COMPASSIONATE SOLDIER, by Jerry Borrowman

The story: Medals are frequently given to those who display unusual valor on the battlefield, and frequently those who demonstrate their bravery by showing compassion go unrecognized. In this book, the author discusses various people who, throughout history, sacrificed to do the right thing--and occasionally paid for it with their lives. From nurses to WWI air aces, the people in this book, and their true stories, just might surprise you.

Liz's comments: Better for HS and up.

1968, by Michael Kaufman

The story: 1968 was a year that changed the United States forever--and the world, too. Michael Kaufman, a reporter for the New York Times, watched it all come down. Here, he offers a short but thorough report about the killing of both Martin Luther King, Jr and Bobby Kennedy, campus riots, the Vietnam war, and other events that people are still talking about 50 years later.

Non-fiction: regular ratings don't apply. Good for middle school readers.

Liz's comments: 1968 was a watershed year, not just due to the killings of Martin Luther King Jr and Bobby Kennedy. Here's the story of some recent history whose effects are in place today, told by a person who lived it.

THE WIZARDS OF ONCE, by Cressida Cowell

The story: Wish, the Warrior queen's daughter, isn't a very good warrior. And Xar, son of King Encanto the Magnificent, isn't much of a wizard. When Xar's quest to capture a witch and steal her magic for himself brings him crashing into Wish instead, things immediately go wrong and nothing turns out quite as expected--especially the part where they accidentally release the Kingwitch from a stone (even though witches are supposedly extinct). So don't ask what else could go wrong... because it probably will!

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 G; overall rating G-ish.

Liz's comments: This fantasy story is great for readers in grades 3-6. There's plenty of action here, and only a little scariness. Hand it to kids who want magic but none of the scary stuff--the same audience, in fact, that already loves the "How to Train Your Dragon" series.

RAIL HEAD, by Philip Reeve

The story: Zen is a punk thief on a second-rate planet when Raven chooses him to rob the Emperor and propel himself into immortality--and also onto the radar of every law enforcement officer in their part of the galaxy. All he needs is a little luck, a little help from a lovely android who wants to be human, and the ability to stay one step ahead of all the people who want to kill him. Stranger things have happened.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (murder, mayhem, political machinations, godless society in general, sci-fi violence) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I do like Philip Reeve, but many of his books are just too hard for MS. This one is best for strong readers, 8th and up, mostly because a great deal of thinking has to happen before anyone will figure out what's going on. Explanation is kept to a minimum, but the author's fascinating world building is as strong as ever, and there's mile-a-minute action for anyone willing to strap in for the ride.

WHO KILLED CHRISTOPHER GOODMAN? by Allan Wolf

The story: Christopher Goodman is murdered one summer night, and although only one person pulled the trigger, many people share the guilt. If each one had done one small thing, the chain of events would have been interrupted and Christopher would have lived. And he was a nice kid. So they're all left to wonder--is there any kind of justice in the universe?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence PG-13 (the killing is not graphically described); Sexual content PG; Nudity PG; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (murder, guilt, dysfunctional family dynamics) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: There are five points of view here, and each voice is distinct and real. I liked the story a lot and think it would be all right for MS libraries as long as a language disclaimer was attached; however, the review sources are pretty unanimous in reviewing it for 9th grade and up. So be warned.

THE CHESS QUEEN ENIGMA (Holmes & Stoker #3) by Colleen Gleason

The story: Mina and Evaline are back, following clues and destroying vampires as they seek to keep an impetuous princess from running off and an evil schemer from figuring out the secret to living forever (which of course involves vampires, Egyptian cult magic, and the dreaded, illegal phenomenon known as electricity). Tea first, anyone?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13 (the slaying of vampires is never graphic); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (the dark side in general) PG-13; overall rating PG-13 (as much for the Victorian style of writing as anything.)

Liz's comments: I do love this series. Colleen Gleason never disappoints! However, with its Dickensian prose, it's best for 8th grade and up.

ALL WE HAVE LEFT, by Wendy Mills

The story: Jesse's brother died sixteen years ago, when the Twin Towers fell. Her family doesn't talk about it, but it's still tearing them apart. This is her story--interwoven with that of her brother, Travis, and his experiences in the North Tower after the planes hit. It's also the story of a girl trapped along with him, and the mystery of whether or not Alia lives.

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 (terrorism, religious intolerance, gang activities) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: It's important to keep in mind that kids in middle school today weren't even born when the Twin Towers were attacked on 9/11. Although Jesse's story, and her attraction to Adam, put this on the girly side of things, Travis and Alia's journey through the Twin Towers is gripping and scary, and a realistic glimpse into what it might have been like to have been there that day. Hand it to any kid looking for an account of September 11, 2001, or for contemporary fiction with flashbacks.