Peter Pan is by James Barrie. The classic children's fantasy tale. Peter Pan can't grow up. He goes to the home of the Darling's to listen to stories told to their children. When he loses his shadow and has it sewn back on by Wendy Darling, he takes Wendy, John, and Michael for an adventure in Never Never Land. There they meet the lost boys, the Indians, the mermaids, and of course, Captain James Hook. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 5th grade - 9 out of 10.
Devil in a Blue Dress is by Walter Mosley. The first book in the historical fiction Easy Rawlins mystery series. Set in Los Angeles in 1948, Easy is a black war veteran who has lost his job. He is trying to find another so he can keep his home, which means everything to him. He is approached by a white man and asked to locate a white woman who is known to hang out in the black part of town. Then people start dying and Easy is suspected by the police. Can he discover what is really going on without getting killed or thrown in jail for crimes he didn't commit? This is a dark and violent series.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (very mature thematic content).
A Daughter of Fair Verona is by Christina Dodd. A charming historical fiction look at Romeo and Juliet's daughter; the first in the Daughter of Montague series. Romeo and Juliet didn't die, they lived and had a bunch of children. The oldest daughter is named Rosaline and she doesn't want to marry. However, her parents betroth her to a man whose last three wives have died under suspicious circumstances. When she is found in the garden at her betrothal party standing over the body of the husband-to-be, Rosaline must discover who really killed him and why. This novel was completely charming. It is the first in a series, so there will be more for fans who want to know more about Rosaline.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Cleopatra is by Saara El-Arifi. A historical fiction look at the life of the famous Egyptian queen. Told from the point of view of Cleopatra, the novel covers her childhood with her family, her ascension to the throne of Egypt, as well as her love affairs with both Caesar and Antony. The twist at the end was a surprise. I enjoyed this novel.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Inugami Curse is by Seishi Yokomizo. The second book in the historical fiction Detective Kindaichi mysteries. Set in 1940s Japan, Detective Kindaichi is called in to solve a series of mysterious deaths related to the will of the head of the Inugami clan. This is the first Japanese mystery I have read and I admit I found it convoluted with a large cast of characters. I am probably missing a lot due to my lack of understanding of Japanese culture. I did enjoy it and would like to read more Japanese mysteries in translation and in this series in particular.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Beowulf is translated by J. R. R. Tolkien. The classic fantasy legend translated by the master himself. This edition also contains a complete commentary and other poems related to the myth. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. A must read for all Tolkien fans and fans of Beowulf.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
The Salamander Spell is by E. D. Baker. The fifth book in the fantasy Frog Princess series. This prequel follows the adventures of Grassina and her journey to becoming the Green Witch. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.
Ratings: 6th grade - 6 out of 10.
