Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies by Andrea Beaty
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Amulet Books, 2010, 192 pp., $12.95

Science Fiction/Humor/Multigenre
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8416-5

Twins Kevin and Joules Rockman come to Camp Whatsitooya armed for more than just an average summer camp experience. These young heroes use their curiosity and a lot of nerve, along with their knowledge of human nature, scary movies, and canned meat, to bravely face the fearsome Fluffs. Despite their gentle names, these giant and very hungry space invaders mean business, and world domination is at the top of their priority list. When the adult camp counselors start to disappear, it's up to the kids to save the world from giant rabbit fangs, fiery burps . . . and mind-numbing middle school musical movies.

Santat's amusing and descriptive illustrations (sometimes in comic book format) tell a good portion of this tale. Although intended (and appropriate) for ages 8-12, Beaty's witty sarcasm, delivered in the form of an unseen narrator, provides a quick and very enjoyable read for an older audience as well.

Julee Phillips
Nashville, TN

Choppy Sock Blues by Ed Briant
Flux, 2010, 264 pp., $9.96

Realistic Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1897-2

After fantasizing about girls he finds in his brother's magazine collection, 14-year-old Jay is smitten by a real girl for the first time — so much so, that he decides to turn to his father, whom he hasn't spoken to in two years, for help. You see, Tinga is going up for her blue belt in 21 days and has invited Jay, a green belt, to spar with her. The trouble is, Jay hasn't practiced in two years, hence the decision to get in touch with his father. And, to make matters worse, Jay finds out that Tinga and Malcolm, his best friend, have been dating.

With occasional frank discussions about sex, Briant's novel is a sort of Judy Blume meets Louise Rennison (it's set in Southern England) for boys. It's a humorous, touching book told from the point of view of a likeable male who is discovering the complexities of relationships for the first time.

Jacqueline Bach
Shreveport, LA

Clone Codes by Patricia C. MicKissack, Frederick L. McKissack, and John McKissack
Scholastic, 2010, 192 pp., $16.99

Science Fiction/Historical Fiction/Identity
ISBN 978-0-439-92983-7

History repeats itself in this science fiction tour de force set in the United States in 2071. Leanna Deberry keeps a virtual diary to chronicle her dawning awareness of her status in a post-Cyborg-War world. Mixing history with fiction, the McKissacks (parents and son) document how humanity becomes its own worst enemy.

At 13, Leanna discovers she is a dreaded under-being, a clone Her mother and mentor are jailed as as dissidents for participating in the Liberty Bell Foundation, whose goal is to change the Cyborg slaveocracy system. The indomitable heroine uses her knowledge of the African slave trade; the Fugitive Slave Act; the Underground Railroad; the 13th Amendment; and proponents of freedom in her quest to save her loved ones. In a riveting tale, Leanna also discovers herself as a "sentient" biological being who has the same rights as everyone else, even though she is a clone.

Judith A. Hayn
Little Rock, AR

Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?
by James Shapiro
Simon & Schuster, 2010, 339 pp., $26.00

History/Research/Shakespeare
ISBN: 978-1-4165-4162-2

James Shapiro's Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare? takes a fascinating tour through the facts and legends surrounding the authorship of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. In addition to examining the texts, original documents, and writings that surround the "mystery" of Shakespeare's authorship, Shapiro looks at the questions of when and why people question the works. He works to clarify the nature of the debate around what exactly is being contested. The book raises questions about literary genius, art, and expectations.

This readable book would work well for students who are interested in the debate around who wrote Shakespeare's plays. It provides a framework for understanding the nature of the debate, as well as a way to understand the primary sources used to defend the particular authors to whom the plays have been attributed over the years. The argument and text are complex but manageable for high school students.

Melanie Hundley
Nashville, TN

Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Scholastic, 2010, 144 pp., $17.99

Fantasy/Survival/Romance
ISBN: 978-0-545-14195-6

A horrific explosion has destroyed Green's city, and she is left an orphan, depressed and grieving for what she misses. Her idyllic world is destroyed, but she gradually begins to employ her gardening skills to create lush surroundings for her solitary hut. Green feels the pain of total bereavement; family and friends have disappeared, along with the young man she loved. Her belief in the future is challenged at every turn.

Green undertakes a quest to tell the stories of the Enchanted, witches who live outside her village. She seeks those who are imprisoned on a lonely island and finds strength during the journey in magical assistance, charms, and advice from the witches. The power of women who persevere is foremost in this lyrical novel of a brave teen battling evil. This haunting fable will appeal to mature teens with a bent for soul-searching.

Judith A. Hayn
Little Rock, AR

How to Survive Modern Art by Susan Hodge
Tate Publishing, 2009, 126 pp., $19.95

Art/Contemporary NonFiction
ISBN: 978-1-85437-749-4

How to Survive Modern Art acts as an indispensable guide to contemporary art and architecture, complete with glossary, timelines, guides to looking at modern art, contextual information, and quotes from artists. This book intends to introduce the reader to the world of modern, unique, thought-provoking, and truly bizarre pieces of art by carefully introducing and explaining each one in context with other similar works.

This informational book displays full-color artwork alongside descriptions of the piece, its context, its artist, and various techniques used in the work. The "Art in Context" box on each page describes something unique or useful about the piece, such as references to historical events.

Experts and novices alike will appreciate this useful overview of modern art, with its color pictures and easy-to-read format. By grouping pieces of art, digital art, and architecture in an organized format, Hodge makes the confusing subject of modern art accessible to everyone.

Stephanie Mills
Nashville, TN

Hidden Voices by Pat Lowery Collins
Candlewick Press, 2009, 345 pp., $17.99

Historical Romance/Identity/Music/Friendship
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3917-4

The orphans at the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice know only two things, Music and Prayer. The Ospedale is known for its extraordinary musical performances, provided by Antonio Vivaldi. But the three special young women in this story cannot find what they seek within the scores, the instruments, or the church. The expression and passion that they learn from the music initiates a yearning for love. However, with love comes dangers and heartbreak. Each chapter is narrated by one of the three girls, capturing the thoughts, emotions, and situations from the three perspectives. Like many of Vivaldi's scores, the novel is a little slow to start, but then builds into a grand tale of lust, disappointment, pain, and eventually acceptance. Hidden Voices is a rare insight into the life and works of Vivaldi and the many girls he helped become some of the best musicians in Italy.

Kim Coyle
Nashville, TN

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
HarperCollins, 2009, 202 pp., $16.99

Iraq War/Loss/Street Kids/Self-Discovery
ISBN: 978-0-061-7309-0

Eighteen-year-old American soldier Matt Duffy is haunted by the memory of a young Iraqi boy killed while he and a buddy were patrolling a city street. The bits and pieces of what may have happened become clearer as he recovers from his traumatic brain injury in a military hospital. As he comes closer to the truth, he is no longer sure whether he can even trust himself, much less his superiors, who seem reluctant to examine the incident too closely. Despite the betrayal he feels, he remains convinced that there is humanity in everyone — even his enemies. The book raises many questions about loyalty, war, and those left behind, as Matt ponders the difference between his own daily existence and need to be constantly on guard versus his high school girlfriend's life, in which the biggest worry is a biology test. Especially effective is the juxtaposition between the soldiers at play and at war.

Barbara A. Ward
Tallulah, LA

Riot
by Walter Dean Myers
Egmont, 2009, 164 pp., $16.99

Self-Discovery/Civil War/Historical Fiction/Racism
ISBN: 978-1-60684-000-9

The announcement of a military draft in July 1863 did not go over well among poor Irish immigrants in New York City. They believed if the Union won the Civil War, freed blacks from the South would rush to compete for jobs. These Irish immigrants were also angry about a provision of the draft that allowed draftees with means to get out of joining the army. The Irish rioted, attacking blacks, rich "swells," and supporters of the war. The New York Draft Riots lasted from July 13 — July 16, 1863.

Myers portrays the events of that week in July 1863 through a fictional screenplay focusing on a biracial 15-year-old girl, Claire, her friends, and her family. In connecting to this unfamiliar story, I suggest beginning at the end of the book and reading the timeline of events leading to the riots, along with the author's note, historical photographs, maps, and illustrations.

Nate Phillips
Nashville, TN

The Girls by Tucker Shaw
Amulet Books, 2010, 224 pp., $6.99

Broadway/Relationships/Gossip
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8991-7

The Girls is a quick and witty retelling of Claire Luce Booth's 1930 Broadway tale into which Tucker Shaw weaves the story of five young women attending boarding school in Aspen. Peggy and Mary are best friends and roommates at Maroon Bells School for Girls. Peggy is torn between telling Mary about Mary's cheating boyfriend or letting her find out on her own. At the moment when the gossip is revealed to Mary, a twisted story of love, pain, betrayal, and friendship unwinds. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the city of Aspen, filled with wealthy tourists, mountains to snowboard, and upscale restaurants.

Peggy has a penchant for food, and whenever things get tough for her, she begins "cooking in her head." Punctuated with rich and delicious recipes, readers will devour the gossip just as readily as Peggy's imagined means.

Caitlin Rowland
Nashville, TN

The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
by Francisco X. Stork
Arthur A. Levine, 2010, 352 pp., $17.99

Friendship/Family/Relationships
ISBN: 978-0-545-15133-7

Pancho arrives at St. Anthony's orphanage with a singular mission: to avenge the death of his beloved sister Rosa. As he secretly tries to identify the man responsible and plot his revenge, Pancho is enlisted to assist D.Q., an idealistic young man dying of cancer who hopes to use his last days to write the Death Warrior Manifesto and convert Pancho to the gospel of fully embracing life. However, a potential love triangle between D.Q., Pancho, and the beautiful Marisol threatens to disrupt the delicate friendship that grows between the two young men as they meditate on faith, doubt, and the value of ministering to the needs of others. As he did in last year's Marcelo in the Real World, Stork uses his characters' deepest pains, joys, and dreams to compose a beautiful psalm in this engaging YA retelling of Don Quixote , as seen through the eyes of Sancho Panza.

Sean Kottke
Lansing, MI

The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow
Amulet Books, 2010, 208 pp., $15.95

Friendship/Social Cliques/Family Relationships
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8421-9

Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are determined to discover the secrets to becoming popular. They dive headlong into a year of research on what "it" is that the already popular girls have. They record their thoughts and ideas in a joint journal meant for their eyes only. Should they consider changing their hair? Liking different boys? Trying out for sports? After close observation of the popular girls, Lydia and Julie apply some of these strategies to their lives in slightly different ways, creating more than slightly different outcomes.

Young readers will enjoy this look at what true friendship really is, and what it means to put it at risk. Ignatow has created some very rich and endearing characters. Her illustrations, along with the font and photos used in formatting this book, create a visually captivating novel that appears to be in the journal of two energetic, funny fifth graders.

Julee Phillips
Nashville, TN

The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda
by Tom Angleberger
Amulet Books, 2010, 160 pp., $12.95

Mystery/Middle School
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8425-7

A lot of people wish they could predict the future, but for the kids at McQuarrie Middle School, there's help. Granted, the predictions come from an origami finger puppet and are mouthed by one of the weirdest kids in school, but they still seem to come true. The real question is whether Tommy should take the advice of a folded piece of paper when it comes to asking out one of the nicest girls in his class.

Tom Angleberger delivers a creative, eye-catching story through Tommy's case file, with chapters told in each of the characters' voices, as Tommy tries to determine whether the origami Yoda is a fake. The voices are unique and believable, including the quirky (if curiously appealing) Dwight, the creator of the origami Yoda. Reluctant readers will be attracted to the characters' doodles on each page. A fun, light read, recommended for early middle school.

Catherine McTamaney
Nashville, TN

Wicked Lovely #4: Radiant Shadows
by Melissa Marr
HarperCollins, 2010, 352 pp., $11.46

Personal Choices/Urban Fantasy/Fantasy Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-165922-5

Radiant Shadows , the fourth book in Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series, is full of familiar characters. Two of them have choices to make that will affect others in the mortal world and Faerie: Devlin, Keeper of Order in the High Court, and Ani, half-mortal, half-bound of the Wild Hunt. Ani must feed off of both emotions and touch — human and faerie — for nourishment. Her unique genetics made her very appealing to faeries, and several powerful ones are interested in using her to advance their own welfare. Devlin must decide between his continued loyalty to a leader who failed to lead and his own desires. Ani's family is in danger; she is a Hound and a strong fighter, but is there another way to win? This book has action, romance, faerie courts, and mystery. It is possible to enter another world every time you pick up this book.

Frieda Golden
Meridian, TX