Book Reviews

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For my most recent reviews, go to my blog

Tom, Devin and Frankie are in the back room of the library when they walk near an old security gate holding a copy of Tom Sawyer and zappp they are back in time, in the book. They experience the story we all know while looking for the book so they can get back to their time (sound a little like Time-Warp Trio?) This 127 page book is a way for students to experience the story but not the writing of Mark Twain. It is part of a series which includes other classics.

 

Abbott, Tony. Firegirl. Little, Brown, 2006 [0-316-01170-3//978-0-316-01170-9]

Everything is going well for Tom in seventh grade until the new girl shows up.  She has been terribly disfigured by burns from a fire and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.  Everyone at school is scared of the new girl, making up stories about her accident, and staying away from her.  Tom develops a kind of standoffish friendship with her while still being leery of her, not wanting to be around her. Not until the close of this 145 page book does Tom realize what an impact his minor outreach to the girl has on her life.  I was hoping that the book didn’t end with them being the best of friends… and it doesn’t.  This is a powerful book which was recommended to me by a student.

 

Abelove, Joan. Go and come back, 1998

This is the story of a Peruvian jungle village. One day "two old ladies" (anthropologists) come to live with them for a year. The book explains the process of the people learning about the Peruvians and the Peruvians learning about the "old ladies." Initially both groups feel that they are superior to the other but through the year they learn a great deal about each other's cultures and learn to love and respect each other in their own way. The reader is taken along for this wonderful experience. I enjoyed this 177 page book but I think it will have a limited audience with children. The story supposedly is based on "real places, experiences, and people" but is a work of fiction.

Ackerman, Ned. Spirit horse, 1998

This is the story of a young Native American who changes tribes and has little experience with riding horses. There are tales of a "spirit horse" held by the Snake tribe and they go and make a horse raid to get more horses and especially this spirit horse. The young man ends up proving himself, discrediting another young man who has been teasing him, and taming the spirit horse. This is a well written tale of self-reliance intermingled with peer struggles. I really liked this 167 page book and I am sure kids will too. There is a short note at the end describing the historically based behavior of the people and tribes in the book.

Adler, C.S. The no place cat. Clarion, 2002 [0-618-09644-2]

Tess lives with dad and step-mom and they don't care so she takes a long hike across the desert to live with her free spirited mom in her old neighborhood. On the way she picks up a stray cat. Of course mom is allergic to cats but maybe the cat can stay with her friend. This "no place cat" is kinda like Tess. Will she be able to stay with her mom or will she have to go back to her more structured dad with rules to live by. This 153 book could hit the spot with kids in the middle school who feel so out of place in their life all a sudden.

Alexander, Lloyd. The Gawgon and the Boy. Puffin, 2001 [0-14-250000-3]

We are in Philadelphia in the late 1920s. David becomes too sick to go to school so his elderly aunt (whom he nicknames Gawgon after the Gargon) volunteers to tutor him. The Gawgon mixes all his lessons into one and makes education interesting to David. David's eleven-year-old imagination takes him on journeys in his mind which intermingle his lessons and his interesting family. Of course the depression hits too! This 199 page book is a wonderful story intermingled with creative glimpses at the past.

Alexander, Lloyd. The Iron Ring, 1997

This is an epic journey tale base on East Indian mythology. It is always interesting and mind-expanding to read something not in one's normal experience. The tale is wrapped in honor and would be a great discussion book. At every turn in the tale the main character wonders what would be the honorable thing to do. On the epic journey he meets many characters who will end up helping him in the end. The closing of the book wraps everything up neatly. I found the story a combination of "Don Quixote" and the "Wizard of Oz" set in India. Although I found this book very enjoyable, it will be a hard sell to most students. He East Indians theme along with the 282 pages will put off many readers in my school but I know some to whom I will recommend it.

Allen, Will. Swords for hire. CenterPunch Press, 2003 [0972488200]

In the kingdom of Parmall the king's brother has taken over the kingdom. When they receive a note from the real king, two unlikely young men set out on an adventure to rescue him and restore him to his rule. This 168 page book is a riot; full of Monty Python type humor. Although the author is deceased, his brother has found his works and wants to publish them... I hope there is another one.

Allison, Jennifer. Gilda Joyce: Psychic investigator [#1]. Dutton, 2005 [0525-47375-0]

Gilda lives with her mother after her father has died a few years older and has considers herself a psychic investigator. One day to impress her friends she tells them she is going to visit a cousin in San Francisco.  After a series of misunderstandings, she ends up getting invited to spend a few weeks with her divorced uncle and his daughter.  Gilda finds out that several years earlier her uncle's sister committed suicide by jumping of a tower window of the mansion in San Francisco.  This is a perfect situation for Gilda to investigate.  With the reluctant help of her cousin Gilda investigates this death.  Of course the house is haunted and her uncle sleep walks, there is a colorful housekeeper who is scared of ghosts.  This 321 page book is a fun book.  I hope the author keeps the series fresh and original.

 

Allison, Jennifer. Gilda Joyce: Ladies of the Lake [#2]. Dutton, 2006 [0-525-47693-8]

Gilda gets accepted as a scholarship student at an exclusive girls High School.  While there she discovers that a student drown in the lake three years earlier and her ghost may be haunting the school.  Gilda's investigations into the situation discovers the circumstances surrounding the girls death and the implications of the discovery rock the foundations of the school.  Meanwhile her single mother starts dating a guy who Gilda does not like.  This is the second book in a series of Gild Joyce, Psychic Investigator series.  Everyone is comparing this book to Harriet the Spy but it is much longer than those books and takes place in a HS.  This 339 page book was a great read and I can wait to start the other one waiting for me in the pile.

 

Almond, David. Heaven Eyes. Delacorte, 2001 [0-385-327706]

Once again Mr. Almond has created an unusual and though-provoking book. Three orphans run away from an orphanage on a raft and end up staying at a strange place along the river with an unusual old man and an ever stranger girl with webs between her fingers. This girl (Heaven Eyes) knows nothing of her past and is totally dependent and trusting of this old man. Will the three ever leave this place? Will they take Heaven Eyes with them? Do they really want to leave the strange place and return to the orphanage? Fans of David Almond will love this 233 page book but it is not for everyone.

Almond, David. The fire-eaters. Delacote, 2004 [0-385-73170-1]

It is the summer of 1962 and Bobby is walking along a British beach with his mom. They spy an crazy man, entertainer - fire-eater, sword swallower, escape artist, etc. At home they tell his father who remembers this guy from the army. Meanwhile they have a new neighbor who decides to do something about the way kids are beaten at school for punishment and Bobby gets involved in that. Everyone is getting depressed about the missile crisis between the US and Cuba. Near the end of the end of the 218 page book a group of families are sitting on the beach waiting for the missiles to fall at the peak of the missile crisis. As unusual, David Almond writes a thought provoking book. Other than the sub-plot of school beatings, I am not sure it will be a popular book with students. There are a lot of "British-isms" which may confuse some American readers.

Almond, David. Kit's wilderness, 2000 [0-385-32665-3] Delacorte

The book opens in a mine shaft with a group of kids playing the game of "Death" in which one is selected to be put to death (which is really a trance.) They desert him and wait outside until he awakes and comes out of the shaft. It turns out that two of the kids actually see things (ghosts) when they are in the trance. John is the leader of this group and when the adults find out about the game they expel him and fill in the shaft, Kit writes stories about his dreams. This is a mysterious and dark tale drifting in and out of reality, Kit's stories, and dreams. The whole town thinks John is evil and John thinks so too. Kit tries to bring him back into reality and towards goodness. While this 229 page book ends on a kind of upbeat note, it is still a dark book. "Skellig" was mysterious and filled with wonder while this one is mysterious and dark. It is not for every reader or collection.

Almond, David. Skellig, 1999

Michael moves to a new home with a dilapidated garage. His newly born baby sister is very sickly and goes in and out of the hospital. In the garage he finds a strange man, very weak. He and his new friend Mina help bring this "man" back to health and while doing so, notice strange things about him such as the owls have been feeding him and he appears to have wings. Of course he and Mina do not tell anyone about Skellig. Michael's baby sister needs open heart surgery and Skellig appears at the hospital (his mother thinks in a dream) and the baby makes it through the operation. After this Skellig has to move on. This 182 page book is very powerful and strange. It leaves you with a wonderful (almost religious) feeling, never knowing exactly what Skellig really is. While not for everyone, I heartily recommend it.

Alphin, Elaine Marie. Ghost soldier. Henry Holt, 2001 [0-8050-6158-4]

Alexander can see ghosts but has not done so in a while. Then he father decides to remarry and takes the family to visit a woman he intends to marry. When the group goes to visit the Civil War battle field at Petersburg, a ghost talks to Alexander and gets him involves in an adventure to find out what happened to the ghosts family after the battle. This 216 page book is part historical fiction, ghost story, and part realistic fiction of family problems. That makes a lot of reasons to read it.

Alvarez, Julia. Before we were free. Laurel-Leaf, 2002 [0-440-23784-x]

It is 1960 and Anita lives in the Dominican Republic. She and her family are wrapped up in the political turmoil and a plot to murder the dictator. Most of her family has emigrated to the US. This 167 page book shows what it is like to live under a terrible dictator who controls a secret police. Will her family carry out the plot? Will they get caught? Will they get to the US? This book covers the situation in the Dominican Republic about which I knew little. There is a collection of fact pages at the end of the book. This book could be used to show what it is like to live in a violent dictatorship.. in many countries.

Amesse, Susan. Kissing Brendan Callahan. Rolling Brook Press, 2005 [1-59643-015-X]

Sarah, a middle school student, is a budding writer and she loves one particular romance writer.  Sarah's mother is part is running a writing contest and of course Sarah can not enter.  Meanwhile, she begins to see long-time best friend, Brendan in a different light.  He gives her a quick kiss several times in the book and sparks fly.  Sarah is astonished when her mother gets Sarah's favorite author to judge the writing contest and have her work as the author's assistant.  This starts a huge tangled mess centered around the authors less than wonderful life.  This 149 page book is a good read concerning a first love, struggles with a mother and daughter, and the realization that an idol may not be everything one thinks.

 

Anderson, Janet S. Going through the gate, 1997

This is by far the strangest book that I have read in a long time! It tells of the rite of passage for some 6th grade children at graduation where the teacher somehow changes them into animals for a few hours. It is a unusual book throughout (very heady) but at the end it gets more heavy diving into the psyche of some of the characters. You may want to read this book but I would not recommend it enthusiastically. It is a very strange book - like "The Wrecker" or even "The war of Jenkin's Ear" although I liked those two much better. At best, this book will have a limited audience.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever: 1793. Aladdin, 2000 [0-689-84891-9]

It is 1793 and yellow fever runs through Philadelphia. This is what historical fiction should be all about. The reader is transported to that time and experiences it. This 252 page book centers around Mattie and her family's coffee shop. The reader lives through this scary time, watching their family and friends die around them and feel panic and rumor run through the city. Don't miss this one, especially if you school studies this period of history.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. Speak/Penguin, 2001 [0-14-131088-x]

Melinda starts HS as a loner.  One reason is that she broke up the end of summer party by calling 911.  None of her former friends want to speak to her.  At school nothing goes right except in Art class where they teacher tries to get her to express herself.  As the story moves on the read finds out that Melinda called 911 because she was raped at the party and she did not stick around to tell the police.  The writing by Anderson is wonderful as usual.  The reader enters Melinda's head as she tries to face and deal with her situation.  At the end of the 197 page book the person who raped her in August assaults her again in June.  The initial rape is not described sexually but the reader knows what happened.  The description of the assault is June is much more descriptive but is not sexual.  This is a powerful, well written book that gets into the mind of a first year HS student.  Because of the rape and assault, I would not give it to younger than 7th grade.  But that is your call, with your population.

 

Andrews, Donna. Murder with peacocks. St. Martins, 1999 [0-312-97063-3]

Meg's summer is going crazy because she has been asked to organize three weddings in her family's small town. When she goes to the dressmaker she meets her son who is in charge. There are rumors that he is gay because he does not appear to be interested in all the girls going through the place. It is interesting how the author dances around this with rarely mentioning the word "gay." Suddenly there is a murder and several murder attempts. This further complicates all the craziness around the wedding plans (one of which is to have peacocks on the lawn.) This 311 page book is a very readable and entertaining mystery. I purchased this book because I had read another of the "Meg Langslow Mysteries" and enjoyed that.

Andrews, Donna. Murder with Puffins. St. Martin, 2000 [0-312-26221-3]

This is a young adult book with the main characters out of HS. Meg and her boyfriend go to a family hideaway on an island for a romantic weekend but don't get what they are looking for. First of all, most of the extended family has decided to show up and then a hurricane traps them all on the island. During the height of the hurricane a man who is hated by all, is murdered. Many people are suspect so Meg decides to try to find out what happened. What follows is a pretty good 281 page mystery. By the way, the island's main tourist attraction are its puffins, hence the title. This is the second book about Meg - I have now ordered the other one.

Applegate, K.A. The Andalite chronicles [Animorph prequel], 1997

This is a prequel to the whole series. In it we learn the history behind Elfanger and why he gave the morphing powers to the five human children. After reading this I now want to go back and look at the first book again in which Elfanger crashes, gives the morphing power to the human kids, and is killed. If you have kids into the Animorphs, you have to get this 326 page book. I think it is one of those prequels that are best read after you are into the series. It is a longer read, but well worth it.

Applegate, K.A. The Android [Animorphs #10], 1997

In this continuing tale of the Animorphs, the kids discover another alien who is on their side. This alien turns out to be from an android race whose creators were all killed. It never fails to amaze me at how many variations on a theme Applegate can come up with and still make the series interesting. I especially like the series because of the descriptions of the animals they "morph" into. It adds another dimension to the stories. I picked up this 170 page book at our Book Fair and am sure I will buying more when the students get into them.

Applegate, K.A. The encounter [Animorphs #3], 1996

This is number 3 in the series and I am sorry that I have not read them in order. Thing that happen here I knew about from reading later books first, but putting that aside, this is still a good book. This one spends a great deal of time with Tobias who is now permanently trapped in the body of a hawk. The reader learns a great deal about their habits, in fact, there is even a suggested resource for more information.

Applegate, K.A. The departure [Animorphs #19], 1998

While I am not a big fan of series literature, this series continues to amaze me. They are all fresh with new ideas. This one in particular, is my favorite so far. Cassie decides to leave the group and is also found out by a human controller. There is a lot of discussion about which side is the "right" side in the war. Who is more correct, a parasite, or a predator? At the end Cassie makes a deal with the controller which is totally shocking. This 159 page book is by far the best Animorph I have read yet. A great discussion starter.

Applegate, K.A. The Hork-Bajir chronicles [Animorphs prequel], 1998

This is the other of the two prequels to the Animorph series. It has so much adventure and struggle of intergalactic forces that it feels like Star Wars. In it the reader learns the background of the Hork-Bajir and how they were enslaved by the Yeerks. He reader also learns that the Andalites are not all perfect. If you have readers that are into the Animorphs, you must have this 260 page book! Like the Andalite Chronicles, it is more of a read than the shorter, regular Animorph books. I enjoyed this one much more than the Andalite Chronicles.

Applegate, K.A. The reaction [Animorphs #12], 1997

This is another in the popular series where a group of kids fight off alien invaders by morphing into various animals. Well, in this story one girl becomes allergic to the creature she morphs into and begins to uncontrollably morph. It is an interesting twist on the story plot line. I like this series - it is different than many others which quickly become boring. I picked this 153 page book up at our book fair.

Applegate, K.A. The secret [Animorphs #9], 1997

This is another in the series about a group of children who can "morph" into animals in order to fight aliens who are taking over the world. This time they have to stop the aliens from building a fortress in the forest. They use skunk morphs a lot in this story and the reader learns a great deal about that animal. I never realized how much one learns about animals in this series (each book emphasizes a different animal) -- a very good selling point. I picked this 138 page book in our book fair.

Applegate, K.A. Search for Senna [Everworld #1], 1999 [0-590-87743-7]

This is part of a series which a student requested me to purchase and is just the kind I do not like -- the first book was not a complete story and it looks like they will all be that way. David and his friends are on the beach one evening when a very, very, very large wolf rises out of the sea and picks up Senna with his mouth. When the friends try to chase after her they are drawn into a parallel universe with Vikings, Gods of many lands (Norse, Aztec, and Egyptian) and aliens. Every time they fall asleep in one universe, they travel back to the other. In the strange one they end up joining the Vikings as they sail to fight the Aztecs in a vicious battle. The book will be a draw for your fantasy lovers. This 208 page book is book one in a series and like I said earlier, it is not a complete story on its own. These books are more complex and for older students than the "Animorph" books.

Applegate, K.A. Land of Loss [Everworld #2], 1999 [0-590-87751-8]

This the continuing story of the group of kids that have been drawn into another parallel world (Everworld) with gods, Vikings, Aztecs, and other beings. They are still searching for Senna who is somehow connected with the reason they are there. In this volume they (along with the Vikings) have a gruesome battle with the Aztecs and lose. You know what happens to Aztec prisoners... they are lined up to march up the pyramid to have their heart ripped out and eaten (some Vikings ahead of them do) when.... This volume is more gory and gruesome than the last (but it is not gore for the sake of gore -- like Pike.) This series is really for upper middle and HS kids with a lot of references to many cultures' mythology, and some of the wit may be lost on younger kids. This 185 page book is part of a huge story, not really a series where there is some kind of ending and beginning to each book. I really dislike that and will not purchase any more of these unless I get some solid requests from students.

Armstrong, Jennifer. The dreams of Mairhe Hehan, 1996

This is the tale of a young Irish-American girl living in Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. It shows the uncertain life the Irish had at the time amid the confusion of the Civil War. It is a beautifully written book - the language is almost lyrical. The girl often talks of her dreams and I at times had trouble keeping track of what was a dream and what was real. Because of the stylized writing, it will not appeal to all kids. The book is 119 pages but a hard read because of this writing. It could have used a glossary because of the Irish terms and such - even though there was a little explanation at the front. The book tells of the Irish Americans in the Civil War - something I had not read about before.

Armstrong, Jennifer and Nancy Butcher. The Kindling [Fire-Us #1]HarperCollins, 2002 [0-06-008048-5]

It is 2007 and a group of children are trying to survive in a world where it appears all the adults were killed off my a deadly virus (fire-us) in 2002. The group of children is an interesting set of characters. All of them are confused (probably the results of the fever they had during the virus.) This 224 book is full of adventure and twists in plot and is part of a trilogy. Unfortunately it is not a complete book and leaves the reader with a cliff hanger for the next book. I don't like this kind of series. I will purchase the remaining two in the set. The author took a gamble making the date of future as 2007 - what will readers think after that year?

Armstrong, Jennifer and Nancey Butcher. Keepers of the flame [#2 Fire-Us trilogy]. HarperCollins, 2002 [0-06-447270-1]

In this second of the trilogy which takes place in a world after a virus (fire-us) kills most of the adults, the children continue their trek north. At a mall they find a collection of people including adults. But they soon realize something strange is going on. They need to break away and continue their trip north, but can they? This 280 page book is a little slow in the beginning but the excitement picks up in the last half. While the first book in the trilogy was an almost complete plot, this one is a total cliff-hanger leading you on the last book. If the first one hooked you, you will read this one and need to read the third.

Armstrong, Jennifer and Nancy Butcher._The Kiln [Fire-Us #3].HaperCollins, 2002 [0-06-447271-X]

In book three the wandering group of children find a nursing home where adults have not been killed by the virus. Angerman insists they still try to find the President (if he is alive) on Pigah Island. There they find the President, the Keepers and a thrill packed ending to the series. The ending of this 244 page book makes reading the all three worth while. While reading the last quarter of this book I could not put down.

Asimov, Janet. Norby and the terrified taxi, 1997

This is another adventure of Norby, the robot, and his friend Jeff. They travel back in time and accidentally prevent the huge asteroid from hitting Earth which causes the dinosaurs to survive. The dinosaurs evolve into intelligent beings. Jeff, Norby and an intelligent, flying taxi have to go back in time to fix everything so their time is back on track. I've read a couple of these Nortby stories, all written with her now deceased husband, Isaac. This 125 page book carries on the tradition of entertaining and thought-provoking science fiction.

Asimov, Isaac. I robot. Bantam, 1950 [0-553-29438-5]

This is the book that fully explains the three laws of robots. It traces one scientist's life and is essentially four stories that take the reader through 70 years of robot development. I found many of the stories fascinating.. especially realizing they were written in 1950. Some places, especially the last story, get a little bogged down in explanations of various things such as what is human, and the psychological aspects of the three robot laws, but especially since the movie has come out, this 272 page book we all should have in our collection.

Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia. Demon in my view, 2000 [0-385-32720-X]

In this second book by this young author, she appears to be living out her own fantasy. In the book a loner teenage author begins writing vampire "fiction" books. She has no belief in vampires herself. Suddenly vampires (from Atwater-Rhodes previous books) and some vampire-hunting witches begin making themselves known to her. It appears that unknown to her, she has been writing the actual history of the vampires. This gets her involved with both the vampires and the vampire-hunting witches to the point where she starts to favor with one side. This is 176 page book is rich and full like the author's last one -- but be aware there is blood, witches and vampires. It is not for younger children.

Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia. Hawksong [The Kiesha'Ra #1]. Laurel-Leaf, 2003 [0-440-23803-x]

This book is the start of a tale about two groups of shape shifters (Avian and Serpentine) who are constantly at war with each other. Both sides realize that their royal families and armies are being killed off but do not trust each other until... Danica becomes queen of the Avians. She decides that the only way to stop the wars is to marry Zane, the young king of the serpentines. Of course neither side likes this. It is a marriage of convenience and these new rulers don't really trust each other either but they realize that they must make the marriage work for the good of the peace. But.. who is trying to assassinate them? (In case you are wondering... these shape shifters spend most of their time in their human forms.) This 243 page book will have a larger audience then her previous vampire books. I hope it is a limited and defined series, not one that goes on forever.

Atwater-Rhodes, Ameila. Snakecharm [Kieshra'Ra #2]. Delacorte, 2004 [0-385-73072-1]

In book two the avians and serpiente shapeshifters are living in peace since their King and Queen (Zane & Danica) have married. But now Danica is pregnant.. how with a half-breed heir to the throne be raised? How will it be able to rule? The fragile peace is shaken by the arrival of an ancient shapeshifting falcon looking for criminals from her land. Although it took a while for me to get back into the story of this 167 page book, I was totally involved in the tale soon enough. It would be helpful for the reader if the author made a list of characters designating them as avians, serpiente or falcons and their place in the society. Of course now I cannot wait for the third book.

Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia. In the forests of the night, 1999 [0-385-32674-2]

This is a vampire story which rotates between the 1600s when Risika became a vampire and current times. Instead of just the usual horror or the love story between a vampire and a human, this story deals with the revenge and taunting between two vampires and how their power slowly shifts. Risika also struggles with just being a cruel hunter (for humans) and only going after bad people. This 147 page book is a different twist on the usual vampire story and was written by a promising fourteen-year-old author.

Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia. Shattered mirror. Delacorte, 2001 [0-385-32793-5]

Once again this young author immerses the reader into the world and culture of vampires and their witch vampire hunters. Here we have Sarah, a witch vampire hunter, befriending some vampires at school (something that is strictly forbidden.) There reader finds out why such a relationship, although casual, is strictly forbidden. This 227 page book is not for younger children. While there is violence and blood and talk of vampires and witches, it is not sensationalized such as in the Pike vampire books.

Auch, Mary Jane. Frozen Summer. Henry Holt, 1998 [0-8050-4923-1]

Note: This is a sequel to "Journey to nowhere"

It is the 1816 and Mem's family have moved to western New York state for the the better farm land. Her mother gives birth to a baby and begins having "spells" - periods of time when she withdraws from everything around her. Meanwhile her father is trying to make the farm work and both of them are trying to keep the mother's problem from everyone else. To make things even worse -- this summer is terrible -- there are frosts throughout the summer which kills the crops repeatedly. The whole mess end up in this 202 page book with a frightening climax. The story is great and the details about pioneer life are told well. It is interesting having an emotionally unbalanced character set in frontier life. The author explains in an afterward that this summer actually happened because of a huge volcanic eruption somewhere in the world.

Avi. The Christmas rat. Scholastic, 2000 [0-439-33678-3]

It is Christmas vacation and it is colder than it has ever been in years and Eric is bored until his parents ask him to let in the exterminator. The exterminator explains the dangers of rats and gets Eric to join in a pact to kill them. Together they find a rat in Eric's apartment's basement but Eric decides to change sides and wants to save the rat instead of killing it. This puts him against the exterminator who says anyone who saves rats is worse than the rats themselves! What will happen to Eric... what will happen to the rat? At the end of the book this 135 page there is an explanation of the Angel Gabriel and how it's story was the basis for this story. I did not catch the symbolism, but it is a good story full of suspense and emotions without it.

Avi. Crispin, cross of lead . Hyperion, 2002 [0-78682647-9]

Asta's son, a thirteen-year-old boy in fourteeth century England, is accused of a crime he did not commit. Because of this he is labeled a "wolf's head" which means he can be killed on sight. Since he is an orphan he runs away where he meets up with juggler named Bear. Just before he runs, he finds his name is Crispin. The two of them have many adventures as they try to save each others lives. This 262 page book is full of many plot twists. As usual, Avi tells a good story.

Avi. Crispin, at the edge of the world. Hyperion, 2006 [0-7868-5152-x]

In the tradition of the first Crispin story, Avi has written another exciting adventure tale in Middle Ages Great Britain.  In continuation of the first story, Crispin and Bear are wandering around not wanting to be captured again.   Soon after Bear is seriously wounded, they meet up with deformed girl who helps them and they eventually take under their wing.  This 234 page book is another strong story written in the style of the first book.  It stands alone as a book of its own, but it does mention the first book so the reader would have a more full experience if they do read both in order.

 

Avi. Ereth's birthday. HarperCollins, 2000 [0-380-97734-6]

Here we have another tale from Dimwood Forrest. This one features, Ereth, the grouchy porcupine (reminds me of Eeyore) going on an adventure looking for salt. He meets a wolf mother caught in a trap and dying and promises to care for her babies until the father fox returns. Grumbling the whole time he does take care of them, showing them how to locate the steel traps in the snow. All the while a fisher is tracking Ereth to eat him. When the fox father comes home Ereth is displaced -- will he ever see them again? Ereth is quite a memorable character whose use of language is very entertaining but... this book deals much with the "law of the jungle." The mother fox is depicted dying in agony caught in a steel trap and there is a battle between the fisher and Ereth which is very descriptive and bloody. Thus, this 180 page book is not all fun and games as the earlier Dimwood books and younger children may not like this harshness. I am not clear at to its audience.

Avi. Midnight magic. Scholastic, 1999 [0-590-36035-3]

In Italy during the Middle Ages, Mangus the Magician and his servant, Fabrizio are summoned to the castle. Recently, Mangus had been prosecuted for practicing magic and had promised to do so no more. At the castle they are informed that the princess has been seeing a ghost and he is to try to remove it. They are plunged into a tangled web of intrigue. This is a great mystery! I thoroughly enjoyed it -- Avi has done it again with this 247 page book.

Avi. Perloo the bold, 1998

This is another animal story by Avi which is more than your usual animal story. As in Poppy, it is an adventure. The diversity of Avi's writing always amazes me. This one concerns a scholar who unwantingly gets selected by the dying leader of a country to be the new leader of the country. This all happens while a war is brewing. I found this story very enjoyable - it could have been an adventure story with humans but it is cuter and allows for more humorous situations with these pretend animals, the Montners. I purchased this 225 book because of a recommendation at our state Educational Media Association convention.

Avi. Poppy and Rye, 1998 [0-380-79717-8] pbk

While I am not a big fan of animal stories, I thoroughly enjoyed "Poppy." This one is as good, if not better. Here Poppy goes to tell Ragweed's family that he had been killed by an owl. She is accompanied by a porcupine who is an absolute riot -- his expressions are priceless. They find Ragweed's family which is troubled by beavers who have built a dam and have flooded the area. While solving the problem, Poppy falls in love with Rye. Don't miss this 182 page book, "Poppy" or the prequel called "Ragweed" which I plan to order. You will meet very endearing characters and experience wonderful stories.

Balliet, Blue. Chasing Vermer. Scholastic, 2004 [0-439-37294-1]

Petra and Calder have a wonderful teacher who challenges them to think but one day she changes. Her assignments get strange. Petra finds an interesting book in a used book store which leads the two to a fascinating lady in town. Soon we find out that three people in the town have received mysterious letters about Vermeer paintings. Petra and Calder start on an adventure of a thinking exercise and end up getting clues to a mystery about a crime involving one Vermeer painting. This 254 page book starts out making you think then slowly slides into a mystery. It is a very different kind of mystery that I frequently could not put down. The reader ends up becoming familiar on the sly with a painter of which he/she may have never heard. Note: the illustrator, Helquist, also illustrated the Lemony Snicket books.

Banks, Lynne Reid. Angela and Diabola, 1997

This book is two separate books in my mind. It starts out as a fun story with a set of twins being born, one angelic (Angela) and the other pure evil (Diabola.) The life of the family is challenging as they try and raise these children. At this point it s a funny story and could have been written by Roald Dahl (as SLJ said.) But suddenly the evil twin gets evil powers and can inflict pain on people and cause fires, etc. The good child gets good powers. The last chapters are the struggle between the pure good and the total evil. This end part of the book is very different than the fun, first part. I am glad that I read the book. I can see it being a great catalyst for discussion. I purchased this 163 page book because of the reviews and would not give it below a 6th grader.

Banks, Lynne Reid. The key to the Indian, 1997

This is a continuation of the earlier set of books and is said to have been written to be more historically accurate - removing stereotypes, etc. My first comment is that this is a much higher reading level. Maybe the author is trying to grab her earlier audience from before. In this tale, Omri enlists the aide of his father in traveling back in time in order to save them. They accidentally get sent back to an earlier colonial India and later they finally figure out how to get back to Little Bear and TRY to help him and his tribe. This story is more involved and intense than the earlier ones and is quite violent and descriptive in the war scenes near the end. I am not sure what I think of this book. It is very different than the earlier ones but is playing on their popularity. At times I found the author trying too hard to be politically and historically correct while losing the story line. Also, I an not sure a father would accept the whole premise of the key as easily as described. This is story you should read but I am not sure I would advise you to rush out and purchase this 228 page book.

Banks, Sara Harrell. Under the shadow of wings, 1997

This is a touching book which takes place in he south under the backdrop of World War II. There are a lot of good references to life at that time in the US. Tattnall (a 12-year-old girl) has always been best friends with a mentally handicapped neighbor and as he gets older she feels more responsible for him. There are many problems and his family must decide what to do with Obie who lives with his mother. This book is not for all students - it reminded me of "My Louisiana Sky" where a girl had to care for her mentally handicapped mother. This 147 page book is a "heavy" one so I don't so I don't think I would recommend it for many 5^th graders.

Barlow, Steve and Steve Skidmore. Goodknyght! [Tales of the Dark Forest #1]. HarperCollins, 2001 [0-00-710863-x]

William, pig farmer's son, is the whipping boy for the King's wimpy son. One day he tricks the Prince and King and gets admitted into Knight school. He gets an undefined quest of which he has always dreamed. This sets him off on a wild adventure with dragons, mythical creatures and magic. This 280 page book is an absolute riot, riddled with all kinds of jokes and plays on words. For example on character is guy, Pastafarian with braided hair who sells pizza and pasta. There is a spirit called Humphrey the Boggart (with lisp and all.) The crowing achievement is a talking harp with over the edge humor like the genie in Aladdin. This is a book I may want to read again just to catch more of the humor some of which most kids will not get, but there is plenty for them also.

Barlow, Steve and Steve Skidmore. Whizzard! [#2 Tales of the Dark Forest] HarperCollins, 2002 [0-00-710864-8]

In this second book of the series Tym has always wanted to be a great a powerful Wizard but his only chance to be near magic is to work for a bumbling Wizard. Tym finds a potion which makes him travel VERY fast and thus becomes a Whizzard. In this tangled tale he puts the beautiful Lady Zamarind and must go on a wild adventure to help her. Like the previous book, this 253 page book is full of subtle humor, while not a clever as the first book, I will definately continue to read the series and get them for my library.

 

Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. Tattoo. Delacorte, 2006  [978-0385-90363-9 / 0-385-90363-9]

When Bailey and her three girl friends go to the mall to pick out dresses for the big H.S. dance, they meet a strange lady who sells they a set of four temporary tattoos.  After each girl applies her tattoo, they realize that they were given different supernatural "gifts" with each tattoo.  Baily starts having dreams about terrible things that are going to happen and it is up to the four girls to use their gifts to stop some evil forces from doing terrible things to the world.  It is up to the four girls to stop these evil forces before their "temporary" tattoo wear off and disappear.  This 260 starts like a fun girl book but quickly moves to the forces of good fighting against the forces of evil... an unusual mix.

 

 

Barrie, J.M._Peter Pan_,Watermill Classic, 1987 [0-8167-0854-1]

I decided to read the book after seeing the recent movie. It was originally written as a play in 1860 and the author wrote the novel in 1911. It generally follows the story we are all familiar with but it was not written for children. Peter eliminates boys, kills pirates and is not altogether sweet. Remembering when the book was written, the Indians (Piccaninnies) are far from politically correct.. being called things like "noble savages." Hook is cruel, and is described as slashing people with his hook. The style of writing is difficult and may be difficult for some children. Overall, I am glad I read this 172 page book... but will not make a big push of it after the movie.

Barron, T.A. The fires of Merlin [#3], 1998

This is book three in a series of possibly five. In this one, young Merlin is tested by fire in many ways. He is sent on a journey to do battle with a dreaded dragon who was put to sleep by Merlin's grandfather. On the way he finds out that the dragon's eggs have been crushed and the babies murdered so the dragon is more mad. He befriends a deer-person and they go on the journey to find a tool to help him. He thinks he loses his power of magic but keeps going to the battle scene at the end of the book. Once again, T.A. Barron has done a great job telling a fantasy/adventure story and filling out the Merlin tale. I have several students who are disappointed that they will have to wait until September to read this 251 page book.

Barron, T.A. The lost years of Merlin[#1], 1996

This is the first book series. It is a great fantasy adventure in the spirit of Tolkien and Alexander. The series deals with the life of Merlin, from his very early years. I purchased this book after hearing the author speak at a convention and I am so glad that I did. It is a hearty read of 326 pages.

Barron, T.A. The mirror of Merlin [Bk #4], 1999 [0-399-23455-1]

This time young Merlin has an adventure in the haunted swamp. He meets up with a interesting creature, the ballymag who has a very interesting way of speaking (reminded me of Dahl's BFG) and renews acquaintances with his giant friends. What is great about the book is he gets wounded and a young boy guides him through a mirror to a "great healer" -- it turns out the young boy is Arthur and Merlin travels forward in time to himself as an old man. The old Merlin is also just great! He a wise, has a sense of humor, and interesting grasp of time. Don't miss this 245 page book. I thought this is the best of the series so far - especially if the reader knows some of the Camelot stories.

Barron, T.A. The Wings of Merlin [#5].Philomel Books, 2000 [0-399-23456-X]

In this last book of the intense series Merlin must save his magic world of Fincayra from the evil warlord Rhita Gawr. This 352 page book is an excellent wrap up of this epic series. Here we have Merlin calling upon all his former friends from the previous books to prevent the coming doom. There are surprises, tears, cruelty, and grand battle scene at the end. I have tremendously enjoyed this set of books although it has not been very popular yet in our school. Unfortunately I don't get to "book talk" the older grades too much.

Barron, T.A. Child of the dark prophecy [#1 The Great Tree of Avalon]._Philomel Books, 2004 [0-399-23763-1]

T.A. Barron takes us again to the magical world of Avalon after Merlin has died (or left) many years ago. Avalon suddenly has been troubled with severe droughts, brutal attacks, and other evil happenings. Now three people must set out to find the problem and solve it. This 434 page book is a magical quest as only T.A. Barron can write. I have a group of T.A. Barron readers who are already clammering for the next one of this series. I must say, it took me about the first third of the book to really get wrapped up in the story.

Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson. Peter and the Starcatchers. Hyperion, 2004 [0-7868-4907-X]

In this prequel to Peter  Pan, Peter is still a normal boy and is being sent overseas on a ship called "Never Land" with some other orphan boys.  The ship they are traveling on also carries a trunk of VERY valuable treasure - a trunk of star dust. Unfortunately Black Stache is a pirate who also hears of the treasure so he and his crew (including Smee) take off in pursuit.  It turns out this treasure of star dust gives people and animals certain powers, one of which is flying.  What follows is a rollicking sea adventure with pirates, mermaids, lost boys, Starcatchers, battles at sea, a mysterious island and large crocodile called Mr. Grin. This 451 page book is a wonderful lead-in to Peter Pan.  It explains many things in the Peter Pan story.  This is a complete book but there is a follow up called "Peter and the Shadow Thieves" which I will also purchase.  This series is a great one for our school since our spring play is going to be Peter Pan.

 

In this second book of the prequel series to the original Peter Pan, the bad guys sail to Neverland to get the starstuff.  Unfortunately, it is not there and they head to England to get it.  Peter has to get there to warn Molly and her father that they are coming with this terrible creature who can take over people's shadows and thereby control the people.  While this is a hearty read (556 pages), I am throughly enjoying this series especially since our school just performed the play, "Peter Pan."  What is interesting in this book, the Starcatcher creature gave me a similar feeling as did "He who must not be named" in Harry Potter.  This is a good read!

 

Baskin, Nora Raleigh. Basketball (or something like it). HarperCollins, 2005 0-06-059610-4]

Jeremy moves from the city to the suburbs to live with his grandmother.  There he joins the 6th grade basketball team.  This story of sports and friends is told by four friends.  It takes a while getting used to the four different people narrating (even though each chapter is labeled) because they don't follow an order.  In fact sometimes a person will tell two chapters, one after the other.  This 165 gets into the many aspects of sports.. sportsmanship, parental involvement, coaches, and the development of friendships.  While this book is centered around basketball, the author does not get the reader wrapped up in page after page describing individual games.  While this book is great for someone looking for a basketball story, it is so much more and will attract other readers.

 

Bass, L.A. Sign of Qin [Outlaws of Moonshadow Marsh #1] Thorndike Press, 2004 [0-7862-6772-0] Large print

Here is an extensive fantasy based on Chinese legend and mythology. When the son of the current Emperor is born he a birthmark in the shape of the sign of Quin (mark of the outlaws.) The Emperor immediately exiles the mother. Meanwhile a mythical monkey kidnaps the baby heir to the throne. The lord of the underworld also releases demons though a terrible volcanic eruption. So.. right off we have three stories going.. the travels of the fast-growing heir, the travels the First Consort (his mother) and the tales demons. It took me almost the first half of the book to get into the story. The author uses a great many pronouns and that combined with unfamiliar (to me) Chinese names had me confused even though there is a listing of characters and their relationships in the front of the book. One of the characters is an immortal monk covered with tatoos which change according to what he is thinking about (cool idea.) This 526 page book is almost a complete story in what is called a trilogy. It would be a good book for your high fantasy readers but may lose others.

Bauer, Joan. Backwater. Putnam, 1999 [0-399-23141-2]

Ivy's family have always been lawyer - for many generations but she wants to he a historian. She plans to write an extensive family history to present as a special birthday present to her grandmother. Ivy is very thorough and wants to include one of her aunts who has not been seen in years (and no one really cares.) Ivy discovers that she is living as a hermit way up in the mountains. The adventure to, in, and from the mountains is an experience Ivy will not forget. This 185 page book has many things -- all sorts of interpersonal relationships within the family and also an adventure. I think this book will be one that moves!

Bauer, Joan. Hope was here. Putnam, 2000 [0-399-23142-0]

Sixteen-year-old Hope lives with her aunt because her mother doesn't want her. Her aunt is a waitress at a diner which closes in New York so they move to Michigan to help an guy being treated with cancer to run his diner. This guy decides to take on the local political boss mayor and run against him. Hope and her aunt get wrapped up the local community and people and the aunt gets wrapped up with this guy she is helping. Since she considers the aunt her mother, will she finally have a father. This 186 page has many subplots, all tied together masterfully.

Bauer, Joan. Stand tall. Penguin, 2002 [0-14-240148-x]

A Twelve-year-old, six foot, three tall boy is nicknamed tree.  He is having a difficult time dealing with his parents divorce.  Meanwhile his grandfather has his leg amputated after a complication of a war injury from the Vietnam War many years ago.  Tree helps he grandfather as a way to help himself deal with the divorce.  Meanwhile a new girl arrives at school and becomes an outcast except that she becomes friends with Tree.  This 182 page book is full of wonderful subplots (an ailing dog, and a major flood in town) and interesting characters.  I was especially drawn to the grandfather who is constantly making comparisons with dealing with daily trauma (such as divorce) to being a soldier.  Not only is it a great read, it would be a wonderful discussion starter.

 

Bauer, Joan. Sticks, 1996

Well, Joan Bauer has done it again This is a great "feel good" book. A boy goes through many struggles to win a pool championship. Everything comes out fine at the end -- the pool game, the science fair, and the magic show. This is a good read for 5th-6th graders.

Bauer, Marion Dane. Runt. Clarion, 2002 [0-618-21261-2]

Runt is the smallest of five wolves born in the Minnesota woods. He spends his life trying to prove himself. While he struggles to grow up he makes a lot of mistakes and knows very well the others don't like him. When his father becomes disgusted with him, he withdraws more and more. Can Runt ever prove himself? Bauer has written a touching animal story which can parallels many kids lives while never forgetting the story is about wolves. This 137 page book is a delight.. the reader learns of wolves and life.

Baumwoll, Dale. There's no room for you, Maddie Morrison. Neal Morgan, 2003 [0-9786117-0-5]

Maddie wants so bad to sit at the "right" lunch table at her middle school.  She complains to her mother that she does just not understand to be a teenage girl.  One day while shopping at the mall, her mother finds the brand of lip gloss she used at a kid.  That night Maddie tries it and sudden is sent back in time.  Maddie is in her school at the time of her mother who happens to be trying so hard to sit at the "right table."  She also meets a new teacher (who was an old teacher at her school.)  By interacting with her mother as a girl and this new teacher, can Maddie change life in her own time?  Will she ever get back to her own time.  This 120 page book is an interesting twist on time travel and what can happen if you mess with time.  If also has a good feel for life in a school but unfortunately the book is printed as if it was printed on a home printer.  This format may turn off some readers.

 

 

Bawden, Nina. Off the road, 1998 [0-395-91321-7]

The story takes place in 2040 where a family is taking grandfather to "final security". On the way grandfather goes through the electric fence to the wild outside -- away from a world of no books, a structured, controlled life. Tom goes to catch him and finds another society living in pre-industrial farm life. The grandfather is automatically allowed to stay but Tom has to pretend. After going through several adventures, Tom is caught and is finally allowed to stay but decides he wants to go back with a girl he's met there to spread the word of what it really is like in the wilds. We find out at the end that the electric fence isn't really to keep the wilds out but to keep the people inside so they don't get out to the wilds. An interesting twist of plot in this 189 page book which reminded me of a mixture of Sang Spell, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451.

Beatty, Patricia. Lupita manana. HarperTrophy, 1981 [0-380-73247-5]

After her father dies in a boat accident, Lupita and her older brother Salvador must risk crossing the border into the US. There they work hard and live in fear of "la migra." I felt this 190 page book was a little too preachy and one-sided about the difficult life of illegal immigrants ... it even has an afterward written by someone from the ACLU.

Beaufort, Simon. Murder in the Holy City, 1998 [0-312-19566-4]

It is July 1100 and the Crusaders have taken over Jerusalem. The government is a delicate balance between the leaders of several countries' Knights along with what remains of the local government. Into this mess falls a series of murders which all appear to relate to each other. One Knight is appointed to investigate the murders and has the backing of several of the leaders -- what he begins to uncover scares a lot of people. This book is a murder mystery set within a work of historical fiction. It is an adult 277 page book suitable for young adults. Although there are a lot of historical facts woven into the story, I found the whole thing very intriguing being it is a time and place of which I know little. This would be an incredible adjunct to any study of the Crusades.

Bechard, Margaret. Spacer and Rat. Roaring Brook Press,  2005 [1-59643-058-3]

Bechard has created a wonderful alternate world in this piece of science fiction.  Unfortunately the process of establishing that world with the reader slows down the beginning of the book.  After that we have a great adventure story.  Jack lives on one of the many places people have fled to when Earth became too crowded.  The nickname for people from Earth is "rat."  Suddenly Jack ends up befriending a "rat" who has a contraband maintenance bot that has been modified to be sentient (against the Constitution.)  Some is chasing them to get this revolutionary bot.  This 183 page book is a great story with a surprise ending that I REALLY enjoyed.  The alternate reality which Bechard has created is really clever.  One of their curse words is "span" and another is "drekking."  What I really enjoyed is the names of space ships some of which are "Bradbury", "Asimov" and "LeGuin."  This is great science fiction... encourage the kids to plow through the first slow part.

 

Bell, Hilari. A matter of profit. HarperCollins,2001 [0-06-029513-9]

Ahvren has returned from the war on another planet fed up with war. He tries asks his father if he can help find out about the rumors about the assassination of the ruler of the planet instead of going back to war. While investigating he must use a person of another race who sells information. Ahvren gets entangled in with the plotters, his sisters marriage, and the treatment of other races on the planet. This 281 page book gets the reader involved in a complex world and is an excellent lead-in for more intense science fiction.

Bell, Hilari. Songs of power. Hyperion, 2000 [0-7868-0561-7]

The science fiction story takes place in an underwater community where people work and live because terrorists have poisoned the food supply on the surface. Imina is the great granddaughter of an Alaskan shaman and the book starts out with her sensing someone else in or near the complex with mystical powers like hers. This interesting 219 page book mixes science fiction, mystery, ecology, and magic all in one. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bellairs, John. The eyes of the killer robot. Penguin, 1986 [0-14-130062-0]

In another Johnny Dixon mystery, Johnny does not at first believe the story of his friend Professor Childermass about the insane inventor who invented an evil baseball-pitching robot. But soon Johnny keeps seeing things and the Professor wants to find the original robot so they are off on an adventure looking for robot. Of course they find the old robot and put it together. Little did they know when they inserted the robot's eyes, it would start an evil chain of events. This 167 page book is an upper elementary suspense story, not as "evil" as some of his other books.

Benjamin, David. Survivor [Sixth sense: secrets from beyond #1], 2000 [0-439-20270-1] Scholastic

Cole (from the movie, Sixth sense) is back. He is visiting a museum with his class when a plane crashes right next door. He suddenly sees dead people everywhere. The crash is suspicious and it looks like Cole is the only one who can figure it out but will he be able to explain to anyone how he knows things. This book captures the same feeling as the movie (I had just happened to have rented it last week) and also involves a great mystery. The 150 page book has a surprise at the end no less of a shock than the movie. This one is good but I don't know what will happen when the series gets past book two or three. NOTE: I received this as a free preview copy and don't know whether it is available for sale yet (7/20/00).

Benjamin, E.M.J. Takedown. Channel Books, 1999 [1-889199-04-4]

Jake's senior year is going fine -- he as a great girlfriend, he is heading for the wrestling championships, and he has an ROTC scholarship for next year. Everything begins to change when he gets epilepsy and he starts living a lie. This is a great wrestling story about a young man living in an interesting family intermixed with the onset of epilepsy, and girlfriend problems. Jake tries to keep his epilepsy from everyone by telling lies and half truths. This book does not become an book about epilepsy while losing the story (as many books centering on an illness do) -- it maintains a good balance. Wresting is very hot in our school in an certain group so I am sure this 204 page book will move. I just wish someone would write a good wrestling story without throwing in another problem such as this one or several others about a girl joining the wrestling team.

Bennett, Cherie. Life in the fat lane. Laurel-Leaf, 1998 [0-440-22029-7]

Lara is a beauty pageant winner and has just been chosen the homecoming queen when inexplicable she starts gaining weight very fast. In a matter of a couple of months she is over 200 pounds! It appears she has caught some metabolic disease (fictional or not I don't know.) Suddenly this person everyone admired is slipping out of the "in crowd" and she is at risk for losing her boy friend. When her family moves, it helps a little, but Lara is still hurting. She begins to understand how other less then beautiful people feel. This 260 page book is very thought provoking in this weight conscious society and not as shallow as it sounds.

Bennett, Cherie. Searching for David's heart, 1998 [0-590-30673-1]

Darcy has a fight with her brother, runs away from him and he chases after her across the street where he is hit with a car and killed. The parents donate his organs. No one knows why David ran in the street and that Darcy feels she killed her brother. She decides that she needs to know to whom her brother's heart was donated. She and her friend search the internet and newspaper indexes to find someone who received a heart around the same date as David's death. What I liked here is that a realistic search strategy is described with various hits and misses and the term "key words" is used. When they locate the recipient, they run away to go on an adventure to meet him so Darcy can make peace with David's heart. When they meet the recipient, it is a very emotional experience. That whole family brings Darcy back to her own family. This is a very heart wrenching story. This 220 page book was a Book Fair bonus from the Fall and I put off reading it because it looked sappy. That was a big mistake -- this is a powerful book.

Bennett, Cherie. Zink. Delacorte, 1999 [0-385-32669-6]

Becky is in the hospital being treated for cancer. At times only she can see miniature zebras and travels to Africa with them. This is the story of a courageous young girl fighting cancer and her other world of Zebras and Africa from which she draws strength. Although she does lose her fight with cancer at the end of this 242 page book, the story is a affirmation of life. This is a good prelude to the Lurlene MacDaniel books. At the end of the book is an explanation of how rare this cancer is and how rare it is for children to die from cancer but there are also pictures of children who have fought or who are fighting cancer. Although Becky dies at the end of the book, the reader leaves with a good feeling about life.

Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks. Knopf, 2005 [0-375-83143-6]

One summer the summer the Penderwick family (a father, four girls and a dog) decide to rent a cottage in the Berkshires. To their surprise it is the cottage on a huge estate of a very wealthy and snobbish woman. Each of the gout girls are very different but the all interact well together and look out for each other's quirks.  One day they discover a strange boy on the estate who is the son of the owner.  What follows is a fun summer, fun of adventure with the girls, the rich boy and the son of gardener.This 262 page book is a fun, light story.

 

Birdseye, Tom. Tarantula shoes, 1995

A boy moves from Arizona to Kentucky in August. He hates Kentucky and dreads going to his new school in 6th grade. He soon sees that "everyone" will be wearing a special pair of sneakers so he tries to earn the money to pay for them. It is rush to get the money before school starts. After trying up all the neighborhood chores he decides to make money showing his pet tarantula. This is a story of a boy trying to fit in and make friends after moving. I thoroughly enjoyed this 131 page book.

Blackwood, Gary. Shakespeare's scribe. Dutton, 2000 [0-525-46444-1]

In this sequel to "The Shakespeare stealer" Blackwood once again has a hit. We are thrown into plague infested London which closes the theatres so Widge and Shakespeare's group goes on the road. Shakespeare breaks his arm and ends up having to dictate his new play to Widge. This 265 page book is as equal to or even better than the first one.

Blackwood, Gary. The Shakespeare stealer, 1998

I had my doubts about this book when I picked it up but it is great! It takes place during Shakespeare's time where an apprentice is taught a version of shorthand in order to copy "Hamlet" during a performance. He ends up becoming a member of the Globe Theatre company, performing in Shakespeare's plays. The person who sent him to copy the play eventually catches up with him and this leads to the exciting conclusion. This book not only is a good story but also a great discussion starter about copyright and plagiarism. Don't miss this 216 page book.

Blackwood, Gary. Shakespeare's spy. Dutton, 2003 [0-525-47145-6]

In this third (and I suspect the last) book of the series we revisit Widge and his friends at the Globe Theatre with William Shakespeare. Things are disappearing from back stage and it looks like an inside job. Shakespeare's scripts must be protected. Meanwhile Widge tries his hand at writing his own play (actually modifying and finishing one that Shakespeare started.) There is suddenly a lot of action at the end of this 281 page book and many unanswered questions from this and the previous books are answered. All three of these books are complete novels and equally enjoyable.

Bloor, Edward. Crusader, 1999 [0-15-201944-8]NOTE: This is not a sequel to "Tangerine" or related to it at all.

This story centers around a mall arcade with violent virtual reality games (no description of them at all) and a girl whose family runs the arcade. Fifteen-year-old Roberta knows that her mother was murdered seven years ago but until has had a way or reason to pursue it. Now, in the middle of a very complex story, she finds out who murdered her mother and who was responsible for it happening -- she also figures out a way to save the mall from closing. This is not a middle school novel - not because of its content but because of its complexity and length dealing with death, suicide, old age, politics, hate crimes, and so much more. There are a large collection of characters all well developed and intertwined into the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this 390 page book (with small print) but I don't see many middle schoolers in my building attempting it.

Bloor. Edward. Tangerine, 1977

This is a well-written book with finely developed characters. It is a sports story, a story of one over-bearing parent with the other obsessed with the other child, a tale of friendship, prejudice, a cruel brother, visual handicaps and so much more. If found myself entirely wrapped up in this multi-dimensional story and couldn't put it down after I got into the last third of the book. The ending is a total surprise. This book is 294 pages and I would give it to a good 6th grade reader and up. As I write this I am already missing the characters -- always a disappointment when a great book is finished. Don't miss this tale of second chances and accepting responsibility.

Blume, Judy. Double Fudge. Dutton, 2002 [0-525-46926-5]

Twelve-year-old Peter tells relates how their long-lost cousins come visit them embarrassing him at school, with his friends. Then there is Fudge, his younger brother who has an obsession with money. This 213 page book carries on with the humorous adventures of the earlier Fudge books.

Bohlmeijer, Arno. Something very sorry, 1996

This is a heart wrenching story of a family in a hospital recovering from an automobile accident. It is told by a nine-year-old girl who is in traction because of injuries to her arm. She has a younger sister who received brain damage, a father with broken legs and breathing problems and a mother who eventually dies in a coma. The story appears to be based on the real life experiences of the father.

Bondoux, Anne-Laure. The destiny of Linus Hoppe. Delacorte, 2005 [0-385-73229-5]

This is a science fiction story where 14 year-old Linus is about to be tested by the "Great Processor" and placed into one of the three Realms.  He has always been a leader in his class and his whole family is in Realm 1 too.  Linus starts to feel guilty about being place in a realm where he has so many more rights than the people at the other levels so he conspires with a computer whiz friend of his to be have his scores switched with someone who will be going into level two.  They want to defeat the system from inside.  This 153 page book is part one of a series.  In this book Linus goes through the test.  In the next book he will be in the second Realm.

Booth, Martin. Doctor Illuminatus [The Alchemist's Son #1] Little Brown, 2004 [0-316-01285-8]

Pip and his brother Tim move into an old English estate with their family and run into a strange boy, Sebastian.  He turns out to be the son of a alchemist from the Middle Ages and has been asleep for many years.  It is his job to stop an evil alchemist from making a homunculs (artificial human.)  Of course Sebastian enlists the help of Pip and Tim to fight the evil madman.  This 183 page book is evil and dark.  It reminded me of a cross between Harry Potter and John Bellair's books.

 

Borland, Hal. When the legends die. Laurel-Leaf, 1963 [0-553-25738-2]

Thomas Black Bull's father kills another Indian and his family goes into hiding, in the woods, living the old way. His father dies in an accident and his mother dies shortly thereafter so he lives "the old way" in the woods until people at the reservation find out about him and bring him to the reservation for school. From school he ends up riding rodeo horses for a nasty man who eventually dies so he becomes a rodeo star (although cruel rider) in his own right over the years. After many year, a major injury has him recovering in the hills where he used to live. Will he return to the "old ways" when he is recovered or go back to the circuit. This 294 book is a heart-wrenching story of a young man growing up, dealing with his native American culture. Since the story takes place over many years there are times with time moves fast in the book, but I found this book a very worthwhile read. I purchased and read this book because one teacher was considering reading it with her class.

Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. David Fickling Books, 2006 [0-385-75106-0]

This story is told from the innocence of a nine-year-old boy but is written for older readers.  Bruno and his family live in Berlin in a large house.  His father is important and wears an impressive uniform.  One day "The Fury" comes to visit with the blond-haired lady.  A few days later, they are closing up the house and move to "Out-With."  His father has a new uniform and is called commandant. Bruno doesn't like the new, small house in the middle of nowhere and a big fence running down one side of the property.  Bruno is lonely.  One day while exploring the long fence he sees a boy on the other side of the fence in striped pajamas.  They become friends, talking through the fence.  Bruno doesn't understand why there are so many people living on the other side of the fence and his new friend doesn't understand why he was brought to live there.  This 214 page book is a story of the Holocaust told entirely through the eyes of an innocent child.  It has a much more innocent feel than Spinelli's "Milkweed."  While there is nothing inappropriate in the book, I am not sure whether elementary students will understand the book.  Because of the way the story is innocently told, I am not sure that all the students in my middle school will understand the ending (which I will not tell you about here.)   This book is great for discussion.  Be sure to read it.

 

Brashares, Ann. The sisterhood of the traveling pants. Delacorte, 2001 [0385730586]

One of four friends locates a "perfect pair of pants" with which they all immediately fall in love. The summer is approaching so they take a pledge to wear the pants for two weeks and mail them to the next person. It is their plan that the pants will increase their chances of hooking a boy. This is an interesting device to pull together four summer adventures of dating. Seventh and 8th grade girls are loving this 294 page book. There is already a sequel released. You should note that book discusses the sexual topics of older HS and college age girls... but nothing descriptive.

Brashares, Ann. The second summer of the sisterhood. Delacorte, 2003 [0-385-72934-0]

It is the summer after the adventures of the sisterhood of the traveling pants. The four girls have grown and their lives have become more complex. This summer is not all light and fun, but rather full of heartbreak and trauma for the girls and their families. The characters become much more full in depth in this second, 370 page book.

Brooks, Bruce. Throwing smoke. HarperCollins, 2000 [0-06-028972-4]

This is an interesting book - kind of different for the author. It is a "Picture of Dorian Gray" in sports. The reader meets a group of kids on a no-win baseball team. Whiz, one of the members works part-time in a print shop and at nights he secretly is printing up baseball cards for all the team members. One night he makes up a card for fake ace player -- and the next day, bingo, that player shows up on the field. He does that for several other players over the next few nights and the team starts to win but the original players do not really like these new players even though they are making the team win. One of Whiz's friends figures out what he is doing and tries to get him to stop it. This 136 page book is a sports story with a supernatural or fantasy aspect - interesting combination.

Brooks, Bruce. Vanishing, 1999 [0-06-028236-3] HarperCollins

Eleven-year-old Alice lives with her drunk mother and her cruel stepfather and has to hospitalized for bronchitis. In the hospital she realizes that she doesn't want to go home so she starts a hunger strike to stay in the hospital. There she befriends a boy dying of cancer. For eight weeks she gets closer and closer to death. This 103 page book is a discussion of how people deal with death, dying and fatal illnesses. As Alice slips in and out of consciousness, the reader follows her fantasies. This is a very touching book -- reminded me a lot of Cormier's Bumblebee book. It would be interesting to have a discussion group after everyone read both. While this book is shorter than Cormier's book, the topic is equally as heavy. This short book is a gem.

Brooks, Bruce. Woodsie [Wolfbay Wings #1 series], 1997

This is a series book and I am not fond of them but... if you have kids that like hockey, they may like this series. There is a lot of hockey action and hockey talk. I picked this 116 page book up at our book fair and I will have to see how it "moves" before I buy any others in the series. I would say it is for about 4th-5th graders or reluctant readers.

Brooks, Kevin. Martyn Pig. Scholastic, 2002 [978-0-439-50752-30-439-50752-9]

Martyn lives along with his drunk father.  He may have hated his father, but he never meant to kill him (accidentally pushing him against the fireplace.)  After he realizes what has happen he just sits…until his friend Alex shows up.  She tries to convince him to call the police but he doesn’t.  While looking through the house, Martyn finds that his father is supposed to get an inheritance.  He waits several days… Alex and he decide to dispose of the body but her boyfriend finds out.  This starts a tangled web of deception which adds up to more crime.  This 230 page book is a great tale of suspense as the reader tries to figure out what Martyn will do next and if he will eventually get caught.  I am sure my middle school kids will love this book.

 

Brooks, Kevin. The road of the dead. Scholastic, 2006 [978-0-439-78624-9//0-439-78624-X]

Ruben can get into people's minds and when his sister is murdered, he knows it has happened.  He also knows that the murderer is also dead and buried.  Ruben's older brother is a tough, cold young man, who take after his Gypsy father.  When the two boys go to find about the murder and locate their sisters body, they run into a wall of secrecy in the town on the moors.Ruben goes with his brother on this adventure just to keep him from doing anything too crazy but his brother is who he is, a cruel and calculating fighter.  This 339 page book is a violent suspense tale... probably the best one I have read for Middle School readers.  It is not for the weak-hearted.  I will get some more of this author's works.

 

Brown, Dan. Angels & Demons. Pocket Books, 2000 [0-671-02736-0]

In this prequel to the DaVinci Code once again Robert Langdon is awaken from a sound sleep and drawn into a murder mystery because of his expertise in religious codes and symbols. A top scientist has been murdered at an elite science lab in Switzerland and what this scientist was working on leads Robert Langdan to the Vatican only to uncover a vicious plot. The Pope is dead and they are electing a new Pope. Can he stop the Cardinals from being murdered? Will he save the Vatican from assured destruction? WOW this 572 page book is so full of suspense I was nearly late for work two days! Just be aware this book was written for adults and describes vicious torture and of course a religious theory which may upset some. Once again though, Dan Brown wrote an ending which wraps too much up very neatly. He even solves things which were not even brought up in the earlier part of the book but putting that aside, this is a GREAT suspenseful read!

Bruchac, Joseph. Sacajawea. Harcourt,2000 [0-15-202234-1]

This is a fictionalizes account of the Lewis and Clack expedition told by Sacajawea, Lewis, and Clark. The reader will learn a great deal about the expedition but what concerns me about the book is that the reader does not know where to separate the fiction and fact. In fact the cataloger must have been confused too because it came with a non-fiction spine label and fiction subject headings. This 198 page book is a worthwhile addition to your fiction shelves.

Bruchac, Joseph. Skeleton man. HaperCollins, 2001 [0-06-029075-7]

Molly begins having dreams about a Mohawk legend with a gruesome skeleton man. One day her parents disappear and she is put in the care of an "Uncle" who she never knew she had. She begins finding strange things at her "Uncle's" home. A teacher realized how upset she is and tries to help. Can the dreams of the Skeleton man help Molly. Who is this "Uncle" and what happened to her parents? This 114 page book is a great suspenseful tale.

Bryant, Louella. Father by blood. New England Press, 1999 [1-881535-33-9]

Annie Brown reflects back on a time when her father raided Harpers Ferry. The story gives a good feeling for how John Brown felt, his motives for what he did, and devotion to the cause of anti-slavery. Annie tells of the time she traveled to just outside of Harpers Ferry to help her father prepare for the raid. She tells of how the whole family was sucked into the whole plan and how she became disenchanted with it. This 166 page book does not show the raid, except in the visions of Annie. I now understand much better this important part of our history.

 

Buckley, Michael. The fairy-tale detectives [The sister's Grimm: bk 1]. Amulet Books, 2005 [0-8109-5925-9]

Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are suddenly orphans and end up living with a grandmother that they always thought was dead. It turns out she lives in a land where all the fairy-tale characters live. Many years ago the Grimm family negotiated with the locals for the fairy tale characters to live there. Prince Charming is the mayor. One day a giant destroys a farmer's house and Sabrina and Daphne accompany their grandmother to solve the case. This 284 page book is a fun adventure while the trio tries to stop the giant and to figure out why he went on a rampage. This is a fun book for kids who know the usual Grimm fairy-tale characters. If they don't, they won' t catch the charm of the book.

Buckley, Sarah Masters. The stolen sapphire [A Samantha mystery]. American Girl, 2006 [1-59369-099-1]

During the time of the great cruise ships, Samantha and her sister go on a cruise across the Atlantic with their rich grandparents.  On the cruise they run into a snobbish rich family and a man with his nephew carrying a priceless gem which has bad luck associated with it.  (Probably a take-off on the Hope Diamond.)  One night at dinner, the lights sudden go out and the gem is missing!  What follows is a mystery story where everyone has a reason to have stolen the gem.  While I figured it how it was done, just after the heist happened, I am not sure kids will.  For upper elementary students who like mysteries, this is good one.  This 179 page book is a worthwhile to your collection.  There are historical notes and a glossary at the end.

Bunting, Eve. Blackwater .HarperTrophy, 1999 [0-06-440890-6]

Blackwater is a violent river and when Brodie and takes his cousin there, they see two other kids at a large rock. A little fooling around and those two kids are suddenly in the swift current and are washed away and die. Brodie and his cousin twist the story so he appears to be a hero who tried to rescue them. As the funeral approachs, can they keep up the story? Did someone else see what happened? This 146 page book is a great low-level/high interest book and a good discussion starter.

Bunting. Eve. The Ghost children. Clarion, 1989 [0-618-60477-4]

When Matt’s mother dies, he and his sister get sent to live with their strange Aunt Gerda.  She cares for the life-sized wooden dolls, carved by her former husband, which stand on the front lawn.  The town thinks she is crazy because she talks to these dolls like they are alive..and some community members swear they have heard the dolls talk also.  Soon the dolls start to get vandalized.  Meanwhile a developer wants to buy Aunt Gerda’s farm. Matt tries to find out what the story is.  Who is vandalizing the dolls.  Is their Aunt crazy?  How can her Aunt and they survive with no income?   I have always liked Eve Bunting’s stories and this upper elementary one is no exception.  I am sure there will be a good audience in my library for this 166 page book.

 

Bunting, Eve. SOS Titanic, 1996

As usual she does an excellent job. The last third of the book (the sinking) is excellent but I found the opening a little confusing going over all the names of the many characters in the book. Compared to William' Titanic Crossing, I found the sinking in this story more exciting and dramatic but I thought the total story of the Williams book was better. So if you are looking to experience the sinking feeling of the movie again, try either book. I finished reading this book at night when my heat was turned down -- it certainly added to the cold descriptions in the story.

Burtinshaw, Julie. Adrift. Raincoast, 2002 [0-329-29775-9]

David and his younger sister live in Toronto with their clinically depressed mother. The father could not stand the home life and has moved out and has a girlfriend. When it is determined that mom can't take care of David and Laura they are shipped out for the summer to their Aunt's remote home on the west coast in British Columbia. Their away from the problems of their parents they begin to heal until.. dad shows up with his girl friend. Will he cut their healing summer short and bring them home to Toronto? If forced, will they go back to Toronto? Could they run away to a deserted island nearby and avoid the whole thing? This touching 143 page book is really three stories in one. The family struggling to survive in Toronto, the relaxing summer, and the climax ending. It is a short, yet thought provoking story.

Butcher, Krustin. The runaways, 1997

This is a touching novel about homeless people even though it wraps up a little neatly at the end. Nick has a fight with his family and runs away where he meets a homeless man who convinces Nick to go home. Nick befriends this homeless man and writes a paper for school about homeless people. Through some accidents, Nick finds out who this homeless guy is and why he is homeless. He finds out why he was running away from the world. Nick learns that there is more to a person than what meets the eye. This 167 page book give the reader insight into one particular person's homelessness - helping one to realize "they" are not all the same.

Butler, Dori Hillestad. Sliding into home. Peachtree, 2003 [1-56145-222-x]

Joelle was a baseball star on her team back home in the big city but when she moves to a small suburban town she finds out girls can only play softball. First she meets with the coach, then the principal, then the President of the Board of Education and finds out that softball is a "comparable" sport to baseball so she could not play on the boy's baseball team. The girls on the softball team thinks that Joelle thinks she is too good to play softball. Then of course she starts to like the coach's son. Finally she contacts some people and decides to set up her own girl's baseball league much to the annoyance of the school and local recreation department. While in the process of setting of the league the School Board decides to let Joelle play baseball. Will she stop setting up the girl's baseball league? This 218 page book is a great read.

Butler, Susan. The hermit thrush sings, DK, 1999 [0-7894-2489-4]

This is a science fiction tale that takes place in a future Maine after "the disaster" and the people are now living in isolated towns kept in control by an overpowering government. There is no communication between the towns and people can't travel because of the mutants who live in the woods and eat people. Leora is a mutant herself with a webbed hand but she hides it. When this is discovered the authorities are about to send her to the institution but she runs away -- through the woods where the mutants help her and she finds a group of rebels. Between them all they mount a rebellion and win the one town in a battle. This 282 page book is a good futuristic adventure tale which leaves itself wide open for a sequel, although the story does end.

Cabot, Meg. All American girl. HarperCollins, 2002 [0-06-029469-8]

Samantha is a HS girl who lives in Washington,DC and starts taking art lessons where she meets a young man. One day she ends up standing on sidewalk and the President gets out of a car. She sees a guy with a gun and tackles him. Now Samantha is a heroine and is invited to the White House for dinner where she finds out the boy is the First Son. In the meantime she is having the usual school struggles with friends and other boyfriend problems. This 245 page book deals with sudden fame, friendship, dating, and school. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Cabot, Meg. The princess diaries. HarperTrophy, 2000 [0-380-81402-1]

I purchased this book on which the motion picture is based because I knew I would be asked for it. Megan's father (now divorced from her mother) lives in the tiny principality of Genovia. Megan lives the fairly normal life of a teenager in a single-parent family. (Well it is a little strange her mother started dating Megan's Algebra teacher.) Suddenly one day everything changes. Megan's father tells her that he is the ruler of the principality and because of a medical reason, can not have anymore children. Therefore, Megan is now a Princess and heir to the throne. Megan makes a deal to stay in NYC and her current school so she can graduate with her friends. Well, of course becoming royalty will change you life..... This is a great 283 page book and I am sure I am going to have to buy at least one more. I have not seen the movie, but I am told there are some major plot differences.

Cadnum, Michael. The book of the Lion. Viking, 2000 [0-670-88386-7]

Edmund is awaiting execution as a counterfeiter when a Knight intervenes so he can be his squire. They head off to the Crusades where they are to meet up with King Richard to save the Holy City. This book depicts the cruelty and horror of life during that time -- especially on the battlefield and what it was like to fight in the heat of the Holy Land. There is graphic description of wounds, gore, blood, cruelty, and the horror of battle at that time. Also included is some "bawdy" discussion -- for example the nights are discussing the tale of a maiden who lowers her hair so her Knight can climb but -- there is a debate as to whether it was the hair from her head. While I feel this 204 page book depicts a period rarely covered in children's literature, I will be sending it to our High School. It is a little too graphic for my middle school.

Cadnum, Michael. Heat, 1998 [0-670-87886-3]

This book opens with a girl waking up from a diving accident (she wacked her head on a high diving platform). Bonnie has to deal with regaining her confidence after the accident along with her understand her lawyer father getting convicted of misuse of clients' funds. There are no lasting physical reactions from the accident; the whole story is the double head trip that Bonnie is going through. The opening of the book with Bonnie waking up is incredible and the continuing story is interesting how she builds her confidence and holds up to circumstances around her father's conviction. Unfortunately there is no satisfying closure to the book. This 196 page book just kind of ends.

Calhoun, Dia. Firegold, 1999 [1-890817-28-7] Winslow Press

Jonathan lives in the valley where the people are worried of the strange people from the Red Mountains called Dalriadas. As he matures he realizes that he is a half-breed between the two and begins to show physical signs beyond just his blue eyes. The people of the valley blame the blight, which kills their orchards, on his presence so he runs away to the Red Mountains where he meets the Dalriadas. They don't like him much either but he has the sacred stone which he found in field a long time ago. Jonathan lives with them and he endures a trying test of manhood and becomes almost accepted. He gets mad and runs home to the valley where he figures out the truth of his blood-line and his place. This is a great fantasy dealing with magic and wonder. It ends with a great sense of hope. There could be a sequel, but I hope not. This 285 page book is very complete and I hope they leave it that way. It gives feeling of the movie, "Billie Jack" combined with the Hatfields and the McCoys all wrapped up with magic. Fantasy fans will love this book.

Cameron, Ann. Colibri.Farrar Straus Grioux, 2003 [0-374-31519-1]

Colibri is a twelve-year-old kidnap victum in Guatemala. She is being held by a man who she now calls her Uncle and he uses her to help him in his begging schemes. Finally he decides to join up with another criminal for bigger plans. Colibri gets upset on one plan and turns notifies the authorities and then runs away. She runs back to someone who has helped her in the past desiring to find her family.. from which she was kidnapped at age 5. Can she find her mom? This 227 page book is the story of a child taken advantage of by people who claim to be helping her.

Campbell, Eric. Papa Tembo, 1998 [0-15-201727-5]

Papa Tembo is a large, loner elephant in Africa who protects the herds. This book traces the activities of this elephant, a particular herd, a some scientists studying the herd, a group of animal protectors, and a poacher group led by a maniacal man. This is study of life in Africa, life of the elephants and their struggle against poachers. It becomes an adventure, growing in intensity until the climatic end. This 265 page book reminded me of Moby Dick (with elephants) after I had finished reading it. You will have to sell this book but after a few of the right students read it, it won't stay on your shelves.

Canales, Viola. The tequila worm. Wendy Lamb/Random House, 2005 [0-385-74674-1]

The is the coming of age story of Sofia, a young Mexican-American girl.  The story talks much of the culture and life style of Mexican-Americans and I feel is a most likely a partially  autobiographical work.  This is 199 page is a good experiential  book although I would have preferred it more if there were a glossary to define the many Spanish language terms used.

 

Cappo, Nan Willard. Cheating lessons. Atheneum, 2002 [0-689-84378-x]

Bernadette is the shining star on her public school HS debating team and now has been selected to be on her school's team which will compete against a prestigious private school in an academic bowl. The literature teacher which she admires and maybe loves is the coach. Her team has three weeks to bone up on everything. Just before the match, Bernadette finds out a scandal with her coach making her feel like her team has cheated. Will she tell? Will she disappoint her other team member, friends, families, and school? This 234 page book is a powerful story dealing with friendship, loyalty, family relationships, and of course, the meaning of cheating in various situations. It is not an easy read but will be well worth the struggle for kids.

Carbone, Elisa. Blood on the River : James Town 1607. Viking, 2006 [978-0-670-06060-3]

Samuel Collier was an orphan who becomes servant to Captain John Smith when he goes to the new world to establish James Town. This 237 page book is tells the story of the harsh journey, conditions and situation the colonists met in this new land.  It is the tale of two proud cultures and strong personalities hitting head-on.  What is nice in the narrative is that neither side is held up to be better than the other.  This book is an important piece of historical fiction.  There are also some excellent historical notes by the author at the end of the book.

 

Carbone, Elisa. Stealing freedom, 1998 [0-679-89307-5]

This is historical fiction about slavery and then the escape and eventual life in Canada. It is based on a true story and according to the author, all the characters are real. After reading the notes in the back the book one can appreciate to what extent an author goes to write a book. It shows the horrors of slavery, the splitting up of families, cruel treatment, the simple pleasures, and the fears and doubts while on the underground railroad. This 258 page book is a compelling narrative.

Carbone, Elisa. Storm Warriors. Knopf, 2001 [0-375-80664-4]

This story takes place on the outer banks of NC at 1895 and centers around the only African-American group at a Life-Saving station. It deals with both prejudice and the danger in rescuing shipwrecked sailors on the outer banks during terrible storms. They have a motto, "You have to go out but you don't have to come back." This 166 page book is based on the true story of one particular rescue. While at times slow, the closing of the book and the big rescue, makes is well worth reading.

Carman, Patrick. The Dark Hills divide [Land of Elyon Bk I] Scholastic, 2005 [0-439-70093-0]

Alexa lives in a world of walled cities with walled roads between them. Every summer she visits Bridewell with her father where she explores the city and the lodge where they stay. One day she finds a way to get outside the wall where she meets a world of creatures which she can understand and befriends them. She finds out from them that some outlaws will invade the city with the help of a spy in the city. When she gets back in the city she tracks down some mysteries and takes her findings to the ruling council still not knowing who the inside spy is. This 250 page book is a mystery, adventure, and fantasy which is a good read. Unfortunately it has a juvenile illustration on the cover which may turn off some kids.

Carman, Patrick._Beyond the Vally of Thorns [The Land of Elyon #2] Orchard Books, 2005 [0-439-70094-9] NOTE: this was an uncorrected, advanced reader's edition

Alexa thought she had solved the problems in her kingdom at the end of book 1 but at the opening of book two she is drawn out of Bridewell once again through the tunnel in the library.  She finds out that he is the leader to help defeat the evil forces which are trying to take over her kingdom.  Once again she joins up with her old friends (along with some new ones) to defeat evil giants, mad bats, and wild dogs on being controlled by an evil mastermind.  Can she are her small band of follows defeat the terrible forces which threaten Bridewell?  This 221 page book is a good continuation of this fantasy.  Once again, I feel the cover is too cute and juvenile for the level of fantasy in this story.

Carroll, Jenny. Sanctuary. Simon Pulse, 2002 [0329296078]

This book is part of a series about Jessica who has psychic powers which the government wants but she refuses to admit to them that he has them. When a local boy disappears Jessica ends up going with her friend to rescue him from a local militia group and is eventually helped by the government man who is tracking her. This 2321 page book is a complete book on its own and is a good adventure suspense story. NOTE: the text is copyrighted by Meg Cabot. I wonder if this is a psuedonym.

Carter, Alden R. Between a rock and a hard place, 1995

This is a wilderness survival story. Mark and Randy are cousins who up end up alone on a family tradition - a canoe trip through the wilderness. They start out getting to know each other and eventually liking each other then everything that could go wrong does. Randy is diabetic, they lose their canoe, and their supplies while the clock really begins ticking on Randy's medical needs. Mark ends up having to leave Randy to go and get help. This 212 page book is a good coming of age story along with survival tale.

Carter, Alden R. Crescent moon. Holiday House, 1999 [0-8234-1521-X]

Living in a logging town in Wisconsin in the early 1900's, Jeremy is changing and so is everything around him. The trees are running out so the loggers are leaving, Unions are moving in, some of his friends are working in the mill, the towns relationship with the local Native Americans is changing, and with all this, Jeremy is growing up. This 152 page book has a lot happening with Union people getting beaten up, Jeremy's Uncle carving a wooden statute of an Indian, and everyone is nervous about the changing town. It took me about 2/3 of the book to get into it, but once I did, the story started to take hold of me.

Carter, Alden R. Up country, 1989 [0590-43638-4]

Carl has a rough life living in the city with an alcoholic mother. He starts repairing stereos to earn money as a way to get out of the situation. Unfortunately he starts repairing stereos stolen out of cars. His mother has a confrontation with the law and is sent to treatment and Carl is sent to his cousins "up country" on a farm. He has a hard time adjusting up there. He slowly adjusts to the farm life and gets involved with a girl. Just as his mother is coming out of treatment, his former partners get caught stealing stereos and they all go to court (including Carl). A caring social worker works out a deal where Carl will live with at the farm and earn money pay restitution. Carl realizes that he can no longer live with his mother -- she creates his problems. The book ends with them both loving each other knowing they must live apart. The 256 page book depicts the life a child of an alcoholic which at times is harsh. I would not give this book to a below a mature 6th grader.

Carter, Forrest. The education of Little Tree. University of New Mexico, 1976 [0-82632809-1]

This book takes place in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee during the depression of the 1930's.   Little Tree is a Cherokee orphan who is adopted by his grandparents.  In the mountains he learns to hunt and live the "Cherokee Way.  He also learns the cruelty of the white people toward them who eventually take him away from his grandparents and send him to an orphanage.  This 216 is not a quick read but is a warm and touching story of a family caring deeply for each other and their way of life.  Unfortunately, there is some controversy surrounding this book.  It originally was marketed at autobiographical (which it is not.)  Also, the "Cherokee Way" as described in the book, is far from accurate according to some.  I purchased this book because one of our sixth grade teachers requested it after seeing it on a list of suggested readings in their textbook.

 

Cary, Kate. Bloodline.Razorbill/Penguin, 2005 [1-59514-012-3]

This book opens in the trenches of World War I.  It shows that horrors of that war and also illustrates what a perfect location a war is for a vampire. John returns home from the trenches and is put in a sanatorium because of the horrors he has seen at the front.  During his ranting a raving his commanding officer from the front shows up and falls in love with his sister.  This starts a vampire tale which traces the original tale by Bram Stoker.  John and his girlfriend end up going to Romania to save his sister from the horrors of possibly becoming a vampire.  Some the characters in this 324 page book are related to the original Dracula.. hence the title.  As the reader begins to get comfortable with the parallels with the original story, he or she should get read for the surprise ending of the book.  This will be an excellent read for your vampire readers... especially those who have read Stoker's book although it is not necessary.  Just be forewarned.. it is a vampire book with its share of blood and death, but it is nowhere near some of the gory vampire series that are out there.

 

Casanova, Mary. Riot, 1996

When labor unrest hits a town, it spills into the school. One boy happens to videotape a riot and gets his father on tape burning down a scabs house. There is a lot of action and moral dilemmas as the boy is wondering whether violence and destruction of property is justified. Of course there is a Romeo/Juliet interest with this boy becoming friendly with a girl from the other side. A good book on many levels. I purchased the 116 page book because of its reviews.

Casanova, Mary. Curse of a winter moon. Hyperion, 2000 [0-7868-2475-1]

It is 16th century France and just before Christmas Eve. Marious' brother was born on Christmas Eve which when people believe werewolves are born. People always wonder about his brother. It is the time of Inquisition people are on edge and willing to accuse each other very quickly. The crowds eventually break into their home and take Marious' father while in search for his brother. Will his father be accused of being a heretic? While this book is only 137 page, it deals with evil, the Inquisition, and superstition so is not to be given out lightly to younger students.

Caseley, Judith. Praying to A.L. Greenwillow, 2000 [0-688-15934-6]

After battling a struggle with heart disease, Sierra's father dies at the kitchen table of a heart attack. This story tells the struggle of this Jewish/Cuban family dealing with his death. Both Sierra and her father loved Abraham Lincoln and she often speaks to A.L.'s picture on her wall. This 181 page book ends nicely as Sierra begins to accept the death of her father through writing and performing in a school play about Abraham Lincoln. While this book is not for everyone, it is a very touching story of a HS girl and her family dealing with the grief process.

Caswell, Brian. The view from Ararat. University of Queensland Press, 1999 [0-7022-3067-7]

This a powerfully painful piece of Science Fiction -- so much so it took me a long time to read it. The book takes place on a distant planet on which a HIGHLY contagious "disease" which crystallizes human flesh. Initially 10,000 people are quarantined in a camp. But the disease breaks out. The whole of society breaks down -- their life changes forever. In a matter of a week millions of people are dying. There is a race to find a cure. As in some disaster books, the reader follows several groups of people each telling their own story. At times this is confusing. Also, you should be aware there is some discussion of people sleeping together -- but no descriptions of the actual acts. This 268 page book will be a favorite of your science fiction fans (even though considerably shorter that comparable books.) The discussion of a highly contagious disease may grab some non-science-fiction readers.

Catling, Patrick Skene. The chocolate touch, 1952

This book tells the story of John Midas who loves chocolate when suddenly a man changes him and everything that he touches with his mouth becomes chocolate. He finally is cured after he turns is mother into chocolate. The man who made him this way says it was because of his selfishness. This is a cute story based on King Midas. It would be great for class discussion. I picked it up off a "summer reading shelf" in a book store. Someone was requiring it. This 87 page book would be great from around grade 3 through 5.

Chandler, Elizabeth. Dark secrets: legacy of lies. Pocket Books, 2000 [0-329-23663-6]

Megan had only seen her grandmother's house in her dreams and one day her grandmother "summons" her to visit. There she meets her cousin Matt and learns that grandmother's sister had died mysteriously when she was Megan's age. Megan continues having strange dreams and unusual things start happening around the house. Could the ghost of grandmother's sister be coming back, is Megan a reincarnation of the sister, or what else could possibly explain all the strange happenings. This 182 page book is a great read. I plan to get at least one more copy.

Cheaney, J. B. My friend the enemy.Knopf, 2005 [0-375-91432-3]

It is World War II and Hazel sees many people off to join the army in her lovely Oregon.   All the local Japanese Americans have been sent off to internment camps. Their neighbors are quiet and loners.  One day Hazel finds out they are hiding a Japanese American as a housekeeper and she is scared.  But slowly she befriends him all the while being worried what will happen if he is discovered.  One day when they are exploring the nearby mountains and they find weather balloon bomb that had not been exploded.  When Hazel reports it, authorities come around .... will they discover Sogoji?  This 266 page book discusses the American detainment camps for Japanese Americans during World War II and the anger American had towards all Japanese people at the time.

 

Cheaney, J.B. The playmaker. Knopf, 2000 [0-375-80577-X]

In Shakespearean England Richard's mother dies after his father has deserted them so he goes to the big city to try and live. He has a few clues about his father. After some troubles, he ends up in he theatre group working with William Shakespeare. In the meantime he gets mixed up in a bunch of political intrigue while searching for his father. The reader gets a good feel for what it must have been like to work in the theatre then. This 307 page book discusses a lot of the plays they are performing -- sometimes too much and I felt it dragged down the story at times. The political intrigue (involving the Catholics and Protestants) is wonderful and keeps you guessing right until th