Summer Ball by Mike Lupica

Lupica, M. (2008). Summer Ball (p. 272). Puffin.

ISBN: 0142411531

$7.99 paperback

Reader's Annotation: Though he's had plenty of success in basketball, Danny Walker is nervous that summer basketball camp will prove he doesn't have talent to compete.

Summary: Danny Walker should be on top of his game. Just back from the national championship with his travel team, and with his parents back together (finally!) he should be ready for anything. But thinking of spending the summer at basketball camp is making Danny nervous. For one thing, he's fighting with his best friend, Tess. For another, he hasn't had the growth spurt he's longing for. Though being short didn't stop him from being a star on travel team, he's secretly afraid that when he competes with bigger players from around the country he won't have the talent to keep up. When he gets to camp, things only get worse. He's in a bunk with kids a year younger than him. He gets the meanest coach at camp. And some familiar faces have come back to haunt him.

Genre: book, coming of age, family, friends, identity, sports, fiction

Series : The sequel to this book is "Travel Team."

Evaluation: Not as good as the first book, but still a compelling read, especially great for basketball fans.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This book is a great balance between the insecurities and emotions of tweendom and the fast paced action of sports. Danny has great friends and supportive parents. He's insecure about his talent, and he's meeting players who really want to beat him at basketball. He's got a tough coach, and trouble with his best female friend. All classic tween drama. But mostly, this is a book about basketball, and so a perfect read for any sports fan.

Readalikes :

• Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein
• Football Genius by Tim Green
  

Other Useful Info:

• Mike Lupica's Website
  

Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 5–8—This novel continues the story of Danny Walker, the basketball-obsessed hero of Travel Team (Philomel, 2004). In the interval between the two books, the 13-year-old and his friends went on to win the travel-team championship. Now that they are heading off to summer basketball camp, Danny is feeling the pressure of being number one. He plays as well as ever, but he's still the smallest boy on the court and anxiously hoping for a growth spurt. As the story begins, things quickly go wrong for him. He fights with his girlfriend before he leaves; at camp, he's separated from his friends and assigned a berth in the younger boys' cabin. There are many familiar elements and few surprises here, yet Lupica breathes life into both characters and story. Danny is a classic sports-story underdog, but he's also sympathetic and engaging. He is surrounded by a cast of supporting characters who add humor and whose interactions ring true. When Danny befriends Zach, who is a younger version of himself, readers see the protagonist grow in empathy and self-awareness. Sports fans will relish the on-court action, expertly rendered in Lupica's taut prose. This worthy sequel to Travel Team should earn a wide audience.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Moondance Alexander

Damian, M. (2008). Moondance Alexander. DVD, 20th Century Fox.

ASIN: B0012KSUT0
$19.98

Viewer's Annotation: Moondance Alexander isn't well liked by her classmates, but she decides to make an impression by entering a jumping contest with her horse, Checkers.

Summary: Moondance Alexander has an unusual name, an out of date fashion sense, and no luck making friends at school. When summer rolls around, she is determined to find her place in the world. She stumbles upon a pinto pony, whom she names Checkers. When Checkers is reunited with his owners, Moondance offers to work in his stables in exchange for riding lessons. Though Dante the stable owner says Checkers won't get a fair shake at the Bow Valley jumping competition, Moondance enters him anyway and competes against her snooty classmates and their thoroughbred horses.

Genre: movie, horses, family, friends, identity

Series : This movie is not part of a series.

Evaluation: This was a warm, feel-good movie, though the plot was predictable.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Tweens and horses often go together like peanut butter and jelly. Plus, Moondance's struggle to fit in at school will be a familiar tale to the tween audience. Lastly, the whole family can enjoy this movie together, which will make it a hit with parents of tweens.

Watchalikes :

• Flicka
• Nim's Island
  

Other Useful Info:

• Moondance Alexander IMDB page
  

Reviews:
From Parent Previews

Summer's arrival can't come soon enough for Moondance Alexander (Kay Panabaker). The high-spirited freshman just wants to fit in with her classmates. But with an unusual first name, distinct fashion choices and an over exuberance that often results in clumsy behavior, she is more of a target for teasing than anything else.

On the other hand, spending a summer at home with her eccentric, art-teaching mother (Lori Loughlin) has its drawbacks, too. Luckily, Moondance holds down a part time job as a delivery person for Mr. McClancy (James Best), the owner of a horse supply shop who keeps her busy dropping off supplements and other small items to the local ranchers.

It's during one of her runs that she discovers a lost pinto pony on a country road and decides to take him home. Unfortunately her mom is firm about returning Checkers to its rightful owner, the moody and gruff Dante Longpre (Don Johnson). Not to be deterred by the loss, Moondance offers to help Dante care for his animals at the riding stable in exchange for a chance to ride the black and white horse.

Arriving early in the morning, the eager, young stable hand carefully completes all of her responsibilities and slowly begins to earn the respect of the hermit-like Dante. Finally relenting to the girl, he helps Moondance saddle up Checkers and begins teaching her the finer points of riding. Only then does Moondance discover Dante used to be a world-class horse trainer.

Begging him to help her and her new mount prepare for an upcoming jumping event, she wheedles her way into his good graces just far enough to convince him to give it a try. But entering the arena brings back a deluge of bad memories for the man who turns to the bottle to help him forget the past.

However, it soon becomes evident that Moondance and Dante both have something to offer the other. She gives him a reason to engage in life again while the quiet horse owner becomes a calming presence for the girl, teaching her the value of individuality and discipline. Working side by side in anticipation of the Bow River competition, they bring out the best in each other.

While the story line might be as common as horseflies in the barnyard, this film manages to combine stunning cinematography, strong characters and some simple twists to create a fresh, warm-hearted tale for the whole family.

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka

Scieszka, J. (2008). Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka (p. 106). Viking Juvenile.

ISBN:067001138X

$12.99 paperback

Reader's Annotation: Author Jon Sciezka describes growing up one of six brothers, and answers the question "Where do the ideas for your books come from?"

Summary: Jon Scieszka has written many outstanding children's books, including The Stinky Cheese Man and Guys Write for Guys Read (well, he was the editor and contributed to this one.) In Knucklehead, he tells the story of growing up as the second oldest of six boys, in Flint, Michigan. Each chapter is its own story, and they are all between one and three pages long. One story describes the time his older brother tried to sell him his own shirt. Another is about what happens when you pee on an electric heater. They are all hysterical, and full of boyish adventures.

Genre:book, adventure, coming of age, family, nonfiction, siblings

Series : This book is not part of a series.

Evaluation: This book made me laugh out loud, even though I was trying to read it on the sly while I was at my desk working. A great, great, great nonfiction choice for reluctant readers.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Tweens will likely know Jon Scieszka from his pictures books or Guys Write webpage. The idea of growing up with five brothers will be appealing. Most of all, the humor and short, easy chapters will make this a great book to recommend for reluctant readers, and for "biography" or "nonfiction" assignments.

Readalikes :

• Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
  
• Guys Write for Guys Read by Jon Scieszka
  

Other Useful Info:

• Jon Scieszka's Website
• Guys Read Website
  

Reviews:
From School Library Journal ages 9-12
To adults that don’t normally wander through the shelves of children’s literature the notion of the autobiography for kids is a pretty odd beast. You write a book about yourself, sure. But why would you make the primary audience for that book people who think that boogers and farts are the height of wit and sophistication? Fact of the matter is an autobiography written with a child audience in mind needs a hook. Your life, particularly your life as a kid, has to have had something interesting about it. Many of us probably look back on those years only to sigh and determine that absolutely nuthin’ interesting went on back then that would sufficiently engage a ten-year-old. Not Jon Scieszka. You want a hook? Try five brothers. Five brothers and Catholic school. Five brothers and Catholic school and a mess of stories involving bodily functions and super cool (and not so cool) toys. Mr. Scieszka proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that when it comes to recounting your youth, there’s nothing like a plethora of XX chromosomes to keep the readers reading. (read the rest here)

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Jones, D. W. (2001). Howl's Moving Castle (p. 336). Eos.

ISBN: 006441034X

$6.99 paperback

Reader's Annotation: Sophie upsets a witch, who turns her into an old lady, and she seeks help from a wizard to get back to her true form.

Summary: Sophie doesn't expect much excitement in her life, because she is the oldest of her siblings, and interesting things don't happen to oldest siblings. She settles into a life of hat making, while her sisters are apprenticed to more exciting careers. But it is in the hatmaker's shop that Sophie runs into a witch, who, displeased with the service, turns Sophie into an old woman. Sophie cannot tell anyone who she really is, or explain the curse. She leaves the hat shop and ends up at Howl's Moving Castle, the home of the local wizard with an unpleasant reputation. Once there, Sophie makes a deal with the fire demon, that if she will help him, he will change her back. Life at Howl's Castle is unusual, but not unpleasant, and Sophie manages to have several adventures, even though she is the oldest of her sisters.

Genre: book, adventure, coming of age, fairy tale, family, fantasy, fiction, identity, love story, magic, siblings

Series : The sequel to this book is "The Castle in the Air."

Evaluation: A classic sort of fantasy story with an unexpected ending. The middle sections of the book may prove challenging for slower readers, but the payoff at the end is worthwhile.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Robin McKinley has written many fine books with strong girl characters and this is right up there with her classics. Her stories often advocate determined study to solve problems, and trial and error processes. Nobody has told Mirasol how to solve her problems, she has to try different things until she gets it right, and she has to trust her instinct. A good selection for fantasy readers. Also, like other McKinley classics, Chalice is full of animals helping the heroine. Bees and horses in this case.

Readalikes :

• Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
• The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
  
• Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
  

Other Useful Info:

• Diana Wynne Jones' Website
  

Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up Sophie Hatter reads a great deal and soon realizes that as the eldest of three daughters she is doomed to an uninteresting future. She resigns herself to making a living as a hatter and helping her younger sisters prepare to make their fortunes. But adventure seeks her out in the shop where she sits alone, dreaming over her hats. The wicked Witch of the Waste, angered by "competition" in the area, turns her into a old woman, so she seeks refuge inside the strange moving castle of the wizard Howl. Howl, advertised by his apprentice as an eater of souls, lives a mad, frantic life trying to escape the curse the witch has placed on him, find the perfect girl of his dreams and end the contract he and his fire demon have entered. Sophie, against her best instincts and at first unaware of her own powers, falls in love. So goes this intricate, humorous and puzzling tale of fantasy and adventure which should both challenge and involve readers. Jones has created an engaging set of characters and found a new use for many of the appurtenances of fairy talesseven league boots and invisible cloaks, among others. At times, the action becomes so complex that readers may have to go back to see what actually happened, and at the end so many loose ends have to be tied up at once that it's dizzying. Yet Jones' inventiveness never fails, and her conclusion is infinitely satisfying.

Nintendo Power

Nintendo Power. Future US, Inc.

ISSN: 1041-9551

Price :$59.88 for 12 issues

Reader's Annotation: Everything Nintendo! Game tips, insider information, game previews and reviews.

Summary: Not many surprises in Nintendo Power...it's video games, video games, video games. Reviews and previews, tips and tricks, ads and commentary, and plenty of screen shots grace it's pages. There are some interviews with video game creators, and a small section at the end called "Community" that talks about folks who like to play video games. There isn't much content designed to make you think about things other than video games, but if you like video games, then you'll probably enjoy this magazine.

Genre: magazine, video games

Series : --

Evaluation: This is certainly not a magazine I'd ever pick up and read (no hairstyle tips) but then I'm not a video game fan. However, the writing is solid, if not challenging, and for kids who like video games, this would provide incentive to read. There are plenty of ads in this magazine, but then that is to be expected. Adults should be aware that the magazine doesn't limit itself to covering games of a particular rating, but it does seem like Nintendo is shooting for a tween audience.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Tweens like magazines, and many like video games. What could be a better fit than a magazine about video games?

Readalikes :

• Electronic Gaming Monthly (for older tweens)
  
• Tips and Tricks (for older tweens)
  

Other Useful Info:

• Nintendo Power Website

Reviews:

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Chalice by Robin McKinley

McKinley, R. (2008). Chalice (p. 272). Putnam Juvenile.

ISBN: 0399246762

$18.99 hardback

Reader's Annotation: An untrained Chalice and a barely human Master must work together to save their land from a determined Overlord who would rule in their place.

Summary: Mirasol has been made the Chalice of Willowlands, though her previous life has only prepared her for beekeeping and woodscraft. She is deeply connected her land, though, and determined to succeed, though she has no one to tell her how a Chalice's magic should work. To add to her troubles, Willowlands has been badly managed by the previous Master, who died when the previous Chalice died. The new master is an elemental priest, called back to humanity and Willowlands from the burning fires of his order. Though both the Master and Marisol are untrained and lack the confidence of their people, they strive to save Willowlands from being taken over by the Overlord, who would add to his own power by setting up a puppet Master in place of the rightful heir.

Genre: book, fairy tale, fantasy, identity, love story, magic,

Series : This book is not part of a series.

Evaluation: Another great story by Robin McKinley, Chalice is a slow-starter, and heavy on the history and politics of the world of Mirasol the beekeeper. This is a good choice for someone who can stick with a book with plenty of backstory.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Robin McKinley has written many fine books with strong girl characters and this is right up there with her classics. Her stories often advocate determined study to solve problems, and trial and error processes. Nobody has told Mirasol how to solve her problems, she has to try different things until she gets it right, and she has to trust her instinct. A good selection for fantasy readers. Also, like other McKinley classics, Chalice is full of animals helping the heroine. Bees and horses in this case.

Readalikes :

• Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
• The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
  

Other Useful Info:

• Robin McKinley's Website
  

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews

This may not be Innisfree, but Yeats would recognize the "bee-loud glade" within its pages. McKinley's latest depicts vividly a rural world rooted in the earth and its powers-forces that are regulated by the concerted efforts of an estate Master, his Chalice and their Circle of advisors. In this world, the role of the estate Chalice is to provide balance to the earthlines and to bind Master and Circle to serve the land. Mirasol, a beekeeper, has assumed this role on an estate that's been driven to the verge of destruction by its former Master and his weak Chalice-with a new Master who is no longer fully human. McKinley is a master of fantasy writing: Elegant prose and lyrical descriptions capture reader interest while an increasingly tense plot maintains it. Primary characters, especially Mirasol and the new Master, are limned with care. The narrative's climax and resolution are satisfying and not at all pat. This tale will go down with fans like a spoonful of honey while attracting new readers to McKinley's previous works. (Fantasy. 12 & up)