Geo Librarian

DISCOVER AMERICA From Sea to Shining Sea Lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates, illustrations by Julie Olson Shadow Mountain, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-60907-855-3 Picture Book PreK and up Source: Publisher for review (Thanks!) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK More than a book. It's an online experience! Follow the patriotic journey of a little red balloon as it makes its way from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States. Through delightful illustrations and the words of "America the Beautiful," one of America's most beloved anthems, children will discover the beauty and diversity of their country. At  DiscoverAmericaBook.com  they can launch their own balloon while learning fun facts about all fifty states. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Julie Olson was born in the East, grew up in the Midwest, and now lives in the West. She developed a deep love for all parts of America as she lived in and traveled through various places. Since ...

WHAT IS HIDDEN by Lauren Skidmore Sweetwater Books, 2014 ISBN: 9781462114290 YA Fantasy Grades 7 and up Source: ARC from publisher for review (Thanks!) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In a land of masquerades and mystery, Evie is a mask maker in Venesia, where masks represent rank and identity. When a cryptic bandit strips away Evie’s mask and destroys her home, she goes into hiding at the palace to find both a new identity—and revenge. Fantasy lovers will be caught up by the mystique, romance, and magic of "What Is Hidden." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lauren Skidmore grew up in Kansas, with stints in Ohio and New York, and currently lives in Utah. She attended Brigham Young University where she earned a BA in English Teaching with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language and Japanese. She then spent a year in Japan teaching and travelling. She hasn’t made it to Europe yet, but it’s on the list and has been to 30 states in the U...

UNCOVERING COBBOGOTH by Hannah L. Clark Sweetwater Books, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-4621-1426-9 Young Adult Fantasy Grades 9 and up Source: author for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.  When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter-sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before its too late to share her own. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hannah L. Clark lives with her husband and their son in the Rocky Mountains. She has always known she would be a storyteller. In 2006 she graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in English, and ...

THE UNICORN THIEF Unicorns of the Mist #2 by R.R. Russell Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-4022-7992-8 Middle Grade Fantasy Grades 3-6 Source: ARC from author for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Danger lurks in the mist. Twig and Ben are unicorn riders--guardians whose job it is to keep the last free unicorn herd safe. But a new danger is threatening the beautiful, mysterious creatures of Lonehorn Island. A thief from Terracornus has snuck onto the misty island and stolen Ben's loyal unicorn, Indy. There's only one path for Ben and Twig--straight into the secret, shadowy heart of the island and through the passage to Terracornus. But their rescue mission is unexpectedly complicated by a secret Ben has been hiding. A secret about the Queen of Terracornus who has enslaved all the unicorns of Ben's homeland. A secret that could save them all--or start a war. ABOUT THE AUTHOR R.R. Russell lives with her...

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH The Misadventures of Salem Hyde #2 by Frank Cammuso Amulet Books, 2014 ISBN13: 9781419710254 Primary Graphic Novel Fantasy Grades K- 3 Source: NetGalley All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Young witch Salem Hyde is stubborn, impulsive, and loves flying. Her cat companion, Whammy, is nervous, careful, and loves staying on the ground. Somehow, though, they’re best friends. In this second book in the series, Salem is invited to a birthday party, and she wants to make sure everything goes perfectly. But from the invitations to the presents, party games, and spells gone awry, nothing happens exactly the way it should, and she’ll need Whammy’s help to sort it all ou t. REVIEW Salem Hyde is a delightful new graphic novel character. I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions as I read this book.  Salem is a young girl with magical abilities that she tends to use at the worst possible moments and in the worst ways, ...

RED MADNESS: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat by Gail Jarrow Calkins Creek Books, 2014 ISBN13: 9781590787328 Grades 6 and up Source: purchased copy All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK One hundred years ago, a mysterious and alarming illness spread across America’s South, striking tens of thousands of victims. No one knew what caused it or how to treat it. People were left weak, disfigured, insane, and in some cases, dead. Award-winning science and history writer Gail Jarrow tracks this disease, commonly known as pellagra, and highlights how doctors, scientists, and public health officials finally defeated it. Illustrated with 100 archival photographs, Red Madness includes stories about real-life pellagra victims and accounts of scientific investigations. It concludes with a glossary, timeline, further resources, author’s note, bibliography, and index. REVIEW I found the book to be quite fascinating.  I'd heard of pellagra before ...

NIGHTINGALE'S NEST by Nikki Loftin Razorbill, 2014 ISBN13: 9781595145468 Middle Grade Fantasy (Magical Realism) Grades 4-8 Source: NetGalley/purchased copy All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A powerful novel about friendship and family that calls to mind Bridge to Terabithia Twelve-year-old John Fischer Jr., or "Little John" as he’s always been known, is spending his summer helping his father with his tree removal business, clearing brush for Mr. King, the wealthy owner of a chain of Texas dollar stores, when he hears a beautiful song that transfixes him. He follows the melody and finds, not a bird, but a young girl sitting in the branches of a tall sycamore tree. There’s something magical about this girl, Gayle, especially her soaring singing voice, and Little John’s friendship with Gayle quickly becomes the one bright spot in his life, for his home is dominated by sorrow over his sister’s death and his parents’ ever-tighten...

ODIN'S PROMISE by Sandy Brehl Crispin Books, 2014 Middle Grade Historical Fiction Grades 3-6 Source: Author for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Odin’s Promise is historical fiction for middle-grade readers, a novel depicting the first year of German occupation of Norway as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Eleven-year-old Mari grew up tucked safely under the wings of her parents, grandma, and her older siblings. When Hitler’s troops invaded Norway under the guise of “occupying a friendly country,” she is forced to grow beyond her “little girl” nickname and comfortable patterns to deal with harsh new realities. At her side for support and protection is Odin, her faithful elkhound. After she witnesses a terrifying event on the mountainside, truths are revealed: the involvement of her family and friends in the resistance; the value of humor in surviving hard times; the hidden radio in her grandma’s cottage. Odi...