Book-A-Day June 13, 2017
I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest (mystery, grades 6-8)
What if someone who you thought had died was really alive and sending you messages? May and Libby used to spend hours together writing stories for the epic comic superhero that they created: Princess X. Libby was great at drawing the characters while May enjoyed writing the story. They were inseparable until the car accident when Libby and her mom plunged off of a bridge into water and drowned...at least that’s the story that May’s parents told her. Several years later, while walking around town, May begins to see pictures of Princess X everywhere and starts to wonder if her friend is still alive somewhere. After exploring more, May is convinced that Libby is not only alive but in danger. And now, May and her computer-guru friend Trick are in danger too. Will they be able to solve the hidden clues and find Libby in time? Parts of their Princess X comic is interspersed throughout the book. This book has a very unique story. Although the clues almost come together too "nicely", young readers will enjoy the mystery, the technology involved, and the action. I Am Princess X is on the 2018 Rebecca Caudill Award list.
The Terrible Two by Matt Barnett & Jory John (humor, grades 3-6)
Are you a prankster? Miles used to be known as the top prankster at his old school for all of the crazy pranks he used to pull. So, when his family moves to a new town, he’s ready to establish himself again at the top of the prankster world. He soon realizes that he might have some really tough competition when someone puts the principal’s car on the top of the steps leading into the building on the first day of school! Miles and the other prankster declare a prankster war to see who is the best. Read this hilarious book to find out who will win! With illustrations on almost every page, fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and reluctant readers will enjoy this funny series. The Terrible Two is on the 2018 Bluestem Award list.
March Book One & Book Two by John Lewis (autobiography, graphic novel format, grades 6 & up)
In 2009, while getting ready for President Obama's inauguration, two youngsters and their mother enter Congressman John Lewis' Washington D.C. office and he begins to tell them his story. In Book One, we learn that Mr. Lewis was a little different from other kids. He enjoyed dressing nicely and he would do just about anything to not miss school. However, living in the deep south wasn't easy for Mr. Lewis and his family in the 1950's, and he soon decides that he wants to be a part of the peaceful movement to help end segregation. Much of the rest of Book One is about the sit-ins that Mr. Lewis and others were involved in to help end segregation at department store lunch counters. Book Two picks up where Book One left off. In Book Two, we follow Mr. Lewis as he and others participate in freedom rides to help end segregation on buses. In this second book, Mr. Lewis encounters much more violence and many jail terms. These graphic novels give an important first-hand glimpse of what the civil rights movement was like for those who participated in it. The black-and-white illustrations set the tone and add much to the story. The graphic novel format make these books easily accessible to middle and high school readers and the books would be great for literature circles about the topic of the civil rights movement. I'm really looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy soon!
