42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer is JoEllen's story, told through her own free-verse poetry and pictures, On week days she is Ellen and lives in Cincinnati with her mother, while on weekends she is Joey and stays 42 miles away on her father's farm. As Ellen, she is a 12 year old school girl who enjoys a very set schedule with her mother - complete with take out menus and evening activities neatly planned out. She and her bet friends, Tamika and Annie (who think only hicks live in the country), are plagued by typical school assignments and "mean girl" bullies. On weekends, however, she becomes Joey. She and her father experiment with cooking meals and ingredients and play games. She spends time horse-back riding and hanging out with her cousin, Hayden (who thinks the big city is filled with filth and crime). 42 miles is the story of Joey/Ellen finding herself and becoming JoEllen again.

This was a quick and easy read because of the free-verse format. I think it would be really appealing to anyone who has been through a divorce. I felt triumphant on JoEllen's behalf when she began making changes in both parts of her life, no longer allowing her physical location to define her. It was enlightening to see her working to become the person she truly wanted to be in all aspects of her life. This author also wrote Reaching for the Sun, one of my all time favorite books!

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman is about Jason, a normal teen - typical parents, friends, enemies, and even a girlfriend - until one day he finds out things aren't as they seem. When his classmate, Ethan, dies, Jason things it's odd that Ethan's parents don't seem sad, actually seem rushed during the funeral. Just after that, he finds out that many other kids aren't subject to "monthlies". In fact, only the people who attend Jason's church receive the painful shots. Finally, when the school's custodian gives Jason a strange and powerful glove/weapon and advises him to meet in the deserted end of town, Jason realizes something is terribly wrong. When Jason figures out what is actually going on, he's torn between the comfortable life he knew and the exciting and terrifying life that may lie ahead.

I've had this book for a long time, but just picked it up for the first time as my sci. fi. pick for this month's genre study. I wish I had read it before because it's AWESOME!! I enjoyed it so much I couldn't put it down all weekend! Science fiction is not typically my favorite genre, but alien stories rock.

The Viper's Nest (The 39 Clues Series #7) by Peter Lerangis

The Viper's Nest (The 39 Clues Series #7) by Peter Lerangis is about the infamous hunt for the 39 clues, a challenge set forth by Grace Cahill in her will. Amy and Dan Cahill have been chasing down the clues, and have been chased by various other nasty members of the Cahill family as they seek the clues to wealth and ultimate power. In this adventure, Amy, Dan, and their au pair Nelly, end up in South Africa, tangled up with the Tomas branch of the family. As the get closer and closer to the 7th clue, the also realize they are coming closer and closer to their parents, who died when the kids were young. Nothing is as it seems in these books, and the ending is always a shocker!

This was another great installment in the 39 Clues Series! I didn't know much about the history of South Africa and Apartheid, so the historical elements of this book were really interesting to me. I love how all of these books are mysteries, but also adventure, and a little bit historical. I'm learning so much about different regions of the globe!

- .... . / ... . -.-. .-. . - / .. ... / -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner is about Thomas, a teen boy who suddenly awoke in a small, dark metal box without any recollection of how he got there, nor who he was before arriving. When the box begins moving, Thomas is delivered into the Glade, the heart of a giant maze (at least 100 feet high). The other 50 or 60 teens who live in the Glade arrived in much the same way as Thomas - one each month for the last two years. The boys have made the most of their imprisonment, by developing a system of order and jobs - everything from farming to medical positions! The only problem is, no one will talk to Thomas, nor answer his questions... who is he? who are they? why are they here? what is the maze? is there a way out? what are the dangerous creatures haunting the maze at night the boys have named Grievers? who is buried in the graves at the back of the forest? Thomas tries to settle in, but strange things keep happening that cause the other Gladers to resent him. Thomas begins getting snippets of memories from his past, but nothing concrete. All he knows is that he feels a strong compulsion to be a Runner, one of the boys who spends his day running and mapping the ever changing maze beyond the walls of the Glade. This is a dangerous position, only reserved for the most trustworthy and fit. Thomas proves his worth, however, when he jumps through the closing doors that protect the Glade from the Grievers over night to save two boys who didn't make it back in time. Thomas, Minho, and Alby do something that has never been done before... survive in the maze overnight. With the sudden arrival of the only girl, Alby's illness from his Griever attack, the disappearance of their nightly protection from the Grievers, and the constant accusations Thomas receives from one of the other Gladers, things take a turn for the worse. As a team, they must figure out the mystery of the maze before anymore Gladers are taken and killed.

This book was AMAZING!!! I finished it in one night - I couldn't put it down. It was full of everything I love in books... humor, mystery, adventure, fantasy, suspense, great characters, etc. This is the first book in a series, so I can hardly wait until the second book, The Scorch Trials, arrives in October!

Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith

Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith is about Phoney Bone, Fone Bone and Smiley Bone and their adventures as they leave Boneville. Phoney Bone is always up to no good, and has finally been kicked out of Boneville for good. His cousins, Fone and Smiley accompany him in his banishment because they feel sorry for him. As they are journeying away from their hometown, they become lost and separated from one another. Each Bone has to survive the winter alone. Fone Bone finds a nice community and makes some friends. He is desperate to find his cousins, though, and keeps searching for them. Along the way he is attacked by rat creatures, meets a tiny bug named Ted, befriends a red dragon, and eventually ends up staying with Thorn (his crush!) and her zany grandmother. Eventually, Phoney Bone shows up, but immediately falls out of Grandma Ben's good graces by criticizing her racing cows. He leaves and ends up in the next town where he finds Smiley, tending bar at a local pub! Fone Bone, Thorn, and Grandma Ben leave for that very same town, intent on racing the cows in the festival race. They don't realize that an evil man is after Phoney Bone and that, once they all meet up at the festival, the real adventure will begin.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I read it after it was recommended to me by a former student. It was a quick read, and one of the few graphic novels I have been able to follow! I will definitely read the next Bone adventure so I can find out what happens at the festival!

The Struggle (Vampire Diaries Series #2) by L. J. Smith

The Struggle (Vampire Diaries Series #2) by L. J. Smith is the sequel to The Awakening. The Struggle begins immediately after The Awakening ends, with Elena and Damon fighting. In the 2nd book of the series, the story focuses on Elena and her friends, Bonnie and Meredith, trying to clear Stefan's name and trying to stay away from Damon, who they believe is the one behind the recent attacks on people in their small town. Elena has become an outcast at school, which is increasingly troublesome, since she used to be the one everyone loved. Her former best friend Caroline stole Elena's diary and has been publishing bits and pieces of it - the most incriminating evidence against Stefan - in the school newspaper and bulletin boards! Meanwhile, Damon keeps inserting himself into Elena's life in the most unlikely places.

This was an interesting story. I can't help but feel that there wasn't a lot of action or suspense. I had a hard time coming up with my summary because I couldn't really remember the events of the story. I suppose that could be because I'm tired and I've been reading it at night before bed, but it could also be because not a lot happened. I definitely liked the first book better. I haven't seen the TV show yet, but I'm interested in watching it from the beginning to see how the story has been adapted to the screen!

The Awakening (Vampire Diaries Series #1) by L. J. Smith

The Awakening (Vampire Diaries Series #1) by L. J. Smith is about Elena, the most beautiful and popular senior at her high school. She gets everything she wants... until Stefan shows up. He's handsome, mysterious, and everyone wants to get to know him. Unfortunately, he's also aloof and uninterested in making friends - he definitely doesn't seem to want a girlfriend! Elena makes a vow to have him, despite the fact that her old best friend (now enemy) has also set her sights on him. What Elena doesn't know is that Stefan is avoiding her because she reminds him of a girl he used to know... in the 15th century! Stefan and his brother fought over Katherine, a vampire, and because she couldn't make a choice between the two brothers, she turned them both. Realizing her mistake, Katherine did the unthinkable, causing Stefan to mourn her loss for eternity and Damon to turn to darkness, becoming more and more powerful. Eventually, Stefan can no longer resist Elena, and they become a couple. Elena knows Stefan is keeping a secret from her, but no matter how she tries, she cannot convince him to open up. As a result, they begin to grow apart. Then, when attacks begin happening to people in their small community, the people have no one to suspect except Stefan. Elena knows he couldn't have been a part of the brutal attacks, and begins to suspect a strange man who has begun showing up in the most unusual places. Little does she know, she is in huge danger. When Stefan disappears, Elena nearly goes out of her head with worry...

This was a great book! I couldn't put it down! I loved that the author never came right out and said Stefan was a vampire, it was just shown through his actions. I also really liked the way the relationship between Stefan and Elena developed. This book reminded me of The House of Night Series and Twilight. (The Vampire Diaries was written well before either of those two series.)

The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson

The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson is about Meli, an Albanian girl from Kosovo, and her family and their escape to the United States. Meli, her mother and father, and her four siblings were forced out of the only home she had ever known by Serbians who were invading her country. First, the family went into the mountains and camped in tents near the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Eventually, they were forced to flee this area, and went to live on the family farm. Serbian soldiers arrived shortly, looted everything they wanted and burned the farm, forcing the entire 14 member family (including four babies under 4 years old and their elderly grandmother) to walk to Macedonia! Through all of this, bombs were exploding in the distance and planes were flying overhead, terrifying everyone. Soldiers caught up with them, and the other fleeing families, on the road, forced them into train cars and then buses for the long trip to the border - they were transporting them out of their own country! When they got to the border, soldiers from Macedonia formed a barricade preventing them from entering their country! Eventually, Meli's grandmother, aunt and uncle, and their children went back to Kosovo to run the store Meli's family left behind. Meli's baba had different plans for his family - a trip to America. All they had to do was wait it out in the refugee camp until word came that their application was accepted. Everyone was excited to receive the news, but America wasn't as welcoming a change as they expected. In some ways, it was even harder than what they faced in their homeland.

This was a really interesting book. I never knew much about the warring happening between Serbia and Kosovo and NATO's involvement there. I can't believe how strong the children were in the story - still maintaining their innocence through the worst of times. The teens were not so lucky, but still strong enough to survive. I feel truly lucky to live in the USA where I can enjoy my freedom and live in safety with my family.

The Dog in the Wood by Monika Schroder

The Dog in the Wood by Monika Schroder is set in Germany just after Russia invaded at the end of World War II. Ten year old Fritz lives with his grandparents, mother, sister on his grandparents' farm. They've lived there ever since Fritz's father was killed in the war. Fritz's grandfather is a NAZI sympathizer and is convinced that he and Fritz will need to fight for the farm when the Russian soldiers arrive. Fritz is terrified - he wants to do what his grandfather tells him to do, but he isn't sure he is courageous enough to fight. He takes solace in carving his little wooden dog in the barn, with Lech, the Polish hired hand. But, Fritz doesn't have to fight alongside his grandfather - when news comes that the Russian soldiers have arrived, Fritz's grandparents commit suicide. Then, the townspeople and the soldiers force Fritz and his family (including Lech) to give up their farm! They have to travel with just a small cart, leaving most of their possessions and livestock behind, to their other grandmother's house in the south. When they arrive, things go from bad to worse... the Russian soldiers come to arrest Fritz's mother on weapons charges - even though she has no weapons! Trying to defend her, Lech is also arrested. Now it is up to Fritz to save them... can he do it in time?

This was a great book! I've never read a book about WWII from the perspective of a German civilian. It was a very interesting look at what happened to regular people that got caught up in the war while just trying to survive. The author's note at the end was also quite interesting. Much of this story was based on events from her own father's childhood!

The Boys' War by Jim Murphy

The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War by Jim Murphy is about young boys' experiences in the Civil War. This book shows what life was like for the preteens and teens who signed on to fight for both sides of the war. Some were just 11 years old! Many of the younger boys who were admitted into the army began as drummer boys - using their drums to convey messages and commands to the men in battle. Those positions, however, often became fighting positions as they picked up guns from fallen soldiers and joined in the battles themselves.

This book was amazing. I just told a student about it saying, "I didn't know how much I didn't know about the Civil War before I read this!" This book tells about the lives of the boys - not about dates and politics and specific battles. It is nonfiction, but reads almost like a narrative. The author used many quotes from actual soldiers' journals and diaries, so it truly gives a first-hand account of what the war was like.

The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm Series #2) by Michael Buckley

The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm Series #2) by Michael Buckley is about Sabrina and Daphne, the Grimm Sisters, and their adventures as fairy tale detectives. Along with their Grandmother Relda, their faithful companion Mr. Canis, and the Trickster King (aka Puck), the girls do their best to keep the peace between the humans and the Everafters in their little town. In this adventure, something mysterious is happening at the local elementary school. Daphne, Sabrina, and even Puck work together to find out why all of the school children are exhausted every day, who the strange monsters invading the school and killing teachers are, and what they all have in common with a little boy named Wendell who can control animals with his harmonica! You won't believe the twists and turns in this one!


This book was just as good as the first. I liked how the author dealt with prejudice in this book. Sabrina learned a valuable lesson about discrimination, and so will the readers. This book was more violent than the first, with people actually being killed, so it may not be a good choice for younger readers.

Vanished: True Stories of the Missing by Marc Tyler Nobleman

Vanished: True Stories of the Missing by Marc Tyler Nobleman is exactly what you would think - true stories about people who are/were missing. The book highlights 7 different cases, some of whom have been found, and some are still missing.

Erica Pratt, second grader—“Escape from the Basement” is about a little girl who was kidnapped.


Percy Fawcett, explorer—“The Real Indiana Jones" is the story of a man who disappeared while on an exploration.

Grant Hadwin, woodsman—“The Golden Tree Killer” is about a man who tried to make a statement about our environment, only to anger and betray many people throughout the world.

Henry Grimes, musician—“Play That Song Again” tells the story of a famous musician who simply vanished.

Everett Ruess, nature lover—“I Leave No Trace” is the story of a person who, on eday, disappeared into the nature he loved so much.

Hannah Klamecki, kindergartner—“Very Harder Than I Thought” tells of a 6 year old girl and her grandfather who went missing during an afternoon boat ride.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, aviator/author—“Pilot, Poet, and Prince” is about a pilot who disappeared during a mission.

This was a really fun read. It was interesting to read about these people and their experiences. Some of them were tragic while others were triumphant!