Meanwhile by Jason Shiga

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga is a really interesting graphic novel. The reader can choose the path of the story using little "tubes" that travel between the illustrations and tabbed pages. Depending on the reader's choices, the story has up to 3,856 different possibilities. It begins with the simple choice - chocolate or vanilla? - and from there can take you literally anywhere! I read this one with my son and we both loved it! As soon as we finished one story, we started over and chose different paths.

Mind Games by Jeanne Marie Grunwell

Mind Games by Jeanne Marie Grunwell is about a group of middle school students who choose to research ESP in their Mad Science Club. As a result of their research, the group wins $500 in the lottery! The story is told through newspaper articles, lab reports, and experiment reports. Each part is written through the eyes of a different character and all add their own personal perspectives and stories. By the end of the novel, the reader not only has a better understanding of paranormal activities, but also of each character, the ways they are completely different, but also how they find their similarities as a result of being part of this group.

This was a quick read. I really liked the format of the story - being told through the voices of each character through lab reports and experiments. It makes me want to study ESP and even try some of the experiments! I loved the ways the author helped me get to know each character personally through what they wrote in their sections. A great story!!

Below are images of Zener Cards used in some tests for ESP:

If you are interested in exploring your own ESP abilities, check out this link to "Test Your ESP"

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!