Hothouse by Chris Lynch

Hothouse by Chris Lynch is about Russ, a high school student who has just suffered a terrible loss: his father, and the father of his best friend DJ, have died fighting a fire. The entire small town is celebrating these two men as heroes, which trickles down to the two boys. It's almost as if they are celebrities. That is, until some terrible news comes out of the investigator's report about the fire. Suddenly, Russ and DJ not only have to deal with the loss of their fathers and their own heroes, but also the wrath of the town who only days before had celebrated their existence.

This was a very interesting and sad story. I really liked the way the author showed how much people want to believe in heroes, but also how quick they are to tear them down. The story stayed very true to life, rather than true to traditional "happily ever after", feel-good fiction. This book is for more mature readers due to language and some content.

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is about Caitlin, a 5th grader with autism. Her mother died of cancer and her older brother, Devon was recently shot and killed in a school shooting. Having Asperger's, a high functioning form of autism, Caitlin sees everything in black and white. She often misunderstands and misinterprets what people say and do. Seeking solace in her dictionary, Caitlin reads the definition for 'closure' and decides that's what she and her dad need to find. In her quest for closure, Caitlin makes some discoveries about herself and others she never could have imagined!

This was an awesome and touching story. I loved the way the author wrote from Caitlin's point of view. Despite only seeing things in black and white, Caitlin's observations were often more astute than people who typically see in "color".

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is about a self-centered china rabbit named Edward Tulane and the unexpected adventures that teach him to love people other than himself. Edward is first owned by Adilene, a young girl who's family can afford to dress Edward in the finest clothing. He sits in a special chair during the day, waiting for Adilene to return from school, he sits at the table during meal times, and he has his own special bed. Adilene loves Edward with all her heart, but Edward only loves himself. That all begins to change, however, the day Edward is lost at sea during a vacation Adilene's family takes. After being on the bottom of the ocean floor for years, Edward is caught in a fisherman's net and dragged to the surface. He is cleaned up and given new clothes, and even a new name (Susanna) by the fisherman's wife. Edward is still treated like a member of the family here, but in a much different way. This begins his miraculous journey. From here, he ends up with a homeless man and his dog, used as a scarecrow in an old lady's garden, loved by a dying girl and her brother, and eventually makes it full circle back into the arms of an adult Adilene and her daughter.

This was a very good book. I didn't realize how sad it would be! I really enjoyed all of the adventures Edward went on throughout the course of the book. It was interesting to see how he changed as a result of his journey. I recommend this book to everyone!

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore is about 15 year old John Smith... at least, his name is John Smith for now. John and his guardian, Henri, are on the run and have been moving every few months for the past 11 years. They are running from a murderous race of aliens, the Mogadorians, who are trying to wipe out every last being from the planet Lorien, where John and Henri are from. They've hidden on Earth, along with 8 other kids and their guardians. Watching their planet and all of their people be destroyed by the Mogadorians, these 9 members of the garde (special Loriens who develop supernatural skills called Legacies) and their 9 cepan (guardians who help the garde develop their Legacies) are the planet's only hope for survival. They were bound by an enchantment just before their ship left for Earth - they can only be killed in a specific order. John is number 4... and the first 3 have already been killed. Now, it is extremely important for John and Henri to remain hidden. They choose to do so in a small Ohio town where John finds his first girlfriend, a protective beagle, and the only friend he's ever been able to tell the truth. Will John's Legacies develop before the Mogadorians find him? What will happen to John's friends? Will they ever get back to Lorien? Read I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore to find out!

I loved this book! It was full of action and adventure, science fiction, a touch of romance, and a lot of suspense! I would recommend this book to people who liked The Hunger Games. It is definitely on the mature side with language and violence.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is the story of Bryce and Juli, neighbors who've had a history since Bryce moved to town in 2nd grade (they're in high school now!). The story is told through both characters' perspectives in alternate chapters. Basically, Juli has had a crush on Bryce for as long as she's known him and Bryce has found Juli annoying for just as long. Through a series of funny, touching, amazing, misunderstood, and sad events, the two find their feelings toward one another become "flipped". Everything comes to a head when popular Bryce is voted to be a basket boy in a fund raising auction where girls get to bid on having a picnic lunch with the boy of their choice!

This is a very sweet book about how misperception and misunderstanding can make or break a relationship. This is the second time I've read Flipped, and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the time before.

Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill

Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill is set in the future, well after Earth colonized Mars and ceased to exist. Durango is a Regulator (mercenary) who has been disgraced. His only follower now is Vienne, who suffered the same disgrace when they refused to commit suicide after their former leader was defeated. Durango is also accompanied by an Artificial Intelligence Implant who is able to scan the environment and keep Durango safe. Durango and Vienne are offered an opportunity to help a colony of miners escape the dreaded draeu, a cannibalistic group of insane beings who seem intent of discovering a mysterious "treasure" the miners have. Along with some other Regulator misfits, the two begin trying to make the miners safe. This turns out to be nearly impossible, however, when Durango learns some secrets about the miners, the draeu, and the queen that is leading them to attack.

This was an amazing book! It was full of action and adventure. It reminded me a little of the TV series Firefly that used to be on Fox. I would definitely recommend this book to more mature readers, however, because of the violence and content. This is one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read!