Artificial Condition

Artificial Condition is by Martha Wells. The second installment of the science fiction novella Murderbot series. Murderbot is trying to ferret out the truth about his past. To do so he partners (reluctantly) with ART, a transit research vessel bot and together they must find the truth and protect another hapless bunch of humans. A must-read series!

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

All System's Red

All Systems Red is by Martha Wells. The first science fiction novella in the Murderbot Diaries series. In the future corporations send security androids (SecUnits) to protect clients on surveying, mining, and other missions. One self aware unit in particular, who refers to itself as Murderbot, has hacked its governor module, and although it performs its duties, it would prefer to watch downloaded serials. When a neighboring mission goes dark, Murderbot must assist its humans in finding the truth and making it off the planet alive. This series is AWESOME!

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

Dragon's Green

Dragon's Green is by Scarlett Thomas. The first in a dystopian fantasy series (Worldquake) about a group of friends with different special powers. In the London of this book a "worldquake" has occurred and technology is iffy at best. Magic is practiced by certain people, but not out in the open. Effie's mother and grandfather are involved in the magical word. After the "worldquake" her mother disappears and her non-magic believing father tries to keep her away from her grandfather. Something happens and Effie's grandfather winds up in the hospital close to death; he begs her to save his precious library and gives her some mysterious gifts. She and her friends are then thrust into a dangerous world of magic to recover her legacy. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Hunting Party

The Hunting Party is by Lucy Foley. A truly creepy realistic fiction mystery tale, which will remind you of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. A group of thirty-something Oxford friends decide to spend New Year's Eve at a remote Scottish estate. A record snow fall cuts them off completely from the outside, and then one of them goes missing. When the body is found it is obvious the cause of death was not accidental. But who did it? This book is creepy and the ending was a complete surprise, which was a nice treat. 

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

Check Please: #Hockey

Check Please: #Hockey is by Ngozi Ukazu. This graphic novel is the realistic fiction story of a college hockey team. Eric Bittle is a former junior figure skating champion, a vlogger, and a talented baker - he is now playing college hockey, and oh, by the way, he's gay. This collection contains the story of his freshman and sophomore years playing hockey at Samwell University. This is nothing like the co-ed club hockey he played back home in Georgia, but as he gets to know his team mates and they get to know him a charming story unfolds. 

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

The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House is by Shirley Jackson. The classic fantasy/horror tale is soo much better than the silly television adaptation. The book is marvelously creepy and psychologically disturbing. Turn off the T.V. and read the book!  An occult scholar rents the quintessential haunted house and invites three people to join him there to study the paranormal events reported by previous tenants. Eleanor, one of those invited, is a lonely, friendless young woman with a troubled past. At first it's all in good fun, but then Hill House decides to show its power. A magnificent story.

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

Labyrinth: The Novelization

Labyrinth: The Novelization is by A.C.H. Smith. This wonderful fantasy novelization recounts the story of the familiar movie. Sarah wishes her little brother would be taken by the goblins - and the Goblin King obliges. Sarah, regretting her decision, must travel to the castle in the center of the maze in the Goblin Kingdom and defeat the Goblin King to rescue Toby. Helped by friends she doesn't expect, Sarah must conquer, not only Jareth, but herself. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.