Wednesday, December 5, 2018

The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree is by Ray Bradbury. A fantastic fantasy tale for young readers. When their friend, Pipkin, disappears on Halloween, eight friends gather at a haunted house where a strange being called Moundshroud offers to show them the history of Halloween and help them find their lost friend. A creepy, charming tale of friendship where you actually learn a little history as well. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The October Country Stories

The October Country Stories is by Ray Bradbury. A collection of exceptionally creepy short stories that demonstrate Bradbury at his best. If you are looking for a entry into Bradbury, short stories, or creepy tales then this book is for you. It contains several of Bradbury's best stories: "The Lake," "The Emissary," "The Cistern," "The Wind," and my personal favorite "Homecoming." A classic set of short stories.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out 10. 

Tall Timber Tales: More Paul Bunyan Stories

Tall Timber Tales: More Paul Bunyan Stories is by Dell J. McCormick. A cute look at the legend of Paul Bunyan. This is a charming collection of Paul Bunyan folktales for young readers.

Ratings: 4th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Sunday, October 14, 2018

The Cold Dish

The Cold Dish is by Craig Johnson. The first book in the Longmire Mystery series. Set in remote Absaroka County, Wyoming, this series features Sheriff Walt Longmire and the inhabitants of his small remote county and the neighboring Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Two years after four high school boys rape a local Cheyenne girl, the least repentant of the four is found shot to death. Walt, the widowed sheriff, must discover who the killer is before all four boys are killed. This book is filled with humor and suspense and a host of fantastically well-written characters. It avoids being kitschy, while at the same time being an action packed read and really making the Wyoming territory, and those who live there, come to life. I got a free version from Kindle and decided to read it over Fall Break. I was not expecting to enjoy it, but couldn't put it down; I will be paying for Book 2. I am sorely tempted to watch the Netflix series - and with my aversion to TV that's saying something. 

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

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is by Tom Stoppard. This satirical historical fiction drama is based on Shakespeare's Hamlet from the point of view of the ill-fated Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. It is probably better to watch it performed than read it, but it is a classic play nonetheless.

Ratings: 11th grade - 6 out of 10. 

Monday, October 8, 2018

The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener is by Jonathan Auxier. An amazingly creepy fantasy novel! Molly and Kip are orphans; their parents were killed as they tried to flee the Great Famine and were drowned at sea when their ship sinks in a storm. Instead of going to an orphanage, Molly uses her ability to "tell stories" to get them a job as servants with the Windsor family. The family lives on an island in the middle of a river, in an ancient house surrounded by a creepy forest. Once Molly and her brother arrive they realize right away that something is not right in the Windsor house. When they are confronted with the mysterious "Night Gardener" they must fight for their own lives even as they try to save the Windsor family as well. A wonderfully creepy, yet powerful story about love, friendship, courage and truth. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Trail of Lightning

Trail of Lightning is by Rebecca Roanhorse. The first in a new dystopian series called The Sixth World. Most of the world has been lost to a great flood. The Diné built a wall around their reservation and survive on their own land, now called Dinétah. However, their ancient gods and monsters are walled in with them. Maggie Hoskie is a monster hunter, trained by an ancient immortal, she is now all that stands between humans and monsters. When she is called on a to face a monster she has never seen before she reluctantly accepts the aid of a young medicine man to stop the killing. Kai, has secrets of his own, and when his secrets collide with Maggie's past will either of them survive? This is an amazing story! I can't wait for the next installment. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (Violence). 

Monday, September 24, 2018

The Invisible Library

The Invisible Library is by Genevieve Cogman. The first in a fantasy series of the same name. Irene is a Librarian in a mysterious library that exists between alternate worlds. She is sent, with a new apprentice, to an alternate London to recover a rare copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales. While there she meets a famous detective, an old rival, and a dangerous enemy feared by all Librarians. She also discovers there is more to Kai, her apprentice, than she ever imagined. A truly enjoyable tale.The evil Librarian wears people's skins, which might make this tale a little much for younger readers. 

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

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Pines

Pines is by Blake Crouch. The first in a series of dystopian fiction about the isolated town of Wayward Pines, which is also the name of the series. Ethan Burke is a Secret Service agent; he arrives in Wayward Pines looking for two agents who have gone missing. After a car accident lands him in the hospital, he regains consciousness to discover he has no ID, phone, money, or credit cards. As he attempts to find out what happened to him, as well as the other agents, he discovers that Wayward Pines is not what is seems. If you liked the television series "Twin Peaks," Crouch admits he modeled his trilogy on the show. 

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

Monday, August 27, 2018

I Am Still Alive

I Am Still Alive is by Kate Alice Marshall. Sixteen-year-old Jess has to go live with her survivalist father after a car crash kills her mother and leaves her handicapped. When a friend of her father's picks her up at the airport and flies her out into the wilderness, she realizes she is alone with a father she doesn't really know. After her father is murdered, Jess must find a way to survive in the Canadian wilderness until she can avenge her father's death and find a way back to civilization. A real page-turner, if you enjoyed Hatchet, consider this a more grownup version. 

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

Sunday, August 19, 2018

The Hazel Wood

The Hazel Wood is by Melissa Albert. An amazing work of fantasy! Alice is seventeen and has been on the run with her mother for her entire life. What are they running from? Alice isn't sure, but she calls it "bad luck." When her mother is kidnapped and leaves her a message to "stay away from the Hazel Wood," Alice must travel to her grandmother's estate called "The Hazel Wood" and discover the reason she has spent her life running and find her mother. 

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

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Werewolf Cop

Werewolf Cop is by Andrew Klavan. A wonderfully creepy fantasy crime novel. Zach Adams is part of a special task force designed to hunt down a master international criminal named Dominic Abend. Zach, struggling with his infidelity to his beloved wife and the possibility of his partner's being crooked, follows Abend's trail to Germany where he meets with a strange professor who tells him stories of werewolves. Disgusted, but wanting to pacify the elderly woman, he agrees to meet her at her cabin. Once there she transforms into a werewolf and bites Zach. The novel follows Zach's physical and spiritual journey to control the beast he has become and track down and destroy Abend. 

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

Saturday, August 4, 2018

The Ballad of Black Tom

The Ballad of Black Tom is by Victor LaValle. A wonderfully creepy fantasy novella which takes a dive into historical fiction, being set in Jazz Age New York. Charles Thomas "Tommy" Tester hustles to support his ailing father. One day he delivers an occult text to a reclusive sorceress and sets off a chain of events that will change his life forever and possibly bring about the end of the world. LaValle's novella gives you a real insight into life as an African-American in the 1920s, while at the same time providing a deliciously creepy tale of supernatural horror. 

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

We Have Always Lived in the Castle

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is by Shirley Jackson. The classic realistic fiction novella of paranoia and mental illness. Constance and her sister Mary Katherine live with their invalid Uncle Julian in a large home in a small town. Their parents, sibling, Uncle Julian and his wife were poisoned at dinner and only Uncle Julian survived. Mary Katherine had been sent to her room, and since the poison was in the sugar and Constance never ate sugar they both survived. Constance was accused of the crime, but later found not guilty. The townspeople are still scared of the Blackwoods and avoid them when possible, but treat them poorly when they are forced to interact with the town. The situation changes when a cousin appears at the Blackwood home and moves in. A wonderfully creepy tale that is textbook Jackson. Prepare to meet the family who truly put the "fun" in dysfunctional. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Monday, July 30, 2018

Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry

Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry is edited by Billy Collins. A wonderful collection of easy to read and understand poetry. A great book for a poem-a-day reading, especially for those who struggle with poetry.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Aimless Love: New & Selected Poems

Aimless Love: New & Selected Poems is by Billy Collins. Billy Collins is such a wonderful poet! He writes poems that are easy to understand, moving, and funny. A great collection for those who think they don't like poetry. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Widows of Malabar Hill

The Widows of Malabar Hill is by Sujata Massey. This is a marvelous historical fiction mystery set in 1920s India; the first in the Perveen Mistry series. Perveen Mistry is the first female lawyer in Bombay. She isn't yet able to appear in court, but she assists her father in his law practice. When her father receives a letter regarding the inheritance of a deceased client whose estate the practice is managing, she realizes something doesn't seem right. The three Muslim widows practice full purdah or complete seclusion and never have contact with men. Being a woman, Perveen is dispatched to discover why the women are wanting to give up their entire inheritance to a charity. While meeting with the women a murder occurs and Perveen must find the murderer and protect her clients, but what if one of them is guilty?

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Bombers and Nerdy Girls Do Lunch

Bombers and Nerdy Girls Do Lunch is by Lisa Boero. This is the second book in the realistic fiction Nerdy Girls mystery series. Liz is trying to study for her bar exam, manage her relationship with James, deal with her family and his, a political race, and if that isn't enough she is involved in a bombing. Her face blindness makes everything more difficult, or does it? If you loved the first book in this series you will greatly enjoy the second.

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.

Writers on Writing: Collected Essays from the New York Times

Writers on Writing: Collected Essays from the New York Times is edited by the New York Times. This is a great collection of essays written by writers about the art of writing. There are essays by Saul Bellow, E.L. Doctorow, Louise Erdrich, Carl Hiaasen, Alice Hoffman, Alice Walker, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Elie Wiesel, and many others. Whether or not you are interested in writing yourself, this collection is a fascinating read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.  

Mostly Void, Partially Stars: Welcome to Night Vale Vol 1.

Mostly Void, Partially Stars: Welcome to Night Vale Vol 1. is by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor. This is a collection of the scripts from the first season of the "Welcome to Night Vale" podcast, including the script for the first live show. Each episode also includes an introduction from Fink, Cranor, or someone else involved in the podcast. Fans of the science fiction podcast will love this collection which documents the start of the obsession - one which I admit to having. All Hail the Glow Cloud!

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

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Meddling Kids


Meddling Kids is by Edgar Cantero. Wow! What a creepy, and yet funny, book. This is like the Stephen King version of Scooby Doo. Four teenagers and a dog solve mysteries in a small town in Oregon. In 1977, they "solve" their last mystery and then separate. Thirteen years later they must reunite to unlock the truth of their final case, which has haunted them and wrecked their lives ever since. The truth however, is something they have never faced before - a mystery in which the villain isn't a bad guy in a mask, but a real and terrifying force of evil. I loved Scooby Doo as a child and this book evoked the series for me, while at the same time being one of the creepiest stories I've read in a long time. A really enjoyable book, but not for the squeamish. 

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

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Awkward: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward & Why That's Awesome

Awkward: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward & Why That's Awesome is by Ty Tashiro. A very interesting book about giftedness, awkwardness, and how they are similar and different. The book also provides practical tips for the awkward among us to better understand social signals they might be missing. Tashiro also explained awkward behavior and thought well for those who are not awkward. The book was easy to read, yet was also very well researched.  

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Monday, June 25, 2018

Home: Binti

Home: Binti is by Nnedi Okorafor. The second novella in the science fiction series centered around Binti and her family. Binti returns to Earth with the Meduse Okwu so that she can complete her pilgrimage and make peace with her family. From the moment they arrive on Earth however, things do not go as planned. Her family is less than pleased to see her and when the Desert People (her father's tribe) arrive to escort her into the desert, events converge which will force Binti to chose her own future and stop an interstellar war. You won't be able to wait for the final installment. 

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

The Vixen Scream & Other Bible Stories

The Vixen Scream & Other Bible Stories is by Nancy Stohlman. A weird, strange, and yet entrancing selection of flash fiction. The stories are unique and at the same time are intertwined in a bizarre way. If you like bizarro fiction then this might be for you. Prepare to be perplexed and entertained. 

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

How to Read Poetry Like a Professor: A Quippy & Sonorous Guide to Verse

How to Read Poetry Like a Professor: A Quippy & Sonorous Guide to Verse is by Thomas C. Foster. An excellent primer on how to understand and read poetry. All of Foster's books are marvelous and this one is no exception. A must read for teachers, but very helpful for students and lay-people are well. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Cool Salsa

Cool Salsa is edited by Lori M. Carlson. A wonderful selection of poems by a variety of Hispanic authors including Sandra Cisneros, Gary Soto, Pat Mora, Oscar Hijuelos, and many others. The English version of the poem is juxtaposed with the Spanish version. A great way to introduce fun poetry and another culture to a young audience. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Monday, May 28, 2018

The Poet X

The Poet X is by Elizabeth Acevedo. A beautiful fiction in verse novel about the coming of age of a young Hispanic girl in New York. Xiomara lives in Harlem with her mother, father and twin brother. Her family situation isn't the best and she doesn't seem to be able to find her place; she has too many questions and not enough answers. Her sophomore year in high school, she discovers the power of poetry with the help of her English teacher and the poetry club and finds her voice. A powerful and beautifully written novel about a teenager's struggle for self-identity.

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

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student's Potential

Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student's Potential is by John D. Couch. An interesting look at the way technology can be incorporated into the school classroom to better teach every child in a way that will allow them to learn in the way, and at the pace, that suits them best. Couch doesn't have all the answers, but he does understand the problem and this book at least starts the discussion. Teachers should read this book, but so should parents, students, administrators, and anyone interested in education.

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Our Story: A Memoir of Love and Life in China

Our Story: A Memoir of Love and Life in China is by Rao Pingru. A beautiful graphic autobiography about the love story of a Chinese couple. Rao's story follows his childhood and that of his future wife, Meitang. Born in 1922, the Rao's story parallels Chinese history from WWII to the present. His story is one of happiness and separation (he is sent to a "re-education" camp for more than a decade), struggles with poverty and finally reunification and the struggles with illness, old age, and death. The love of Pingru and his wife is obvious on every page. Rao painted the pictures in the book and they are lovely. A wonderful book. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Sunday, May 20, 2018

The War to End All Wars: WWI

The War to End All Wars: WWI is by Russell Freedman. A great nonfiction addition which introduces young readers to WWI and the way it led to the Second World War. The book clearly covers the events leading up to the war, the death toll, the technology used, the major battles, the results of the war, and the way the end of  WWI led to WWII twenty years later. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Family

Family is by Micol Ostow. This is work of historical fiction in verse. It is a re-telling of the story of the Manson family and the murders they committed in California in 1969. The book follows an abused teenage runaway who flees to San Francisco and is picked up "Henry." Henry introduces her to his "family" living at an old ranch where Westerns used to be filmed. He manipulates everyone in the "family" and eventually sends four of them out to kill, to spread his message. The story loosely follows the real version, with some changes that will be obvious to anyone familiar with the real events. Readers of this book might be tempted to explore the true story, which is vastly more chilling. 

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

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Blood Water Paint

Blood Water Paint is by Joy McCullough. This is a masterful work of historical fiction in verse. It tells the story of the seventeenth-century Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi. One of the few female master's, Artemisia worked in her father's studio after her mother's death. She was more talented than her father and often re-did his work before sale. After she is raped by a friend of her father's, she refuses to remain silent about the crime. This story is based on historical documents, including a transcript of the trial itself. While the rape is not described, it is an integral part of the story. This book is beautifully written and definitely makes you want to learn more about this amazing woman. 

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

Sunday, May 13, 2018

The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic

The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic is by Allan Wolf. A wonderful historical fiction in verse novel based on a variety of characters from the Titanic. Wolf takes real historical figures from the Titanic and adds in other voices as well, such as the Iceberg and the Ship's Rat, to tell the story of the last voyage of the ill-fated ship. The work moves chronologically, except when interrupted by the Undertaker working to pull bodies from the water. Wolf has researched many of his characters and has provided notes on this research at the end of the book. A wonderful introduction to the tragedy of the Titanic that will tempt you to read more on the subject.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Saturday, May 12, 2018

The Romance of the Forest

The Romance of the Forest is by Ann Radcliffe. A classic work of historical fiction, one of the first Gothic Romances ever written. Radcliffe's beautiful descriptions of nature combine with her use of poetry and prose to tell the story of Adeline. Raised in a convent, she refuses to take the veil and after being removed and taken to a small cottage is given into the care of la Motte and his wife - gentry fleeing Paris after la Motte became embroiled in a scandal. Agreeing to take Adeline under his care, la Motte takes the young girl and his wife to live in an abandoned and desolate abbey. When the owner of the abbey discovers them a series of events are set in motion that will change all their lives forever. If you ever wondered where Gothic Romance began, read Radcliffe. Sometimes difficult to read, the plot is twisted, and the prose is beautifully descriptive. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver is by Mary Oliver. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read. There is no living poet I love more than Mary Oliver. Her poetry is so beautiful and always makes me feel good. If you can read Mary Oliver and still say you hate poetry - I just can't even. This is a book I will read from every day and so should you. Buy this book, read this book, discover the beauty of nature, and the beauty of poetry written by a master of language. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Sunday, April 1, 2018

The Mysteries of Udolpho

The Mysteries of Udolpho is by Ann Radcliffe. This classic Gothic Romance is a magnificent piece of historical fiction. Set in France and Italy in 1584, the novel is the story of Emily St. Aubert. After the death of her father, her care is entrusted to her snobbish aunt and her new Italian husband, Count Montoni. Montoni whisks them away to his gloomy medieval castle called Udolpho. Emily must endure many adventures and much suffering before she returns to France, learns the secret of her family, and marries her true love. Radcliffe's novels were so popular when written that this novel and The Romance in the Forest, another Gothic Romance by Radcliffe, are mentioned by Jane Austen in Northanger Abbey. This novel is considered one of the classics of the genre. It is a difficult read, but worth the effort. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story is by Jeff Jensen. Jensen's father was one of the detectives who worked on the Green River Killer case. This nonfiction graphic novel is set after the arrest of the killer. It deals mainly with Jensen's father and the other detectives who were sent to interview Ridgway in pursuit of other bodies that had not been found. It does not go into graphic detail regarding the killings, so if you are squeamish but want to know more about this killer this is the book for you. The drawings are well done. 

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

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Long Way Down

Long Way Down is by Jason Reynolds. An amazing multi-cultural realistic fiction novel in verse. A well deserved finalist for the National Book Award. This is the story of a teenage boy whose brother is killed in a drive by shooting and who takes a gun from his brother's drawer and sets out to shoot his brother's killer. On the way down in the elevator from the seventh floor to the first Will meets some very special "friends" who help him consider what he is about to do. This is a powerful work that should be read by everyone. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Alone

Alone is by Christophe Chaboute. A wonderful work of French realistic fiction in translation. This beautifully drawn graphic novel tells the story of a deformed man who was born on an isolated lighthouse and left there after the death of both of his parents. His father arranged for a fisherman to bring him supplies once a week, but no one ever sees or speaks with him and he has never been off the island. When the fisherman takes on a new helper and tells him the story of the man they leave supplies for, the assistant leave a note for the mysterious man on the island and this starts a miraculous transformation. A beautiful and touching story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Lady Susan

Lady Susan is by Jane Austen. This historical fiction novella is written in epistolary fashion. It tells the story of the selfish Lady Susan who is a scheming deceitful woman who is not above using her own daughter to advance her own ends. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey is by Jane Austen. The classic work of historical fiction by arguably one of the greatest writers of all time. The story of young Catherine who travels to Bath with friends of her family. She is an avid reader, especially of Gothic mysteries like those by Ann Radcliffe. When she meets the Tilney's and is invited to visit them at Northanger Abbey she begins to impart the sinister goings on of her books to the real life General Tilney. She falls in love, learns about the true meaning of friendship, and becomes wiser in the ways of the world. A classic Austen read!

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Tao of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh is by Benjamin Hoff. A charming look at Taoist philosophy as represented by everyone's favorite bear. Well written and easy to read, this book gives you much to ponder. A great book for lovers of Pooh who don't read much nonfiction.

Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade.

The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind is by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The first book in the historical fiction series The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Wow! What a great book; the translation is beautifully done. Set during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, a young bookseller's son is taken by his father to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books and allowed to choose a book for himself. He chooses a book called The Shadow of the Wind by the mysterious author Julian Carax. Soon he discovers someone is systematically locating every book Carax wrote and destroying them. Daniel sets out to discover the truth about his favorite author and protect his book. His search sets in motion a series of events that will change Daniel's life forever. A wonderful book! It is beautifully written, full of suspense, a book lover's delight.

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

Mostly Harmless

Mostly Harmless is by Douglas Adams. The fifth installment of the classic science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The end has come for Arthur Dent and his traveling buddies. Arthur discovers he has a daughter and when she returns to Earth, he follows her there. Soon all of his friends are there and disaster is at hand. The ending is abrupt and somewhat disappointing and nihilistic, but fans should enjoy it.

Ratings: 9th grade - P (profanity).

Monday, January 15, 2018

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish is by Douglas Adams. The fourth book in the classic science fiction series: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Arthur Dent finds himself back on Earth, which wasn't destroyed after all, only all the dolphins are gone. While trying to find answers he meets a girl who also remembers the destruction of the planet. He and Fenchurch (his girlfriend) seek for answers and ultimately, with Zaphod and Marvin, discover "God's Final Message to His Creation." The plot is weak, but fans should enjoy it.

Ratings: 9th grade - 6 out of 10.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Smoke

Smoke is by Dan Vyleta. A strange work of fantasy with an interesting premise. Set in Victorian England where sin results in visible smoke, naturally the aristocracy don't smoke. Thomas and Charlie, both members of the elite class, become friends at boarding school. Together with Livia, an aristocrat whose family is involved in strange experiments with Smoke, the boys learn the true nature of Smoke and become involved in a battle between rival political factions.

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

The Obsidian Chamber

The Obsidian Chamber is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The sixteenth installment in the Pendergast series. Pendergast is believed to be dead, but is he? Constance returns to Riverside Drive, only to find Diogenes (who was also thought to be dead) waiting there for her. Proctor observes Constance being kidnapped by Diogenes and sets out to rescue her, and finds himself across the world and in danger. Another fascinating novel in this series, complete with all the usual twists and turns - fans won't be disappointed.

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

Life, the Universe, and Everything

Life, the Universe, and Everything is by Douglas Adams. The third book in the classic science fiction series that began with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It is up to Arthur Dent and his pals to save the universe again; this time from a group of robots who have been created by the populace of the planet Krikkit who desire the destruction of all other species. Fans of the series will enjoy the craziness of this installment as well.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char is by Scott Hawkins. One of the most violent books I have ever read. Once started I didn't expect to finish, but then found I couldn't stop reading. Carolyn and her "family" live in a vast library, adopted and forced to study various disciplines by a man they call Father - who might be a god. He is terribly cruel (this is a vast understatement actually) and Carolyn slowly begins to put a plan in place to get rid of him; for her plan to be successful she recruits the aid of a human burglar named Steve. The story flashes back and forth in time, slowly revealing both Steve's and Carolyn's past. Warning: there is extreme violence in this book, as well as a great deal of profanity. If you've got a trigger of any kind, it's in this book! The story however, is engaging and totally addictive.

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

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock is by Joan Lindsay. An Australian classic, this is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. Set in Australia in 1900, it is the story of a group of young ladies from a girl's school who decide on a Valentine's Day picnic at Hanging Rock. Three of the girls and a teacher wander off to explore and are never seen again. A beautifully written book, but if you are expecting an answer to the mystery you won't get one. It was interesting to read a book considered a classic in another country. It's been compared to Rebecca, and I certainly see the resemblance.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.

Wrath of the Bloodeye

Wrath of the Bloodeye is by Joseph Delaney. The fifth book in The Last Apprentice fantasy series. Now that the Fiend has been released into the world, the Spook sends Tom to his former apprentice for a sixth month period designed to "toughen him up." When Arkwight is captured by Bloodeye, a water witch who is also the daughter of the Fiend, Tom must risk everything he cares about and trust someone he has no reason to trust to save his friends, and himself. Fans of the series will be thrilled with this installment.

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

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

News of the World

News of the World is by Paulette Jiles. A wonderful piece of historical fiction. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through post-Civil War Texas reading newspaper stories to small town populations who either don't have access to news, can't read, or both. In Wichita Falls, he is approached and asked to escort a ten-year-old child who was kidnapped by the Kiowa when she was six and has now been rescued, back to her family near San Antonio. He reluctantly agrees, and finds himself drawn to Johanna in ways he never expected. A beautifully written and lyrical story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Scepter of the Ancients

Scepter of the Ancients is by Derek Landy. The first book in the Skulduggery Pleasant fantasy series. When Stephanie's uncle dies, he leaves her his house and fortune. The teenager finds herself involved in a magical world she never knew existed. She finds herself searching for an ancient talisman owned by her uncle with his friend, a living skeleton who can work magic, helping her. Together they must stop a sorcerer from using the scepter to bring back the evil Faceless Ones. An unusual premise and an engaging story.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning is by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel. A slow, but beneficial read, that provides information about the way our brains work, how we learn, and how best to learn/teach/retain information. The last chapter provides a review of techniques with examples from the real world. Well worth the time and effort to read this interesting book.

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10.