The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is about about Liesel Meminger, a young German girl trying to find her place in the world during WWII. Her mother had to turn Liesel and her brother over to live in a foster home. On the train ride to their new home, Liesel's brother died. The image of him laying on the seat beside her haunts her through the remainder of the story. It is at his funeral that she steals her first book - The Grave Digger's Handbook. She arrives at her foster home alone, with not much more than this book, which she hides under her bed, unable to read it. Her new foster parents are an interesting pair, and Liesel immediately bonds with her Papa. When she is awakened by the recurring dream of her brother's death every night, Papa takes this time to teach Liesel how to read, using The Grave Digger's Handbook. Eventually, a person from Papa's past arrives, causing much hardship for the family. Max is the son of Papa's friend from the war. Max is Jewish, and is hidden in their basement for a long period of time. Liesel and Max become very close during this time. Max even uses the pages of his book about Hitler to write his own book for her. Unfortunately, Papa makes a big mistake that forces Max to leave the house, for fear of the safety of them all.

This was an excellent book. The narrator is Death, which makes the story even more interesting! I usually have a hard time reading stories that take place during WWII because of the ghastly things people did to other people. This book, however, was not difficult to read at all. The author did not make light of the atrocities done to the Jewish people during Hitler's reign, but it was told in such a way that was not too upsetting. There were so many elements within this story that came full circle and were resolved in the end. It was incredibly powerful!

White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages

White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages is the sequel to The Green Glass Sea. Both stories are about Dewey Kerrigan and Suze Gordon, two eighth grade girls living in New Mexico during the late 1940s. In White Sands, Red Menace, Dewey has been living with the Gordon family for nearly two years since the death of her father. The army has now asked the scientists who had been working on the atomic bomb to continue their work, but with rockets. Suze and Dewey struggle to fit in to the new school and town - dealing with the typical struggles of adolescent teens - but also dealing with being headstrong, smart, and curious girls during a time when men ruled the scientific world. The girls also struggle with one another as they try to figure out their relationships. A kink gets thrown into the mix with Suze's mom gets pregnant and Dewey's long lost mother returns.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Green Glass Sea. Unfortunately, I found it a little boring. It was interesting to read about the history of New Mexico and the work they did on rockets during the late 1940s. I also liked the way Dewey's story was wrapped up nicely.

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues Series #1) by Rick Riordan

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan is about Amy and Dan Cahill, orphans whose wealthy and influential grandmother just passed away. In her will, she gave 40 of her relatives a choice - take $1,000,000.00 or give up any inheritance to go on a quest to solve the 39 clues. These clues will lead the victor to a surprise that will make him or her the most powerful person in the world. Amy and Dan decide to go on the adventure! After solving the first clue and narrowly escaping death after someone burned down their grandmother's mansion, the Cahill siblings enlist the help of their nanny as they travel overseas to find the second clue. Amy and Dan aren't the only Cahills after the treasue. They are being followed by some of their distant relatives who are out to get them. Not only are they working to solve the cryptic messages left by ancient (and famous) ancestors, but they are trying to stay alive, facing attack after attack!

This is the first book in The 39 Clues Series. Amy and Dan solve the first clue in this book and are well on their way to solving the second. It is full of action and adventure, and of course, mystery. There are cards and an online game that accompany this book series. I spent a good portion of Sunday afternoon playing online - solving the clues and learning more and more about the Cahill family. I even found a hidden message within the book itself - I don't know what it means yet, but I'm sure it's important! I absolutely love this mystery so far!! I can't wait to read the second book when it comes out in December!

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott is about twins Sophie and Josh. Josh has been working for Nick Fleming, aka Nicholas Flamel, in his book shop. Nicholas's true identity is revealed when Dr. John Dee comes into the shop and tries to steal the Codex, an ancient and mysterious book that Nicholas has been guarding for the last 600 years. Josh and Sophie accidentally get involved in the fight and end up fleeing with Nicholas. In the mean time, Dee kidnaps Nicholas's wife, Perenelle and enlists the help of some of the Dark Elders, Egypt's Bastet (the cat goddess) and the Morrigan (the crow goddess). Nicholas and the twins pick up Scatty, an ancient warrior in a teenaged body, and head to Hekates Shadowrealm. Nicholas knows a secret about an omen within the Codex and believes that the twins will eventually save the world. He also knows that in order to do this, they need to have their powers awoken. Hekate is one of the Elders who has this power. Unfortunately, she is only able to awaken Sophie's powers before Dee, the Morrigan, and Bastet show up with an army of enchanted cats and crows!

This is the first book in a new series by Michael Scott and I absolutely loved it! There is so much legend, myth, and folklore within this book - it is amazing. Michael Scott offers easy explanations for many of the common stories, creatures, and people within. The stories of Nicholas and Perry Flamel and John Dee within the story were taken from the factual information that exists about these real people! This was an excellent blend of fiction, fact, and legend. I will definitely read the rest of the books in this series!

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Flush by Carl Hiaasen is about Noah and Abbey Underwood, siblings who are out to prove that a local casino boat owner is poisoning their beach with toilet waste. Noah and Abbey's dad recently got into trouble with the law (again) by sinking Dusty Muleman's casino boat. To make a point and to get the media involved in his cause, Paine Underwood decided to remain in jail facing criminal charges! When Noah and Abbey hear their mother talking about divorce, they know it is time to come up with a plan to save their family and prove Dusty's guilt. They call their plan Operation: Royal Flush!

This is the second time I've read this book, and I love it just as much as ever! Carl Hiaasen always brings in environmental issues into his stories in such a creative and compelling way. It makes me want to go out and save the world! This is one of the 2008-2009 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees.

The Winter Road by Terry Hokenson

The Winter Road by Terry Hokenson is about Willa, a teenager who has been dealing with the loss of her older brother and the subsequent dysfunction of her family for several years. One morning, knowing her uncle will be flying his small plane to another small Canada town to pick up her mother, Willa decides to join him. She reaches his house early, only to find him drunk and incapable of flight. Because Willa has her own flying license, she decides to take the plane and pick up her mother herself. About half way through the flight, something goes wrong with the instrument panel. Just after Willa notices the problem, a storm begins, blowing her off course. Unable to regain control of the plane, Willa crashes down into the middle of the Canadian wilderness. Willa's father taught her and her brother survival techniques, so she knows just what to do to stay alive in the wilderness. Willa has to call upon her memories of a better time, her intuition, and all of her inner strength to make it out of this situation.

This was a good book by a local author. It was short and full of adventure. I know what it's like to be cold, but I've never been in temperatures below zero for days at a time. It was really interesting to read about the ingenious methods Willa devised to find food, shelter, and entertainment. I know I wouldn't have been able to survive in her situation!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is about Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl living in the Seam, the 12th district of Panem, the land formerly known as North America. Ever since the Capitol defeated the 13 districts in the big war, The Hunger Games have taken place each year. One boy and one girl from each of the remaining 12 districts is randomly selected to "compete" in the games. Every year from the time children turn twelve until they turn eighteen, their names get entered into the drawing for the games. One time at age twelve, twice at age thirteen, three times at age fourteen, and so on, until they are ineligible to play at age nineteen. Children who are poor, whose families can't affort to live on their meager earnings can enter their names an additional time for each family member in return for one year's worth of grain and oil. When the names are drawn, the children must go to The Capitol, undergo three day's worth of training, and must fight one another to the death. The last one standing is delcared the winner. In this story, Prim, Katniss's twelve year old sister is the one chosen. Katniss volunteers to go in her place along with a boy from her community, Peeta. Their only trainer is the one former winner of the Hunger Games from their district, a drunk who can barely stand. It is every child for themselves as the Hunger Games begin.

I couldn't put this book down. I read the entire novel in one day's time. It is very engaging with a lot of action. It is definitely for more mature readers who can handle the violence and death. There are twists and turns along with surprises no one could guess! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!