Book List
Comments are explicit and detailed and are intended for parents to use to determine acceptability for their children. Please read comments - do not rely on ratings alone. Books are reviewed to the best of our abilities, we apologize for any errors.
| Review Date | Title | Author | Series | Grades | Rating | Teen | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/05/2023 | The Gypsy Morph | Brooks, Terry | The Genesis of Shannara | 7 - 9 |
Not Acceptable |
See comments on The Genesis of Shannara Series
A boy leads children to a place they can be safe while another rescues the entire elven population and brings them to safety as well. A lot of violence and magic. More discussion about a girl carrying a boy's baby. |
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| 09/05/2023 | Armageddon's Children | Brooks, Terry | The Genesis of Shannara | 7 - 9 |
Not Acceptable |
Children try to survive in a world destroyed by nuclear weapons. There is a running romance with romantic negiah, though it doesn't become clear how much until she says she is carrying his child. |
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| 08/20/2023 | High Druid of Shannara | Brooks, Terry | High Druid of Shannara | 7 - 9 |
Not Acceptable |
Descendants of the original characters go on a quest to save the leader of the Druids who has been exiled to a land of demons. A running romance between two 15 year olds with romantic negiah. Other romances dreamed about and discussed as well as a women who bore another man’s baby and killed it. The romance can’t be easily separated from the adventure. |
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| 08/18/2023 | The Hunger Games book 1 | Collins, Suzanne | Hunger Games | N/A |
Not Acceptable |
First book in series. Extreme violence. Later books also have romance. |
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| 08/18/2023 | Born a Crime | Noah, Trevor | N/A |
Not Acceptable |
True story of mixed-race boy growing up in Apartheid. Strong language and inappropriate references. |
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| 08/16/2023 | A Princess of Landover | Brooks, Terry | The Magic Kingdom of Landover | 5 - 7 |
Not Acceptable |
The saga continues with the adventures of the teenage princess. The language is not in this book as the others in the series, but there is some. There is a budding romance with a kiss described. |
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| 08/13/2023 | Lisa the Lollipop Fairy | Meadows, Daisy | Rainbow Magic | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Girls search for magical charms that make treats taste good. In this book they find the missing lollipop charm. Language gross, pesky |
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| 08/13/2023 | Nate the Great on the Owl Express | Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman and Mitchell Sharmat | Nate the Great | 2 - 3 |
Generally Acceptable |
Boy locates a missing owl. Mention that a girl is strange. |
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| 08/13/2023 | Elvie the Mist Fairy | Meadows, Daisy | Rainbow Magic | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Girls try to find magical feathers from a weathervane that control the weather. Girls find sparkles on a tree that looks like "tinsel that we use to decorate our xmas tree" (one sentence, no religion) |
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| 08/13/2023 | Nora the Arctic Fox Fairy | Meadows, Daisy | Rainbow Magic | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
GIrls and fairies magically rescue a fox cub and a magical animal keychain that keeps animals safe. Boy says that his father explained to him how nature "makes" the Northern Lights happen but he prefers to think of them "as something magical and beautiful". |
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| 08/13/2023 | Nate the Great and the Fishy Prize | Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman | Nate the Great | 2 - 3 |
Generally Acceptable |
Boy detective tries to locate a missing tuna fish can that was meant to be used as a prize for a pet show. Calls girl "strange". At the end there is a factual section about smart animals. Language dumbest, stupid |
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| 08/13/2023 | Wizard at Large | Brooks, Terry | The Magic Kingdom of Landover | 5 - 7 |
Not Acceptable |
This book is slightly tamer than the others in this series. Since the king finally married the magical women their romantic relationship is somewhat less objectionable.Still plenty of problematic language. Still mentions of magical women conceived from a one night encounter between her father and mother. |
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| 08/10/2023 | The Black Unicorn | Brooks, Terry | The Magic Kingdom of Landover | 5 - 7 |
Not Acceptable |
Tremendous amounts of objectionable language, thoughts about how a man met a magical women when they were both swimming unclothed in a lake, romantic negiah between them as if they were married. |
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| 08/06/2023 | The Talismans of Shannara | Brooks, Terry | The Heritage of Shannara | 7 - 10 |
Problematic |
Final of the four books in the Hertiage of Shannara series. I couldn't find this volume individually, only as part of a four story set. Therefor the page numbers may not match up, so I am putting chapter numbers as well.p956 end of chapter 5- "rushed to hold him". four pages into chapter 6 p960- 961 "they clung to each other in silence...I love you,, she leaned close and kissed him on the mouth hard..." two pages before chapter 7 p962-963 "held her for a moment...his cheek against her auburn hair..he stroked her back in small circles...her response was to tighten her arms back" four pages in from chapter 7 p969"they wrapped themselves in blankets...lay close to each other in the dark staring up into the trees." a page before chapter 8 p974-975 "she put her arms around him then and he held her as if she were a rock without which the sea of uncertainty might wash him away...she brought her arms around him again... he kissed her" a page before chapter 22 p1098-1099 "she bent so that their shoulders touched...he could feel the strength of her slim body". Two pages into chapter 22 p 1101 "curl up against him...her hand found his..." six pages before chapter 23 p1107 "kissed him hard on the mouth herarms wrapping around him and holding him fast" four pages before chapter 24 "he turned his hand over and clasped hers...when he was done she held him close." one page before chapter 24 p1120 "the tall girl held him tightly against her,,,her lips brushed his cheek." Three pages after chapter 30 p1175 "I've seem the way you look at him when he doesn't see. I've seem the way he looks at you...hes still in love..." Language Drat you,, stupid |
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| 08/04/2023 | Mr. Jack is a Maniac | Gutman, Dan | My Weird School | 3 - 5 |
Not Acceptable |
Children call a boy "the nude kid" even though he wears clothes. Children say man on a motorcyle "looks like a movie star", "handsome", "dreamy". Boy mentions a TV show he saw. Female teachers see man on the motorcycle and they get silly "she was all giggly", "She was blushing and started fanning herself with her hand" "fussing with their hair" etc. "Ladies always do that stuff when they're in love." The male teachers try to make the motorcycle man leave school property but athe female teachers say to let him stay because "hes cute". Man beats up the male teachers. Boy says it is "like watching professional wrestling on TV, but without the TV." Turns out it was all an act to teach the children self defense moves. Call the lunchroom the "vomitorium".Man tells them to breath and look at the inside of their eyelids "the inside of our eyelids is really boring. They should put TV sets in there". Boy thinks man is like "Yoda from Star Wars". Boys and girls line up opposite each other- a classmate says a boy and girl are opposite each other "they must be in love". ;Girl gives boy a kiss (text and illustration) boy says "ugh disgusting" Language kick in the butt, kick some butt ( a chapter is called " butt-kicking time"0, gross, dumb, weird, freaking out, maniac, dumbhead |
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| 08/03/2023 | The Elf Queen of Shannara | Brooks, Terry | The Heritage of Shannara | 7 - 10 |
Problematic |
The saga continues. This book also has some romance and romantic negiah but it is mild and not central to the story. p149 "He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips... blushing in spite of her resolve not to do so" p170 "then his face lowered to hers and he kissed her." p174 "he had kissed her and she had welcomed it".p224 "She felt the warmth of his body through the damp and the chill of the swamp night...she leaned against him needing to be touched..."p270 "when he had kissed her..." p315 "impulsively she went to him, put her arms about his waist, held him momentarily, then kissed his cheek..." p320 "He could feel her touching him" p332 "the way he had touched her, the feel of his mouth kissing her." Language stupid, stupidity |
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| 08/02/2023 | Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom | Kline, Suzy | Horrible Harry | 2 - 3 |
Questionable |
Second grade boy is excited to go to an amusement park- "It's right out of the fifties. They play rock-and-roll all day and all night. It'll be shoogie-boogie-boo time I'm buying a big poster of Elvis" - some other brief references to Elvis as well.Boy and girl dance to Elvis song (text and illustration). Boy is scared to go on an elevator ride called "The Drop of Doom". Girl tries to help him overcome his fear- she tells him he can squeeze her hand when the drop comes. Language creepy, weird |
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| 08/01/2023 | The Druid of Shannara | Brooks, Terry | The Heritage of Shannara | 7 - 10 |
Not Acceptable |
The saga continues. Some discussion of the beginning of the world that was "given life by the Word". This book is more problematic than the others since throughout the story a magical girl leads a few men on the quest and it mentions over and over again how beautiful and seductive she is. Eventually one of them falls in love with her and there is quite a bit of kissing and holding each other, though it doesn't go farther than that. It would be hard to remove this without destroying the story but I am still including page numbers in case someone wants to try. p61 "transfixed by her beauty" p71 "clothes could not begin to disguise the sensuality and grace of the body beneath.. mesmerized...he had never felt a touch like hers...p98 "hestudied her face in the firelight, the curve of her body...he could not explain the effect she had on him...he had fallen hopelessly in love with her" p101 "He was not drawn to her as a lover or protector...there was an affinity between them that transcended passion or need"p125 "mesmerized by her beauty, chained by his longings..." p131 "a dark hunger... ' p177 "she reached out and touched his cheek...content just to hold the girl." p179 "He reached out to stroke her hand... kissed her, just a brief touching of their lips." p180 "kissed her again...kept on kissing him until everything around them disappeared" p182-1833 "feinted and botxed with glances and gestures in a lovers dance that was a mystery to everyone but them."p213 "came to him unexpectedly and burrowed close..." p266-267 "reached out her hand and took his own... I held you as tightly as I could" p268 "kissing his face passionately" p307 "I am in love with you...she bent forward and kissed him...he kissed her back" p308 "He combed her silver hair with his fingers..."p341 "tell me that you don't desire her" Language drat it, stupid, stupidity |
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| 07/27/2023 | The Scions of Shannara | Books, Terry | The Heritage of Shannara | 7 - 10 |
Problematic |
Descendants of the original characters in the Sword of Shannara trilogy are given a quest to save the world. In the second half of the book the hero starts a mild romance. p265 "her lips brushed his cheek". p268 Damson swung Par around and gave him a brilliant smile and a kiss full on the mouth. The kiss was hungry and filled with promise. " p312 "she quicky put a hand over his mouth... her hand fet small and light in his own" p313 "Shes in love with you. ..No, shes just being protective nothing more."p320 "Her flaming hair shimmered brightly...Par experienced an almost irresistible need to reach out and stroke it" p328 "she eaned up and kissed him softly". p416 "she reached over and hugged herself against him... he put his arms around her and hugged her back." Language stupid, idiot , drat you |
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| 07/27/2023 | The Wishsong of Shannara | Books, Terry | The Sword of Shannara Trilogy | 7 - 10 |
Problematic |
The final book in the trilogy. Descendants of the original characters continue the quest to save humankind. Same graphic good guy vs bad guy violence as the other books in this series. A brother and sister are involved in this journey along with companions. The girl travels with a boy who is a close friend of the family and quickly it becomes clear that he is more of a boyfriend. p51 "gently she kissed his forehead" p59 "he bent to kiss her lightly on the mouth and her arms came up to hold him close" p05 "wrapped her arms around him and held him"p129 "Rone Leah loved her. It was unspoken beween them perhaps, but it was there". p212 Description of a race who "mutated" in order to survive. p249 wrapped her arms about him and held him close...kissed him lightly on the mouth."p255 Gently her hands reached out to touch his own." p296 WHen he is deathly ill "she buried her face in the warmth of his body, her arms holding him close. In moments she was asleep." p338" Rone came forward awkwardly then bent to kiss Brin" p384 "hugging him close" Language shut up, stupid, berserk, idiot, drat you, dratted |
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| 07/20/2023 | Michelle the Winter Wonderland Fairy | Meadows, Daisy | Rainbow Magic | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
A special edition book (3 stories in one). Lady wins a painting contest on a website. Mention of the winter holidays but they aren't named. Girl says her friend should write for a travel website. Illustrations are slightly better than usual. Language pesky, weird |
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| 07/19/2023 | The Elfstones of Shannara | Brooks, Terry | The Sword of Shannara Trilogy | 7 - 10 |
Problematic |
The saga continues with the grandchildren of some of the original heroes. Cover features a lady wearing a sleeveless shirt and tight jeans.Same good guy vs bad guy graphic violence as other books in this series. A romance develops throughout the story between the man and the girl he is charged with protecting but it is mild. p108-Man tells girl to" hold tight" as they share a horse. p`130 "impulsively clasping his hand in her own". p169 "he reached out his hand to cover hers" p235- girl falls asleep on his shoulder. p 405 "she reached out to kiss him". p416 Man marvels that the girl told him she cares for him and he wonders how much he cares for her". p469 "crouched close against Wi, and her hand rested loosey on his knee... she took his hands in her own. " A second romance between the same man and a gypsy girl- for most of the story she tries to entice him and he ignores her because he is interested in the other girl. Towards the end she transforms into a tree that willl save humankind, he ends up with the second girl. p139 "face to face with the most stunning girl he had ever seen... Will looked at her in astonishment and could not look away." p139 Father tells the girl to bathe the girl and let the boy bathe himself - she "smiled wickedly. It would be much more interesting to bathe him" (she doesn't). P145 Man gets drunk while gypsies play music and dance "Suddenly Eretria was there before him, dark and beautiful, her slender form clad in scarlet silk,,,she pulled him into the midst of the dancers...slim arms holding him as they danced..." p372 Eretia leaned close andput her slim dark arms around his neck.p564- "Her hand reached for his and clasped it tightly". Other issues- p454 A vague mention of a night a witch gave a man- no details. p464 Witch sisters argue over a man they both want. |
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| 07/19/2023 | The Unforgettable Logan Foster | Peters, Shawn | The Unforgetable Logan Foster | 3 - 7 |
Questionable |
High-functioning ASD boy is taken in by kind foster parents, he finds out that they are part of a group of secret super heroes who fight super villains. Is friends with a girl who is a super hero. Divorce/Dysfunctional Families Girl's parents are divorced so she goes back and forth between their 2 houses Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Friendly negiah. Religion/Hashkafa Captured superhero mentions that he is planning to take cyanide to kill himself. Language Snot, butt, hell. Narrator main character says "crud' and 'heck', then informs the reader that he didn't really say those words (implying he said something worse). Same for character who says "what the fudge'. Violence Comic style violence. Boy sees foster parents being tortured and screaming. TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Passing mention of show "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat"., "A xmas Story', TV show "Dark Shadows" |
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| 07/16/2023 | The Sword of Shannara | Brooks, Terry | The Sword of Shannara Trilogy | 7 - 10 |
Problematic |
FIrst book of a trilogy. After a huge war that practically destroyed Earth, mankind is left without memories of technology or science and needs to rediscover itself. A magical man who still remembers the old ways guides the unfolding events as a group of young men including a prince and a half-man/half-elf battle evil and try to retrieve a magical sword that is the only way they can defeat it. A lot of very graphic good guys vs. bad guys violence and death. Along the way one of the group meets a beautiful girl who he falls in love with but this is pretty minor to the plot. THere is some romantic negiah that is not super essential to the plot so it can be removed if desired- p467 man takes women's "warm hand in his own" p 479 When man woke up "he raised himself from Shirl's arms" p480 "gripped the girl's slim arm". p 559 He "gripped " her hand p565 they held each ohter "feeling the warm life flow quickly though their bodies... realized he loved her desperately". p590 She stood with her arm "locked in his...holding her closer to him" p596 "wrapped her arms around him... held her close",p682 "slim arms coming tightly around his stooped frame... to disappear in her silence and warmth" Language dumb, idiot, stupid, shut up, a freak |
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| 07/04/2023 | Dog Man | Pilkey, Dav | Dog Man | 2 - 5 |
Problematic |
Graphic novel. Two boys create Dog Man comics and Captain Underpants comics. Dog Man used to be a policeman and his dog, but when they got injured the doctor sewed the dog's head onto the policeman's body creating Dog Man. Juvenile bathroom humor about pants falling down and showing the villain's underwear. A letter written by the boy's teacher to the parents complaining about his disruptive behavior and writing comics that contain "smoking, violence, nudity. Language A character's name is Dr. Scum. jerks, so long suckas, dumb, idiot, stink, darn ya, stupid, butt |
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| 07/03/2023 | The Book Thief | Zusak, Markus | 8 - 12 |
Not Acceptable |
This book is set in Nazi Germany and the narrator is death who comes to collect people's souls when they die. A young girl is adopted by a German couple who hides a Jewish man at the risk of their lives. There is a lot of dying and death as well as cruelty and persecution of Jews described. Constant language issues- almost every page- serious expletives. Ongoing friendship between a young boy and girl- the boy is always asking to kiss her and she refuses until he is killed in a bombing and then she kisses him. Many messages about morality, cruelty and violence, death, suffering, grief, and friendship. |
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| 07/03/2023 | The Ickabog | Rowling, J.K. | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
A conniving lord takes advantage of a myth about a marsh monster in order to take over a kingdom without caring who gets hurt in the process. Some children eventually outsmart him and retake the kingdom. Violence and killing. Children laugh about "their teacher's habit of digging for bogies in his nose when he thought none of the children were looking". Cruel woman runs an orphanage and mistreats children terribly. Boy and girl who are old friends hug in joy when they meet years later. Language brats, idiot, blasted nincompoop, damned (p84 chapt 17), stupid, it gives me the creeps |
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| 06/28/2023 | City Spies: City of the Dead | Ponti, James | City Spies | 4 - 7 |
Acceptable |
Group of brilliant kid spies solve mystery. One hug of adoptive father to adopted daughter. |
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| 06/28/2023 | Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery | Carter, Ally | Winterborne Home | 5 - 8 |
Generally Acceptable |
The story continues but now there is a figure threatening the children in the orphanage with a sword and April is determined to find out who it is. Language Language is not always refined and violent scenes are graphically described. Violence A lot of frightening, violent scenes - some graphic sword-fights. |
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| 06/28/2023 | Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor | Carter, Ally | Winterborne Home | 5 - 8 |
Generally Acceptable |
While the plot is interesting - an orphan finding the heir to an estate - the book does contain a lot of violence. Language Some bathroom language in the book and graphic descriptions of wounds, etc. |
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| 06/28/2023 | Kingston and the Echoes of Magic | Moses, Rucker and Gangi, Theo | Kingston | 5 - 8 |
Acceptable |
A fairly clean, not overly violent book. Some comments made by the characters may be deemed inappropriate, but generally acceptable. |
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| 06/28/2023 | Kingston and the Magician's Lost and Found | Moses, Rucker and Gangi, Theo | Kingston | 5 - 8 |
Acceptable |
A fairly clean, not overly violent book. Some comments made by the characters may be deemed inappropriate, but generally acceptable. |
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| 06/07/2023 | Dog Man and Cat Kid | Pilkey, Dav | Dog Man | 2 - 5 |
Problematic |
Similar issues to the other books in this series Inspired by book East of Eden which may or may not be appropriate. A director wants to make a Hollywood movies about Dogman. Movie culture. Actress hugs everyone. Actress wears a strapless gown but its fully cartoon like, not very provocative.Typical juvenile bathroom humor about bodily functions, and underwear. Romance scene in the movie that isn't romantic. Language idiot, dummies, pee, dumb jerk, dumb, get your butt kicked |
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| 06/07/2023 | Number the Stars | Lowry, Lois | 5 - 8 |
Questionable |
A book about a non Jewish girl in Denmark during World War II who together with her family rescues her Jewish friend from the Nazis by helping them cross over to Sweden. Although this book is gently written and may be simple enough for younger children, there are plenty of frightening incidents described.chapt. 3 p21 dumbchapt 4 p32-33 Non Jewish girls are often invited to watch Jewish women light the Sabbath candles- she covered her head with a cloth and said a special prayerchapt 4 p33 Non Jewish girl thinks Jewish girl is lucky since she can skip school on her new year and go to synagogue-sister responds that she isn't so lucky because she probably has to sit very still just like they do in churchchapt 5 p39- Jewish girl wants to be an actress and wonders if she can convince her father to let her go to acting schoolchapt 9 p78 girl struggles with lying in order to protect someonechapt 15 p117 Nazi calls girl- idiot girl and says her mother is stupidchapt 16 p125 damn dogschapt 17 p131 non Jewish girl remembers her sister dancing with her fiance at their engagement |
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| 06/06/2023 | Spiderweb for Two A Melendy Maze | Enright, Elizabeth | The Melendy Quartet | 3 - 6 |
Problematic |
Final book in the series. The two youngest children are lonely with their older siblings away at school until they find a clue to a treasure hunt that keeps them busy for months. Names of classical composers whose music boy likes to play on the piano. Lady sells berries to xmas wreath makers. Children look for someone with the name of a nymph in Greek mythology. Children look for clue in a chinese goddess statue. Chapter about xmas called The Joyous Season- xmas tree, presents, carols, decorations, parties etc. Easter hats. Discussion about dinosaurs and milliions of years. At a party there is a coed dance- lists who danced with who, but nothing romantic. Language stupid, oh darn, where in heck, dumb jerk,dumb, heck, |
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| 06/06/2023 | The Miracle Worker | Gibson, William | 6 - 8 |
Questionable |
A script for a play about Helen Keller and her teacher. Language act 1 page 34 brat, shut up, damnact 2 page 37 nincompoopact 2 page 60- boy asks his sister if it hurts to be deadact 2 page 69- girl describes people in the poorhouse- prostitutes, teenage mothers etcact 3 page 101- boy says grace- reads about Jacob wrestling with an angel |
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| 05/29/2023 | The Marvellers | Clayton, Dhonielle | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
A girl is accepted into a magical academy that has never accepted her kind before. She deals with a lot of prejudice and people who are out to get her. She works with friends to figure out where a teacher has disappeared to and finds out the unpleasant identity of her friend's mother who is quite wicked. The girl's family works in the underworld helping those that died find their resting place. They have small living dolls that are saints that protect them. There are alters at the feet of the magical animals guardng the gate to the underworld. Strange descriptions of what happens to people after they die and go to the underworld. Bathroom humor about farts, poop, teacher with a flatulence problem. A few brief mentions of Halloween. Girls go home for Xmas vacation- tree, stocking, etc. Boy takes girls hand to comfort her when she is upset. Language weird, suck, what the heck, weirdo, I'll send them to the worst hell, |
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| 05/17/2023 | Dog Man Lord of the Fleas | Pilkey, Dav | Dog Man | 2 - 5 |
Problematic |
Two boys create a story very loosely based on Lord of the Flies. A lot of bathroom humor about "pooping" and a lot of humorous good guys vs. bad guys violence that turns out OK in the end. Boy confuses Lord of the Flies with the movie Lord of the Rings. A few notes in the back of the book about the book Lord of the Flies. Language pest, weird, maniacs, "suckas", dumb, jerks, stupid, idiots |
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| 05/17/2023 | The Final Gamble | Healy, Christopher | A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem | 5 - 8 |
Generally Acceptable |
Molly, her mother, Emmett and his father, are trying to avoid notice and go into hiding, but are forced to emerge when they discover another plot by Rector taking place in Washington, DC. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Emmett is hounded by a girl they meet while they are in hiding who tries to get his attention. |
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| 05/17/2023 | The Treacherous Seas | Healy, Christopher | A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem | 5 - 8 |
Generally Acceptable |
Molly and Emmett end up on a ship pursuing the evil Rector, trying to reach the magical Ambrosium before he does. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Molly and Emmett grow closer than ever, but still in more of a brother-sister way. A detective following the faily makes rude remarks to Molly's mother. |
In order to reduce the number of printed pages, you may choose to omit comments. PLEASE NOTE: Lists printed for use by children should not include comments.
Do you want to print without comments? The Extradimensional reappearance of Mars Patel
Series:
Grades: -
Not AcceptableSeries
Detailed and explicit gender identity issues
The unexplained disappearance of Mars Patel
Series:
Grades: N/A
Not AcceptableSeries
Detailed and explicit gender identity issues
The Hawk Bandits of Tarkoom
Series:
Grades: N/A
Generally AcceptableSeries
Children help destroy an evil city that reappears from the past. Girl is happy to see her friends (boys) so she hugs them- not romantic. Language- weird, creeps.
Into the Land of the Lost
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children go to a ghost land to save their friend.
Wade and the Scorpion's Claw
Series:
Grades: 4 - 7
QuestionableSeries
Shorter books that continue the story between the fatter Copernicus Legacy books.Told from the viewpoint of one character. Make many references to the thicker books, so they don't really stand alone.Violence, technology. Girl jokingly "shoves" boy. Man is killed on airplane- kid sitting next to him discovers he is dead- description. One sentence mention of an xmas ornament. Many mentions of church bells.Kids look for clues in a church- described. Language- dumb, geek, freaky, weird, freak out, stupid, idiot, creep
Quest for the Queen
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children help save the queen.
The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
2 boys and a girl help save a magical world that they accidentally find when they clean up the boy's basement.
Escape from Tabar-Loo
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children help rescue the king and queen.
Flight of the Blue Serpent
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Children battle bad guys and give a dying serpent back his scale. Girl holds hand of boy she thinks is dead and cries. Somewhat scary.
The Treasure of the Orkins
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children help recover a stolen treasure
Becca and the Prisoner's Cross
Series:
Grades: 4 - 7
QuestionableSeries
See comments about first book in series above.Man says if go by view of some biblical scholars world is 6,000 years old, if go by big bang notion it is 13.8 billion years old. Children look for relic that is shaped like a cross. Husband quickly kisses wife goodbye. Girl wonders why boy keeps staring at her, friend says it's because he "likes" her.Girl holds boys hand when she is scared. Kids search tombs in churches for relic. Old movies referred to by title. Language- stupid, gross, dummy
The Race to Doobesh
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Children prevent beasts from creating powerful armor. Unimportant mention of children seeing a movie in a theater.
The Chariot of Queen Zara
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children rescue world from evil genie.
In The Shadow of Goll
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Kids unsuccessfully try to rescue their friend from being transformed into a villain. Sad. Language- creepy.
Search for the Dragon Ship
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children rescue world from evil princess.
The Tower of the Elf King
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Unimportant mentions of children mixed swimming.
The Coiled Viper
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children chase bad guys who came into their world from the magic world.
The Isle of Mists
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Kids help prevent evil man from taking over the world.
The Sleeping Giant of Goll
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Children prevent the bad guy from getting more power. An innocent hi-five between boys and girl.
Knights of the Ruby Wand
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Kids try to find a magical wand to rescue their friends. A bit convoluted for younger readers. Non romantic negiah. Language- weird, dudes
The Forbidden Stone
Series:
Grades: 5 - 7
QuestionableSeries
2 boys and 2 girls search for items that were parts of Copernicus' time machine, and run away from the bad guys. Put themselves in dangerous situations, sometimes with encouragements of adults. Books do not stand alone, a reader will want to read them all. Very mild references to boy's admiration of girl, not developed in this book, appears to be more as a friend than romantic; mentions of them being in close physical proximity or brief touching, no romance. Boy's parents are divorced, mention that he wished they would get together again, but now he is happy in his new blended family. Mention of girl wearing shorts and 'stylishly slashed t-shirt'. Man hugs woman who saved them - not romantic. Language: screwy. Passing mention of temples for Greek gods. Evil woman kisses precious artifact; her male employee briefly wishes he was the artifact. Violence.
The Riddle of Zorfendorf Castel
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children try to stop bad guys from using a portal to their world.
The Mysterious Island
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children help save magical world.
Under the Serpent
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Picture of a sea serpent/lady in low cut outfit on cover - somewhat cartoonish.
City in the Clouds
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Children visit an invisible flying city and help prevent the bad guy from gaining power. The Guardians of the magical city are dinosaurs - no mention of years.
Mondo Meltdown
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Mention of watching TV, reading comic books, Language- freak,weird, stinky,stupid,nerd, dorky, gross.
The Mask of Maliban
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
Generally AcceptableSeries
Children try to prevent bad guys from getting a magical mask. One of the children discovers that he has magical powers. Non-religious mention of Halloween. Minor language: doofus.
The Genie King
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
QuestionableSeries
Children try to find a medallion in a city that is in a bottle. Very subtle boy/girl, some children might miss it. One accidental hug (p66 chapter. 5) some blushing, goodbye hug (pg. 167 chapter.12) language- dummy, dumb, minor bathroom humor. Subtly alludes to Santa Claus but never mentioned by name.
Space Bingo
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
QuestionableSeries
Note on series: Children travel to the future and try to save the world. A lot of juvenile slang. In each book preview of the next book in the back. In this book middos among classmates and siblings. A few brief references to a meteor crashing into earth sixty five million years ago and killing all the dinosaurs.Brief mention of rock band.Non Romantic negiah. Language:nerd, weird,
The Great Ice Battle
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children help save the city from an ice curse.
Voyage of the Jaffa Wind
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children help rescue their friends
The Crown of Fire
Series:
Grades: 5 - 7
ProblematicSeries
The conclusion of the saga. Similar to previous books in violence, technology. The mild romantic interest continues as boy still can't find the courage to tell girl that he "likes" her. However another boy and girl become more of a couple after she almost dies, though nothing happens between them other than hugs when they realize they are safe , when girl isn't feeling well boy puts arm around her shoulder- it feels good to her, etc.Mention of Greek gods. Hide out in a church- boy thinks stained glass windows are beautiful. Temple with statue gods. Sistine chapel- analysis of the symbolism in the painting "The Last Judgement" with the help of the Pope- many mentions of yoshka- this is very detailed and specific, but only a minor part of the story- a parent needs to use careful judgement. Language- idiotic/idiot, shut up, gross, dang,stupid, dumb, jerk, stinky head, weird, bloody 'ell, hell,
Pirates of the Purple Dawn
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children prevent bad guys from the past from building an evil city.
The Golden Vendetta
Series:
Grades: 5 - 7
ProblematicSeries
The saga continues along the same lines as the previous book. Violence. A lot of cell phones, tablet, internet, technology, movies. A mild romantic interest beginning to develop- Boy realizes he likes girl when they are forced to stand "pressed up against each other" when they are hiding from a killer- but he is afraid to tell her.Girl is miserable because of her parent's impending divorce. Man daydreams about the time he held a woman in his arms for "countless seconds". Husband and wife kiss and hug "for a long time" in front of the children. Woman kisses boy on both cheeks in greeting he blushes. Mosque described in detail in very positive terms. Language- weird, stupid, creep, dumb, brat, freak, blast it all, idiot.
Moon Magic
Series:
Grades: -
Not AcceptableSeries
Children go to the future and the past to save the magical world. In the future a boy and girl hug "it was an embrace that never seemed to want to end"; page 127 illustration.
The Golden Wasp
Series:
Grades: N/A
AcceptableSeries
Children accidentally bring something from the magic world into their world, thereby upsetting the balance between the worlds
The Serpent's Curse
Series:
Grades: 5 - 7
QuestionableSeries
The saga continues along the same lines as the previous book. Violence. A lot of cell phones, tablet, internet, technology. Children visit monastery/monks, church,mentions of saints, christian art work, kneeling in prayer, . Opera described. Non romantic negiah. Language- stinking/bloody (as an expletive), weird, stupid,snot, blast it all, freaking out, freak, idiot
The Final
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
QuestionableSeries
Conclusion to series, children save the magical world. Language- creepy. Non-religious xmas, non romantic negiah.
Queen of Shadow Thorn
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children are not sure if they should trust a queen from the future. Book ends very uncertainly - are the children OK or not?
The Moon Dragon
Series:
Grades: 2 - 4
AcceptableSeries
Children join townspeople in battle with the bad guys. A bit more violence than the other books in this series, but still pretty tame.