From School Library Journal

The well-known adult readers' advisory expert attempts to extend her range into the world of youth. Immediately, quibbles arise. Why list only a few "Dragon Tales" for the middle readers, leaving out the dynamite series by Susan Fletcher, Jane Yolen, and Laurence Yep? Why isn't Ji-li Jiang's Red Scarf Girl listed in the section on memoirs for teens? Since Pearl mostly lists sequels when she mentions a title, did she really think that the sequel to Daniel Pinkwater's The Hoboken Chicken Emergency didn't deserve to be included? Why not point out the offensive qualities of Lynne Reid Banks's "The Indian in the Cupboard" series when you issue a caveat in your introduction about books published before 1960 having some offensive aspects for Native Americans? Why not include Jessica Haas and K. M. Peyton novels in the section on horses for middle readers along with old classics? Why are the teen "Queens of Fantasy" Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce here, but not Anne McCaffrey? Why include M. T. Anderson's Feed in the section for middle readers? Many of the titles are old and out of print, which will ensure interlibrary loan in many locations. Among youth services professionals this volume will start lots of arguments and should be soon filled with sticky notes. Knowledgeable readers won't need it, but for those new to the field or who have a hard time thinking in readers' advisory categories, it could prove useful to get the juices flowing.—Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO

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Book Description

Parents, teachers, and librarians are often puzzled by the seemingly endless choices for reading material for young people. What’s good, what’s trash, what’s going to hold their interest? Nancy Pearl, America’s favorite librarian, has read widely in all the genres and happily points the way in Book Crush. Divided into three sections — Easy Books, Middle-Grade Readers, and Young Adult — Book Crush makes wonderful reading connections by theme, setting, voice, and ideas. For horse lovers, Pearl recalls the classics (Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague), but in a creative twist connects Mr. Revere and I to the list. For middle-grade readers, she explores updated retellings of Greek myths and the best coming-of-age stories. Young adult readers get to know chick lit and much more. For those adults who feel stuck in a rut with Caldecott and Newberry winners and the ubiquitous Harry Potters, this fun, informed book offers new ways to stimulate young readers.