THE YOUNG ELITES, by Marie Lu

The story: Blood fever has swept through the land of Kenettra, killing it adult victims, and scarring the children "lucky" enough to live. Ever more frightening are the dark powers possessed by some of the survivors: the Young Elites, marked by disease and gifted with strange and remarkable abilities. Now the government has sworn to rid the country of these powerful, shadowy figures--just as the hideously-scarred Adelina comes to recognize that she possesses powers which can either get her killed...or allow her to do the killing.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence R; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity PG; substance abuse PG; magic & the occult R; GLBT content PG; adult themes (murder committed by teens; abusive relationships; exceptionally dark subject matter) R; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: This story, obviously a series opener, is quite different from the "Legend" series in that it's fantasy rather than dystopian and the main character has magical rather than technological or intellectual powers. Lu is a skillful world builder, but the story is so dark and violent, and the heroine driven so much by rage and hate, that it became kind of a slog to get done with it. There's not a single moment of comic relief--in fact, everything that happens is so dark that it seems like the whole story takes place at night. This one, even though there's not a single "F" word in it, is going up to the high school: too many murders committed by teens (wronged or not), too much violence, too much ugliness. It should have been rated 9th-up by one and all.

ATLANTIA, by Ally Condie

The story: After the Divide, humans live both below and above the sea. Rio lives Below, where she hides a deadly secret: she is a Siren, someone who can use her voice to influence other people's actions--even against their wills. Devastated when her twin sister chooses to live Above, Rio begins to question their mother's death, her city's government, and the circumstances that will force her to spend the rest of her life Below. And the more she finds out...the more dangerous her life becomes. Will the truth ultimately kill her?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; magic and the occult PG; substance abuse PG; adult themes PG (death of a parent, political conspiracies) PG; overall rating PG (although I would recommend it for older readers; it requires a little too much thinking for the average 6th grader).

Liz's comments: I really liked this one, and was surprised when it resolved neatly at the end--a stand-alone book, and not the first in a trilogy. I even felt a little bit sad about that (although in general, I find the trend for everything to be a trilogy just a little irksome)! Condie's writing is strong, and her world-building is interesting and thought-provoking.

The Good Girls Revolt

In 1970, a group of women, mostly employed as researchers and fact checkers at Newsweek magazine, filed a lawsuit against the publication for gender discrimination on the same day Newsweek ran a cover story entitled, “Women in Revolt.”  The Good Girls Revolt tells the story of the brave women who risked their futures to make the workplace fairer.  The Newsweek suit was the first class-action suit brought by women, it was also the first by women journalists;  the Newsweek suit would be followed by others at Time, The New York Times, and Reader’s Digest. 

Results were good for some of the women, and less so for others, but many of them recall this as a defining moment in their lives.  They stood up for themselves and the fact that they were being institutionally discriminated against because they were women.  They had the same Ivy League educations and the same writing credentials as the men, and yet they were never going to advance beyond researcher at Newsweek.  In some cases they were told this in no uncertain terms.  Often, women of the sixties accepted this type of treatment as “just the way things were.”  But after the civil rights act was passed including a provision which outlawed sex discrimination, Judy Gingold started attending a conscientious raising group, where she had an “aha” moment that would make all the difference. 

These were not angry, man-hating, bra-burning, feminists.  They were nice girls who had labored under the illusion that hard work and achievement would get them where they wanted to go.  Once they realized those things would never be enough, they decided to do something to change the system. 

I wish every woman under thirty would read this book for two big reasons.  First, they would realize the debt they owe to the women who came before them.  Sometimes, it is tempting to think that the way things are is the way they have always been.  Reading about the real women who put their real reputations on the line to help others might give a little perspective to modern young women.  Second, young women might be less inclined towards apathy.  Women have yet to attain real equality.  It is true that great strides have been made, but as long as women are undervalued and over-sexualized, there is no equality.

An excellent choice for those interested in civil rights, history, or women's issues.

June's Rating System:

Language--PG;  Sexual Content--R There are numerous instances of sexual harassment and innuendo in the office.  Office affairs are also discussed.  Drug Use/Abuse--PG13  There are some instances where pot smoking is mentioned.  It was the seventies.  Adult Themes--PG13.

Robin's Comments:  

Reviewed as an adult book, I would be comfortable giving this to high school students.  I probably wouldn't recommend it to students below ninth grade due to some sexual content and some mention of drug use and suicide.  As I stated above, I do think this is an excellent choice for older students. It tells a story that needs to be heard. 

THE IRON TRIAL (Magisterium #1) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

The story: When most kids hear "magical", they think of something special. Not Callum Hunt--he thinks of the power that killed his mother, and that's now taking him away from his dad. He tries his hardest to flunk the magical test waiting for him at the Magisterium, but he can't do it. There's a power deep inside him waiting to come out--but is it for good, or for evil?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; sexual content G; nudity G; magical and the occult PG-13; substance abuse PG; adult themes (death of a parent; betrayal) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: As a fantasy fan, I enjoyed this story, but it does occur to me that that yet another kid sent to a magical school to discover powers about which he knows nothing is not exactly new territory. However, the Magisterium is a cool underground world, Callum doesn't know who he can trust, and isn't even sure whether he'll turn out to be the good guy in his own story. What's a boy to do--except maybe shoot some fire bolts, steal a lizard, and make sure not to say anything to any adult who might be able to keep him from doing something crazy?

THE FAMILY ROMANOV, by Candace Fleming

The story: This is the true story of the fate of the last Tsar of Russia and the terrible times in which he lived: times when peasants, oppressed by the rich and driven to desperation by starvation and ill use, turned their society upside down and literally destroyed it.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual Content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; magic and the occult PG; adult themes (oppressive societies & their behaviors) PG; Overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Despite its PG rating, this is not a book for middle-school students. Its well-written prose is very fact-heavy, and Fleming spends a good deal of necessary time setting up the political background of Russia and its Tsar at the turn of the 20th century. All but the most historically-interested MS kids will have bailed by page 20 (the book is reviewed for high school for this reason). I found it very interesting, but not exactly fast moving.

CATALYST, by S.J. Kincaid

The story: In the final book of the awesome "Insignia" trilogy, Tom Raines goes man-to-man against Vengerov, the evil chairman of Obsidian Corp who's planning to take over the world by sneaking neural processors into EVERYONE'S brain. Vengerov has thought up the perfect way to defeat Tom, and it's up to the one person Tom never expected to trust to help him beat the bad guys and change the world in unimaginable ways. Can Tom Raines the Nobody actually be the one destined to bring down the corrupt world of the multi-nationals and start it over with something shiny?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence R; Sexual content PG; nudity PG; substance abuse PG-13; magic and the occult G; adult themes (abandonment, war, torture, killing, plans for world domination) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Here's a really great science-fiction series for 8th-up (or really good 7th grade readers of the sci-fi persuasion). The final book focuses more specifically on Tom, and much less on his friends, as our hero tries to find out who's stolen his secret identity as "The Ghost in the Machine" and is now using it for evil, and on Tom's figuring out his relationships with Blackburn and Vengerov (and of course, Medusa). Tom's friends, especially Vik, seem sadly absent, but Kincaid is on a mission here, and she accomplishes it nicely.

STORM (SYLO Chronicles #2), by D.J. MacHale

The story: It's the US Navy (also known as SYLO) against the "Retros": an unseen enemy that's taken over the Air Force, obliterated 3/4 of the people on the planet, and started what seems to be a second Civil War. On their own, with the RETROs' deadly black fighters on their trail, Tucker, Tori, Olivia and Kent start a frantic cross-country journey to find and get their revenge on whoever's behind all this. But first they have to face betrayal from within...

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence R; Sexual Content PG; Nudity PG-13; Substance Abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (genocide, murder, death of a close friend) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Another second-of-three volume that spends most of its time incrementally moving the story forward without actually coming to a resolution. Still, there's lots going on here that will keep readers (especially boys) engaged, which is something to cheer all by itself!

UNDIVIDED, by Neal Shusterman

The story: It's been two years since Connor, Lev, and Risa met while on their way to being "unwound"--their broken society's answer with what to do with problem teens (cut them up into individual parts and transplant all the bits and pieces into other people who need medical replacements--yikes!). Camus Comprix is also dealing with the ultimate challenge of his short life...and there's always a stray parts dealer, like Argent Skinner or Jasper Nelson, trying to make a buck on the unsuspecting kid out alone a little too late at night. Will Sonia Rheinschild's 3D organ printer ever see the light of day, and bring an end to the messed-up society that kills its own young?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence R; Sexual Content PG; Nudity PG; substance Abuse PG; magic and the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (feral teens, euthanasia, parental abandonment) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: This is the fourth book in what was originally planned as a trilogy. I'm not sure how Shusterman could have crammed everything into three books, but he might have been better off doing so, anyway: this whole volume had the feeling of tying up the loose ends, without much new to think about. Yeah, you were wondering about what happened to everyone, but it seems like there was 100 pages' worth of closure mixed in with 300 pages' worth of extraneous stuff to make up the page count. (Or, there's always the suspicion that it was just about making the money off the extra, not-quite needed last volume.) Still, a must-read if you've made it through the first three!

FOUND (Mickey Bolitar #3), by Harlan Coben

The story: Mickey is convinced that his father is alive, although he saw him buried eight months ago. Ema the goth girl has a new online boyfriend, leaving Mickey feeling oddly left out--until the guy disappears. Spoon is still in the hospital, paralyzed from the waist down. Someone's dealing steroids in town, Mickey's mom is still in rehab, and there's the on-going mystery of the Bat Lady and the Abeona shelter lurking in the background. Will Mickey ever find the "normal" life he was looking for when his family moved to Kasseltown?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Sbstance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent, bullying, steroid use) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's opinion: This is probably my favorite on-going YA mystery series, especially so because it appeals strongly to boys. Mickey's voice is spot-on, he's a basketball player, and he wrestles with issues that resonate with boys (most books don't). Additionally, there's always something unexpected waiting around the corner for Mickey and his group of friends. Not only that, this volume offers a satisfying resolution to one of the series' longest-running problems. Gotta like it!

BALANCE KEEPERS #1: THE FIRES OF CALDERON, by Lindsay Cummings

The story: Albert, Birdie and Leroy discover they're all Balance Keepers, a mysterious group that lives at The Core and fights to keep the Earth in Balance. There's some serious training to do before they can tackle the Imbalance that threatens Calderon (one of the three Realms that exist under the surface of our Earth that most humans recognize) but time is running out, and when it does, New York City is the first thing to go down--and take Albert's family with it. Can Albert's Master Tile give the team the extra push that will take them to the top?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language: G; Violence PG; Sexual Content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; magic and the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's opinion: A fantasy series for tween readers, aimed squarely at grades 4-6. Fans of Lisa McMann's "Unwanteds" will like this one too. Although it moves briskly and keeps the reader engaged on that level, Cummings doesn't invest enough time in world building, so it's hard to imagine the underground realms, or even The Core, where the kids train to fight. Additionally, the bullying by the Argon team seems contrived--more like a plot device to take up space by throwing obstacles in the way than anything else. The book has a good premise, though, and one can hope the series will get a little more sophisticated as the kids get older (they're already due for a go-back on their next summer vacation).

INHUMAN, by Kat Falls

The story: Lane McEvoy thinks she's safe on her side of the Feral Zone--until her father goes missing and Lane finds out the secret behind his job as an "art dealer": Mac goes into the disease zone and risks infection to bring back art for the highest bidder. Given an ultimatum, Lane knows she must find her father...but she also knows that crossing into the Feral Zone can mean disease, mutation, death. Can she do it? Alone, it would be suicide, but she finds unexpected allies in Everson and Rafe, boys from opposite sides of the line who both want something from her. Does she dare? One wrong step, and something worse than death awaits: something...inhuman.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language: PG-13; Violence R; Sexual content PG; Nudity PG; Magic and the occult G;
Substance Abuse PG; GLBT Content G; Adult Themes PG (pandemics); overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Here's a standout in a world awash with dystopian YA fiction. Even for someone who's pretty tired of the "end of the world as we know it" approach to YA books, there's a lot to like in this one. Falls's prose is fast paced, her world-building is convincing, and the thought of a huge wall along the banks of the Mississippi, dividing east from west, diseased from disease-free, makes complete sense in this world. As in all YA fiction, there's plenty of violence here, but that's pretty much the norm for societies where polite civilization has broken down. Both guys and girls will like this one--and grown-ups too!

BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE, by Maggie Stiefvater

The story: Blue and the Raven Boys are still searching for Owen Glendower, but it's becoming obvious they're not the only ones...and that the others are richer, more powerful, and far more ruthless than they are. Then all of a sudden, the search gets far more personal for Blue: her mother has disappeared, and Blue realizes that if they find the sleeping King, they'll find Maura too. And if they don't--both may remain underground and lost forever.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R (possibly "X"--it's really exceptionally bad); Violence R; Sexual Content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic and the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (demonic possession, domestic violence) PG-13; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: While I'm fascinated by this series, I have to say that it is absolutely not for readers below grade 8. The language, while pretty much confined to Ronan's character and used as a reflection of it, is nonetheless awful (it's the concentration as well as the content); plus, all of the creepy and suspenseful moments are magic-related, so if you thought Harry Potter was the devil's spawn, you'll have issues here too. The bottom line is that if you've read the first two books in the series and been undisturbed by them, you'll be fine with book 3 as well; if you haven't read the first two, go back to "The Raven Boys" and start there, because this is not a stand-alone volume, no matter how you feel about the language and the magic.

THE RULE OF THOUGHTS, by James Dashner

The story: Everything has changed: Michael, formerly nothing but a line of code in a sophisticated virtual reality game, now inhabits a stolen body and meets his real-world friends Sarah and Bryson for the first time. Far from being grateful to Kane, the mastermind who brought him here, he's determined to bring him down. But doing that will mean going back into the world of VirtNet--only this time, he can die for real.

June Cleaver’s ratings: Language PG-13; Nudity G; Sexual Content G; Violence PG-13; Substance Abuse PG; Magic & the Occult G; GLBT Content G; Adult Themes PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Again, this is a book for kids who understand the lingo and logic of computer games (and maybe for movie makers who could bring it alive for the rest of us). Although I thought Michael's reactions to being human were very interesting, once they went back into the VirtNet, the breakneck pace of everything oddly made the story somewhat less compelling. Definitely a "second of three" book.

DON'T LOOK NOW, by Michelle Gagnon

The story: Still on the run, Noa and Peter find themselves on opposite ends of the country, but still in Persephone's crosshairs--and one wrong step will be their last. They're racing to find the cure for PEMA, a disease that attacks and kills teens, and to bring down the evil corporation that manufactured the epidemic in the first place. But as good as they are, there are hackers working for the bad guys who are every bit as good. So the real question is...when they find the answers they're looking for, will the killers in black ski masks be there waiting for them?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence R; Sexual Content PG; Nudity PG; magic and the occult G; substance abuse PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (corporate espionage and mayhem); overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Definitely a second-of-three book, this one still has plenty going on to keep the reader engaged (as long as he/she read the first one). Not a stand-alone story! Read the series in order, staring with "Don't Turn Around", then this one, and finally "Don't Let Go".

THE HANGMAN'S REVOLUTION (W.A.R.P. Book 2), by Eoin Colfer

The story: Riley and Chevie are back, but there are complications: on her return from Victorian London, Chevie finds herself in the wrong world--a world where an evil plan hatched by WARP agents in 1890s London brought a brutal regime to power, a government that controls everything a hundred years later. Can two kids figure out what happened and prevent it? Possibly--but it'll take some help from the Battering Rams and their king, Otto Malarkey...which could easily end up making everything worse!

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence R; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; magic and the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (brutal dictatorships) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Here's another in a long line of sequels that didn't turn out quite as well as the original. Riley and Chevie are operating in their separate worlds for a long time before being reunited, and the story finally gets around to being good once that happens. Once again, there's a lot of violent action here, so those who are opposed to the idea of a gang-style massacre with weapons imported from the future will need to look elsewhere!

THE WHISPERING SKULL, by Jonathan Stroud

The story: When a haunted relic is unearthed in a local cemetery, it's business as usual for Lockwood & Company...at first. But when the thieves who steal it from the coffin end up quite literally scared to death, it's up to agents Lockwood, George and Lucy to track it down before anyone else looks into the mirror, goes insane, and ends up dead. Can they trust the clues only Lucy can hear coming from the whispering skull?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language: PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance Abuse PG; magic and the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (murder, possession by demons) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I really liked the first volume in this series (The Screaming Staircase) and also enjoyed this one, although maybe not as much. On the plus side, the author didn't have to spend as much time on world-building as he did in volume 1, so this one is perhaps a little more accessible to the casual reader. Conveniently, there's a glossary in the back in case anyone gets too confused by the arcane ghostly terminology. Ghostly and creepy, and not for the faint of heart! (But also not enough to give you too many bad dreams, either.)

FLORA AND ULYSSES, by Kate DiCamillo

The story: Flora is horrified when her neighbor, Tootie Tickham, accidentally sucks a squirrel into her vacuum cleaner. But things get even weirder when it turns out that the squirrel's near-death experience has changed him--no longer is he just a food-seeking rodent. Now, he's a thinking, feeling, poetry-writing, food-seeking rodent. This is the story of Flora's attempt to keep Ulysses safe from his arch-nemesis (also known as Flora's mother). Good thing Flora's read all those comic books so she knows exactly what to do...most of the time!

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; magic and the occult PG (a squirrel develops super powers...not sure WHAT category that belongs in!); GLBT content G; adult themes (divorce; doing away with unwanted animals) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Yes, I know everyone else thought this was charming, and I KNOW it won the Newbery Award...but I am so opposed to varmints in general, and squirrels in particular, that I found myself identifying more with the arch-nemesis in this story than with the heroine. It's interesting how the Newbery Award has changed since the advent of the Printz award--it used to be that Newberys would frequently have wide appeal to MS audiences; now they seem to skew to upper ES grades instead. This one would make a good read-aloud, even for first & second graders. Anyone who remembers being a fan of comic books as a kid (or currently!) or who likes cute little furry animals in general, would probably like this one better than I did!

WE WERE LIARS, by E. Lockhart

The story: Cady and her cousins are rich, pampered, maybe even spoiled. But in their 15th summer of living on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts, they come to find out with disturbing finality that bad things...terrible things...can happen even to people who thought they were safe from the stuff that happen to regular people. And now, struggling with a head wound and amnesia, Cady comes back to the island to try to find the answers to how everything went so tragically wrong.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; sexual content PG; violence PG; nudity PG; substance abuse PG-13; magic and the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes PG-13 (divorce, infidelity, manslaughter, entitlement-related bad behavior) PG-13; overall rating PG-13, although the "F" word is used at least 20 times in the book, so if that makes it an automatic "R" in your mind, adjust accordingly!

Liz's comments: I thought this was an interesting look at how the entitled few live (some of them not very successfully!), and Cady's misery throughout makes you really feel for her. However, I am one of those people who are bugged by excessive use of the "F" word, and I felt it really didn't add to the story--losing its shock value each successive time it was used, and bringing to mind the adage about the bankrupt intellect. Additionally, I felt rather betrayed to find out, in the final few pages, that this was actually a GHOST story! Cheap! Hence my 3-star rating when it appears that the book is getting a solid 4-1/2 stars from most.

A CORNER OF WHITE, by Jaclyn Moriarty

The story: Madeleine and Elliot live in different worlds--literally. She lives in England; he lives in an alternative dimension in a place called the Kingdom of Cello. The two worlds are connected by a crack...in a parking meter. Madeleine starts out disbelieving that anything Elliot says about his world is true--but ends up believing he can save her mother's life. The only problem--will he be able to do it in time?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG; Sexual Content PG; Nudity, G; substance abuse PG; magic and the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (parents with terminal illness and substance abuse issues; kidnapping) PG; overall rating PG-13. Note: this rating is based on the overall difficulty of getting drawn into the story, and not on any of the usual categories.

Liz's comments: I ended up really liking this story, but I think there are very few middle school girls who will have the patience to stick with it to the place where it gets interesting. There's also the added disadvantage of "English speak"--the British way of putting things that can be confusing for the less-savvy American reader. This one is for girls only, and even then, it's for patient readers who don't mind waiting a while to figure out what's going on.

SO CLOSE TO YOU, by Rachel Carter

The story: All her life, Lydia has heard stories about the mysterious "Montauk Project", headquartered on their island during World War II. Her grandfather is not only convinced that the stories are true, but he's sure the Project had something to do with his father's disappearance during the War. Lydia is NOT a believer when Grandpa starts talking about the Project...until she herself becomes an experiment in it. Now, stuck nearly 70 years in past, Lydia has to figure out how to save her great-grandfather--and how to get home. If she gets it wrong, he'll be dead...and she'll be stranded for good.

June Cleaver's rating: Language: PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual Content PG; Nudity G; magic and the occult G; substance abuse PG; GLBT content G; adult themes PG; Overall rating PG.

Liz' comments: This is really a historical romance disguised as a time-travel novel. I thought it dragged in places, but it did have an interesting twist at the end that would make someone who'd hung in until then be interested in moving on to the second novel. Hand this to girls who like science fiction--small though that group may be!

ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY, by Chris Grabenstein

The story: Would being stuck in a library, unable to leave unless you found a secret escape route, be your fondest dream or your worst nightmare? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you were trapped in Mr. Lemoncello's library: he's the most famous game maker in the world, and the pathway to escape is like a huge video game being played in real time. Levels! Challenges! Pitfalls! The winner will find fame and fortune, while the loser...goes home a loser. Will snotty Charles Chiltington be that winner, or regular guy Kyle Keeley? Find out when you read this really fun puzzle of a book.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G, Violence G; Sexual content, G; Nudity G; magic and the occult G; substance abuse G; GLBT content G; adult themes G; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Don't think that a book with an overall rating of G will be flat and boring. Not true! This is a clever, fun-filled run through the library with lots of book-related humor that adults will get (kind of like those wink-wink jokes in Disney films that kids don't get until years later). Okay, so maybe I'm prejudiced because it takes place in a LIBRARY, but this library is kind of like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory: unlike the regular version in just about every way...except it still uses the Dewey decimal system!

SYLO, by D.J. MacHale

The story: Everything is peaceful on sleepy Pemberwick Island until the day the tailback drops dead on the field and the sky blows up. Tucker and his best friend Quinn have a talent for being in the right places (or arguably, the wrong places!) to see mysterious events unfolding around the arrival of SYLO--an unknown branch of the US Navy that invades their peaceful island off the coast of Maine and changes their lives forever. Nothing is as it seems, and it's only going to get worse from here.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; nudity G; magic and the occult G; substance abuse PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (murder, parental betrayal) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: This is a fast-moving sci-fi thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The only drawback is that there isn't even a hint of a conclusion at the end--maybe the kind of book you want to wait to read until the series is complete so you can start with book 1 and move through to the end without waiting for the next installment!

THE CHAOS OF STARS, by Kiersten White

The story: Isadora is the mortal daughter of Osiris and Isis, ancient Egyptian gods of great power. So why does life in Egypt stink? Turns out that even immortals have trouble with their teens. When her parents unexpectedly send her to visit her brother in southern California, things start to look up--especially when Isadora meets oh-so-hunky Ry (aka Orion). What could go wrong? Oh wait…except the part where her half-brother Anubis is planning to overthrow the world of the dead, including Osiris…

June Cleaver's rating: language PG; violence PG; sexual content PG; nudity PG; substance abuse PG; magic and the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (mythological seduction) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: This was a fluffy story that eventually ended, and thankfully there doesn't seem to be a need for a sequel. I found Isadora's rather over-the-top anger toward her mother (for what to me was a "deal with it" issue) tiresome after a while; and the eventual reveal of Ry as also the son of Greek gods was not in any way a surprise. Additionally, it was really hard to suspend disbelief of her turning darling-and-sincere Ry down time after time (I don't even think MS girls will buy into that, because the author does a pretty good job of making him seem perfect). Girls looking for a high-school romance with no demands on the part of the reader will find a fit here.

PRE-PUB REVIEW: Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Cracklin' Cornbread by Mary Jane Hathaway

This lighthearted romance is probably intended for the “New Adult” group, but I found it a lot of fun and I could recommend it for Young Adults who would prefer a romance novel with all the humor and struggle and without the explicit sex.  Ms. Hathaway leans a little too heavily perhaps on a love of Jane Austen as a plot device, but her homage to Austen’s Persuasion provides the reader with the requisite hero and heroine for whom to cheer and the villain to hiss, although he is perhaps not as villainous as Mr. William Elliot. Lucy and Jem dated in high school and were deeply in love.  Lucy’s family were wealthy and influential and Lucy’s aunt convinced her to break it off before they went to college. (Sound familiar?)  After ten years apart, they are brought back together.  Jem is now a successful doctor and Lucy’s father has spent the Crawford family into the poorhouse.  Though neither knows it, both are still carrying the torch.  It is great fun to watch them suffer their way through figuring out that each still loves the other.  This time, Lucy vows that she will not let her family tear them apart, etc.  You get the idea.  A light, fun, fast read for someone who enjoys a clean romance.  I have to hand it to Ms. Hathaway for managing to inject tension into the story without resorting to sex scenes.

This book is set to be published November 11, 2014

 

June’s Rating System:

Language—G;   Nudity—G;  Sexual Content—G; GLBT Content—G;  Violence—PG; Adult Themes—PG

Robin’s Comments:

I would probably give this one only to High School just because the characters are older and therefore more likely to appeal to HS students. 

TOWERING, by Alex Flinn

The story: A girl waits in a tower for a handsome stranger to come rescue her. He hears a voice that guides him to the spot and uses her hair to climb up to where she waits? Sound familiar? But wait--when did that handsome prince ever drive a car? Or have a cell phone? And when was the witch ever actually trying to keep Rapunzel safe? See if the young lovers will find a happy ending when you read "Towering."

June Cleaver's rating: Language PG-13; violence PG; Sexual content PG; nudity PG; magic and the occult PG; substance abuse PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (kidnapping, murder, abusive relationships, teen pregnancy, human trafficking and implied seduction) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I've liked Alex Flinn's other fairy tale remakes in the past, and this one didn't disappoint. She skillfully hides the identity of the person holding Rachel captive; and each little piece of the mystery falls into place at just the right time. The source of the evil brothers' magic is not explained well enough, and it's kind of a far stretch that any modern-day person would keep a girl locked up in a tower to keep her safe, but if you can willfully suspend disbelief on these elements, this is a story any girl looking for a handsome prince and a happy ending would embrace.

PEGASUS: FLAME OF OLYMPUS, by Kate O'Hearn

The story: Olympus is at war, under siege by the mindlessly destructive Nirads. This has direct consequences for New York City, where the lightning bolts of the gods have turned into the storm of the century. Even more amazing for Emily is finding, in the wake of the storm, that a horse has crash landed on the roof of her Manhattan apartment--and not just any horse: it's Pegasus, barely escaped from Olympus, sent on a mission by Jupiter himself. But the horse is badly wounded, and the alien-detection department of the government is determined to capture him and make sure he never sees the light of day again. It's up to Emily to outwit the bad guys (both human and Olympian)and make sure Pegasus makes it back...even if she has to sacrifice herself to make it happen.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; violence PG; sexual content G; nudity G; magic and the occult PG-13; substance abuse PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent, separation from family) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: This is a well-written fantasy featuring a spunky girl, a reluctant guy sidekick, a secret, evil branch of the government, and of course, every girl's dream horse: Pegasus himself. Hand this to your fantasy lovers, your horse lovers, and to the occasional MS guy fantasy lover who isn't too squeamish to read a story with a girl as the main character.

I FUNNY, by Jame Patterson

The story: Jamie Grimm has a lemon of a life. He's had to move in (permanently) with his aunt and uncle, his cousin Stevie bullies him without ceasing, and he's stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But Jamie keeps turning those lemons into lemonade, and with a little help from his friends, he might just turn out to be the funniest kid on the planet--or at least, in the state of New York!

June Cleaver's rating: Language G; Violence G; Nudity G; Sexual content G; magic and the occult G; substance abuse G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of parents, disability) PG; overall rating: G.

Liz's comments: Here's a fun story that also has a moral (which kids may just have to absorb without noticing, depending on how hard they're laughing): work hard if you want to succeed. Yes, natural talent is good, but hard work is good too--and it's also a tonic for making it through your pain. Jamie is a non-whining hero who uses a crummy situation (non-emotionally-supportive adoptive family, bullying, unexpected disability, and the deaths of his immediate family a year ago) to help him crank out the funny stuff. You'll cheer for Jamie every step of the way...even through the booger jokes!

THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM, by Christopher Healy

The story: four Princes Charming from four separate fairy tales decide they've had enough: enough of just being the handsome face, enough of being the muscle that gets the beautiful princess out of her dilemma, ENOUGH of not even getting their names mentioned when the song comes out! Almost by accident, the guys start off on their own adventure--where they fight a dragon, face down a giant, rescue the bards, and take care of the evil witch once and for all--with only a little help from the girls. This time, their names will be in the song for sure!

June Cleaver's ratings: language G; Violence PG; Nudity G; Sexual content G; magic and the occult, PG; substance abuse PG; GLBT content G; adult themes G; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: this was a fun and funny story told completely from the princes' eye view--now that's a switch! Sadly, because most of the princes don't act in a typically "manly" fashion anyway, I'm not sure this is one that MS boys will pick up (possibly very good boy readers in grades 5-6)...so steer it to girl readers, who generally don't have trouble reading stories about guys anyway. There's plenty of action and adventure, and the princes get the un-fairy-tale-like taste of what it feels like to fail in areas where they've usually been a star--and to embrace the ways that non-fighters can also occasionally bring an adventure to an acceptable comclusion!

JOSHUA DREAD, by Lee Bacon

The story: Joshua Dread's parents have super powers, but that doesn't make them superheroes. In fact, they're just the opposite--super villains. Joshua's own super powers are beginning to become obvious--so he recognizes the ability in a new girl at school…only to discover that her father, Captain Justice, is the Dread Duo's archenemy! Just because their parents are enemies--are Joshua and Sophie bound to be enemies as well? And what if the most devilish criminal of all requires the work of BOTH heroes and villains to defeat him?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; sexual content G; nudity G; magic and the occult (do super powers fit here?) PG; GLBT content G; adult themes PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Here's a funny, action-packed story that both boys and girls will like if they're looking for something with both adventure and a spot-on middle school voice.

TEXAS GOTHIC, by Rosemary Clement-Moore

The story: Amy Goodnight walks a fine line between the ordinary and the occult. Her family does more than just dabble in magic--but Amy wants to be normal, and to accomplish that, there's a lot she keeps hidden from those around her. It all works well enough until she accidentally promises a ghost to find his bones and lay him to rest--little does she know that there are others who will do just about anything to prevent that from happening. They're even willing to kill. Lucky for her, even though handsome Ben McCulloch drives her crazy, he generally happens to be around when the bad guys make a move. Wait--luck? Or…magic?

June Cleaver's rating: Language: R, Violence PG-13; Sexual Content PG-13; Nudity PG-13; Magic and the occult PG13; substance abuse PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I really liked this one, by homegrown Texas author Moore. It had some good creepy parts, but nothing horrifying or gruesome. Amy is a spunky heroine with a kooky but likable family; she's also smart, on her way to college, and not one to just fall for a pretty face. (Although that doesn't hurt either!)

Classic June: THE GIVER, by Lois Lowry

The story: Jonas lives in a world that is safe, well ordered, and predictable. Everyone does a job they like, everyone is polite, and there's no suffering, crime, or war. Why would anyone want to escape from such a place? Especially if they didn't know there was any other choice. Because that's another thing they don't have in Jonas's world: a choice. But who in their right mind would choose freedom over safety, anyway?

June Cleaver's rating: language G; violence PG-13; nudity PG; Sexual Content PG; magic and the occult G: Substance abuse G; GLBT content G; adult themes (euthanasia) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Of course, this isn't a new book--in fact, it's coming up in its 20th anniversary (new edition ahoy, no doubt). But since it's been so long since I read it, I thought it was worth another look...especially with the movie coming out. (I was pretty sure I didn't remember a 16-year-old kid as the main character. Turns out I remembered that much correctly!) One of the first dystopian YA novels, this one is more introspective than most, which is of course why it's ended up on so many curriculum lists over the years. But it raises great questions for the MS set without a lot of killing or anarchy. In fact, it's such a peaceful novel that when violence does raise its ugly head, it's all the more shocking. Well deserving of its Newbery medal, this is a book all kids should read and think about: would you be willing to trade the ability to choose for safety? The possibility of falling in love for a life without pain? A world full of imperfect people for one where those who weren't quite all there didn't exist at all? Enter the world of "The Giver" and see if you agree with Jonas's answers.

THE SAVAGE FORTRESS, by Sarwat Chadda

The story: When Ash Mistry went to visit family in India, he never dreamed that the demons and ghosts of ancient Indian mythology could possibly be real. He never dreamed that he could have a personal connection to the great Indian warrior Rama--or that the connection would extend to the most evil creature of all time: the demon king, Ravana. But just because you don't know something doesn't mean it can't hurt you…

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Nudity G; Sexual content PG; Violence PG-13; Magic and the occult PG-13; substance abuse PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (kidnapping, demonic possession) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Hand this one to the boy who's boo-hooing about having finished all of Rick Riordan's books. This one has the advantage of being shorter than the "Heroes of Olympus" and "Kane Chronicles" series, in addition to being just as action-packed and exciting. Plus, it introduces a new mythology for those who pretty much have the Greek and Roman gods down pat. A warning, though: if you're opposed to stories about black magic and demons, don't pick this one up.

POACHED, by Stuart Gibbs

The story: Teddy Fitzroy is back--so let the mystery commence and the poop flinging begin! In "Belly Up", Teddy solved the mystery of who murdered FunJungle's Henry the Hippo...but the stakes are even higher this time around. The bad guys have kidnapped the zoo's most famous animal, an adorable koala named Kazoo--and even worse, they've framed Teddy for the crime. If he can't find out who really did it, it's juvie for sure!

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Nudity G; Sexual Content G; Substance Abuse G; Magic & the Occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (mlld criminal behavior) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I really liked this story, for several reasons. First, Gibbs's teenage Boy Voice is spot on, and Teddy is a hero who not only does funny stuff, but who thinks in a very funny way. But the humor doesn't get in the way of the mystery, which involves a little animal that everyone can love; additionally, Teddy has to deal with his lack of friends as the new kid at school, and with a real chance of violence at the hands of a particularly nasty school bully. His smart mouth gets him in trouble, his past activities get him in trouble, and he's enough of a boy that he just can't stay away when even more trouble comes calling. Start with "Belly Up" if you haven't read that one.

BOY 21, by Matthew Quick

The story: When his coach asks Finley to befriend a new kid at school, he doesn't mention that there's a catch: if Russ--who wants to be called Boy21, and who claims he's from outer space--can pull himself together, he'll almost certainly end up taking Finley's spot on the team. Without basketball, how will Finley ever get out of this crummy town and away from the memories that haunt his family? Finley just wants to do what's best...but it's hard to tell what's best for anyone, even himself.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Nudity PG; Sexual Content (including mentions of his "stiffness" during make out sessions) PG-13; substance abuse PG-13; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (murder of parents, mob assaults) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: This started out seeming to be one kind of story (a sports/basketball story) and ended up as something completely different. And while at the beginning there was a lot of attention paid to Finley and his girlfriend and their make-out sessions, by the end the book became a commentary on the unpredictability of life, on the importance of going after what you want, and on the mutability of knowing exactly what it is you want. I liked the story a lot, but I expect the audience that picks it up (i.e., 8th grade boys looking for a Carl-Deuker-like sports story) will be okay with it until the middle, when they'll feel like someone pulled a bait-and-switch on them. I actually liked the book a lot better after the switch, but then, I'm a middle-aged lady.

FIRE & ASH, by Jonathan Maberry

The story: St. John's army of reapers is on the move, and nothing stands between them and the death of everyone Benny Imura knows and loves, except for six teenagers--junior "samurai" once taught by Benny's brother Tom. They're just kids, fighting both the zombie plague and the believers in a god who's directing his followers to bring all human life to an end. Big problems. Good thing they're smart kids.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence R; nudity PG; Sexual content PG; magic & the occult (putting zombies here because I'm not sure where else they fit!) PG-13; substance abuse PG; adult themes (genocide, evil religions) PG-13; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: I really liked the first two Benny Imura books--strange, because I'm not a zombie fan--but found the third one too dark and violent for me. In the series closer, Maberry continues dark and violent, but offers hope (in the form of a cure for those infected by the zombie plague) and the reestablishment of an American Nation. If you're a big fan of the first two books, are able to overcome the sucker punch delivered by Tom Imura's death in Book 2, and can wade through the blood and gore of Book 3, this is a satisfying end to the series--one where things end up as well as could be hoped, considering the world is seriously screwed up. Don't give this series to 6th graders, though--Books 1 and 2 are for 8th and up, and Books 3-4 are for high school.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE, by Jennifer E. Smith

The story: a typo delivers an unexpected email to Ellie O'Neill from a fun and funny guy on the other side of the country, and an online correspondence is born. Ellie is soon looking forward to the daily, even hourly, messages from GDL. It's unlike any friendship she's ever had: she doesn't even know his name. For Graham, getting to know a girl without first telling her his name is a big plus…because it's a name she already knows, and most girls can't get past it. When fate brings a movie shoot to her small town, Ellie could never have dreamed it was because teen heartthrob Graham Larkin planned it that way--and by the time she figures it out, it may already be too late.

June Cleaver's book ratings: Language: PG-13; Violence PG; Nudity PG; Sexual Content PG; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (adultery and illegitimacy) PG-13; overall rating, PG.

Liz's comments: Jennifer E. Smith's YA romance novels are charming, and much less angst-ridden than many others of the same type. There's a girl, there's a boy, there's a problem that makes it look like nothing can work out between them--but with just the right amount of serendipity, everything turns out at the end. The few swear words sprinkled in are so unexpected that, though mostly mild, they come as quite a surprise in an otherwise very PG novel. I would even give this one to 6th grade girls…because if you go to a middle school, you've heard those words before anyway.

BETTER OFF FRIENDS, by Elizabeth Eulberg

The story: everyone knows that if you start out as friends, then move on to being in love, you can never go back to being "just friends" again. Right? Macallan and Levi have been friends--best friends--for years: so long that everyone already assumes they're going out. But that's one thing the two of them will never do, because it would just ruin a perfect friendship. Right? Right?

June Cleaver's book ratings: Language PG; violence PG; sexual content PG; nudity G; substance abuse PG; magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent, bullying a disabled person) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: As long as you're looking for a fun girl book with no pretensions to Socially Redeeming Qualities, this one is for you! It's a classic "hiding in plain sight" story of boy meets girl, boy and girl stay friends while both move on in their romantic relationships, until boy and girl both figure out that the right person for them was there all along. Great for MS girls, and a nice draw-down from Eulberg's recent "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club", which was definitely for an older audience.

ROTTEN, by Michael Northrop

The story: this is the story of a boy and his dog. But he's not just any boy, and it's not just any dog. JD has just finished up a stint in Juvie, and his mom hopes a dog will help him move past a really rotten time in his life--because JD's not the only one who's had a rotten time. Johnny Rotten is a shelter dog, abused by his former master, and this seems like a chance for both of them to move on...until the rescued Rottweiler is provoked into biting someone. Now it looks like he's going to be put down, right before JD and his mom lose everything in the accompanying lawsuit. How can a former juvenile delinquent talk the rest of the world into trusting him--and his dog?

June Cleaver's bloom ratings: Violence PG; language PG-13; Sexual Content PG-13 (nothing close to explicit, but lots of jokes with innuendo); nudity G; Magic and the Occult G; LGBT content PG; Substance Abuse PG-13 (underage kids don't actually score any liquor, but they do their best trying); Overall Rating: PG-13.

Liz's comments: don't hand this one to a sixth grader--they'll get all these kinds of ideas on their own in a couple of years, and there's no use getting them started early! In all, I'd review this for 8th and up, mostly because although the boys talk all bad, they don't actually get very far with it. And there's significant hope for JD to turn over a new leaf by the end of the book, under the influence of both Johnny Rotten and the girl who almost gets away.

THE FELLOWSHIP FOR ALIEN DETECTION, by Kevin Emerson

The story: from completely different areas of the country, three 8th-graders stumble onto the biggest story of the century (or maybe ever): aliens getting ready to invade, already running experiments on earthlings to decide whether to wipe them out entirely, or just allow them to survive as a sub-species. Don't let the cartoon-like front cover fool you: life on earth is about to come to an end if Suza, Dodger, and Haley can't solve the puzzle in time.

June Cleaver’s ratings: Language PG-13; Nudity G; Sexual Content G; Violence PG; Magic and the occult G; Substance Abuse G; GLBT contentG ; Adult themes PG (lying to parents, kidnapping); Overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Judging from the cover, I really thought this was going to be an extra-terrestrial sci-fi parody--but much to my surprise (and despite some funny, accurate MS humor), it turned out to be an action-filled story about aliens, kids who interact with aliens, and the conflict between following your dreams and doing what's right for your family. Boys would actually be the best target audience for this, but sadly, Dodger's story doesn't begin until more than 150 pages into the book…and generally, boy readers won't have stuck around through that much girl stuff to get to the boy part. Sad, because Emerson's teens are very authentic and both boys and girls who like science fiction would find something to identify with if they'd give it a go

WARRIOR, by Ellen Oh

The story: although she's captured the powerful Tidal Stone and found her place as the mythical Dragon Musado, Kira soon realizes that the kingdom will never be safe--either from betrayal by humans or warfare waged by demons--unless she possess the two other artifacts of great power once owned by the Dragon Lord: the dragon dagger, and the jade belt. Her brother Kwan, Prince Taejo, and the handsome and mysterious Jaewon are willing to join her on a second quest, even knowing that it will surely end in some of them being killed. The price is agonizing: how can it be worth it? But Kira knows the alternative is allowing the kingdom to fall apart, her cousin to lose his place on the throne, and the dreadful Demon Lord to become the master of them all. She has no choice but to face the demons--both real, and those fighting the battle in her mind.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; nudity G; sexual content PG; violence, R; magic and the occult R; substance abuse PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (betrayal and scary demonic magic) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I really like this series! The Korean-based mythos is cool and unusual, and Kira is a strong, occasionally flawed heroine you really want to root for. The demonic element gets quite creepy at times, but is more magic-flavored and less tied in with religion than it would be in Western fantasy.

LEGEND, PRODIGY, and CHAMPION, by Marie Lu

The story: They come from different worlds. June is the Republic's Prodigy: young, smart, a rising star being groomed for greatness. Day lives by his wits, just one fight--or one fall--away from a quick death. If times were normal, they would never meet. But times are not normal. June's brother is murdered, and Day is framed for the crime. She vows to track him down and make him pay. But when she finds him, she finds a whole lot more than she expected: she finds that the Republic has set both of them up, that a shadowy person has ordered her brother's death, and that the plague that's killed so many has been engineered by the government. Even more startling, she finds…love.

June Cleaver’s ratings: Language PG-13; Nudity PG; Sexual Content PG in Book 1; PG-13 in Book 2, R in Book 3; Violence R; Magic and the occult G; Substance Abuse PG; GLBT content PG; Adult themes PG-13 (genocide, civil war, biological warfare) PG-13 ; Overall rating: PG-13 for Book 1-2, R for Book 3.

Liz's comments: This is an action-packed dystopian read, every bit as good as Divergent (and shorter, which is actually a plus for many MS readers!). However, the sexual content ranges from kissing in Legend to a steamy make-out session in Prodigy to on-page sex in Champion…and by the time the kids have gotten through books 1-2, it's tough to tell them "no" to book 3. So go in forewarned! For a short annotation of each book, submit a friend request to me on goodreads.com: look for me at friende@friscoisd.org.

June's going on hiatus...

We may post sporadically during the next couple of months, but we are looking forward to reading some grown-up books for a little while.  Look for June to return in August with more new YA titles.
:)

RUINS, by Dan Wells

The story: Humans vs. Partials, the final round. Was it scientific genius, or was it suicide? Kira realizes that the secret of the cure for RM is hidden in the genetic sequencing of the Partials; when a strange disease breaks out among the Partials, they eventually come to understand that the only cure is found by breathing air shared by humans. By design of the scientists who developed the Partials, both species must learn to interact, or both will die. But it may just turn out that's a price they're willing to pay, rather than having to overcome their mutual mistrust and hatred.

June Cleaver’s ratings: Language PG-13; Nudity G; Sexual Content PG; Violence R; Magic and the occult G; Substance Abuse PG; GLBT content G; Adult themes (genocide, genetic engineering, pandemics, and many difficult topics that require the reader to think)PG-13; Overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: More kick-butt sci-fi from Dan Wells! Don't give this to a sixth grader (in fact, although it's reviewed for 8th-up, it requires a lot of thought--so it's probably better for GT-level 8th graders and high school) but it's full of questions that can be asked about segregation, intolerance, and the situations into which we put ourselves when we decide we're better than some other group of people.

CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE, by Cassandra Clare

The story: Sebastian has gained the ultimate weapon: the ability to turn the Shadowhunters against themselves. Using the Infernal Cup, he forces captured Nephilim to drink and thus become The Endarkened. His goal: to rule in the realm of demons, with Clary by his side. It seems there is nothing that can stand in his way, and that the mortal world is doomed to fail. But he always has underestimated the determination of a group of friends that includes Shadowhunters, Downworlders, and even…parents. Will any of them be willing to pay the terrible price demanded?

June Cleaver’s ratings: Language PG-13; Nudity PG-13; Sexual Content R (on-page sex); Violence R; Magic and the occult R; Substance Abuse PG; GLBT content R; Adult themes PG; Overall rating: R.

Liz's comments: Okay, so I was not a big fan of Books 4-5 in the series, but the author redeemed herself here to a certain extent. In was especially fun to have her weave in Jem Carstairs' character, in the guise of Brother Zachariah, throughout the story, as well as including a guest appearance from Tessa Gray; she also came up with a great way to turn Simon OUT of being a vampire (I hated it when she turned him into one). Additionally, she introduced characters that will clearly figure in "Lady Midnight", the first book in her next series, "The Dark Artifices." If you've read all the books up to this point, you're clearly going to want to finish the series, even if the final installment weighs in at 750 pages. (More than one person has said to me, "Yikes. Is this MIDDLE SCHOOL fiction?" And truthfully? Not really.

PRE-PUB REVIEW: Of Monsters and Madness by Jessica Verday

A mystery tale based on the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe has so much promise, which is sadly not fulfilled by this mediocre and somewhat sloppy attempt to emulate the master.  Oh, the names (Annabelle Lee, a scary raven scratching at the window, references to famous Poe stories) are all there, but the setting is off, and the idea that Poe would work as a maniacal doctor’s assistant seems too convenient.  The author did not bother to do the basic research necessary for a historical piece, and I find this disturbing as well.  The story is set in 1826 and she refers to the protagonist’s father as a doctor practicing without a license—something supposedly illegal, when in reality, Pennsylvania did not regulate the practice of medicine until well after 1850. If there were licenses granted at all it would have been by medical associations, not legal entities, so that is a total red herring.  Then, there is the whole Jekyll and Hyde split personality thing, and well, it’s all just too much.  It’s a shame, really, because middle school students often read Poe and enjoy him in English class, and it would have been nice to have a well written modern piece to give them once they’ve read through Poe’s own tales.   This short novel would only work for grades 7-9, and they would have to be desperate.   Try giving them something more subtle and nuanced, like Nathaniel Hawthorne or Poe himself.  There are always the Schwartz books (Scary Stories, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, etc.)  

Of Monsters and Madness will be available on September 9, 2014.

June’s Rating System:  Language—G; Nudity—G;  Sexual Content—PG;  GLBT Content—G;  Violence—R, there is  serial killer skulking about;  Substance Abuse—PG