ROMANCING THE THRONE, by Nadine Jolie Courtney

The story: After a brief romance with the future king of England, Charlotte is appalled when her sister Libby steps promptly into the space she's just vacated. Sure, she broke it off with Edward--but was Libby sneaking around with him behind her back? Whatever happened to "sisters before misters"?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence G; Sexual content PG-13 (off page sex included); Nudity PG; Substance abuse R; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes PG; overall rating R (best for grades 9-up).

Liz's comments: While this was a fun read about a girl and her would-be/could-be relationship with a totally fictional price, the ever-present underage drinking, continual hooking up, and potty-mouthedness make this better for HS readers. It's not staying in MY middle-school library.

RESTART, by Gordon Korman

The story: When Chase Ambrose falls off a roof and wakes up with amnesia, everything in his life changes. He used to be a football hero--and a total jerk. Now he's learning what everyone else used to think of him, and he doesn't like it. Is there a way to convince everyone that he's really changed--even the kid whose life he's ruined? Even his former criminally-minded friends? Even...himself?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG (mostly middle-school brawling); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; GLBT content G; adult themes (bullying, general delinquency) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Korman uses his trademark multiple points of view to answer the question of whether a bully can change his spots and reinvent himself. Readers will root for Chase and his quest to become a more decent person...possibly even football players will find something to like, and something to think about, here!

RENEGADES, by Marissa Meyer

The story: The superheroes known as the Renegades failed to protect her family, and now Nova is the only one left. Raised by super-villain Ace Anarchy, she continues his plan to put an end to the Renegade rule and destroy their rule. But to do it--she must become a Renegade herself, tapping into the Prodigy power that she has hidden all her life. She knows it won't be easy, but she never dreamed she'd meet Adrian, a handsome Renegade with strange abilities...maybe even the power to make her forget her quest.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G: GLBT content PG; adult themes (revenge, superhero violence) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Hand this first in a duology to any kid who liked Brandon Sanderson's "Reckoners" series, or better readers who are ready for something after Stan Lee's Zodiac Legacy books.

SUSPECT RED, by L.M. Elliot

The story: Richard's dad works for the FBI, and the FBI is helping Senator Joe McCarthy hunt down Commies. Richard wants his dad to succeed, but what price is he willing to pay? Is Vlad's mother a Commie spy, or just a woman with a couple of shady friends? Will he sacrifice his friendship with Vlad to give Hoover a suspect to chase? And what if he's WRONG?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (McCarthyism vs. patriotism) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Here's a story about a part of US history most kids aren't familiar with--yet it has strange overtones of what's going on in our own times, and should help open their eyes to tactics used by self-serving politicians seeking to gain power over an audience. Hand it to any kid willing to read historical fiction.

MOXIE, by Jennifer Mathieu

The story: Good Old Boys run things at East Rockport High School. Football players rule all, while the girls' soccer team hasn't gotten new uniforms since the 1990s. When Viv Carter looks at her mom's feminist stuff from her college days, the teen decides she needs to get in on the action too--and Moxie is born! "Moxie girls fight back" against sexism, racism, and just plain stupidity. But the sexists. racists, and stupids are way bigger and meaner than Viv and all her friends...do the Moxie girls really stand a chance?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence PG; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity G; Substance abuse R; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (racism, sexism, and other -isms) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: With two Rs in the ratings (and with most, but not all, reviews rating it for 9th-up), this should probably be rated R overall, and yet I think there's a lot to recommend it to a smart 8th grade girl. Viv, the dutiful, responsible narrator, learns to know herself and comes to realize that people working together can accomplish great things--and that just because something's always been that way doesn't mean it has to stay that way. I liked this one a lot, and it will find a place on my MS library shelves...complete with that sticker that says "Bad Language Alert!"

BETTER OFF UNDEAD, by James Preller

The story: Adrian Lazarus was hit by a car, and now he's dead...or rather, undead. He was never popular before, but now everyone's afraid of him (except Daryl, the school bully). Even worse, sicko billionaires the Bork brothers want to slice and dice him to see whether they can come up with the secret to living forever. It's up to Adrian and his three not-quite-normal friends to see if they can beat the bully and outwit the bad guys. Right after they get Adrian to quit eating roadkill.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G: Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (the undead) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: In truth, this is less a zombie story than it is a loner-gets-some-friends story. Any kid who feels on the bottom end of the social pecking order will identify with Adrian and cheer for him as he develops a social conscience along with some new friendships. Since the bad guys got away, and since it looks like Adrian might be coming back to life courtesy of his strange friend Gia Demeter, be on the lookout for at least one more volume.

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING, by Alexandra Bracken

The story: A broken deal with a demon has kept the Redding family rich and powerful for centuries. But now the demon is regaining his power, and the demon has taken up residence inside 13-year-old Prosper Redding, planning a breakout on the boy's 13th birthday. It's up to Prosper and a group of people who may or may not really be trying to help him to figure out a way to keep Alastor out of the picture for another 400 years. Otherwise--the whole family's going down in flames.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBt content PG; Adult themes (possession by a demon, scary scenes) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Despite my discomfort with the idea of kids being possessed by demons, I liked this one a lot. Prosper's dry comments about his family and heritage are often LOL, and his teen-aged voice describing whatever's happening keeps things from devolving into Nightmare on Elm Street kind of scary. Full disclosure: it's a cliff hanger from the get-go, so you're signing up for at least one more volume. Kids who like Jonathan Stroud's "Lockwood & Company" series will enjoy this one too.

THE RED BANDANNA (Young readers' Edition), by Tom Rinaldi

The story: Here's the true story of Welles Crowther, who grew up wanting to become a firefighter, but instead ended up as a trader working in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. When the planes hit, Welles tied his signature red bandanna around his face and began leading others toward the stairwells so they could escape, sacrificing his own life in order to help others.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (terrorist attacks) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Provides a description of the events of September 11, 2001, filling in details and providing a focus on a single rescuer. Good reading for MS kids wanting a better understanding of what happened on that fateful day. (Adapted from an adult book with the same title and author.)

BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA, by Lauren Wolk

The story: Crow washed up on an island off the coast of Massachusetts when she was a tiny baby, and Osh rescued her. Now that she's twelve, she wonders who her parents were, and why she was abandoned in such a strange way. Could it have something to do with the leper colony just down the coast? Something to do with pirate treasure, or a lost brother? Crow is determined to find out, but little does she realize that someone else is on the trail of these very same clues, but with very different...and evil...intent.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (discrimination against the contagiously ill) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I know that critics love Lauren Wolk, and I felt that this story was well-written. However, I don't feel that the average MS reader would pick it up and devour it. I do feel that it's the kind of story that will end up on curriculum lists, because it's the kind of thing teachers love. Wolk's previous book, "Wolf Hollow" was much harder to read and bear, which perhaps makes it much harder to forget. Buy if you have a big bunch of kids who read historical fiction.

INVICTUS, by Ryan Graudin

The story: Born on a time machine, Farway McCarthy has been "out of time" his whole life. And now it appears that the event caused a tear in the fabric of space/time, and a monstrous phenomenon called The Fade is devouring entire alternate universes--anything ever touched by Farway and his seemingly endless supply of alternative selves. One of them, a girl named Eliot, has been sent to heal the breach and fix things. Oh, and kill Farway...cuz clearly, that's the only way to solve THIS puzzle.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG (lots of made-up swears that aren't fooling anyone); Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (sci-fi violence, mind-bending made-up scientific concepts) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Fantastic, but not great for middle school. The prose--and particularly the pseudo-science--is so dense that MS readers (except maybe for GT 8th graders) will find this one hopeless. Recommended for high school, though, and for anyone who's a fan of time-travel in it many iterations across multiple universes.

WARCROSS, by Marie Lu

The story: When hacker Emika Chen is busted breaking into the world championships of the virtual reality game Warcross, instead of going to jail, she's invited to go to work for the company. She finds herself on one of the teams vying for the championship, but her real mission: figure out who's trying to sabotage the games and assassinate their young creator, Hideo Tanaka. Even though she's really, really good, there's now way she could anticipate all the twists and turns that the game--and life--are about to throw at her.

June Cleaver's ratings: Langauge PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity PG; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (technology addiction; sci-fi violence) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Whoa! It was good all along, but the twist at the end really kicked it up another notch. Hand it to anyone who enjoyed Brandon Sanderson's "Reckoners" series, or SJ Kincaid's "Insignia" novels. Sequel, anyone? (Me! Me!)

THE GAUNTLET, by Karuna Riazi

The story: On her 12th birthday, an intriguing game gives itself to Farah" The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand. Before she knows it, she and her friends Alex and Essie are pulled into the game--literally--in search of her younger brother, Ahmad, who's disappeared. They must overcome the dangerous challenges given by the Architect of the game...or they'll become part of The Gauntlet forever.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I was surprised that, in her comments, the author didn't at least give a nod to "Jumanji", since so many elements of this story are so shamelessly borrowed from that earlier book/movie. However, since she changes things up with Farah's Pakistani background, and since the game itself has a sort of Arabian Nights feel, this will appeal not just to lovers of that "eaten by a game" genre, but to those looking for a different cultural feel for their action and adventure.

THE GOLDFISH BOY, by Lisa Thompson

The story: Matthew's OCD keeps him in the house, as far away from germs as he can get. Who would have thought that a kid who spends most of his time watching out the window would be the one putting together clues to solve the disappearance of a neighbor's grandson? If Matthew can't do it, the kidnappers might just get away with everything.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; VIolence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (OCD, bullying, compulsions) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I feel it can be valuable for kids to read about others with conditions like OCD, to help them realize that it's not really something the victims choose to do. Readers will find themselves willing Matty to do simple things like simply leave the house, and helping solve the mystery is part of his being able to take a step forward. For those who are interested, also check out "The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B" by Toten, "OCDaniel" by King, and "Finding Audrey" by Kinsella.

THE GIRL IN BETWEEN, by Sarah Carroll

The story: A homeless girl and her mother are squatters in an abandoned mill, stuck there while Ma battles her demons: drugs and booze. The girl must stay invisible, because if she's seen, The Authorities will take her away, put her in foster care, and she'll never see her mother again. But there's no way to stop the wrecking ball that's about to destroy their magic castle, and somehow, the girl has to help her mother move on.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content (implied) PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (homelessness, begging, substance abuse) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I know that everyone else loved this, but I thought all the homelessness, drug use, cold, and hunger were a beating, right up until the last chapter. That's when it turned out that the girl (nameless) really IS invisible. It was enough to make me think about going back and re-reading some of the chapters to see if hints were dropped along the way that I missed, but then I thought...nah. Don't care enough to bother. This book might appeal to kids who are either homeless, or who have a well-developed sense of empathy, but in general I found it to be one of those stories that grown-ups will like better than kids do.

LUCKY BROKEN GIRL, by Ruth Behar

The story: Ruthie has just made it out of the "dumb class" (where she was put until she could speak English) when a terrible accident lands her in a body cast for almost a year. Immobilized, she finds friends in books and other unexpected places, discovers a talent for art, and realizes that she really can do hard things.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG (drunk drivers cause the accident that injures her); Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Although well written and with a keen eye for the immigrant experiences, this one is best for grades 4-5. Ruthie is ten, and in fifth grade. Skip for MS libraries.

YOU MAY ALREADY BE A WINNER, by Ann Dee Ellis

The story: Her dad is gone, her mother leaves them home alone all the time, and her only hobby is entering every sweepstakes she can find. Only Olivia's imagination--and her love for younger sister Berkeley--keeps the sixth grader going. When she finally, finally finds a friend in Bart, he betrays her in what seems to be the worst possible way. A winner? If she is, Olivia doesn't know it. Not just yet, anyway.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (parental abandonment & neglect) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: This book will be kind of a beat-down for those people who want a happy ending. It sort of had one, but the author waited until the very last couple of pages to set it up. In the meantime, Olivia's life was unrelentingly squalid and full of clueless or awful adults who were of no value whatsoever. Hand this to the kids who like the kind of stories that make them think, "Huh. Compared to this, my life isn't that bad after all."

THE GO-BETWEEN, by Veronica Chambers

The story: Cammi's mom is rich and famous, an actress on Mexican TV, and Cammi's always had friends who lived the same lifestyle. But when Mama takes a job in LA, Cammi's new acquaintances assume she's the daughter of a maid, at her expensive school on a scholarship. Pretty soon, she's hip-deep in lies, and although she wants to come clean, she knows everyone is going to be mad. Is there any way Cammi can be the heroine in her personal novela?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence G; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (prejudice, dishonesty with friends) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: This story will resonate with any girl who has an immigrant background--and with many who don't. Cammi's motives are kinda lame, and she knows she should be doing better... but once she gets called out, she tries her best to make amends. Which is pretty much the most any of us can do.

YORK, by Laura Ruby

The story: Three kids trying to save their building from destruction stumble upon a mystery more than a hundred years old. If they can figure it out, they'll find a treasure--maybe enough to buy the building themselves. But it'll take more than luck...more than hard work...more than fast thinking, to make THAT happen. Because the mystery is in code--or, more precisely, a cipher. The Old York Cipher. And Tess, Theo and Jaime are not the only ones who would kill to solve it.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (sci-fi violence, plus the fact that readers actually have to THINK about the story) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I thought this one was terrific! Too bad it's so thick, and too bad it actually requires some thought to get what's going on. Most MS kids won't tackle it, but hand it to your GT Harry Potter fans, and watch them eat it up! Also great for kids who like the kinds of puzzles found in Blue Balliet's books.

WISHTREE, by Katherine Applegate

The story: Red has lived in the neighborhood for a long time--like, 215 years. She runs a boarding house of sorts, and her tenants are skunks, opossums, and crows. Yep, Red is a tree--and she's seen a lot over the years...but nothing quite like the meanness Samar experiences when the Muslim girl moves in. Red usually makes it a habit to keep out of humans' business, but this time? She's just going to have to make an exception.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language: G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (racial prejudice) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: I thought this one was lovely. However, since Samar is 10, and since the narrator is a tree, most MS kids aren't going to go for this. Just saying. Better for ES.

FELIX YZ, by Lisa Bunker

The story: An unfortunate accident killed Felix's dad--and bound Felix to an alien life form from a fourth dimension. Now Felix and Zyx share the same space...for the moment. But it looks like it's going to kill them both, so a date has been set for The Procedure. In the meantime, Felix is trying to deal with his mom's new boyfriend, his crush on Hector, and the bullies at school. Could life get any more complicated? Felix (and Zyx) are about to find out.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG (bullying); Sexual content G; Nudity PG; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (same-sex attraction, death of a parent, a life-threatening condition) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: So...I went into this expecting David Klass's "Stuck on Earth" and instead, it's more along the lines of a cancer-fighting epic--only instead of cancer, Felix has an alien. It has no bodily form, speaks only in simple syllables, and doesn't really have much personality. The true story is how Felix deals with his reality while trying to hide The Secret from the world at large. While science fiction in a way, it's more a "dealing with the weird stuff life hands to you" kind of story. No space ships or little green men. Sadly.

THE SERPENT'S SECRET (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond, #1), by Sayantani DasGupta

The story: Kiranmala gets something unexpected on her birthday: a rakkhosh--a type of demon from the mythology of India--attacks her house and wants to eat her. Luckily, a couple of handsome prince also come along to rescue her. Kiran finds out that she's the daughter of the Serpent King (kind of a downer) and that time is running out to find and rescue her adoptive parents from New Jersey. Good thing she also came into some unexpected powers! Who knew that turning 12 would be such a trip?!?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG-13; G:BT content G; adult themes (being a demi-god in disguise...now that's something new...) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Yet another entry into the sub-genre known as "Rick Riordan wanna-bes". There's plenty of action and adventure here, but not all of it actually moves the story forward: the author seems so intent on introducing the reader to a vast trove of Indian folk tales that they occasionally begin to seem randomly applied. However, Percy Jackson fans who are looking for a heroine will be happy, and the title will add some diversity to the collection. Purchase for upper ES and MS libraries (or wait and get it in paperback from the book fair, cuz...Scholastic).

SPLINTER, by Sasha Dawn

The story: Sami's mother disappeared ten years ago, but the teen refuses to believe she's dead. Yet now, a decade later, clues start to surface...clues indicating her mother is dead, cludes that point to her father as the killer. Sami doesn't want to believe it--can't believe it--but can she and her best friends track down the truth without slipping into the void themselves?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (parental infidelity is a main theme; murder) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: An interesting mystery that kept me guessing till the end--and I STILL didn't figure out who did it until the big reveal. That's a nice change for a YA mystery. Hand this one to fans of Harlan Coban's"Shelter" series, or Kimberly Derting's "The Body Finders" books.

MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE, by Chad Morris and Shelley Brown

The story: 6th grade Maddie's life--complete with bullies, Shakespeare, and tough decisions about standing up--is turned upside down when she finds out she has a brain tumor. Now it's the turn of her classmates to rally around her, and they do: complete with mustaches (Maddie's signature fashion accessory). But there's a big surgery coming up, and no guarantee Maddie will make it through. What can anyone do?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (significant illness, somewhat graphic descriptions of brain surgery) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: I thought this one was charming. Interestingly, Kirkus Reviews dissed the book they thought was too "squeaky clean", which somehow I don't find to be a disadvantage. Maddie is upbeat and does her best to face her trial with courage; her family is supportive and is seen (gasp!) actually praying for her. Maddie is empathetic, and comes to realize that even bullies have difficult back stories. Good for her. (And good for the author's family, whose own daughter Maddie actually did have a brain tumor and made a complete recovery.) Maddie is in 6th grade, but is still in elementary school, so this book is best for grades 4-6. Give it to any kid who liked R.J. Palacios's book "Wonder".

THE EPIC FAIL OF ARTURO ZAMORA, by Pablo Cartaya

The story: Save the restaurant. Take on Big Business. Get the girl. Make his grandma proud. Can 13-year-old Arturo Zamora do it all, or is he destined for an EPIC FAIL?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; Adult themes (death of a grandparent, gentrification) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: I thought this one was charming! Arturo loves his family and is trying to do the right thing even when it appears that fate is conspiring against all of them. He learns that standing up, even though it's hard, is the right thing to do--and that sometimes, even one person can effect the needed change. (It also has a couple of yummy-sounding recipes in the back, one of which I'm actually going to try.)

NIGHT WITCHES, by Kathryn Lasky

The story: When Valya's mother is killed by the Nazis, the teen finds a way out of Stalingrad and starts flying with the Night Witches--an all-female group of pilots that helped bring the German juggernaut to its knees. Here's an exciting slice of World War II history you've never even heard of before!

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13 (all war-related killing); Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (war & its attending atrocities) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Based on true accounts of the Night Witches (and nope, I'd never heard of them before, either), there was a lot going on in this story. With all the bombs and fighting, you may even be able to convince boys to read it--!

THE APPRENTICE WITCH, by James Nicol

The story: Arianwyn has FAILED her witch's exam, and gets sent to Lull as as apprentice witch instead of the full-fledged variety. Not to worry, though--there's plenty in Lull to keep her busy, what with the dark magic of the Great Wood threatening to spill over, spirit creatures following her home, and that accidental unleashing of an evil entity from Beyond the Void. All in a day's work...and then some.

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

Liz's comments: A fun fantasy read for girls. Too bad there's not even one strong male character in here, because the action would appeal to boy readers too--if boys were ever willing to read books with girls as the main character. :P

AN EAGLE IN THE SNOW, by Michael Morpurgo

The story: A young English soldier lets a German warrior go at the end of World War I, then realizes at the start of WWII that the man was Adolf Hitler. What if he could get to Germany and choose differently this time? Based on a "possibly" true story.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (war) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: There's a lot going on in this slim volume. If you can get kids to look past the fact that the kid hearing Billy Byron's story is just 10 years old, MS kids will get a good look at war and the strange things that happen in life, bringing truly unforeseen consequences.

NEVER SAY DIE (Alex Rider #11) by Anthony Horowitz

The story: When Alex gets a strange email, he realizes something that seems impossible--his nanny, Jack Starbright, is still alive. Even though he saw the bad guys blow her up at the end of #10. He immediately goes into stealth mode and starts his signature continent hopping in hopes of finding the one person in the world who still feels like family to him. How much can a 15-year-old kid take? Plenty, if his name is Alex Rider.

June CLeaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13 (people are killed, but not graphically, and not by Alex); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (espionage, organized crime, murder, kidnapping, torture, but mostly referenced and not graphic) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Alex Rider has been a middle-school staple for as long as I've been in the MS library. He literally is the teenage James Bond (without the sex). Cool gadgets and lots of chases and blowing up make this perfect for boys and particularly for reluctant readers. Start with #1, "Stormbreaker" if possible, but it's also true that each story is pretty much a stand-alone: whatever content is necessary to get the reader up to speed is provided, and then the story is off and running

LETTERS TO THE LOST, by Brigid Kemmerer

The story: Juliet and Declan are both damaged--both have lost someone important to them, and both of them are having a hard time moving on. When he discovers a letter to her dead mother in the cemetery where he works and writes back to her, their anonymous letters back-and-forth lead them toward both love...and healing. Now they just have to get over the fact that they can't stand each other in their regular lives.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence; Sexual content PG; Nudity G: Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a loved one, drunk driving, suicide, infidelity) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Hand this one to any girl who likes Sarah Dessen's novels. Deep down inside, every good girl wants to meet a "bad" boy like Declan. ;)

WILD BIRD, by Wendelin Van Draanen

The story: Wren is in trouble...big trouble. Her parents have sent her to jail--or at least, that's how it feels. After getting busted while high on drugs and doing just about everything to alienate her family, she's been sent to a rehab survival camp out in the Utah desert. Not only does she not have drugs and alcohol, she doesn't even have a phone. And, for the first time ever, she's having to take a long hard look at the choices she's made. Will the camp cure her--or kill her?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse R; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (substance abuse, drug-related stealing and deceit; bad friends, bad behavior toward family) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Wren's metamorphosis surprises no one more than herself, as she learns to quit blaming everyone else for her behaviors and accept responsibility. Van Draanen has always had a deft hand at portraying the teen voice, and this is no different, except for the fact that this voice is a lot more troubled than that of most of her protagonists. Hand this to any kid who thinks "just once won't matter" or "it's worth it to have a friend." Cuz...not.

BEANSTALKER, by Kiersten White

The story: If you're tired of the same old/same old when it comes to fairy tales, pick up a copy of "Beanstalker & Other Hilarious Scary Tales". You'll meet vampire Snow White, zombie Dead Riding Hood--and the list goes on! Check it out...if you're not too scared. ;)

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (the undead) PG; Overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Although I thought the jokes here were a little labored, MS readers probably WILL think they're pretty hilarious. Good for grades 4-7.

INVISIBLE EMMIE, by Terri Libenson

The story: Here's the tale of of two totally different girls—quiet, shy, artistic Emmie; popular, outgoing, athletic Katie—and how their lives unexpectedly intersect one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; Adult themes (social awkwardness) G; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: What a cute story! It combines text and lots of graphic-novel-style illustrations to form a hybrid that any shy/unpopular girl would appreciate. Plus, there's a fun twist at the end that makes you want to go back and read it again. No worries...that only takes about half an hour. ;)

THE VAN GOGH DECEPTION, by Deron R. Hicks

The story: A boy is found, sitting in the National Museum of Art, with no memory of how he got there, no memory of who he is. Taken in by Mary Sullivan and her daughter, "Art" and Camille go on the trail, tracking down the very few clues they have--only to turn up a fraudulent painting by Vincent Van Gogh--and Art is the only thing standing between the mastermind and a hundred and eighty-three million dollars. How can two kids possibly stand up against a team of professionals?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic& the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (amnesia due to violence; fraud) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I'm always a fan of a good mystery, and not only was this one good, but it included QR codes that led the reader to pictures of the art being discussed. Very cool! Great for young artists and mystery buffs alike.

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN, by Jason Reynolds

The story: Miles Morales is the black Spider-Man. Given super powers by a spider stolen from Osborne Industries when he was 12, Miles, now 16, attends an elite academy as a scholarship student and is Spidey in his spare time. Little does he know that even within his school, the Chamberlains--a zombie-like group of minority-haters--are working under the influence of The Warden to make sure kids like Miles never get ahead in life. They've been disturbingly successful...but then, they've never been up against a kid like Miles Morales. Haters, beware!

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

Liz's comments: Not being a comic book reader, I'd never even heard of the Miles Morales alternate universe character until picking up this book, which is quite a departure from other things I've read by author Jason Reynolds (the golden boy of YA lit at the moment, and rightfully so--this just proves his versatility as a writer). I liked this one, particularly because it showed that even having super powers can't save you from having to deal with family difficulties, or with the fallout of other peoples' choices. We're all trying to get kids to make the move from graphic novels to books with text--here's a great bridging story for that group.

THIS IMPOSSIBLE LIGHT, by Lily Myers

The story: Ivy is a smart girl, even though her world seems to be crumbling around her. Her parents have divorced, dad has a new girlfriend, her brother has moved out, and her mother seems to be drowning in depression. Worst of all, Ivy feels that she's getting too tall, too round, too different from the way she was when things were going right. The only way Ivy can seem to cope with her out-of-control world is to control everything she can: the amount of calories she eats, the amount of exercise she gets. When her compulsions start controlling HER, how can she fix it--when fixing herself was what started everything in the first place?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G: Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (eating disorders, mental illness, depression, divorce) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: The reader spends about half the story thinking, "No! Don't do it!" Ivy, although smart academically, is easy prey for her compulsions. Readers will empathize, and cheer for her when she starts making steps toward recovery. Her life will never go back to the way it was, but there's hope that she'll be able to deal with the way it is now. This novel in verse is a fast read, and a compelling look at the difficulties of living with an eating disorder.

LUCKY IN LOVE, by Kasie West

The story: Money is a big deal in Maddie's family--or rather, the lack of it is. She's pretty sure she'll get accepted into Stanford, but how will she ever pay for it? Then, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket and is suddenly thirty million dollars richer. All her problems should be solved, right? But people she knows start acting strange, and other people she doesn't even know start asking her for money. Only Seth, her co-worker (and crush) at the zoo, doesn't seem to have heard the news, and he's the only one acting normal anymore. If she tells him, will it change...and ruin... everything?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG: Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Kasie West is a reliable writer of clean YA romance. Even though her heroines tend to be seniors in high school, the stories can be handed to MS kids with confidence, and that's something I really appreciate. Although this may not be her best story, it's still worth having in the library, and still worth handing over to her fans right away.

HAUNT ME, by Liz Kessler

The story: Erin meets Joe after his family moves out and her family moves in...to the house where he died. He's tied to this place, and she's the only one who can see him. He can't remember how he died, and she's got her own issues to work through--so it only makes sense that they fall in love. What doesn't make sense are her feelings for Olly, Joe's brother...the person responsible for Joe's death. How can she ever choose between them?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; VIolence G; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse R; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (guilt, mental illness, mean girls) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I feel like I enjoy a good teenage romance story as much as the next middle-aged lady, but my suspension-of-disbelief-o-meter just couldn't buy into this one. It wasn't so much that a girl would fall in love with a ghost, cuz that's kind of a trope, but that this ghost is always doing stuff like crying tears, having his head pound, and wishing for a night's sleep on a good bed because his muscles ache. It's like, dude! You're dead. You have no body, and therefore no muscles, no tear ducts, no way to experience a headache. I realize that this probably won't get in the way of any emo girls who fancy the whole "kissing a dead guy" thing, but it was very distracting for me. :P

THORNHILL, by Pam Smy

The story: Orphan Mary is tormented at the Thornhill orphanage, and meets an unexplained death in 1982. Years later, Ella sees a mysterious figure in the overgrown grounds and abandoned house and is drawn in by the mystery of Mary's death. Who could be leaving the fragments of old dolls and puppets for her to find? As she draws closer to the truth, she doesn't realize she's drawing ever closer to danger for herself...

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (extreme bullying, suicide) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Wow. Talk about a downer. I'll admit that I have a marked preference for happy endings, which this story doesn't exactly have; additionally, the unending bullying was a beat-down all the way through. The prose was easy enough for a 4th grader, and the pictures (in the style if not the upbeat content of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret") tell their own story--but the book's unrelenting starkness isn't for the ES crowd.

SPIRIT HUNTERS, by Ellen Oh

The story: When Harper's family moves into a creepy old house, it doesn't take long for her to hear that it's "haunted". But what's worse is that it also doesn't take long for her little brother to meet an imaginary friend who turns out to be a ghost--and not a nice ghost, either. Now it's up to Harper to channel her inherited spirit hunting powers to try to solve the mystery of the house--and maybe, at the same time, to solve an even bigger mystery about herself...before Billy's ghost takes over Michael's life permanently.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (possession by an evil spirit, haunting of houses, other occult standards) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I'll admit that ghost stories aren't my favorite genre, and things that dip into the occult--particularly the idea of a four-year-old boy being possessed by an evil spirit--make me uncomfortable. However, with that admission, I have to say that this truly creepy story has real ghosts and real conflicts, which will appeal to readers not quite ready for Stephen King. Ellen Oh is an excellent writer (I especially liked her YA fantasy series "Prophecy") and MS kids who are looking for a scary read without any blood, guts, or gore will strike gold here. The main characters are girls, but boys will like this one too.

THE DOOR IN THE ALLEY (Explorers book #1) by Adrienne Kress

The story: Sebastian likes things to be orderly, so it's weird when he finds a door in an alley that belongs to the Explorers' Society. It's even stranger when he ends up inside--and before he knows it, he's helping a girl named Evie find a mysterious key that might lead them to her long-lost grandfather...if the bad guys don't find it (and them!) first.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (being orphaned; deceiving parents) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I liked this one all right, although it seemed to take too long to get going (the descriptions of the various rooms of the club were ho-hum and seemed to be trying too hard to be amusing); Sebastian is a little annoying with his OCD tendencies, although he does grow as a character while trying to help Evie. Reminiscent of "The Story Thieves" and "The Map to Everywhere", but without the magic components. So maybe you could call it an action/adventure story for kids who aren't down with elements of fantasy.

I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE, by Maurene Goo

The story: Desi Lee is good at everything--except flirting and romance. She's a soccer star; she's the valedictorian--but she can't talk to a boy to save her life. Her friends have even invented a new word for her: flirting + failure = flailure. When she sees Luca for the first time, she falls hard--hard enough that she decides there HAS to be a plan she can follow to get a boyfriend. Then she realizes: the path to love always works out in K-dramas (the Korean soap operas her dad watches). So she makes her plan...and it seems to be working. But wait--there's always an "ultimate humiliation" scene in the K-dramas, and Desi may be heading for that exact place...

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence G; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Desi is a fun, smart narrator, all too human with her inability to talk to guys. Even though you can totally see the pitfalls coming, you still like her well enough to root for her romance to work out. Plus, with the exception of a bit of language, this one is clean enough for middle school...always a plus at my library!

IT AIN'T SO AWFUL, FALAFEL, by Firoozeh Dumas

The story: Forget Zomorod, she's Cindy now. It's not that she's embarrassed about coming from Iran (although everyone seems to think they ride camels there), its more that she wants to be an America living in America. But a revolution in her home country, followed by a hostage crises involving the extremists, makes it even harder--and when her dad loses his job, it looks like they may have to go back to a country she won't even recognize. It's tough to think that maybe it really AIN'T so awful... falafel.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G, Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic and the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (immigrants and their challenges, prejudice, parental depression) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: This is a fun look at the problems suffered by non-English speaking immigrants coming to the US, even as far back as the 1970s--not getting the idioms, having to serve as a translator for their parents, questions as to which culture is better. Add in the very interesting time frame of the Iran hostage crisis, and kids will get a look at an episode from very recent history that still has implications for today. This one is best for grades 4-6.

ONE FOR SORROW, by Mary Downing Hahn

The story: Elsie, a girl in Annie's class at her new school, is deeply unpopular--so when the girl dies of influenza in the great 1918 epidemic, Annie is taken aback, but not particularly sad. That is, not until a sledding accident in the cemetery opens a conduit for Elsie's vengeful ghost to start haunting Annie, changing her comfortable life so much that the girl soon ends up in an asylum. Only one old ghost hunter might be able to help--but only if they can deal with Elsie before she exacts her revenge.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (hauntings, implied possession by an evil spirit, scary situations) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I'm always kind of uneasy when the story involves a child either being possessed or tormented by an evil spirit, and this story certainly has that. However, I thought the WWI setting added interest, and luckily Annie is able to find an adult who not only believes her, but who can help her--pretty important for a book aimed at grades 4-6. Hand this one to girls looking for something scary...but not too scary. (There's not a boy character in sight, sadly.)

THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE, by Ali Standish

The story: Ethan has a secret that makes him want to run away from his old life and all the trouble he's caused. Coralee is a girl with secrets of her own, but when they meet in Palm Knot, Georgia, is seems like maybe they could become friends. Until their secrets...and a hurricane...almost cost them their lives.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; VIolence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G: GLBT content G; adult themes (survivor's guilt, family's inability to cope) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: I liked this one a lot, although it seemed a little young for MS readers. Ethan is a 6th grader with the weight of the world on his shoulders--a weight that only a good friend can take away. This one is proof that you don't have to be boyfriend/girlfriend to be friends, which is a refreshing concept these days.

LAST MAN OUT, by Mike Lupica

The story: When Tommy's dad is killed fighting a fire, Tommy has to learn how to move forward--with his mom and sister, with a new friend and a new skateboard, and most importantly, with his football team. Can Tommy get over his anger and grief and help the Bears win a championship?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic and the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent, rage and grief) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: Suitable for any upper ES or MS kid who likes either football or skateboarding--just not so much for library ladies who aren't sports fans. Two stars here is less about the quality of the book and more about the fact that for me, reading a book about football is a unique punishment all its own. :P

WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI, by Sandhya Menon

The story: Finally! Dimple is getting out of the house and away from her parents' stifling expectation that she's going to meet the Ideal Indian husband, get married, and have a bunch of kids. She's on her way to college, via a coding convention. Rishi, on the other hand, is okay with the idea of meeting the girl his parents have decided will make a suitable wife for him. They seem like polar opposites--but somehow that doesn't explain the way sparks fly when they end up as partners. In more than one sense of the word.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content R; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (parental expectations vs. personal fulfillment) PG; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: On-page sex make it a non-starter for my MS library. Not sure what the SLJ reviewer who rated it 7th grade and up was thinking. Otherwise, a fun and fluffy read with some important thoughts about different ways of being true to yourself.

PRISONER OF ICE AND SNOW, by Ruth Lauren

The story: Valor is determined to get sent to the dreaded prison Tyur'ma, and all it takes is an attempt on Prince Anatol's life. No, she's not crazy--just determined to do something that's never been done in 300 years: break her sister out of that infamous place. And that's just the beginning--next she must prove Sasha had nothing to do with the theft of a valuable artifact that just about caused a war. No small task to have set for herself--can Valor live up to her name?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (treason, conspiracy, false imprisonment) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Russian-inspired fantasy seems to be the thing this year! This one is good (although for a younger audience than Megan Spooner's "Hunted") and is plainly set up for a sequel. Hand it to girls who like their adventure stories--no magic in this one--with just a hint of romance to come.

SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS, by Jack Cheng

The story: 11-year-old Alex leaves home with his dog, Carl Sagan, on his way to SHARF, a rocket festival in New Mexico. On the road he meets a balding hippie, an unknown half-sister, and an assortment of adults who help him find his way back home again. Things aren't perfect at home by any means, but with the help of his friends, Alex is able to figure out his own place in the cosmos.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (mental illness of a parent) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Fine. I know all the reviewers loved this one. But to me, Alex sounded more like an 8-year-old than an almost-twelve, and even though he's clearly "on the spectrum", I found that his naivete grated on me after not very long. I'm usually in favor of underdog stories, but this one lasted way longer than I wished. Another example of a book that adults will like better than the kids in its target audience.

BETWEEN TWO SKIES, by Joanne O'Sullivan

The story: Evangeline Riley loves her life in Bayou Perdu, Louisiana. She figures she'll follow her father into the family business, fishing on the bayou, until the unthinkable happens: in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the area is devastated and she and her family become refugees. Not knowing whether family or friends made it through, or whether they'll ever be able to go back, Evangeline is stuck in Atlanta for the school year, where she re-connects with Tru Nguyen and comes to realize that some clouds really do have a silver lining...even when they're dumping a boatload on rain on your head.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse (underage drinking) R; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (the aftermath of natural disasters; family ruptures, refugees) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I liked this quiet little story a lot. It gives a look at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how it left ruined lives and property behind. The toll such an event takes on a family is well portrayed, as well as the idea that sometimes victims need professional help in order to move on. Evangeline is a stubborn and realistic narrator, and readers root for her to both find her way back home, and her way back to Tru.

NEMESIS, by Brandon Reichs

The story: Min is murdered on her birthday...over and over. Noah too. The weirdest part? They wake up the next morning with no wounds beyond the terrible memories. Little do they know that they're an involuntary part of the biggest, most bizarre science experiment ever. Waking up alive may not be the ultimate goal. Waking up sane may be the tougher achievement.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence R; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (conspiracy, "extinction-level events", torture, murder, parental abandonment) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: This fast-paced thriller never had any intention of not being a cliff-hanger. Hand to all your fans of noir dystopian fiction who aren't squeamish about gory violence or "Lord of the Flies" moments. Personally, I'm pretty done with this kind of book for now and was pretty glad when it ended, but I know there's a certain group of (mostly guy) readers who will think this one is dandy. Best for 8th grade and up.

FLAWED, by Cecelia Ahern

The story: In Celestine's dystopian society, making choices that don't benefit society can cause you to be labeled "flawed"--and branded, so that everyone else knows it too. When Celestine breaks a rule to help someone on the fringes, the unthinkable happens, and somehow she finds herself targeted as the most flawed person EVER. Will her family turn their backs? Will her boyfriend stay true? Will she have the guts to do the right thing when any choice has the potential for such savage consequences?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG; Nudity PG-13; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G: GLBT content G: Adult themes (societal norms and discord, social judgments, flawed political systems) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: Unrelentingly dark. As I've mentioned before, I'm kind of over dystopian fiction, and I found this depressing, even though it was a compelling read. Hopefully there will be a happier outcome in "Perfect", the next (and maybe the completion) of the series.