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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/30/2020 | Carry On: A Novel | Rowell, Rainbow | 8 - 10 |
Not Acceptable |
This book was on a list of LGBTQ Pride reading recommendations |
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| 06/28/2020 | Skyborn | Anders, Lou | Thrones and Bones | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
Final book of the trilogy. Friends play in a deadly game to save the kingdom. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Girl reaches up her hand to help her best friend (male) dismount. Children go mixed swimming. Giantess gives her male best friend a "bear hug" after not seeing him for a long time. Religion/Hashkafa many mentions of gods and goddesses Language stupid, idiot, moron, shut up, gross, dung, jerks |
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| 06/28/2020 | Nightborn | Anders, Lou | Thrones and Bones | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
Boy goes on a quest to rescue his friend, a small giantess. He encounters many characters along the way, some good and some evil. Good guy vs. bad guy violence. Injured boy leans on girl who rescues him. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah girl pulls her best friend who is a boy into the water with her and they have a small splash fight. Boy and girl "cling to each other" on the back of a dragon so they don't fall off. Girl punches boys arm "affectionately" to thank him for saving her. Girl gives boy "a tight hug" goodbye. Religion/Hashkafa boy wonders why his friend has a statue of a goddess when she doesn't believe in gods. Boy does believe in gods and often prays to them, especially the god of luck. Many other mentions of gods throughout Language stupid, idiotic, dumb, gross, pee, freak |
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| 06/26/2020 | Deadlock | Walden, Mark | H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education | 5 - 8 |
Problematic |
Students of villain school rescue students from evil villain school Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Lots of boy/girl discussions, thoughts, kissing. Could be edited. page 34, 178-179, 200, 208, 288, 289 Violence Violence |
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| 05/28/2020 | Aftershock | Walden, Mark | H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education | 5 - 8 |
Problematic |
 Teen |
Students at criminal school fight against worse criminals. can be edited. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Some romantic negiah, can be edited.Peck on cheek - 20kiss on cheek - 38discussion - 89discussion - 152kiss 229hug 243hug 252 Language Some language: damn, hell. pee, idiot Violence Some disturbing scenes in flashbacks from criminal adult, who was cruelly trained to be violent. After a long solitary confinement, she is forced to kill her crazed best friend in self defense.Also the usual violence. |
| 05/25/2020 | Trapped | Bodeen, S.A. | The Shipwreck Island | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
The saga continues as the children negotiate with a boy from another planet who needs something they have to return home and save his people. Alien boy hold's girl's hand to show her a memory- "at first his touch seemed weird- she didn't go around holding hands with boys...but now she found it comforting" Language stupid, freaked, freak out, freaky, dumb, weird |
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| 05/25/2020 | Jed and the Junkyard War | Bohls, Steven | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
A boy's parents go missing so he follows their instructions and finds himself in a huge junkyard world with animated junk and flying boats. Language dumb, dimwits, stupid, shut up, puke TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media the ship looked like a ship in the movies where "the rich hero sails into the sunset". |
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| 05/25/2020 | Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion | Bohls, Steven | 5 - 7 |
Problematic |
The saga continues as boy tries to discover the truth about himself and his missing parents and try to save innocent creatures at the same time. A lot of talk about life sparks which are what gives beings life and the ability to extract them from dead bodies and use them to bring things to life. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Book begins with a loving scene between boy's parents- mother takes fathers hand and leaps into his arms, father promised there will be "kissing, romantic dancing, and more kissing". Language shut up, weird |
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| 05/25/2020 | The Sphinx's Secret | Bond, Gwenda and Christopher Rowe | The Supernormal Sleuthing Service | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
Children come up against a power-hungry wizard who tries to take over the world. Boy spends time with his mother who is part fairy. No explanation why his mother and father aren't together. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Mermaid is so beautiful that boy blushes whenever he looks at her. Boy holds onto girl when they fly on a sphinx- not romantic. Language stinking, creep, freaked, weird, jerk, dumb |
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| 05/25/2020 | The Lost Legacy | Bond, Gwenda and Christopher Rowe | The Supernormal Sleuthing Service | 4 - 6 |
Questionable |
After a boy's grandmother dies he and his father move into a hotel for supernormal beings and he finds out that his missing mother is a fairy. He befriends a boy and a girl at the hotel and together they try to find a magical artifact. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah lady wore a "seashell bra" and looks very "alluring"- boy blushes- p261- can be taken out Language weird, gross, screwed up, dumb, creepy, stupid, freaked out TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media dragon tells boy that he uses the ventilation system in the hotel to eavesdrop just like a switchboard in old movies. Boy watches movies on his dads iPad. Boy suggests watching television to pass the time. Boy thinks about the impressions he has about fairies from movies he has seen. Boy wears a tuxedo that looks like it came from an old movie. Elevator plays music from the Superman movie. |
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| 05/22/2020 | Zero Hour | Walden, Mark | H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education | 5 - 8 |
Problematic |
Kids from evil school stop the more-evil villian Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Lots of kissing. If you want to buy and edit: Pages 48 49 57 58 59 62 63 64 68 69 70 102 103 104 116 117192 242 256 291 Language Some language: Hell, damn |
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| 05/13/2020 | Never Say Die | Horowitz, Anthony | Alex Rider | 5 - 8 |
Questionable |
Teen |
Jack is alive and Alex finds her. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Ugly bad woman is wearing semitransparent nightgown in bed, no description.Bad guy speculates that with his reward money he might invite a barmaid to come away with him for a weekend or forever, and not tell his wife.When Alex (15) finds his former nanny Jack (29) alive, they fall into each others' arms. Language Some language - hell, damn, etc. Violence Violence, some of it graphic |
| 05/13/2020 | Rogue | Walden, Mark | H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education | 5 - 7 |
Generally Acceptable |
Teenage hero is taken over by bad guys and becomes evil. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Girl hugs boy when she sees he survived Language Some language: hell, damn, crap, J--- Violence Violence, somewhat graphic |
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| 05/13/2020 | Dreadnought | Walden, Mark | H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education | 5 - 7 |
Questionable |
See comment on series Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Passing reference to girl liking boy Language Some language: damn, hell, crap Violence Violence, somewhat graphic. |
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| 05/10/2020 | Lost | Bodeen, S.A. | The Shipwreck Island | 4 - 6 |
Generally Acceptable |
Two boys and a girl are stranded on a desert island after their parent's honeymoon cruise gets wrecked. They meet a strange girl on the island who tells them about a scary inhabitant. Stepbrother takes stepsister's hand to help her. Boy says he saw the "aquatic ape theory" on TV which explains how mermaids evolved millions of years ago. In the back of the book there is an interview with the author- she mentions her favorite books by title. Language creepy, weird, stupid, creeped her out |
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| 05/01/2020 | Skulduggery Pleasant - Resurrection | Landy, Derek | Skulduggery Pleasant | N/A |
Not Acceptable |
This books starts a new storyline, with the main character now an adult. Frequent referrences to characters with non-traditional gender identities. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah One main character is "gender fluid" and is referred to alternately as "he" or "she". A main adult character has a "husband", many referrences to this. Violence Lots and very gory. Sadistic bad guys who kill joyfully. |
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| 04/13/2020 | The Bookshop Girl | Bishop, Sylvia | 4 - 6 |
Generally Acceptable |
A girl abandoned in a bookshop is embarrassed to tell anyone that she can't read- she helps capture criminals who took her adoptive family's money. Goodbye is short for G-d be with you. Step brother puts him arm around step sister to help her. Language stupid, idiotic, nincompoop, TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media one line mention of star wars movie |
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| 02/23/2020 | Jo's Boys | Alcott, Louisa May | 6 - 9 |
Problematic |
The boys in previous books are all grown up. Book is full of boy/girl relationships that lead to marraige and that don't. Girl is determined to be a doctor instead of marrying and having "a nice little house and family to take care of". Many coed dances and plays and flirting. Cultured people go to opera and the theater. Many mentions of Greek mythology. Many mentions of religion similar to previous books. Xmas. Womens lib. |
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| 02/23/2020 | Mya In The Middle | Allen, Crystal | The Magnificent Mya Tibbs | 4 - 6 |
Problematic |
Girl with a new baby sister suddenly becomes a middle child and decides to start a class newspaper to grab her tired parents' attention. One word xmas. Some middos between siblings. Mean girl in the previous books finally apologizes. One word xmas. In the acknowledgements in the back of the book author begins by thanking her savior yoshka.- hard to miss. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah girls say a DJ is "boo- yang cute". Language weird, gross, dumb, freaking, berserk TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Children use computer to create a newspaper |
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| 02/13/2020 | The Unteachables | Gordon Korman | 4 - 7 |
Generally Acceptable |
Burnt-out teacher connects with class of "unteachables". Cute. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Passing mention of cute girl liking athletic boy Religion/Hashkafa Passing mention of xmas, Grinch Language butt. TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Some passing references to characters from books and movies |
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| 02/12/2020 | The Witch's Boy | Barnhill, Kelly | 5 - 8 |
Problematic |
The son of a witch teams up with the daughter of a bandit to save 2 kingdoms. Boy's twin drowned and his mother, the witch, wouldn't let his soul fly away but stitched it into his brother's body. Detailed description of girl's mother dying from sickness, father killed by a knife. A lot of discussion of death and souls "there is no death...there is only the next thing". A lot of nonromantic negiah as boy and girl help each other, hold hands as they run away, cover themselves with a cloak as they sleep next to each other on the cold ground, etc. Language stupid, idiots, shut up, damn (p151) |
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| 02/10/2020 | Spirit Week Showdown | Allen, Crystal | The Magnificent Mya Tibbs | 4 - 6 |
Problematic |
A girl is partnered with the school bully for a week long competition and loses her best friend. She gradually discovers that both the school bully and her former friend have facets to their characters she never knew. GIrl does TV commecials and is in beauty pageants. Girl wishes she could be a cowboy and dresses the part and listens to country music. Girl wants to win contest to have a chance at being in a TV show and being a movie star. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Fourth grade girl flirts with fifth grade boy- is only friends with his sister because she "likes" him. Language weird, gross, kick butts, dorky, stupid, brat, jerk, sucker, creepy |
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| 02/10/2020 | The Jelly Bean Experiment | Adler, David A. | Danny's Doodles | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Boy befriends an eccentric boy and they conduct a funny jelly bean experiment. Boy wonders where his friends father is. He claims he is away because he is a spy but boy suspects this isn't true. Boy sees gossip magazines with pictures of famous people on the covers in his friends living room. Boy fools around in class and gets in trouble. Language weird (frequent), creepy TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Boy uses internet for school report. Boy has a TV in his living room. Boy watches sports on TV. |
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| 02/10/2020 | The Dog Biscuit Breakfast | Adler, David A. | Danny's Doodles | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Boy makes friends with an eccentric classmate and they try to start a dog renting business together. TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media boy researches a topic for school on the internet. Magnets are used in TVs. |
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| 01/30/2020 | The Sorcerer's Shadow | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Children travel with knights to figure out what kind of monster is causing problems in the kingdom- end up befriending a young sorcerer who is treated badly by the townspeople and solving the problem. Girl puts her hand on boy's shoulder to calm him down- text and illustration- completely innocent. Language pesky |
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| 01/29/2020 | The Wall of Fame Game | Allen, Crystal | The Magnificent Mya Tibbs | 3 - 5 |
Problematic |
Nine year old girl is disappointed not to be watching a cowboy movie marathon with her mother, when she is forced to participate in a school contest to respond to her enemy's dare. She learns a lot about good and bad motivation, parental expectations, family and friends. A lot of bad middos among classmates. One word xmas. Goes to church to sign up for contest. Girl stands in front of a picture of yoshka and "folds her hands sas if she's praying. "Sorry about that lie I just told back there in your office. I'll talk to you more about it tonight at bedtime prayers...after my parents leave my room." Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah father gives mother a "smoochie" and rubs her pregnant belly. Language creepy, jerk, dumb, weird, stupid, stinkin' TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Girl likes to sit with her mother and watch TV and movies. Uses internet to find information. |
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| 01/17/2020 | The False Fairy | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
A fairy known for making up stories finally tells the truth to save her fellow fairies. Fairy clothing is not tznius but not super revealing. |
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| 01/17/2020 | The Secret World of Mermaids | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Questionable |
Prince befriends a mermaid. The mermaid on the cover has her shoulders showing, the ones inside the book are more tsnius. Illustration of human king shaking hands with mermaid queen. Language darn- p74, 97 |
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| 01/17/2020 | The Witch's Curse | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Children figure out who has put a curse on the kingdom causing too much rain. Language weird |
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| 01/17/2020 | The Bard and the Beast | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Prince is forced to take music lessons which he dislikes until he is able to use music to calm a wild beast. Language loopy, gross |
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| 01/16/2020 | The Pegasus Quest | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Questionable |
Children help a mythical animal return home. Language darn- p57 |
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| 01/16/2020 | The Thirteenth Knight | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Generally Acceptable |
Girl competes to join an exclusive company of knights- a prophecy has told them that younger people can try out. Boy is excited and puts his hands on girl's shoulder to convince her to try out- hugs her when she wins- text and illustration- innocent. |
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| 01/16/2020 | A Ghost In the Castle | Quinn, Jordan | The Kingdom of Wrenly | 2 - 4 |
Questionable |
Children help a ghost "restore" her soul and "rest in peace". When girl is scared squeezes her male friend's hand- innocent. Other than concept of a ghost this is relatively fine. Language weird, creepy |
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| 01/16/2020 | The Quest to the Uncharted Lands | Johnson, Jaleigh | 5 - 7 |
Problematic |
a girl is upset that her scientist parents are being sent on a dangerous exploratory mission so she decides to stow away on their airship. She befriends a boy who is also stowing away and together they figure out who is sabotaging the mission. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah a lot of non romantic negiah as the children help each other physically and emotionally- eventually turns slightly romantic girl "suddenly became aware that he was still holding her hand...it had just felt...right.Now that she was aware of it though a blush streaked across Stella's cheeks". Her mother tries to talk to her about him and says he is cute- she blushes. When he is sick she kisses his forehead and holds his hand. At the end they share a long hug. Language idiot, stupid, weird |
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| 01/08/2020 | The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp | Appelt, Kathi | 5 - 7 |
Problematic |
Racoons try to save their swamp from marauding wild boars at the same time as a boy tries to save the swamp from a developer who wants to turn it into an arena for alligator wrestling. Boy is in mourning for his grandfather who recently passed away. He is being brought up by his mother who runs a restaurant in the swamp. One word xmas. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah comical description of pigs fallilng in love "He immediately fell in love with her soft sow's ears. She immediately went gaga over his yellow gleaming eyes..." . Lady wears a tank top to show off her "impressive biceps". Lady briefly thinks about kissing man "an urge that both disgusted her and thrilled her all at the same time. It was the same with kissing alligators. Thrill. Disgust. Thrill. Disgust..." Language frequent language- heck, darned, dang, freak, stupid, freaking TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Alligator wrestler is in negotiations with a reality TV show. |
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| 01/08/2020 | Star Wars The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear | Angleberger, Tom | 3 - 5 |
Questionable |
Based on characters and plotlines in the movie Star Wars. Smugglers take on a mission to smuggle animals out of the planet and end up on a dangerous mission to find a dangerous book on a planet inhabited by a huge monster and the dark force. One of the characters is so busy flirting with the woman who hired him that he doesn't realize he has fallen into a trap. Language cruddy, freaking out, weird, stupid, gross, creepy, dumb |
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| 01/08/2020 | A Little Taste of Poison | Anderson, R.J. | 6 - 8 |
Not Acceptable |
Companion book to A Pocket Full of Murder. A poor girl who is best friends with a wealthy boy helps him accuse his brother of murder. A lot of magic. The children have a running joke that he asks permission to kiss her and she refuses- at the end she accepts and things become romantic. A lot of description of boys and girls, men and women dancing together. Girl and her family belong to a religious group called Moshites that is persecuted- they only pray to the "All One" Language stinking, stupid, idiot |
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| 01/02/2020 | Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers | Holyoak Shauna | 5 - 7 |
Problematic |
Girl and boy best friends catch a dognapping ring despite the fact that her mother doesn't let her be a detective and put herself in danger. ONe sentence mention of a girl getting a dog for xmas, newsgirl gets tips for xmas. Girl likes to watch movies with her parents lying between them on their king sized bed. Children refer to older neighbor as "Geezer". Girl forced to work with a classmate she doesn't get along with. BOys father gambled away part of their tax refund playing internet poker. Boy catches sister and boyfriend "kissing on the lips". A lot of Halloween- Halloween costumes, trick or treating, Halloween parade, Halloween parties Language freakish, weirdo, puke, dang it, gross, creepy, stupid, holy crap, weird, freaked out, dumb, freaks, jerk, darned, creepy TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media mentions of TV, Japanese movies by name. Girl is shopping for an ipad. |
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| 12/30/2019 | Scat | Hiaasen, Carl | 6 - 8 |
Not Acceptable |
Mean teacher goes missing in a swamp on a class trip and concerned students try to find her- become entangled with a misfit boy who is accused of starting a fire, a criminal oil company and people trying to save an endangered panther. As in other books by this author, there is a defiance of authority and even minor law-breaking in order to protect the environment and/or animals. Quite a bit of chutzpah to a teacher who severely embarrasses a student- eventually resolves itself but it is retold in stark detail. Boy is very worried about his father who is fighting overseas who eventually comes home with his arm amputated- boy straps his arm behind his back to learn to function with his left hand just like his father. Dysfunctional substitute teacher tells boy he must sing white christmas to the class. Teacher loves watching shopping infomercials on TV and buying worthless gizmos. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Boys best friend is a girl. She asks him to put sunblock on her face "Touching her skin felt weird. Not bad but weird". Boy remembers holding hands with a girl in fifth grade. Language very frequent language- weird, idiots, butt, dumb, snotty, punked, freaked out, stupid, freaky, creepy, heck, shut up, damn, moron, danged, wacko, dumbass. freaky, buck-nekked, sucks, stupid, screw up, spaz, screwball, lunatic, bummed, crap, maniac, when hell freezes over, poop, darn, gross, danged, crackpot TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media boy uses his computer a lot, especially to email his father who is in the army overseas. A different boy is being brought up by a dysfunctional and neglectful father since his mother abandoned the family. Kids pretend they are going to the movie theater - mom only lets if it is rated PG. Man talks like a cowboy because watches too many westerns on cable TV. Babysitter watches MTV instead of paying attention to the kids. Kids are warned not to tell anyone about an endangered animal- not even friends on facebook. Mentions of TV shows. Internet research. |
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| 12/30/2019 | Hoot | Hiaasen, Carl | 6 - 8 |
Not Acceptable |
A boy and his friends help stop a pancake house from building a new restaurant in order to protect owls who are nesting on the empty lot of land. As in other books by this author, there is defiance of authority and even minor law-breaking in order to protect the environment and/or animals. Quite a lot of bullying described in detail. BOy says another boy "has the hots" for a girl. A lot of discussion about television commercials and the actress who advertises the pancake house. Boy's stepmother is a waitress who drives around a golf course in a bathing suit serving beer to golfers. Boy runs away from dysfunctional home (described). Teenage smoking- boy breaks into a construction trailer to steal cigarettes. In the back of the book is preview for "Squirm" by the same author which has its own set of issues. Language Frequent language-stupid, weird, screwing up, dumb-butt, dumb jerk, heck, stupid, damn, darn, psycho, badass, wacko, sucks, butt head, freak out, dumb ass, creep TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media many mentions of tv news, commercials, sports games, movies, browsing internet for information |
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? Kirsten - Kirsten Learns a Lesson
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
A Swedish pioneer girl copes with an American school; befriends an Indian girl.
Chrissa - Chrissa Stands Strong
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Girl is a victim of cyberbullying and with the help of her parents stops the bullying. A lot of techonology and discussions about bullying over the computer and email- this book may be important to a child with a lot of access to technology, but parents of more sheltered children may want to skip this book. Fourth grade girl is part of a coed swim team- many full color illustrations of girls in bathing suits. A lot of swimming and diving information. Language- weird
Jess
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
A girl goes to an archaeological dig with her parents.Full color illustrations of ten year old girl wearing shorts and a tank top.Girl is embarrassed when lady nurses her baby with her blouse open, but then realizes that no one else is uncomfortable so she tries not to be as well.Girls parents "lean into one another holding hands". Language-weird,stupid,creepy,darned (once p 117).
Caroline - Changes for Caroline
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
Girl goes to help uncle on farm and learns meaning of poverty and charity.
Kaya - A Kaya Mystery - The Silent Stranger
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Redo of "The Silent Stranger". Native American religious beliefs- a lot of description about belief in spirits. In back of book even more detailed and clear description of beliefs.
Felicity - Felicity Saves the Day
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Colonial girl convinces her father's apprentice to return, when he runs away to join General Washington's army. History section shows slaves wearing extremely low-cut gowns, but only noticeable if examined closely.
Addy - Addy Learns a Lesson
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
A former slave girl goes to school and learns to read along with learning the meaning of true friendship.
Kit - A Kit Mystery - Midnight in Lonesome Hollow
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl goes to Kentucky and gets to know the poor but proud people who live in a small mountain village. Figures out who is causing damage. Very mild description of a boy courting a girl- they have an "understanding".One sentence- they hold hands. Girl sings "an old love song"- eventually sings on the radio. Language- idiot
Samantha - Changes for Samantha
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Wealthy girl's friend loses her parents and is placed in an orphanage together with her younger sisters. Girl sneaks them out of the orphanage and hides them in her wealthy aunt and uncle's attic. She sneaks food from the kitchen to feed them (calls it stealing). When she is caught her aunt and uncle decide to adopt the girls. There is a minor side story of making valentines for "Saint Valentine's Day"- no religion. Girl makes a valentine for her newly married grandparents who are away on their honeymoon. GIrl says it is "so romantic". Aunt cuts out pictures of cupids. Girl's uncle took them in after parents died, stole their money, "sold it for drink" and then abandoned them.
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
Kit - Happy Birthday Kit
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
In back of book, history section discusses making decision to have fewer children during Depression, and father abandoning family.
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.
Molly - A Molly Mystery - The Light In The Cellar
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Girls try to figure out who is stealing war rations. Children go to the movies. In back history section, discussion of wartime shortages- mentions it was difficult to purchase underwear with elastic at the waistband. Language- dumb, creepy
Julie - Soaring High
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
A redo of Julie and the Eagles, Julie’s Journey, and Changes for Julie.Girl helps raise money to save injured eagles, goes for a ride on a wagon train celebrating the bicentennial of America, and runs for student body president along with a deaf girl. A lot of Earth day. TV, being on the TV news, girl has "crush" on TV character. Girls go to a coed square dance- but they dance with each other.One word Easter. Brief mention that blue jeans are more comfortable for horseback riding than dresses.Mean girls make fun of deaf girl- eventually learn lesson. Brief mention that parents got divorced.Non Romantic negiah. Mention of Little House books and TV show. Language- weird, dumb, stupid.
A Winning Goal
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Reader chooses endings- a girl tries to balance having fun when playing soccer and winning as she tries to coach a friend who is just learning the game. A lot of detailed soccer plays. .
Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah
Illustration of a poster advertising a dance recital- cartoonish girl in a leotard
TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media
TV.
TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media
Reader is encouraged to go onto a (unreviewed) website to find one of the endings to the story.
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.
Kaya - Kaya Shows the Way
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Indian family spends summer fishing and searching for missing sister. Lots of Indian religion - needs guidance. Indian pre-marriage customs described.
Kirsten - Kirsten On The Trail
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
Parents forbid girl from playing with her Indian friend until she finds their lost little boy.
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.
Julie - A Julie Mystery - Lost In The City
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl helps find a missing parrot.Many mentions of divorce, both that of her parents and a recent divorce of a male classmate's parents and its negative effect on him. Girl listens to disco on the radio.Girl plays poker with her father with shells instead of money. Non romantic negiah.Language- darn (p67)
Felicity - Happy Birthday, Felicity
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
AcceptableSeries
Colonial girl tries to save the colonist's gunpowder by sneaking out of her room after being punished. In the end she admits to doing something wrong by disobeying and she is forgiven.
Isabelle
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
A girl attends a special school for the arts where she studies ballet and modern dance. A lot of ballet culture. Very prominent. realistic full color illustrations as well as photos of girls in skimpy costumes at the back of the book. Boys are in ballet class as well. Mean girl displays very bad middos.Mother approves of girl wearing pink hair extensions. Family is very artsy- mother is a clothing designer and artist and father plays drums in a band- his playing described in detail as a "madman twisting and flailing behind the drums and cymbals". Girls dance before coed audience. One word xmas and jack o' lanterns- no religion. Language- shut up.
Addy - Addy Saves the Day
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Addy wins over a mean girl with kindness;
Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah
History section in back - picture of old fashioned woman's swim suit - explains that it was thought to be improper for men and women to swim together and women wore bulky dresses as swimsuits - written in a way to make separate swimming seem old fashioned - can be easily crossed out.
Religion/Hashkafa
children help with a church fundraiser - no religion
Nanea - Prints in the Sand
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Reader chooses own ending. Modern day girl journeys back in time to Hawaii during World War 2. Hawaiin culture including stories of Hawaaiin gods and goddesses. Nancy Drew books. Sherlock Holmes movie. Girls dance hula in front of coed audience. Younger sister says older sister must be in a good mood becuase of the "cute" sodier joining them for dinner.
Lea - Lea Leads The Way
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl goes to the Amazon to meet her brother's exchange student family. Learns a lot about endangered animals and the threats to the rain forest. Helps save an orphaned sloth. Two sentences -College age brother has a "crush" on a girl and stares "wistfully"at a photo of her. He falls asleep with the camera looking at a picture of the two of them wearing snorkeling gear- sister is sure he is dreaming about her. Technology- blogging, ipad, email. Language- gross, idiot, dumb
Molly - Brave Emily
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
A companion to the Molly series. A war refugee finds herself lying about her musical talents to fit in - eventually owns up and finds that children like her for herself. Some tame mentions of difficulties caused by war. In back History section mentions that a million Jewish children were killed in the war. Language: stink, stupid. In preview of "Meet Molly", minor middos between siblings. Minor mention of Halloween costume.
Minuk - Ashes in the Pathway
Series:
Grades: 4 - 6
ProblematicSeries
religion
Caroine - Caroline's Battle
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Girl helps defend her family's shipyard against the British. Illustration of father with his arms around mother and daughter's shoulders- mother is wearing a lowcut gown. In back history section illustration of lady in low cut gown.Language- blast
Samantha - Meet Samantha
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Innocent discussion about where babies come from - does the stork bring them or the midwife?
Gabriela
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
A girl with a stutter takes on a leadership role when her family's art center is threatened with closure. A lot of dance culture- types of dance, dance moves, coed dancing. poetry culture- famous poets by name, famous poems, Shakespeare. Church offers use of its rec room- no religion. Computers, wifi, coding, Facebook, crowdfunding, etc. Language- weird.
According to Aggie
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Graphic novel. A girl tries to come to grips with her best friend pulling away from her. Girls wants to watch a movie because actor is "the cutest guy on the planet".kinda dreamy". Older brother is " Father is excited because the foam on a latte looked like a skull. Movies, TV. Language- weird. Back of the book has a short story about xmas- can be easily torn out. No religion, but lots of "Xmas time is the best because..."
Kit - A Kit Mystery - Intruders at Rivermead Manor
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl discovers homeless and parentless children hiding out in an old lady's home and at the same time uncovers a romance between the old lady and her elderly next door neighbor. The romance is relatively mild. The two neighbors wanted to marry when they were young, but her parents forbade them. They used to "sneak" through a secret passageway to see each other. Girl is amazed that they still "like each other". Children found scraps of " mushy love letters". The only negiah is a "light punch on the arm" and a brief hand holding. Brief mention of fictional story of time traveler who went back to time of dinosaurs. In back history section, photo of orphans with their hands together praying at a table at Thanksgiving.
Kaya - Kaya's Escape
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
An Indian girl and her blind sister are captured by an enemy tribe. She eventually escapes with a boy who is also a captive, but is forced to leave her sister there. Native American religion and customs.
Nicki - Thanks To Nicki
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
QuestionableSeries
Girl copes with her sadness when it is time to give up the dog she has been training. Deals with 2 best friends who don't like each other.A lot of discussion about the "puberty talk" given in school to fifth graders- girl is embarrassed it is coed- but description is rather neutral. Halloween- detailed trick or treating- text and full page illustration- Halloween party- no religion. Language- idiot, dumb, weird
Marie-Grace - A Marie-Grace Mystery - The Haunted Opera
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
ProblematicSeries
Girls figure out who is trying to ruin the opera. A lot of detailed opera culture.Gossip that lead male opera singer is" in love" with the lead female singer- she takes his arm, he "put his arm around her protectively". A different singer is also "in love" with her but she doesn't notice him. One word mention of going to church. In the back history section, portraits of women in very low cut gowns.
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 - Meet Caroline
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Girl helps her mother run the family's shipyard when her father is captured by the British.
Felicity - Meet Felicity
Series:
Grades: 3 - 5
Generally AcceptableSeries
Girl helps horse escape from abusive owner - viewed as "not stealing" since she didn't keep it.
The Smuggler's Treasure
Series:
Grades: 4 - 6
Acceptable Betrayal at Cross Creek
Series:
Grades: 4 - 6
QuestionableSeries
During early Revolutionary War, girl's family leans towards Loyalist & tries to find out who is betraying them to Patriots; turns out it was her own grandmother, to scare her grandfather into not going to war. Coed dances where older boys and girls dance, her male cousins "had no trouble finding girls to dance with". Male cousin swings female cousin off the ground in greeting, "drapes hand over her shoulder" when he comes to walk her home. War and death. Go to church on Sunday. Language- stupid
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