Series Pick: Nate Expectations

Nate Expectations
by Time Federle
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2018
256 pages
ISBN: 9781481404129

The third book in the Nate series does not disappoint. Nate Expectations finds Nate Foster in high school and living back in his small hometown in Pennsylvania. After his Broadway show closes, Nate goes home. He's able to get through each day with the help of his friend and sidekick Libby. This theater kid cannot go home and forget about theater. That would be like forgetting to breathe.

Nate takes over the production of Great Expectations for his drama department in true Nate style. Even though he misses his new boyfriend and he's "out" to his friends, he's still not "out" to his parents.

Lighthearted, funny, and heart-warming, the Nate series is a series of books for every reader--whether they are into musical theater or not. It doesn't matter their gender or their preferences, Nate is such a winning character, everyone will love him. Rarely does an author capture the voice of a middle grade boy. Even though in the this book Nate is in high school, the book is great for middle school readers and up.

Highly, highly recommended for readers of the earlier books, and if you haven't read the Nate series, what are you waiting for. This series is a MUST READ.

Grade 7-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

High School Pick: Evil Librarian

Evil Librarian
by Michelle Knudsen
Candlewick Press
2014
343 pages
ISBN: 9780763660383

Enticingly evil, freshly funny, winsomely wry, and eerily  entertaining, The Evil Librarian takes two of the must unlike characters--a librarian and a demon (hey, librarians are angels!)--and brings them forth as one new arrival at Central High School. Handsome and charismatic Mr. Gabriel (Gabriel is God's messenger angel in the Bible) appears out of nowhere one day but it only takes moments for student fall under his spell.


Cynthia's (Cyn's) best friend since childhood is totally gaga over the new librarian--seeming to walk around in a zombie-like daze. It takes a meeting with Mr. Gabriel for Cyn to realize something is wrong with their new librarian. She knows she has to save Annie from his clutches before it's too late.
Cyn is seemingly the only one immune to the evil charms of Mr. Gabriel; the trouble is--now he knows it.

As more and more students begin to walk around in the same zombie daze and when their principal has a heart attack and dies, Cyn decides that she must tell someone else. She turns to Ryan, a guy she has been crushing on. She realizes that she will probably sound like a crazy maniac but she must take the chance in order to save not only Annie but everyone in their school.

Although not totally convinced, Ryan has seen strange occurrences and agrees to enlist the help of an outsider. The two find a bookstore that houses a strange assortment of occult items. They get a quick lesson in demon capture and decide to take on Mr. Gabriel themselves.

Will Cyn and Ryan be able to stop Mr. Gabriel before he is too powerful to be banished? Will they be able to stop other demons from escaping into their school? Can they save Annie from the clutches of evil? Will Annie allow herself to be saved?

Weirdly rollicking on a sick thrill ride, Evil Librarian is great fun! Dastardly entertaining and enjoyable. YA readers will love this one!

Clever cover art depicts a library book complete with spine label and check out card pocket on the back cover. Librarians and library aficionados will laugh when they see the spine label. It says FICTION Central High School Library. Most libraries use F or FIC for fiction and all include the first three letters of the author's last name not the name of the school. How would anyone find this book in a real library?

Highly recommended for paranormal readers grade 9-up.  Some misbehavior and demon hunting.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Fun Pick: The Reece Malcom List

The Reece Malcolm List
by Amy Spalding
Entrangled
2013
352 pages
2013

Irresistable musical theatre gLeek Devan is sure to charm teen readers. She's fun, smart, spunky, and musically gifted and she's ready to take her bow.

Devon's father dies in a car wreck and Devon is told that she will be leaving Missouri traveling to California to live with her real mother. Her "mother" dumped her at birth and has made her own life. Devon never got to know her and knows very little about her. Her mother sends her private lawyer to escort Devon to California.

Reece Malcolm is a talented writer whose books are always on the New York Times Bestsellers list. She lives in a nice modern home with new live-in boyfriend Brad. Devan begins making a list of things she's knows about Reece Malcolm, her mother. She finds that Brad is nicer than Reece and Reece's friends are nicer than Reece, too.

Devon is excited to be attending a private perfomance arts school but worried about the huge price tag. She feels guilty that her mother is spending way too much on her. Then there's the new laptop computer and expensive shopping spree. Devon is overwhelmed.

As she discovers more and more about Reece, Devon feels closer to her, but she also has questions. How could this person ignore her own daughter for sixteen years? Now she's trying to make up for it by showering her with gifts and a great school.

Devon learns that her mother was only 16 years old when she had her, her mother is not a morning person, her mother hates crowds, but loves coffee and is a great shopper but doesn't worry about fashion or style for her own outfits. Reece and Brad have a passive/aggessive relationship and Reece knows she treats Brad terribly but she seems to enjoy it. Devon tries to figure it out.

Reece supports Devon in her musical theater debut and even though things are off between them and they have a huge fight, her mother is her biggest fan. Devon apologizes for snooping and they agree to work things out.

Recommended grade 9-up. Several of the performers are having gender identity questions. Mature subject matter.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.