The Hand on the Wall is by Maureen Johnson. The third book in the realistic fiction Truly Devious series. Stevie has solved the mystery, all she needs to do now is find Alice's body. When the school is evacuated for a major blizzard, Stevie and her friends stay behind to solve the more modern crimes, which Stevie believes are murders, not accidents. A fitting ending to this part of the series. Fans will rush through this book to the exciting ending.
Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Vanishing Stair is by Maureen Johnson. The second book in the realistic fiction Truly Devious series. After the death of one student and the disappearance of another, Stevie's parents bring her home from Ellingham Academy. Then powerbroker and future presidential candidate, Edward King shows up and convinces her parents to let her return to Ellingham. There is of course a catch, Stevie needs to keep an eye on King's son, David, who is a trouble maker at the school and also Stevie's crush. Now she's back and still working on solving the Ellingham mystery and living with the lies she has to tell about her return. Fans of the series will enjoy this one as well, but FYI, it ends on a huge cliffhanger - so if that bothers you have the next book ready to go.
Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.
Once Upon a Curse is by E.D. Baker. The third installment in the fantasy Frog Princess series. Emma and Eadric must travel into the past to find the cure to the curse that has been placed on Emma's family so she and Eadric can get married. Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this book as well.
Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.
Eight Girls and a Dog is by Carolyn Wells. A classic historical fiction novel that reminds me of Little Women. Eight girls and their dog decide to take a vacation to a summer house next door to one of the girls' aunt. Set at the turn of the century, not a great deal happens of import; the girls have fun and tame adventures. A wonderfully charming tale for fans of Little Women or just simple clean fun stories.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
St. Francis of Assisi is by G.K. Chesterton. Chesterton's masterful biography of one of the most well known of all Catholic saints. Chesterton's writing is so beautiful, you almost feel like you are there with St. Francis on his road to becoming a humble man of God. A must read for all Christians. A true Christian classic.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Little Village of Book Lovers is by Nina George. A historical fiction novel with more than a touch of magical realism. In George's The Little Paris Bookshop, Jean Perdu was inspired to start his floating bookshop after reading an obscure novel about a young woman with an amazing gift - this is that novel. Marie-Jeanne is an orphan in the south of France in the 1960s. She is taken in by a couple who love her, then she discovers she has a gift - she can see shimmering lights that show her which couples are meant to be together. She then sets out to bring together the couples in her village, using her father's traveling library as a way to find and connect people. The story is narrated by Love, who has left her mark on Marie-Jeanne and given her her gift. If you enjoyed The Little Paris Bookshop, you will enjoy this book as well.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.
Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe is by Nancy Goldstone. A nonfiction recounting of four Provencal sisters who all became queens. Set amidst the turmoil that was Europe in the thirteenth century, four obscure sisters rose to power and helped redraw the map of Europe. The book is not as dry as it sounds and is very informative. I had no idea queens went on the Crusades with their husbands. The power dynamics and political posturings are fascinating.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Twist of a Knife is by Anthony Horowitz. The fourth installment in the realistic fiction Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery series. Horowitz has fulfilled the three book deal he promised Hawthorne and he wants out. He has other projects after all, including a play that is opening soon. After opening night, which Hawthorne refuses to attend, a critic who has given the play a bad review is found murdered and Anthony is arrested for the murder, and even his friends think he is guilty. Now only Hawthorne can save him, but will he?
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence).
A Line to Kill is by Anthony Horowitz. The third installment in the realistic fiction Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery series. Horowitz and Hawthorne are invited to an exclusive literary convention on a small island off the English coast. When a wealthy local mover and shaker is found murdered after a party, the island is locked down and Hawthorne and Horowitz become involved in the case. There are plenty of suspects, with plenty of reasons for murder - even a old nemesis of Hawthorne's, so who is guilty?
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The River We Remember is by William Kent Krueger. A historical fiction crime novel set in a small Minnesota town in 1958. Sheriff Brody Dern is called in when the body of a wealthy local landowner is found in the river, with a shotgun blast to the chest. Even before the autopsy is complete, rumors begin to circulate that the murderer is a local Native American veteran who came back from the war with a Japanese wife. When Noah Bluestone refuses to assist in his own defense, it's up to the Sheriff and Bluestone's lawyer to discover the truth. But as dark secrets from the past begin to be revealed, it seems the entire town is hiding deep pain and damage - and when the truth finally becomes clear, does anyone want to make it public?
Ratings: 11th grade - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Frozen River is by Ariel Lawhon. A historical fictionalization of the life of Martha Ballard, a real midwife who lived in 18th century Maine. When a local man accused of being involved in the rape of the minister's wife is found dead in the frozen river, Martha is called in to examine the body and declares the main has been murdered. A doctor, new to town, disputes her claim, and the local judge - also accused of being involved in the rape - sides with the doctor, Martha is forced to investigate the murder on her own. Confronted with pressure from the judge and the possibility of her own families' involvement in the murder, Martha must press forward to fight for the truth, and justice for women in a society that doesn't value them.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
North Woods is by Daniel Mason. A historical fiction novel that reminds me very much of Alice Hoffman's Blackbird House. It is a series of stories all set in a house in the woods of New England. The stories follow the inhabitants of the house from the days of the Puritans to the present. Some of the stories are more intriguing than others, but watching the house and the lands that surround it transform and yet stay the same leaves the reader with a feeling of peaceful solidity.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Thursday Murder Club is by Richard Osman. The first book in the historical fiction Thursday Murder Club series. Set in an English retirement village, the story focuses on four elderly people who meet on Thursday's to try and solve cold cases. They call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer with ties to the retirement home is murdered, the club is determined to solve their first "live" case. What that they don't realize, is that to do so will also bring many of their own secrets into the open. This novel is filled with twists and turns and is a fun romp.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (adult thematic content).
Remarkably Bright Creatures is by Shelby Van Pelt. A charming realistic fiction novel with a touch of magical realism. Tova is an elderly widow who works as a cleaning lady in a local aquarium, which has an incredibly intelligent octopus named Marcellus who's almost at the end of his life span. Tova's son disappeared years ago and Marcellus knows what happened to him. When Tova falls and sprains her ankle, a young drifter looking for his father, is hired to cover her job. Now it's up to Marcellus to bring these two people together and help them solve their secrets before it's too late. The parts of the story told from Marcellus' point of view are totally enjoyable.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
