Not everyone is able to run out day of publication to buy the next book in a series they love. At Fir Grove Elementary, a Title I school, many students depend on their school library to get the books they love.

20140521-062827.jpgHowever, as budgets get cut, there is less money to buy new books for the library. Donations can help.

At least some of the kids at Fir Grove Elementary school were happy when we donated the third Zita the Spacegirl book, The Return of Zita the Spacegirl, after reviewing it. We were received a complimentary copy of the book from the publishers, First Second.

The Zita series is a smart graphic novel series that kids love. LisaKaren posted on our Facebook page that she had to have a lottery to see which kids would be able to check out the book before the end of the school year.

Spunky Zita faces some creative aliens in the three graphic novels and saves some worlds as well. The artwork and the story are well-developed and the writing isn’t over-simplified just for kiddos.

From Left to Right: Legends of Zita the Spacegirl, Zita the Spacegirl, and The Return of Zita the Spacegirl.
From Left to Right: Legends of Zita the Spacegirl, Zita the Spacegirl, and The Return of Zita the Spacegirl.

Like many school libraries, Fir Grove Elementary School Library has gone through some tough times.

Despite being named one of the best school libraries in the State of Oregon in 2011, the school lost its full-time professional librarian due to budget cuts, shortly after.

It’s a drama that has played out nationwide in public schools. Book budgets are slashed as well, reducing access kids have to new quality fiction and non-fiction titles.

Reviewers often have access to Advanced Review Copies and other complimentary copies of books from publishers. Once finished reading these free books, consider passing them on by donating them. In addition, Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) are uncorrected proofs and can’t be resold. However, they can be donated to places willing to accept them or given to other readers.
If you are a book reviewer, you will be able to tell the difference between a regular complimentary copy and an ARC or uncorrected galley. Most often, the back or front of the book will state that it is an uncorrected proof and can’t be resold. Sometimes the difference is even more striking:
The ARC version on the right is clearly different than the final version of The Tropic of Serpents.
The ARC version on the right is clearly different than the final version of The Tropic of Serpents.

More about ARCs: