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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/30/2021 | Klawde Evil Alien Warlord Cat | Marciano, Johnny and Emily Chenoweth | Evil Alien Warlord Cat Series | 3 - 6 |
Questionable |
See comments on Evil Alien Warlord Cat Series Series
Boy moves to a small town and has difficulty adjusting. He pours out his heart to an alien cat who showed up at his door. The cat is not very nice and is busy trying to return to his planet to rule his people in a cruel way. Boy goes to a nature camp where some of his fellow campers display terrible middos. Many mentions of technology- laptops, cellphone, ipad, internet, lots of TV watching. JUvenile bathroom humor including litter boxes and toilets. Language stupid, pee, poop, heck, idiotic, shut up, gross, weird, idiocy, darn it, crazy lunatic |
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| 05/30/2021 | Double or Nothing with the Two and Only Kelly Twins | Hurwitz, Johanna | 2 - 3 |
Generally Acceptable |
Twins learn that they survive being apart when their twin friends invite them to sleep over in separate houses. Language gross |
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| 05/27/2021 | Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote | Beaty, Andrea | The Questioneers | 2 - 5 |
Questionable |
Children run an election to choose a class pet. A girl becomes the "election commisioner" and struggles to keep the election fair. One girl writes that "birds evolved from dinosaurs". Another writes "turtles have existed for 215 million years". In the library there are real animals to read to called "reading buddies". They are all given names that are takeoffs on books which may or may not be appropriate, but if children never heard of the book, they won't understand the reference. Language weird |
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| 05/26/2021 | The Great Art Caper | Jamieson, Victoria | Pets On The Loose | 2 - 4 |
Questionable |
Graphic novel. Class pets who escape their cages at night try to prevent evil pets from ruining the children's art show. Funny violence. Language darn (p42), drat |
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| 05/26/2021 | The Great Pet Escape | Jamieson, Victoria | Pets On The Loose | 2 - 4 |
Questionable |
Graphic novel. Class pets escape from their cages at night and try to prevent evil class pets from scheming to give the children lunch that will make them sick. Funny violence Language heck (p12), stinking, moron (p57) |
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| 05/26/2021 | The Princess Who Flew With Dragons | Burgis, Stephanie | The Chocolate Heart Book Series | 4 - 7 |
Generally Acceptable |
A princess sneaks off and goes to a magical city of learning and makes friends. She discovers that being a commoner is very different from being royal and enjoys the anonymity. But when ice giants come to attack the city, it is up to her to join with her dragon friend and save the day. Princess is raised by her older sister, the crown princess since their mother, the queen, died and their father stopped being involved in raising them as he mourned his wife's death. Language stupid, idiot |
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| 05/26/2021 | The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart | Burgis, Stephanie | The Chocolate Heart Book Series | 4 - 7 |
Generally Acceptable |
A dragon is turned into a girl and goes to seek her fortune as an apprentice in a chocolate restaurant. She gradually comes to understand how humans function and relate to each other. With the help of a street smart friend she helps to save the chocolate house and reunite with her dragon family. Language stupid, idiot |
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| 05/23/2021 | The Library of Ever | Alexander, Zeno | The Library of Ever Series | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
A girl finds herself in a magical library and she is appointed assistant librarian. She has many adventures as she battles evil forces who want to destroy all knowledge. A man asks her to help him figure out the place with the longest name in the world so he can find the girl he loves and tell her that he loves her. Argument between a shark and a tree as to who lived more hundreds of millions years ago. Mention of an ancient Egyptian city dedicated to the worship of cats. Language stupid, morons, weird |
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| 05/06/2021 | The Friendship War | Clements, Andrew | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
A girl finds cases of buttons in an old factory and starts a button fad in her school. She ends up in a fight with her best friend and eventually learns about the value of friendship and what makes a true friend. Many mentions that her grandfather is sad since her grandmother died, and she is sad as well. Girls 15 year old brother "thinks about two things:girls and music". Many mentions of finding information online. Many mentions of text messages on cellphone, using phone as a camera and to take pictures. Girl thinks empty warehouse would be a good place to film a zombie movie. Jokes about button popping open and pants falling down. Girl watches movies with her friend. Grandfather teases girl that she holds hands with a boy who is her friend. Girl asks her mother if her grandmother is in heaven. Mother says she believes that the grandmother is still herself and still thinking and people "don't really die when they die" but it is a theory- she has no proof. Girl tries to take revenge on her friend but then feels very badly about doing it and makes up with her. One sentence mention of Halloween. Girl goes to the office to admit her wrongdoing to the principal and says "I feel like making a break for it , like a convict in a prison movie". Language dork, stupid, weird, gross, stinky, punks, geek, freaked out, dumb |
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| 05/06/2021 | Rebel in the Library of Ever | Alexander, Zeno | The Library of Ever Series | 4 - 6 |
Generally Acceptable |
A girl helps save a library in another world from people who want to destroy it. Language creeps, creepy, dummy, stupid, dumb, drat (once), darn (once), idiots |
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| 05/06/2021 | Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion | Beaty, Andrea | The Questioneers | 2 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
Child with architectural skills and his friends help figure out the mystery of an old mansion left to their aunt. Many people think the mansion is haunted and the children wonder if ghosts are real. Brief mention that gothic castles in the movies are always haunted. Descriptions of different styles of architecture. In the back of the book, there is a brief biography of a woman who championed African American rights as well as women's right to vote. Language creepy, stinky, weird |
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| 05/06/2021 | The Battle for Crystal Castle | Stilton, Geronimo | Geronimo Stilton | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
Mouse travels to a magical kindgom and helps save it from attackers. He goes on his quest with a teenage fairy princess and the man charged with protecting her. At first the princess is not nice to her bodyguard but by the end she comes to appreciate him- there are some brief hugs- text and illustration- seems somewhat romantic though it isn't spelled out at all- it only says that they learned to get along. Language stinky |
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| 05/04/2021 | Ruby Lu Star of the Show | Look, Lenore | Ruby Lu | 2 - 4 |
Questionable |
Chinese American girl goes through many adjustments- she begins third grade, her father loses her job and her stay at home mother goes to work, money is tight, and she has to return the dog she adopted to its owner. Many mentions of family watching TV- text and illustrations. Family stops going to the movies to save money. Teacher reads a story about a girl whose mother tells her "You can pray to G-d anytime, anywhere. He will always hear you". GIrl is angry at her teacher for giving her a bad report card- writes a poem that he is a monster and shouldn't be teaching. She feels really bad after she writes it and teacher talks to her about it and offers to tutor her after school. Girl wonders whwere the family will get money to buy candy for Halloween, turkey for Thanksgiving, presents and a tree for xmas. Father ends up making children Halloween costumes out of boxes and they win a prize in school for them. WHen girl finds a wallet full of money, her parents refuse to keep it. FIrst they try to find the owner and when they can't they give the money to people who are poorer than them. Language butt, darn (once) |
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| 04/29/2021 | Ruby Lu Empress of Everything | Look, Lenore | Ruby Lu | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
A Chinese American girl adjusts to her cousin's family moving in with her when they immigrate from China. Brief mentions of watching TV and girl is excited when paramedics come to help her brother who has magnets stuck in his nose- just like on TV. Cousin can "ward off evil spirits" with her jade pendant. Language weird |
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| 04/25/2021 | Notorious | Korman, Gordon | 5 - 8 |
Problematic |
A boy whose parents are divorced usually lives with his mother and travels around the world with her, but when he gets sick he goes to live with his father on a small island which is half the territory of the United States and half Canadian. A lot of discussion about gangsters who used the island to commit crimes during the Prohibition. The boy begins to uncover clues about the death of a dog belonging to a girl who has befriended him. The children end up discovering a dangerous secret. A group of middleschoolers hold loud parties and damage public property. Cellphone, live stream, TV, intrenet, and other technology. Friend asks if girl is boy's girlfriend- he denies it. Friend thinks its "cool" that boy's mom is in one country and his dad in another. Boys and girls are on the dancefloor but "there is more jumping than dancing going on". Boy thinks a girl has a crush on his friend. Brief mention of xmas dinner. Boy wanted to set off firecrackers in church. Language butt, gross, stinks, weird, bummer, wimpy, stupid, idiot, jerk, dummy, dumb, jackass, butt cheek, creep, screwy, a big stink over nothing, freak out, hellhound |
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| 04/21/2021 | The Doughnut King | Janowitz, Jessie | The Doughnut Fix Series | 5 - 7 |
Problematic |
THe story continues as the boy tries to figure out how to find money to buy equipment for his doughnut business. He enters a TV kids cooking competition to win the prize. A lot of TV culture. THe host of the show is mean to the boy since she is angry at his mother who used to work for her.Boy cheats but eventually admits what he did. Boys mother has a best friend who is a man (who is also married to someone else- this is all presented in a very matter of fact normal way). Boy imagines that if he gets stuck in the elevator he will climb out the top and up the cables like they do in the movies. Children call each other nuddy "Nuddy's short for nudnick, which means stupid in a language my great grandparents spoke and pretty much nobody speaks anymore" Their parents think "TV rots your brain unless you're watching a show that teaches you how to cook something". Boy thinks they should call an exorcist to their house to figure out why things break all the time for no reason. email, google docs. Boy wonders about survival of the fittest and its connection to what he learned in fifth grade science " animals adapting to their environment millions of years ago". Boy explains that his mother is jewish and his father isn't "we're not really religious, but..connected. It's kind of hard to explain.. we cook the foods, celebrate holidays- some at least- tell stories, and use some ayiddish words. If we worship anything it's food." Language stupid, weird, darn, vomit, freak out, freaky, dumb, creeping me out, poop, idiot, stinks, freakish |
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| 04/13/2021 | The Doughnut Fix | Janowitz, Jessie | The Doughnut Fix Series | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
A boy moves to a small town after his father loses his job and starts a doughnut business. Family goes to eat in a "kosher style" restaurant which serves chicken soup along with bagels and cream cheese, not to mention kreplach. Mother calls children "nuddy" when they are being "stupid'- "nuddy is short for nudnik, which means stupid in Yiddish, a language her grandparents spoke and pretty much nobody else does anymore". GIrl reads book "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" over and over again. Boy's bike breaks and he debates if he should get a ride with a stranger or if the stranger is a kidnapper. He ends up going with him and it is fine. Choosing a live Turkey to eat on Thanksgiving.. Picking out an xmas tree, Halloween candy. Mentions of internet and technology. Boy enjoys watching movies at the movie theater. When little sister gets covered with flour, boy says she looks like a zombie in a horror movie. Language stupid, moron, gross, stink, freaking out, dumb, snot, weirdo, jerk, wacko, stinky, creepy, poop, slime bucket, wimp, vomit, butt |
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| 04/13/2021 | Sea Monster | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Children figure out what is causing a sea monster to scare the kindgom. |
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| 03/30/2021 | Fish in a Tree | Hunt, Lynda Mullaly | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
Girl who hid her dyslexia discovers that she is smart and also learns to read thanks to special teacher. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Brother tells sister to leave parents alone so parents can "talk mushy".Girl thinks boy likes her, thinks she might like him too. Turns out to be nothing. Religion/Hashkafa Passing mention of Xmas Religion/Hashkafa Passing mention of Native American story of butterflies taking your wish the spirits. Language Freak |
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| 03/30/2021 | The One and Only Bob | Applegate, Katherine | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
Sequel to The One and Only Ivan. Told from perspective of dog who befriended gorilla, helps save animals after tornado. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Passing mention of gorilla who has girlfriend - another gorilla. When dogs are in danger of drowning, a female dog tells the male dog that she always loved him. He answers "you're a looker... and you're too good for the likes of me". Language What the heck. Pee TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Passing mention of wanting to watch TV. |
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| 02/22/2021 | Cats Aloft | Martin, Lisa and Valerie Martin | Anton and Cecil | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
The brother cats' adventures continue as they visit the Chicago World's Fair and help capture criminals who are stealing puppies for the circus. Detective dog tells the cats that his human master charms the ladies "The ladies do fancy him so". Language drat, weird, darn, dumb, creepy |
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| 02/22/2021 | Secrets of the Circus | Klise, Kate | Three Ring Rascals | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
The circus animals help a pig who has run away from his farmer who plans to sell him to a pork chop company so he doesn't lose his farm. |
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| 02/19/2021 | Cats on Track | Martin, Lisa and Valerie Martin | Anton and Cecil | 3 - 6 |
Generally Acceptable |
Cat brothers receive a message that their mouse friend is in trouble. They travel by train to rescue him and experience adventures along the way. Language blasted, weird, durned (p144,162), creepy |
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| 02/18/2021 | Revenge of Superstition Mountain | Broach, Elise | Superstition Mountain Mysteries | 5 - 7 |
Children decide to return the gold to the mountain before the ancient curse hurts them. In the meantime, they try to find out where the other gold is. Many spooky cemetery scenes. Scary avalanche scene. In the back of the book there are mentions of titles of some books that may or may not be appropriate also mentions of the names of the author's favorite rock music and TV shows. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Two large black and white illustration of two different women wearing skimpy dresses .The children find love letters that their uncle wrote to his "true love" but they are confused since their father described their uncle as a "player" which they describe to mean "a man who has had a lot of girlfriends at the same time, or one girlfriend after another, with no long relationships." Boy notices his aunt looks "positively giddy" when she is around her boyfriend (towards the end of the book they get engaged)- some minor negiah between them- she puts a hand on his shoulder, he tucks his arm around her waist and pulls her close, etc. A lot of discussion if people believe "that there is one person for everybody...a person you're meant to be with" Religion/Hashkafa Boy asks repeatedly what people think about life after death- reincarnation. His mother is very definite that "death doesn't work that way". His father is not so sure- "different religions for many centuries have had the belief in reincarnation. Hinduism, some parts of Judaism, Native American religions..." Girl who is sad that she lost her father explains she wishes her dad would come back as something and there has been a hummingbird near their house lately and that might be him. Boy is very scared since Native American woman tells him that the Thunder god is angry at him for taking gold from the mountain and he will die if he doesn't return it. In the back of the book there is a more extensive explanation of the belief in the thunder god. Language creepy, weird, shut up, dumb |
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| 02/16/2021 | Cats at Sea | Martin, Lisa and Valerie Martin | Anton and Cecil | 4 - 6 |
Generally Acceptable |
Two cats with very different personalities live near a seaport. When one cat is captured and taken on ship, the other cat goes on a journey to find him and bring him home. Mouse is bemoaning the fate of mice and says they must have been "created by a very careless fellow indeed" Language darnedest (p101), shut up, weird, stupid, stinkin' |
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| 02/12/2021 | Den of Wolves | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Boy and girl go camping- they each have their own tent and there is a wizard chaperoning- completely innocent. They rescue a wolf pup from hunters but then their dragon is captured and the wolves help them rescue it and capture the hunters. Language creepy, snot |
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| 01/03/2021 | Fear Itself | Clements, Andrew | Keepers of the School | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
The saga continues as children solve clues to race and save their school while an evil janitor tries to stop them. Description of funeral in a chapel- relatively nuetral. Eccentric old man tells boy a story- he was at a funeral and was having so much fun he thought he was at a wedding- he got thrown out for trying to dance with the widow. Boy is upset because his father moved out and went to live on his boat. Boy and mother watch movie together. Use internet to research. Language goofball, weirdo, stupid, weird. creepy, gross, a creep,heck, darn |
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| 01/01/2021 | Dolls of War | Parenteau, Shirley | 5 - 7 |
Problematic |
A girl's father runs a museum that features a Japanese doll given to American children in friendship. Girl mourns the loss of her mother via her connection to the Japanese doll. When anti Japanese feelings are strong, girl is sent away from home and sneaks the doll with her to protect it. Girl has a crush on her much older brother's friend- he is later killed at war. GIrl is afraid her brother will be killed. Children display terrible middos when they ransack a museum, beat up a classmate and throw mud at a train carrying a Japanese American classmate. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah fifth grade boy "collected popular girls as fast as the teacher caught their whispers". Boy didn't follow after the "flirtiest of them all". Girl hates her because she is jealous that a boy in the class likes her.Boys and girls go to a movie together. Man teases woman that since she can't buy stockings during the war she should draw lines on her legs and "any time you want to borrow my calipers to hold a pencil steady, let me know". She is horrified a man is talking about a woman's legs. Fifth grade girl tells boy that if he doesn't listen to her she won't kiss him again. Girl "drools over" a boy who has "the bluest eyes ever". Religion/Hashkafa a lot about xmas- presents, tree, santa, food, ornaments. After mother's death father doesn't want a tree for xmas- girl makes one from cookies. Description of church service but not detailed religion. Language jerk, creep, weird, dumb, shut up, I'll be darned |
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| 01/01/2021 | The ACB With Honora Lee | DeGoldi, Kate | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
A quirky girl forms a special relationship with her grandmother who suffers from dementia and lives in a nursing home. The girl writes and unusual alphabet book to remember their time together. Sad when a friend of her grandmother's dies. Father tells daughter that he was told to call her by her first name, even when he was a little boy. Piano teacher wears a nose stud. Grandmother says things very directly without filters- sometimes her comments are hurtful. Residents in nursing home watch a lot of TV. Nurse sings xmas carols, later children do too. Brief mention of Zeus, a Greek god. Language stupider, idiotic, damn (p105) |
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| 01/01/2021 | Anika Riz, Math Whiz | Mills, Claudia | Franklin School Friends | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
A girl who loves math wins a Sodoku contest. She wishes her friends didn't hate math They unsuccessfully try to make cookies for the school carnival fundraiser. Principal and teachers get dunked at a dunking booth- girl thinks its funny to see them in t shirts and shorts. Language weird, dumb, stupid, gross |
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| 12/31/2020 | Katie and the Cupcake War | Simon, Coco | Cupcake Diaries | 4 - 6 |
Problematic |
Girls try to raise the most money of any group at the school fundraiser. They compete against a group of girls who are not nice to them- this group pretends that their rum cupcakes have alcohol in them and they get in trouble for promoting alcohol. A lot of juvenille boy/ girl- does he like me? do I like him? do I want him to dance with me at the school dance? flirting, etc. Girl very into wearing "lucky" clothing to bring her good luck. Girl is worried since her grandmother needs heart surgery. A lot of internet use, TV, movies.Mentions of divorced parents and if girl likes going from one to the other. Language gross, freaked out, weird, funky, supercreeepy |
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| 11/29/2020 | Adventures with Waffles | Parr, Maria | 3 - 5 |
Not Acceptable |
Norwegian boy and the girl next door get into all sorts of mischief. Very sad when great aunt dies. Girl doesn' t have a father - he "ran off" before she was born- and wishes for one- finally she picks out the local doctor for her mother and ends up proposing marraige to him -to marry her mother- and he accepts. Boy wonders if girl considers him her best friend- at the end he is gratified to find out that she does. Uncle yells at them that if htey make mischeif again he will "bash their heads into their stomachs" (girl comments that if he does that at least they can see out of their bellybuttons). Children are happy uncle's girlfriend is visiting since he won't yell at them in front of her. Girl explains how lambs are born "Soon lambs will be coming out of the ewe's bums". Religion/Hashkafa story of Noah's ark- quasi accurate. Boy imagines Noah pushing a tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur onto the ark. Children sing xmas carols to earn money. Boy's grandmother dies- boy is surprised that when he goes to see her in her casket is isn't "creepy"- it looks like she is sleeping. Grandmother has a picture of Yoshka that the children think protects them- mentioned many times. Xmas described- mom gathers them in front of "creche" and tells them the "nativity story". Boy decides his dead grandmother is probably up there giving yoshka a sweater for xmas. Girl puts herself into danger on the side of a mountain so she should look like Yoshka. Language stupid, pee, flipping stinky, creepy, idiot, poop. Aunt tells grandfather not to say "suffering sticklebacks" in front of the children. TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media When girl punches boy making fun of her, child comments it was just like in a PG 13 movie he isn't allowed to watch, but has seen some anyway. Boy watched DVDs with his neighbor. |
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| 11/29/2020 | Bob | Mass, Wendy and Rebecca Stead | 3 - 6 |
Questionable |
An American girl goes to Australia to visit her grandmother and finds a strange creature dressed up like a chicken in the closet that she helps return to his family who live in the well. Mentions of fairy tale creatures. "In Australia they say toilet for bathroom". One sentence about dinosaurs- rain fell on them, sank into earth and evaporated and then fell again. In the back of the book the author lists favorite books by title and author, some of which may be innapropriate. Language weird, dorky, poop, weirdo, freak out, butt, gross, that stinks , scared the heck out of me TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media many mentions of grandmother watching TV and creature listening to it through the walls- no details. |
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| 11/26/2020 | The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | Kamkwamba, William and Bryan Mealer | 6 - 8 |
A true account told by an African boy who despite his poverty and lack of education figured out how to generate electricity using a windmill built from junk and ended up attending university in the USA. Very detailed descriptions of hunger and famine. Very detailed explanations about producing electricity and other scientific concepts. Detailed descriptions of the superstitious and magical beliefs of people in his community. Centerfold has color photos of the boy and his inventions. Primitive toilet collapses while girl is "squatting" on it-- they have to dig her out. Religion/Hashkafa It is xmas and children are starving- hope someone will have compassion and give them something to eat- radio plays silent night. Remember xmas past when they went ot watch the nativity play in church and eat flying ants roasted with salt. Paragraph expaining that Yoshka told his disciples that seeds planted on fertile soil live and prosper. Description of tribal belief that magical dancers who are spirits of ansestors roam the earth and take young boys to graveyards. Witch doctor brought a man to life who was killed by a snake. Language drooling idiot, stupid, poop, shut up TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media African children watch movie "The Terminator" and wonder if the main character was able to stay alive because he is the greatest wizard ever. Mention of TV |
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| 11/26/2020 | Worst Witch and the Wishing Star | Murphy, Jill | The Worst Witch | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
Girl who keeps getting into funny trouble in witch school is now a senior with more responsibilities, but unwittingly still gets into trouble. One word Hallowe'en. Language stupid, manic, weirdo |
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| 11/26/2020 | Worst Witch to the Rescue | Murphy, Jill | The Worst Witch | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
A girl who tries to be good at witch school but gets into funny trouble is excited to hand in her vacation project until a classmate steals it and pretends it is her own. Language shut up, weird, freaked out, berserk, stupid, idiot, dumb |
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| 11/26/2020 | Worst Witch Saves the Day | Murphy, Jill | The Worst Witch | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
A girl who keeps getting into funny trouble in witch school saves the school from the headmistress' sister who is masquerading as a teacher and wants to turn them all into snails and take over the school. Language weird, shut up, berserk, stupid, creepy |
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| 11/26/2020 | A Bad Spell for the worst Witch | Murphy, Jill | The Worst Witch | 3 - 5 |
Questionable |
A girl in witch school tries hard to be a model pupil but keeps getting into funny trouble. When a mean girl in her class turns her into a frog, she befriends another frog and finds out he is really a magician who has been waiting to be turned back into a person for a long time. She gets into even more trouble when she ties up a classmate so she can go to a Halloween celebration in her place and help the magician. Language stupid |
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| 11/22/2020 | Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of the Missing Goop | Griffin, N. | Smashie McPerter | 3 - 5 |
Problematic |
Third grade children are putting on a school performance, but the goop one of their classmates plans to use to style their hair keeps dissapearing. Boy and girl detectives solve the mystery. Boy's father and girl's grandmother love sixties "go go" dances and teach it to the children. Illustrations of them dancing together (not romantic). Many sixties dances named and described. Children get in trouble when teaching the dance called "the jerk" when teacher thinks they are being rude to her. Friend's mother quit her job and tries to make it on her own but is having financial difficulties. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Many mentions of children wondering if a boy and girl classmate "like-like" each other and how people act when they like-like each other. Remember when their substitute (previous book) like-liked their teacher. Boy hugs girl to thank her for teaching him a dance. Language frequent language- dumb, stupid, weird, stink, darn, heck, I'll be darned, freak |
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| 11/22/2020 | The Worst Witch Strikes Again | Murphy, Jill | The Worst Witch | 3 - 5 |
Generally Acceptable |
The administration hopes to teach responsibility to the girl who has difficulty in witch school by giving her the job of taking care of a new girl. The new girl ends up getting her into even more funny trouble. One word mention of Hallowe'en. Language berserk |
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? Kaya - The Ghost Wind Stallion
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Girl helps her blind sister fulfill her dream of riding on a stallion while at the same time trying to appease a demanding aunt who has come to live with them. A lot of discussion about belief in spirits that can help or harm people. Sad story about how a woman's husband died through carelessness on a deer hunt.
Kirsten - Kirsten's Short Story Collection
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Short stories, each with its own history section. In history section of "Kirsten and the New Girl", small photo of girls in low cut gowns. Mentions that after quilting bees, "the young men arrived for supper, dancing, and sometimes kissing games". In "Kirsten's Promise", small illustration of a grave with a wooden cross as a marker. In "Kirsten Snowbound", history section details how many people died in a blizzard - a bit scary.
Caroline - Catch the Wind - My Journey with Caroline
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Reader chooses her own ending. Modern girl receives a compass that allows her to travel in time. Her adventures during the war of 1812 help her deal with her mother's imminent departure to the Navy.When girl is upset she is chutzpadik to parents- later apologizes. Watching movies on DVD, TV, parents go out to movies on "date night". Book refers reader to an unreviewed website for the ending to one of the scenarios.Language- stupid, idiot, weird, blasted, dumb, freaking out.
Samantha - Samantha's Winter Party
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girls make a poor girl a party after a rich girl insults her. Many mentions of X-Mas: vacation, pageant, carols, songs, etc. but no religion. Minor language: nincompoop. History section in back - 2 illustrations of men and women skating hand in hand,
Marie-Grace - Marie-Grace Makes A Difference
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Girl volunteers to help during a yellow fever epidemic. Detailed descriptions of infirmary filled with sick and dying people- somewhat scary. Detailed description of wedding in a cathedral including a priest, a nun, a physical description of the church, and one sentence- kissing the bride. Girl sings hymn "Amazing Grace"- some of the lyrics written out. Name of orphanage- "Holy Trinity". Illustration of bride in low cut dress.
Kaya - Smoke on the Wind
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Redo of "Changes for Kaya". Indian girl rescues home from forest fire. Lots of Indian religion- needs guidance. Indian marraige customs. Father holds older adopted daughter after a long separation.
Kailey
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
A girl tries to save the tide pool on her beach from a resort developer. Some teen slang and culture - gross, creepy, stinky, butt, heck, gorked. Also going to movies, wanting to grow up to be a movie star/supermodel and wear lots of makeup/ 6 inch heels/dye her hair as many colors as she wants. 2 word mention of Santa. Older sister tries to meet boys.
Kit - Meet Kit
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
A girl's father loses his business in the depression and her mother turns their house into a boarding house in order to pay the mortgage. Mention of "Beauty and the Beast". Some minor middos.Language- stupid.
Kaya - Kaya's Hero
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
An older Indian woman Kaya admires is killed, and leaves Kaya her saddle and her name. Kaya struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Side story of Kaya's older sister's romance with the man she will marry. She makes a necklace for him, they dance together (p. 10), boy likes to serenade girls with flute (p. 36). Indian religion and customs. History section in back: a legend about a woman who is angry at her husband's selfishness so she leaves him and dances with another man (p. 71).
Caroline - Changes for Caroline
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
Girl goes to help uncle on farm and learns meaning of poverty and charity.
Addy - Finding Freedom
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Redo of first 3 Addy books. Slave girl and her mother escape and make a new life for themselves in Philadelphia..
Religion/Hashkafa
Description of the items in a church- eg. organ, pulpit, etc.. Description of church service including reverends mentioning that story of xmas is story of birth of yoshka. A lot of xmas- presents, special food, church service, etc.
Language
Language- stupid, dumb
Violence
Graphic descriptions of cruel overseer
Middos
Middos between classmates.
Marie-Grace - Meet Marie-Grace
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
A girl who is orphaned of her mother adjusts to her new home in New Orleans. A lot of French expressions throughout all the books in this series. Middos among classmates. Detailed description of a coed children's ball, nothing romantic. Girl's uncle is courting a woman whom he will eventually marry (in a later book)-brief mention that he "takes her hand", Minor opera culture. Explanation that Mardi Gras is the last day before Lent begins, then after forty days celebrate Easter.History section in the back repeats this explanation in greater detail, and also mentions that in New Orleans after church, people went shopping and did other things that were considered unacceptable in other parts of the USA. Preview of "Meet Cecille"- one word mention of xmas, talk of finding a good costume for the ball, father kisses mother.
Kanani - Aloha, Kanani
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Hawaiin girl tries to make her cousin from New York feel welcome, but she is too sad about her parents' divorce and her mother's' remarriage. Full color two page spread of girls watching hula dancers. Girl blushes when good looking boy greets her. Coed surfboarding. One word xmas. Language- weird, stupid
Samantha - A Samantha Mystery - The Curse of Ravenscourt
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
Girls figure out who is causing trouble at a luxurious apartment building.
Molly - Molly Saves the Day - A Summer Story
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
A girl goes to summer camp and overcomes her fear of swimming underwater.
Julie - A Brighter Tomorrow - My Journey With Julie
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Reader chooses own ending. Reader is encouraged to go to an unreviewed website for the ending to one of the scenarios. The two main storylines involve a girl trying to prove she is as good as boys at basketball- a lot of coed basketball playing, and sisters trying to deal with parent's divorce. Older sister tries to avoid seeing her father- tells her mom she is going to the library but instead goes with a boy to sunbathe at the beach. Modern girl trying to deal with her parents separation and worry that they will get a divorce. Laptop, video chat. Mentions of 70s singers by name. Girl crashes into a boy and they fall - boy says "Gross get off of me". Middos between classmates. Language- weirdo, freak, stupid
Gabriela - Time for Change
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl with a stutter feels overwhelmed with all of her commitments and wonders which she should drop. Girl says that when she does ballet she feels like she is in church. Kids plan a Halloween party- a lot of detail about Halloween- no religion.Girl dresses up as "Bride of Frankenstein"- says she looks like a character from a movie. Girls dress up as a social butterfly- one dresses like a butterfly, the other like social media. A few mentions that boy's mother is a "single mom"- no explanation. Boys and girls are in a poetry group together and good friends- nothing overtly romantic. Language- heck, creepy, stupid, weirdness
Kaya - The Journey Begins
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Redo of first 3 Kaya books. Girl and her blind sister are kidnapped by enemies- girl escapes and deals with guilt of leaving her sister. Courtship dance described in detail. Boy likes to serenade girls with his flute. Boy and girl huddle together for warmth while escaping. A lot of Native American religion- belief in creator, spirits, visions. Sad when young women dies- belief that dead person's spirit stays in camp until buried and all belongings given away. Children give girl a nickname she hates.
Braving the Lake
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Reader chooses endings- a girl tries to overcome her fear of the lake to attend her friend's birthday party. Some of the endings include her lying- she regrets doing it in all of them. Cartoonish, non provocative pictures of girls in bathing suits throughout. Reader is encouraged to go onto a (unreviewed) website to find one of the endings to the story.Something reminds girl of "a movie played in slow motion." Middos issues somewhat resolved. Language (once each)- freaks me out, weird, dumb.
Kirsten - Meet Kirsten
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Swedish girl immigrates to America. Very sad when her best friend dies. One sentence mention that boy hates to get dressed up even for church.
Rebecca - A Rebecca Mystery - The Crystal Ball
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Girl figures out who is robbing an old man. A lot of semi observant Judaism (which may be historically accurate but will be confusing for a child reading this without adult guidance) eg. light candles, make kiddush on friday night, but no Shabbos at all on Shabbos day, no shul at all, invite non Jewish janitor for Shabbos meal. Brief mention of church bells on Sunday.A lot of talk of fortunetellers and crystal balls. In back history section Houdini proves spiritualists to be fakes. Language- dumb,
Lindsey
Series:
Grades: -
Not AcceptableSeries
A Jewish girl gets herself into all kinds of well meaning trouble. She tries to set up her teachers and figures out how to "get them to be romantic".She also tries to set up her depressed, divorced uncle, with disastrous results. A lot of middos between classmates. Uncle watches soap operas all day. A lot of detail about planning brothers bar mitzvah- a rock band performs, mixed dancing described, mentions of him reading "the Torah portion". Language- stinky, dork, snotty, stupid, freak, weird.
Melody - No Ordinary Sound
Series:
Grades: N/A
QuestionableSeries
An African American girl growing up in the sixties is inspired by Martin Luther King, and finds the courage to sing a solo in her church choir despite her fear of walking into church ever since black girls in a southern church were killed. Family sings grace before eating. A lot of coed singing. Father wants son to go to college, he doesn't want to- he wants to become a famous singer. Sneaks behind father's back- eventually father comes to terms with it. a lot of black- music culture. A lot of church and gospel music. Church windows "shine like jewels" on Sunday mornings. Girl thinks boy is "kind of cute." TV, movies. Language- weird, stupid
Maryellen - The Finders-Keepers Rule
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Girl finds a ring buried in the sand and with the help of her male friend, figures out where the ring came from and captures a thief. Frequent mentions of a dance that their town is preparing for. Girl keeps trying to learn the disco dance steps. Her male friend doesn't want to since he likes football, not dancing. The girl's teenage sister tells him that he will want to dance with girls when he gets older. Description of girls dancing with their dates.Teenage girl's boyfriend tells her she looks gorgeous- she blushes and they walk off holding hands. Girl's sister and brother in law dance, then brother in law twirls her- she giggles with delight. Brother in law tugs her pony to tease her. Description of a couple on the beach "draped in beach towels." Boy and girl go swimming in the ocean together. Boy suggests decorating dance with sports banners. Girl responds "Then the entire event would be all boys! Who would they dance with?" Girl politely shakes man's hand. A few one word mentions of xmas. Many mentions of rock music, rock band, etc. Many mentions of book and movie "Treasure Island". Girl says that bandshell would be perfect for a movie set.
Samantha - The Lilac Tunnel - My Journey With Samantha
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Reader chooses own ending. Reader is encouraged to go to an unreviewed website for the ending to one of the scenarios. The book begins with a modern girl who is having difficulty adjusting to her parent's divorce and her father's subsequent remarriage. Her journey to the past helps her come to terms with it. A lot of emphasis on how much more comfortable and practical pants are (old fashioned girl calls them bloomers) - point is really made very clearly. Coed swimming with uncle. Girl can't believe how uncomfortable and old fashioned bathing dress is. Can't believe women swim in stockings. End up swimming in their underwear. Man kisses girl's hand (to be polite) she blushes. Brief mentions of movies, TV, computer, cell phone. Language- freaked out
Kaya - The Roar of the Falls - My Journey With Kaya
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Reader chooses own ending.Reader is encouraged to go to an unreviewed website for the ending to one of the scenarios. Lots of Indian religion including belief in a creator who made everything as well as belief in spirits. One paragraph description of courtship dance- girls make a circle and boys make a circle around them and try to dance near the girl they like (pg. 163)
Kaya - Meet Kaya
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Lots of Indian religion - needs guidance. Courtship dance - circle of men and women, if boy likes girl he puts stick on her shoulder, if she likes him she lets him keep it there, then dance together as a couple.
Cecile & Marie-Grace - Troubles for Cecile
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl copes with her brother's near death by yellow fever. Frequent mentions of the many deaths caused by the yellow fever and the many children orphaned. Girl sings song that she knows from mass "ave maria". Physical description of cathedral. Girl thinks that someone who died is now an angel. Mention of kneeling in prayer. Each bead of a rosary "is a prayer". In back history section, disturbing pictures of the sick and dying being cared for by nuns in full habit. Nuns care for children. Name of orphanage is Holy Trinity.
Bound For Snow
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Reader chooses endings- a girl decides which winter sport she should participate in- mostly involving a very energetic dog.Mild snowboarding/ skiing/ dogsledding culture. Reader is encouraged to go onto a (unreviewed) website to find one of the endings to the story.
Mia
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl feels torn as she tries to decide if she wants to go for ice hockey which is her brother's passion, or figure skating to prove she is different from them. A lot of skating culture. Illustrations of skaters in scanty dress. Older brother dates a girl. A girl on the team shows terrible middos. Xmas- homemade presents. decorations. carols, Language-stupid, weird, brat
Kanani - Good Job Kanani
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Hawaiin girl tries to earn money to save endangered seals while at the same time coming to terms with the fact that her best friend has different interests than she does. A lot of coed swimming and surfing-very matter of fact and part of their daily life. Full color illustrations of girls in shorts and tank tops, sleeveless dresses etc. Teenage girls hang around surfboard rental stand run by a teenage boy who is "tall and tanned, his wavy brown hair was flecked with blond". TV, computer, digital photo frame, email. Pet rooster runs away to be with a neighbor's pet chicken- girl says they are "in love". Language- booger, dumb. In back of book stories of real girls who have helped people- photos of girls wearing sleeveless and low cut.
Samantha - A Samantha Mystery -The Stolen Sapphire
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
Girls help find a stolen jewel. Minor language: blasted.
Addy - Changes for Addy
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Girl searches for her missing family.Friend has to leave school so she can work and help her family earn money to survive. Many mentions of church and xmas,no serious religion.
Felicity - A Felicity Mystery - Peril at King's Creek
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
A girl helps catch a British spy. A lot of rehashing about if she should have helped an abused horse escape his owner or not (as told in previous books ) and if she should have lied to her parents or not. Answer left unclear - eg. P. 66-69
The New Girl
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Reader chooses the endings- a girl tries to overcome her jealousy of a new girl. A lot of middos issues but with a purpose.Reader is encouraged to go onto a (unreviewed) website to find one of the endings to the story Many non provocative illustrations of girls in t shirts and shorts. Small cartoonish illustrations of dancer wearing a sleeveless dress and a trapeze artist wearing a leotard and tights. Girls go to see a movie.
Kit - A Kit Mystery - A Thief in the Theater
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
A Shakespeare theater company struggles to stay open during the Depression. Children help locate a thief who stole money from the box office. In history section a small black and white photo of the scantily clad cast of the movie Tarzan. Lots of theater culture
Rebecca - A Rebecca Mystery- Secrets At Camp Nokomis
Series:
Grades: -
Not AcceptableSeries
A Jewish girl goes to summer camp to escape the polio epidemic. Townsfolk look down at female counselors who “tramp around in bloomers”. Middos between campmates. Discussion of why Jewish girl is in a treif camp and refuses to eat pork (but not other non kosher food) Counselor explains it by comparing keeping kosher to the custom of Catholics not to eat meat on Fridays. (pg38-40 chapter 3). Girl's cousins are movie actors. One word xmas, Irish girl says “saints preserve us”. Romance between 2 counselors- girls find them sitting in a cave at night reading “romantic verses” to each other.
Molly - A Molly Mystery - Clues In The Shadows
Series:
Grades: N/A
QuestionableSeries
A girl tries to figure out who is looking through the papers she is collecting for a wartime paper drive. Middos between children. Girl finds out that a boy’s bad behavior is due to his father being missing in action. Description of women who work in war factories wearing greasy overalls and close fitting blouses. At celebration for end of war 2 sailors “kiss every young woman within reach.” A lot of adults smoking. Mention of going to the movies. Girl does tap dance to entertain wounded soldiers. Veteran shows violent tendencies and a temper in reaction to his war experiences. Girl reacts to changes in her father due to his war experiences. A bit heavy for this age group. Language-stupid, shut up, dumb, darn (once). History section at back of book- photo of soldiers and girls dancing together (pg 178)
Kit - Kit Learns a Lesson
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl's aunt comes to live with family and teaches them how to save money, but girl is embarrassed of her in front of her friends. Eventually comes to appreciate aunt. Kids tease girl that a boarder in her house is her boyfriend (he isn't). Brief part where kids in class show bad midos to each other.
Taking The Reins
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Reader chooses the endings- a girl decides if she should compete in a horse show despite her fears. Reader is encouraged to go onto a (unreviewed) website to find one of the endings to the story. Some middos between friends. Language- freaked out (once)
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