Cicada Summer by Beaty

Cicada Summer by Andrea Beaty. 2008.
Audience: Grades 4-6
My Rating: 2*s of 5
Summary: Twelve-year-old Lily, believing she could have prevented the accident that caused her brother's death, has quit speaking leaving everyone to think that she is brain damaged, but in her silence she sees everything, and when sly newcomer Tinny comes to town, Lily suddenly has a lot to talk about--if only she can make herself speak the words.

Comments: A debut novel that has many of the right ingredients, but somehow the recipe is off. Lily's vow of silence is a strong concept, but it gets lost until the end of the book. The flashback chapters are unclear as is the unfolding timeline of the climax. Drama of Tinny's criminal ties seems forced.

Awards:
Read-alikes:

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

What? Seriously, Printz committee!?! I quit listening to this contrived literati mess half-way through then skipped to the final disc and really didn't miss all that lie between.

This must be a love-it or hate-it book. I hated it. If you loved it, please explain.

Booooo....moooo....booooo. Did anyone on the committee even read Wintergirls???

1* out of 5

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce. 2010.

Audience: Grades 5-8, ages 10-14.

My Rating: 4*s of 5

Summary: Twelve-year-old Liam, who looks like he is thirty and is tired of being treated like he is older than he actually is, decides he is going to pose as the adult chaperone on the first spaceship to take civilians into space, but when he ends up in outer space with a group of kids and no adult supervision, he must think fast to make things right.

Comments: Another Cottrell Boyce winner. This one is so different from Millions that there is no need to compare. A rare juvenile book that is a positive portrait of a dad. Funny, warm, great dialogue, and fantastic views of space.

Awards:

Read-alikes: George's Secret Key to the Universe by Hawking

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies (audio)

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane. 2009.
Audience: Grades 5th-9th. Ages 10+.

My Rating: 4.5*s of 5
Summary: Eighth-grader Molly's ability to throw a knuckleball earns her a spot on the baseball team, which not only helps her feel connected to her recently deceased father, who loved baseball, it helps in other aspects of her life, as well.
Comments: A wonderfully written book--so much so that even this monotonous narrator (Maria Cabezas) can't ruin it. Captivating, real character development, well balanced, and subtly yet satisfyingly ended. A story as delicate and interesting as the butterfly pitches Molly throws. Impossible to resist the urge to play catch after reading this one!

Awards:
Read-alikes: Zen and the Art of Faking it by Sonnenblick, Dairy Queen by Murdock

Boys are Dogs (audio)

Boys are Dogs by Leslie Margolis. 2008.

Audience: Grades 4th-6th. Ages 8-12.
My Rating: 4*s of 5

Summary: When her mother gets a new boyfriend, sixth-grader Annabelle gets to cope with a new town, a new school, and a new puppy and, while training her puppy, she decides to apply some of the same techniques to tame the unruly boys that are making her middle-school life miserable.

Comments: What can I say, I'm a softy for a cute puppy book! Annabelle is fun to follow as she begins to stand up to the boys who bully her. The mom/new boyfriend subplot is also very well written. As an adult reader, I was at times concerned that she never involved an adult in her problems with boy bullies. But overall it was more satisfying to watch her solve her own (and in turn her friends) conflicts with boys.
Awards: YALSA Amazing Audio list 2010.

Read-alikes: Girls Acting Catty by Margolis

Zen and the Art of Faking It (audio)

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick. 2007.
Audience: Grades 6th-8th. Ages 12+

My Rating: 2.5*s of 5
Summary: When thirteen-year-old San Lee moves to a new town and school for the umpteenth time, he is looking for a way to stand out. His knowledge of Zen Buddhism provides the answer--and the need to quickly become a convincing Zen master.

Comments: One of those palm to forehead books where the protagonist is always missing the obvious. The story fell a bit short for me, mostly because of some awkward language ("Yikes!") and predictable plot devices. Woody is a great character--in fact I found her more interesting than San by a long shot (I mean, 3-Pointer).
Awards: YALSA Amazing Audio list 2010.
Read-alikes:

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff. 2009.

Audience: Grades 4th-6th. Ages 8-12.
My Rating: 3*s of 5

Summary: After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

Comments: A light touch on a heavy subject. While I found it difficult to connect with Annie for the first half of the story, the last few chapters made the read worthwhile. One can only hope there is a Mrs. Finch out there for every grieving young person.

Awards: Bluebonnet List 2010-2011.

Read-alikes: Olive's Ocean by Henkes, Leo and the Lesser Lion by Forrester, Love Aubrey by LaFleur.