Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is by Charlotte Bronte. The must read romantic classic with Gothic elements that is a classic for a reason. Jane Eyre is an orphan who is taken in by a wealthy uncle. after his death she is abused and hated by her aunt and her three cousins. She is sent away to school and later becomes a governess to the young ward of the dark and moody Mr. Rochester. They fall in love, but a tragic secret revealed on the eve of their wedding sends Jane running. A masterful social commentary, love story, and a lesson on the indomitable triumph of a young woman's will to find her place in life. 

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

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is by Muriel Barbery. A translation of a best selling French novel. Renee is the concierge in a fancy Parisian apartment building. She is extremely well-read, intelligent, and cultured, a fact she goes to great lengths to conceal to conform to society's expectations of a concierge. Twelve-year-old Paloma also lives in the building. Paloma has decided to kill herself on her thirteenth birthday to escape the inane future she perceives to be unavoidable. When another tenant, a famous food critic, dies suddenly Renee and Paloma find a new friend who changes both their lives. While on the philosophical side, this novel is also in turns hilarious and poignant. An amusing, and sad, look at the lengths we go to to hide our real selves from others.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - MP (mild profanity).

Murderers and Nerdy Girls Work Late

Murderers and Nerdy Girls Work Late is by Lisa Boero. The initial installment in the Nerdy Girls Murder Mysteries series. Liz is a small town Wisconsin girl going to law school in St. Louis. She lands a summer associate position in a prestigious law firm, all seems to be going well - until she finds one of the partners in the firm murdered in the stairwell leading to the parking garage. She wants to assist the handsome police detective solve the case, but she has a neurological disorder that makes it impossible for her to recognize faces. Can she rely on her other senses to discover the killer and catch the man of her dreams? For a first book this one's not bad at all, Liz's struggles with her disability are believable and charming. The plot is engaging, and if James reminds readers of Joe Morelli, oh well. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I find myself looking forward to the next book in the series.

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content)

Lord Jim

Lord Jim is by Joseph Conrad. The must read classic tale of a man's mistake and his search for redemption. Jim is a British seaman who finds himself on a ship captained by a disreputable coward. After an accident at sea, Jim is tried for dereliction of duty and must come to terms with his dishonor in his own eyes, and the eyes of others. With the help of a friend, he sets out to redeem himself  at any cost. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

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

Menace from the Deep

Menace from the Deep is by Michael Spradlin. The first book in the Killer Species series. Emmet and his scientist father have moved from Montana to Florida to work with the park rangers in the Everglades, who are having animal control problems. He, and his new friend Calvin, are attacked in the swamp by creatures that are a cross between an alligator and a bird. Then Emmett's father is kidnapped by a nut who is genetically creating Pterogators, supposedly to save the Everglades. A fast-paced action series boys will love. Can't wait for the next installment.

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Frog Prince and Other Poems

The Frog Prince and Other Poems: Fairy Tales for Grown-ups is by Jane Hayman. A short, but entertaining, book of fairy tales written in a poetry format for grown-ups. 

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

Attack of the Fiend

Attack of the Fiend is by Joseph Delaney. The fourth book in The Last Apprentice series. The Spook, Tom, and Alice must head to Pendle to sort out the three witch covens there before they can join together to raise "the fiend". Before they even arrive in Pendle, Tom discovers that the Malkin clan has kidnapped his brother, his sister-in-law, and their young daughter; destroyed the farm house; and stolen the trunks Tom's mother had left for him. Can Tom and Alice rescue his family and get back his trunks? What is in the trunks that the witches want so badly? What is the secret Tom's mother kept from him? This story is non-stop adventure from beginning to end. Fans of this series will not be able to wait for the next book.

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