When an author begins a book by thanking Fox News for teaching her how to report the truth without fear, it gives readers a pretty good sense of her political leanings. Sure enough, Wells begins this diatribe by asserting that the federal government should have no role in public education. Readers who make it past this first section will see that Wells herself concedes that many problems stem from the local level, with incompetent school boards and unqualified school leaders—problems that would not be addressed if the U.S. Department of Education disappeared overnight. The author uses her experience in a rural town in Georgia to illustrate the inefficiencies she encountered as a teacher and principal. Instead of genuine insight, she offers truisms—”students perform best when they receive the best possible teaching....” And despite her citation of the U.S. lagging in math and science testing, she pays no attention to the challenges the country faces precisely because individual states have autonomy on how such subjects are taught.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

Clinical psychologist Brown targets a little-known counseling niche in this disturbing yet gripping study. She estimates one of three girls and one of four boys from the baby boomer generation were sexually abused before age 18—mostly by family members. In an ironic reversal of roles, many of those abused wind up caring for those elderly abusers. The difficulties these caretakers must address include cultural background, gender expectations, and economic necessity, as well as crippling memories. Brown hints at the range of psychological traumas such abuse victims grapple with and avoids prescribing universal recommendations. Her two imperatives, obvious though they seem, resonate: abusive adults are the sole parties at fault and victims choosing to offer assistance must practice self-compassion and boldly consider their own emotional well-being first. But Brown does not pretend that any bromides compensate for detailed individual analysis; indeed, the variety of reactions that an abuser's death can evoke in victims illustrates the complexities of the human psyche. These alone should reward the reader seeking general understanding. Readers with abuse in their families should find abundant ground for reflection and, hopefully, a healthier life.%08

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

Three children magically globe-trot in the Worldwide Adventures of Rohini Molini series, which launches with this chipper story. Normally not fond of sticks, Rohini's dog, Bugle, is quite taken by an odd-shaped one he digs up in the park. Though some readers will recognize it as a boomerang, Rohini does not, so she, her friends Jackson and baby Florence, and Bugle "magically travel to find out where in the world the stick came from.” When they clap five times and jump, they are transported to Australia, where they meet Lachlan, a friend of Rohini's who tells them about boomerangs. The authors add occasional search-and-find elements to the story ("They had really enjoyed their short trip to Australia, but were surprised they didn't see any kangaroos. Did you?”), which also incorporates a smattering of Australian jargon and concludes with a few facts about the continent. While the story is only a light introduction to Australia, Ibbotson-Gue's vivid cartoons enhance the book's mild playfulness. Rohini and her friends learn the difference between fiestas and siestas in A Short Trip to Spain, also available. Ages 3–6.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

This meandering story introduces a mushroom with a thirst for adventure. Born "into a privileged family of mushrooms” in Italy's Apennine Mountains, Porcini, who "was known by fellow mushrooms as being down-to-earth with a nutty personality,” hopes to avoid the fate of her brethren, namely being sold at market and "most likely end[ing] up grilled and served with fresh olive oil and parsley. This was a highly desired fate and widely accepted among mushrooms.” Wanting more from life, however, Porcini has her first brush with freedom when she bounces out of the farmer's basket, only to be retrieved and eventually sold to a chef in Rome; luckily for Porcini, her downhill roll splits her stem in two to resemble legs, giving her mobility and keeping the chef from serving her to customers. Opposite Yee's recounting of Porcini's travails are clean, brightly colored digital cartoons—Porcini herself is lightly anthropomorphized with gray eyes and other facial features that remain virtually unchanged throughout. Although Porcini successfully avoids being cooked and consumed, her first adventure comes across as overlong and anticlimactic. Ages 7–10.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

In this fast-paced middle-grade adventure, first in Gunhus's Templar Chronicles series, readers meet Jack Templar, who discovers his hidden heritage as a monster hunter as he turns 14. On the eve of Jack's birthday, he develops amazing physical powers—speed, strength, stamina—and starts encountering the creatures, or Creaches, that hide in plain sight among humans. When an enigmatic teen named Eva shows up to offer training and explanations, they are quickly attacked, propelling Jack, Eva, and his friends Will and T-Rex into a nightmarish fight for survival against an age-old vampire and his hordes. Nonstop action meets surprises galore as Jack's true nature and abilities assert themselves against overwhelming odds. Written in a casually conversational voice, the narrative flows smoothly, and the characters act realistically under the circumstances. Presented as a story designed to introduce hunters like Jack to a dangerous world ("If you read this book, you will be part of this world and the monsters will come after you too,” Jack warns readers), the conceit works; author Gunhus delivers a satisfying, if sometimes hectic, tale. Ages 6–12.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

The Anatolia Steppe Mysteries series debuts with this craftily plotted novel crammed with mistaken identities, false leads, enigmatic clues, and narrow escapes. Eleven-year-old Ana arrives in Jordan to join her archeologist mother, who has been hired by the government to create a traveling exhibit of artifacts from the lost Nabatean civilization based in the city of Petra, which became lost to history following an earthquake 2,000 years earlier. When her mother fails to meet her, Ana opens a package from her containing a cryptic message and an object Ana later discovers is an ancient relic that may lead her to hidden Nabatean treasure—and her kidnapped mother. Accompanied by Gordy, the son of her nanny, Ana embarks on a quest that involves evading alleged villains, deciphering an ancient zodiac, and pulling off death-defying physical feats. The protagonists are realistically drawn and engaging kids, and Ana's clipped, present-tense narrative moves at a snappy pace in this winning blend of history, mystery, and adventure. The authors leave several pieces of the puzzle missing, paving the way for the second installment of this promising series. Ages 6–12.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

Funny, openly gay high school junior Russel Middlebrook—the star of Hartinger's Geography Club and two sequels—finds the adventure he is looking for when he falls for an anti-consumerist freegan who pops out of the school Dumpster. Through Wade, Russel is exposed to new experiences (like eating roadkill) and challenging ideas ("When you don't spend your whole life looking at a television or a computer screen, you can't help but take a good look at the world”). But just as their relationship turns romantic, Russel's friend Gunnar suspects that Wade and his freegan friends may be taking their beliefs to a dangerous extreme. This is an unusual story line, but, like Russel, readers may find themselves intrigued by Wade's lifestyle and beliefs. Secondary plot lines (including one about Russel's possible reconciliation with his first love, Kevin) supplement the core drama, and teens will continue to enjoy Russel's ever-humorous narration, which includes direct conversation with readers. After eating barbecued raccoon with Wade, Russel says, "If it doesn't sound romantic, you'll just have to take my word for it, because it totally, TOTALLY was.” Ages 12–up.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink

Blount delivers an emotional exploration of the power of grief and loss in the story of 14-year-old Mae McBride. Ever since her father died saving her best friend Heidi Foster from a fire, Mae has been overcome with despair, unable to let go of her father or forgive Heidi. As Mae's depression deepens, she alienates her friends and family, earning the nickname "The Tragic One” while she struggles to make sense of the world. The healing process is slow and painful, and Mae gradually finds strength to face the facts behind her father's sacrifice. But can she mend bridges with her former friend? While the story is framed as a recollection from an older Mae, the narrative struggles to find its voice, often seeming too mature for the moment, the distance of years blunting the otherwise overwhelming emotional black hole Mae wades through. For the story's slim page count, it packs in substantial drama and angst, tending to wallow in Mae's grief and despair. Ages 12–up.

Reviewed on 04/19/2013 | Details & Permalink