IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN, by Anne Sibley O'Brien

The story: Mia and Simon are on a tour of North Korea with their father when they discover evidence of the country's brutal prison camps. They know it could incriminate their dad, and possibly cause him to end up with a life sentence in a labor camp--so when he's arrested, they go on the run, trying to make it to the Chinese border and freedom. They have no idea just how much they're going to depend on the kindness of strangers to come out of this alive.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG (descriptions of labor camps, but not graphic); Suxual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (repressive regimes, forced labor, espionage) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Readers who know little about repressive regimes will find a lot to consider in this story. Mia and Simon's decision to bolt seems unconsidered, and there are long stretches of plain old running-and-hiding that seem to go on for a long time, but the glimpse into a world that's so diametrically opposite from ours will be rewarding for kids who stick to it.

NEANDERTHAL OPENS THE DOOR TO THE UNIVERSE, by Preston Norton

The story: Cliff and Aaron are on a mission from God--to make Happy Valley High School a less sucky place to be. Aaron just came out of a coma, and when he approaches Cliff (nicknamed Neanderthal because of his huge size), the other teen is suspicious because Aaron used to be the source of all bullying. But Aaron's evidently turned over a new leaf...or possibly gone crazy. Either way, Cliff knows that life at HVHS sucks, so he's in. He would never have dreamed how things would turn out.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence PG; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity PG; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG-13; adult themes (suicide, parental abuse, bullying, drugs; no on-page sex, but plenty of sex talk and discussion of boners) PG-13; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: This is a funny, well-plotted and sneakily thought-provoking book that will appeal to the bullied and the invisible. I found the overabundance of four-letter words tiresome, but overall Cliff is a snarky, relatable character who discovers the forward progress that can be made when people work together to make things better. NOT for middle school.

LAURA INGALLS IS RUINING MY LIFE, by Shelley Tougas

The story: Charlotte's family has moved, AGAIN, and she's the new girl in school. Again. Her policy of avoiding eye contact and making friends has worked before, but now it seems that her twin brother, always her reliable ally, has deserted her to make some friends of his own. Now she's stuck hanging with Rose, their younger sister, and thinking it's a set-up when other girls are nice. It's only when she channels the spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the town's most famous resident, that she realizes life on the prairie can be good, even if it's hard. But will their footloose mom pull up stakes and ruin things again?

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 (parental neglect, bullying) PG, overall rating G. 

Liz's comments: A cute, if lightweight, story about the dangers and rewards of opening yourself up to friendship. Grades 4-7.

FALLOUT (Lois Lane #1), by Gwenda Bond

The story: Junior Lois Lane is the new girl in town. Again. Her policy of laying low doesn't work well for her when she notices another student getting bullied and steps in, only to discover that there are some very strange things going on here in Metropolis--like a group of bullies that is as coordinated as a school of fish, and a principal who doesn't care. Picked up by editor Perry White to cover the teen scene at school, Lois is soon on the hunt, aided by her mysterious online friend, SmallvilleGuy. Can they figure out who's brainwashing kids before they all turn into walking, talking zombies?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (brainwashing and mind control; government conspiracies) PG-13; overall rating PG-13, best for 8th-up.

Liz's comments: Two thumbs up! Lois is a smart, daring heroine, her crush on Superman is already in play and she doesn't even know it, and there's just enough techo-thrill to this caper to make it especially interesting to today's teens. Check out the next two volumes, "Double Down" and "Triple Threat".

THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET, by David Barclay Moore

The story: Ever since his brother Jermaine was killed, Lolly Rachpaul has had a weight in his heart. He's sad, he doesn't know how to move on, and worst of all the gang guys now want HIM to join up. It's only when he starts building a gigantic Lego complex, and makes a new friend, that he realizes he needs to--and can--see things in a new way. But will that be enough to help his best friend Vega make a good choice too?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG (two moms); adult themes (gang-related violence, dealing with autism) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Lolly's growth as a character, through his friendship with autistic Rose and through their shared love of Legos and architecture, is the real standout in this story. A good fit for those not quite ready for Jason Reynolds's YA stories.

A BABYSITTER'S GUIDE TO MONSTER HUNTING, by Joe Ballarini

The story: Kelly just wants to stop being Invisible--but she never dreamed that becoming a Babysitter would lead her to fame and kick-butt adventures. That's "Babysitter" with a capital B, of course--a group of monster fighters determined to take down the otherworldly bullies haunting the dreams of little kids everywhere. Who ever knew those monsters were REAL?!?

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

Liz's comments: A fun and slightly scary read. I would have reviewed it for grades 5-8. Definitely not for 3rd grade readers.

THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO, by F. C. Yee

The story: Genie Lo has always stood tall...really tall...but she never realized it was a clue to her true identity as the reincarnated staff of the gods. When cute but short Quentin Sun shows up at school, she feels an immediate connection to him. She put it down to hormones, but it turns out they WERE meant to be together--just not in the way she thought. She's the weapon, he's the Monkey god, and together they're out to kick some demon booty.

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

Liz's comments: Thumbs up! There's plenty of action in this, but the author also addresses stereotypes of smart Asian kids struggling to get into top-tier colleges and other standard tropes. Best of all is Genie's hilarious, snarky narration, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Hand this to any kid who likes Percy Jackson and can overlook a female in the role of butt-kicker--or, even better, who would applaud it. ;)