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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).