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).