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The Foundling is book 1 in the Monster Blood Tattoo series, in which Rossamund, a young boy from Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society for Foundling Boys and Girls, has been assigned to apprentice to become a lamplighter, rather than a seafaring vinegaroon as he had been schooled. This book covers his introduction at the Foundling Home and follows his exciting adventure through his arrival at Winstermill where he will begin his apprenticeship. A completely new environment is introduced, much in the same manner as the Hobbit, or Star Wars. Therefore, a long, but necessary appendix is included in the back of the book for words, terminology, maps, and character names. The illustrations are a wonderful addition since readers know exactly what the author intended for each character to look like. Lots of monsters and different types of people live in the Half-Continent, and these are characterized very well. There is plenty of action, suspense, and monster fighting, so boys who enjoy dragon books will love this. It is also excellent on audio, but as stated above, illustrations really should be seen. At least have the book on hand while listening. Highly recommended for readers in grades 6 and up. 
Are June and Wes meant to get together or not? The conditions just don’t seem right. True, they have a strange fascination with each other, but it can hardly be called romantic. Besides, Wes has just broken up with his last girlfriend because he was tired of having a girlfriend. And since June’s family is moving constantly, she doesn’t want to bother with yet another boyfriend that she’ll be forced to leave in a few months. Despite their resistance, they are constantly encountering each other, and it seems that some power beyond their control is pushing them together. Hautman’s writing is clever, his dialogue funny and sharp, and his characters quirky and surprising. The book alternates between Wes and June’s points of view, a device which Hautman uses well. The book contains some underage alcohol consumption, with one character becoming more popular after a drunken episode. Grades 8 and up.
Vera Dietz’s former best friend, Charlie, is dead. On the first page of the novel, Vera says, “Is it okay to hate a dead kid? Even if I loved him once? Even if he was my best friend? Is it okay to hate him for being dead?” Vera has loads of other stuff to deal with, too. Her single dad makes her work a full-time job during her senior year of high school. Her job: mind-numbing work as a pizza delivery person. At school, there’s the gang of mean Detentionheads that Charlie took up with before he died. Finally, Vera has some big, awful secrets—her own and Charlie’s—including that she was in love with him. Unraveling the circumstances of their lost friendship, and the events that led to Charlie’s death are a big part of the book, as well as Vera working out her relationship with her father and her long gone mother. Most of the chapters are from Vera’s point of view, and they move around in time. The remaining chapters are from “the dead kid (Charlie),” her father, and even the voice of the tacky, abandoned pagoda that sits on a hill above their poor Pennsylvania town. Clear and clever chapter headings make the point of view and time switches easy to follow. Overall, Please Ignore Vera Dietz is a smart, edgy, and fast-paced read, with original and multi-dimensional characters. Besides watching Vera take charge of her life, it addresses the responsibility we all have for the people around us. Due to physical abuse, language, drug, alcohol, and sexual references, this book is best suited to grades 10 and up. 2011 Printz Honor Award.
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