Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Joan of Arc: A Photographic Story of a Life

Joan of Arc: A Photographic Story of a Life is by Kathleen Kudlinski. A wonderful addition to this fabulous nonfiction series. A great way to get young readers into nonfiction. The illustrations and photographs are magnificent.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou is edited by Edwin Graves Wilson. Another addition to this stellar series. A great way to introduce young people to major poets. The illustrations are magnificent again.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Straight Man

Straight Man is by Richard Russo. This novel is laugh out loud funny and heartbreakingly poignant. William Henry Devereaux, Jr. is the reluctant chair of the English Department at a badly underfunded college in Pennsylvania. His badly divided department thinks he is conspiring with the dean to get rid of them in the new round of budget cuts. In one hectic week he will imagine his wife having an affair with his dean, wonder if one if his students is trying to seduce him, come to terms with his estranged parents, deal with a medical condition, and threaten to kill a goose on local television. Once you pick up this novel you won't be able to put it down.

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - S (non graphic sexual references).

The Hollow Kingdom

The Hollow Kingdom is by Clare B. Dunkle. The first book in The Hollow Kingdom trilogy. For thousands of years the women of Hallow Hill have been vanishing never to be seen again. Legend has it that they have been kidnapped by the goblins who live under the hill. When orphans Kate and Emily come to live with distant relatives at Hallow Hill they have no idea of its history or their danger. Then they meet Marak, the Goblin King, who is in search of a bride.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

Keys to the Demon Prison

Keys to the Demon Prison is by Brandon Mull. The final book in the Fablehaven series finds Seth, Kendra, and their allies fighting to keep the Sphinx from opening the demon prison of Zzyxx. They fight to collect all the artifacts needed to open the prison and keep the ones they have from the Sphinx and the Society of the Evening Star. If they fail the world will be overrun by demons and everyone they love will die. Can they succeed and at what cost?

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Catcher in the Rye.

The Catcher in the Rye is by J.D. Salinger. This classic tale of teen angst is a must read for everyone who considers themselves well read. Holden Caufield is sixteen, when he is expelled from his Pennsylvania prep school he returns to his native New York City and goes underground for three days. He is confused and disillusioned and is the poster child for teen alienation. He ends up emotionally distressed and exhausted in a psychiatrist's office and leaves you wondering how teens survive their teenage years.

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Here, There Be Dragons

Here, There Be Dragons is by James A. Owen. The first book in The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series. The Imaginarium Geographica is an atlas of all the lands that have ever existed in myth, legend, fable, or fairy tales. When the old caretaker is murdered by servants of the Winter King, John and his two friends are drawn into a battle in another world to protect the Earth they know and the one they have just discovered from the evil Winter King. A fascinating bit of fantasy with names from history and literature thrown in for good measure.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Candy Shop War

The Candy Shop War is by Brandon Mull. Four kids walk into the new local candy store wanting a treat and get more than they bargain for. The owner is a magician who can make magical candy. She tells Nate and his friends she will give them free magic candy if they will help her find a mysterious hidden treasure. But the things she asks them to do begin to trouble the foursome. Is Mrs. White really all she seems? Is she the good guy or the bad guy? And as more strange people begin to appear in town the kids have to decide whose side they are on. A delightful story.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez

The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez is by Judy Goldschmidt. When Raisin's mother remarries she moves from California to Philadelphia. In order to keep in touch with her friends in California, Raisin starts writing a blog. She begins telling them all her most personal secrets and her thoughts and feelings about the new kids she meets at school. No one will ever read it, or will they? A cute book with a real message about what kids put out on the Internet.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Ghost Hunter

Ghost Hunter is by Michelle Paver. The magnificent finale to The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. As Soul's Night approaches the evil Eagle Owl Mage is attempting to use the spirits of the Unquiet Dead to take over the Forest. She only needs one thing to complete her spell, Torak's spirit. Torak, Wolf, and Renn head for the Mountain of Ghosts to defeat Eostra once and for all. A magnificent series and an ending that makes you beg for more.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

Charlie Bone and the Beast

Charlie Bone and the Beast is by Jenny Nimmo. This is the sixth book in the Children of the Red King series. Asa has disappeared from Bloor's Academy and a new student, Dagbert Endless, has enrolled. Charlie's evil Aunt Venetia is getting married and Charlie's parents are going on a cruise. Charlie and his friends decide to rescue Asa and protect one of Aunt Ventia's step children with the help of the Flames. Can he save Asa from Manfred before it's too late? Another exciting installment in this series. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.  

Poetry for Young People: William Blake

Poetry for Young People: William Blake is edited by John Maynard. A wonderful collection by this fine English poet. Another fabulous addition to this fine series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

Poetry for Young People: Wallace Stevens

Poetry for Young People: Wallace Stevens is edited by John N. Serio. A wonderful collection by this fine American poet. Another fabulous addition to this fine series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.