The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London

The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London is by Elvira Woodruff. Set in London in the 1700s, Forrest is the Ravenmaster's son. His father's job is to care for the protected ravens, and some of the prisoners, in the infamous Tower of London. Forrest and his friend Ned, the rat catcher, want nothing more than to escape their lives in the Tower. Then one day a young girl, the daughter of a Scottish rebel, is confined to the Tower. Forrest must decide whether saving Maddy is worth the risk of discovery and the danger to himself and his family. A wonderful piece of historical fiction that discusses the cost of courage and the importance of friendship.

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.

Star Split

Star Split is by Kathryn Lasky. A disturbing, but thought provoking, tale of the dangers of cloning. Set in the third millennium, Darci is a Genhant, a genetically enhanced human. Everyone she knows is genetically engineered; "Originals" are few and outcasts from society. They go to a different school, study a different curriculum, and are not allowed to associate with Genhants. The gravest sin in the Bio Union is the unauthorized cloning of individuals. This crime is punishable by death for the offenders and all "copies". At a climbing camp Darci meets her "copy". She and Vivian are terrified realizing what this could mean for their families and themselves. Lasky's writing can be somewhat more technical than some readers would prefer, but her discussion of the dangers of cloning and what it could mean for humanity if taken to the logical extreme is frightening. An excellent way to introduce younger readers to Huxley's Brave New World.

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (very mild profanity).

In The Cards: Fame

In The Cards: Fame is by Mariah Fredericks. The second book of the In The Cards trilogy. Eve has Anna read the cards to see if she will get the lead in the school production of Cabaret. The cards seem to indicate success, but Eve will have to achieve her success at the expense of someone else. Is fame under those circumstances worth it? Are there some prices that are just too high? A tale of teenage desire, meanness, and self sacrifice.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (very mild profanity).

Dolphin Song

Dolphin Song is by Lauren St. John. The sequel to The White Giraffe finds Martine heading out with her school chums on a field trip to see the Sardine Run. While on the trip seven children, including Martine and Ben, are swept overboard in a storm. Dolphins save the children and take them to a deserted island. They must learn to work together to survive and solve the mystery of beached dolphins. Once they discover the danger to the dolphins, can they save them? Will they themselves be rescued? Another charming tale from St. John; steeped in environmental political correctness, but charming nonetheless.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The House on Mango Street

The House on Mango Street is by Sandra Cisneros. This classic book is a collection of vignettes woven together into a seamless work by Cisneros' skillful writing. The narrator, Esperanza Cordero, comes of age in the Latino section of Chicago. Esperanza shares her experiences growing up on Mango Street and her desire to leave. She discovers that while she may leave Mango Street, Mango Street will never leave her.


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

Midnight for Charlie Bone

Midnight for Charlie Bone is by Jenny Nimmo. The first book in the Children of the Red King series. All the children of the Red King are "endowed" with special powers. When Charlie Bone finds he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs he discovers he is one of the Red King's descendants. Now he must go to Bloor's Academy for special training. But as Charlie and his friends try to discover the secret of a mysterious case and find a missing girl things began to get difficult. Can Charlie find Emma? Are his grandmother and great aunts really as evil as they seem? Can he count on Uncle Paton for help? A charming new series for lovers of Harry Potter.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.

Spirit Walker

Spirit Walker is by Michelle Paver. The second book in The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. A mysterious sickness is sweeping the Forest Tribes. When the Raven Clan is stricken Torak decides to head into the Deep Forest to find a cure. Missing the still absent Wolf and leaving Renn behind he heads into the forest. After being told the cure he seeks is at the Sea he is captured by the Seal Clan and taken to their island. There he meets Tenris the mage who offers him the cure. Then Renn and Wolf arrive and try to warn Torak that a Soul Eater is on the island. But who is it? Can Torak find the answer before it's too late?

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.