s parents die she moves in with her conservative aunt Ruth and her well-intentioned but hopelessly old-fashioned grandmother. She rebels against the norms and her family decides she needs to change her ways, she is sent to a gay conversion therapy center.

Skinny

Skinny by Donna Cooner is about fifteen-year-old Ever Davies. She is obese and has a cruel inner voice that never lets her forget about her weight or how others see her. She undergoes gastric-bypass surgery, a and makes the decision to start participating in high school life, which includes pursuing her dream of becoming a singer.

The Complete History of Why I Hate Her

The Complete History of Why I Hate Her by Jennifer Richard Jacobson is about sixteen year old Nola who wanting a break from being known only for her sister’s cancer. Shae leaves Boston for a waitressing job at a summer resort in Maine, but soon feels as if her new best friend is taking over her life.

Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this wonderful debut novel is the story of two star-crossed misfits–smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

If realistic fiction is your favorite genre, or all of these are currently checked out, take a look at just about any book from John Green, Sarah Dessen, or Lurlene McDaniel. You could also look for Wonder by R.J. Palacio, A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie by Matt Blackstone, Blink & Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones, or Tangled by Carolyn Mackler. This is far from a complete list, but it just might be the start you need.

Do you have a favorite realistic fiction book or author?

It’s National Talk Like Pirate Day, Celebrate with Picturebooks!

September 19, 2013July 16, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / 1 Comment

Today is National Talk Like Pirate Day! Celebrate this fun day with us by enjoying some great pirate themed picturebooks! Everyone loves a great pirate tale, and these are fun stories that you can share with the whole family while getting into the spirit of a silly holiday.

Pirate Pete’s Talk Like a Pirate by Kim Kennedy
In search of a crew, Pirate Pete and his parrot look for “stanky scallywags” who possess certain conversational skills.

The Pirate Princess by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Tired of the royal life, Princess Bea boards a pirate ship and sets out for adventure on the high seas but soon finds she is not good at swabbing decks, cooking in the galley, or keeping watch from the crow’s nest.

Small Saul by Ashley Spires
Small Saul is a different kind of pirate. Will Small Saul be able to prove his worth as a pirate or will he be thrown overboard?

Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crim
Captain Barnacle Black Ear, baddest of the Buccaneer Bunnies, is ashamed of his book-loving son, Henry, until the day a great storm approaches.

You might also want to check out The Pirates Next Door: Starring the Jolley-Rogers by Jonny Duddle, Pirate vs. Pirate: the Terrific Tale of a Big Blustery Maritime Match by Mary Quattlebaum, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup, The No-Good Do-Good Pirates by Jim Kraft, or Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates by Carolyn Crimi.

Would you prefer to learn about real pirates instead of reading picturebooks, or to follow up a fun tale with factual adventures? Then check out these children’s nonfiction books that they whole family can enjoy.

The Pirate Queen by Emily Arnold McCully, Women of the Sea: Ten Pirate Stories by Myra Weatherly, Blackbeard, the Pirate King: Several Yarns Detailing the Legends, Myths, and Real-life Adventures of History’s Most Notorious Seaman: Told in Verse by J. Patrick Lewis, Pirates: Facts, Things to Make, Activities by Rachel Wright, I Wonder Why Pirates Wore Earrings: and Other Questions about Piracy by Pat Jacobs, Pirates by Peter Chrisp, Real Pirates the Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship by Barry Clifford, Pirates : Robbers of the High Seas by Gail Gibbons, and Sea Queens: Women Pirates around the World by Jane Yolen.

What is ‘New Adult’ Fiction?

September 14, 2013September 6, 2013 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Every now and then the publishing industry trots out a new genre name for a particular type of book. Most of the time it is a title that can be applied to books that have been around for a long time as a tool to ramp up sales via marketing.”New Adult’ is the latest of these new genres, and very few people, including those in publishing or bookstores, seem to know just what to do with this new label. So, here are the basics about New Adult books.In general the ‘New Adult’ label is now applied to books with main characters between the ages of 18 and 25 as they face the challenges of leaving home, developing sexuality, and negotiating education and career choices. The books are typically about characters in the transition of becoming an adult while society still seems to consider them children. Some of the books in this category are still accessible and appropriate for teens, while others have more sexual content than most parents would be comfortable with their teens reading, and some have conflicts and situations have little interest to those that have not faced similar issues. The majority of books currently being released under this label seem to be contemporary romance, but this is not a requirement of the genre.This genre is typically said to be a small step up from young adult books, which I find belittling to some of the fantastic young adult books that are available. It is also insulting to some of the books shoved in this genre that are just as sophisticated as ‘adult’ fiction but happen to deal with protagonists in the 18-25 year old age range. Over all, I am not a big fan of genre labels as a rule, since readers often see a genre label and assume they will not like a book because it is fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, young adult or whatever while they only like another genre. Many books have cross over appeal but do not get the chance they deserve because of the labels or marketing that are attached to them.

Some of the books in our collection currently being released and marketed as ‘New Adult’ include:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire-
Abby Abernathy is re-inventing herself as the Good Girl as she begins her freshman year at college, which is why she must resist lean, cut, and tattooed Travis Maddox, a classic Bad Boy.

Tempest by Julie Cross-
After his girlfriend Holly is fatally shot during a violent struggle, nineteen-year-old Jackson uses his supernatural abilities and travels back in time two years, where he falls in love with Holly all over again, learns that his father is a spy, and discovers powerful enemies of time who will stop at nothing to recruit him for their own purposes.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry-
Rendered a subject of gossip after a traumatic night that left her with terrible scars on her arms, Echo is dumped by her boyfriend and bonds with bad-boy Noah, whose tough attitude hides an understanding nature and difficult secrets.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover-
High school senior Sky meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. Only by courageously facing some stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries.

Other recent examples of this genre include: The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen, Losing It by Cora Carmack, and Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

Some other books that fit the official description of ‘New Adult’ but were published prior to the label becoming into fashion, or simply escaped it in some manner include:

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, Sunshine by Robin McKinley, Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride, The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, and Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson.

Love the Warriors series? Try some of these books…

September 10, 2013March 1, 2018 / Sharon Tyler / 3 Comments

Time Cat

Are you, or your child, a big fan of Erin Hunter’s Warriors series? There are many fans out there, which sometimes makes waiting for the next book pretty hard. So, while you are waiting for the next release, you might want take a look at some books that I think you might like because of your love of these warrior cat tales.

Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth by Lloyd Alexander is a classic in adventure fiction. In this tale Jason and his magic cat Gareth travel through time to visit countries all over the world during different periods of history.

Whittington by Alan Armstrong is about a feline descendant of Dick Whittington’s famous cat from English folklore. He appears at a rundown barnyard plagued by rats and restores harmony while telling his ancestor’s story.

The Tygrine Cat

The Tygrine Cat by Inbali Iserles follow Mati, a cat who is lost and alone. He seeks acceptance from a pack of feral cats at Cressida Lock, but to defeat the assassin on his trail, Mati must unlock the secret of his identity and learn to harness an ancient and deadly feline power.

Reserved for the Cat by Mercedes Lackey takes place in an alternate London in the year 1910. A penniless young dancer is visited by a cat who communicates with her mind to mind. Though she is certain she must be going mad, she is desperate enough to follow the cat’s advice to impersonate a famous Russian ballerina.

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett is about a talking cat, intelligent rats, and a strange boy that cooperate in a Pied Piper style scheme until they try to con the wrong town and are confronted by a deadly evil rat king.

Highway Cats

Highway Cats by Janet Taylor Lisle is the story about a group of mangy highway cats that is changed forever after the mysterious arrival of three kittens.

If you prefer getting caught up in another series, rater than a stand alone book, you might also want to read Redwall by Brian Jacques, Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, Lion Boy by Zizou Corder, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky, or Catwings by Ursula Le Guin.

As usual, there is no way to list all of the appropriate books here, I am sure I have left someone’s favorite out. If you have another recommendation of favorite that I missed, please mention it in a comment so other Warrior fans can read it too!