THE OPPOSIE OF ALWAYS by Justin Reynolds. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2019. 457p. ISBN 978-006274837-9 hc. $17.99    Gr. 8-12    Y.A. FIC

The first chapter gives readers a glimpse of Jack’s life, which revolves around his lifelong best friends, Jillian and Franny, and his new love interest, Kate.  Unfortunately, Kate has sickle cell anemia and dies shortly after they meet.  Jack’s story evolves into a time loop beginning on the day Jack meets Kate.  He tries to find ways to save her, while lying to friends and family, gambling with information from the future, and meddling in family affairs he shouldn’t - then starting the scenario all over again.  He even refers to the movie "Ground Hog Day," in which actor Bill Murray wakes up every morning and tries to redo his routine, until he learns valuable life lessons.  Essentially, Jack does the same in a new, fresh setting for teens.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

SUPERGIRL: THE SECRET FILES OF KARA DANVERS by Warner Brothers. New York: Amulet Books, 2019. 192p.  ISBN 978-1419731709 hc. $16.99      Gr. 4-7     JUV

This really is the ultimate guide to the TV hit show, Supergirl. It includes Kara's private journal entries, notes, and a list of heroes and villians in National City, along with details of their superpowers.  Readers will also find episode guides for seasons 1 - 3, making it perfect for superfriends of the series!
Crystal Jacklovitz, Early Childhood Literacy Specialist, Dickinson County Library

LOVE AND THE ROCKING CHAIR by Leo and Diane Dillon. New York: Blue Sky Press, 2019. 40p.  ISBN 978-1338332650 hc. $18.99      PreSchool - K     E PIC

This simple story centers around a rocking chair in vibrant, colorful paintings, characteristic of most  picture books by the Dillons.  A family awaiting their first child buys a rocking chair for the baby's room.  As the child grows, he uses the rocking chair in a variety of ways, but eventually stores it in the attic.  The chair comes out of storage when the boy becomes a man and expects a baby of his own.  This is a beautiful story of the life cycle, as one generation makes way for the next.
Crystal Jacklovitz, Early Elementary Literacy Specialist, Dickinson County Library

ELEPHANT THIEF by Jane Kerr.  New York, Scholastic, 2017. 320p. ISBN: 978-1-338-18843-1 hc. $16.99     Gr. 4-8    JUV FIC

A mute street orphan known only as "Boy", a chance encounter with a famous elephant and their epic journey to Manchester take place in one weeks time. Full of mystery, twists and turns as "Boy" learns to trust and find friendship, he evolves into Danny, a brave elephant trainer. This captivating page turner is loosely based on a true story of Maharajah, an Asian elephant who walked from Edinburgh to Manchester, Scotland in one week in 1870. Adventurous young readers will enjoy this book.
Charlotte Dugas, Retired Library Director, Munising School Public Library

DON’T CALL ME CRAZY: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health edited by Kelly Jensen. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books, 2018. 225p. ISBN 978-161620781-6 pbk.$16.95   Gr. 8-12   NF 616.89

The editor has compiled an interesting anthology of personal essays from people who experience mental health issues every day of their lives.  The book is divided into five chapters that begin with a definition of “What’s Crazy?” and then works through “Where Crazy Meets Culture,” “The Mind-Body Connection,” and “Beyond Stress and Sadness” before reaching equilibrium with “To Be Okay.”  Adam Silvera and Shawn David Hutchinson, both authors of young adult fiction, suffer from forms of depression and incorporate some of those feelings and experiences into their own writing. Gemma Correll, cartoonist, incorporates a graphic of her “Train of Overthinking,” that loops through a town of emotions, into her story.  The dynamic Resources section includes books, films, and websites for further exploration.  Jensen wants readers to start talking and understanding the myriad ways mental health affects the lives of our family, friends, and ourselves; and then “Keep the conversation going.”

Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI