The Dying Breath

The Dying Breath is by Alane Ferguson. The last book in the Forensic Mystery series - unfortunately! Cammie is about to turn eighteen and head off to college to study forensics. Her relationship with Justin, the deputy sheriff, is just beginning to develop, and things are beginning to look up - then her old boyfriend, and psycho serial killer, Kyle returns and threatens Cammie and everyone she cares about. As she struggles to help the police and FBI catch Kyle, she finds herself in a life or death situation with only her wits to save her life. It is sad that this series has come to a close. These books are action packed and loved by both girls and boys.

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

The Goose Girl

The Goose Girl is by Shannon Hale. The first of the Books of Bayern. This is a marvelous re-telling of the original Grimms' fairy tale. Ani is a crown princess who has been pledged in marriage by her mother the queen to the prince of the neighboring kingdom of Bayern. As she and her small retinue make their three month journey to her new home, her lady in waiting decides to assume her identity and become the new queen. Celia uses her ability to influence people with her voice to convince half the guards to kill the loyal members of her company. Ani escapes and travels to the capital of Bayern to get her life back, and finds herself hiding at the palace working as a goose girl. The story follows Ani as she learns about Bayern, her ability to communicate with animals and the wind, and herself and who she really wants to be. A wonderful engaging coming of age tale.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (non graphic violence).

The Spirit Level

The Spirit Level is by Seamus Heaney. A wonderful collection of Heaney's poetry. His vivid imagery and careful word choice make him one of Ireland's best-loved poets, and a must read for all poetry lovers - and those who would like to be.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.

Don Quixote de la Mancha

Don Quixote de la Mancha is by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The all time must read classic tale of the crazy Spaniard who decides to be a knight errant and the hilarious peasant he dupes into being his squire. Their adventures have become the stuff of literary legend. If you have not read this book - you should!! Poor Don Quixote, his madness causes him to be deluded, abused, and laughed at by all those he encounters - alas, the fate of many dreamers. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read!

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

Seeker

Seeker is by William Nicholson. This is the first book in The Noble Warriors series. The Nomana protect their god and his people and once a year new Nomana are selected. Seeker for Truth wants to follow in the footsteps of his brother Blaze of Justice and join the Nomana. When he is not accepted and his brother is cast out of the Nomana accused of being a traitor, Seeker decides to follow his brother and prove his innocence. While on the road he becomes involved with two others who want to be Nomana: Morning Star and the Wildman. They decide if they can destroy a weapon designed to destroy the Nomana the group of warriors will accept them and Seeker can redeem his brother. An interesting series that should apply to boys and girls alike.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables are by Aesop. A classic collection of fables by the famous Greek slave and storyteller. Contains all the fables we remember and many we don't. A great book for children and adults alike; it makes us think about life and the lessons we need to learn to live it well.

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10.

Durable Goods

Durable Goods is by Elizabeth Berg. A wonderful story of a young girl whose father is career military. Her mother has died, her dad is abusive, her older sister wants to runaway, and Katie must decide what she wants out of life. When her father announces the family is transferring from Texas to Missouri, Katie must decide whether to run away with her old sister and her boyfriend or move with her distant, sometimes violent, father. Set in the early sixties, this is a moving story of growth, pain, loss, and the different ways people deal with grief.

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

African American Poetry: An Anthology 1773-1927

African American Poetry: An Anthology 1773-1927 is edited by Joan R. Sherman. A wonderful collection of African American poets and their wonderful contribution to literature in America. A must read for poetry fans everywhere.

Ratings: 8th grade - 10 out of 10.

The Atlantis Complex

The Atlantis Complex is by Eoin Colfer. The seventh installment in the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis is losing his mind, he has developed the Atlantis Complex, a disease that comes from guilt and dabbling in fairy magic. The symptoms include: obsessive-compulsive behavior, paranoia, and multiple personality disorder. Artemis's ailment couldn't come at a worse time. The fairy city of Atlantis is under assault from a deadly foe and Holly and her friends desperately need Artemis to save the day. Can Artemis recover from his ailment in time to save the fairy world - again? Fans of this series will enjoy this book as well.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Blood and Chocolate

Blood and Chocolate is by Annette Curtis Klause. Vivian is a werewolf. Her pack has moved to a populated area after her father and several other packs members were burned to death when a member of their pack began killing humans. Now they are leaderless and fractured. Vivian tries to stay out of pack politics and falls in love with a human boy. She decides to tell him her secret and finds she has endangered her own life and that of her pack when humans begin to die again. A harsh, but tender, tale of coming of age and learning how to accept what you are.

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

Greek Myths and Legends

Greek Myths and Legends is by Jilly Hunt. A great introduction for young readers to Greek mythology. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Chinese Myths and Legends

Chinese Myths and Legends is by Anita Ganeri. A great introduction for young readers to Chinese mythology. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

Norse Myths and Legends

Norse Myths and Legends is by Anita Ganeri. A great introduction for young readers to Norse mythology. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

American Indian Stories and Legends

American Indian Stories and Legends is by Catherine Chambers. A great introduction for young readers to American Indian stories and legends. The pictures and artwork are entertaining and colorful. There is even a glossary and list of names of primary gods/goddesses, monsters, and other creatures.

Ratings: 5th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Prince of Mist

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Max and Alicia Carver, and their family move to a home in a seaside village to escape the city during the war. There they befriend the grandson of the lighthouse keeper, Roland. The three children find themselves haunted by a mysterious figure called the "Prince of Mists." As they try to decipher the mystery of the strange happenings at Max's house, they discover Roland's grandfather knows more about what's happening than he's letting on. An incredibly spooky story, Stephen King for young adults.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.

Sean Connery: The Measure of a Man

Sean Connery: The Measure of a Man is by Christopher Bray. This is more a book about Connery's filmography than a book about his life. If you are looking for a biography, this is not your book. Bray, like most "film critics", hates the movies Connery fans love and love the ones most fans don't care for. I learned a lot about Bray's opinions of Connery's performances, but little about Connery himself.

Ratings: Adult - 4 out of 10 - AC (some adult thematic content).