Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Dragon's Breath

Dragon's Breath is by E.D. Baker. The second installment of the Tales of the Frog Princess series. Emma and Eadric must help Aunt Grassina collect the ingredients needed to turn Haywood back into human form. Emma's grandmother had turned him into an otter. Aunt Grassina is so lovesick she can't focus on her magic, and her magic is needed right now. The kingdom is about to be attacked by a neighboring king and his magician. A continuation of a cute series for young readers.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Children of Odin

The Children of Odin is by Padraic Colum. A great introduction to Norse mythology. This book contains stories regarding all aspects of Norse gods, goddesses, and heroes. If you know nothing about Norse mythology, this is the place to start.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts: People in the News is by Terri Dougherty. A great starter biography for young readers. This books looks at Roberts' life and career.

Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch is by Donna Tarrt. Theo Decker is a thirteen-year-old boy who survives a terrorist attack at a museum that kills his mother and many others. Wounded and in shock, he speaks with a dying victim who gives him a ring and a cryptic message; then escapes the destruction of the museum with a priceless painting tucked in a sack. The Pulitzer Prize winning novel, follows Theo's life as he grows up and how the museum tragedy and his removal of the painting change his life forever. A masterful novel.

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

Max

Max is by James Patterson. This is the fifth book in the Maximum Ride series. Max and the flock have recovered from their trip to Antarctica and are working with a coalition to end global warming. Now, Max's mother has been kidnapped by a new enemy, Mr. Chu, and the flock must rescue her. They are also enlisted by the government to find out who is destroying ships in the Pacific. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity).

Slaughterhouse-5

Slaughterhouse-5 is by Kurt Vonnegut. The classic must-read by the master of dark humor and satire. This story follows Billy Pilgrim through his life to his capture by the Germans in WWII, and his survival of the fire bombing of Dresden. Billy has become unstuck in time after his abduction by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore, so the book's plot line is also "unstuck in time". Similar to Catch-22 in it's use of dark humor to take an anti-war position. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read.

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

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking is by Malcolm Gladwell. This book looks at "blink-of-an-eye" judgments and decisions we make every day. Why are some of our instincts correct and others faulty? Can we do anything to improve our ability to make snap decisions? Gladwell looks at everything from fake art to "New Coke", from the election of Warren Harding to the police shooting of Amadou Diallo. Another must-read book by this author. You always learn a lot about others and about yourself from his books.

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

Gateway to the Gods

Gateway to the Gods is by Katherine Applegate. The seventh book in the Everworld series. This installment is written from April's point of view. The foursome find themselves joining forces with the Greek gods to fight Ka-Anor. Fans of this series will find this book similar to the first six books.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity).

Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Final Warning

The Final Warning is by James Patterson. The fourth book in the Maximum Ride series. Max and the flock are sent to Antarctica to help researchers there stop global warming. Even at the South Pole they are not safe from their enemies. They find themselves kidnapped and held to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Similar to other books in the series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.

Circus of the Damned

Circus of the Damned is by Laurell K. Hamilton. The third book in the Anita Blake series. Anita finds herself caught in the middle of a turf war for control of city among three master vampires. She must involve, fellow vampire hunter, Edward; and her new apprentice Larry. Fans of the series will find this installment thrilling, especially the battle with the giant snakes in an underground cave.

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

Monday, December 15, 2014

Dance of Death

Dance of Death is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The sixth book in the Agent Pendergast series. D'Agosta believes that Agent Pendergast is dead, but when Pendergast's evil brother starts killing all of Pendergast's friends, Pendergast seeks out D'Agosta to help stop his brother and save those he cares about. This fast paced book has a surprising ending that will leave readers waiting for the next book in the series.

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

Monday, December 8, 2014

Skin Game

Skin Game is by Jim Butcher. The 16th book in The Dresden Files series. Mab has Harry in a bind. She is going to loan him out to his most dreaded enemy, Nicodemus Archleone. The Denarian is leading a team of thieves into the Nevernever to steal the Holy Grail from the vault of Hades, Lord of the Underworld. Harry has no intention of helping him steal the Grail, but can he find a way to thwart Archleone's plans without breaking faith with Mab, which would mean his very painful death. Followers of the series will love this installment.

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

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Brimstone

Brimstone is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The fifth book in the Pendergast series. D'Agosta is back; he has left Canada and returned to New York. His job with the NYPD is gone, so he takes a demotion and is working as a Sergeant in the South Hampton, Long Island police force. He thinks his career is going nowhere, and then a rich art critic is found dead in his Long Island mansion. He has been burned to death, from the inside out. The smell of brimstone is everywhere and there is a cloven hoof burned into the wood floor. Did the devil come for his own? Then FBI Special Agent Pendergast appears and sucks D'Agosta back into his world of weird crime investigations. This tale takes the pair from New York to Italy in search of a murderer, but is the murderer human or otherworldly? Fans of this series will relish this installment.

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

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: Poems and Not Quite Poems

Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: Poems and Not Quite Poems is by Nikki Giovanni. Fans of this famous African-American poet, and those new to her work, will enjoy this book. Giovanni gives us a very personal take on being black in America. Her work has a definite bias, but is well worth the read.

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.

A Gathering of Flowers: Stories About Being Young in America

A Gathering of Flowers: Stories About Being Young in America is edited by Joyce Carol Thomas. A fine collection of short stories by authors such as Gary Soto, Lois Lowry, and Rick Wernli. These stories explore growing up in America from a variety of ethnic aspects, as well as a take on growing up in America science fiction style. A charming book of stories for young people that includes fables, fantasies, and well crafted looks at what it means to be young.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

Power Play

Power Play is by Ridley Pearson. The fourth book in The Kingdom Keepers series. The Keepers are crossing over, but not by their own choice. The Evil Queen and Cruella DeVil have found a way to become DHI's themselves and are trying to trap the Keepers in the syndrome, but do they have an even bigger plan? For those of us who have been asking "where are their parents while all of this is happening?"; this installment gives us some insight into the Keepers' family dynamics. Fans of the series will definitely find it hard to wait for the next book, as the Keepers find new allies.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Tomb of the Golden Bird

Tomb of the Golden Bird is by Elizabeth Peters. The eighteenth book in the Amelia Peabody series. This installment is set in 1922. Emerson thinks he knows where the tomb of Tutankhamen might be located. However, his plan to get Howard Carter to let him dig in the Valley of the Kings backfires and he is banned from the site. While Emerson watches his rival excavate the find of a lifetime, Amelia and Ramses try to unlock the secret of a coded document Sethos has stolen. Arriving on their doorstep sick and pursued by unknown enemies, Sethos involves the Emerson clan in another murderous affair. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

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

Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Shadow Dragons

The Shadow Dragons is by James A. Owen. The fourth book in The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. The three caretakers must travel forward in time to prevent the Winter King's shadow from taking over both the Archipelago and the Summer Country. In this installment of the series, you find out much more about the former caretakers, as well as those who wanted to be caretakers. Another highly imaginative entry in this fantastic series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation: The Pox Party

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation: The Pox Party is by M.T. Anderson. The first book in the Octavian Nothing series. Set during the build up to the American Revolution in Boston, Octavian is a young black slave being raised by a group of philosophers. As he grows older he discovers he is being studied and comes to learn what slavery really means.  While some aspects are based on historical fact, the novel takes liberties with American history and creates an eerie version of early America. A fascinating novel.

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

Monday, November 3, 2014

The Spirit of Josephine

The Spirit of Josephine is by Florence Ladd. Violet Fields is a black American expat. She became famous singing in Paris clubs and music halls. She was inspired by the magnificent Josephine Baker, whose spirit visits Violet at times. She was been alienated from her family in Kentucky for years. When her niece arrives from the U.S. wanting to follow in her aunt's show business footsteps, Violet is forced to renew family ties. This story, set in Paris, looks at racial issues in America and France, the expatriate experience, the importance of family, and the difficulties involved in keeping family together. 

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

Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Midnight Palace

The Midnight Palace is by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Boy does this guy know horror! He is the Stephen King for young adults. Set in India in the 1930s, this is the story of orphan twins who are pursed by a family curse. With the help of a group of friends Ben and Sheere must solve the mystery of their father's past and face the horrible creature that wants them dead.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Sunday Philosophy Club

The Sunday Philosophy Club is by Alexander McCall Smith. The first book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Fans of McCall Smith's The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series will enjoy this series as well. This story is set in Scotland, not Botswana. Isabel is the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and she lives in Edinburgh with her housekeeper Grace. Her niece Cat owns a local deli. While at a concert, she sees a young man fall to his death from the upper balcony. Isabel can't help wondering if it was an accident, suicide, or murder - so she sets out to solve the mystery herself. The type of charming mystery we've come to expect from this author.

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

The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project is by Graeme Simsion. Don Tillman is an Australian professor of genetics. He is also "wired differently" from other people. He decides to find a "partner" and sets about circulating questionnaires to achieve this end. Then his best friend Gene introduces him to Rosie. Don quickly disqualifies her as a partner, but finds her search for her biological father fascinating. This story is funny and sad in turns. What is it that we are really looking for in a mate? Having taught students with Asperger's and autism, Don's behavior is familiar and believable. Fans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will enjoy this book. A charming love story!

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

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Armageddon

Armageddon is by James Patterson. The fifth book in the Daniel X series. Daniel and his friends take on Number 2, who turns out to be the devil himself. This book is different from the others in the series. Daniel gets help from the FBI and finds a new love interest. The theme of good versus evil is there, but a much more moral take on the story.

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

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Weird Sisters

The Weird Sisters is by Eleanor Brown. This is the story of three very different sisters who return to their childhood home when their mother develops breast cancer. They live in a small college town where their father is a professor specializing in Shakespeare. The daughters, named after Shakespearean heroines, have a hard time communicating with each other and with their parents. This is a story of sibling rivalry, and finding yourself; it is also a story of what it really means to be an adult. A well written and moving story.

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

Sunday, October 26, 2014

SeinLanguage

Seinlanguage is by Jerry Seinfeld. A book of humorous essays by one of America's funniest comedians. Covering everything from childhood, to television, work, and being an adult. Fans of Seinfeld will enjoy this book.

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

Still Life With Crows

Still Life With Crows is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The fourth book in the Pendergast series. FBI Agent Pendergast heads to Medicine Creek, Kansas, on a "vacation". A serial killer is on the loose in the town and he (or it) is butchering town folk in particularly gruesome ways. It's up to Pendergast to discover the hiding place and identity of the killer before he kills Pendergast's new "assistant", the local town misfit. Fans of this series will NOT be disappointed!

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

If You Truly Love Me

If You Truly Love Me is by Magda Herzberger. A charming book of poetry presented by a wife to her husband on their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Illustrated by her daughter.

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

The Library of Graphic Novelists: Neil Gaiman

The Library of Graphic Novelists: Neil Gaiman is by Steven P. Olson. Gaiman, who is the author of adult and young adult novels, is also a well known graphic novelist. This part of his career is the focus of this well written and illustrated biography. A great way to introduce boys to non-fiction.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Serpent on the Crown

The Serpent on the Crown is by Elizabeth Peters. The seventeenth book in the Amelia Peabody series. A woman appears at the Emerson home and gives a priceless gold statue into Emerson's keeping. She says it is cursed and begs him to get rid of it. Emerson is more interested in discovering where it came from. Then the woman is found murdered and there are attempts on Ramses' life. Another exciting installment in this mystery series fans will love.

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

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread is by Kate DiCamillo. A charming children's tale of a mouse in love with a princess named Pea. He must save her from a rat bent on revenge and a serving girl who wants to be a princess.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

A Bug Collection

A Bug Collection is by Melody Mansfield. Not a book for children! This book is a collection of short stories and poems in which the characters are bugs: roaches, ants, maggots, caterpillars, bees, and every other imaginable insect. Some of the tales are original and others are based on famous works of fiction, famous television characters, and you might even recognize a politician or two. A fascinating book that is as original and charming as it was surprising.

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

A Passion for Books: A Book Lover's Treasury of Stories, Essays, Humor, Lore, and Lists on Collecting, Reading, Borrowing, Lending, Caring for, and Appreciating Books

A Passion for Books: A Book Lover's Treasury of Stories, Essays, Humor, Lore, and Lists on Collecting, Reading, Borrowing, Lending, Caring for, and Appreciating Books is by Harold Rabinowitz and Rob Kaplan. Exactly what the title says it is, a charming assortment of essays, stories, and lists about everything to do with books. The forward is by Ray Bradbury and the essays and stories are by an assortment of bibliophiles. If you don't understand book lovers read this book, it may help you; if you are a bibliomaniac - you are not alone.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.

Five Flavors of Dumb

Five Flavors of Dumb is by Antony John. Piper is a senior in high school who needs money for college. When she is challenged to become the manager for the school's popular rock band in return for a share of the profits, she can't refuse. There's only one problem, Piper is deaf. An amusing tale of teen angst, coming of age, and rock and roll. Girls and boys alike will enjoy Piper's struggles to make a band out of a group of disparate teenagers and overcome her own physical challenges.

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

Guardian of the Horizon

Guardian of the Horizon is by Elizabeth Peters. The sixteenth installment in the Amelia Peabody series. This novel is set in the time period before the start of WWI. The Emersons are summoned back to the Lost Oasis, supposedly to assist Tarek with a mysterious illness. Things are never what they seem with the Emersons however, and when they arrive they discover they have been lured back into the middle of a civil war. Fans of the series will enjoy this book and still be hungry for more of the Emerson clan.

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

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Graphic Classics Volume 11: O. Henry

Graphic Classics Volume 11: O. Henry is by O. Henry and Mort Castle. A selection of O. Henry's greatest stories in graphic novel form. They tales are wonderfully told and the variety of graphic design will appeal to readers of all ages. A fantastic way to get reluctant readers to experience this master storyteller.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

Extraordinary

Extraordinary is by Nancy Werlin. Phoebe finds herself drawn to the new girl at her school; a girl who needs a friend. Years later Mallory announces she has a brother who is coming to live with her. Phoebe is inexplicably drawn to Ryland and finds herself doing things she never thought she was capable of. But Mallory and Ryland are not what they seem, they are faeries. They have come to manipulate Phoebe into paying a debt which will cost her life, but will save the faerie race. Will Phoebe give her life for another race?

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content) - MP (profanity).

Amelia Peabody's Egypt: A Compendium Book

Amelia Peabody's Egypt: A Compendium Book is by Elizabeth Peters, Kristen Whitbread, and Dennis Forbes. A look at the history and culture presented in the Amelia Peabody Mysteries. Fictional information and characters from the novels are thrown in, but there is also a look at the Victorian Era and Ancient Egypt.  A must-have for fans of the series.

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.

Monday, October 6, 2014

The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems

The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems is by Billy Collins. The former Poet Laureate is at his best in this charming and accessible book of poems. A great poetry book for those who don't love poetry, or at least don't think they do, as well as for those who do love it.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.

A History of Fashion and Costume: Elizabethan England

A History of Fashion and Costume: Elizabethan England is by Kathy Elgin. A charming and well illustrated look at the history and fashion of Elizabethan England. A great way to get young readers to examine history.

Ratings: 5th grade - 7 out of 10.

Myths of Russia and the Slavs

Myths of Russia and the Slavs is by Anita Dalal. An interesting selection of Russian and Slavic myths and legends combined with just enough history to make them understandable. A great introduction for young readers.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Redwall

Redwall is by Brian Jacques. The first installment of the Redwall series. Matthias is a young mouse whose hero is Martin the Warrior. He lives at Redwall Abbey with a collection of other forest animals. When an evil rat army tries to overrun Redwall, Matthias must find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior and defend his home and friends and find the courage he never knew he possessed.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

James Brown: Profiles in Music

James Brown: Profiles in Music is by Nancy Loewen. A biography of the Godfather of Soul designed for young readers. The insets and pictures are well done and inviting.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Colin Powell: "Have a Vision. Be Demanding."

Colin Powell: "Have a Vision. Be Demanding." is by Sandra H. Shichtman. A biography of one of America's most famous African Americans. A great way to get younger readers to investigate nonfiction.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Feed

Feed is by M.T. Anderson. This book is a classic and biting satire set in the world of the future. Wealthy people are wired directly to "the feed" which funnels information, music, television programs, and advertising directly into their brains. They are able to communicate with others through the feed as well. Titus and his teenage friends head to the moon for a vacation when a chance encounter with a hacker in a club causes their feeds to malfunction. There he gets to know Violet, a girl who has decided to fight the feed, and their relationship walks us through the shallowness and destructiveness of the world in which they live. A startling book that every teen should read. Reminds one of A Clockwork Orange in some respects.

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

The Full Cupboard of Life

The Full of Cupboard of Life is by Alexander McCall Smith. The fifth installment in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Mma Ramotswe is hired by a rich woman to investigate her potential candidates for marriage to see if they love her or her money. Mma Potokwane, the matron of the orphan farm, has decided on a new fundraising scheme - a charity parachute jump, and she has decided on the perfect victim, err volunteer, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. Mma Ramotswe must find a way to get her finance out of the charity event and still manage to leave his self esteem intact. Another joyful entry in this charming series.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Cabinet of Curiosities

The Cabinet of Curiosities is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The third book in the Pendergast series. A serial killer's dumping ground is discovered during a renovation project in New York City. When F.B.I. agent Pendergast begins to investigate the 100-year-old killings, they mysteriously begin again. Is this a copy cat, or is the ancient killer still alive? Fans of this series are in for a real treat and some more information about Pendergast's past.

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

Monday, September 15, 2014

Game Over

Game Over is by James Patterson. The fourth book in the Daniel X series. Daniel is in Tokyo to take on Numbers 7 & 8, aliens who are trying to destroy the world using video games. They are also hunting to extinction various alien species, of whom Daniel is one. Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Wolf Gift

The Wolf Gift is by Anne Rice. The fist book in The Wolf Gift Chronicles. When Ruben Golding, a California journalist, is attacked by a creature, during a home break in at a secluded mansion, his life is changed forever. He finds himself transforming into the "Man Wolf", a creature who seeks to hunt and destroy evil. This event changes his life forever. Is what has happened to Ruben a gift or a curse? Fans of Anne Rice will enjoy this series.

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

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Sea of Thunder: Four Commanders and the Last Great Naval Campaign 1941-1945

Sea of Thunder: Four Commanders and the Last Great Naval Campaign 1941-1945 is by Evan Thomas. A magnificent and detailed look at the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the four commanders (two Japanese and two American) who fought there. WWII buffs and those fascinated by Naval battles will enjoy the detailed look at the battle and the commanders involved. This book can seem dry to those who are not interested in military history, but it is full of information and insight. It follows the commanders  (Halsey, Evans, Kurita and Ugaki)from the beginning of the war through to the end.

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

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Razor's Edge

The Razor's Edge is by W. Somerset Maugham. The classic tale of a man's quest for spiritual enlightenment and its effect on those around him. This is also a tale of elitism and snobbery in America and Europe in the 1920s. Maugham wanders in and out of the story as the narrator. This book has been referred to as the British elitist version of The Great Gatsby. A classic well worth the time it takes to read.

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

Friday, August 29, 2014

Orphan Train

Orphan Train is by Christina Baker Kline. A wonderful novel about a little known chapter of American history. Between 1854 and 1929 more than 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were transported from New York to the Midwest to match them up with new families. This novel, which alternates between the past and the present, looks at Molly a troubled teen in a foster home who has been assigned community service for stealing a book from the local library. She will meet her hours helping, Vivian - a widow near ninety, clean out her attic. As they began to work together Molly learns more of Vivian's story. Vivian was a "train-rider" and her story is similar in many ways to Molly's. These two women help each other in ways neither knew they needed help. A masterful told story.

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

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Dark Flame

Dark Flame is by Alyson Noel. The fourth book in the Immortals series. As Ever tries to help Haven adjust to immortality, she must also deal with the spell she cast which has backfired and bound her ever closer to Roman. How can she resist Roman's pull, keep Damen from finding out what she's done, avoid Jude, and get the antidote Damen needs from Roman? Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

Feeding Frenzy

Feeding Frenzy is by Michael Spradlin. The second book in the Killer Species series. Dr. Catalyst is about to be heard from again. He is releasing a new killer species of fish into the ocean supposedly to destroy lionfish, but they are also attacking people. Emmet and Calvin must again step forward to find Dr. Catalyst and stop him. Boys will enjoy this book as much or more as they did the first one.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The Great Taos Bank Robbery and Other Stories of the Southwest


The Great Taos Bank Robbery and Other Stories of the Southwest is by Tony Hillerman. A classic collection of nonfiction essays about life in New Mexico. It is a must read for anyone interested in the history and humor of life in the American Southwest. The story of The Great Taos Bank Robbery alone is worth the price of the book.

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

The Necromancer

The Necromancer is by Michael Scott. The fourth installment in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Josh and Sophie have returned to San Francisco, but their trip home doesn't last long. Nicholas and Perenelle arrive to take Josh to Prometheus to be trained in fire magic. Joan and Scatty are still trapped in another world and Saint-Germain is determined to save his wife. Dee and Virginia Dare are plotting to take over the world, while Machiavelli and Billy the Kid attempt to release the monsters held on Alcatraz into San Francisco. Another action packed installment in a magical series.

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

Sunday, August 10, 2014

West Indian Folk Tales

West Indian Folk Tales retold by Philip Sherlock. A charming selection of Caribbean folk tales that include fables of the birds and animals of the West Indies: including Anansi, the spider. Twenty-one selections from the Arawak and the Carib people, and from the Ashanti people of West Africa. A great introduction to folk tales and legends.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Children of the Storm


Children of the Storm is by Elizabeth Peters. The fifteenth book in the amazing Amelia Peabody series. The Great War is ended and Egypt is getting back to normal. Nefret and Ramses are back excavating with their parents, along with their twin children. Walter, Evelyn, David, Lia and their children are also joining the party. Several pieces of ancient jewelry are stolen from Cyrus and then the thief is found murdered. Ramses is kidnapped and drugged by a woman dressed as Hathor, and a series of "accidents" begin to occur that set the Emerson clan hot on the trail of another mysterious killer. Fans of the series will love this book as well.

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

Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park is by Rainbow Rowell. Park is the son of a Korean mother and an American father who feels like an outsider in the town that is his home. One day a new girl gets on the school bus, a new girl who everyone makes fun of. Eleanor has red hair, is overweight, and dresses in a very different manner from the other girls. Park allows her to sit on the seat next to him and a relationship begins to develop that changes both their lives. A stunning, emotionally-charged book that is about teens, but not necessarily for teens. A fantastic book!

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

The Kill Order

The Kill Order is by James Dashner. A prequel to the Maze Runner series. Mark and his friend Trina were in the subway when the sun flares hit the earth. As they struggle to survive the aftermath of the disaster they pick up other friends along the way, like Alec and Lana who are former soldiers. Things seem to be on the mend when they make their way to a settlement in the mountains. Then a flying ship arrives firing darts at the villagers. Those hit die almost immediately, others develop a sickness spread by a virus that drives them mad. Mark and his friends try to discover the source of the virus while trying to escape those maddened by the disease.

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

What a Song Can Do: 12 Riffs on the Power of Music

What a Song Can Do: 12 Riffs on the Power of Music is edited by Jennifer Armstrong. Twelve short stories all relating to the power of music in the lives of teenagers. These charming stories are written by such amazing authors as Ron Koertge, David Levithan, James Bruchac, and of course, the editor herself. A magnificent collection of stories.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

All the Small Poems and Fourteen More

All the Small Poems and Fourteen More is by Valerie Worth. A charming book of short poems for children and young adults. The illustrations are beautiful. A great introduction to poetry.

Ratings: 5th grade - 9 out of 10.

Entice

Entice is by Carrie Jones. The third book in the Need series. Zara has allowed Astley to change her and she is now a pixie. She and Astley, her pixie king, must find a way to Valhalla so she can rescue her boyfriend Nick. They must also find a way to keep everyone in Bedford safe from the evil pixies led by Frank. Will Zara be able to live with the price she will have to pay to have Nick back? Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

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

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Figs and Fate: Stories About Growing Up in the Arab World

Figs and Fate: Stories About Growing Up in the Arab World is by Elsa Marston. Five charming and moving short stories of teenagers growing up in the Middle East. Each story shows the challenges of growing up and growing up in the Arab world. The settings range from Baghdad, to Syria, to Egypt, to Lebanon, to a refugee camp in Palestine. A excellent look at a world few in America get a close look at; teens will realize that even in other countries they all face some of the same issues growing up.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Weedflower

Weedflower is by Cynthia Kadohata. Sumiko and her brother live with their uncle and his family after the death of their parents. The family grows flowers to sell in the California flower markets. She is twelve in December of 1941 when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The story follows their family as they are interned in a camp in Poston, Arizona. The camp is on land taken from the Mohave reservation and the Native Americans aren't happy with the new arrivals. As Sumiko befriends a young Mohave boy, she discovers the plight of the Japanese is similar to that of the Native Americans.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

A Treasury of Best-Loved Children's Poetry

A Treasury of Best-Loved Children's Poetry is edited by Mike Freeman. A great selection of children's poetry.

Ratings: 5th grade - 9 out of 10.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Reckless

Reckless is by Cornelia Funke. The first book in the Mirrorworld series. Jacob Reckless lives with his brother and mother in the house from which his father disappeared years ago. In his father's study Jacob finds a mirror that leads to another world. Convinced this is what happened to his father, he begins to travel frequently to the other world to search for him. When his younger brother discovers Jacob's secret and follows him through the mirror, he is injured by the Goyl, a race of people made of stone. Jacob finds himself in a race against time and ruthless enemies to save his brother's life. A fast-paced action fantasy boys and girls will love.

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

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is by Heidi W. Durrow. Set in the 1980s, Rachel is the daughter of an African-American GI father and a Danish mother. She is the sole survivor of a rooftop fall that kills her mother and her siblings. She goes to live with her paternal grandmother and discovers that because of her light skin, blue eyes, and accent she is not black enough for the black community and too black for the white community to accept. Rachel must learn to deal with the tragedy of her past and her present identity. A painful, yet interesting, story of a girl whose tragic past affects her future and that of those around her. This book deals in a clear, yet tasteful way, with issues of drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide, and racism. It also uses a racial term that may disconcert some, but which is necessary to further the story.

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

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Profiles in Fashion: Jimmy Choo

Profiles in Fashion: Jimmy Choo is by Kerrily Sapet. A wonderful biography series for young readers. This volume focuses on the life and career of the famous shoe designer. Girls will especially enjoy the Profiles in Fashion series.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Golden One

The Golden One is by Elizabeth Peters. It's 1917 and as WWI continues, the Emersons decide to move to Egypt and stay for the duration since travel between Egypt and England is made dangerous by German submarines. Once they arrive events conspire to lure Ramses back into the espionage business. He and the family must travel to the besieged city of Gaza to rescue Sethos, who may or may not be a double agent. Fans of the series will love this installment as well. The ending is especially touching and sets up the next crises nicely.

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

Kira-Kira

Kira-Kira is by Cynthia Kadohata. Set in Georgia in the 1950s, this is the story of a Japanese family trying to better themselves. While both parents work in chicken processing plants, Katie and her younger brother Sam are cared for by their older sister Lynn. When Lynn becomes severely ill the family begins to disintegrate. Katie must find a way to remind her family that there are always bright spots in life as long as they have each other. A touching coming-of-age story.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity)

15 Seconds

15 Seconds is by Andrew Gross. Dr. Henry Steadman is a successful plastic surgeon. On his way to speak at a Doctors Without Borders conference he is pulled over by a cop who is then killed in a drive by shooting. Events quickly take a turn for the worse and Henry finds himself the subject of a manhunt for a crime he didn't commit. He not only must figure out who is framing him, but avoid the police while doing so. A fast paced crime novel.

Ratings: Adult - 4 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Monday, July 21, 2014

Lord of the Silent

Lord of the Silent is by Elizabeth Peters. The thirteenth installment in the Amelia Peabody series. It is 1915, and WWI is in full swing. The Emerson's return to Egypt and are determined to focus on archeology and keep Ramses out of the spy business. Of course, as fans of this series can probably predict, Amelia and Emerson find another dead body in their assigned excavation. Ramses and Nefret are married and travel to another location to check on tomb robbers, and keep Ramses away from those who want him to return to his work for the government. Then there is the question of whether the Master Criminal has returned from the dead. Fans of this series will enjoy this book as well.

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

Syren

Syren is by Angie Sage. The fifth book in the Septimus Heap series. Septimus, Jenna, and Beetle end up stranded on a beautiful island and discover themselves in the middle of a struggle to prevent the invasion of the castle by an army of warrior jinn. To save the castle and his family he must face a Syren, a traitorous ghost, and evil pirates. Another great installment in this charming series.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Go Saddle the Sea

Go Saddle the Sea is by Joan Aiken. The first book in a new trilogy. Felix is the orphan son of a Spanish aristocrat and an English soldier. When he discovers a clue to the location of his father's family in England he decides to secretly leave his grandfather's home in Spain and travel to England to locate his father's family. Boys will enjoy this story.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Me Before You

Me Before You is by Jojo Moyes. Louisa Clark is an ordinary middle class girl living in an English tourist town. She lives at home with her parents. Her father is on the verge of losing his carpentry job, her mother stays at home to take care of her aging grandfather. Louisa works at a bakery to supplement the household income. When the bakery she works at closes, she is forced to find another job despite her limited job experience and qualifications. As a last resort she takes a job as caretaker for Will Traynor, a rich business tycoon forced to live life as a quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident. Despite his moods and bossiness she comes to care for him and determines to show him that his life is worth living. A tragically beautiful and haunting love story.

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

The Best American Essays of 2008

The Best American Essays of 2008 is edited by Adam Gopnik. A selection of great writing representing magazines such as Harper's, The New Yorker, Swink, Pinch and others; by authors including David Sedaris, John Updike, Lauren Slater, Anthony Lane, Charles Simic, and many more. Simic looks at the history of his native Serbia, Sedaris's hilarious look at growing up in a home where history was not as respected as he would have liked is a gem, and Slater recounts a summer spent at camp. This is just a sampling of the great essay writing found in this book. This series is a great way to introduce readers of all ages to the art of essay writing, and what a good essay really is.

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

Siddhartha

Siddhartha is by Hermann Hesse. The classic tale of a young man who leaves his father's home to seek enlightenment. He joins a severe religious sect, leaves them to father a child and become a businessman, and then sickened by his greed and lust becomes a ferryman. This is a complex story of a young man's search for peace, contentment, and wisdom.

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

Monday, July 14, 2014

Gwendolyn Brooks: Poetry is Life Distilled

Gwendolyn Brooks: Poetry is Life Distilled is by Christine M. Hill. A wonderful look at the life of one of America's best African-American poets written for younger readers. A great introduction to nonfiction for younger readers.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

Kate Remembered

Kate Remembered is by A. Scott Berg. For those of us who loved Katharine Hepburn, this is a wonderful look at her life. Berg obviously loved and respected Hepburn and it shows in every word of this delightful book. Fans will love this book and hopefully it will introduce those who don't remember Kate to go out and watch some of her movies. A thoroughly moving and enjoyable read.

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

Deeper Reading

Deeper Reading is by Kelly Gallagher. Another helpful and well researched aid for ELA teachers.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

He Shall Thunder in the Sky

He Shall Thunder in the Sky is by Elizabeth Peters. Book number twelve in the Amelia Peabody series. The Emerson's attempt to carry on as usual, but it's difficult. WWI is in full swing and there is fear that the Turks will attack the Suez Canal. The British government is rounding up all Egyptians involved in the independence movement, including David. Ramses is being ostracized for his apparent pacifism, but with Ramses nothing is ever what it seems. Nefret seems to be growing close to the disgusting Percy, and Amelia and Emerson must again face off against the Master Criminal. A wonderful addition to this fun series. A must read for all Amelia fans.

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

The Lotus Eaters

The Lotus Eaters is by Tatjana Soli. Helen is one of the few female war photographers in Vietnam. She initially goes to find out the truth about what happened to her brother, who was killed in the war, but then her work becomes something more. Soli's writing is powerful and rich. She does a great job of telling the story of Helen and the two men she loves and her struggle to discover herself in the midst of the Vietnam War.

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

The Complete History of Jack the Ripper

The Complete History of Jack the Ripper is by Philip Sugden. The most comprehensive look into the Ripper killings and the search for his identity. This book is extremely well researched and fascinating to read, but don't look for a definitive answer to the ultimate question. A great nonfiction read for fans of Ripperology and those just wanting a detailed introduction to once of history's most famous killers.

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

Duckling Ugly

Duckling Ugly is by Neal Shusterman. The third installment in the Dark Fusion series. Cara is ugly, no I mean can't-can't-look-in-a-mirror-without-it-cracking ugly. She has been tortured by everyone at her school and others in the town of Flock's Rest. Then she receives a note telling her to seek her destiny elsewhere. After a particularly brutal prom date, Cara sets out to find her destiny. Shusterman takes several legends and fairy tales and combines them to create a truly creepy story. Another great installment in this series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity) - V (violence)

I Am Number 4

I Am Number 4 is by Pittacus Lore. The first book in The Lorien Legacies. The planet of Lorien is destroyed for its resources by the evil Mogadorians. They manage to send nine infants and their caretakers to Earth. Once here they must separate and hide until their legacies (powers) appear and they can return and fight the Mogadorians, who can only kill them in numerical order as long as they are separated. The first three are dead. John Smith, a 15-year-old in Paradise, Ohio, is Number 4 and he has just moved to town. He and his "father", Henri, have been hiding for years waiting for his powers to develop; now this is finally beginning. Being the new kid in town isn't easy for humans, but John finds it more difficult. He meets a human girl and begins a relationship with her and even finds a friend - and then the Mogadorians find him. Can his powers develop quickly enough to save him? Can he save his new friend and girlfriend, and maybe Earth? An action-packed science fiction read boys and girls will enjoy.

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

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Sarajevo Blues

Sarajevo Blues is by Semezdin Mehmedinovic. One of Bosnia prominent poets and writers, Mehmedinovic stayed in Sarajevo during the war and this book of short stories and poems takes you to the war torn city and lets you experience for yourself the horror of a war Americans still know little about. A magnificent work, this book is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

The Dead Tossed Waves

The Dead Tossed Waves is by Carrie Ryan. The second book in The Survivors series. Gabry and her mother live in the lighthouse outside Vista. They guard the town from the Mudo washed up on the beach during high tides and storms. When Gabry and some of her friends sneak outside the fence on a dare one night they are attacked by Mudos and everything changes forever. Now, Gabry must venture into the Forest of Hands and Teeth to save herself and her friends, and discover the secret of her past - and possibly  decide her future. Girls will enjoy this story of teenage love, but boys will enjoy the zombies.

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

Monday, June 30, 2014

An American Plague: The True & Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

An American Plague: The True & Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 is by Jim Murphy. A great look, that young readers will enjoy, at the history of Philadelphia and the epidemic that swept the city in 1793. A great introduction to nonfiction for young readers.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Night Fairy

The Night Fairy is by Laura Amy Schlitz. A charming children's story about a fairy whose wings are damaged and must find a place to live until they grow back. As Flory transforms from a "night" fairy to a "day" fairy, she must make new friends and learn to live during the day.

Ratings: 5th grade - 9 out of 10.

Speedboat

Speedboat is by Renata Adler. A classic that burst on the scene in the 1970s and was unlike anything readers had experienced before. The story is told in fragments by Jen Fain, a dry witty journalist. While certainly not a "traditional" novel, this books gives readers a look at modern culture in all it's 1970s glory.

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

Our Andromeda

Our Andromeda is by Brenda Shaughnessy. A wonderful book of modern poetry that women especially will find easy to relate to and enjoyable.

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

Hum

Hum is by Jamaal May. A wonderful debut poetry collection that is truly enjoyable to read. Boys, especially will find this book delightful. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures is by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The first book in the Beautiful Creatures series. The small southern town of Gatlin is about to erupt. Lena Duchannes has come to town and is living with her uncle in an old mansion the townsfolk avoid like the plague. She is struggling with powers she can't control and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. Then she meets Ethan Wate, who was counting the minutes until he could leave Gatlin forever until he meets Lena, and it seems the two of them are linked through a past event that will determine both their futures.

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

The Ring of Solomon

The Ring of Solomon is by Jonathan Stroud. A Bartimaeus novel, although not part of the original Bartimaeus trilogy. Bartimaeus, the beloved evil djinni, is a slave to an evil wizard in King Solomon's court. Then, as the result of an exciting series of events, he finds himself bound to a young female protector of the Queen of Sheba, who orders him to help her to assassinate King Solomon and steal his magic ring before he invades Sheba - but as with all things Bartimaeus, things are not at all what they seem. Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Only the Good Spy Young

Only the Good Spy Young is by Ally Carter. The fourth book in the Gallagher Girls series. While in London on break, Cammie discovers one of her most trusted teachers may be a double agent working for the Circle. As Cammie  tries to complete her junior year, she must also track down members of the Circle before they can get to her, and try to find the truth about why they want her in the first place. Fans of this series will enjoy the action and adventure of this installment and wait anxiously for the next one.

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

Monday, June 23, 2014

The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage is by Stephen Crane. The classic tale of the Civil War. Henry Fleming is a private in the Union Army. He goes against his mother's wishes and enlists because he wants to experience "the glory of war". In his first battle, he turns and flees. Henry is ashamed of his behavior and upon his return to his regiment is determined to make good as a soldier. This novel presents a very realistic, although not very graphic, depiction of Civil War battle experiences. A must read for young boys.

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

The Falcon at the Portal

The Falcon at the Portal is by Elizabeth Peters. The eleventh book in the Amelia Peabody series. This installment is set in 1911 and David and Lia are married and on their honeymoon. As the rest of the Emerson clan packs to head for Egypt, they discover that forgeries are beginning to turn up in Europe and they are supposedly being sold by David. The family must rally to protect David's good name. As they search for the forger, mysterious accidents begin to occur at their new dig, someone is shooting at Amelia, and an American girl who has been chasing Ramses turns up dead at their site. Not only is this book action packed, but things begin to really move in the relationship between Ramses and Nefret that we have all seen coming.

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

The Last Dragonslayer

The Last Dragonslayer is by Jasper Fforde. The first book in the Chronicles of Kazam series. Jennifer is a teenage orphan who works at an employment agency for magicians. She was the assistant until the owner disappeared and now Jennifer runs the agency. Things are not going well at Kazam, not only is the owner gone, but magic is fading from the land. When magicians start having visions of the death of the Last Dragon at the hands of the Dragonslayer, which will supposedly be the end of all magic, Jennifer must do something. The only problem is she is "the Last Dragonslayer". Boys and girls will love this series, and those who have read Fforde's adult books will also be entertained.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Dante Club

The Dante Club is by Matthew Pearl. It's 1865 in Boston. Longfellow, Lowell and Holmes (three of New England's most famous poets) and J.T. Fields (their publisher) are endeavoring to translate Dante's Divine Comedy into English. Not only do they face opposition from the Harvard establishment, someone is now murdering prominent citizens in ways that mirror Dante's Inferno. To save their beloved Dante and to stop the killings the poets must leave their sheltered literary world and hunt down a vicious killer. A charming blend of historical fiction and crime novels. Fans of American poetry  and Dante will really enjoy this story. It may even encourage newbies to attempt Dante's masterpiece for themselves.

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

Silvertongue

Silvertongue is by Charlie Fletcher. The final installment of The Stoneheart Trilogy. The battle between the spits and taints is reaching its climax. The ice devil has freed the darkness from the London stone and only Charlie and Edie can set things right. Charlie must defeat the Dark Knight and Edie must find the mirrors to banish the ice devil back to its own world if time in London is to be set right again. To aid them in their task they have steady allies like the Gunner and other allies they don't expect. A satisfying and adventure-laden ending to a charming series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

The Fire

The Fire is by James Patterson. The third book in the Witch and Wizard series. Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything in their battle against the One Who is the One. Now he has executed their parents. The twins must use their growing power to force a final confrontation with the One and either save the world or be destroyed. Are they really the twins of the prophecy? Can they save the world? Fans of the series will enjoy this action packed installment.

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

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Inferno

Inferno is by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The fourth book in the Chronicles of Nick series. Turning sixteen and getting a driver's license is supposed to be a wonderful time in a teen's life. Not for Nick, he's just found out the girl he loves has been sent to kill him, he's being hunted by a new host of creatures who want him dead, and his evil father (who also wants him dead) has escaped from prison. We find out a lot more about some of the other characters in this book and for those who have read the Dark Hunter novels this book raises all kinds of questions. Waiting for the answers will be a challenge.

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

The Sorceress

The Sorceress is by Michael Scott. The third installment in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Josh's powers have been awakened, but he needs to be trained. Sophie also needs further training in the remaining elemental magics. Perenelle is trapped on Alcatraz. Nicholas decides to take the twins to England to be trained by the immortal king Gilgamesh, and then use the ley lines at Stonehenge to travel to San Francisco to rescue Perenelle. Dee and Machiavelli are on their trail, as are other monsters. While Gilgamesh might help train the twins in water magic, there is a problem - he is very very insane and he isn't exactly fond of the Alchemist. Another wonderful book in this fun and exciting series.

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

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight is by Jenny Nimmo. The finale of the Children of the Red King series. Charlie Bone and his friends must defeat Lord Grimwald and his Sea Globe if they expect to save Charlie's parents. They must also prevent the Bloors and their allies from opening a door for Count Harken to return. They will need the help of the mysterious Red Knight, but who is he? The answer will change Charlie's life. A strong ending to a charming series. Fans will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Monday, June 2, 2014

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories of the Supernatural

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories of the Supernatural is by Robert Louis Stevenson. The classic science fiction tale of a man who leads the life of a respectable doctor by day and a violent killer at night. This version also includes the following short stories: The Bottle Imp, Markheim, and The Body Snatcher. A must read classic novel for all ages.

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

Silverfin

Silverfin is by Charlie Higson. The first book in the Young James Bond series. It is the 1930s and young James Bond is at Eton. James' parents have died and he is cared for by his maternal aunt. As James struggles to find his place in his new school, he runs afoul of young George Hellebore and his overbearing and frightening father. On holiday, James and his aunt head for Scotland to visit James' terminally ill uncle and discovers the Hellebore estate is very close to his uncle's farm. James decides to help a boy from London look for his missing cousin who was last seen heading for forbidden Loch Silverfin on the Hellebore estate to fish. What happens next is worthy of any 007 adventure. This series, sanctioned by Ian Fleming's estate, will thrill boys of all ages.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (some mature thematic content).

The Thief Lord

The Thief Lord is by Cornelia Funke. Two orphan boys run away to Venice to escape their evil aunt after the death of their parents. They join a community of street urchins living in an abandoned theatre and looked after by the mysterious "Thief Lord". When their aunt and uncle arrive in Venice and set a detective on their trail, a mysterious series of events is set in motion that will change all their lives forever. A totally delightful story for boys and girls.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.