Monday, December 30, 2013

The Dying Breath

The Dying Breath is by Alane Ferguson. The last book in the Forensic Mystery series - unfortunately! Cammie is about to turn eighteen and head off to college to study forensics. Her relationship with Justin, the deputy sheriff, is just beginning to develop, and things are beginning to look up - then her old boyfriend, and psycho serial killer, Kyle returns and threatens Cammie and everyone she cares about. As she struggles to help the police and FBI catch Kyle, she finds herself in a life or death situation with only her wits to save her life. It is sad that this series has come to a close. These books are action packed and loved by both girls and boys.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

The Goose Girl

The Goose Girl is by Shannon Hale. The first of the Books of Bayern. This is a marvelous re-telling of the original Grimms' fairy tale. Ani is a crown princess who has been pledged in marriage by her mother the queen to the prince of the neighboring kingdom of Bayern. As she and her small retinue make their three month journey to her new home, her lady in waiting decides to assume her identity and become the new queen. Celia uses her ability to influence people with her voice to convince half the guards to kill the loyal members of her company. Ani escapes and travels to the capital of Bayern to get her life back, and finds herself hiding at the palace working as a goose girl. The story follows Ani as she learns about Bayern, her ability to communicate with animals and the wind, and herself and who she really wants to be. A wonderful engaging coming of age tale.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (non graphic violence).

Saturday, December 28, 2013

The Spirit Level

The Spirit Level is by Seamus Heaney. A wonderful collection of Heaney's poetry. His vivid imagery and careful word choice make him one of Ireland's best-loved poets, and a must read for all poetry lovers - and those who would like to be.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Don Quixote de la Mancha

Don Quixote de la Mancha is by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The all time must read classic tale of the crazy Spaniard who decides to be a knight errant and the hilarious peasant he dupes into being his squire. Their adventures have become the stuff of literary legend. If you have not read this book - you should!! Poor Don Quixote, his madness causes him to be deluded, abused, and laughed at by all those he encounters - alas, the fate of many dreamers. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read!

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

Seeker

Seeker is by William Nicholson. This is the first book in The Noble Warriors series. The Nomana protect their god and his people and once a year new Nomana are selected. Seeker for Truth wants to follow in the footsteps of his brother Blaze of Justice and join the Nomana. When he is not accepted and his brother is cast out of the Nomana accused of being a traitor, Seeker decides to follow his brother and prove his innocence. While on the road he becomes involved with two others who want to be Nomana: Morning Star and the Wildman. They decide if they can destroy a weapon designed to destroy the Nomana the group of warriors will accept them and Seeker can redeem his brother. An interesting series that should apply to boys and girls alike.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables are by Aesop. A classic collection of fables by the famous Greek slave and storyteller. Contains all the fables we remember and many we don't. A great book for children and adults alike; it makes us think about life and the lessons we need to learn to live it well.

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10.

Durable Goods

Durable Goods is by Elizabeth Berg. A wonderful story of a young girl whose father is career military. Her mother has died, her dad is abusive, her older sister wants to runaway, and Katie must decide what she wants out of life. When her father announces the family is transferring from Texas to Missouri, Katie must decide whether to run away with her old sister and her boyfriend or move with her distant, sometimes violent, father. Set in the early sixties, this is a moving story of growth, pain, loss, and the different ways people deal with grief.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

African American Poetry: An Anthology 1773-1927

African American Poetry: An Anthology 1773-1927 is edited by Joan R. Sherman. A wonderful collection of African American poets and their wonderful contribution to literature in America. A must read for poetry fans everywhere.

Ratings: 8th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Atlantis Complex

The Atlantis Complex is by Eoin Colfer. The seventh installment in the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis is losing his mind, he has developed the Atlantis Complex, a disease that comes from guilt and dabbling in fairy magic. The symptoms include: obsessive-compulsive behavior, paranoia, and multiple personality disorder. Artemis's ailment couldn't come at a worse time. The fairy city of Atlantis is under assault from a deadly foe and Holly and her friends desperately need Artemis to save the day. Can Artemis recover from his ailment in time to save the fairy world - again? Fans of this series will enjoy this book as well.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Blood and Chocolate

Blood and Chocolate is by Annette Curtis Klause. Vivian is a werewolf. Her pack has moved to a populated area after her father and several other packs members were burned to death when a member of their pack began killing humans. Now they are leaderless and fractured. Vivian tries to stay out of pack politics and falls in love with a human boy. She decides to tell him her secret and finds she has endangered her own life and that of her pack when humans begin to die again. A harsh, but tender, tale of coming of age and learning how to accept what you are.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity) - V (violence).

Greek Myths and Legends

Greek Myths and Legends is by Jilly Hunt. A great introduction for young readers to Greek mythology. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Chinese Myths and Legends

Chinese Myths and Legends is by Anita Ganeri. A great introduction for young readers to Chinese mythology. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Norse Myths and Legends

Norse Myths and Legends is by Anita Ganeri. A great introduction for young readers to Norse mythology. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

American Indian Stories and Legends

American Indian Stories and Legends is by Catherine Chambers. A great introduction for young readers to American Indian stories and legends. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Prince of Mist

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Max and Alicia Carver, and their family move to a home in a seaside village to escape the city during the war. There they befriend the grandson of the lighthouse keeper, Roland. The three children find themselves haunted by a mysterious figure called the "Prince of Mists." As they try to decipher the mystery of the strange happenings at Max's house, they discover Roland's grandfather knows more about what's happening than he's letting on. An incredibly spooky story, Stephen King for young adults.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Sean Connery: The Measure of a Man

Sean Connery: The Measure of a Man is by Christopher Bray. This is more a book about Connery's filmography than a book about his life. If you are looking for a biography, this is not your book. Bray, like most "film critics", hates the movies Connery fans love and love the ones most fans don't care for. I learned a lot about Bray's opinions of Connery's performances, but little about Connery himself.

Ratings: Adult - 4 out of 10 - AC (some adult thematic content).

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Gift

The Gift is by James Patterson and Ned Rust. The second book in the Witch & Wizard series. Whit and Whisty are still struggling to avoid the clutches of the evil One Who is The One. As they work with the resistance to rescue children from the New Order they discover that not everyone they think is a friend can be trusted. This story follows their re-capture by the New Order, another escape, and their struggle to understand their powers, their place in the resistance, and their need to find their parents. They must also face betrayals and learn to trust each other. Fans of this series will enjoy this installment.

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

America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It

America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It is by Mark Steyn. Conservative columnist and icon Mark Steyn discusses the Islamization of Europe and its advance through the rest of the world. While it appears the West is going the way of the Roman Empire, Steyn lays out a plan for America to survive. The question is not can America survive, but do we have the will to survive. Whether you are a fan of Steyn's politics or not, the position laid out it in this book is thought-provoking at the very least.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Cybele's Secret

Cybele's Secret is by Juliet Marillier. The sequel to Wildwood Dancing, the story takes place six years later as Paula and her father travel to Istanbul to trade for a mysterious religious artifact. Then a fellow trader is murdered, and they discover there are others who also want Cybele's Secret and will do anything to acquire it. But the artifact is also sought by those from the Other Kingdom, and they send Paula's sister Tati to help her get the artifact for their purposes. A charming sequel filled with danger, adventure, betrayal, and a love story to boot. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

The Alchemist

The Alchemist is by Paulo Coelho. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read. You must read this short allegorical book. Correctly compared to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, this is the tale of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, who decides to travel to Egypt to find his treasure near the pyramids. Along the way he meets a number of strange and wonderful characters who help him fulfill his mission. The book strives to teach us about the nature of wisdom, listening to our hearts, and following our dreams. A wonderful book for young and old alike.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Northern Light

A Northern Light is by Jennifer Donnelly. Set in the Adirondack mountains in northern New York in the early 1900s, this a wonderful coming of age story based on a real murder that occurred in the area in 1906. Mattie is sixteen and wants to be a writer in an era where women have few options. Her mother died of cancer and she is struggling to help her bitter father to keep the family farm going after her brother leaves home. She wants to work at a local resort hotel to earn money for college, but her father refuses to allow her to work, until he needs her salary to help buy a new mule for the farm. While at the hotel, Mattie is given some letters to burn by a female guest who later turns up dead. As Mattie decides what to do with the letters, the choice she must make involves her own future as well. A poignant and thought-provoking tale.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content) - MP (profanity).

Monday, November 11, 2013

Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers: The Story of Success is by Malcolm Gladwell. A study of the best and brightest and whether or not there are factors other than talent that make them what they are. Gladwell argues that we need to look at the world around them, to truly understand what makes them successful and how we can make others successful. A must read, thoughtfully written, and well-researched book.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Black Book of Secrets

The Black Book of Secrets is by F.E. Higgins. The first book in the Tales from the Sinister City series. Ludlow Fitch is running away from his drunken family, he escapes the city and finds himself in a small mountain village where he is taken in to work for a mysterious man, Joe Zabbidou, who is a pawnbroker of secrets. Ludlow begins to write people's secrets in the "Black Book" and tries to understand how Joe's business works. A creepy and cautionary tale. I hope the rest of the books in this series are this inventive and well written.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

Sent

Sent is by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The second book in the time travel series, The Missing. Jonah, Katherine, Chip, and Alex are in 15th century England. They discover that Chip is really Edward V, the King of England, and Alex is his brother, Richard. They are about to be killed by their uncle who wants the throne. Jonah and Katherine must save their friends and fix time, so that the four of them can return home to the 20th century. If you are a follower of Haddix's work, you will enjoy this new series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.

Spoon River Anthology

Spoon River Anthology is by Edgar Lee Masters. Masters' classic compilation of free verse monologues from the dead residents of Spoon River. A true American classic and a must read for poetry lovers everywhere.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

The Glass Word

The Glass Word is by Kai Meyer. The final installment in The Dark Reflections Trilogy. Merle, Junipa, Vermithrax, and the Flowing Queen arrive in Egypt and invade the fortress of the sphinxes to stop the Son of the Mother from awakening. Serafin, Lalapeya, and Eft are also on their way to Egypt to find their friends. Will they succeed in bringing down the sphinxes and saving Venice?

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Daughter of the Stars

Daughter of the Stars is by Phyllis A. Whitney. Lacey's mother took her away from her family in Harper's Ferry after the murder of her father. She has never told Lacey anything about her father or the existence of her family. When she intercepts a letter from her aunt to her mother begging her mother to come home, Lacey decides to go herself. Once there, she discovers she has more family than she has ever imagined, and is confronted with the truth about her father's death. If you are a Whitney fan, you will love this book also.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Fallen Angels

Fallen Angels is by Walter Dean Myers. Perry is a Harlem teenager who find himself in the trenches in Vietnam. He and his squad are fighting to stay alive and asking themselves what they are fighting for and if it is really worth the cost. An amazing coming-of-age story that looks at Vietnam and the African American experience there. A great tale for this generation of teenagers who know nothing about the 60s, and a poignant reminder for those of us who lived them.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Buried Onions

Buried Onions is by Gary Soto. Eddie lives in the barrio in Fresno, California. His father, two uncles, and best friend are dead. He does not want to be a part of the gang lifestyle that surrounds him, but is it possible to get out or will he be forced into a lifestyle he doesn't want? A novel that asks the question of whether change is possible or if we are forced by our environment into a specific lifestyle. If you enjoy Soto's work, you will like this one as well. You can't help cheering for Eddie.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content) - V (violence) - MP (mild profanity).

Monday, November 4, 2013

Pacific Vortex

Pacific Vortex is by Clive Cussler. The first book in the Dirk Pitt series. Dirk is a deep-sea expert and treasure hunter. When a note in a bottle washes up on the beach where he happens to be sunning, Dirk finds himself drawn into the hunt for a missing Navy sub lost in a mysterious area call the Pacific Vortex - the Bermuda Triangle of the Pacific. He only has a limited amount of time to retrieve the sub before the Navy fires a missile to destroy it; with time running out Pitt must descend into a secret underwater world from which he may never return.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Lord Sunday

Lord Sunday is by Garth Nix. The final installment in the Keys to the Kingdom series. The House is being over taken by Nothing; the Piper and Lady Saturday have joined together against Lord Sunday, and Arthur by extension. In the series finale, Arthur must wrench the seventh key from Lord Sunday and save the House and the rest of the universe from destruction - but is that what the Will has in mind? A satisfying and somewhat surprising ending.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

If I Stay

If I Stay is by Gayle Forman. The first in a pair of charming books that adults and teenagers alike will love. At seventeen, Mia has everything going for her: a family she loves who love her, a great boyfriend, a wonderful best friend, and a future as a musician headed for Julliard. Then in one shocking moment on a snowy road everything changes. After the accident Mia finds herself in a disembodied state watching as doctors fight to save her from the car crash that killed her entire family. She watches her grandparents, friends, and boyfriend deal with their anguish, and must decide whether to stay or leave and join her parents and brother. A thoroughly enjoyable and touching story.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Marcelo in the Real World

Marcelo in the Real World is by Francisco X. Stork. Marcelo is a teenager with an autism-like impairment. He has always gone to a special school and wants to continue to go there. His father, a powerful attorney, wants Marcelo to experience life in the "real world". He tells Marcelo if he comes to work at his father's law firm for the summer and completes his tasks, Marcelo will be able to remain at Patterson School, if he chooses to do so. As Marcelo interacts with people at the law firm, he discovers what life is really like in the "real world". A marvelous story in the vein of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Watching Marcelo move through life and grow makes you wonder if maybe we "normal people" aren't the ones with the impairment.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content) - P (profanity).

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is by Laura Hillenbrand. On a May afternoon in 1943, Louis Zamperini and his crew crashed their Air Force bomber into the Pacific Ocean. Zamperini, a former Olympic miler, and another member of his ill-fated crew are captured by the Japanese and taken to POW camps in Japan. This is the story of the torture they endured, their epic struggle for survival, and their fight to return to life after the war. A poignant, stirring, and painful biography of one man's quest to survive. At times painful to read, but the stories of this generation of Americans and what they endured need to be recorded and remembered.

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

The Light Between Oceans

The Light Between Oceans is by M.L. Stedman. Set in Australia after WWI, Tom Sherbourne and his wife are lighthouse keepers on a remote island off the coast of Australia. Isabel has had three miscarriages and desperately wants a child. When a dead man and a live infant wash up on the island in a rowboat, Isabel persuades Tom to keep the child and raise it as their own. This one lie sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever. A heart-wrenching tale of desperation, and what we are willing to do for those we love.

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic contents).

An Abundance of Katherines

An Abundance of Katherines is by John Green. Colin only seems to fall in love with girls named Katherine. After Katherine #19 dumps him, he embarks on a road trip with his best friend Hassan. The two boys find themselves in Gutshot, Kentucky working part-time for a factory owner and her daughter named Lindsey. As they settle into their new environment, Colin is determined to prove his "Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability" works. However, he finds himself drawn to Lindsey, is his fascination with Katherines at an end? Will he finally avoid being dumped?

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Beautiful Ruins

Beautiful Ruins is by Jess Walters. A book that starts in Italy in 1962 when an American actress in the country to film Cleopatra comes to stay in a remote hotel on the Italian coast. The book travels back and forth through time as we follow the lives of Pasquale, the hotel owner; Dee, the actress; Pat, her son; and Claire, the assistant to a Hollywood producer who tries to reconnect Pasquale and Dee after fifty years. A story of love, loss, regret, and repairing the mistakes of the past. 


Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette is by Maria Semple. The hilarious and touching story of Bernadette Fox; Elgie, her Microsoft developer spouse; and Bee their fifteen-year-old brilliant daughter. Told through alternating perspectives the eccentric Bernadette stampedes through her life and the lives of those around her as she tries to deal with her own personal problems and plan the family trip to Antarctica. When Bernadette disappears, Bee digs through emails and other documents to discover the truth about what happened to her mother. 


Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Monday, September 23, 2013

Life After Life

Life After Life is by Kate Atkinson. In 1910, Ursula Todd is born in England and dies before she takes her first breath. In 1910, Ursula Todd is born in England and begins her most unusual life. She dies numerous times and always comes back to "try again". Each life is a different story, yet she somehow remembers to change certain things each time. As the world marches toward WWII, does Ursula's gift/curse give her the power to change the course of history for everyone?


Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is by John Green & David Levithan. One night in Chicago two teenage boys cross paths. Both are named Will Grayson, and although they run in VERY different circles; they both find their lives intertwined with that of Tiny Cooper, a gay teenager who wants nothing more than to see his life story immortalized in a high school musical. A touching story of coming of age and knowing yourself.


Ratings: 10th Grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).


Sunday, September 8, 2013

The Woman Upstairs

The Woman Upstairs is by Claire Messud. Nora is an elementary teacher in Massachusetts who has given up her dream of being an artist. Then a new student arrives in her class, a charming child named Reza. When Reza is injured in a bullying incident, Nora finds herself bonding with the Shahid family: Reza, Sirena his Italian artist mother, and Skandar his Lebanese professor father. As Nora becomes more involved with the Shahid's she finds her life changing in ways she never dreamed possible. 

Ratings - Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Lock and Key

Lock and Key is by Sarah Dessen. Ruby is almost eighteen, she is looking forward to being on her own. Her mother has abandoned her and she's been holding it together just fine, or has she? When social services sends her to live with her sister Cora (who she hasn't seen in ten years) and her husband, Ruby must learn to accept help and that in order to save herself she will need to reach out to others. Fans of Dessen's books will love this one as well.

Ratings - 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Monday, September 2, 2013

Seconds Away

Seconds Away is by Harlen Coben. The second book in the Mickey Bolitar series. This book picks up right where the first one leaves off. Mickey must convince his uncle to exhume his father's body, so he can be sure his father is really dead, after the Bat Lady shows him a picture of the Butcher of Lodz, who look just like the paramedic who told Mickey his father had died and took his body away. How can a WWII Nazi officer look just like a thirty year old paramedic? Then there is a shooting at Rachel's, she is wounded and her mother is killed and Mickey, Ema, and Spoon are determined to find the shooter and bring him to justice. But what if the shooter is Rachel's father?

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence).

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil: A Savannah Story

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil: A Savannah Story is by John Berendt. A fascinating look into one of the last bastions of the "Old South". The story of the strange and charming residents of Savannah and a murder that shocked them all. Berendt wrings every last drop of humor, suspense, and tragedy out of this true crime drama which kept Savannah gossips going for almost a decade.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Dear Life Stories

Dear Life Stories is by Alice Munro. A collection of short stories about life in various small Canadian towns. The stories focus on moments in a person's life when everything changes: a chance encounter, an action or decision not to act, or a simple twist of fate.

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Definitely Dead

Definitely Dead is by Charlaine Harris. The sixth installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Sookie is trying to settle her dead cousin Hadley's affairs. Someone doesn't want her looking into Hadley's life, and they are trying to kill her, the list ranges from weres to the vampire queen of Louisiana herself. She's also trying to date a were-tiger and avoid both Eric and Bill. Another exciting installment in this series.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Dead as a Doornail

Dead as a Doornail is by Charlaine Harris. The fifth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Someone is shooting Shifters, including Sam, and Sookie is worried that Jason might be blamed. While she is trying to discover who the shooter is her house is set on fire and she winds up involved in a Shifter power struggle after the death of Colonel Flood. Fans of the series won't be disappointed.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC ( mature thematic content).

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Easy Math

Easy Math is by Lauren Shapiro. A prize winning volume of poetry that is a must read for those who love poems. Shapiro's verse is charming, funny, and poignant - sometimes all at once.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity).

Cold Days

Cold Days is by Jim Butcher. The 15th installment of the beloved Dresden Files series. Harry is now the Winter Knight and subject to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. Her word is law and her first command is to kill another immortal. As Harry struggles to remain himself and keep from turning into Mab's evil creature, he discovers he must reluctantly gather his former friends and allies to prevent an upcoming disaster that could destroy both the mortal world and the Nevernever. Maybe death wasn't really so bad after all! One of the best books in the series. Extremely fast-paced and action-packed. I feared killing Harry and bringing him back might be a jump-the-shark moment. I've never been so happy to be wrong.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Juliet

Juliet is by Anne Fortier. When Julie's beloved aunt dies she discovers the family fortune has been left to her twin sister. All she has been left is a secret family treasure that was supposedly left for her by her mother in Siena, Italy. Julie heads for Italy where she discovers her real name is Giulietta and she is descended from the original Giulietta upon whom Shakespeare based his famous play. As she searches for information about her inheritance and the family she has never known, she discovers the original family feuds are still very much alive and well. Finding the treasure may well cost Julie her life. Will she find her Romeo? Will she end up dead like her famous ancestor? A charming tale of mystery and romance.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (some violence).

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea is by Greg Mortenson. Greg Mortenson, a former climber, feels called to build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is the story of his struggle to build schools and a thriving charity. A well written story of caring and the hard work, if it was true which it appears it is not based on recent revelations.

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

The City of Fallen Angels

The City of Fallen Angels is by Cassandra Clare. The fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series. Clary is back in New York and training to be a Shadowhunter. Her mother is about to marry the werewolf she loves. Jace is helping her train so you would think things are going well, but they're not. Jace is acting strangely and Clary is beginning to wonder if he really cares for her. Simon is approached by an old vampire who wants his aid and is being followed by track-suited thugs who are trying to kill him. Something is obviously going on behind the scenes, but what? Fans of this series will not be disappointed and you won't be able to wait for the next installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (some mature thematic content) - MP (mild profanity).

The Round House

The Round House is by Louise Erdrich. A touching tale of a young native American boy coming of age after the violent rape of his mother. The effect the attack has on his parents, family, and community is extremely moving, as the arrest and prosecution of the offender are complicated by jurisdictional issues. Some have called this work the Native American To Kill a Mockingbird, I would concur.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Beasties

The Beasties is by William Sleator. When Doug and his family move to a deserted farm house so his father can study fungus, they discover many of the surrounding logging camps have been vandalized and locals have lost arms, legs, eyes, and other limbs. At first he doesn't believe the stories about "the beasties", but then he and his sister are lured below ground and find themselves embroiled in a war between the humans and the "beasties". Another of Sleator's horror tales for children.

Ratings: 5th grade - 7 out of 10 - V (violence).

Cross My Heart

Cross My Heart is by Sasha Gould. The first book in the Segreta series. The story is set in Venice in the year 1585. Laura della Scala is the second daughter in a prominent, but deteriorating, family. On the death of her older sister Beatrice, she is returned from the convent where she has been living to her family home to marry the fiance of her dead sister and save the family fortune. Only her fiance is old enough to be her grandfather. In desperation she turns to the Segreta, a secret society of women who deal in secrets and manage much that goes on in Venice, albeit behind the scenes. The Segreta accepts Laura as a member and prevents her marriage, but when Laura begins to suspect the Segreta was involved in her sister's murder, she must decide where her true loyalties lie.

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference is by Malcolm Gladwell. A fascinating book that researches what causes some trends to take off and others to fizzle. Gladwell uses an easy to understand blend of anecdote and research to reveal the secrets of "the tipping point." A interesting, intellectual, and thought-provoking read.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Crank

Crank is by Ellen Hopkins. Kristina seems to be the perfect daughter; she's a good student, quiet, never gets into trouble. Then she goes to visit her father and discovers an alter ego (Bree), a boyfriend, and "the monster" - crystal meth. She allows Bree to take over her life and even after she returns home she can't let go of the "monster". This novel, written in free verse poetry, follows a life spiraling out of control. This book is reminiscent of Go Ask Alice, only brought into the new millennium. A terrifying look at a problem facing modern teens.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence) - S (some non-graphic sexual content).

The Cursed

The Cursed is by Michael Panckridge. Lewis is a teenage boy in a boarding school. His father was killed in the Amazon on a scientific mission to find a tribe of invisible people. Now his mother, cursed by the tribe while pregnant with Lewis, has disappeared - literally. Lewis finds himself drawn into a plot by an evil organization to discover the secret of invisibility. His mother's friend Jonathon, Lewis, and his school friend Abby find themselves in the Amazon trying to find his mother and protect the invisible tribe from the Light Crusaders. A fast read for young readers looking for action.

Ratings: 6th grade - 5 out of 10 - V (violence).

Legend

Legend is by Marie Lu. The first book in a new dystopian fiction series. June is a teen born into one of the Republic's wealthiest families. She is a prodigy meant to follow in the footsteps of her brother Metias. When Metias is killed by the Republic's most wanted criminal June is determined to hunt him down and see him brought to justice. Fifteen-year-old Day was born in the slums of the Republic, but is he really the evil character the Republic makes him seem? As June gets to know Day she begins to wonder if everything she has been told all her life is really the truth. Boys and girls will enjoy this series.

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

Catch-22

Catch-22 is by Joseph Heller. One of the classic war novels of all time. Heller writes about a bomber group stationed on a fictional Mediterranean island during WWII. Yossarian doesn't want to fly any more missions because people are trying to kill him. Even though he has completed his allotted number of missions he is not allowed to go home because of the infamous Catch-22 which states that you must be crazy to be grounded, but if you ask to be grounded that proves you are not crazy since not wanting to go into dangerous situations is a rational thought, and if you have rational thoughts you can't be insane. Heller uses hilarious farce to draw attention to bleak and horrible circumstances. This novel is a classic for a reason, a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Thursday, July 11, 2013

That Was Then, This is Now

That Was Then, This is Now is by S.E. Hinton. Byron & Mark have been friends since childhood. Byron's mother even took Mark in after the death of his parents. But now things are changing, Byron has found a girl he really likes and he and Mark are growing apart. A heart-wrenching tale of growing up and the consequences of the choices we make. Fans of The Outsiders will love this book.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Dune

Dune is by Frank Herbert. The first book in the Dune Chronicles. The science fiction classic about political intrigue and revolution on the desert world of Arrakis. A must read for science fiction lovers!

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Secrets in the Shadows

Secrets in the Shadows is by Anne Schraff. The third book in the Bluford High series. Roylin wants to impress a new girl so he "borrows" money from an elderly neighbor. When the building super confronts Roylin with Mr. Miller's death and threatens to tell the police he stole the money, Roylin's life becomes a nightmare.

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

The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan

The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan is by Nancy Springer. The fourth book in the Enola Holmes series. Enola must keep her friend Lady Cecily from being forced into marriage. Unbeknownst to Enola, Cecily's mother has hired her brother Sherlock to stop the marriage as well. Can Enola prevent the marriage and avoid her brothers at the same time? A cute series girls will enjoy.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Circle of Blood

The Circle of Blood is by Alane Ferguson. The third book in the Forensic Mystery series. Cammie is trying to get to know the mother who has recently come back into her life. But when a young girl is murdered and her mother is arrested, Cammie must put herself in danger to save her mother. Another exciting installment in this excellent series.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Closed for the Season

Closed for the Season is by Mary Downing Hahn. When Logan's family moves into a new house, the boy next door tells him a lady was murdered there. Logan & Arthur decide to find the money embezzled from a defunct amusement park and solve the murder. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10 - V (violence).

Picklemania

Picklemania is by Jerry Spinelli. Pickles and his friends are waiting for it to snow so they can make use of the new sled Pickles has built. They must also figure out all the problems associated with middle school.

Ratings: 4th grade - 6 out of 10.

The Mind's Eye

The Mind's Eye is by Oliver Sacks. A book of case studies about people able to navigate life after losing what many if us consider vital abilities such as the power of speech, the capacity to recognize faces, the sense of three-dimensional space, the ability to read, and the sense of sight. A fascinating look at the ability of human beings to adapt.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.

The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood

The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood is by Helene Cooper. Helene was born in Liberia to a rich and influential family descended from freed slaves sent from America to found a country in Africa. Then in 1980, a coup changes her life forever. Her family flees to America where she attends school and becomes a journalist. After a near death experience covering the Iraq war, she decides to return to her homeland and face her past.

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Friday, July 5, 2013

The Yard

The Yard is by Alex Grecian. The first book in the Scotland Yard's Murder Squad series. Scotland Yard is in turmoil; they failed to find Jack the Ripper and the populace of London has lost faith in them. A new "murder squad" has been created to deal only with murders. Now another killer has surfaced and is killing policeman and Inspector Day and the other detectives must catch him before they are next on the list. Dr. Bernard Kingsley, the Yard’s first forensic pathologist, is a totally enjoyable character. A great vacation read!

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Monday, July 1, 2013

Reached

Reached is by Ally Condie. The final book in the Matched trilogy. Xander, Cassia, and Ky are all working for the Rising, but as the Rising finally begins to take over they begin to wonder if there is more to the Rising than meets the eye. As a plague sweeps the provinces, the trio begins to wonder how it came about and is the Rising's cure, really the cure. This finale really brings home the point that often times in politics there is not a clear line between the good guys and the bad guys. A very satisfying conclusion.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence).

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Switch

Switch is by Carol Snow. Claire is just like every other teenager, except for one thing. She switches bodies during electrical storms. She returns to her own body as soon as the body she has switched into goes to sleep. Until, she switches bodies with a beautiful summer visitor; the boy she has a crush on falls for her new body, and she finds she can't switch back. Can she make Nate see her? Will she be able to switch back? What is her mother going to say? An interesting look at being happy with who you are.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Grimm Legacy

The Grimm Legacy is by Polly Shulman. Elizabeth has been recommended by her history teacher for a job as a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository. She quickly discovers that the objects they "circulate" are not at all what she expected. When magical objects from the Grimm Collection are being stolen, Elizabeth and the other pages must risk everything to discover who is taking the objects and get them back. A cute book both boys and girls will enjoy.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Mark

The Mark is by Jen Nadol. The first book in The Mark series. Cassandra sees the mark—a glow around certain people. When she told her grandmother, she was told it was a trick of the light. Then one day she sees the mark on a man and watches him get hit by a car. Now she realizes that when she sees the mark, the person dies that day. What is the mark? Is she the only one to ever see it? If you know someone is about to die, do you tell them? An interesting series, girls will enjoy.

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

Life of Pi

Life of Pi is by Yann Martel. Pi Patel is the son of an Indian zookeeper. His father decides to move the family to Canada, sells the zoo, and books passage on a ship with several of the animals being sold to North American zoos. When the ship sinks in a storm Pi finds himself the only human survivor alone in a life boat with a tiger, a baboon, a wounded zebra, and a hyena. Once the tiger eats the other animals, is Pi next? An imaginative, sometimes graphic, story of survival and growing up. A wonderful book! A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended book.

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence) - P (some profanity).

Wicked Game

Wicked Game is by Jeri Smith-Ready. The first book in the Wicked Game series. Ciara Griffin comes from a family of con artists, both her mother and father are in prison. She is trying to live a normal life, which means college and a job. She applies for an sales and marketing intern position at the local radio station only to discover all the DJ's are vampires stuck in the era in which they were turned. When a huge conglomerate decides to buy the station and change the format, Ciara decides to foil the takeover using her skills as a con artist. What she doesn't know is that she's about to put her life in danger. A charming start to a promising series.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Black Country is by Alex Grecian. The second book in the Scotland Yard's Murder Squad series. Set in England in the late 1880's, this is the story of Scotland Yard's relatively new "murder squad". Inspector Day and Sergeant Hammersmith are summoned to a small coal mining village in England's "Black Country" to find three members of a local family that have disappeared. A eyeball has been found in a bird's nest, a unseasonable snowstorm is brewing, and time is running out for the Price's. The squad finds itself surrounded by a village that is full of superstitious, and very ill people, all of whom have secrets, and a town that is sinking into the coal mining tunnels that have been dug beneath it. A fantastic summer mystery read with enough plot twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Feather on the Moon

Feather on the Moon is by Phyllis A. Whitney. Jennifer Blake's three-year-old child was kidnapped seven years ago. She has almost given up hope of ever finding her again. Then she receives a mysterious phone call from Vancouver Island. The wealthy Corinthea Arles thinks the child that is being presented to her as her great-granddaughter and heir is Jennifer's Debbie. Determined to find the truth Jennifer finds herself in the middle of a family in crisis with secrets they want kept at any cost. Fans of Whitney, of which I will admit I am one, will enjoy this book.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

Fire World

Fire World is by Chris D'Lacey. The sixth book in the Last Dragon Chronicles. This book takes place on another world known as Co:per:nica, which runs parallel to our world. Firebirds roam a librarium, a storehouse for ancient books, and when twelve-year-old David and Rosanna accidentally injure one they find themselves in the middle of an adventure that will change their world. They will need the help of David's parents and the firebirds to battle evil Aunt Gwenyth and the Ix. Fans of this series will enjoy this installment and wonder how it will interface with the previous books.

Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.

Monday, June 17, 2013

The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda & the Road to 9/11

The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda & the Road to 9/11 is by Lawrence Wright. THE book for those who have wondered how 9/11 happened. This meticulously researched and documented book covers four decades, from the beginnings of Islamic fundamentalism to the rise of Al-Qaeda, and the failings of the American government agencies who didn't connect the dots. Wright's book raises as many questions as it answers about the future of Islam and the safety of America. A must read book for those who want to understand how radical Islam came into being and all the personalities involved.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Snow: A Retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow: A Retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is by Tracy Lynn. Another installment in the Once Upon a Time series of retold fairy tales. The evil stepmother is a would-be scientist as well as a practitioner of magic. This version, however, has no dwarfs and no handsome prince. If you are looking for a faithful retelling, this isn't it. The story and the changes to the original are interesting and thought provoking. Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

The World Must Know: The History of the Holocaust as Told in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

The World Must Know: The History of the Holocaust as Told in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is by Michael Berenbaum. A magnificent look at the Holocaust from beginning to end. The pictures and illustrations are magnificent and the text is extremely well written in a manner that is very understandable. A great overview of the Holocaust that will definitely make you want to learn more. Fortunately, the book contains an amazing resource list to guide further inquiry.

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Orcs

Orcs is by Stan Nicholls. This book is a compilation of the entire first trilogy: Bodyguard of Lightning, Legion of Thunder, and Warriors of the Tempest. Stryke, the leader of the band of orc warriors called the Wolverines, leads his team to recover an artifact their queen Jennesta wants. Once they have it, they discover the device is one of several pieces of a magical instrumentality that might save their world. The Wolverines set off on their own to find and collect all the instrumentalities, hunted by Jennesta, humans, and seemingly every other race in Maras Dantia. This series has a very interesting premise, a fantasy tale from the point of view of orcs. It is violent and contains some profanity. Boys will enjoy this tale, there is also a female orc warrior girls might relate to. The plot does not seem to live up to its promise however.

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - V (violence) - P (profanity).



































Friday, June 7, 2013

Girl of Nightmares

Girl of Nightmares is by Kendare Blake. The sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood. Cas is having nightmares about Anna suffering in hell. He decides he must find a way to rescue her and bring her back. Despite his mother's and his friend's misgivings he travels to England to meet with Gideon. Thomas, Carmel, and Jestine (a girl who claims to be Gideon's niece) must find a secret organization to perform the spell to allow Cas to enter hell. But this organization has a plan of their own and it may cost Cas his life. Better than the first book, if that's possible. Stephen King - look out!

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

People of the Book

People of the Book is by Geraldine Brooks. Hanna, an Australian rare book expert is hired to restore the Sarajevo Haggadah, an ancient Jewish book found in Bosnia. As she restores the book she discovers an insect's wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair. The book contains flashbacks that trace the book's history from 1480 through WWII using the four items found in the book as focal points. Hanna's more modern story is also told in between the flashbacks. A complex story of love, pain, history, and faith.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).

Hannah

Hannah is by Kathryn Lasky. The first book in the Daughters of the Sea series. Hannah is an orphan in turn-of-the-century Boston. Upon being sent to the Mid West to find a position, she becomes deathly ill and is forced to return to Boston. She seems to have land-sickness instead of sea-sickness. She has this intense need to be near the sea. Hannah finds a position as a maid with a wealthy Boston family. When a painter comes to the house to paint a picture of the family's daughters, Hannah begins to discover a secret about herself. Girls with enjoy this book and look forward to others in the series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Deeper

Deeper is by Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams. The second book in the Tunnels series. Will, Chester, and Cal continue their search for Will's father. The Styx recruit Cal & Will's mother, Sarah, to help them track down her sons, who they have accused of killing her brother Tam. The boys find friends in their search, but put those friends in danger for helping them. Meanwhile, Will's father continues to search for the answers to the mysteries of this strange new world. Another action-packed installment. Boys, especially, will enjoy this series.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (some science fiction violence).

Monday, June 3, 2013

Greenwitch

Greenwitch is by Susan Cooper. The third book in the Dark is Rising sequence. Simon, Jane, and Barney return with their great-uncle Merry to the small town in Cornwall where they first found the grail; which has since been stolen from the British Museum and they now have to find it. The must join forces with another strange young boy named Will Stanton. They must fight the forces of the Dark, get another item of power from the mysterious Greenwitch, and recover the lost grail. Another exciting installment in this fascinating series.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Dragon & Thief

Dragon & Thief is by Timothy Zahn. The first book in the Dragonback series. A charming science fiction story set in space. A young thief wanders through a wrecked space ship and finds himself the host of a K'da warrior. The K'da are a race of dragon warriors who need a host to survive for more than six hours. Jack finds himself drawn into a battle to clear himself of a crime he didn't commit and save the K'da race from a mysterious conspiracy to destroy them. A story boys will thoroughly enjoy.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Friday, May 31, 2013

The Sorcerer King

The Sorcerer King is by Frewin Jones. The third installment in The Faerie Path series. Tania has returned her mother, the Queen Titania, to Faerie, but the Sorcerer King of Lyonesse has captured her father, King Oberon, and imprisoned him on the island of Ynis Maw. Tania and her sisters must rescue their father and raise an army to defeat the evil Sorcerer King, but at what cost? Fans of this series will not be disappointed in this book and will look forward to the next one.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

All Shook Up: The Life and Death of Elvis Presley

All Shook Up: The Life and Death of Elvis Presley is by Barry Denenberg. A look at the life of a rock-n-roll legend that is geared for younger readers. It gives an overview of the life of the "King", but doesn't go into detail that would be inappropriate for younger readers. A way to hook young music fans into reading nonfiction. There is one instance of profanity in a direct quote, but otherwise a clean book.

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Atrtacks of 1916

Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 is by Michael Capuzzo. The true story of the East Coast shark attacks that were the true basis for the story we have come to know and love as Jaws. In 1916, Americans were just beginning to discover the ocean. They were not prepared for the Great White shark that terrorized the beaches of the East Coast and the swimmers who frequented them. This story is written in way that keeps the readers interest without becoming boringly factual or edging into sensationalism. You really get a feel for the time period and the people whose lives were affected by these attacks.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence).

Catopolis

Catopolis is edited by Martin Greenberg. A collection of short stories all cat lovers will purr over. These stories center around cats and their secret world and mythology. A great collection of stories by a great selection of authors.

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Low Red Moon

Low Red Moon is by Ivy Devlin. Avery's parents have been brutally murdered in their cabin in the forest. Now she has had to move into town with her grandmother and try to put her life back together. She still can't remember what happened the night her parents were killed. All she remembers is their red blood and the flash of silver. Then she meets a new boy in town named Ben, who lives with his mysterious uncle in the forest. When Avery discovers that the boy she is attracted to has a secret, he's a werewolf, she begins to fear he might have killed her parents. Will she every remember what happened that night, does she really want to remember? A murder mystery with a paranormal twist. Girls will love it.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence).

Vampire High

Vampire High is by Douglas Rees. The first book in the Vampire High series. Cody's family has moved from California to Massachusetts for his father's job. Cody hates it and gets himself kicked out of school, and winds up at Vlad Dracul, the local private school. Only his new school is a little strange, his classmates are vampires. Cody, and the few other human students, are only there to play on the water polo team to keep the state certification for the school. He isn't really wanted, but then he begins to make friends, one of whom turns out to be a vampire princess. Will he ever fit in at Vlad Dracul and does he really want to? A very cool story, fans of the Vladimir Todd series will enjoy.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Jinx on the Divide

Jinx on the Divide is by Elizabeth Kay. The final book in The Divide trilogy. Felix is back in his own dimension and waiting for his friend Betony to come for a visit so he can show her his world. Then Rhino, the class bully, finds Felix's lamp and the brandee within and makes his way across the Divide into the magical dimension where he begins to cause complete havoc. Felix and Betony must find him, stop him, and get him back home, but as usual things don't turn out as planned. An interesting finale to this series, the ending is not what you would expect.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Lock Artist

The Lock Artist is by Steve Hamilton. Michael can't speak due to a horrendous family tragedy that occurred when he was eight. He does discover he has a special talent though, he can open any lock. Through a high school prank his talent comes to the attention of the wrong people and Michael, now eighteen, finds himself trapped in a life he never wanted. Micheal tells his story in a series of flashbacks that are easy to follow and are totally engrossing. I didn't expect to enjoy this book, but it turned out to be one of the best books I've read this year.

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

The Crossroads: A Haunted Mystery

The Crossroads: A Haunted Mystery is by Chris Grabenstein. Zack, his father, and his new step mother move back to his father's hometown after his mother dies of cancer and his father re-marries. Zack likes his new home, his new step mother, his new dog, and his new friend - there's just one little problem. There's a ghost, an evil ghost who wants him dead. A great ghost story boys and girls will enjoy.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Ghost of Graylock

The Ghost of Graylock is by Dan Poblocki. Two teenagers go to live with their aunts in a small town. A small town that used to have a hospital for troubled teens that was closed when several of the patients died. Graylock Hall is considered to be haunted and when Neil's new friend decides to take Neil and his sister to visit the local landmark, they discover that it really is haunted. Now they must solve the mystery of Rebecca's death or she will never stop haunting them. Another creepy tale from this magnificent writer. Boys and girls will love this book.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Awakening

The Awakening is by Michael Carroll. The first book in the Quantum Prophecy series. There used to be superheroes in the world. Then they suddenly vanished. That was 10 years ago, now thirteen-year-old Danny and his friend Colin discover they have superhuman powers. They find themselves caught up in a series of events that reveal the truth behind the disappearance of the superheros and villains all those years ago. The boys must take their place in the new generation of heroes and solve the mystery of the old generation. Boys, especially, will love this series.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

The House of Power

The House of Power is by Patrick Carman. The first book in the Atherton series. Edgar is a young boy who loves to climb. One day he finds a hidden book in a cave. Once he finds someone who can read it to him, he discovers it contains terrible secrets about the world he lives in. As the Highlands began to sink, and the world as he knows it begins to collapse Edgar may hold the secret to saving his world.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929

Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929 is by Karen Blumenthal. A nonfiction treat for those who want to understand more about the Crash of 1929 and about the stock market in general. Young readers will be fascinated with this well written book, its beautiful pictures, and its understandable explanations of words and concepts with which they may be unfamiliar.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Great Bear Lake

Great Bear Lake is by Erin Hunter. The second book in the Seekers series. All four bear cubs arrive at Great Bear Lake on the longest day of the year. After each faces a test or trial they decide to continue their journey north together. Fans of Hunter and her writing will enjoy this installment in the series.

Ratings: 6th grade.

Dandelion Wine

Dandelion Wine is by Ray Bradbury. The summer of 1928 in Green Town, Illinois as seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Douglas Spaulding. Bradbury allows us to experience a magic summer through the eyes of youth. We meet many residents of the town and see their interactions with each other, not only through their eyes, but through the eyes of a child. For older adults, this story will evoke memories of summers from their own youth. For younger readers, this book is a magic trip through time to the world of their parents and grandparents. A beautifully written story for all ages and times. A true classic!

Ratings: 8th grade - AC (some mature thematic content).

The Dark is Rising

The Dark is Rising is by Susan Cooper. The second book in the Dark is Rising sequence. On his eleventh birthday, Will discovers he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to defeating the evil of the Dark. He must find and assemble the six signs that will give the Old Ones the power they need to keep the Dark from rising. Will must learn to control and use his new-found powers, and race against time to save his family and the world from the Dark and its evil minions. This series is magical and enthralling. You will want to grab the next book in the series immediately.

Ratings: 6th grade - V (some violence).