Mighty Jack and the Goblin King - A graphic novel for every reader

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King
by Ben Hatke
First Second Books
September 2017

Think about all the great characteristics of the first book in this Mighty Jack series: compelling story, exceptionally clear plot line conveyed and enhanced by the beautifully colored illustrations, the bravery and courage of the protagonists.  Then think BETTER. Mighty Jack and the Goblin King trumps all of the first great qualities, and the reader's enjoyment is even greater.

What's different about this book

Jack, his sister Maddie, and their friend Lilly are continuing the wild adventure that arose from those magic garden beans that the strange man gave him.  Don't think "weird creatures and wild tale." Think "adventure" and "courage" and wow!

One particular quality I love about this new release is its wide appeal:  elementary, middle, high school readers, adults too! The story moves beyond age and pulls the reader into the adventure.

As a language acquisition expert, I love how readers build cognitive skills through reading.  And I appreciate Hatke's use of excellent vocabulary to move his tale, all while supporting the acquisition of those words with context and beautiful illustrations.  Know any elementary students who understand and use nexus?  They will after reading this book.

I was particularly enthralled by the illustrations: rich, often full-page, gorgeously compelling and effective plot presentation.

But perhaps the best difference of all was the clear story.  Not all graphic novels are clear and accessible, but Jack is.  All levels of visual literacy will enjoy Jack's two stories. 

What I'll do now that I've read it

With its release in September 2017, I will have time over the summer to build vendor lists that ensure this title is in all our school libraries.  It will bring reading pleasure, mental growth, and an anticipation of a (hopefully) third book.  Grab this one!

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Edgy YA: Compelling novels that offer diverse perspectives AND accessibility

Rez Runaway by Melanie Florence

Dead to Me by Cristy Watson

Dark Side by John Choi

Riot School by Robert Rayner

James Lorimer & Company

Multicultural Interest , Teens & YA

Lorimer & Company is producing some engaging "hi-lo" (high interest, lower reading complexity) titles that you will consider prime reading material for your strongest school library patrons. 

That the titles entertain and engage all readers, rather than just the reluctant ones, makes these choices all the more valuable.

These four titles in the "Sidestreets" line are being marketed by Lorimer for their wide diverse appeal and "hot button" topics.  The protagonists are nicely representative of so many young adult readers who don't normally find themselves in the books they read.

That the reading levels of these books are unobtrusively lower than most YA titles is the icing on the cake:  The writing is compelling enough that I soon forgot I was reading hi-lo titles  within the first few pages. 

I am delighted to report that the excellent story telling, yet broad topics and individual strengths, in these books are something I have immediately purchased for my YA patrons.  I'll be eager to share with adults who support those YA patrons as well.

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The Silent Corner: Suspense and Intrigue at their best

The Silent Corner : A Novel of Suspense

by Dean Koontz
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Bantam
June 2017

Good news for Koontz fans: There is a new series coming this summer! The Silent Corner offers a promising start to a story that defines suspense.

What's different about this book
The "silent corner," that place where truly untrackable individuals nonethless remain able to use the Internet undetected.

Protagonist Jane Hawk survives in that silent corner. I was hooked by the quick-to-start quest of Jane, a recent widow struggling to uncover why her husband, one of a growing pattern of atypical suicides, took his life. 

Jane begins to unravel a plot, the complexity of which reveals the global, ubiquitous nature of an enemy that can and does control individuals by passing their conscious thinking through science and technology.  Yet Jane's story provides engaging ingenuity and resourcefulness, as well as an encouraging cadre of friends who trust her despite her inexplicable actions off the grid.

This novel displays Koontz' exceptional crafting of a cohesive tale: lots of courage to applaud, lots of twists to uncover, and lots of thrills for the reader. This is so solid a work that it gives the impression of a monolithic, corporate effort that will lead us through a series of equally well-designed sequels.  Well-thought-out and thrilling to read. It's almost too threatening a world to want to live in.

What I'll do now that I've read this
The double charm of a new Koontz novel, the fast pace, and the promise of a new series heroine with serious bad guys will be an irresistible offering to my patrons, both young adult and adult readers.  There's a large population segment that will be on the waiting list for this book.

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If I'm Found: Book 2 in an engaging suspense series

If I'm Found
Book 2 (out of 3) in the If I Run series by Terri Blackstock
Zondervan Fiction
Christian , Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 21 Mar 2017

"Christian Fiction" is too often a synonym for "not well-written." This series runs counter to that truism, and I am adding the series to my libraries confident that readers will be satisfied.

What's different about this book
There is genuine suspense, and excellent characterization. As a reader, I found the protagonists to be sympathetic and compelling.

The story line that wobbled a bit in the first book grows stronger in the second, and the momentum builds as the characters engage with each other, those around them, and in the settings where they are found.

Issues of PTSD, broken families, and true crime are handled skillfully and add to the engagement of the reader with the story line.  I dislike having to wait for a third release to learn the resolution of high-tension conflicts, but the author has sold me on the need for a third book to fully develop the story.  I'll hang in for one more in the series.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I struggle to find compelling Christian fiction for my library patrons.  This series, and in particular, this second book, offer much to enjoy: suspense, conflict, romance, and realistic spiritual doubt as a part of the character development.  I'm happy to have this series as an additional resource to offer.

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Are You Sleeping - Family Drama with a Twist of Murder

Are You Sleeping: A Novel

by Kathleen Barber
Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
01 Aug 2017

The summary blurbs about this novel don't do it justice.  The story is more than one woman's challenge to return to her family despite lying to her boyfriend.  Turns out there is a significant mystery yet to be solved, and deception from many family members about what happened complicates the story line.

What's different about this book

The author develops (albeit slowly) a genuine mystery about just what happened ten years ago.  Rather than primarily a family drama, this book was enjoyable for the suspense and well-complicated plot line that kept the reader guessing. 

What I'll do now that I've read it

This is a great read for a wide range of readers.  I'll be able to share and book talk it with my young adult library patrons as well as my adult mystery aficionados.  Clean yet compelling - this book is worth sticking with to learn all the hidden truths.

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