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.

The Ape Who Guards the Balance

The Ape Who Guards the Balance is by Elizabeth Peters. The tenth installment in the Amelia  Peabody series. It's 1907 and the Emerson clan is heading back to Egypt for another season of archeology. This season promises to be very boring, as Emerson is stuck in the already excavated tombs in the Valley of the Kings, but the life of an Emerson is never boring. There is an attempt made to kidnap Amelia, an attempt to harm Nefret, and Ramses and David are abducted. It appears the Master Criminal has returned, but what is he really after? Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

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