My Name Is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry

Mike Litwin (Illustrator)

Ages 4-8

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (September 1, 2010)

Cautions: None

KIWI Magazine Review:

From the parents who hear the chorus of “It wasn’t me” when they ask their young daughters they a) ate the last cookie b) put a pink ribbon on the dog c) used your lipstick to ‘decorate’ the bathroom or d) all of the above, here’s a story that plays on the same theme but invokes a combination of girl power and history. This story is about Isabella who imagines she is ally Ride, Rosa Parks, Marie Currie, to name a few. She takes on each persona and teaches readers just a bit about these famous women in the process.

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Animal Camp: My Summer with a Horse, a Pig, a Cow, a Pigeon, a Dog, Two Cats, and One Very Patient Man by Kathy Stevens

Adults, young adults (ages 12 and up)

Hardcover: 256 pages

Skyhorse Publishing (September 8, 2010)

Cautions: Animal cruelty is discussed

Kathy Stevens on Youtube

KIWI Magazine Review:

My family had to hide my luggage after I read this book, as I wanted to pack and dash to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and be a part of this amazing organization that rescues farm animals. Although Kathy Stevens runs the show, the personalities and interactions of the animals who come to her camp and sanctuary are the real stars. A broiler hen is rescued from Brooklyn, a horse is discovered neglected in a dark shed without water, and a turkey is saved from being invited to dinner. It is a thought-provoking book about our relationship with animals. I cried in parts, laughed in others, and was wholly won over by the cast of critters who make this book an interesting and endearing read.

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Dick and Jane and Vampires by Laura Marchesani

Tommy Hunt (Illustrator)

Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 144 pages

Grosset & Dunlap (August 26, 2010)

Cautions: None

KIWI Magazine Review:

Dick and Jane are the iconic pair who were the featured characters in early reader books since the 1930s. But, you will snort cookies and milk out of your nose when you read this ‘mash up’ book of the sparkly clean kids meeting vampires. The vampire is integrated into the story as though it happens every day, like petting the neighbor’s dog or eating a Popsicle. This book is fun for kids, but even better for adults who remember the old traditional books,

Product Description

When innocent Dick and Jane meet a creepy, cape-wearing vampire, the unexpected happens: he becomes their friend! Dick and Jane and Vampires borrows from the classic stories and art we all know and love, but adds an of-the-moment twist: a vampire, illustrated in the classic Dick and Jane style.

The Teen’s Guide to World Domination: Advice on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Awesomeness by Josh Shipp

Ages 13 & up (Young Adult)

Paperback: 320 pages

St. Martin’s Griffin (August 17, 2010)

Cautions: Definitely for teens – recommend ages 15 and up

Kiwi Magazine Review:

In a pattern that endures the entirety of the teen self-help guide, the first thing Shipp tells readers is that really, world domination isn’t at all plausible. Domination of Earth, that is – but domination of your own world? Not only totally doable, but necessary for any success to be achieved.

Whether it is in the classroom, in relationships or in the future, only you can be in control of your world. Because if not, there are people waiting to take it over. And you won’t like that.

Witty and self-assuredly snarky but also reflective and wholly accepting, Shipp delivers a novel in a conversational tone that won’t make any teenager feel like they’re being told what to do, but instead they are simply talking with that “cool older brother” that has “been there.” He knows the ropes, the best and the worst of what the teenage years have to offer – and is going to help you deal with them and become successful in whatever it is you choose to do.

Shipp keeps the motivation reassuring by identifying with readers, with jabs at current pop culture – from Facebook to the Twilight series – that will keep readers doubled over. (They’re harmless, but parents be warned: there’s a good chance you won’t understand these references, making them all the more significant to your teen).

Ultimately, Shipp helps readers set a positive course for where they want to go and see themselves for who they really are and who they want to be.

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Supernatural by DK Publishing

Young Adult (KIWI recommends ages 10+)

Hardcover: 96 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing (August 16, 2010)

Cautions: Spooky stuff

KIWI Magazine Review:

Everyone is in on the vampire craze, preceded by the witches and wizards faze, which was preceded by magical rings. If I told you I grew up with Bewitched and twitched my nose until it ached, you may be able to guess my age! DK Publishing has put together a thoroughly readable, somewhat unbelievable, en-psych-lopedia of all things supernatural. Near death experience? Check. Ghosts? Check. Vampires? Got ‘em. Each section has a lot of really ghoul, I mean, cool images and enough scary bits where we may just recommend only reading during the day (just to be safe). Lots of undead fun.

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Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child’s Developing Mind with Games, Activities and More by Jan Faull and Jennifer McLean Oliver

Berkley Trade (August 3, 2010)

Cautions: None

Parenting Book

KIWI Magazine Review:

This action-oriented book lends a hand to parents who want to know not only how to stimulate their child, but the rationale behind the activity.  This well-researched book is a goldmine of ideas and activities which follow along with a child’s development and are fun to boot!

Product Description

A noted parenting expert provides the latest research on child development and offers games and activities parents can use to support their child’s natural abilities.

Drawing on the latest fascinating research in child brain development, noted parenting expert Jan Faull gives parents the essential tools to recognize and encourage their child’s natural development- and have fun with their kids in the process. Simple to use and easy to understand, the techniques in Amazing Minds show parents how to support their children’s capacity for learning. Faull describes chronologically what babies are capable of and the research behind those findings-then provides clear instruction, practical exercises, and fun games to play with babies to enhance their innate learning process. Amazing Minds will change how people view babies-from newborns to toddlers- and foster a new level of nurturing for generations of parents, educators, and caregivers.

Thresholds by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

Young Adult (ages 12+)

Viking Juvenile (August 5, 2010)

Cautions: Slightly scary

KIWI Magazine Review:

If you’re looking for the latest mystical adventure which will appeal to boys and girls without too many scary parts, this is your book. It’s often difficult to find books for ages 12 and up that don’t have too many adult themes, yet are still interesting. I couldn’t put this one down! You have fairies, magic, and adventure. The protagonist is in middle school and navigating those social land mines, while somehow managing to keep the alien which has taken over her body a secret. It’s a page turner!

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The Magnificent 12: The Call by Michael Grant

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 256 pages

Katherine Tegen Books (August 24, 2010)

Cautions: some scary chase scenes, bullies

Book Review from Alex age 11 in Rockville MD

The Magnificent Twelve:The Call by Michael Grant

This book was about a kid named Mack, who noticed everything. Paying attention closely to everything around you is an important lesson to learn. Mack was always observant which helped him save his own life. Mack is hunted by the bullies in his school for humiliating one of their Bully-kind. Mack saves a bully’s life and is from then on “under his wing”. Mack is contacted by a 30,000 year old sorcerer in a toilet and is told his quest. His quest is to destroy or imprison the “pale queen” the evilest being ever. Along the way he encounters many obstacles. Mack has to find 11 other kids to fight the queen, giant mantis beings, and the “pale queen’s daughter herself.

I loved this book, it was so good. I couldn’t put it down it was literally glued to my hands. I didn’t want to read it in 1 day but it happened anyways.

If the characters were real then i don’t think i would have been friends with them because they all already knew exactly what kinds of people they would want as friends.

I did not believe the story because it was so unrealistic. It was a lot of fun to read but I don’t think that anybody would ever believe this unless they were actually characters in the story.

My favorite part about the book was all of it especially the little tidbits of humor.

I will tell everybody to read this book as soon as it comes out. I am really upset that the second book will not be out for a long time.

Start reading this series now, and you wont be sorry!!

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Bookworms Buddy Marin 14, in CA gave us this great review on My Ultimate Sister Disaster by Jane Mendle

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 208 pages

St. Martin’s Griffin; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)

KIWI Magazine Review:

This book was extremely well written! I loved the energy and Franny’s sarcastic attitude!

Franny Ford thinks she got the short end of the stick. Her sister Zooey is a skilled ballerina with amazing looks and she seems to get all eyes on her when she enters the room. Franny on the other hand is a mere 4′10 and a little 9th grader on the newspaper. She has been lusting over the editor in chief, River McGee, from the day she set foot in the news room. Will he ever notice, quiet Franny? Chances are no with the fact he has a girlfriend resembling a model.

When the two break up, Franny thinks she’s got a shot. But her sister finds herself crushing on River as much as Franny. With this much competition, who will River choose. Aside from the River drama, Franny’s life is turned upside down, when her mother is away in Kenya, and her dad works non-stop at his hip boutique. Franny soon finds out who she really is and who she really is meant to be with. I would definetely recommend this book to any girl, friend, cousin, or teacher. It was the best!

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Another great book review from Eric in NY (age 9) on Seaglass Summer by Anjali Banerjee

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 176 pages

Wendy Lamb Books; 1 edition (May 11, 2010)

Cautions: None

This book is about a girl, Poppy who goes to her uncles house for the summer. Her uncle is a vet and he owns his own clinic for animals that got hurt or have a disease. Poppy meets a new friend, Hawk and they helped out together at the clinic.

I felt relaxed and excited while reading the book. It was hard to put down at bedtime if I was reading it. I did want to read it quickly, but not in one sitting.

I felt that they are my two best friends. If these charactors were t me school I would eat and play with them.

I did believe the story

My favorite part was when Poppy saw the cute puppies on her second day at the clinic.

I would tell a friend, cousin or teacher because they would like this book too.

PS – Eric’s mom and the KIWI Magazine Reviewer loved this book, too!

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