Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver is the first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. It takes place during the neolithic time period, approximately 6,000 years ago. Torak is a member of the Wolf Clan, but has only ever lived with his father in the forest. When a huge bear, possessed by a demon spirit kills his father, Torak is forced to keep a promise he made to his dying father... that he'd find the Mountain of the World Spirit, or die trying. A lone wolf cub finds Torak as he begins his journey. Torak is surprised that they are able to communicate with one another using the wolf's language. Eventually, they are caught by members of the Raven Clan. They tell Torak of the prophecy of the Listener - one who can fight with air, speak with silence and talk to the animals of the forest. It is the Listener who must give his heart's blood to the Mountain and abolish the evil demon spirit within the bear. Torak, accompanied by Renn of the Raven Clan and Wolf, continue on the journey, tracked by the leaders of the Raven Clan and by the evil spirit bear who continues to grow larger and more powerful. Torak doesn't know if he can live up to the prophecy or even keep his promise to his father, but he continues on, trying his hardest to do what's right for the world.

This was a really good adventure story! At first, I thought it might be fantasy because of the prophecy and the evil demon and spirits, but then I realized it is based on the religious and spiritual beliefs of the people who would have lived during the neolithic time period. The author, Michelle Paver, did a lot of research (both with archaeology and with nomadic tribes) do develop the characters in the story. She also did research with wolves, more of which you can see in the video clip below.

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata is set in the United States, just before and right after the bombing of Pearle Harbor. Sumiko and her brother, Tak Tak, lost their parents in a car accident several years before. Since then, they have been living with their aunt and uncle in California, working on their family run flower farm - their specialty? Kusabana, or weedflower. When Pearle Harbor was bombed, all of the Japanese people were suspected of being spies for Japan and were rounded up and sent to different internment camps around the United States. Sumiko's uncle and grandfather were seen as leaders of their community and were sent to North Dakota. The rest of the family, Sumiko and her brother, their aunt and two cousins, were sent to Poston, Arizona. This internment camp was on an Indian Reservation. It was hot, dusty, and hostile - like nothing Sumiko had ever experienced before. Everyone in the camp tried to make the best out of the situation by trying to work, planting gardens, starting a school, and even developing sports teams! The work was hard and paid very little. Sumiko met an Indian boy named Frank who was interested in the ways her cousins irrigated their little flower farm back in California, and wanted to learn more about it. She arranged the meeting. Eventually, the Japanese people were asked to relocate again, this time to places outside of camps so they could contribute to the workforce within the United States. They were also asked to sign up to fight in the war on the side of the US. Anyone who refused to agree that they were loyal to the US and not Japan, was sent to a "segregation" camp. Sumiko's older cousins both went to the military, and her aunt decided to move everyone else to Chicago to look for work. Sumiko hated this decision, because she finally felt like she belonged somewhere.

This was a really good book. I learned a lot about the history of both the Native Americans who lived on the reservation in Poston, Arizona, as well as the history of the Japanese people who were living in the US during WWII. The author, Cynthia Kadohata's father was a prisoner at the camp in Poston. His experiences contributed to those described in the story.


Iowan to Receive her Dream Degree
The above link is to a news story out of Ames, Iowa about a woman whose husband worked with my dad for many years. It is about her story and experience living in the Japanese Internment Camp in Arizona.

In Too Deep (39 Clues Series #6) by Jude Watson

In Too Deep (39 Clues Series #6) by Jude Watson is about Dan and Amy Cahill and their hunt for fame and fortune.

"Our grandmother Grace left a will that gave us a choice between a million dollars and a hunt to find thirty-nine clues, which, when we put them together, will make us the most powerful people in the world. So we chose the hunt. Along with various assorted horrible Cahill relatives, all of whom have tried to kill us at one time or another." pg. 144

The hunt leads them to Australia in book #6. There, they meet up with their father's long-lost cousin, Shep. He helps them find new information that eventually leads them to Jakarta and the next clue. Along the way, they are assaulted by Isabel Kabra (Ian and Natalie's mother), nearly killed by poisonous spiders and snakes, and forced to flee their Uncle Alaistair's burning bungalow in the middle of the night.

Another great mystery from the 39 Clues Series! The kids are getting closer to solving the mystery of their parents' death in a strange fire several years ago. Also, a preview of book #7 lets us know that we'll find out which branch of the Cahill family Amy and Dan belong to. There is also some mystery surrounding their au pair, Nellie. She may not be who we all thought she was...

A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum

A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum is about Will and Denny, twins who aren't exactly the same. While Will was born a typical boy, Denny was born with Downs Syndrome. They live on a ranch with their father, but since their mother's death, Will has had to take over caring for Denny. Instead of working the ranch with his father and the other ranch hands, Will finds himself constantly drawn away from what he's doing by Denny. Will feels trapped - like he's growing into a man, but Denny is still a boy. He desperately wants to get away from his life on the ranch, so he makes a plan to travel 40 miles away to the rodeo. Will knows he's good enough to compete and even win, and he's hoping someone will notice his skills and hire him to work on a ranch far away from his own. Unfortunately, the day he tries to make his escape, Denny follows him! Despite being bitten by a rattle snake, having to cross a dangerously fast moving river, and Will's anger, Denny continues to follow. When he sees that the snake bite is infected, Will takes Denny to the only local doctor - a friend of their fathers. He leaves Denny in the care of the doctor, knowing their father will come for them soon, and heads out for the rodeo. Suddenly things take a turn for the better for Will - he's doing extremely well in the rodeo and people are taking notice of him! It seems like all of his dreams are about to come true. And then....

This was a really moving story. It reminded me a bit of Of Mice and Men and a bit of The Scarlet Ibis. I loved seeing the way the boys' relationship developed over the years, and the changes that began to happen as they matured separately. I also really liked the descriptions of the rodeo and events there. I've never seen a rodeo and had no idea of the skill it takes to compete. Excellent book!

Knockout! A Photobiography of Boxer Joe Louis by George Sullivan

Knockout! A Photobiography of Boxer Joe Louis by George Sullivan describes the life of boxing legend Joe Louis Barrow (Joe Louis). Joe Louis was an incredibly important person to all people in the United States during the 30s and early 40s. He stood for equality to black people fighting for civil rights, and he stood for "America" in the fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. His 11 year, 8 month record for holding the heavyweight title of the world has never been broken!

This was a really interesting book. I didn't know anything about Joe Louis until I read it. It was interesting to learn how influential and important he was to people during the 30s and 40s. He was so much more than just a sports figure.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater is about Grace, a Minnesota teen who survived a wolf attack in her backyard six years ago. She doesn't remember much about the attack, except that she's certain one wolf saved her from the rest. She thinks of him as her wolf, and waits for his appearance in the woods bordering her backyard - usually in late fall of each year. The older she gets, the harder it is for her to wait for him.

The story is also about Sam, a teen who 11 years ago was bitten by a werewolf and became one himself. He is still young enough that he retains his human form during the warmest months of the year, only becoming wolf during the cold. He is Grace's wolf.

Sam and Grace live for the small moments they each get to stare at one another across her backyard each season, sharing a bond neither of them fully understands. When a student from Grace's school is attacked and killed by a pack of wolves, the townspeople (including Grace's father) take matters into their own hands and go out hunting. Sam is shot, and amazingly returns to his human form, despite the frigid fall weather. Grace finds him on her doorstep, and recognizes him as her wolf immediately. From then on, the two are inseparable, falling madly in love with one another and constantly saddened by the reality that eventually Sam will change back to wolf... maybe for good. Things take a turn for the worse as Jack, the boy who was killed by the wolf pack returns - as a wolf himself - unstable and angrier than ever. Grace's best friend Olivia begins acting strangely, and Grace is being stalked by a she-wolf who is bent on rising to the top of the pack as Sam's mate.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!!!! Mrs. Ruder (from the HOMS MC) recommended it to me, and she was right - it's my new favorite! I could barely put it down. The ending was AWESOME!! It's one of those endings that makes me want to start reading it again from the start. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes the Twilight Series, for sure! The sequel, Linger, comes out July 20, 2010, and I will be first in line to grab my copy!

I Heard God Talking To Me: William Edmondson and His Stone Carvings by Elizabeth Spires

I Heard God Talking To Me: William Edmondson and His Stone Carvings by Elizabeth Spires is a collection of poetry by Elizabeth Spires written in response to William Edmondson's famous carvings. William Edmondson was the son of freed slaves. He grew up in the south, and from an early age had spiritual experiences where he heard God's voice. These experiences convinced him to begin carving beautiful, yet simple, headstones and statues. He would sell them out of his yard for very little. Now, his famous pieces can be found in museums and private collections all across the United States. Elizabeth Spires wrote poems about many of his famous works, giving a voice to Edmondson's creations.

This was a really interesting book. The poems were lovely, but I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of Edmondson's pieces and Edmondson himself. The end of the book contains more information about him, his life, and his carvings.

Reality Check by Peter Abrahams

Reality Check by Peter Abrahams is about 16 year old Cody, the star quarter back of the Little Bend, Colorado football team. Things seem perfect - summer is starting, he's got a great job, a great girlfriend, an excellent chance of making a college football team (if he can get his grades up), until Clea's dad sends her to Hong Kong for the summer. When she returns, they are both so happy, until Cody finds out Clea will be attending a fancy prep school in Vermont that fall. Things keep falling apart for Cody - he breaks up with Clea before she goes, thinking it's what's best for them both, he suffers a knee injury during a football game, and he ends up dropping out of school. One afternoon he sees a breaking news story - a girl from a prep school in Vermont has gone missing... and, it's Clea. Not knowing what else to do, Cody leaves his dad a note and drives all the way to Vermont to help out with the search. Cody doesn't realize what he's getting himself into. It seems like finding Clea is hopeless... until Cody finds some clues that lead him closer to her, but also closer to danger.

This book was a good mystery once it got going. There was a lot of build up to Clea's disappearance, focusing on Cody's football playing. Also, there was a lot of swearing - some pretty serious language. I would recommend this book to older readers (high school) who want a good mystery.

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Swindle by Gordon Korman is about Griffin Bing, the "man with the plan". When he and his best friend, Ben, spend the night in the condemned Rockford building the night before it is to be knocked down, they never knew what kind of trouble they'd find. What they did find as a 1920 Babe Ruth baseball card. They took it to the local collectible store and sold it to S. Wendell Palomino (Swindle) for a whopping $120.00. It was only a few days later when Griffin saw Swindle on tv talking excitedly about his belief that he would earn over 1 million dollars when he put it up for auction! Griffin immediately devised a plan to get the card back, hoping he could sell it and save his family from financial ruin. Unfortunately, things didn't go exactly as planned - from a vicious attack dog, to a friend with narcolepsy, to a nosy neighbor - things just kept going wrong!

This was a great book! I really like Gordon Korman's books, and this was one of the funniest. You know an author is good when he can make you laugh right out loud! I found myself really hoping Griffin's plan would work and Swindle Palomino would get what he deserved - I never suspected the twists and turns that happened at the end of the story! Zoobreak is a recently released book by Gordon Korman, featuring the same characters. I'll be checking that one out soon!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is about Greg Heffley and his adventures (and misadventures) as a middle schooler. The story is told via Greg's journal (NOT a diary), and is complete with his own illustrations! Poor Greg - when he's not protecting himself from getting the "Cheese Touch", he has to deal with getting chased by high schoolers bent on stealing his Halloween candy, getting kicked off of safety patrols for chasing the kindergartners with fresh worms, having his dad smash up his snowman head (after he kicked his younger brother's snowman at his brother's head), or having his mom substitute for his teacher. These are just a few of the hilarious events that happen throughout this hilarious book about a wimpy kid.

OK, so this book is so funny that I burst out laughing during the middle of silent reading time and completely disrupted the entire library!! I have seen so many of my students reading the entire series, but this is the first time I've read any of them. I finished the book in a matter of a few hours, simply because it was so amusing and engaging! I totally understand why kids like this one!

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo is about Matt Stevens, Franklin Middle School's one and only private investigator. Things at the Frank are run by a particularly foul bully named Vinny, who has a whole host of "employees" to do his bidding. Up until recently, one of these employees was Nikki Fingers, hit-woman extraordinaire. Her aim and speed with a cat-pee filled squirt gun was unparalleled at the Frank, sending many a victim to join "The Outs" after having been sprayed in the pants. At the beginning of 8th grade year, Nikki went back to being Nicole and tried to leave Vinny's crew - supposedly to set a good example for her 6th grade sister. Too bad she took something of Vinny's with her when she went. Vinny hired Matt to retrieve the item, a hula girl good luck charm. Unknowingly, Matt only served as a distraction... when they were talking, someone snuck up on them and "hit" Nikki with the squirt gun. The crowd in the hall was thrilled at seeing the most feared member of Vinny's crew taken down - Nikki was no longer feared, in fact, she was immediately a member of "The Outs", the shunned group of kids at the Frank. Now Matt's job is to find out who put the hit on Nikki... suspects include nearly everybody at Franklin Middle School! In the midst of his investigation, Matt discovers he may have feelings for two different girls, considers his old elementary school friendships with both Vinny and his new right-hand-man Kevin, and wrestles with how to do the right thing for himself, Nikki, and the Frank.

This was a really funny mystery! It reminded me of The Sopranos for adolscents! Vinny was the big boss-man who controlled all of the illegal activity at school (writing phony passes, selling candy, etc.) and took down anyone who crossed him using cat pee and a squirt gun. The author used a lot of hilarious similes to describe the situations.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson is about a 17 year old girl who just awoke from a year long coma and doesn't remember anything about her former life. Jenna Fox knows she was in an accident, knows she's supposed to call Claire 'mother' and knows that there are big secrets being kept from her. She's living with her mother and grandmother in a new house on the west coast while her father takes care of his business out east. For some reason, Jenna suspects her grandmother hates her, but doesn't know why. She's not allowed out of the house, not allowed to attend school... she's not even allowed to eat food - he has to take dietary supplements instead! Little by little, memories start coming back to Jenna, especially when she begins watching old home movies of herself. She also notices some small changes in her own appearance - different from what she sees on the videos. Jenna tries to investigate, and through a series of accidental discoveries comes to the realization that she is definitely not who she thought she was - what her parents did to save her after the accident was highly illegal and dangerous.

This was a great science fiction story! It really made me think about how far I would go to save my child. I loved the way the author unfolded the events. She kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, wanting to know what happened. I felt a little like Jenna - in the dark about what was happening in a strange world, finding out bits and pieces as we went along.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is about Junior, a high school student who lives on an Indian reservation in Washington State. Junior's family is poor, as are most of the Indian families on his reservation. His father drinks a lot, just like most of the adults on the reservation. There are a few things that set Junior apart from the other kids, though. First, he was born with "water on the brain" and suffered brain damage, leaving him prone to seizures. Second, he's really, really smart. Third, Junior is the kid everyone picks on. After a strange talk with one of his teachers, Junior decides to enroll at Reardon High School, in the closest town off of the reservation. It's a school filled with primarily white, small-town kids who all grew up together. Junior, or Arnold as they call him at Reardon, doesn't fit in there any better than he does on the reservation. To make matters worse, he has trouble just getting to school - the car breaks down, there isn't money for gas, his dad is too hung over, etc. Sometimes he has to make the 22 mile walk on his own! Things begin to look up for Junior when he begins making friends, gets a girlfriend (sort of) and makes the Reardon varsity basketball team. Unfortunately, things just get worse for him on the reservation. He begins to feel like he's 1/2 Indian at school and 1/2 white at home. He doesn't fit in anywhere. Junior takes solace in his drawings, finding strength and inspiration that help him get through the toughest times - including the death of his beloved grandmother and older sister.

What a fantastic book! It isn't written like anything else I've ever read - it's a mix between a free verse style and Diary of a Wimpy Kid journal/drawing. Parts are funny, parts are sad, most is touching. It certainly doesn't end with the typical "happy ending" that most books have. I think that's why I liked it so much. It's real.

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass is about three completely different teenagers who meet as a result of one of the most magical natural phenomena - a total eclipse of the sun. Ally (named Alpha after the brightest star in each constellation) lives with her family at Moon Shadow, a campground in the middle of nowhere that their family built years ago in preparation for the eclipse. She absolutely loves her life - nature, chores around the campground, homeschooling, even her little brother Kenny (most of the time). Bree, a beautiful, popular city girl, and her younger sister Melanie, just found out they will be moving to Moon Shadow just before the eclipse to take over the camp ground! Her parents are scientists and have been given a grant for their research. Bree's life is all about fashion, make up, shopping, and hanging out with the A-List girls from her school. She absolutely does not want to move to the middle of nowhere, despite how excited Melanie is. Jack is an average teenager from an average town. He tries his best to be invisible to everyone around. He's had a tough time, and seeks solace in his drawings and books. In order to avoid summer school (he failed science), Jack goes on a two week bus trip with his science teacher to see the eclipse and to possibly make an amateur scientist breakthrough! As a result of their experiences at Moon Shadow, these three teens end up changing in ways they never though possible.

This was a very sweet book. Each chapter is told through a different character's perspective, first completely unconnected, but intertwining as they all meet up at Moon Shadow. I really felt for Jack's character. For some reason, I found myself identifying with him the most. While his ending wasn't necessarily "happy", it did leave him with hope for a brighter future. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys realistic fiction!

H.I.V.E. (The Higher Institute of Villainous Education) by Mark Walden

H.I.V.E. (The Higher Institute of Villainous Education) by Mark Walden is about a unique training facility... it trains teens to be villains! Otto Malpence and Wing Fanchu found themselves being transported to H.I.V.E. after having been "retrieved" by fiends operating under Nero and Number One. H.I.V.E. is hidden within a seemingly active volcano on an uncharted island. Upon arrival, the boys quickly learn that thoughts of escape are futile. They, along with all of the other students at this school, were hand selected for their various talents. Otto just happened to hijack the teleprompter at the Prime Minister's latest speech and caused quite a scene, one of their other classmates in the infamous Wraith, who steals priceless jewelry from some of the most highly guarded buildings in the world. No one knows why Wing was chosen for H.I.V.E., but everyone has seen his unparalleled combat skills! Wing, Otto, and two other students hatch a plan for escape after Otto accidentally sees some blueprints of The H.I.V.E. Between the four of them, it looks like escape might actually be possible, if not for H.I.V.E.mind, the artificial intelligence agent who is everywhere and sees everything. Despite not having much to return to, the four of them desperately want to leave The H.I.V.E., and think they may have found a way to do it!

This book was full of action and cool technology! This is one of those books where I wanted to read ahead faster and faster because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next!

Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman is the sequel to Skeleton Creek. In this book Ryan and Sarah continue working together to solve the mystery of the dredge and the mysterious secret society, The Crossbones. Ryan is still recovering from his injury at the dredge that he sustained just before the first book takes place. He tells the story of his and Sarah's escapades through his journal, while Sarah tells it through videos she emails to Ryan, using secret codes. Between the two of them, they put together several different clues which lead them to a very secret meeting of the remaining members of The Crossbones. Of course, Sarah sneaks in to the meeting place and sets up a camera! What they learn sends them back into the dredge, one final time before the town burns it down. Little did they know, they wouldn't be the only ones visiting the dredge that night, seeking the secrets of The Crossbones.

I liked this book just as much as the first, Skeleton Creek. I love the way the author tells the story through Ryan's journal and Sarah's movies. I was able to download all of Sarah's videos from iTunes (for free!) so I could watch them on my iPod when it was time in the story. This helped my enjoyment of the book a lot. When I read Skeleton Creek, I'd have to stop reading and find a computer to watch the videos at http://sarahfincher.com. Having the videos on my iPod made it portable! It is definitely necessary to watch the videos as they appear in the book - they are vital to your understanding of the story.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is about the tragic murder of Suzie Salmon, a 14 year old girl. It is told from the perspective of Suzie, through her memories of her family, through her experiences in life, and her reality in heaven. Suzie was survived by her mother, father, 13 year old sister, and 4 year old brother. Each of them deals with her death in their own way. Her father, trying desperately to pin the blame on their neighbor, Mr. Harvey. Her mother, who eventually has to leave the family to escape. Her sister, Lindsey, who tries to distance herself from her own last name and works to solve the mystery of her sister's life and death. And, Buckley, the 4 year old who just wants to move on while keeping Suzie's memory safe. Mr. Harvey, who in fact did kill Suzie in a most brutal way, trying to maintain his innocence while living 2 houses down from the Salmons. Suzie watches from her own version of heaven, seeing her family and friends grow without her. She knows an old acquaintance, Ruth, can feel her presence, but doesn't know how to reach out to her family to help them solve the crime.

This was a very good book. It took a very realistic look at an incredibly tragic event, following the path from the time of the murder through Suzie's eventual "letting go" of earth - years and years later. It makes me wonder (even hope?) if any of my loved ones are so closely with me in my day to day activities. This book is definitely for a more mature reader due to violence and language.

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green is about Quentin, a high school senior who gets roped into a night of wild adventure with his next-door neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. Quentin and Margo used to be friends, back in elementary school. But, the drifted apart as their different personalities, styles, and friends changed over the years. Quentin has always admired Margo from afar - maybe even loved her - but has never had the courage to do anything about it. One night Margo appeared in all black outside Quentin's window, and convinced him to perform 11 crazy stunts one night. These students included leaving a rotting catfish in her former friend's car, using a cream to remove the eyebrow of a bully, and breaking in to Sea World! The next day, Margo disappears. This is not uncommon - Margo has run away in the past. This time, however, she has left a series of clues, seemingly specifically for Quentin, leading to her whereabouts. Quentin and his friends embark on an interesting journey through the last month of their high school experience, to find Margo before it's too late.

This was a really interesting book. It is definitely for a more mature audience, due to language and physical situations. There were a lot of references to poetry by Walt Whitman, and the idea of finding oneself. It really gave me a lot to think about!

A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass is about Mia, an 8th grader who appears totally normal... except she's been hiding a secret about herself from EVERYONE, since she was in 3rd grade. Mia sees colors and shapes for every letter, word, and sound.

Things have been rough on Mia lately. Her grandfather died the year before. At the funeral, she found a small kitten suffering from a lung disease. Convinced that a part of her grandfather's soul is inside the kitten, Mango, she turns to him for comfort in all areas of her life. In addition, Mia's best friend, Jenna's mother recently died of cancer. AND, Mia is having trouble at school - she's nearly failing math and in danger of having to attend summer school!

Mia has always struggled in school with math and world languages because the colors she associates with numbers and words don't always correspond with the ways those numbers and words change due to mathematical equations and foreign words. She first realized she was different in 3rd grade when she tried to rewrite her teacher's math equation on the board using colored chalk - the students in the class laughed at her and called her "freak." It isn't until 8th grade, when Mia can't stand the secret any longer, that she breaks down and tells her parents. They take her to a variety of different doctors before a neurologist diagnoses her with synesthesia. Finally, Mia has a name for what she'd always assumed was craziness!

I absolutely loved this book. It was both touching and funny, happy and sad. I found myself thinking about Mia and her family even when I wasn't actively reading the book! I had never heard of synesthesia before, but now I am interested in researching more about it. I really liked the way the author described Mia's experiences in school and with her family and friends. It was interesting to see what colors Mia associated with different actions, letters, and words. I found myself thinking about what colors and shapes I might associate with those things as well. GREAT STORY!!

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge is about Daniel, who lives on his own after the murder of his parents 12 years ago. When Daniel was just 3 years old, the most powerful alien on Earth invaded their home and killed his parents. At first, Daniel didn't understand what happened. It turns out, they were a family of Alien Hunters. Daniel's ability to create people out of thin air kept him safe and in good company until he began to realize his purpose was to finish what his parents had started - the assassinations of all of the dangerous aliens living on Earth. Daniel is pretty powerful, but he isn't much of a match for Ergent Seth, #6 on the list. Despite knowing the risks, Daniel sets his sights on Seth. Seth, however, sees Daniel coming from a mile away and tricks him at every twist and turn. It's only in the end, when Daniel finally begins to learn about himself and his amazing past, that he realizes what he must do to defeat Seth.

This was a very action packed science fiction book. The chapters are REALLY short - 92 in all, each about 1-2 pages in length. This made it easy to read it in chunks and keep the general story in mind. There were also a lot of references to pop-culture. I think this helps draw in a more current audience. All in all, a great story!

The Black Circle (The 39 Clues Series #5) by Patrick Carman

The Black Circle (The 39 Clues Series #5) by Patrick Carman is set in Russia. Amy and Dan are receiving notes (from an anonymous person with the initials NRR) that lead them all over Russia in search of the next clue. They aren't sure they can trust this stranger, but they don't have another choice. Amy and Dan know if they're going to follow the directions on the notes exactly, they'll need to team up. They recruit the help of Hamilton Holt, one of their cousins, who's family is also on the hunt for the 39 clues leading to fame and fortune. Despite their fears that they're being lead straight into a Lucian trap, Amy and Dan pursue the next clue from Moscow to St. Petersburg to the youngest Romanov's playroom! Of course, Irina Spasky, the former KGB agent and cousin to the Cahills is on their heels the entire time, trying to stop them from finding what they seek.

Another great mystery and adventure book! I read it in about 4 hours - I couldn't put it down. There was a lot of history about Russia, including the Romanov family and their relationship with Rasputin, that I found very interesting. I think the next book I read will be about Russian Royalty!

Beyond the Grave (The 39 Clues Series #4) by Jude Watson

Beyond the Grave (The 39 Clues Series #4) by Jude Watson takes place in Egypt. The Cahill kids, Dan and Amy, are still searching for all 39 clues left by their late grandmother, Grace, all leading to fame and fortune. In the fourth book, Dan and Amy are searching in Egypt with their Au Pair, Nellie, for a clue dating back to the 16th century! Through their searching they discover an ancient statue of Sakhat, find themselves locked in Nefertari's tomb, and search for the underwater island of Philae in a submarine invented by their Uncle Alistair (who they thought was killed in book #3). As always, danger and deceipt follow these two as other members of the Cahill family continue their search for the clues, as well. The kids have a nasty run-in with cousin Irina, the ex-KGB agent, and have to escape the clutches of evil Uncle Bae when he traps them in the Ekat stronghold!

This was another page turner! I love the 39 Clues Series - all of the books are written by different authors, and come out about every 2 months. There are clues within the pages, but also hidden clues within the books that lead the reader to solving even bigger mysteries! There is also an online component with trading cards, games, and reading activities. I'll be reading book #5 tonight!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the sequel to The Hunger Games. In this book, Katniss and Peeta return to Section 12 as victors of the Hunger Games. They, and their families, live the life of luxury - all the food they can eat, running water, nice houses, money. Unfortunately, they are not truly free of the Hunger Games. Because of Katniss's stunt at the end of the game, the Capitol had no choice but to allow them both to be victors, when usually only one person makes it out of the Hunger Games alive. It was Katniss's deception, her "undying love" for Peeta that saved them both. As a result, the other 11 Sections of Panem are in the beginning stages of an uprising to overthrow the government - with Katniss and her mockingjay symbol as their inspiration. The president tells Katniss that she must convince the entire country that she and Peeta really are in love and stop any revolt that might be in the works. In order to do this, she must sever all ties with her one true love, Gale. In the midst of their farce, Peeta and Katniss learn that they have been chosen again to compete in the special 75th anniversary version of the Hunger Games, and must put all of their efforts into training and strategy.

Another great story by Suzanne Collins. While I did enjoy the first book, The Hunger Games, more, I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well. Twists and turns made this survival and adventure story one I didn't want to put down! I touch of romance was thrown in, too. Parts of it reminded me of the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob in the Twilight Series! I can't wait for the third book in this series!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is the 2009 Newberry Award winner. The story is about Nobody Owens, Bod for short. As a toddler, Bod's family was murdered by an unknown man. Bod was the only survivor, escaping to a nearby graveyard. Upon arriving at the graveyard, the ghostly residents decided to take him in. Silas, Bod's self-appointed guardian, redirected "Jack", the man following Bod after murdering his family, to keep Bod safe. So, Bod was raised by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, two loving ghosts who had never had children of their own. Silas, not exactly living, but not exactly dead, was able to leave the graveyard to get food and clothing for Bod. Bod grew up learning the secrets of the graveyard, including how to "fade" and instill fear and even terror in others. Eventually, Bod was allowed to enroll in school. This did not go well for anyone! Bod got himself involved with some school bullies, trying to save their victims from needless beatings, and became a victim himself. Silas decided that Bod should remain in the graveyard until it was safe for him to be among the living. Silas knew that "Jack" was still after Bod, and wanted to protect him as long as possible. Unfortunately, a strange turn of events lead Bod straight into Jack's house!

This was an interesting book. I really liked the way Neil Gaiman developed the characters of Bod and Silas. In the author's note, the author describes some experiences he had as he wrote and researched this book, including a tour of an ancient graveyard in London. It makes me want to visit there, too!

The Island of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer

The Island of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer is the third installment of the trilogy including The Sea of Trolls and The Land of the Silver Apples. In this book, a draugr is terrorizing the small village where Jack, Thorgil, Pega and the Bard live. The draugr was once a beautiful mermaid who fell in love with Father Severus while he was exiled on an island. Because he refused to take her as his wife, she turned into a sea hag and was left to die. She returned as an evil draugr when Father Aiden accidentally rings the bell of St. Columba. The draugr is bent on exacting revenge - a life for a life. Jack, Thorgil and the Bard set out to prevent anymore deaths from occurring. First, they must go to Bebba's town with Thorgil's brother Skakki on his berserker Northman ship. Once there, they must gather supplies and trade so that the village is prepared for winter. Finally, the trio must travel to Notland and meet with the deceitful finfolk to bargain, hopefully putting a stop to the draugr's killing spree. Along the way, Jack and Thorgil face many creatures, including a half-troll that turns out to be Thorgil's brother, a hogboon, an evil king, and more!

I loved this book just as much as the other two! These books are so full of adventure and suspense. I also absolutely love the last 20 or so pages the author includes about the folklore and research behind the events of the story. Almost all of the creatures and strange situations that arise in this book were based on stories, mythology, and long held beliefs from various cultures and religions. I highly recommend this trilogy to any fantasy fan!

Happenstance Found (The Books of Umber Series #1) by P. W. Catanese

Happenstance Found (The Books of Umber Series #1) by P. W. Catanese is about a strange twelve year old boy called Happenstance, Hap for short. Hap doesn't remember anything about his life before a man named Umber and his crew found him trapped in a cavern, deep under an explosive volcano. All he had with him was a note addressed to Umber. Hap is not like other people - he has strikingly green eyes which allow him to see perfectly at night (which is nice because he doesn't sleep) and he can jump higher than any human. He can also see "threads" that seem to link things together, but he can't quite figure out what to do with them. Umber takes Hap back to his home at Kurahaven. Hap is excited to be a part of something, but continues to wonder who he is and where he came from. He knows Umber holds some clues in that note, but Umber won't tell Hap anything. It doesn't take the group long to realize they are being followed. The Creep, called Occo, followed Hap across the sea and to Kurahaven. He even tried to attack Hap in the market one morning! Thankfully, Hap's special abilities allowed him to escape unharmed, but now everyone is afraid that Hap has brought unknown evil to their town. As he tries to fit in and learn more about himself, Umber withdraws into a deep depression. It seems as though everyone is against Hap and that he'll never know the answers to the questions he has about himself. That is, until he meets the evil queen, Occo returns, and Umber is kidnapped!

This was an excellent story! I can't wait to read the second book, Dragon Games, when it comes out in January of 2010. This story reminded me of a combination of P.W. Catanese's The Mirror's Tale, Christopher Paolini's Eragon, and Jane Yolen's The Wizard's Map. I love the way the author wove twists and turns into the story and filled it with adventure and mystery! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy!

What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson

What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson is about Carolina Agnes London Indiana Florence Orion Renee Naomi Ida Alabama Lavender, or Cal for short. One unfortunate afternoon, Cal's mother has one of her "episodes" at the library, and eleven year old Cal is whisked off by a social worker to live in a group home. Cal goes along with everything because she doesn't really consider this event as a part of her real life story. She's certain that Betty, her mother, will be waltzing through the door at any minute, to pick her up and resume their wandering life together. However, days upon days go by, and Cal begins to doubt her relationship with Betty. As she gets to know the Knitting Lady and the girls in the house, Cal's certainty falters and she's left not knowing what her life really means. All of the other girls at the house have their own life stories that all lead to them ending up with the Knitting Lady. Through stories of her own, the Knitting Lady has unique ways of teaching all of the girls about their stories, and imparting valuable life lessons.

This was a great book. Cal was named for every place and person who affected her mother positively. The first letter of each name spells out California - Cal for short. This was such a unique story. While each of the girls at the Knitting Lady's home had very sad stories, this book focused more on the positive aspects of life and of the life lessons one can learn from each other and everyone's shared history.

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan is about juvenile delinquent, Jake Semple and his experience living with the Applewhite family. Jake has had it rough - his parents are in jail on drug charges, he's been kicked out of nearly every public school in Rhode Island, he'd been accused of burning down the most recent school from which he was expelled, and even his grandfather doesn't want him. That's how he ends up in foster care at the Applewhite's acreage, Wit's End. Every member of the Applewhite family is an artist of some kind, except the middle child, E.D. Her calling in life is organization. She's the only one of the many Applewhites that doesn't accept Jake immediately. She's the only one who cares about his all black clothes, his swearing, his fire-engine red spiky hair, and his bad attitude. Once Jake realizes that those thinks don't get a rise out of anyone anymore, he just sort of loses them. The Applewhite kids are all home-schooled and get to learn by doing what interests them. Jake ends up helping E.D. with her butterfly project, much to the chagrin of them both. Eventually, Jake ends up finding a passion in the arts that he never would have expected, and a love for a family (including a pushy puppy) that he never could have imagined.

First, I have to begin by stating that I have passed up reading this book MANY times purely based on the cover. I should have remembered not to judge a book by its cover, because Surviving the Applewhites was AWESOME! I would love to be a part of the crazy Applewhite family! What a great story.

Dodger and Me by Jordan Sonnenblick

Dodger and Me by Jordan Sonnenblick is about Willie, a 5th grader who has everything going against him... his parents (especially his mom) don't trust him, his best friend moved away, an annoying girl from England keeps hanging around him, and he completely blew one of his team's most important baseball games of the season. Things for Willie can't get much worse, right? WRONG! On his way home one afternoon, he comes across a Happy Meal sack and picks it up - out pops Dodger, a big blue orange Hawaiian shorts wearing chimpanzee with an eye patch, who only Willie can see. Willie thinks Dodger is a genie and will grant him three wishes. Unfortunately, Dodger has some different ways of solving Willie's problems than Willie is ready for. Instead of getting Lizzie to leave him alone, Dodger solves that problem by making Lizzie friends with him! Instead of making Willie a baseball star, Dodger convinces Willie to practice his way - by throwing balls at him to get rid of Willie's 'fear' of the ball! And, to get Willie's mother to trust him, Dodger decides Willie needs to conquer FIRE! They do this by trying to cook a meal for the family, which literally goes up in flames! Just at that point, a strange genie shows up and explains that Dodger is not who he made himself out to be... now what will Willie do? He's in an even bigger mess than ever, and now his best friend, Dodger has been banished, Lizzie won't talk to him, and his kitchen is in shambles, not to mention the biggest baseball game of the season is just days away!

This was a great story! I loved it because it's about a regular kid - he's not great at sports, he's not 'Mr. Popular', and he isn't the smartest kid in school. I saw Jordan Sonnenblick talk about this book at the International Reading Association convention in Minneapolis in May of 2009. He's a great author and a fun speaker! I'm looking forward to reading the sequel to this book, Dodger for President.

Lost at Sea by Jonathan Neale

Lost at Sea by Jonathan Neale is about a vacation gone wrong. Eleven year old Orrie (Orchid), twelve year old Jack (Sky), six year old Andy, their mother and their mother's new boyfriend, Skip all set sail across the Atlantic on Skip's sailboat. During the night, only a few days out, Skip falls overboard, leaving the rest of the family to reach Antigua on their own. Jack and Orrie have to take over because their mother immediately slips back into a severe depression she's suffered with on and off for awhile. She can't even make it to the bathroom by herself, much less take care of the kids! So, Jack and Orrie take turns at the wheel of the boat, while Andy cooks and looks after their mother. Everyone is tired, but mostly OK. They think they can make it the 25 - 30 more days it will take to get to Antigua. The kids passed up their one chance at rescue - an oil tanker - because they were afraid of what would happen to their mother. The oil tanker warned them of a storm that was coming - a really bad one. Jack rushed around the boat, getting it ready for the worst, and that's when he told Orrie that Skip had ruined the motor. They couldn't rely on it at all. They'd have to sail the boat through the storm. When the storm is finally at its worst, it is too much for Orrie and Jack to handle together. Orrie falls and bruises, or even breaks, her ribs! She can't hold the wheel any longer. She, Andy, their mother, and Jack are all huddled together in the small wheel house in despair... will they ever make it to their dad in Antigua, or will they suffer the same fate as Skip?

This was an AWESOME book! It was full of adventure from page one! The story is told in alternating views, from Orrie to Jack. It's a nice way to see the girl's perspective versus the boy's. Needless to say, they have differing ideas about most of the events in the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good adventure!

Mister Boots by Carol Emshwiller

Mister Boots by Carol Emshwiller takes place just before and during the depression. Bobby (Roberta) is 10. She has lived all her life with her mother and sister, Jocelyn. While her sister and mother stay inside and knit all day to earn money, Bobby is free to roam around the California desert where they live. On one such occasion, Bobby meets Mr. Boots. At first, she thinks he's a bum - she finds him beaten, starving, and naked. Later she finds out that amazingly, Mr. Boots is actually a horse! He escaped his harsh life with humans and ended up in the wilderness. Bobby tries to nurse him back to health, bringing him her long-lost father's old clothes, left overs, and keeping him company. Then, the worst happens. Bobby and Jocelyn's mother dies and their father returns. Mr. Lassiter is a famous magician, and, thinking Bobby is a boy, decides to take 'him' performing! Jocelyn and Mr. Boots have become quite close since the death of the girls' mother, and the decide to go, too, to make sure Mr. Lassiter treats Bobby right. Bobby and Mr. Boots become a regular part of the act, traveling from place to place performing. As much as Mr. Lassiter would like for Mr. Boots to transform onstage, he refuses. He only transforms to his horse form, Midnight Blue, when he's really upset - like when the magician threatens to beat Bobby. Things go from bad to worse when they meet up with a huge group of other performers and find out that Mr. Lassiter is married! The entire group continues to try to perform, despite the economic strain, due to the Great Depression. Eventually, things come to a head when Mr. Lassiter tries to beat Mr. Boots and Bobby reveals her true GIRL self to him.

This was a very strange book. I didn't really like it. There was so much going on throughout the whole thing, I had a hard time deciding what the story was really about. It was part fantasy, part realistic fiction, part historical fiction. It had issues including death, abuse, relationships, the depression. There were horses, circus performers, singers. There were so many different ideas, I felt like I got cheated out of really getting to explore each of them deeply.

Caddy Ever After by Hilary McKay

Caddy Ever After by Hilary McKay is about the Casson family. Rose is 9, her brother Indigo is 14, her cousin Saffron (who lives with them) is 16, and her older sister Caddy who has moved to London. The story is told from the perspectives of the four kids, starting with Rose, telling about her very embarrassing incident on the carpet squares during Ghost Club. The story moves on with Indigo, describing how he was able to get everyone involved in the Valentine's Day Dance, including Sarah, Saffron's best friend, and Rose, who really shouldn't have been at the high school dance to begin with! The story continues with Saffron's account of Sarah's terrible childhood illness, which left her wheelchair bound, and popped back up after the Valentine's Day Dance. Finally, the story ends with Caddy's version of her wedding plans - to Alex, whom she met after Rose and Saffron were stranded in a bog after Oscar's (who Saffy began dating after Indigo set them up at the Valentine's Dance) car ran out of gas. Alex, Oscar's brother, came to the rescue and dropped the girls off at their house, where Caddy was visiting! The wedding didn't happen as planned, which was explained by Rose at the very, very end of the story.

This was an awesome book! I haven't read any of the other books about the Casson family, written by this author. I absolutely loved Rose - she is probably the most endearing character I have ever read about. It was fun to read the story through the eyes of the different characters. It was also really fun to see how four seemingly separate stories came together at the end.

Lost in America by Marilyn Sachs

Lost in America by Marilyn Sachs is about Nicole, a young Jewish girl living in France during World War II. One night she stays over with a friend, and her parents and younger sister are taken by Nazis. Nicole finds herself alone and no one will help her. She eventually stays at her school until it closes. Then, she tries to stay with her aunt, in hopes that her family will soon return. Her aunt ruins her parents' apartment with ugly paint and furnishings, and allows her boyfriend to move in. Then, she learns that her parents and little sister were killed at a concentration camp. As a result, Nicole decides to follow her best friend, Rose, to America to stay with a cousin. Life in America is hard for Nicole. It is busier, louder, and less friendly than the small town in France where she was from. Her clothes are not right, she doesn't understand English very well, and has a hard time speaking to Americans. Her new family is very unpleasant to her, forcing her to get a job and pay rent! Nicole uses this first year in America to find new friends and learn the ways of the Americans.

This story was based on the actual events in the life of the author's close friend. She described her first year in America as the best and worst year of her life! The history in this book was interesting. I have never read a book from the perspective of a person who was touched by WWII in this way. This was a great historical fiction novel!

The Wizard's Map by Jane Yolen

The Wizard's Map by Jane Yolen is about twins, Jennifer and Peter, their younger sister Molly, and their parents. They all travel to Scotland to spend time with the people who helped raise mom. Once they arrive, they start to learn that the small town where they'll be staying this summer is not quite normal. Jennifer and Peter find a strange map in the attic of Gran and Da's house. Molly drew some circles on it that night, and the next morning, crop circles appeared in the wheat fields of their neighbor! Also in the attic is a card game called Patience. Jennifer knows this game is somehow connected to the map and the strange garden house in the back garden. She wants to go exploring, but is frightened of the crazy things that keep happening. Then, a stranger shows up at the house and literally DISAPPEARS with Molly! It's up to Jennifer and Peter and a strange threesome of a black dog, black dragon, and black unicorn to save Molly and the rest of the family from the evil wizard who created the map hundreds of years ago.

This was a great book! It's the first in the Tartan Magic Adventures. The story unfolded quickly and kept my attention all the way through. Jane Yolen does a nice job of writing so that I could visualize all of the events and characters in the story.

A Bear Named Trouble by Marion Bauer

A Bear Named Trouble by Marion Bauer is based on the true story of a young bear who came to call the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth his home. Jonathan and his father have moved to Alaska leaving his mother and sister, Rhonda, in Duluth to finish out the school year. Jonathan's dad works at the zoo, which is Jonathan's favorite place to visit. One night, a bear breaks into the zoo, seemingly to visit an older bear already living there. Jonathan is determined to get inside the mind of this young bear, who has also been hanging around his own neighborhood. One night Jonathan lures the bear to his house with a loaf of bread, then follows him on his visit to the zoo. During that visit, the bear kills Jonathan's favorite animal, Mama Goose. As a result, Jonathan calls the news to "report" on the wild bear and his where-abouts. Jonathan ends up having second thoughts, however, when he finds out that the fish and game department have plans to kill the bear his father named Trouble! Now he's on a mission to save Trouble.

This was a great book! It was a quick read because I kept wanting to find out what would happen next. It is told through the eyes of the bear and the eyes of Jonathan, which is really interesting. I especially liked the parts in the beginning that described Trouble's journey to the zoo. This book is based on a true story!

Local News by Gary Soto

Local News by Gary Soto is a collection of 13 short stories about Mexican American kids living in California. The really cool thing about this book is that the stories are small snippets of the every-day lives of these kids. It was interesting to step into the shoes of kids who live completely different lives than me! The author also sprinkles in bits and pieces of Spanish words and phrases and includes a translation guide in the back. I liked this book a lot. The stories are all very short, so it was easy to read one or two at a time and come back to a brand new book!

Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius by Frank Asch

Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius by Frank Asch is about Alex, a seemingly ordinary kid with an extremely annoying younger brother. Alex is a cardboard genius. He can literally make anything using cardboard, duct tape, and random supplies found in an attic or garage. Alex gets some boxes from the grocery store and decides to create a rocket ship to take him to another plant, far, far away from his younger brother, Jonathan. Once he gets the ship built, he is almost ready to leave, but he remembers he needs some form of protection from the native people of the planet where he lands - just in case they aren't friendly. So, he creates a ray gun that makes things really, really tiny. Unfortunately, he accidentally uses it on Jonathan. That's when Jonathan finds out that Alex is building a space ship so he can leave home. Alex decides he might be lonely on the new planet without people like him, so he builds a replicator to bring his "alternate" selves on his journey. While he's working, Jonathan is also building something. It turns out that Jonathan is also a cardboard genius and has build a machine that erases things! The two brothers have a war - replicating themselves and erasing their alternate selves - until they finally realize they have more in common than they though. In the end, despite the fact that his space ship is ruined beyond repair, Alex realizes that he knows a perfect way to spend time with his annoying little brother that will be good for both of them!

This was a cute story! It reminded me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants. Because it's in journal form, there area a lot of drawings and pictures to accompany the story. This is a fun science fiction story for anyone who has an annoying sibling!

The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher

The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher is about friends Eddie and Billy. Poor Eddie has had a really rough life lately - his dad died and within three months, his best friend Billy died - and Eddie was the one to find them both. Eddie really doesn't have any other friends, so he's lucky that despite being dead, Billy hasn't really left. Billy is able to visit Eddie through dreams and "bumps" once Eddie is able to open his mind to him. One place they visit together often is the old sledding hill where they used to spend time when Billy was alive. At school, there is a big controversy over a book Eddie's literature class is reading. The local church and youth group have begun proceedings to have the book banned due to language and content. Many of the other students are against the ban, but the church is so powerful, they aren't sure how to stop them. Eddie decides to infiltrate the church by pretending he's against the book, only to find out the church and youth group's secrets. Eddie lets loose on the congregation when he is asked to testify before his confirmation. Just after that, at the school board meeting, many students and parents come together against the ban. The author of the 'offensive' book himself even shows up to defend the book (at Eddie's request).

I absolutely hated this book. I have never felt so betrayed by a back cover. The synopsis of the book claims it will be about Eddie's friendship with his dead best friend. I had no idea the entire book would be about the church and this fictional book which happened to be written by the actual author of The Sledding Hill, Chris Crutcher. It felt more like I was reading an autobiography than a story. I got really tired of reading about how rebellious Chris Crutcher is for writing books that get banned and for writing about 'touchy' subjects. I think this might be the only book I wish I hadn't read. I will definitely not be reading any other books by this author.

The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher by David and Ruth Ellwand

The Mystery of the Fool and the Vanisher by David and Ruth Ellwand is a story within a story. It begins with the journal of David, a photographer who finds something exceptional as he explores the English Down. As he's wandering through the deep forest, he comes upon an old dwelling. Inside he finds a mysterious trunk. David claims the trunk and takes it back to his studio. There are many wonderous things inside the trunks - stones with circles through the middle, masks, journals and drawings by Isaac Wilde, glasses with the circle stones inside, and an ancient audio recording from the person who originally packed the trunk. David sends the recording off to a person who has an antique phonograph and receives a CD of the recording in the mail. From this point, the book follows the audio diary of Isaac Wilde, a photographer who was asked to take pictures of an archaeological dig in 1889. This is where he found everything within the trunk. The locals believed the hill where the dig was taking place was haunted by pixies and spirits. Many of them were angry with the archaeologists for disturbing it. Isaac was able to use the stories from the locals and the amazing artifacts he found to see some of the pixies! Needless to say, no one believed him. So, he set out to photograph one of the pixies using a special plate of film that could not be tampered with nor copied. But... things went wrong.

This was one of the best books I've ever read!! I loved how it was structured - it looked like a non-fiction book! The pictures and artifacts on each page supporting the journals were amazing and really added to the experience of getting inside the mind of Isaac Wilde. After reading this book I am more of a believer in the world of fairy. Totally awesome!!!

I Was a Rat by Philip Pullman

I Was a Rat by Philip Pullman is a fairy tale about a boy who used to be a rat. He doesn't remember how he turned into a boy or why, but he does remember that it was about three weeks prior to showing up on Bob and Joan's doorstep in a page boy's uniform. Bob and Joan, an elderly couple who make shoes for the people of the kingdom, never had children of their own, so they decided to take the boy in. They name him Roger. Right away they notice that Roger has some peculiar habits - gnawing on pencils, ripping up sheets to make a nest, and no knowledge of silverware or cooked food. They take him to the hospital, the orphanage, even the police, but no one seems to want Roger. Finally, they put him in school. Unfortunately, Roger doesn't know how to behave in school and gets into trouble. The Royal Philosopher wants to meet Roger to perform some psychological tests on him. During the testing, Roger becomes frightened of a cat and runs away. From there Roger ends up in a freak show, as a thief, and is eventually caught by police who intend to have him exterminated! All the while, Bob and Joan continue to search for him. In the end, the brand new princess of the land has to come to Roger's rescue in an unexpected way.

This was a really cute fairy tale. Roger was such a sweet and innocent little boy! The people in the kingdom jumped right on the band-wagon after reading in the newspaper that he was a monster and needed to be exterminated. It's interesting what the media can get reasonable people to believe.

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry is about Mafatu, a boy who barely survived a canoe accident when he was little - his mother didn't survive. The memories of the accident have haunted him ever since, preventing him from doing the same things as the other boys in his tribe. Mafatu is supposed to be a fisherman, but he can't bring himself to paddle out past the reef. Instead, he does "women work", carving knives, making rope, etc. The other boys ridicule Mafatu, saying he is a coward. One day Mafatu has finally had enough. He takes his dog, jumps in a canoe and paddles off to prove his courage. He travels for days on the ocean, through storms and dehydration, before finally reaching a small island. Mafatu sets up camp there and sets about proving his courage. He kills a hammerhead shark, kills a giant octopus, kills a wild boar, and even escapes a tribe of "man-eating" natives. Once he returns home, Mafatu is given a hero's welcome - he has proven himself to his tribe, his family, and Mafatu.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a Newberry Medal winner that I'd never read before. This is a short book, filled with action and adventure. I felt so sad for Mafatu - no one in his village understood his fears. He finally went out to prove himself to the rest of them, which he did, but at his own expense. Pretty sad.

The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr by Judith St. George

The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr by Judith St. George describes the lives of two powerful men in US history, and the events that lead up to their duel. Both men had similar stories - they were orphaned at an early age, they were both very smart and personable, both studied law, both entered the army during the Revolutionary War, both entered politics and lived in New York City and Philadelphia, and both grew to know and dislike one another. So, at dawn, on July 11, 1804, they met in Weehawken, New Jersey, to duel. When the duel was over, one man was dead and the other had to go into hiding (dueling was illegal).

This was a GREAT book! I had never heard of this duel! I didn't know that Aaron Burr was the vice president under Thomas Jefferson! This book was more like an action/adventure story than a page out of history. This is they way I like to learn about our country - through people's stories.

Redwall the Graphic Novel by Brian Jacques

Redwall the Graphic Novel by Brian Jacques is about the gentle mice of Redwall Abbey. They are just beginning to celebrate the summer of the late rose when they hear that the legendary rat, Cluny the Scourge, is planning on attacking the abbey. Matthias, a clumsy but sweet mouse, must retrieve the sword of Martin, the warrior who defeated many foxes, vermin and a wildcat before turning peaceful and founding the Redwall Abbey. Matthias's journey is full of danger. He meets many new and dangerous animals, including the Sparra who live above the abbey, an old owl who haunts the forest, a barn cat, the voles of the forest, and even the evil Asmodeus, the snake responsible for many rodent deaths, before eventually coming face to face with Cluny.

This was a great adventure! I liked the graphic novel format - the pictures were incredibly detailed. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans who like animals. I know it's really popular among my 6th graders.

Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements

Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements is the sequel to Things Not Seen. It's been 2 years since Bobby turned invisible and back, and he's been studying music seriously. He comes to New York to try out at some prestigious music schools and meets Gwen. Gwen has been living with her grandfather in New York and going to a private performing arts school on a scholarship. It is her senior year, and she is focused on her try outs at Juliard and other music schools. Her dreams of playing her violin in an orchestra become jeopardized when her grandfather mysteriously disappears. He leaves a very strange message on their answering machine one afternoon, a week away from the Juliard try out, and simply vanishes. Thankfully, Gwen meets Bobby, who now goes by Robert, and the immediately get along. She convinces him to stay with her in her grandfather's house so she doesn't have to be alone - just until grandfather comes back. Unfortunately, things go wrong a few days before her big audition. Grandfather comes back (sort of), a strange invisible man begins stalking Robert, and Gwen's Uncle Hank keeps trying to force her grandfather to sell the house - and he's getting tired of being put off.

I liked this book, but not as much as I liked Things Not Seen. I really liked Gwen, and I liked finding out what happened to Bobby and Alicia. The twists and turns in Things Hoped For were CRAZY and unexpected. They added a lot to my interest in the story.