I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights & Dilemmas of the Reading Life

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights & Dilemmas of the Reading Life is by Anne Bogel. A charming book of nonfiction essays relating to the reading life. This slim volume covers everything from the books we hate to admit we haven't read, the dilemma of whether or not to abandon a book, the joy of finding bookish friends, and much more. Readers of all ages will thoroughly enjoy this book and easily see themselves in its pages. Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.

Silent to the Bone

Silent to the Bone is by E.L. Konigsburg. An engrossing realistic fiction tale of friendship, shame, and family. Connor's best friend Branwell is in a juvenile behavioral facility charged with hurting his infant step-sister Nikki, who is in a coma. Branwell refuses to speak and his father asks Connor to see if he can get through to him. Connor refuses to believe his friend is capable of hurting Nikki, but will he be able to break through Branwell's silence and discover the truth? Heartbreaking and powerful, this tale of friendship and love is a must read. 

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

The Dragon's Apprentice

The Dragon's Apprentice is by James A. Owen. The fifth book in the fantasy Imaginarium Geographica series. The Caretakers can finally return to the Archipelago of Dreams; as they prepare to return they receive a message from an old friend. The thread of History has unraveled and it needs to be repaired. Once they arrive at Tamerlane House they discover they are now stuck, due to the unraveling of History. Only Rose might be able to repair History and the Caretakers set out to help her, but things are not always as they seem and they will be opposed by a terrible enemy. Fans of the series will thoroughly love this installment. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Brief Cases

Brief Cases is by Jim Butcher. A fantasy grouping of short stories that come after Skin Game in the Dresden Files series. A collection of stories from a variety of points of view, not just Harry Dresden's. Fans of the series will enjoy stories from the point of view of Molly Carpenter, Butters, even Maggie and Mouse. There are three stories that incorporate Bigfoot into the menagerie of fantastical creatures contained in the series. A must read to whet your appetite for the next installment in the series. 

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

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country is by Helen Russell. Russell leaves her job as a British journalist when her husband is offered his dream job with LEGO. The couple moves to Denmark. Russell determines to discover why Denmark consistently rates as the happiest country in the world. Her examination is fair and covers everything from taxes, religion, sexual freedom, equality, weather, food, and of course, tradition. This memoir of her first year in Denmark is charming and funny, yet makes you think about what happiness really is.

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

El Deafo

El Deafo is by Cece Bell. A autobiographical graphic novel about a young Cece Bell, presented as a rabbit. After a childhood illness, Cece loses her hearing and struggles to fit in with "normal" children when she has to wear hearing aids. With the Phonic Ear she wears to school, she discovers she can hear her teacher wherever she is in the school building. She considers this a superpower and names her alter ego "El Deafo." A charming tale of a young girl struggling to be like everyone else, and yet be herself. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Christmas Hirelings

The Christmas Hirelings is by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. An amazing work of historical fiction set in Victorian Cornwall. Sir John, his niece, and an old friend are gathered in Cornwall for Christmas. Sir John in a grumpy fit declares that Christmas is only fun with children around. His friend Danbury talks him into "hireing" some children for Christmas. He sets out to make good on his idea and returns with three young children whose presence for the holiday will change Sir John's life forever. This now ranks with A Christmas Carol as my second favorite Christmas story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read for any season. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Last Pirate of New York: A Ghost Ship, a Killer, and the Birth of a Gangster Nation

The Last Pirate of New York: A Ghost Ship, a Killer, and the Birth of a Gangster Nation is by Rich Cohen. The nonfiction story of the last man hanged in New York for piracy. One night a ghost ship is found in New York harbor, when boarded the ship is covered in blood, but no bodies - only several severed fingers. The police trace the killer through the underbelly of New York and arrest Albert Hicks. The trial and execution of Hicks was followed by everyone in New York. After his conviction, he confessed to a crime spree that reached back years and resulted in the death of hundreds of people. This is a magnificently told story of the seedy side of New York and the world of American gangsters that came after. Cohen's writing is very readable and easy to follow. A great introduction to nonfiction for lovers of pirates, crime novels, and the beginning of America.

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

Commonwealth

Commonwealth is by Ann Patchett. A realistic fiction story of two families, their history, and their future. It begins in Southern California when Bert Cousins attends the christening of a cop's new daughter and falls in love with the cop's wife. Beverly leaves her husband and marries Bert. Between the two families there are six children who must navigate the choppy waters of blended families. The story moves from past to present and is told from the point of view of all six children and the four parents. Fans of Patchett's work will thoroughly enjoy this novel.

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Raptor

Raptor is by Paul Zindel. A science fiction gem for young readers. Zack's father is a paleontologist on a dig in Utah; he is severely injured and as he is being airlifted to a hospital asks Zack to find something he left behind. Zack convinces his Native American friend Uta to lead him back to where his dad was found. What they find is an egg, a raptor egg. When the mother comes looking for her baby, Zack and Uta find themselves in a battle for their lives.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Hammered

Hammered is by Kevin Hearne. The third book in the fantasy Iron Druid series. Atticus needs to disappear from Arizona. He is too well known and too easy to find by all the gods and beings who want him dead. Before he leaves he must keep his word to the vampire, Leif, that he will help him kill Thor. Even though he is warned consistently that this would be a very bad thing to do, he must honor his word. He and Leif travel to Asgard with a werewolf, a sorcerer, and an army of frost giants to finally get rid of Thor without dying themselves. Fans of this series will enjoy this installment in this action-packed series. 

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

Something Rotten

Something Rotten is by Jasper Fforde. The fourth installment in the fantasy Thursday Next series. Thursday returns to the real world with her two-year-old son, Friday, and Hamlet. She needs to find a way to defeat Yorrick Kaine and keep the Goliath Corporation from taking over the world and get her husband back. She also needs to get her job at Spec Ops back, find the Minotaur, and fight off an assassin sent to kill her. Another amusing book in this charming series. The ending is a surprise you didn't see coming. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Long Quiche Goodbye

The Long Quiche Goodbye is by Avery Aames. The fist book in the new realistic fiction Cheese Shop Mystery series. Charlotte runs her family's cheese shop. She has just partnered with her cousin to expand the business to include a wine shop connected with the cheese shop. She also has a crush on a local farmer and is hoping he will ask her for a date. At the opening of the new wine annex, a body is found outside her shop stabbed with one of her knives and her grandmother covered in blood near the body. When her grandmother is put on house arrest as the murder suspect, Charlotte sets out to prove her innocence, and still manage to get her date. A fun and enjoyable new cozy mystery series, complete with recipes. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Death By Dumpling

Death By Dumpling is by Vivien Chien. The first book in the realistic fiction Noodle Shop Mystery series. Lana Lee has been dumped by her boyfriend and quit her job; now she finds herself working as a waitress in her parents' Chinese restaurant. She is struggling to get her life back together and avoid her mother's attempts to find her a husband, when their landlord, Mr. Feng, turns up dead. Mr. Feng has a well known shell fish allergy, and when it is discovered that the dumplings Lana delivered for Mr. Feng's lunch contained shrimp, everyone at the restaurant finds themselves under suspicion. The handsome detective seems to believe her family's cook is responsible, so Lana sets out to prove him wrong and solve the mystery herself. A charming new cozy mystery series. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.  

Ten Great Mysteries

Ten Great Mysteries is by Edgar Allan Poe.Ten great realistic fiction short stories by the incomparable Poe. The book includes a few well known stories such as "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." It also includes such not-so-well-known gems as "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains," "The Black Cat," "A Descent into the Maelstrom," and "Metzengerstein." A must read for all Poe fans. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.