The Pocket Guide to Mischief

Biblio Bits The Pocket Guide to Mischief by Bart King, Gibbs Smith, 2008 (ISBN 9781423603665)

Reading Level/Interest Age 9-14

Genre Nonfiction

Plot Summary
This small volume is full of all sorts of fun, with chapter headings such as "Practical jokes inspired by ancient Rome," "Mischief of the Rich and Famous," and "Mischievous foods." The content is diverse, with information about why bellyflops hurt, the best comebacks for various situations, how to interact with your elders, some good insult-worthy vocabulary ("flocculent," "lurdane," and "mucopurulent," to name a few), and practical jokes. The tone is breezy and conversational, and even somewhat snarky. There's a bibliography of mischief-worthy titles at the back for further reading.

Critical Evaluation

This title will be thoroughly appealing to a broad age range (into adult!) for its value on the playground or by the watercooler. The vocabulary and miscellanea are cleverly aimed at the tween audience who may have also enjoyed The Dangerous Book for Boys and the Daring Book for Girls. The layout is accesible, with frequent sidebars and lists that relate to the chapter. Local tweens describe this book as a page-turner and one in which they didn't want to miss any of the tidbits included. Adults should be wary of readers of this title, as some of the skills they may acquire through reading it are not necessarily ones we might want them to have!

Reader's Annotation

All the tricks, insults, and comebacks you'll ever need in one handy, pocket-sized book! Fun for all ages.

Author Information

Wow. You can read more about Bart King and his family (eight siblings), his wife, in-laws and spouse-in-laws at his author website than you probably want to know. It's funny reading, just like the book. King grew up in Sebastopol, CA but now resides in Portland, OR with his wife, Lynn. He has written several other books in the Pocket Guide series, including The Pocket Guide to Magic, The Pocket Guide to Games, and more.

Challenge issues

Some might react negatively to the tone of this book (which is not always respectful), as well as to some of the tricks and mischief inside its covers. There shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises, however, given the title of the book.

Booktalking Ideas

So many potentials, but I would select it for a booktalk in which I highlighted books I would like to have along with me if I were to be stranded in a boring airport, a desert island, or an elevator. Great miscellany, like the Guinness Book of World Records, but funnier. It would also be a perfect selection to have in an April Fool's Day themed booktalk, or just jokes and humor in general.

Curriculum Ties

As mentioned previously, this title has bits of history, biography, vocabulary, and cross-cultural connections sprinkled liberally throughout the text. But mainly, it's for fun and quirky edification.

Why this book?
An adorable size and vintage look drew my eye immediately. It seemed like the perfect sort of book to browse or thumb through, though others who have enjoyed it tell me that have read it cover-to-cover. A terrific selection for a reluctant reader who might not have found a niche with non-fiction yet, because the tone is so captivating and the information is delivered so well. I recommended it today to a reader who was looking to purchase a gift for a 9 year-old boy; when I described this book to her, she told me I'd nailed the perfect gift for him.

Awards
None.

Rockport Public Library owns?

No

Faith, Hope and Ivy June

Biblio Bits Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Random House, 2009 (ISBN 9780739380536)

Reading Level/Interest Age 10-13
Genre Realistic fiction

Plot Summary

Set in Kentucky, this book is about a friendship that develops between two girls who participate in a school exchange program. Ivy June is from a rural, mountain community where folks are used to living on the edge of poverty. Ivy June lives with her grandparents in a small cabin without indoor plumbing, but her parents and siblings are just down the "holler." Catherine is from Lexington and attends a local private school for girls. Her family lives in a large home (with multiple bathrooms) and they even have a household helper. Both girls are instructed to keep a journal of their experiences during the two weeks they spend with their host family (and the two weeks that they host) as well as being cautioned against making preconceived judgments about what they may encounter. The girls discover that they share certain commonalities but have some significant differences in their circumstances. Their friendship develops slowly, through some tricky situations at both homes, and ultimately they each find out a little about themselves and the world through the experience.

Critical Evaluation

This book explores some fundamental themes for tweens: friendship, self-discovery and reflection, family issues, and emotional development. The narrative is interspersed with the girls' journal entries, which makes their individual and unique voices shine through the text. This also adds a level of transparency, as we discover their private thoughts and feelings about the experiences they are having. The pace really picks up towards the end of the book when Catherine is living with Ivy June's family, and Ivy June's grandfather is trapped in a mining accident; the suspense and emotional content is quite strong and takes the friendship to a new level. Naylor does a nice job at taking this story beyond cliches to a realistic, believable, and engaging place.

Reader's Annotation

The great cover drew me to this book, depicting two girls struggling with a suitcase; in this case, the cover really does have a lot to do with what's inside.

Author Information

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is very prolific writer with over 135 published works to her name. She has authored the popular Alice series, the Boy/Girl battle series, and the Newbery Award-winning Shiloh. According to the author information on the jacket of this book, Naylor's interest in the small mountain communities in West Virginia and Kentucky was kindled during a road trip with her husband. She is the mother of two sons and a grandmother. Naylor currently resides in Maryland. (Author biography notes from the book jacket on Faith, Hope, and Ivy June.)

Challenge issues

None.

Booktalking Ideas

Friendship despite different circumstances is the strongest theme here, with many associated themes like prejudice and town vs. country. Also, this could fit into a booktalk with other books that have a journaling component.

Curriculum Ties

Social issues like poverty and prejudice would be good ones to tie in. But, as mentioned above, I see the best potential here for a mother/daughter book group reading choice.

Why this book?
The audio book's cover captured my attention as I was about to shelve it, and I decided to check it out. I was glad I did. It touches on many themes that are current for tweens: exploring and testing one's own limits, family and social issues, the ups and downs of friendships, and a little bit of boy/girl interaction thrown in in a very realistic way.

Awards

None.

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes.

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat

Biblio Bits Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell, MacMillan Children's Books, 2007 (ISBN 9780061448799)

Reading Level/Interest Age 760 lexile, ages 8-11

Genre Humorous mystery

Plot Summary

Ottoline is a privileged young girl who lives with her Norwegian bog creature, Mr. Munroe (small and hairy, a bit like Cousin Itt from the Addam's Family), while her parents travel the world collecting unusual things and sending postcards. When Ottoline and Mr. Munroe discover that small lapdogs and jewels are disappearing around Big City, they quickly formulate a plan to investigate. They uncover a crime ring headed up by a cat burglar (who is actually a cat) and a tricky plot to steal jewels from unsuspecting wealthy ladies. Mr. Munroe goes undercover and, with the help of Ottoline, the two make a plan to foil the crime ring.

Critical Evaluation
Though not a graphic novel per se, this book has Riddell's illustrations on every page which could be a great hook for reluctant readers. Although the mystery is fairly light and there is not a lot of text, the detailed and funny graphics (maps, postcards, annotations, etc.) enhance and add depth of pacing and emotion to the story.

Reader's Annotation

Thumb through this one and I dare you to not get hooked into the story by the amusing illustrations in black, white, and red. Ottoline and Mr. Munroe are on the case of the missing jewels in Big CIty.

Author Information

Chris Riddell is an award-winning illustrator and political cartoonist who lives in Brighton, England with his wife and three children. He has collaborated with Paul Stewart on the Edge Chronicles and the Far Flung Adventures series for children. (The information for this brief biography was obtained on the author's website on August 22, 2009.)

Challenge issues
Probably none, but I suppose absentee parenting, bears that talk, and mysterious and fantastic creatures from Norway might offend some.

Booktalking Ideas

This book would be great in a booktalk on mysteries, one that highlights books with a graphic component, or nontraditional storytelling methods.

Curriculum Ties

Not a lot of content to work with here, but Ottoline and the Yellow Cat is definitely a story that exhibits creative problem solving skills. One fun option could be to find an action sequence in another book and then "map" it out, similar to the very funny illustration that highlights the action of the climactic capture.

Why this book?
Just the right amount of silly mixed with a mystery along with those fun graphic details makes this book a great choice for a reluctant reader or a low-skills reader. Particularly for a young (emotionally or physically) tween, this title looks and feels like a chapter book without being very challenging in terms of content, complexity, or length.

Series/Sequel
Yes, more Ottoline books to come! Next up: Ottoline Goes to School (2009).

Awards
Maine Student Book Award Reading List 2009-2010

Rockport Public Library owns?

Yes

Savvy

Biblio Bits Savvy by Ingrid Law, read by Lily Blau, Penguin Audio, 2008 (ISBN 9780143143482)

Reading Level/Interest Age 10-12

Format Audio book

Genre Magical realism

Plot Summary
In the Beaumont family, when you turn thirteen you get your "savvy." A savvy can be anything from conjuring extreme weather to moving landmasses to bottling radio waves, and Mibs, who is about to turn thirteen herself, can't wait to find out what her savvy is. When her father ends up in the hospital because of an automobile accident on the eve of her birthday, the plans for Mibs' special day go awry. Mibs, two of her siblings, and two friends from church end up on a madcap adventure aboard a pink bus, trying to make their way to the hospital where Mr. Beaumont is in a coma because Mibs thinks she just might be able to use her savvy to wake him up. Along the way, Mibs learns more than just what her savvy is all about.

Critical Evaluation

This coming-of-age story is a tender and sometimes funny look at the challenges of growing up, magical powers aside. Mibs is a likeable and believable character who is navigating the complex waters of family, friendship, and the inklings of a first romance. This title provides an accurate portrayal of what it means to know and understand yourself and others, even as you (and the world around you) are changing. The author plays with language throughout the story, using repetition and alliteration to add emotion and emphasis. Lily Blau might not have been my first choice as reader for this title, since the southern dialect seems challenging for her and often slowed down her reading.

Reader's Annotation

Think X-Men, think superpowers, think about what it would be like to have an unusual ability AND be turning 13 and you might have an inkling about where this outrageous adventure aboard a pink bus might be headed.

Author Information

Ingrid Law grew up in upstate New York, near Lake Champlain, and currently resides in Colorado with her 14 year-old daughter. Savvy is Ingrid Law's first book. She is planning another book about savvies, though not about Mibs. (Biographic information gleaned from the author's official site and an interview on August 23, 2009.)

Challenge issues

Not witchcraft per se, but certainly magical and extraordinary powers are exhibited in these pages.

Booktalking Ideas

The idea of savvies and superpowers (which one would you pick if you could?) is certainly one that could be a theme for this booktalk, as well as trying to figure yourself out and growing up in an unusual family. The Runaway Princess (Coombs, 2006) and Saffy's Angel (and others) (McKay, 2001) are other titles that would fit with this age, on the theme of being different and being O.K. with yourself.

Curriculum Ties

Tall tales would be the obvious link here, with the idea of savvies as a modern take on this classic type of storytelling. The characters in Mrs. Beaumont's clan use their savvies for good or evil means, which is a bit different, given that most of the Tall Tale heroes (Paul Bunyan, the Jack stories) use their powers for good.

Why this book?
The idea of kids with superpowers (savvies) is a pretty compelling one to a variety of readers. Even though the main character is a girl, the sense of adventure is strong, the characters are realistic, and there are many funny moments so that it might appeal to some boys also (although the cover is a bit girly---could be a tough sell). There is also a real sense of tension that develops as Mibs tries to understand what her savvy is and the full extent of it, which is intriguing because it's not like you get a user's manual with your savvy.

Awards
ALA Notable Book 2009, Maine Student Book Award 2009-2010 Reading List, Newbery Honor 2009.

Rockport Public Library owns?
Yes.