Youth Services Book Review

Illus: Jason Henry
Penguin2009
ISBN: 978-0-525-47960-4
Format: NonFiction
Rating: good
Grade: 4 – 8
Genre: Non-fiction
Count on author Gary Blackwood to incorporate the most intriguing examples of how encoded messages have influenced the course of history in his thorough and entertaining coverage of the development of codes and ciphers. Starting with the earliest known cipher, a piece of pottery from 1500 BCE inscribed with a disguised formula to make a pottery glaze, colorful anecdotes dot the text. In one instance, a coded message told a captured knight how to escape through a secret passage. Another secret message, ironically, was so cryptic that the recipient, thinking it said all was lost, confessed his crimes and was beheaded. Insets provide explicit directions for recreating many of the codes. There are abundant pictures of those who designed and used the codes, as well as many illustrated examples. If only all non-fiction authors met Gary Blackwood’s exemplary standard for providing back matter: a set of Notes on quotes used, an extensive Glossary, Selected Sources, Further Reading, and Index. Grant, a 7th grader, says “It gives you a lot of information, but it presents it in a way so you don’t get bored. It even gives some coded messages to solve. There are examples you can copy and cut out. After this book you will never look at unknown symbols the same way.”
Reviewer: Mary Melaugh
LibraryCity: Marshall Middle / Billerica, MA
Reviewdate: 3/1/10

RandomHouse2009
ISBN: 978-0-375-85595-5
Format: Fiction
Rating: good
Grade: 5 – 8
Genre: Action, Suspense
Twelve-year-old Daniel and his family have moved to Noble’s Green, the “safest town in America”, to take care of his Gram there. Daniel notices that some of the other children seem different. Soon, he discovers their secret — they have superpowers, like turning invisible or flying, and even one bully with a powerful stench. These children are the ones keeping the town so safe. Sadly, they each will lose their powers on the day they turn thirteen as children have been doing for the past 70 years. Daniel, whose hero is Sherlock Holmes, sets his sights on solving the puzzle of how they are robbed of their powers. The trail leads to a set of comic books written years earlier, a good guy named Johnny Noble, and a super-villain. As in real superhero comics, the ending brings success to the true heroes and justice to villains. However, a small loose end leaves a sense of foreboding and a suspicion that additional stories may be forthcoming. This action-filled novel will appeal to those who love superhero comics and anyone who ever wished for superpowers.
Reviewer: Mary Melaugh
LibraryCity: Marshall Middle / Billerica, MA
Reviewdate: 2/28/10

Illus: Neal Layton
Just the Right Size: Why Big Animals Are Big and Little Animals Are Little
Candlewick2009
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3924-2
Format: NonFiction
Rating: good
Grade: 4 – 7
Genre: Non-fiction, Science
This diminutive book (6″x10″) addresses an interesting scientific concept. It turns out that a geometry-based rule, nicknamed the Big Thing Little Thing Rule or BTLT by the author, strictly controls what the bodies of organisms can and cannot do. BTLT says that if you double the length of something, its surface area and cross section go up four times while its volume and weight go up eight times. For those unclear on how that rule has influenced the development of organisms, Davies provides ample illustration. One clear result — giant bugs are literally impossible because their structure cannot be supported past a certain size. Their legs would snap off and their bodies would cave in from the additional weight they’d carry if they doubled in size. On the other hand, small creatures can often accomplish feats worthy of a superhero, like rhinoceros beetles that can lift 850 times their own weight. Humans would snap off their arms if they tried the same thing. Whimsical line drawings by Neal Layton illustrate the rule in a way that even those who are math-phobic will understand. The irreverent tone and delightful comic illustrations contribute to an accurate, fun science book. Deceptively simple text explains concepts clearly and succinctly. Includes index and glossary.
Reviewer: Mary Melaugh
LibraryCity: Marshall Middle / Billerica, MA
Reviewdate: 2/27/10

Orca2008
ISBN: 9781551439532
Format: Fiction Paperback
Rating: good
Grade: 8-11
Paul Yee is a Canadian with Chinese heritage. He has written several books about the Chinese experience in Canada. In this Orca Soundings Series title Mr. Yee writes about a recent immigrant, Jason, who feels completely alienated from his Canadian surroundings. He hates being different. His mother and much younger brother embarrass him in public. He falls in with the “wrong” crowd and gets caught buying marijuana from The Man. Among this group of new friends is “The Chief” a member of the “first nations” who are also on the outside in this community. Through a growing friendship with The Chief, Jason learns that there are many ways to be outside the mainstream. The climax to the story has some scary moments and the resolution isn’t “happily ever after,” but it has some hope. I would recommend this title to reluctant readers especially those who have difficulty reading. The reading level is listed as 3.4.
Reviewer: Mary Saunders
LibraryCity: Gloucester High School Library, Gloucester
Reviewdate: Mar. 1, 2010

Orca2008
ISBN: 9781554690473
Format: Fiction Paperback
Rating: good
Grade: 7-11
Genre: sports
Maverick Mania starts when Caleb, the star player of a soccer team goes missing and his best friend, Matt, sets out to solve the mystery. Matt discovers that Caleb’s family is not what it seems. Matt risks drowning along with his friend as he struggles to free him in a thrilling rescue on the lake. This title is in the Orca Sports series for reluctant and unskilled readers. The reading level is listed as 4.1. The story moves along briskly as Matt gets some help from friends and his parents. He takes some dangerous risks, the description of which, should keep young readers engaged. I recommend this book for middle and high school libraries where students who would ordinarily not be choosing books are required to make a selection.
Reviewer: Mary Saunders
LibraryCity: Gloucester High School Library, Gloucester
Reviewdate: Mar. 1, 2010