bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by K. Oppel
Authors: Chatterley Trish 
Published: April 2016

Oppel, Kenneth. This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2011. Print. Victor has always felt less than worthy compared to his twin brother, Konrad, who is the better swordsman, the more gracious gentleman, and the beloved of their cousin Elizabeth, whom they both love dearly. Yet when Konrad falls mysteriously and deathly ill, Victor’s love for his brother encourages him to follow a dangerous quest. Victor is a passionate, if somewhat arrogant, protagonist, who is at times unlikeable, yet strangely alluring. Victor has recently stumbled upon the hidden Dark Library in the family’s chateau, a library filled with ancient scientific works by such legendary alchemists as Paracelsus and Agrippa. In direct violation of his father’s orders, Victor wishes to create the Elixir of Life that he believes will save his brother. He, Elizabeth, and their family friend, Henry, seek the help of local alchemist and outcast, Julius Polidori, whose apothecary shop is coincidentally located in Wollstonecraft Alley. Polidori promises to translate the ancient texts and instruct Victor on how to collect the three necessary ingredients for the elixir. The recovery of each of the key substances frequently puts the characters in life-threatening situations while testing their bravery and dedication to their quest. This dark tale ends in such a foreboding way, promising future adventures for Victor. This is an absorbing gothic tale that serves as a prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Aimed at teens, it will hopefully serve as a unique way to get young adults interested in both classic literature and the history of science and magic. This book will likely appeal to those who enjoyed the later darker novels in the Harry Potter series, as it too explores the interconnections between faith, science, and magic. Paracelsus and Agrippa were mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, in which alchemy was also a prevalent theme. Readers will find the adventure captivating, and may want to watch for the movie version, which is expected to be released in 2013. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.
The Emerald Atlas by J. Stephens
Authors: Chatterley Trish 
Published: April 2016

Stephens, John. The Emerald Atlas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print. Unbeknownst to them, siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma are the children of a prophecy and they each have a destiny to fulfill. They were taken from their parents as young children for protection and shuffled around to a series of orphanages. Still, they behave like typical siblings, teasing each other and being at times pouty or snarky, adding much humour to the tale. They eventually end up at a very strange orphanage in desolate Cambridge Falls, run by an eccentric old wizard named Dr. Stanislaus Pym. They are the only children, not just in the orphanage, but in the whole town. While exploring their new home, they stumble across a hidden cellar and uncover the Emerald Atlas, an enchanted book (one of three Books of Beginning) that allows them to travel to different points in time through the use of photographs. Unfortunately, they get stuck fifteen years in the past in a much more beautiful version of Cambridge Falls, but at that point the atlas from their time disappears. They then must race the mysterious ‘Countess’ and her army of undead soldiers, as well as a troupe of unruly dwarves, to recover the atlas of that time so that they may return to the present day. They must also battle to save the children of the village from being drowned by the very same Countess. This fast-paced novel is reminiscent of a Harry Potter adventure, though perhaps not quite as dark as the final books. With an old wizard with bushy white eyebrows to guide and protect them, soulless monsters called Screechers (akin to Harry Potter’s Dementors), and the introduction of the Countess’s ‘master’ - an entity known as the Dire Magnus who cannot take human form but must possess another - there are many parallels to J.K. Rowling’s popular series. This is the first book of an anticipated trilogy, and one expects that each sibling will play the lead role in turn to uncover the other two Books of Beginning (in this story it is the eldest, Kate, who is the chosen one able to access the atlas’s full power). There are lots of elements of fantasy woven throughout and good character development, but also much violence which might not be suitable for all readers. If you are OK with the violence, the excitement, suspense, and adventure will keep readers of all ages (not just the 8-12 year olds for whom it is intended) engaged and hungry to read on. Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.
Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
Authors: Manchakowsky Shawna 
Published: April 2016

Telgemeier, Raina. Sisters. New York: Scholastic, 2014. Print.In this graphic novel, Telgemeier tells the story of two sisters - namely herself, Raina, and her sister, Amara. Raina dreams of the day she will become a big sister but, when that day arrives, it is nothing like she imagined. Her younger sister likes to play by herself, is always cranky and does not want much interaction with anybody, including the long-lost cousins they visit. We watch as the family grows bigger in an apartment that seems to shrink. Tight quarters do not help the relationship between Raina and Amara especially when each girl wants her own privacy. In a story told over a long family road trip mixed in with memories from the past, Raina comes to see maybe having a sister, even one who is different than she expected, is maybe not so bad after all.Telgemeier’s drawing will delight readers with her characteristic colourful pictures that are easy to absorb and understand. Young readers will know when the author is in the present tense and when she is relating a story in the past as the colours of the pages turn a time-worn yellow. This makes the jumping back and forth in time a smooth transition for readers. In a story that is relatable about siblings, family life and growing up, young readers will find her humour funny and timely. This book is a must-have for every school and public library.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Shawna ManchakowskyShawna Manchakowsky recently completed her MLIS at the University of Alberta. When she is not working at Rutherford Library as a Public Service Assistant, she can be found with her husband parenting her two young girls; avoiding any kind of cooking; and reading for her two book clubs. In between book club titles, she tries to read as much teen fiction as she can get away with.
Awake and Dreaming by K. Pearson
Authors: Slobodian Carlene 
Published: April 2016

Pearson, Kit. Awake and Dreaming. Toronto: Puffin Classics, 2013. Print.Recently published in a new edition by Puffin Classics, Awake and Dreaming feels just as relevant to lonely children as it did when it was first published in 1996. One of Canada’s favourite authors of junior fiction, Pearson’s award-winning tale of a lonely girl, Theo, will wrench at the heartstrings of readers of all ages.Nine-year-old Theo longs to be part of a large family, with brothers and sisters to play with, living a stable life that does not involve moving from apartment to apartment. Her young mother works long hours for low pay, and is focused on her own problems and wants, neglectful, at times, of Theo’s desire to be cared for. Theo uses books as an escape from her dreary and lonely life, daydreaming during school of the kind of large, caring family she reads about in library books.Shortly after Theo and her mother move to their new Vancouver neighbourhood, her mother, Rae, runs into an old friend and they begin to date. Soon Theo is shuttled onto a ferry to Victoria to live with an aunt she barely remembers, until Rae and her boyfriend can “get used to living with each other” and she can return to her mother. While on the ferry, Theo meets her perfect idea of a family, and they welcome her into her home. She lives a wonderful, stable life for a few months, before she starts to be ignored again, this time by the only people whom she thought truly cared about her. A sharp return to her old life leaves her feeling miserable and more lonely than ever. Was her dream family just that, a dream? Will she ever find them again? Who was that strange woman staring at her on the ferry? Readers will have to finish the book to discover the startling and intricate tale behind Theo’s unusual circumstances.Awake and Dreaming is similar in tone to some of Pearson’s other works, which tend to feature lonely and, at times, frightened children, who are forced to confront the harsh realities of the world in which they live. Although this book was published almost twenty years ago, the majority of the content is still relevant and applicable to children growing up across Canada today. Though the magic in the plot twist is dubious even for those die-hard believers in magic, the message of hope and of Theo’s desperation to belong to her peer group are strongly enforced throughout the novel. A new introduction written by Kenneth Oppel, as well as a character list, author profile, and discussion questions are included in this edition, making it a useful addition to classrooms, libraries, and book clubs.Reviewer: Carlene SlobodianRecommended: 3 stars out of 4Carlene Slobodian is an MLIS candidate at the University of Alberta with a lifelong passion for children’s literature. When not devouring books, she can be found knitting, cooking, or discovering new kinds of tea to sample.
All Star by J. Lonergan
Authors: Heinrich Jackie 
Published: April 2016

Lonergan, Jesse. All Star. New York: NBM Publishing, 2014. Print.It’s the bottom of the ninth, with two runners on and two outs, in the second to last regular season high school baseball game in a small rural town in Vermont called Elizabeth. Carl Carter, Elizabeth Monarch School’s all star player, steps up to the plate and hits a home run to win the game. The Elizabeth Monarchs are off to the playoffs and Carl is on top of the world. He is graduating this year and has everything going for him; a baseball scholarship to the University of Maine, a great group of friends, and the admiration of everyone in town. However, being the golden boy leads Carl to take advantage of people around him. Carl believes he can do what he wants, when we wants, without any consequences.Carl’s best friend Esden is not a baseball superstar or town hero. Esden comes from a very dysfunctional, low-income family and is perceived by many people as a bad boy. Nonetheless, Carl enjoys his company and impulsive personality. A party, drinking, and impaired driving cause Carl and Esden to make a serious mistake. Will they each get the consequence they deserve, and how will the repercussions affect their futures and friendship?This graphic story, set in 1998, is a powerful story about fairness and self-perception in young adults. The manga-inspired art and text placement captivate the reader from start to finish. The reader’s eyes are drawn naturally from panel to panel by the simplistic black and white illustrations. Lonergan’s talent of capturing delicate and extreme body language is apparent in every character sketch. This book appeals to baseball fans and adolescents that yearn for a compelling, character driven story. All Star was the winner of 2015 ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens and was nominated for the 2015 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adults Readers. The story includes mature language and content which may not appeal to all readers.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jackie HeinrichJackie Heinrich is the teacher-librarian at Wiltse Elementary School in Penticton, BC. She is currently working towards her Masters of Education Degree in Teacher Librarianship and enjoys helping students become lifelong readers.
Skraelings by R. & S. Qitsualik-Tinsley
Authors: Campbell Sandy 
Published: April 2016

Qitsualik-Tinsley, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley. Skraelings. Illus. Andrew Trabbold. Iqaluit, NU: Inhabit Media, 2014. Print.This volume is the first in the Arctic Moon Magick series. In it writing duo, Rachael and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, have recreated an Inuit world at the time of Viking contact, presented through the eyes of a young Inuit hunter, Kannujaq. In his travels, he comes across people of the Tuniit culture, of whom he has only heard legends. He meets Siku, a boy-shaman, whose name means “ice” and is named for his blue eyes. The Tuniit have been attacked in the past by Vikings from Greenland. They return each spring and Kannujaq finds himself in the middle of a battle, where he becomes a reluctant warrior. The title Skraelings, which means “Weaklings”, is a Viking taunt to the Tuniit.This is a well written chapter book for ages 12 and older and the language is age-appropriate. There are a few black and white drawings that complement the text. While much of the story proceeds logically along the plot line, occasionally, the authors break in, not as narrators, but simply to give the reader additional information. For example: "Oh, we forgot to tell you: Shamans were pretty clever when it came to the things that plants and other natural materials could do" (p. 26). While this is unusual in a novel and breaks the flow of the story, it is completely in keeping with oral storytelling and is rather endearing. However, this book should not be mistaken for simple story. It is an engaging read, culminating in a final plot twist that demonstrates the authors’ broad and compassionate understanding of the regional history of the Eastern Arctic. This is an excellent work and unique in young adult Arctic literature. It should definitely be included in junior high and middle school libraries and public libraries everywhere.Recommendation: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
The Whole Truth by K. Pearson
Authors: Feisst Debbie 
Published: April 2016

Pearson, Kit. The Whole Truth. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2011. Print. Victoria, B.C.-based children’s author (and one-time children’s librarian!), Kit Pearson’s tale of family intrigue will have you hooked from the first line, ‘After it happened they were sent away.” A Governor General Award-winning author for Awake and Dreaming, Pearson won the 2012 Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children Award for The Whole Truth, which delightfully has been followed with a sequel, And Nothing But the Truth. The year is 1932, and, like many areas, Winnipeg is gripped by the Depression. Following a tragic incident which resulted in the drowning death of their father, nine-year-old Polly and her older sister Maud must make a long journey, first by train and then by ferry boat, to Kingfisher Island, a small island near Victoria, to live with their maternal grandmother whom the girls do not remember. Maud will attend boarding school in Victoria while Polly will go to the small island school. Before Maud leaves, however, she makes Polly swear a strict promise to keep a secret regarding their father. Polly’s daily struggles with her grief and loneliness are juxtaposed with her desire to be happy. Maud deals with her sadness by pouring her energies into her new friendships and all that comes with attending a boarding school: uniforms to buy, sporting events, and school plays. The girls’ well-respected and loving grandmother, along with their interesting extended family, provide a safe home, and Polly’s school offers new opportunities for friendship and adventure. But Polly is just a young girl, and keeping a secret weighs heavily on her. She copes by writing touching yet so very sad letters to her deceased father. As the shocking secret is revealed, Polly and Maud’s newfound happiness is threatened and the bounds of family loyalty are tested. I eagerly await the sequel to this novel and the next chapter in the lives of Polly and Maud. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Debbie Feisst Debbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.
Noni is Nervous by H. Hartt-Sussman (2nd review)
Authors: Walter Lori 
Published: April 2016

Hartt-Sussman, Heather. Noni is Nervous. Illus. Geneviève Côté. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2013. Print.This picture book gently, but also deftly, captures what anxiety feels like for a child. Noni is Nervous opens with a humorous depiction of Noni’s anxiety about universal problems such as bossy friends and global warming--an overenthusiastic playmate has lassooed Noni and a polar bear sweats next to a penguin in a kiddie pool. But this gentle humour and lightness is also interspersed with images that show Noni as a lone, isolated figure on the page, worrying about her first day of school and all that could go wrong. In addition to capturing this sense of isolation that is a symptom of anxiety, Heather Hartt-Sussman’s book also explores other symptoms such as nail biting, hair twirling, non-stop talking, and catastrophizing, which all add up to form a compelling portrait of a nervous child. Geneviève Côté’s cartoonish, crayon and watercolour illustration that conveys Noni’s isolation also becomes a wash of colour and excitement as Noni’s anxiety lessens when she befriends an outgoing girl and begins to form friendships.Easy to read with simple, repetitive sentences and filled with visual jokes--Noni imagines she has ended up at school in her pyjamas and that her teacher is a mean monster with fangs and a lizard tail, this book will appeal to young children as it gently explores what it is like to have problems with anxiety. Parents could also use the book to raise anxiety issues with their children and children may be able to use the book to give voice to their emotions and fears.Noni is Nervous is an engaging, informative, and durable hardcover picture book for its target audience of two to five year olds.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Lori WalterFor over two years, Lori Walter worked as an assistant to the Research Librarian in the Faculty of Nursing Research Office at the University of Alberta. She has recently graduated with her MLIS from the University of Alberta, and she is the new Scholarly Communications Librarian at the UBC Okanagan Library.
Catch That Baby! by N. Coffelt
Authors: Campbell Sandy 
Published: April 2016

Coffelt, Nancy. Catch That Baby! Toronto: Aladdin, 2011. Print. There comes a point in every toddler’s life when he or she just needs to make a break for it and run away from Mom; if naked, after a bath, so much the better. Nancy Coffelt captures that moment in this delightful book. Rudy tosses his towel at the dog, shouts, “No dressed” and the romp begins. Mom chases, clothing in hand, and is joined in successive panels by other family members all of whom try, but not too hard, to “catch that naked baby”. This is primarily a picture book. Award-winning illustrator Scott Nash has drawn cartoon style illustrations, with large blocks of bright colour, little visual detail and speech bubbles. The simple presentation is perfect for toddlers, who will be able to completely relate to “Nudie Rudy” pelting around the house in the buff, although most pre-readers will not end up swinging from vines in the conservatory. Young children will enjoy the repetition in the little bit of text on each page and will love finding Rudy on each page, particularly on pages where those silly adults cannot see him, even though he is so obviously in plain sight that a baby could find him. Catch That Baby! is a gem that will become a favourite read aloud book in many families. It would make an excellent gift for a toddler and belongs in every public library collection. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.
Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack by G. Joyce
Authors: Campbell Sandy 
Published: April 2016

Joyce, Gare. Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012. Print.It is not often that you find a biography of an animal, but in this case, the animal was a national icon. According to Gare Joyce, Northern Dancer, the great racehorse “made more money as an accomplished racehorse and sire than any Canadian athlete in history – even more than Wayne Gretzky ”. The book begins with a genealogical chart that shows that of the 19 horses starting in the 2011 Kentucky Derby, 18 were descended from Northern Dancer.This book chronicles Northern Dancer from his birth through to his wins and standing at stud until his death at age 29. Through his story, the reader also learns about the world of North American thoroughbred racing. We meet the great jockeys: Ron Turcotte, Willie Shoemaker and Bill Hardtack who all rode Northern Dancer to victories. We learn about the development of racehorses and the major races: The Preakness, The Belmont, The Kentucky Derby and the Queen’s Plate. Joyce writes informally and conversationally, as though he is telling one long story. For example, he tells us that Northern Dancer “became unruly around his stall…At least once he ripped the shirt off his trainer.” Later we are told that a trainer inadvertently let Northern Dancer run hard the day before a race and people thought that no thoroughbred could “run the equivalent of two races on two consecutive days. As it turned out, the only ones hurting after the Florida Derby were those who hadn’t bet on the heavily favoured Northern Dancer.” The text is accompanied by many photos of Northern Dancer, including archival images of horse and jockey in races, at the wire and in the winners’ circle. Overall, this is an enjoyable story of a remarkable horse. Northern Dancer: King of the Racetrack is highly recommended for junior high school libraries and public libraries everywhere. Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.