Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix is set in a future where the government has formed laws to control the number of children each family is allowed... 2. It is illegal to have more than two children. As a result, 3rd children, or Shadow Children, must hide at all costs or risk death. Luke is a Shadow Child. He lives with his family on their farm. Luke couldn't go to school or leave the property, but he could go outside on the farm, eat at the kitchen table, and participate in typical family activities. That is, until the government bought all of the land around his house and built huge mansions for the Barons to live in. Now Luke must be diligent in his hiding. He can only peer out the tiny attic vents in his bedroom to get a glimpse of the outside world. So, this is what he does while he's home alone all day, every day. But one day, as he's looking at the neighborhood, he sees a face in the window of a house where he's sure no one is home. Another Shadow Child? Yes! After several weeks of intently watching that house, Luke is certain another hidden child like himself is over there. He makes a plan to sneak out and meet this person. That's how Luke met Jen, the only friend he's ever had, the only person besides his family he's ever spoken to. Jen has some wild ideas about how to free the Shadow Children and wants Luke's help. Should he risk exposing himself and his family's secret for a chance at freedom or remain hidden for the rest of his life?

I have had so many 6th graders tell me how great this story (and series) is, but this is the first time I've read any of the books. I loved it! I couldn't put it down. I'm glad there are many books to follow this one because I can't wait to find out what happens to Luke (now Lee with his fake I.D. card) as he begins living out in the open at boarding school in Among the Imposters.

Star Split by Kathryn Lasky

Star Split by Kathryn Lasky is set in the year 3038. Scientists have figured out how to rid embryos of disease and even how to select certain traits for them! The Genhants, or genetically enhanced humans, carry an extra chromosome which makes this possible. The Originals, while still free of debilitating diseases have not been able - usually due to lack of money - to select certain traits for their children. Every year a special ceremony is held where new Laureates are announced. These are people who have made such great contributions to society that their DNA is collected so that clones, or ambullae, are created from them. Ambellation is strictly prohibited under all circumstances and is punishable by death - both the parents, the original child and the clone are incinerated. So, what happens to Darci, a typical Genhant teen, when she goes to rock climbing camp and comes face to face with her identical ambulla? Suddenly Darci's and Vivian's worlds turn upside down as they learn about a secret, underground movement to change the way their society operates.

This was a really interesting book. I can see how our society could get to a place like this, and I can see how easily genetic selection could get out of hand. This book reminds me a little bit of The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson and of Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I like this type of science "what if" story.

Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon

Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon is about Scyanthe, an 18 year old shapeshifter who lives in Carlbine Forest, the place where all shapeshifters were relegated by the King after the big rebellion. Scyanthe is different from everyone in her world, however, because she escaped having the priests mark her with the poison tattoo that binds the other shapeshifters to their part of the forest. While others of her kind would die an excruciating death upon leaving the boundary, Scyanthe is free to leave, though she never has. That is until the day her mother becomes ill with the wasting illness that seems to be taking over her land - not just the people, but the trees of the forest as well. Scyanthe is the only one who can save her mother, by leaving the forest and seeking out the medicine in the capitol. Along the way, Scyanthe must solve the mystery of what's killing the trees in her forest and poisoning the land. Eventually, she is taken in by a caravan of human traders who also possess magical capabilities. Scyanthe finally understands how the evil King and his priests have been gaining power and living beyond any normal human lifespan when she is forced to witness a ceremony. There, the priests sacrifice innocent animals, to which Scyanthe and all shapeshifters are tied, to preserve the lives of the wicked men who rule the land. When their caravan makes it to the capitol, Scyanthe desperately wants to find the medicine and leave, but she is held back by Jerel, the leader of the caravan. It turns out that none of them are what they seem and the "traders" have a special plan of their own to stop the King once and for all. Will Scyanthe make it back to the forest with the medicine in time to save her mother? Will Jerel and his crew accomplish their goal? Will they be captured by the priests who seek them out? Read Shapeshifter's Quest by Dena Landon.

This was an awesome book! I was completely enthralled the entire time I read it. I was immediately immersed in the world of the shapeshifters, as if it were my own reality. I couldn't put it down from beginning to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy!

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser is about 15 year old Garrett and his experiences at Lake Harmony, a boot camp for "troubled" teens. Garrett is an incredibly smart boy who falls in love with the wrong girl, his math teacher. Because his high-class, high-power parents think he's an embarrassment and will never stop seeing Sabrina, they hire people to kidnap him in the middle of the night and send him to boot camp. Lake Harmony is anything but harmonious. Garrett is abused - physically and mentally - in hopes of brainwashing him and turning him into the kind of kid his parents always wanted. Garrett is tough, and withstands this atrocious treatment for 7 months before agreeing to an escape plan hatched by the only two prisoners on his side. From there, it only gets worse for Garrett, as his conscious kicks in and forces him to save and protect the very people who are trying to capture him... leading to his eventual return to Lake Harmony, only to endure the worse beatings imaginable. He's made to be an example to the other prisoners of what happens when one tries to escape.

This was an amazing book. I had no idea there are really boot camps like Lake Harmony, kidnapping minors and beating the will out of them. The afterword in this book is eye-opening. Todd Strasser is an awesome author who always finds the most controversial and interesting topics to expose. This one is definitely for a more mature audience due to violence and topic.

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon is a wordless graphic novel about a dog and a robot. Dog buys a robot kit through the mail and once he builds the robot, they become best friends. They watch movies together, and even take a vacation to the beach together. Unfortunately, Robot goes into the water and becomes rusty. He can't move at all! Dog doesn't know what to do, and ends up leaving Robot on the beach. Months go by... Dog passes his time making friends with others, but always losing them. Robot spends his time dreaming of other places. When a beach comber finds Robot, he takes him to a salvage yard where he is later purchased by a raccoon who rebuilds him with a radio body. Meanwhile, Dog returns to the beach in search of Robot, but only finds part of his leg. Sadly, Dog goes to a store to purchase a new robot. He builds the new robot and takes him on vacation to the beach. He's learned his lesson, and won't let his new friend go in the water. Together, they walk home. They pass by Raccoon and Robot's window on their way home. Robot sees them and feels a little sad. But then, he plays a tune on his radio body and Dog and the new robot head home singing.

This was an amazing book! My 5 year old son read it with me and we both absolutely loved it. It was both touching and sweet. The illustrations were awesome! The characters' expressions were so clear. It was easy to understand despite there being no words. Follow this link to an illustrated interview with the author, Sara Varon.

Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu is about sixteen year old Lucy and the secret her family is desperate to keep. Lucy's the youngest of three siblings. Her older sister and brother have already moved out of the house, and their father left a long time ago. Lucy is along with her mother, who is an obsessive hoarder. The only tidy place in the entire house is Lucy's room. The rest of the house is a maze of pathways in the stacks of newspapers, magazines, trash, random items, and even garbage. Any time anyone touches or moves anything from its place, Lucy's mother becomes extremely angry. Lucy has learned to keep to herself, but has just developed a friendship in Kaylie and may even be close to dating the boy of her dreams, Josh. Lucy knows the closer she gets to people outside of her family, the more likely it is their secret will get out - it's happened before. Lucy's former best friend caused such a swarm of bullying after finding out about Lucy's house, she eventually had to switch schools! Just when Lucy thinks she's got everything under control with her relationships with Kaylie and Josh, the unthinkable happens. She returns home one evening to find her mother dead under a pile of garbage. Lucy knows she should call 9-1-1, but she's too embarrassed to have medical workers enter her house to retrieve her mother. She's certain news crews will be soon to follow and then her secret will be exposed. So, Lucy develops a plan to clean up the house before reporting her mother's death. Unfortunately, many unforeseen obstacles present themselves, including nosy neighbors, the unexpected arrival of her bossy sister, her mother's boss's phone calls, and, of course, Josh's invitation to a party she'd really like to attend. Lucy has to make some drastic changes to her plan before everything works out for her.

This was a really good book. I've seen the TV show "Hoarders" once or twice, so I understand a little about the compulsion people who hoard feel. It never occurred to me to think about the families of these people, however. Teenagers face so many of their own issues just growing up, without having to keep a secret like this. Dirty Little Secrets gives an eye-opening and realistic view of a teen living with a secret that is nearly unthinkable.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry is about... well, a lot of things! In this story you'll find an orphaned infant, a bereaved widower benefactor, 4 siblings who desperately wish to be orphans, a mother and son who survive an avalanche, a set of parents who desperately wish to be rid of their children, a lonely postman, and much, much more! What could all of those people possible have in common? Read The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry to find out!

This tongue-in-cheek novel is absolutely, laugh out loud, hilarious! I loved the way all of these seemingly unrelated people become connected in the end. I would recommend this quick read to anyone who needs a little "pick me up" or anyone who just needs a good book!