Beneath by Roland Smith

What an unusual book and an I can't put it down read!  Pat and Coop are brothers to brilliant science parents. Coop is an unusual child and has always been drawn to the underground. He loves the dark and sleeps during the day. His parents had to hire two nannies so that someone could watch him at night. In his teens he starts to dig a tunnel in the Washington D. C. area where they live.  His brother helps him and is involved in an explosion that sends him to the hospital in a 3 day coma. Coop is taken in for questioning by the FBI.  The mother says Coop is insane.  Coop eventually runs away and gets involved in a underground community in New York City.  He contacts Pat and when the communication stops, Pat realizes that his brother may be in trouble. He sneaks away to try and find him. In New York, Pat follows a series of leads and discovers a sinister under underground community that may have taken Coop hostage. Friends that Coop has made along the way begin to help Pat with the search.  It is a thriller and adventure story that is exciting and riveting.

First of all, do homeless people live underground in New York?  Very interesting twist for this story. The story ended with a cliff hanger. When is the next book coming out?  I couldn't find another book mentioned in Smith's blog and yet, everyone is asking the same question.  Although it has violence, it is toned down and not graphic. There is no inappropriate language either.  This book is for 5th grade and up and will appeal to boys and girls.  The reading level is 4.3.  I give it a 4 out of 4 rating and would put in on the Divsion 2 Maud Hart Lovelace list.

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; Reprint edition (March 29, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545564875
• ISBN-13: 978-0545564878

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

This is a beautifully written modern day realistic magical fairy tale.  Twig, a twelve year old girl, is the narrator of the story.  She tells of her family who lives in isolation in the small town of Sidwell, Massachusetts.  Her family has been cursed and so her mother keeps to herself  and keeps her family invisible.  Twig's brother has been passed with the curse and has wings and is able to fly. No one in town knows about him.  However, the town has tales about a monster that flies around their community at night. They even sell tee-shirts to local tourists. Because of some vandalism that begins to happen in their town, some believe it is time to go and hunt and kill the monster. Twig realizes that this hunt could be devastating to her brother's life.  She becomes friends with the new girl who moves next door and they begin to play detective to solve the vandalism mystery in their town. Romance and friendship and forgiveness are big themes that play into this  story.

As I was reading this book, I thought it reminded me of the movie Practical Magic. As I investigated the author, I found out that Alice Hoffman wrote the story for the movie too. Of course, Sandra Bullock became the mother character in Nightbird for me!

Again, the writing is lovely and fun to read.  I would have to caution kids that it has witchcraft in it since I know some students and parents don't like to read novels with witchcraft.  Since it is written in a realistic genre, it may feel less fairy tale like.

I enjoyed the book and give it a 4 out of a 4. It think it would be appropriate for 5th grade and up and for the Division 2 list.  It is not a book suitable for all readers and would appeal to a girl reader.  The reading level is 5.4

• Age Range: 10 and up 
• Grade Level: 5 and up
• Lexile Measure: 0840 
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (March 8, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385389612
• ISBN-13: 978-0385389617

The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern

Maggie is an 11 year old who lives in Atlanta, has two older sisters, a mom, and a dad with multiple sclerosis.  She is brilliant, plans to become the president of the United States someday, loves candy and sweets and has an hilarious sense of humor.  Her father's MS disease progresses and Maggie sets out to figure out what is happening to him and what is a solution.

This book is really hilarious! The writing is snappy, funny, insightful and impossible to stop reading. Maggie describes situations and people in her life in her own unique and bold way. The story isn't a comedy and as you can imagine it includes the trials of family life, especially with someone who has an incurable disease.  Yet, there is a hope and positive outlook from Maggie's viewpoint.

There are a few swear words, and the parents refer to their hippie days and the music of the era.  They also mix up cocktails occasionally and mention a special "weed" from their scrapbook. The teen daughters talk of dating and sex as well.  The setting is in the 80's...and so even though it seems like it could happen today, the lack of technology, and the references to 80's clothing and lifestyle pops up.

This is definitely a story with girl appeal.  There are only daughters in the book and the only main male character is the father.

I give this book a 4 out of 4.  It was great.  Maybe not for every reader though. This is more appropriate for a middle school reader. I probably won't vote for it for MHL even though I loved reading it.  The reading level is 4.3

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Reprint edition (May 12, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1452128766
• ISBN-13: 978-1452128764

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Hunt

This is a story about a 6th grade girl named Ally. She has moved to many schools and gets into trouble each time.  Her issues stem from her inability to read. Her teacher finally figures out that her misbehavior is a result of her frustration at not being able to read or write.  With his help, she starts to climb out of her pit and begins to see her gifts and abilities.  She also begins to make friends for the first time in her classroom.

This is a fabulous read aloud for the classroom teacher.  There are so many moments in the book that capture moments in most classrooms.  I felt like I was getting a peak inside a classroom and was able to learn and grow along side the characters.  For instance, many times when the teacher would say or do something, I would think about the strategy and when I might be able to try it.  Lots of bibliotherapy for both students and teachers!  If you liked Wonder by Palacio, this book has a similar feel.

This book was a Global Read Aloud in 2015 and so there are lots of extras that you can find to go along with the book.  The author's website has a focus on this book that is very good:   www.lyndamullalyhunt.com/books/fish-in-a-tree/

I rate this book a 4 out of 4.  It would be a crossover book, good for both divisions.   The reading level is 3.7.

• Age Range: 10 and up 
• Grade Level: 5 and up
• Lexile Measure: 0550
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Puffin Books; Dgs Rep edition (January 10, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142426423
• ISBN-13: 978-0142426425

Charlie Bumpers VS The Really Nice Gnome by Bill Harley

This book is a humorous school story about a 4th grader named Charlie Bumpers whose class will be putting on a class play.  He has his heart set on playing the villain but gets assigned the really nice gnome instead.  He thinks his part is lame and tries to sabotage it in various ways getting his friend involved as well. There are some cute scenes with his dog and his neighbors pets and his family members too.  ,

As I read this book, I thought it reminded me of Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary.  After I finished this book, I went to Bill Harley's website.  He announced that he was selected to receive the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award on April 12th, the birthday of Cleary.  It was fun to know I had made a similar connection!  Here is the link to his blog:  www.billharley.com

The writing style is easy to read and there are pencil drawings sprinkled throughout the book.  It should be a fun and easy read for most 3rd-5th graders.  This is a series book and this is number two.  This one can stand by itself without reading the first one.  I imagine he will have the rest of the series be the same.   The reading level is 3.8.  I give it a 4 out of 4 and recommend it for Division 1 MHL.

• Series: Charlie Bumpers
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; Reprint edition (March 1, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561458317
• ISBN-13: 978-1561458318

Louise Trapeze Is Totally 100% Fearless by by Micol Ostow (Author), Brigette Barrager (Illustrator)

Louise Trapeze is a daughter of  circus performers in the Sweet Potato Circus. Her parents perform the high wire act and she performs as well.  It is her birthday and she has the chance to perform on the high wire for the first time. She discovers that she is afraid of heights and tries to figure out a way to get out of performing without having to admit to her fear.

The book reminded me of Fancy Nancy books because Louise likes to use phrases and words in her conversations and then explain to the reader what they mean in a cartoon or drawing.  The characters are unique and the story is short with lots of pictures.  The vocabulary and reading level is at the third grade level. The story should appeal to chapter book readers from Kinders up to 2nd grade.  I am not sure if  it would appeal to third grade and up.

I wouldn't vote for this for a MHL book because it seems for a younger set of readers.  I rate it a 3 out of 4.   A second one came out in February.  It is called Louise Trapeze Did NOT Lose the Juggling Chickens.

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
• Grade Level: 1 - 4
• Lexile Measure: 0530
• Series: A Stepping Stone Book(TM)
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 28, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553497391
• ISBN-13: 978-0553497397

Watch the Sky by Kristen Hubbard

Jory, a 5th grade boy, has a step father who tells his family to watch the sky for signs. It's an unusual family: mom is nervous, father is paranoid, sister just showed up in a pumpkin patch and doesn't talk, and baby brother is father's pride.  Caleb, the father, has spent time in the military and runs his family with some of the same rules.  They keep to themselves, wear combat boots and cargo pants all the time, stockpiling supplies, and are digging a tunnel in the middle of the night.

Jory attends public school but keeps to himself until he becomes friends with a girl in his class.  He begins to experience friendship, fun, and freedom.  But, he begins to let some secrets slip and the authorities come to the door to investigate.  This sign tell the father it is time to take action.

This book started as a short story according to the author's notes.  It feels like a short story that has been expanded.  When I read a short story, I don't expect that the ending will tie everything up neatly and this book ends that way.  I wanted to know so much more and yet, the haunting ending tells me that I can guess what happens. The story draws you in and when I only had a few pages left, I was concerned because I wanted everything to be explained and that seemed to be pages away.  But it did end and yet it didn't feel like another book had to follow it as a sequel.

I recommend this book for grades 5-7.  My score is a 3 out of 4.

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (April 7, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1484708334
• ISBN-13: 978-1484708330

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

This is a sweet, sweet story about a grumpy old bear who ends up having to take care of four goslings. It made me laugh and giggle as I followed along with the frustrations of this old bear.  The illustrations were just perfect.  Ryan Higgins is talented author and illustrator. It looks like a sequel will be released this fall. 

• Age Range: 2 - 5 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
• Lexile Measure: 570 
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (November 24, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1484730887
• ISBN-13: 978-1484730881

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

I listened to this book on audio. The narrator was fabulous and did a wonderful job with the different voices.

This is a story about a 13 year old girl who lives in New York City. One of the first things that happens in the book is a scene where Theodora finds her grandfather dying in middle of her street after an accident. He gives her clues on his death bed as to what she should do after he is gone. Theo is left to take care of her disturbed mother and her home. Money is very scarce without the income of her grandfather. She is left with a mystery which turns out to be a art history mystery. Along the way she meets many characters who help or hinder her in trying to solve her mystery.

The mystery deals with a Raphael painting, art history, the Nazi's and the Holocaust, and lots of determination and tenacity. Even though this type of book isn't what I gravitate to, I really begin to enjoy the book. I especially liked learning about the art and history which was part of the mystery.

I give this book a 4 out of 4. I recommend it for middle school students. There is a lot of material and background knowledge that might be difficult for elementary readers.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Lexile Measure: 0790
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (May 26, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142427659
ISBN-13: 978-0142427651

Ivy Takes Care by Rosemary Wells

I listened to this book on audio. It is set in 1949 in Nevada. Ivy's father works on a ranch that hosts people who need to live in Nevada for 6 weeks in order to get a divorce. I thought this was a really unique situation. I looked it up and it was true. It actually carried the people of Nevada through the Great Depression. This isn't the focus on the book but it was noted when Ivy deals with one of the guests of the ranch.

Ivy is a sixth grader who decides to start a business taking care of animals. The local vet helps her with this ambition and she begins to focus on saving her earnings for college. Some of the animals she takes care of are a pony, a German Shepard dog, and a quarter horse. She has a side kick friend named Billy Jo who helps and hinders her along the way.

If a student loves animals and adventures this will be a good suggestion. It has a very old fashioned feeling and it felt like I was reading a book from the weeded pile of an old library. The black and white pencil illustrations that are scattered throughout the book are lovely.

I give this book a 3 out of 4. It would be good for grades 3-5.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Lexile Measure: 830L
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (February 26, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763653527
ISBN-13: 978-0763653521

Ms Rapscott's Girls written and illustrated by Elise Primavera

Ms Rapscott runs a wacky school for girls who have parents that are very busy and don't really notice their kids anymore.  So she has them mailed to her and she teaches them all the common sense, rules, manners and life skills they have missed.  The story is wacky, fantastical and  full of unique adventures.  It is not grounded in realism and you have to adjust your thinking as you read the story to not expect it to be really logical.  This kind of book isn't my favorite, but I have to say I read it quickly and was entertained by the creative story.

The book is written by Elise Primavera who wrote the series about Auntie Claus.  I loved those stories!   I would recommend this book for grades 3-5. It looks like she is planning a series.  It did end with a set up for another book.

I rate it a 2 out 4.  It was OK.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Lexile Measure: 0870 

Series: Ms. Rapscott's Girls

Hardcover: 272 pages

Publisher: Dial Books; 1 edition (March 10, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0803738226

ISBN-13: 978-0803738225

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan

I listened to this audio book on a recent trip during spring break. I adored it!  It reminded me of Listening for Lions which Whelan also wrote and I loved.  The cover was beautiful and the actress narrating the book was outstanding.  She did the characters and dialects so well.

The story takes place in India around 1920 and shortly after World War I.  The main character is 15 year old Rosalind who has lived in India her entire life.  Her father is a general in the English Army and they live a wealthy lifestyle among the people of India.

Rosalind is great friends with an Indian girl, who own age who asks her to help save a baby from a life of slavery and abuse. She also gets a chance to listen to Ghandi at a political rally and sides with his views.  Rosalind's father is furious with her decisions and sends her to boarding school in England to live with her aunts.

Rosalind continues to be independent and not willing to go along with what is set before her.  Even her aunts are changed by her living with them.

I just found out this book was removed from the MHL list and I am disappointed.  Too bad we missed this one.  I would rate this a 4 out 4 and good for middle school and up.  I also recommend listening to this title.   I also look forward to reading the sequel:  All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens

• Age Range: 9 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 7
• Lexile Measure: 940
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books; Reprint edition (July 9, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442494956
• ISBN-13: 978-1442494954

Honey by Sarah Weeks

I listened to this book on Audible Books.  It was a fun book to listen to and was just the type of book I love!

Melody and her father are just the two of them because her mother died when she was born.  Meldoy is a happy and content child.  She overhears her father call someone "Honey" and he is starting to act strange and is whistling "You are my Sunshine". She and her best friend Nick start to try and uncover what is going on.

There are a lot of great characters in this book, such as a six year old neighbor, a beauty shop operator, a grandfather, and the teachers in Melody's life.  There is also a dog named Mo who has chapters written from his point of view as well. As the book progresses you begin to see how the connections are made to Melody and her father.

This book reminded me a little of Because of Winn Dixie.  Lots of the same elements are involved.
I just love quirky small towns with interesting characters.  This was a delightful listen for me!

This book isn't on the Maud Hart Lovelace reading list but I just added it.  I hope everyone likes it as much as I did!  I rate it 4 out of 4.  It is Division 1 for grades 3-5.  It would be a great read aloud and also good for most readers in grades 3-5.  

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; Reprint edition (May 10, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545465605
• ISBN-13: 978-0545465601

The Girl From Felony Bay by J. E. Thompson

This a terrific first book in a series and hopefully long series of  mysteries. The main character is a lovable and feisty character named Abbey Force.  She is a force too!  Set in South Carolina on an old plantation in a swampy island, this book gives you a taste of a Southern setting near Charleston which is so different from my Minnesota residence.

Abbey's father has been in a coma for over 9 months and she is now living with her Uncle and Aunt. They are unloving, selfish, and act like the stepmother in Cinderella in their treatment of Abbey.  Her father was found lying on the floor with stolen jewelry surrounding him. The loot was owned by one of his clients and as her lawyer, he was the only one with the combination for the lock.  The legal offices are forced to sell Abbey's father's plantation in order to prevent them from going out of business.

Abbey meets the girl who is her age who now lives in her old house. They bond quickly and set out to solve the mystery of what really happened.  Abbey is convinced her father is innocent. Since she is an only child with no mother, she has picked up a lot of legal information from her father.  She uses her instincts to uncover the true deception.

I thought this was a great read!  It is a long book - 375 pages and will need a good reader.  When I read the sneak peak for the next book, I did notice the time frame was adjusted....I wonder why?
Anyway, I rate this book 4 out of 4.  A solid read in the mystery genre.  This book is good for grades 5 and up.  It would also be appropriate for good 4th grade readers.   I recommend this a nominee for the Maud Hart Lovelace list for Crossover or Division 2.  This is Thompson's first book.

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
• Lexile Measure: 970 
• Series: Felony Bay Mysteries (Book 1)
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Walden Pond Press; Reprint edition (September 2, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062104470
• ISBN-13: 978-0062104472

Brotherhood by A. B. Westrick

I had this book in my hand last week with the intent to take it home and read over spring break.  A student commented that it looked like a "zombie" book.  The characters in the cover of the book do look pretty tattered and Gothic.  The story is also about a dark historical time period.  The setting is Richmond, Virginia after the Civil War.  Much of the city had been burned down and people are having difficulty finding jobs and getting back to normal.   The Yankee soldiers were also still patrolling the town which added tension to the community.

The main character is a young preteen boy named Shadrach or Shad for short. Secretly, he wants to learn to read and because of his dyslexic reading condition has failed. He finds a secret black school where a young African American teenager is willing to teach him as she teaches her other students. In exchange he teaches the children how to sew which is what he knows from his grandfather's business as a tailor.

"The Brotherhood" is the Ku Klux Klan which was started to support the men after the war...like a fraternity. But the issues of time causes the Klan to become a organization which is a terrorist group going after anyone who they don't like.  African Americans are a primary target.  Shad unfortunately get recruited and loves the camaraderie but is uncomfortable with the acts of bullying.

This is a great historical fiction book about a time and place that I haven't really ever read in children's literature.  It is has  a middle school audience for grades 5 and up.  It would make a great book club for Civil War studies.    I rate it a 3.5 out of 4.  There is some profanity and violence in the book.

This is Westrick's first novel and I was very impressed with her writing. I also am recommending it as a nominee for Maud Hart Lovelace Book awards.  It will go on my short list. 

• Age Range: 10 - 14 years

• Grade Level: 5 and up

• Lexile Measure: 720 

• Paperback: 384 pages

• Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (June 12, 2014)

• Language: English

• ISBN-10: 0142422371

• ISBN-13: 978-0142422373

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

This book is a great upper elementary book for students to read or as a teacher read aloud. 
It is about a 5th grader named Jackson who is very factual and logical and doesn't get emotional about his life, unlike his parents.  However, one day, his very large imaginary friend comes back into his life.  This friend happens to be a cat named Crenshaw who used to be in Jackson's life when he was much younger. Jackson is perplexed at what is going on and why something so unusual would be happening to him since it doesn't make any sense.  Actually, his life is also in turmoil and yet he doesn't really want to acknowledge the problems in his family.  You see, they are almost homeless, again.  Life is difficult. Crenshaw might be what Jackson needs at this time.

I give this a 4 out of 4 rating.  It was great for grades 4-6.  I also am recommending it as a nominee for Maud Hart Lovelace Book awards.  It will go on my short list.

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 5 - 9
• Lexile Measure: 540 
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (September 22, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250043239
• ISBN-13: 978-1250043238