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!