20. The Clock Without a Face by Scott Teplin, Mac Barnett & Eli Horowitz (McSweeney's, 2010)

BOOK: MYSTERY (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: This unusually shaped over-sized board book is intended for kids in grades 4 - 6. In the first section, readers are introduced to the two detectives who will solve the case - Dodge, the detective, and Gus Twintig, his sidekick who acts as the narrator. We never actually see these two characters, and are only given a single portrait of the inhabitants of the Turnky Towers apartment building at 23 Glyph Street. What we do get is a cut away view of each floor of the apartment, and each drawing is wonderfully intricate and unique. The mystery? Mr. Turnkey has been robbed; a beautiful clock with emerald stones to mark the numbers have been stolen, and in fact, each resident has had something stolen as well. Beginning on the top floor, with the claim that the mystery would be solved by the time they reached the first floor, the detective team interviews the residents. It's up to the reader to observe the drawings carefully for clues. At the book's conclusion, readers are met with the further mystery of where to find the buried numbers from the clock.

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: I don't have the patience for this sort of book, but problem-solving kids will love the intricate drawings and clues left on each of the floors. I liked the unusual presentation, though - board book, interesting shape (but tricky for library shelves!!). I think I've had enough with the first one, though, and won't hurry to read the next release.

Curriculum/Programming: This is a quick read which would be great to pair with a longer mystery in a literature circle. A library program might be designed around the mystery with a discussion group checking out the images on a big screen and figuring out what each floor has to offer in the way of clues. A mystery reenactment night at the library would be fun to incorporate with this book as well.

19. Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Walden Pond Press, 2010)

BOOK: HUMOR (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: Liam Digby is thirteen years old. Because he is extraordinarily tall for his age, and even has facial hair, he is often mistaken for an adult. Through a series of bizarre events, Liam and his friend Florida pose as father and daughter after winning a trip to Infinity Park, and end up going to space. When the mission goes wrong, will the kids and Florida's "dad," armed with a copy of How to Talk to Teens, be able to get back to earth?

Awards: Guardian Award - 2008 shortlist; Carnegie Medal - 2009 shortlist

Personal Opinion: This hilarious romp through space had me laughing out loud. What Cottrell Boyce does best is pair humor with a serious poignancy that touches the heart. While I really enjoyed the book, I must say that his book Framed still holds its first place spot on my list. Portions of the book reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; kids with parents win a prize, and their strange relationships and focus come through. Characters in the story are particularly well drawn, exhibiting their quirks throughout the story to great effect. I thought Liam did, in fact, make a great dad as he used all his resources, including his love of the video game World of Warcraft, to see him through dealing with the kids and getting a rocket gone astray back to Earth.

Curriculum/Programming: This book would be a great supplement to both a science class on astronomy and a math course. Use it also in a home economics class to discuss family relationships and the roles a dad has in the family; compare Liam's fathering skills those of real dads.

18. Matched by Ally Condie (Dutton Juvenile, 2010)

BOOK: ROMANCE/DYSTOPIA (ages 14-18)

Brief Description: In a seemingly Utopian society, all is not as it appears. Sure, citizens are "happy" and trouble-free and guided by statistics kept by the Society, but they're also unable to made any decisions in their own lives. Meet 16-year-old Cassia, who will be attending her Matching Banquet, where she'll meet the boy who will be her life partner, chosen by the Society, of course. Something goes wrong, however, and two faces appear, both of whom she knows, another strange occurrence in this future world. Cassia slowly begins to find a streak of rebellion within herself, partially with the help of her grandfather who leaves her an artifact with a big secret. Also, she develops feelings for the second of the boys who appear on the screen; definitely not acceptable by the Officials, as this is not her chosen match. How far will Cassia go to attain her own dreams and possibly risk the lives of her family and friends?

Awards: Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books; Kirkus Book Review Stars; YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

Personal Opinion: I really enjoy the dystopian fiction genre, but this just fell flat for me. Aside from the short choppy sentence structure and lackluster pacing, the entire plot just never seemed to really develop. Characters were not drawn well - perhaps deliberately as the citizens in the Society are not permitted to be too distinct? I'm not too sure. Part romance, part attempt at suspenseful dystopia, I just never really cared about the characters and found myself engaged only a few times in heated moments - the tension simply never materialized into good suspense; I just kept waiting for something to happen, and when it did, my only thought was "so what?" After reading a few published reviews, I just don't see what all the hoopla is about; everyone is absolutely gaga over this book, but not me. I even read one that compared the book to The Hunger Games, but I'm insulted over this comparison; The Hunger Games is far superior to this ho-hum book.

Curriculum/Programming: This genre seems quite popular with middle school students, so I would like to create a book club of dystopian lit for the school year. I think I'll try it this September; there's no lack of books being published in this genre! Students might also read The Giver and compare and contrast the dystopian societies presented in each novel.

17. Bone: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith (Scholastic, 2005)

GRAPHIC NOVEL (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: Three bone cousins from the town of Boneville, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, are on the run, banished from Boneville. They become separated and face mysterious dangers including rat creatures with large red eyes. Luckily, they are saved by Thorn, a lovely human, and her grandmother. The end of volume 1 leaves the reader hanging, and, presumably, wanting more. The mystery of the cloaked figure, though, does add an element of mystery and suspense.

Awards: Several Eisner and Harvey Awards

Personal Opinion: Not too crazy about this sometimes silly, but largely dark and fantastic story of the Bone cousins. I just couldn't relate to the characters, wasn't crazy about the art work, and just didn't care about the story! The only real intrigue, for me, anyway, was the cloaked figure - who is it? why is he/she pursuing the Bone cousins? With that said, this first volume is hugely popular in my library where it circulates constantly.

Curriculum/Programming: This would be a great supplement to an art class on manga and other graphic novel drawing; I think the style, which is simple, may be easily adopted and copied by kids. Another idea might be to have kids create their own continuation of this story describing who the cloaked figure is and what role he or she plays in the story.

16. National Geographic Kids - June/July 2011

MAGAZINE (ages 6-14)

Brief Description: National Geographic Kids is a visual smorgasbord! Bright fun photos and short quick articles and facts punctuate every page, making this a treat for today's visually-oriented young person. Great features include the "weird but true" section, "sports funnies" and "animal myths busted." I also liked "bet you didn't know" which features six surprising facts about sharks, including that "you are more likely to win American Idol than to be killed by a shark." There are several charming stories about animals and the unusual friends they've made, and, as the cover promised, a nice section on water which included three hotels with water features that are not your average hotel pool! Several games are included which make the magazine more interactive. The section on the intelligence of various animals was also interesting.

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: I like this shiny bright presentation of animals and other topics interesting to kids. I found the articles quite short and were primarily comprised of a listing of facts with accompanying photographs. The games were fun, and the section in which you "stump your parents" wasn't as easy as I thought it would be! There were some tough questions in there! I liked the minimal advertisements, and the ones present were for toothbrushes, newly released books, goldfish crackers, and Seaworld - not bad. I'd give the publication an A+ for content and gorgeous photography and graphics.

Curriculum/Programming: Not sure what I'd do around this magazine for programming at the library, but it is a fantastic supplement to a science curriculum centered around the study of animals. I think I'd use this on a Friday afternoon as additional reading for students in grades 4 or 5.

15. "Tales From Earthsea" directed by Goro Miyazaki (Walt Disney Pictures, 2010 in the US)

DVD (ages 12+)

Brief Description: The light is fading, balance between the world of the living and the dead has been lost, and the world is out of sync. A young prince named Arren murders his father and takes his sword, and becomes a vagabond who meets with an Archmage named Sparrowhawk. Together they travel to the city of Hortown where Lord Cob wants to challenge Sparrowhawk and prove he has achieved eternal life. They stay on the outskirts of the city with Sparrowhawk's friend Tenar who is watching over a young girl named Therru. The showdown between the two magicians doesn't occur as Sparrowhawk's powers are negated when he enters Lord Cob's castle. The ultimate battle between good and evil occurs between Lord Cob and the two kids. In a frightening and powerful climax, the viewer learns whether or not eternal life is desirable after all.

Awards: In Japan, the movie was awarded "Worst Movie" in Bunshun's Raspberry Awards; Goro Miyazaki won "worst director."

Personal Opinion: I found the film mystifying, violent, and strange. I thought the visual elements of the film were fantastic - the sweeping landscapes and detail in nature, but the story was bizarre and quite frightening in the end. I hadn't realized how poorly the Japanese movie market received the film before viewing it, or I wouldn't have selected it for my project! I liked the character of Tenar, and thought Timothy Dalton did a good voice for Sparrowhawk, but Prince Arren was too bizarre to appreciate, at least for me, in his rage moments and his kindness. I never really understood his motives for murdering his father. Too many loose ends, too much violence and frightening images made this an unpleasant movie experience. Not jumping to recommend to anyone but those who are enchanted with anime and want to compare Goyo's work to his father's. I had such high expectations after seeing all the work that Hayao Miyazaki has done...

Programming/Curriculum: I would compare the two Miyazaki styles using this film and either "Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind" or "Princess Mononoke" which both have a more violent edge - to see how the styles of the two directors differ. Also, an anime festival might include this film along with a discussion over refreshments.

14. Virals by Kathy Reichs, Narrated by Kristin Milioti (Penguin Audio, 2010)

AUDIO BOOK: SCIENCE FICTION (ages 11-16)

Brief Description: Prepare for an exhilarating ride on a science fiction roller coaster with snarky, brilliant, teenager Tory Brennan. Tory has lost her mom, and is sent to live with her cerebral professor father who knows nothing about her existence. Their strained relationship permits Tory a certain independence allowing her to get involved in much mischief, in the name of what's right. When a beloved wolf/dog puppy she names Cooper goes missing from the island on which her father's lab is located, and when strange Veteran's dog tags are found in a clearing, the mysteries in this story are ramped up to high volume. With her three nerdy science buddies, Hi, Shelton and Ben, this unlikely group seeks to uncover not only the dog tags' owner or the disappearance of "Coop," but a 40-year-old murder as well. Their own lives are threatened as they get a little too snoopy - but who is chasing them?

Awards: None...YET!

Personal Opinion: Notice the listing of both audio book and regular book above. While narrator Krising Mirioti conveys the perfect teen voice of Tory, I simply couldn't "listen" quickly enough and resorted to reading in order to reach the exciting and unexpected climax sooner! Truly, though, Mirioti does a great job with expression in this audio book; it must be listened to if the listener can remain patient! I could not put down this incredibly fast-paced novel of mystery, intrigue, humor, excitement, and suspense.

Programming/Curriculum: This book would work well a part of a study of viruses, and in particular, the parvovirus and how it reacts in dogs.

13. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, 2011)

BOOK: NONFICTION (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: A wonderful biography of Amelia Earhart - as promised by our instructor! This book chronicles Amelia's life and is broken into chapters describing her childhood through her final flight. As was mentioned by Jonathan, the interesting portions of the book are the sections between the biography which convey the last radio transmissions that Amelia had. Language is simple and appropriate for the 8 - 12 year old audience indicated on the flap. Punctuated throughout the book are wonderful illustrations and photographs - these "extras" enhance the story and enrich the text by bringing the story to life. The biographical portions illustrate dedication to the rights of women and ground breaking attitudes towards equality.

Awards: Starred Reviews from Horn Book, SLJ, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and Kirkus.

Personal Opinion: I loved reading about his amazing and brave woman who flinched at nothing, though I sure wish she had taken the time to learn about her RADIO! I was unaware of her work at Purdue and found her relationship with Putnam surprising, realizing that I knew nothing about Amelia except her legendary disappearance. I found the writing a bit stiff - it could have read a bit more like an exciting novel, but the sections on the radio transmission were very compelling. In fact, I read these aloud as one unit, skipping the biography and going back to read that on its own. I'm eager to recommend this book to kids at the library!

Programming/Curriculum: Candace Fleming has a fantastic curriculum guide on her website. I'd read and discuss this book aloud with students in preparation for them writing their own biographies using some form of narrative similar to the radio transmission section which told a story of their own.

12. Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam by Walter Dean Myers, Collages by Ann Grifalconi (Harper Collins, 2002)

PICTURE BOOK FOR OLDER READERS: WAR (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: In sparse language and eerily-pieced collages, Myers chronicles one day of an American soldier in Vietnam. As he searches for the enemy, he notices birds, trees, landscapes and the beauty surrounding him. He is quickly drawn back to the task at hand by his squad leader, and recalls that the enemy is out there somewhere. The unnamed soldier's fear is expressed, and shots are fired. Bombers are called in, and the soldiers watch as the valley is destroyed. Our soldier expresses his sadness at this, and when he finally sees the enemy face to face, he is surprised, and they both look at one another recognizing each others' humanity.

Awards: Jefferson Cup Award, 2003; West Virginia Childrens Book Award, 2005

Personal Opinion: As with other books on war, I found this book disturbing and beautifully crafted. The short sentences, juxtaposition of nature with the horrors of war, and the fear of the soldiers makes this book extremely compelling. I was reminded often of War is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker. Also, having read Walter Dean Myers Fallen Angels, I had a more complete background to the daily "dropping in" of soldiers to possible enemy territory, then the evening return to camp and the exhaustion that overcame these young men.

Programming/Curriculum: Use this short book with older readers as an introduction to a unit on the Vietnam War, and as an inspiration for writing poetry about and illustrating a situation that the student found difficult.

11. The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong (Viking, 2008)

BOOK: REALISTIC FICTION/SURVIVAL/ACTION-ADVENTURE (ages 11-16)

Brief Description: An engrossing story of a family grieving the loss of their mother, The Great Wide Sea will completely captivate the reader. Ben, Dylan and Gerry are suddenly whisked away by their father on a year-long adventure sailing in the Bahamas. They are shocked by this revelation, but have no choice but to go. The strained relationship between the boys, and particularly 15 year old Ben and the father prevails for most of the first half of the book. When a series of accidents, which function as foreshadowing, draw them slightly closer together, the narrative relaxes the reader into complacency, however, there is always an undercurrent of tension right under the surface of the story. When Ben wakes up to discover his father missing, and a serious storm begins to howl, the story takes a dramatic turn which doesn't ebb until the final chapter when we learn about the meaning of forgiveness.

Awards: Booklist, Starred Review; YALSA Best Books for YA, 2010; YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2010; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2010.

Personal Opinion: I nearly read this in one sitting, and, sorry for the cliche, but I couldn't put it down. How nice it is when we encounter a "zipless" read and thoroughly enjoy a book; this was certainly one of them. The pacing was smooth and fast, characters were beautifully developed, and misunderstandings prevailed but were resolved by the end. I enjoy survival stories, and this one measured up well, but here, we have an element of relationship that isn't always present in other stories of this nature. The web of the four guys and their personal dealing with the death of the mom is intricate, deep, and beautifully drawn. I found myself as interested in their dealings with one another as I was in the adventure of sailing around the Bahamas. I was interested enough to check out the internet and study the islands to chart their course; it would have been nice if a map had been included in the book.

Programming/Curriculum: The possibilities are nearly endless here! Create a timeline and chart of the boat's journey on a map as the book is read. Watch sailing videos or invite a sailing expert to give a talk. Learn to tie knots, study storm development, and have a discussion on the many facets of the grieving process.

10. Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow, Narrated by Roger Mueller (Oasis Audio, 2010)

AUDIO BOOK: HISTORICAL FICTION (ages 9-13)

Brief Description: Mikhail encounters a wounded man and his dog Zasha in the woods on his property. WWII is over, but much hatred of Germany and all things German exists in Russia. Dogs are no exception. He knows immediately that he must keep this secret; he brings them home where his kind mother, sister and brother care for the man and the dog. When the man dies overnight, they must bring him to the police. Through a series of encounters with dog thieves and Russian soldiers returning home from war, Zasha's life is threatened. Ultimately, however, the family prevails, and Mikhail's soldier father finally returns home after four years at war. Everyone wins in this heart-warming story of a boy and the dog he comes to love.

Awards: Nominated for the New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award; Parent's Choice Award Winner, Spring, 2011.

Personal Opinion: I absolutely loved this exciting story about Zasha! The author clearly understands dog behavior and carefully crafts Zasha's personality; dog lovers will be enchanted by her tenderness, intelligence, and beauty...and her singing! I hadn't realized that dogs were nearly exterminated in Russia following WWII, particularly German dogs. While the story is fictional, the end note indicates that the Russian Government did, in fact, strive to create a "super" Russian dog, and the Black Russian Terrier was bred and was finally recognized by the AKC in 2004 in the working group class. I admit that the story was fairly predictable, but in this case, it is comforting. Great pacing, narrator does a nice job with Russian accents, and fair character development earn this audio book 5 out of 5 stars.

Programming/Curriculum Ideas: This book is perfect to accompany a unit on WWII, or a study of the Black Russian Terrier.

9. Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner, Narrated by Claudia Black (Listening Library, 2010)

AUDIO BOOK: FANTASY (ages 9-14)

Brief Description: Welcome to the horrifying city of Jewel. Here, the Blessed Guardians rule over the city with an iron fist, claiming to protect the citizens, but is there a more evil intent behind their "goodness?" Meet Goldie Roth, who is tethered by a silver guardchain to her parents until her separation day arrives on her 16th birthday - all kids are tethered in this manner for their "protection." But something goes wrong on her separation day, and she finds herself running away when a bomb has frightened the citizens of Jewel, and Goldie would lose her privilege of separating. She ends up in the Museum of Thieves, a strange place full of secrets that could destroy the city of Jewel; it is here that Goldie meets the four guardians and is trained by them to hone her thieving skills. These five characters must work together to combat the powers of the Blessed Guardians as they strive for their own, and ultimately their world's, survival.

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: What a strangely compelling tale! I found myself somewhat confused about this world, but that could be because of the stop and start audio experience. The museum is alive and moving, and it's at once terrible and comforting for Goldie. The characters were interesting as they were eccentric and clever. Underlying the charming story of Goldie's interaction with the Museum's guardians is a current of fear. The Blessed Guardians were quite a frightening lot, and I was reminded often of nuns and priests ruling with iron fists, adhering to the letter of the law in all circumstances. Goldie's transition, though, was wonderful. From being overprotected at the story's beginning to gaining her own independence, Goldie shows a remarkable courage to fight the powers of evil. The narrator was quite exceptional, but the screeching and yelling and shouting was just annoying. Still, she distinguished character's voices clearly and included wonderful sound effects to bring the story to life.

Programming: Kids imagine themselves as the maker of the guardchains in the City of Jewel and report on the merits of the position in a written format answering the questions: How do you see your job in the city? What do you think about the rules of tethering? What do you think of the city's rulers?

8. "Flipped" directed by Rob Reiner (Warner Home Video, 2010)

DVD (ages 10-14)

Brief Description: In this 1950’s coming of age story, two neighbors, Julie and Bryce, discover one another through a series of difficult situations including misrepresentations and deceit; despite this awkward beginning, they eventually find friendship.

Awards: Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award

Personal Opinion: This film had such potential, but it fell flat for me. It was difficult to come to like Bryce as he was shallow and deceitful. Julie was described as iridescent, and she did have qualities that showed this, but her personality fell short as well. I found myself rolling my eyes as one lie after another was revealed and the roller coaster ride of their relationship found me just wanting to depart the ride all together. The strongest character was Bryce’s dad who was harsh and cruel, and it seemed we were to feel sorry for him when we discovered that his regrets formed the background for his cruelty, but this just didn’t work. Bryce’s grandfather was beautifully drawn and charismatic; he was the only character I truly came to care about.

Programming Idea: It may work to include this film in a World War II unit, although the primary focus of the movie is relationship driven, but it does provide a nice setting for the time period.

7. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan O'Malley (Oni Press, 2004)

GRAPHIC NOVEL: (ages 13+)

Brief Description: 23-year-old Scott Pilgrim is dating a high-school girl named Knives Chau who’s 17. When he begins dreaming of a groovy roller blading girl, and then sees her "live" in the library and at a party, Scott begins his obsession with the elusive Ramona Flowers, Amazon.ca delivery girl. When he tries to introduce himself, he fumbles, and she rolls her eyes, so he orders from Amazon to get her to deliver. She does, and they eventually begin dating, sort of. Scott must fight all Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends to actually earn the right to officially date her. This book illustrates the fight with the first ex at a gig in which Scott’s self-proclaimed crappy band is scheduled to play a set.

Awards: Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent for Scott Pilgrim, nominated for three Harvey Awards (Best New Talent, Best Cartoonist and Best Graphic Album of Original Work)

Personal Opinion: Oddly, I enjoyed this fun though often irreverent story of Scott Pilgrim. The language is perfectly tuned to youth with its casual dialogue and realistic characterizations. I was puzzled by the fight scene with the first ex-boyfriend as it seemed like a different story with a shift in pacing. Still, I find myself interested to see what happens in the next installment. I liked Scott’s gay roommate Wallace Wells who offers a fun sense of humor, and the feisty fellow band member Kim Pine.

Programming Idea: Pair this book with a manga drawing class and book discussion as part of a manga and anime club.

6. Big Nate in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce (Harper Collins, 2010)

BOOK: HUMOR (ages 8-12)

Brief Description: 6^th grader Nate Wright fully believes himself to be capable of greatness…sometime in the future, but the here and now is a different matter entirely. When he opens a fortune cookie and reads “Today you will surpass all others” he’s sure his time has come to show what he’s worth. The rest of the book recounts the day as Nate finds himself with detention after detention. In the end, Nate does, in fact, surpass all others, but not exactly in the way he expects.

Awards: Best Children's Books of the Year; 2011; Horn Book Fanfare, 2010; Children's Choice Book Award, 2011

Personal Opinion: Nate is a spinoff from the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and while it was entertaining, I didn’t find Nate nearly as funny or creatively drawn as Greg Heffley. The illustrations accompanying the story were great, and I’ll bet the ending will be supremely satisfying to 5^th and 6^th graders, but I just prefer the Diary series much more.

Programming Idea: I’d hold a special book club over the summer and would include this diary or illustrated story format for all the books; then I’d challenge the attendees to write their own similar story about school using images and text. Kids might also write a character comparison of Nate and Greg Heffley after reading both books.

5. Go with Grace by George Alexopoulos (TokyoPop, 2006)

GRAPHIC NOVEL (ages 13+)

Brief Description: Opening with two black pages and the written words: NO MORE, the depressing and cheerless stage is set as this graphic novel begins; the next illustrations show a girl slitting her wrist. Grace is a tragic figure crippled physically by an unknown disease. When she attempts physical exertion, she grows increasingly more ill and is ultimately bedridden. She begins to hallucinate and she "meets" a cute blond boy who visits with her and claims he is a ghost. He coaxes her from her room on several occasions, but this leads to hospitalization. Grace is surrounded by even more depression; her step father is cruel and heartless, her mother is dead, apparently from the same disease, and only her perky half-sister Ashley brings any light to this morosely dark tale. The ending features a mixed bag of delight and sadness.

Awards: None Found

Personal Opinion: I really disliked the alarming scene of suicide in the beginning, but continued to read in one sitting as I had to find out what would happen to Grace. This story had hints of the Demi Moore/Patrick Swayze “Ghost” to it, but it departed dramatically in that Grace was clearly suffering from major depressive disorder. For a while, her journal writing held her in the realms of reality, but when she began seeing Andy, the charming blond ghost, she literally left her room and ended up even more sick, and she left her sense of reality as well. Her abusive step-father was pretty over the top having a distinct disregard for Grace’s well-being. Her caring doctor attempted to work with the father to observe Grace and determine the cause of her problems, but he wouldn’t budge. Ultimately, Grace opts to “go with grace” in an unsatisfying ending. I sympathized with her sister Ashley who obviously loved and wanted to help her sister. Again, I was drawn into the story out of morbid curiosity, and I can’t say I was very happy about it! Other reviews touted this as a “romantic ghost story.” I just couldn’t get past Grace’s all-encompassing depression to see the romantic piece, although she did have moments of happiness with Andy.

Programming Idea: High school aged kids might discuss this book as part of a health unit on depression and other psychological disorders. I can’t see a direct application to the public library setting, and probably wouldn’t attempt to hand-sell the book except to those kids who enjoy graphic novels and/or tales of angst and hardship.