Sunday, December 27, 2015

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children is by E. Nesbitt. Twenty of Shakespeare's plays re-shaped to be easily understood by children. A great introduction to the plays of the Bard for younger readers. A fantastic book to use for bedtime stories. The illustrations are gorgeous, with all the characters portrayed as children. A masterful classic work every parent should own and read to their children.

Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Sunday, December 20, 2015

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey is by Candice Millard. In 1912, Roosevelt sets his sights on exploring the River of Doubt, an unexplored tributary of the Amazon River. Assembling a party which includes his son Kermit, George Cherrie, and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Rondon, Roosevelt heads deep into the uncharted jungle. His party faces the loss of canoes and supplies, rapids and waterfalls, Indian attack, disease, drowning, starvation, and death. A wonderful look into the bravery of an American President who risked everything for adventure.

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

Two Graves

Two Graves is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The twelfth book in the Pendergast series. Pendergast is determined to find his wife Helen. Long thought dead, she has been hiding from Nazis, who have now kidnapped her right in front of Pendergast. As he sets out to find her (a search that will lead him deep into the South American jungle), D'Agosta tracks a serial killer in New York City, one with a relation to Pendergast himself. Another fast-paced action adventure in a thrilling series. One hardly has time to breathe.

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

Friday, December 18, 2015

The Idiot Girl's Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent & Clumsy Life

The Idiot Girl's Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent & Clumsy Life is by Laurie Notaro. Phoenix newspaper columnist's humorous tales of life experience. Her adventures, and those of a few close friends, takes situations most of us have faced and describe them in hilarious style. From high school reunions to visits to the doctor and the dentist, life has never been this enjoyable.

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

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Lays of Ancient Rome

Lays of Ancient Rome is by Thomas Babington Macaulay. Originally published in 1842, this immensely popular book of poems was a favorite of Sir Winston Churchill. He committed them to memory, an effort I would recommend, but at the very least they should be read by everyone. Lovers of mythology, history, and poetry will all find this short book well worth the time. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: 8th grade - 10 out of 10.

Magician's Gambit

Magician's Gambit is by David Eddings. The third book in The Belgariad. Garion and his group are on a mission to recover the stolen Orb of Aldur and return it to its rightful place. As they make their way to Cthol Murgos to retrieve the Orb, they confront new dangers and find new companions to help them fulfill the prophecy. Fans of the series will love this installment and pick up the next quickly.

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

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Switched

Switched is by Amanda Hocking. The first novel in the Trylle series. Wendy Everly's mother doesn't believe she is her child, so much so she tried to kill her when Wendy was six. Now at seventeen, she discovers her mother might have been right. She finds herself followed by a mysterious boy who tells her she is a changeling and he has come to take her home. She finds herself a princess in a magical world in the middle of a conflict in which all sides want to possess her. An interesting premise for a series.

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

The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar is by Sylvia Plath. Plath's classic semi-autobiographical story of a young woman dealing with mental illness. One of the 1001 books you must read before you die. Esther Greenwood is a young, beautiful, successful college student. She has a scholarship, an internship in New York, and is a talented writer. She is also dealing with mental illness. We see the descent into Esther's breakdown from her perspective which gives a unique look at the issue from the perspective of the person going through it. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Top Secret Twenty-One

Top Secret Twenty-One is by Janet Evanovich. The twenty-first book in the Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie is looking for a used-car salesman, who was caught selling young girls out of the back of the used car lot. The people involved in the ring begin to die, and the bookkeeper, Stephanie's old "friend" Randy Briggs comes to Stephanie for protection. If things aren't bad enough, Ranger has been targeted by an international assassin and Stephanie finds herself in the crosshairs too. Another hilarious romp through New Jersey for Stephanie Plum fans.

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

Monday, November 23, 2015

Passion

Passion is by Lauren Kate. The third novel in the Fallen series. Luce is traveling through time trying to find a way to break the curse and spend her life with Daniel. Daniel is chasing her to try and keep her safe. Luce has a companion through, a small gargoyle named Bill - but who is he and whose side is her on? Fans of this series will anxiously await the final fourth novel.

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

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Insurgent

Insurgent is by Veronica Roth. The second book in the Divergent series. Tris is haunted by the death of her parents and her killing of Will. She is also beginning to feel Tobias isn't telling her everything; she also isn't thrilled with the fact Tobias trusts his mother so completely. When his father, Marcus, asks Tris to help him save important information held by the Erudite, Tris must decide whether or not to betray Tobias' trust and help his father, or never know the truth about the Divergents. A look at very scary dystopian landscape.

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

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra

Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra is by Obert Skye. The fourth book in the Leven Thumps series. Leven, Geth, and Winter continue to fight for the safety of Foo and the dreams of mankind in reality. The Dearth has risen and Sycophant Run is on the brink of invasion. Meanwhile in reality, Terry and Addy have joined forces with Dennis and Ezra, the crazed toothpick. Fans of the series wil find it hard to wait for the 5th and final novel to see how this adventure ends.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Bitter Greens

Bitter Greens is by Kate Forsyth. An adult re-telling of Rapunzel. Told along with the story of French novelist Charlotte-Rose de la Force banished from the court of Versailles for her scandalous love affairs. At the convent, she meets an old nun, Sœur Seraphina, who tells her the tale of a young girl who was sold for a handful of bitter greens to a witch.

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

Takedown Twenty

Takedown Twenty is by Janet Evanovich. The twentieth in the Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie is after "Uncle Sunny" a notorious mob boss, and the godfather of Joe Morelli. She is also helping Ranger look for a murderer who is preying on elderly ladies. There is also a giraffe running loose on the streets of Trenton. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

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

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

In The Company of Cheerful Ladies

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies is by Alexander McCall Smith. The sixth book in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Mma Ramotswe finds an intruder in her house, a pumpkin on her porch, and an unexpected visitor upsetting her life. Mma Makutsi attends a dance class. Charlie, the apprentice at the garage, gets involved with an older woman. All of these instances make for another wonderful look into life in Botswana. Fans of the series will be thrilled.

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

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Torment

Torment is by Lauren Kate. The second book in the Fallen series. After the debacle at Sword and Cross Luce has been transferred to a new school in California. One run by an angel and a demon for a mixture of normal students and Nephilim. Luce wants to trust Daniel, after all he is the love of her life, but he gives her orders and doesn't seem to trust her enough to explain what's really going on. Luce and two of her new friends set out to discover the truth for themselves, but will the truth be the end of Luce, her friends, and her relationship with Daniel?

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Airman's Odyssey

Airman's Odyssey is by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. A collection of three novels by the author of The Little Prince. Wind, Sand, and Stars, the first of the three novels, recounts Saint-Exupery's work flying for an early airmail carrier. He takes us along on his flights over the African Sahara and the South American Andes. Night Flight, the second of the three novels, is the story of Fabien, a pilot for the Patagonia Mail. Even though a fierce storm is forecast, he is ordered out on his night flight. When contact with Fabien is lost, his boss, is left with nothing to do but try and figure out where his plane might have crashed and take the news to Fabien's waiting wife. Flight to Arras, the third of the three, is the story of the French Air Force squadron Saint-Exupery was a member of during WWII. A wonderful look at the dangers of flight in its infancy and the bravery of the men who flew those early planes.

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

Runaway Amish Girl: The Great Escape

Runaway Amish Girl: The Great Escape is by Emma Gingerich. The autobiography of a young Amish teenager and her desire to escape from her Amish family and live like the "English". The reactions of her parents and siblings are emotional and intense. A look inside the mysterious world of the Amish from the perspective of someone who left it.

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.

Swamplandia!

Swamplandia! is by Karen Russell. The Bigtree clan owns a run down tourist trap in the Florida Everglades, called Swamplandia, where the family raises and wrestles alligators they call "seths". Thirteen-year-old Ava, her brother Kiwi, and her sister Ossie have never known another home. After the death of their headliner mother, the family disintegrates. Her father withdraws, her brother heads for the mainland to work at a rival theme park, and her sister runs off into the swamp with a mysterious character called the Dredgeman. Her search for her sister takes Ava deep into the mystical and dangerous Everglades.

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

The Winter People

The Winter People is by Jennifer McMahon. Horrible secrets exist in the small town of West Hall, Vermont. The town has a history of mysterious deaths and disappearances. The most famous is that of Sara Harrison Shea, found dead behind her house just months after the death of her young daughter in 1908. Sara supposedly knew a way to bring the dead back to life, which she recorded in her journal. Only she ripped out the pages with the treacherous secret recorded on them and hid them in her home before she died and no one has been able to find them. In the present day, Ruthie, her younger sister and mother live in Sara's old house. She knows nothing of Sara or her death until the day her mother disappears and she finds a copy of Sara's journal while searching her mother's bedroom. Her search for her mother sets off a string of events which culminate in one horrifying night in the woods near the Devil's Hand.

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

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Leaving Time

Leaving Time is by Jodi Picoult. Thirteen-year-old Jenna Metcalf has been looking for her mother all her life. Her mother disappeared ten years earlier after an accident at the elephant sanctuary run by her parents that resulted in the death of an employee - who was trampled by an elephant. Jenna's father is institutionalized after suffering a mental breakdown the night of the tragedy, and Jenna has been living with her grandmother. Determined to learn the truth, Jenna seeks out a washed-up psychic and an alcoholic private detective and convinces them to help her discover what happened to her mother. A wonderful story interspersed with everything you never wanted to know about elephants. This book comes complete with Picoult's usual twist at the end.

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

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

The Unwanteds

The Unwanteds is by Lisa McMann. The first book in this series, dystopian fiction for young readers. Alex and Aaron are twins in a land called Quill. When you reach the age of thirteen, you are labeled "Wanted", "Necessary", or "Unwanted". Unwanteds are those who demonstrate any imagination or creativity. Aaron is a Wanted, but Alex is Unwanted and destined to be killed. But when Alex is led away to die, he and the other Unwanteds find themselves in the magical realm of Artime where art and creativity are valued. Alex decides to bring his brother to Artime, but Aaron has his own plans. The twins' break brings war to Artime.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Thirst

Thirst is by Mary Oliver. Another wonderful collection of Oliver's beautiful lyric poetry. As always, her poems speak of nature, but these poems have a spiritual bent new to her writing.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Book of Speculation

The Book of Speculation is by Erika Swyler. When Simon Watson, a librarian, receives a book from a man he doesn't know he is intrigued. The book appears to be an old journal from a traveling circus that mentions his family. The women in his family appear to have been mermaids or tarot card readers in numerous traveling carnivals over the centuries - and they all appear to have drowned on the same day. That day is now approaching and his sister, Enola, has returned home with the carnival she travels with. Simon is terrified she will drown herself in less than a week, if he doesn't find a way to break a centuries old family curse. This book plumes the depths of family relationships and how our lives overlap down through the years. A wonderful read!

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

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Ready Player One

Ready Player One is by Ernest Cline. Wade Watts is a teenager living in Oklahoma in 2044. His, and everyone else's, favorite pastime is spending time in a virtual world called the OASIS. This world was created by billionaire genius James Halliday. Five years before the story begins Halliday dies and leaves his entire fortune to whoever can find three keys that unlock three gates. No one has yet found the first key, no one is even close; then Wade discovers a clue that might allow him to do the unimaginable - win Halliday's contest. A fantastic science fiction/dystopian thriller with a liberal dose of 80s pop culture thrown in.

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

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The House of Dies Drear

The House of Dies Drear is by Virginia Hamilton. A charming piece of historical fiction. A family moves into a house that was a former stop on the Underground Railroad. It is supposedly haunted by the ghosts of Dies Drear, the abolitionist owner of the house, and two slaves he was trying to help get away. Thomas and his family quickly begin to notice strange happenings in their house and strange behavior by their neighbors.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Waste Land, Prufrock, and Other Poems

The Waste Land, Prufrock, and Other Poems is by T.S. Eliot. The master poet's greatest works. A wonderful selection for those new to Eliot's work, or those who know him well.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God is by Zora Neale Hurston. A must read classic! A novel that was lost for years before being rediscovered in the 1970s. It was initially rejected due to its strong black female protagonist, and by writer's of the Harlem Renaissance such as Richard Wright, who felt the Negro dialect was insulting to blacks. Hurston using spellbinding lyrical prose, tells the story of Janie. Raised by her grandmother, who arranged her first marriage, she marries three husbands and is tried for murdering one of them. This is a mesmerizing love story which reflects the real lives of black women in the segregated South. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Maximum Ride Forever


Maximum Ride Forever is by James Patterson. The ninth book in the Maximum Ride series. All is finally revealed in this story of what happens to Max, Fang, and the rest of the flock after the world ends. Fans of the series will be excited to read this ultimate installment, and will enjoy the surprise ending.

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

Strings Attached

Strings Attached is by Judy Blundell. An excellent work of historical fiction set in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island in the late 1940s and 1950. Kit Corrigan arrives in New York from Providence to pursue a career on the stage. Her boyfriend, Billy, has enlisted and is preparing to ship out to Korea. His father, with whom he is estranged, is the lawyer for several mob bosses. He makes Kit a deal--he'll give her an apartment and introduce her to a new crowd. All she has to do is keep him informed about Billy . . . and maybe do him a favor every now and then. Once she takes the deal Nate offers, how does she get out?

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

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Nevermore

Nevermore is by James Patterson. The eighth book in the Maximum Ride series. Fang has been targeted for death by the White Coats, and is being hunted by everyone. Max is trying to figure out her feelings for Dylan, and be a "normal" teenager with the rest of the flock. The world however, is about to end. Fans of the series will find this installment action-packed.

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

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Queen of Sorcery

Queen of Sorcery is by David Eddings. The second installment of The Belgariad. Garion and his party are still on the move attempting to stop the mysterious orb from being used to awaken the evil god Tarok. Garion is learning more about his identity and his powers. The party increases by one, a young woman with a future of her own. Fans of the series will be thrilled.

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

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Cold Vengeance

Cold Vengeance is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The eleventh book in the Pendergast series. Pendergast is seeking revenge for his wife's murder, but was she murdered, or is it possible she's still alive? As he seeks to get to the bottom of this conspiracy, events lead him back to a time before he or his wife were even born. The events set in motion at that time cause him to distrust everything he has ever known about his wife. Fans of the series will be biting their nails for the next installment.

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

Monday, July 27, 2015

1776: A Musical Play

1776: A Musical Play is by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards. The text version of the play based on the signing of the Declaration of Independence. If you have not seen this play, you should. The movie version is very good, too. It is based on the actual events surrounding the signing, and is a fun way to introduce American's of all ages to the truth about the founding of our country, and the reading of drama.

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

Friday, July 24, 2015

1776

1776 is by David McCullough. The magnificently told story of the year the American Revolution was almost lost before it really began. It tells the story of the year 1776, normally celebrated for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the travails of the all-too-human men who fought for American independence in the Continental Army. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read, this book makes you aware of just what a miracle it is that America was ever born. It will give you a new appreciation for Washington and those who fought and died for our independence. Read it!

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

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Forever in Blue: Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood

Forever in Blue: Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood is by Ann Brashares. The pants are back, along with the four friends who wear them. Carmen is struggling to find herself. She ends up in a theater camp and lands an acting role she isn't sure she can handle. Lena makes a mental and physical break from her love for Kostas. Tibby pushes Brian away after a pregnancy scare. Bridget heads to an archeological dig in Turkey and finds herself attracted to a married man. Growing up with these girls is poignant, funny, and cathartic. A wonderful installment in this series.

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

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Street of the Five Moons

Street of the Five Moons is by Elizabeth Peters. The second book in the Vicky Bliss series. Art historian Vicky Bliss is working at Munich's National Museum. Then her boss brings her a forged replica of a talisman that once belonged to Charlemagne found in the pocket of a dead man in an alley. This sends her on a hunt to find out where the forgery was made and if there is a ring of forgers that need to be stopped. Her search takes her to Italy where she finds herself involved with counts, forgers, mistresses, a handsome rouge, and a friendly guard dog. This series is entertaining, but nothing like the Amelia Peabody series.

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

Angel


Angel is by James Patterson. The seventh book in the Maximum Ride series. Max is still upset by Fang's decision to leave and start his own flock. While moping at her mother's house, she comes face to face with a group using brainwashing techniques to bring on the end of the world. Fang and his new flock are also fighting this new menace. Fang decides his flock must join with Max's to prevent the ultimate crisis. This book is nowhere near as charming as the first three books in the series. Let's hope the next installment reverts to the original magic of this series.

Ratings: 7th grade - 4 out of 10.

Faerie Wars

Faerie Wars is by Herbie Brennan. The first book in the Faerie Wars Chronicles. Pyrgus is the son of the Purple Emperor, the king of Faerie. He is more interested in animals than running the kingdom and spends most of his time outside the palace disguised as a commoner. In our world young Henry Atherton is struggling with his family's disintegration. He spends his time working for old Mr. Fogarty, a former bank robber and mechanical genius. When Pyrgus is translated to Mr. Fogarty's yard, Henry and Mr. Fogarty must help Pyrgus save the faerie kingdom from an assassination attempt and a demon invasion. A rather scientific take on fantasy. A good start to a promising series.

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

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Pawn of Prophecy

Pawn of Prophecy is by David Eddings. The first book in The Belgariad series. Long ago the evil god Torak stole a powerful orb and brought the world to the brink of destruction. The sorcerer Belgarath recaptured the Orb and as long as it remains with the line of Riva the world is safe. At least that's what the stories say, but young Garion doesn't believe in stories. His world is turned upside down when a traveling storyteller arrives and convinces his Aunt Pol to help him track down a missing object. Garion quickly discovers that no one in his life is who he has believed them to be, including himself. A fast-paced, action packed fantasy, fantasy lovers everywhere will enjoy.

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

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust is by Alan Bradley. The seventh book in the Flavia de Luce series. Flavia is homesick and miserable in her new boarding school in Canada. Then a mummified body falls out of her chimney and everything changes. A wonderful addition to a wonderful series.

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

Fever Dream

Fever Dream is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The tenth book in the Agent Pendergast series. When Agent Pendergast discovers his wife's death was not an accident, but murder, he contacts his friend Vincent D'Agosta to help him track down her killer. As usual in this series, nothing is ever as it appears. Fans will not be disappointed and will wait for the next installment with baited breath.

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

Going Bovine

Going Bovine is by Libba Bray. Sixteen-year-old Cameron just wants to finish high school. Everything changes when he is told he has somehow contracted an incurable disease and is going to die. Dulcie, an angel, then arrives and tells him that if he can find a scientist named Dr. X he can be cured. Cameron sets out to find the mysterious Dr. X accompanied by a dwarf and a yard gnome. I don't really know what I was expecting, but having read the Gemma Doyle books it definitely wasn't this. Going Bovine is both sad and hysterically funny at the same time. A book well worth your time to read, more than once.

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

Saturday, June 20, 2015

First Frost

First Frost is by Sarah Addison Allen. The second book about the Waverly sisters. As first frost approaches the Waverly women become restless. This year is no exception. Claire is overwhelmed by her new candy business and is questioning her gift. Sydney is desperate for a new baby. Bay feels she belongs with Josh, but he doesn't seem to know she exists. A mysterious older man appears in town asking questions about the Waverly's. Fans of Garden Spells will love this sequel.

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

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Ripper

Ripper is by Isabel Allende. Indiana Jackson is a holistic healer with an ex-husband who is a cop, a rich boyfriend, a former Navy SEAL boyfriend wannabe, and an eclectic clientele who visit her for massage and aroma therapy. Her daughter, Amanda, is a senior at a private boarding school who is a little too interested in crime. She and her friends, with the help of her grandfather, play an on-line role playing game called Ripper. When they decide to solve real crimes being committed in San Francisco, they have no idea what they are getting into. Things turn serious when Indiana is kidnapped and will by the serial killer's next victim, unless Amanda and her Ripper friends can solve the mystery of "The Wolf". Very different from other Allende novels, this is still a fantastic book that keeps you going until the very end.

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

Jaws

Jaws is by Peter Benchley. The classic thriller about a great white shark terrorizing the beaches near a Long Island summer community. Only Amity Chief of Police, Martin Brody, seems intent on protecting the tourists and locals from the evil shark. While not like the famous movie in many ways, it is still a classic read.

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

Borrower of the Night

Borrower of the Night is by Elizabeth Peters. The first book in the Vicky Bliss series. Vicky, art historian and college professor, finds a reference in a book that might lead to the discovery of a missing masterpiece by a famous German sculptor. Supposedly lost in the Middle Ages, it might actually be found in a castle in Rothenburg, Germany. Vicky and the colleague/boyfriend Tony set off on a race to find the altarpiece, but they are not the only ones seeking it. Not Amelia Peabody, but a fun read that will make you want to continue the series.

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

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The Girl Who Chased the Moon

The Girl Who Chased the Moon is by Sarah Addison Allen. Emily's mother has been killed and she must leave her private school and go to Mullaby, North Carolina to live with her grandfather. When she arrives she discovers that her mother has a mysterious history with the town's wealthiest family. She is befriended by her neighbor, the owner of one of the towns BBQ restaurants and a magical baker, named Julia. Julia also returned to Mullaby after the death of her father and she doesn't plan to stay. She is going to get the restaurant mortgage paid off and then leave. Julia must deal with her own past, even as Emily struggles to deal with her mother's. Fans of Allen will love this book. Bakers, and anyone with a sweet tooth, will love the cake recipes it contains. Allen's brand of Southern charm and magical realism are hard to resist.

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

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is by Tom Angleberger. Dwight is the class weirdo. Then he makes an origami finger puppet that resembles Yoda, and the strange puppet begins to give out advice. The really strange part is the advice is actually good! Now Tommy sets out to discover if Yoda is real or if Dwight is faking. A cute children's story.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Cemetery Dance

Cemetery Dance is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The ninth book in the Pendergast series. D'Agosta and Pendergast team up to catch Bill Smithback's killer. The killer has been identified as Bill and Nora's neighbor, a neighbor who died almost two weeks earlier. A zombie hunt ensues that leads Pendergast and D'Agosta to a creepy cult, the leader of an animal rights group, and a powerful rich businessman. A thrilling installment in a chilling series. Great fun!

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

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Shakespeare Stealer

The Shakespeare Stealer is by Gary Blackwood. The first book in The Shakespeare Stealer series. Widge is an orphan, he is given as an apprentice to a country doctor who creates his own unique "secret script". One night he is bought by a frightening cloaked man and ordered to make a copy of Shakespeare's Hamlet for a rival theater company. When his copy is stolen, Widge becomes a part of the Globe players and is ordered to steal the play. As Widge gets to know the Shakespearean players, he discovers what it means to have a family. Will he steal the play to save himself or stick with his new "family". A wonderfully charming piece of historical fiction that brings Shakespeare's England to life.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Swine Not?: A Novel Pig Tale

Swine Not?: A Novel Pig Tale is by Jimmy Buffett. A charming tale of a set of divorced parents, their twin children, twin pigs, a cat, a flock of pigeons, and an evil chef. Ellie is a Southern chef who gets a job at a 4-Star restaurant/hotel in New York City. She moves into a rooftop apartment with her twins, Barley and Maple, a cat and a pet pig named Rumpy. The hotel does not allow exotic poets, so the family has to hide Rumpy's presence. Not Buffett's best writing, but a cute children's tale.

Ratings: 6th grade - 6 out of 10. 

Monday, June 1, 2015

The God Particle: If the Universe is the Answer, What is the Question?

The God Particle: If the Universe is the Answer, What is the Question? is by Leon Lederman. Lederman is a Noble Laureate and physicist. This book walks us through experimental physics from 430 B.C to the present. The main subject of this book is the search for a mysterious particle: the Higgs boson, otherwise known as the God particle. Lederman uses humor and simple illustrations which make this book understandable for non-science types - proven by the fact that I actually understood 90% of the book. If you love science, read this book. If you don't know a thing about physics - but would like to, read this book.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.

Sapphique

Sapphique is by Catherine Fisher. The sequel to Incarceron. Finn and Claudia must prove that Finn is the real lost prince. An imposter has challenged his claim and he worries Claudia might be beginning to doubt him. Inside Incarceron, Attia and Keiro fight to discover the glove of Sapphique which will show them a way out of the prison. Incarceron, itself, is also looking for the glove to bring it's new body to life so the prison itself can escape to the Outside. A fast-paced and exciting conclusion to a very original series.

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

Poppy

Poppy is by Avi. The second book in the Tales From Dimwood Forest series. Mr. Ocax, the owl, rules the mice of Dimwood Forest. They must ask his permission to travel abroad. When two young mice decide to go to Bannock Hill without his permission, they set in motion a terrible chain of events. Poppy, one of those mice, must find a way to defeat Mr. Ocax or her family is doomed. A charming children's book.

Ratings: 4th grade - 6 out of 10.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is by L. Frank Baum. The first of the Oz books. The classic tale of Dorothy, the Tinman, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto as they travel across Oz to meet the Wonderful Wizard. They each have something to ask of the Wizard. If you've seen the movie and not read the book, they are different. A classic must read.

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders is by Vincent Bugliosi. A fascinating look at one of the most horrendous crime sprees in American history. In the summer of 1969, Charles Manson sent members of his Family out to commit murder to start a race war. Their bloody crimes held a generation enthralled. This account told by the prosecutor who tried the Family members, is a mesmerizing read. A must read for lovers of true crime stories.

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

The Wizard Heir

The Wizard Heir is by Cinda Williams Chima. The second book in the Werelind series. Seph is a sixteen-year-old wizard. He has spent most of his life being kicked out of one school after another. He is orphaned and untrained and his powers are out of control. He is sent to The Havens and thinks he has finally found an answer to his questions. The headmaster, Gregory Leicester, is training a group of young wizards and he wants Seph to join. When Seph discovers Leicester has a dark purpose for his group and he kills two of Seph's friends, Seph decides to fight back. Will he survive? Will he find a way to control his powers and discover the secret of his birth? A great addition to this series.

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

Fang

Fang is by James Patterson. The sixth book in the Maximum Ride series. Angel prophecies that Fang will be the first to die, and soon. The flock is unsettled by Max's growing relationship with Fang and votes her out as leader. Angel takes over the flock, but does she have an ulterior motive. Dylan, another "bird kid" shows up claiming to be Max's other half. Will the flock be able to fight off their threats from outside while being torn apart from the insider? Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Tales from the Arabian Nights

Tales from the Arabian Nights is edited by Andrew Lang. A wonderful selection of tales from the original masterpiece. The illustrations by Edmund Dulac are beautiful. While reading the original full length tales is recommended, this shorter version is perfect for introducing younger readers to these magnificent and exotic stories.

Ratings: 5th grade - 9 out of 10.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Who Ran My Underwear Up the Flagpole

Who Ran My Underwear Up the Flagpole is by Jerry Spinelli. A continuation of the School Daze series for those who enjoyed Picklemania and Do the Funky Pickle. Pickles has joined the band, Sunny tries out for cheerleading, Salem becomes the football team's manager, and Eddie goes out for football. Spinelli fans will love this book.

Ratings: 5th grade - 7 out of 10.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

The Enchantress

The Enchantress is by Michael Scott. The final installment in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Sophie and Josh must decide whether to side with their "parents" and rule Danu Talis, or thwart them and save their world. The Flamels use the last day of their lives to stop the monsters on Alcatraz from escaping into San Francisco; and their friends, both in San Francisco and on Danu Talis, fight for their lives. Who will win and who will lose in the epic fight for the survival of mankind?

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See is by Anthony Doerr. An wonderful story, set during WWII, of a blind French girl and a young German boy. Werner and his sister live in an orphanage in Germany. He is a wonder with electronics, but doesn't want the future he sees before him in the mines. His skill lands him in a brutal academy training to be a Hitler Youth. He must use his abilities to track the resistance. Marie-Laure lives with her father who is the locksmith for the Paris Museum of Natural History. Her father builds models of their neighborhood to help her find her way around. When her father is entrusted with the safety of a beautiful diamond, they head to the walled city of Saint-Malo to the home of her reclusive great-uncle. Her path collides with Werner's during the shelling of Saint-Malo as they both try to survive the horrors of the war. A beautifully written story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read.

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

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is by Sarah Addison Allen. Kate's husband died a year ago. She has been lost in grief and allowed her mother-in-law (Cricket) to run things. As she and her young daughter prepare to leave their home and move in with Cricket, she begins to wake up and find she does want to live again. When her daughter, Devin, finds an old post card in the attic from her great aunt Eby asking her to come to visit her at Lost Lake, Kate decides to go. Lost Lake was the best summer of her childhood and she feels drawn to return. When they arrive they discover Eby is about to sell Lost Lake to a real estate developer. As the few remaining regular customers arrive to spend their last summer at Lost Lake, Allen's special brand of magical realism and romance begins to take over. Fans of Allen's writing will love this novel as well. Her special take on the South and the people who live there is as charming as ever.

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

The Blood of Olympus

The Blood of Olympus is by Rick Riordan. The fifth book in The Heroes of Olympus series. The heroes must get the statue of Athena back to Camp Half-Blood to stop the war with the Roman who are besieging the camp. They must also reach Athens to stop Gaea from rising. Will Percy, Jason, and their friends be able to stop Gaea and save their camps and the world? Fans of this series will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Master and Commander

Master and Commander is by Patrick O'Brian. The first book in the Aubrey and Maturin series. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, this is the tale of a young British lieutenant who is promoted to the command of his first ship, the H.M.S. Sophie. Along with his ship's surgeon and friend Stephen Maturin, Aubrey must follow orders and social conventions to assure his promotion and the success of his crew. The culminating battle against a Spanish frigate is worth the price of the book. A wonderfully factual piece of historical fiction.

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

Animal Farm

Animal Farm is by George Orwell. The classic political companion to 1984. A must-read classic for all readers and students of human nature. The animals of Manor Farm take over and banish Mr. Jones. Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, then take control and set up a "workers' paradise" for animals. Very soon Snowball is run off and declared a traitor, and Napoleon takes sole charge, along with his cadre of vicious dogs and other supporters. As a totalitarian state develops we see the lot of the regular animals worsen, even as Napoleon and his followers prosper. "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" is every bit as prescient today as it was when Orwell wrote the book in the 1940s.

Ratings: 8th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches is by Alan Bradley. The sixth book in the Flavia de Luce series. The body of Flavia's mother has been found and is being brought home to Bishop's Lacey. As the body is being taken from the train, a strange man approaches Flavia with a mysterious warning. He is then pushed in front of the departing train and murdered. Who was he? What did the warning he gave Flavia mean? Who are the unknown relatives who suddenly appear? Flavia must answer all these questions as she deals with the death of a mother she never knew.

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

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is by Walter Isaacson. Isaacson is one of the best biographers alive and this work is another fantastic addition to his catalogue. His amazing access to Jobs and his friends, family, colleagues, and competitors leads to a thorough and detailed account of the life of one of the most fascinating men in American business. Jobs exerted no control over the book and put no restrictions on Isaacson. He didn't even read it before it was published. As a result, this book is a well rounded look at Jobs's faults as well as his successes. A must read book for everyone who has any interest in Apple and its products.

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

Monday, April 6, 2015

The Wheel of Darkness

The Wheel of Darkness is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The eighth book in the Pendergast series. Pendergast takes Constance to an ancient Tibetan monastery to heal after her encounter with Diogenes. While there, the monks tell him an ancient artifact has been stolen. He must recover it before it destroys the world. Pendergast and Constance track the thief to the maiden voyage of the world's largest and most elegant ocean liner. When people begin to be murdered aboard the ship, Pendergast and Constance fear the power of the Agozyen may have already been evoked. Fans of the series will find this installment exciting, even though some of the characters we have loved in the other books in the series are missing in this one.

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

Monday, March 30, 2015

The Book Thief

The Book Thief is by Markus Zusak. Classic must-read story of life in Germany during WWII. The story is narrated by Death, who tells the tale of Liesel, a foster child, whose foster parents decide to hide a Jew in their basement. Liesel steals books, with the help of her friend Rudy. A wonderful tale of courage, loss, and life in Nazi Germany. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read.

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

Saturday, March 21, 2015

The Rosie Effect

The Rosie Effect is by Graeme Simsion. Don and Rosie are married and living in New York City. Don is very happy with the outcome of the Rosie Project. He is making friends and enjoying his research. Rosie is struggling to get her thesis completed. Don is planning on telling Rosie he has invited Gene, whom she hates, to live with them since his marriage to Claudia has fallen apart. But Rosie has a surprise for Don, she's pregnant. Don sets out, in his own unique way, to assist Rosie with her pregnancy - and hilarity ensues. Not only is he researching pregnancy, he is trying to reconcile Gene and Claudia, help his new friend Dave save his business, service the industrial refrigeration unit his new landlord has installed to keep his beer at the right temperature, and keep himself out of jail. Only Don could get into this much trouble this quickly. Will his own marriage survive this pregnancy?

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

Friday, March 13, 2015

Sleeping with Gypsies

Sleeping with Gypsies is by Ginny MacKenzie. The story of Amanda and her unusual family. While sleepwalking in the woods she is "adopted" by a troop of gypsies; she decides to protect the townspeople from the "town stalker"; and then watches her uncle, the local police chief, incubate a deadly strain of locusts in his greenhouse. Later, she and her painter husband (Munk) move to SoHo and attempt to live an artistic life, with typically crazy results. A touching, humorous, and thought-provoking book.

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

All I Know About Animal Behavior I Learned in Loehmann's Dressing Room

All I Know About Animal Behavior I Learned in Loehmann's Dressing Room is by Erma Bombeck. If you aren't familiar with Bombeck's humorous essays this is a great first look at her work. Bombeck compares humans to the animal kingdom and pokes fun at nutrition, talk shows, sex, parenting, teenage drivers, and much more. A little dated, but still laugh out loud funny.

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

The Warlock

The Warlock is by Michael Scott. The fifth book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Will Shakespeare, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Joan of Arc are 10,000 years in the past to ensure that Danu Talis falls. Josh must decide whether or not follow John Dee and Virginia Dare to prevent the fall of Danu Talis and destroy all the Elders. Nicholas and Perenelle are on the verge of death, but must convince Sophie to help them save the worlds. Billy the Kid and Machiavelli have their own choices to make, and the fate of all the worlds hangs in the balance. Fans of this action-packed installment of the series will be hard pressed to wait for the next installment.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

My Grandfather's Son

My Grandfather's Son is by Clarence Thomas. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas writes about his poor childhood in the South, being raised by his grandparents, and the struggles of a life that is as inspiring as it is controversial. This memoir is inspiring and unflinchingly honest no matter what the politics of the reader. A great look at the American Dream in action.

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

Gemini Night

Gemini Night is by Bonnie Hearn Hill. The third book in the Star Crossed series. Logan is getting ready to start her internship at CRUSH magazine. Using her interest in astrology, she discovers that someone at the CRUSH Halloween party is in danger. Can she find out who, what the danger will be, and warn them in time? Fans of this series will enjoy this installment.

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Children Act

The Children Act is by Ian McEwan. Fiona Maye is a family court judge in England. Her husband has just announced that he wants to have an affair before he dies. As she struggles with this blow, she must preside over the case of a Jehovah's Witness teenager with leukemia who is refusing to receive a blood transfusion. Fiona decides to personally visit the boy in the hospital and the meeting has long lasting effects for them both.

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

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 is by Simon Winchester. A fascinating look at the world's worst volcanic explosion in modern times. Winchester not only walks you through the science of volcanic eruptions in a readable and understandable way; he also looks at the human and ecological toll of the eruption. A well written and absorbing read.

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

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Far from the Madding Crowd

Far from the Madding Crowd is by Thomas Hardy. Hardy's first great literary success, this is a classic must read. The story of the lovely Bathsheba Everdene and the three men who want her. One a humble farmer named Gabriel Oak whose proposal she immediately rejects. The second, a prosperous farmer, named Boldwood. Bathsheba entices his attention with a card written on a whim as a joke, which backfires on them both. The third suitor is a soldier named Troy, who has a reputation as a rake and a seducer of women. Bathsheba finds her life entwined with all three men, with tragic results. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Monday, February 16, 2015

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon is by David Grann. In 1925, Percy Fawcett, the famous British explorer, leads his son and another young man into the Amazon jungle to search for the Lost City of Z. None of them are ever heard from again. Numerous expeditions try to find them with disastrous results. This book is a magnificent historical account of the early years of exploration, some would say the "great age" of exploration. Grann researches Fawcett's life meticulously, and even heads for the Amazon himself to discover what happened to Fawcett's party. This masterpiece reads like a narrative, but is wonderfully researched. At times you find yourself reminded of the tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H. Rider Haggard, Fawcett's contemporaries. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read. Boys especially should love this book.

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

Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha is by Arthur Golden. It's 1929 and in a Japanese seaside village a fisherman's wife is dying. He sells his two young daughter's to a local cannery owner, who sells them into slavery in Kyoto. The older to a house of prostitution, and the younger to a renowned geisha house. Golden's premise is that geisha is not the same as prostitute, but at times it's hard to tell the difference. This moving book is the story of Sayuri and her journey from a fisherman's daughter ripped from her childhood home, to one of the most famous geisha in Japan. Golden's book is well researched and those who know nothing about the geisha culture will learn much, even as they follow Sayuri's poignant tale.

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

Sunday, February 8, 2015

With Rigor for All: Teaching the Classics to Contemporary Students

With Rigor for All: Teaching the Classics to Contemporary Students is by Carol Jago. A must read for all teachers of English. Along with Nancie Atwell's In the Middle and Kelly Gallagher's Readicide, I will be gifting a copy of this book to every student teacher I have from now on. This book is a quick and easy read, but is chock full of convincing rationale for teaching the classics to middle and high school students. Ms. Jago also addresses way to make the teaching of classics easier for students and teachers. It offers advice on testing, holding students accountable, and teaching them to love classics, or at least understand their importance and how to process them.

Ratings: Adult: 10 out of 10.

National Geographic Kids: Treasury of Egyptian Mythology

National Geographic Kids: Treasury of Egyptian Mythology is by Donna Jo Napoli. A fantastic introduction to Egyptian mythology. The illustrations are beautiful! A wonderful for book for "kids" of all ages.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

A River in the Sky

A River in the Sky is by Elizabeth Peters. The nineteenth book in the Amelia Peabody series. This book is set in 1910, pre-WWI. Ramses is in Palestine assisting on a dig and finds himself caught up in a German espionage plot. The War Office sends the Emerson's to Jerusalem to stop a possible German spy from antagonizing the locals by excavating on the Temple Mount. The two plots are, of course, connected. Fans of this series will enjoy this book.

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

The Aviator's Wife

The Aviator's Wife is by Melanie Benjamin. This book is a fictionalized account of the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It begins when she flies to Mexico to spend the holidays with her father, the U.S. Ambassador, and the rest of her family. While there, she meets Charles Lindbergh. The book follows their life together from their meeting until his death in 1974. A thoroughly enjoyable read about a less than perfect couple. Based on fact and well researched, this book is beautifully written.

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

Monday, January 26, 2015

Shell Game

Shell Game is by Ridley Pearson. The fifth book in the Kingdom Keepers series. The Keepers are going on a Disney cruise, and the OT's are coming aboard as well. The Keepers are trying to recover the missing journal stolen from Disney and the OT's are trying to kill the Keepers. The plot in this series continues to unfold in surprising ways. Fans will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

The Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The seventh book in the Agent Pendergast series. Pendergast is in prison, D'Agosta and Glinn are trying to break him out. Nora has been assigned to head up the opening of the Tomb of Senef, which Diogenes intends to hijack for his own evil purposes. Constance finds herself being courted by Diogenes in Pendegast's absence. A wonderful finale to the "Diogenes trilogy". This series continues to fascinate, horrify, and delight.

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

Sunday, January 18, 2015

The Wolves of Midwinter

The Wolves of Midwinter is by Anne Rice. The second book in The Wolf Gift Chronicles. Reuben, Laura, and the Distinguished Gentlemen are planning a Christmas Celebration for the town of Nidek and their friends and family. They are also planning a special Yule celebration for themselves. Reuben is worried about Laura's change, a "family" problem that has surfaced, and now he is seeing the ghost of Marchent Nidek. Other Morphenkinder also appear at Nidek Point to participate in the Yule celebrations, but they are not happy with Felix and his group, and Felix's friendship with the "Forest Gentry". A wonderful sequel to the first book.

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

Saturday, January 3, 2015

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents is by Julia Alvarez. A masterful selection of short vignettes centering on the Garcia De La Torre family who must flee the Dominican Republic when their father's part in overthrowing the dictatorial government is uncovered. These stories cover the four Garcia daughters, their parents, and an assortment of relatives and friends as they attempt to adjust to life in America and the challenges of their family's past. A look at a family caught between two worlds. A classic must read.

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