Book Reviews

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Merricat and her sister, Constance live in the family estate with Uncle Julian. The rest of the family died when some arsenic was put in the family sugar bowl. Now Constance has been acquitted of the crime but the entire town thinks they are all monsters, the town weirdos so the small family lives isolated in the big house. One day Uncle Charles shows up until the house catches on fire and the community gets to once again vent its anger against the family. This 214 page book deals with a family living within the hatefulness of a community. [I read this book because a 7th grade teacher in our school asked me to get it for the library.]

Jeans, Peter. Stoker's Bay.Cygnet, 2003 [1-876268-97-2]

Angus is sent to a residential High School on the coast where he becomes best friends with Kes early on. The two go through the struggles of being away from home for the first time. As the story progresses and they get older, Kate comes into the picture. She is a good friend to them both and eventually a love interest for Angus. Kate's father hires a local to do some work on his boat who takes a liking to Kate (much to her chagrin.) The 222 page book ends in much excitement when the (former) hired hand kidnaps Kate and Angus and Kes go to rescue her. Will the three of them ever forget what happens at Stoker's Bay? How far does friendship and loyalty go when someone dies? The first quarter of this book is enjoyable although very slow as the two boys and later Kate progress through their years at school. The excitement all happens at the end. This story takes place in Australia so one must be aware of things like summer vacation includes Christmas. I thought it was a bit of self-promoting the way the author kept mentioning what happened in his previous book.

Jenkins, Jerry B. and Tim Lahaye. The vanishings [Left behind - the kids #1] Tyndale, 1998 [0-8423-2193-4]

This is book one in the popular adult series written for kids.  Please note that this series is a VERY Christian story.  The opening of this book traces the rebellious teenage children of four religious families  After the reader gets to know these families, people around the world are suddenly called to heaven.  Because of the disappearing people, cars and planes crash, building catch on fire and many other disasters happen.  In this 146 page book the people left behind begin to realize what has happened and why they were left behind.  I purchased this series because I had several requests for it.

Jenkins, Jerry B. and Time LaHayte.Second chance [Left behind #2] Tyndale, 1998 [0-8423-2194-2]

In this second book we continue to follow the same four kids after the rapture. Vicki and Judd go to the airport to pick up his car. Lionel and Ryan both are scared to go inside their own homes so they decide to sleep in a tent.  The kids have to deal with looters (who burn down Vicki's trailer) suicide and basic lawlessness.  In this 141 page book the characters go to Bruce at the church to find out more about what is expected after The Rapture and the following seven years.  Once again, please note that his book is very Christian and may not be appropriate for your library.

 

Jinks, Catherine. Pagan's crusade. Candlewick, 2003 [0-7636-2019-X]

Pagan is a 16 year-old orphan sent to live with the Knights Templar in the Holy City. He hopes it will be better than life on the streets. He is assigned to work for Lord Roland, the shining star of the order. Life is not easy and then Saladin's army closes in on the Holy City. This 246 page book is a mixture of humor and hardship. The cover picture makes the book look humorous but the book is far from that. While the story is good, Jinks, did not have a grasp on what kind of story she was writing. It is mostly serious with a few humorous episodes and a misleading cover makes it appear like light-hearted historical fiction.

Johnson, Angela. The first part last. Thorndike, 2003 [0-7862-6510-8]

On Bobby's sixteenth birthday he hears from his girlfriend that she is pregnant. They are both urban African American teenagers and know this will change their live. What is unique about this particular unwed teen pregnancy story is that it is told entirely from the boy's perspective. The particular 147 edition I read was a large print edition. This would be a good high interest story but be aware there is some harsh language (although I did not feel it was more than needed for the environment.) And one could not have a pregnancy story without some discussion of sex - but once again, not overdone. The thing which might confuse some readers is the alternating chapters of "then" and "now." The background of the story is told alternating with the current running story. I won't say more than... be prepared for a dramatic ending.

Johnson, Nancy. My brother's keeper, 1997

This is a thoughtful story of the Civil War based on actual letters from a descendant of the author. Two young brothers leave Rochester, NY to go off to war. Where there is much discussion of what happens in war, it is not an action adventure. The experiences the boy goes through and writes about gave me a personal identification the many brave souls who fought in that war. The books starts to moralize about war at the end but it is in keeping with the feeling of the whole book. The book is 130 pages but because of the lack of action and the thoughtful nature of the book, it will have a limited audience.

Johnson, Scott. Safe at second, 1999 [0-399-23365-2]

This is a story of friendship and self-reliance all wrapped around HS baseball. The star pitcher of the HS team gets a ball in the eye and end up losing the eye. His friend (a mediocre player) does everything to try an help him -- even to the point of getting him to pitch again. At the end of the story the friend realizes that he had been living through his star friend and now they both had to do things for themselves. This 245 page book has a touching ending where the former star pitcher leaves the mound for the last time and his friend lets him do it on his own. For the first third of the book you think it is about the star pitcher and his unfortunate accident but as the story comes to and end you realize it really more about his friend.

Johnston, Julie. In spite of killer bees. Tundra Books, 2001 [0-88776-537-8]

Three young ladies have inherited a house, but in order to keep it, they must live in it (one of the girls is an adult.) Along with the house, they have to deal with a dotty great aunt. The whole town has assumptions about what the girls are because of the checkered past of their father who once lived there. This 253 page book is an interesting tale of family, friendship, and rumors in a town.

Jones, Diana Wynne. Dark Lord of Derkholm, 1998

In a magical world a lowly wizard is put in charge of the "tours." This a huge operation in which people from another world come to the magical world and experience wars, evil, death, and struggle. Although she paints a intricate picture of this magical world (often time with humor) I found this book to be extremely tedious and could not wait for it to be over and I have liked other books of hers. The whole premise of the tours was confusing. There are many magical creatures and I kept getting confused which ones were and were not human. I found the only interesting part of the plot took place in the very end of this 344 page book. This book is only for die-hard fantasy readers.

Jones, Diana Wynne. The time of the ghost, 1996 [0-688-15492-1]

This is an eerie story of supernatural happenings. The book opens with a ghost wandering (not yet knowing she is a ghost) trying to figure out who she is. This starts a very strange and complicated tale of a ghost traveling in time, back to the time before she died. A group of kids are involved in calling up an evil spirit and communicate with her after killing a chicken and gathering a bunch of blood for the ghost to absorb. The reason the ghost goes back in time is to try and foil her own death which has to do with this evil spirit. This 248 page books is a very complicated tale, containing exorcism, evil chanting, and the use of blood. It is just too mature of a story for my middle school so I will send it to the High School.

Jones, Jennifer B. The (short) story of my life. Walker, 2004 [0-8027-8905-6]

Michael is a 6th grader, having moved up to middle school.  He also is the shortest boy in his class.  He falls for an 8th grade girl and much to his surprise she starts paying a lot of attention to him.  The school bully starts picking on Michael and his friends and he gets nervous about having to write his daily journal for English class.  This 134 book is a fun coming of age story about a boy experiencing his life changing in middle school.. a fun read.

Jordan, Sherryl. The hunting of the last dragon. HarperCollins, 2002 [0-06-028903-1]

In the 1300's a young peasant rescues a young Chinese girl from a traveling circus and travel to a hidden cove. They head there to fight off the last dragon. This 186 page book is written in an interesting vehicle - the peasant boy is narrating his story to a monk (vowed to silence.) They kid back and forth - even though the monk is not allowed to talk, he communicates his thoughts. The Chinese girl has had her feet broken and bound..a aspect of Chinese life in this period of which many students may not be aware.

Joseph, Frank S. To love mercy. Mid-Atlantic Highlands, 2006 [0-9744785-3-9]

This is a tale of two boys (one white and one African American) in the years following World War II in Chicago.  Steve (a Jewish white boy from Hyde Park) and his family go to the ball park and get hassled by some African American kids and one of them (Sass) accidentally gets hurt and Steve's family drops him off at the hospital.  Steve and Sass end up going on an adventure trying to find something Steve's grandfather lost.  This 290 page book illustrates the racism of the late 1940's in Chicago.  It is nice to see how the boys eventually become friends (although very reluctantly at first.)  Sass never has left the black section of towns and knows his boundaries in society and he keeps having to remind Steve of this.  I found the book difficult to read because the author did not use any quotation marks when people are speaking.  This being said, it is a good period piece to read.  I purchased this because a parent recommended it to me.

 

Kadohata, Cynthia. Kira-Kira. Atheneum, 2004 [0-689-85639-3]

It is a the last 1950s and a Japanese-American family is struggling to survive in Georgia. The two parents work in a chicken processing plant. The older girl in the family gets ill about a third of the way through this 243 page book and begins to slowly die. This is the story of a family hanging together, dealing with an ill child and eventually her death. It is a touching story told with warm language. [This is the 2005 Newbery Medal winner]

Karr, Kathleen. The great turkey walk. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998 [0-374-32773-6]

In 1860, after making it through 3rd grade three times, 15-year-old Simon decides to set out on his own. He buys 1000 turkeys at 25 cents each which he figures he can sell in Denver for $5.00 each. After borrowing the needed money from he is former teacher he starts out with a drunk who he dries out. They have the adventure of their lives as the walk the turkeys 800 miles to Denver, meeting Indians, a runaway slave, bad soldiers, grasshoppers, plus so much more. This 199 page book has all the adventure and humor of Paulsen's "Tucket" books. A cute, entertaining story.

Karr, Kathleen. Man of the family Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1999[0-374-34764-6]

In the 1920's, Istvan is the oldest son of an Hungarian-American family living in southern NJ. It is a loving family with strong values and Istvan learns much about being the oldest son at the end of his 10th year. Something terrible happens just before his 11th birthday which makes him draw on all the courage and strength he as learned as the oldest son. This 178 page book is a wonderful story of a loving family through many good times, and some bad. They learn to pull together and each finds their proper role in their family.

Karr, Kathleen. The 7th knot. Marshall Cavendish, 2003 [0-7614-5135-8]

It is the summer of 1896 and troublesome Wick and Miles are taken with their very rich Uncle to purchase paintings in Europe. His uncle brings along an art expert. It isn't long that the two brothers discover the art expert is not just an art expert. All three are wound up an an adventure trying to foil the plans of an evil German society to take over the world. The 148 page book reads like a turn-of-the-century James Bond adventure. While the society in the book is loosely based on a historical society, the society feels very much like the start of the Nazi party before World War II. The only problem I have with the book is that readers may try to connect pre-World War II times with this group which existed before World War I. Besides that, it is a great read.

Karr, Kathleen. Skullduggery. Hyperon, 2000 [0-7868-0506-4]

It is 1839 Matthew is 12 and out of work and applies for a job with Dr. ABC who is a phrenologist. One of the things he has to do is to help him dig up the skulls of specific people so the Doctor may compare the skull to live's behavior. One of the graves they open contains many gold coins which the doctor acquires to help him with his research and world travel. One night someone muggs Matthew. They realize they are being followed -- even as they travel around the world looking for various skulls. It is a bizarre story of grave digging, phrenology, obsession, and intrigue. This 227 page book does work if you can get past the revulsion to grave robbing (which may attract many kids to the book.)

Karwoski, Gail Langer. Surviving Jamestown. Peachtree, 2001 [1-56145-245-9]

This is historical fiction following James Collier who is a page to John Smith. The reader follows the trials and tribulations of the crossing to American, the hardships in the new colony, the clash of classes and personalities, and the shaky relationships with the native Americans. Not only is this 193 page book good story-telling but the reader learns a great deal of the Jamestown settlement and what it must have been like to be a colonist. If you school studies this period, this book is a must.

Kay, Alan N. No girls allowed [Young Heros of History #5]. White Mane, 2003 [1-57249-324-0]

It is early in the Civil War and this book follows the story of two young women, both wanting to do something as they see their fathers and brothers march off to war. Mary decides to go to the battlefield to help out and eventually meets and works with Clara Barton. Lynn dresses as a boy and joins the army with her twin brother and fights in battles as a man until she is wounded and troubles begin. This 148 page book has some notes and a bibliography. This book would be useful in a study of women's rights through history but as a story alone, I feel the story looses some strength with the constant emphasis on women's rights. Sometimes I felt the historical characters we speaking with perspective of a woman of today. NOTE: I did not select this book, the publisher sent it to me.

Kay, Alan N. On the trail of John Brown's body. White Mane Kids, 2001 [1-57249-239-2]

George and David (who the readers met in Send 'em south) decide to steal an envelope of money from their grandfather in Boston. David escapes to run to Kansas to join his parents and George gets caught still in the house. George and his father follow David to Kansas where they get mixed up in John Brown's followers. Eventually they end up at the raid on Harper Ferry. This 166 page book is one of apparently three books concerning these two young men as they live through the years preceding the Civil War. The story is well written and the reader learns some about John Brown's Kansas activities (something I had read little about.) A large bibliography is included at the back of the book. It is unfortunate that the type face is a little too close, leaving less white space then I found comfortable to read. These books are well written but are obviously directed at schools and would appeal to a whole class activity. Lesson plans are available. I did not purchase this book; it was sent to me by the publisher.

Kay, Alan N. Send 'em South. White Maine Kids, 2000 [1-57249-208-2] (NOTE: the author sent this free to me to review)

Lisa and her father escape slavery from NC and end up in Boston, MA. On the way they get separated. Lisa gets help from an Irish kid (a group on the bottom of the totem pole in Boston.) Meanwhile a group of slave catchers are on Lisa and her father's trail. Not only is this book historical, but also a great adventure and suspense story. Unfortunately the story opens sounding like historical fiction, trying to impart too much information. If the reader can get past that part, they will be in for a treat. It contains historical background information but unfortunately in the front of the book and not the back, thus making the book more text-bookish in appearance. With those few reservations, I would recommend this 133 page book.

Kaye, Amy. Focus on this [The real deal #1] Smooch/Dorchester, 2003 [0-8439-5252-0]

Fiona's parents get a divorce and she is suddenly thrown from an exclusive private school in NYC to a public school in New Jersey. To solve a financial crisis the district is allowing a TV firm to film a reality show in the HS. Not only does Fiona have to try to make new friends, choose groups, and fit in at school but she has to do it all on camera where a producer is trying to create drama so the show will get good ratings. Can Fiona get her new "friends" together to get even with the producer. This 202 page book is a great story about a topic that kids are seeing on TV. Just be aware that it concerns HS kids and there is a descriptive kissing scene (in the school library) and along with an episode of gay bashing of a young man who has not really come out yet.

Kaye, Amy. Unscripted [The Real Deal #2]. Smooch, 2004 [0-8439-5312-2]

After being in a HS reality show (book 1), Claire gets two breaks. She is on a second reality show in which she lives in apartment with her recently met step sister while they get to know each other. Also, she gets a role in a Broadway show with a heart throb guy from a rock band. In this 179 page book Claire has to deal with the tension of learning about her step sister with cameras in both of their faces, the politics of the life in a play, and a possible romance with a celebrity. This is a fun book which picks on the popularity of reality television shows. The first book in the series is called "Focus on this!"

Kaye, Marilyn. Amy, number seven [replica series #1], 1998 [0-553-49238-1]

This is the first in the "Replica" series. In this one Amy starts to realize that she is different and that her mother has some secret which she has been holding from Amy. After several people have been caught following Amy, it all comes to a head in a dentist's office. Her mother panics and says they have to move and she finally tells Amy that she is a clone from a top secret government experiment. This 196 page book is part of an interesting series dealing with clones, a hot topic now.

Kaye, Marilyn. Pursuing Amy [replica series #2], 1998 [0-553-49239-2]

The is the second in a series about some clone children developed in secret government program to develop disease resistant humans which went bad a number of years ago. Now Amy (one of 12) and her mother have run away (after the facility burnt down) and set up life on their own are trying to stay away from "them" who are trying to establish a super race by gathering the scattered clones. The book entails Amy trying to keep her secret while her enhanced powers develop and both her and her mother trying to keep hidden. It is a good suspense story wrapped up in a real current topic (cloning.) Although this 164 page book read fine (leaving the reader up in the air for the next), I am sorry that I did not read book one of this series first. Tomorrow I will order the rest of the set.

Kaye, Marilyn. Another Amy [replica #3],1999 [0-553-49240-3]

In this third of the series, they are filming a disaster movie at Amy's school and the star turns out to be "one of the 12 Amys." This star is a real creep and knows nothing of her history. She stages a publicity stunt, fake kidnapping which was really arranged by "them" to capture her. Amy ends up saving her from "them" but the star runs away from everyone and disappears at the end. Although I have purchased the first 5 of this series, this 153 page book is the last I will read of it for now. They are just sounding too serial! I have a feeling the kids will like them, though. We will have to see.

Kehret, Peg. The Blizzard disaster, 1999

This is one of a group of books concerning Warren and Betsy who have an "Instant Commuter" which can move them through time and space. This time they go back to the Minnesota blizzard of 1940. Most of the story centers around the blizzard and its effects on one family. Warren and Betsy appear on the scene just in time to save the family's little daughter. I think this 137 page book would have been much better without the "Instant Commuter" aspect thus making it a very good disaster/historical fiction novel. The other two in this group of books are "The Flood" and "The Volcano." I am sure there will be more but I won't rush to get them.

Kehret, Peg. I'm not who you think I am, 1999

Ginger notices an odd woman staring at her one day. After that she keeps appearing around Ginger. Meanwhile one parent at her middle school has a grudge against her basketball coach and tries to get him fired. The odd woman keeps stalking Ginger and it all comes to a head when Ginger's parents go away for the weekend. The woman hires someone to kidnap Ginger but the whole thing gets foiled at the Board of Education meeting for the teacher's firing. This is a good suspense story in a real setting for Middle School kids. In this 154 page book the reader gets into the mind of both Ginger and the unstable woman who had her own child die years ago. What is scary is that this plot line could really happen today.

Kehret, Peg. Night of fear, 1994

T.J. is all alone babysitting his grandmother with alzheimers disease and has to go next door to fed the neighbor's dog. He takes his grandmother and meets a criminal who kidnaps his and leaves the confused grandmother in the barn. This is a tale of suspense with T.J. and his kidnapper but it is also a tale of his relationship with his rapidly changing grandmother. In some parts of the story it is told by the grandmother in her confused thinking. Peg Kehret usually tells a great suspense story and this is no exception. I picked up this 138 page book at our book fair. The story is very good on both angles -- the suspense and the whole thing about Alzheimer disease and his T.J.'s relationship with his changing grandmother.

Kehret, Peg. The richest kids in town, 1994.

This is a cute story of a boy who moves and misses his best friend. The book consists of a series of money making schemes he runs with a new friend so he can earn money to buy a ticket to visit his original friend. The story ends with him deciding that he didn't need to raise the money because he would have the time to leave his new friend. It is a touching story of friendship. The book says the reading level is 5.4 but the boys are in 4th grade and the picture on the cover shows very juvenile boys. The picture on the cover and the grade level mentioned in the story limits the use of this book -- what a shame for such a good story.

Kehret, Peg. Saving Lilly. Pocket Books, 2001 [0-671-03422-7]

After writing a report on animal cruelty, Erin and David refuse to go on their 6th grade class trip to a visiting circus because the way the animals are treated. They class and eventually the entire school tries to raise money to save the elephant. This 148 page book is a combination of two stories - a struggle of some students against a strong-willed teacher and the story of animal cruelty in circuses along with animal rescue organizations. It is a good story that makes a point. There is an author's note at the end of the book providing resources for students.

Kehret, Peg. Searching for Candlestick Park, 1997

Spencer and his mother have to move in with his aunt because of money problems and his cousin is allergic to his cat. He has to find a new home for the cat - he decides to run away with the cat to his father who he thinks goes to the Candlestick Park baseball games frequently. This is the story of the struggles of a runaway boy, how he meets various people along the trip, how he discovers that his father doesn't want him - then the surprise ending. I enjoyed this 149 page book and even though it wraps up a little to neat at the end, Spencer does realize that things do not always go the way he hopes.

Kehret, Peg. The secret journey, Minstrel, 1999 [0-671-03416-2]

It is 1834 and Emma's mother is very sick so her father decides to leave Emma with an Aunt and take her mother to France to be cured. Emma decides to stow away on her parents' ship but unfortunately she chooses the wrong ship ands up on a slaver headed to Africa. It sinks in a storm and Emma appears to be the only survivor and is washed up on shore. She spends 4 months surviving in the jungle until she is rescued. When she gets back to her aunt she finds out the aunt never told her parents of her disappearance so she could keep getting the support money. So Emma's journey is a secret one. This 134 page book was a quick read. The survival part (most of the book) has a feel like Hatchet. I liked the book even though it kind of wraps up a little too nicely at the end.

Kehret, Peg. Spy cat. Dutton, 2003 [0-525-47046-8]

Alex's cat, Pete understands everything everyone says but can get them to understand him. After a new neighbor moves into the house next door, a series of house break-ins begins. Pete the cat sits in the window all day and sees things but when there is a break-in at his own house he has to do something. Can a cat actually warn the neighborhood and stop the robberies before a young boy gets hurt. This 181 book is a nice mystery. I am not sure I liked the thinking cat thing but I sure many kids will.

Kelley,Nancy. The whispering rod. White Maine, 2001 [1-57249-248-1]

Hannah whose mother died in her childbirth, lives in Puritan Boston with her father, an Elder of the town, in the spring of 1659. The people and powers of Boston do not like the Quakers who are becoming more vocal so they pass laws to get rid of them. Eventually they execute some of the Quakers. This 167 page book is a good tale of religious intolerance which is not written in a black and white fashion. Hannah is confused and becomes more so when she tries to find out more about the mother she never knew. This book is good historical fiction and a great discussion starter. There is a bibliography at the end of the book.

Kendall, Carol. The Gammage Cup, 2000/1959 [0-15-202493-x]

In the fantasy world of the Minnipins between the mountains, the town prepares for a contest to win the Gammage Cup. There are four non-conformists living in the town who do strange things including warning the town of possible invaders so these nonconformists are are outlawed. They go live in the wilds on their own where they eventually encounter the invaders, convince the town to mount a force and they all fight back the invaders (the dreaded mushroom people.) These outcast become heros and are welcomed back to the town where they also win the Gammage Cup without trying. This tale is told with an incredible amount of wit. There is much playful use of the English language. This new edition contains a map of the land between the mountains. It you have not read this 283 Newbery Honor, be sure to do so. The only thing you should be aware of, is the battle near the end of the book. There is a lot of killing but it is not told in a gory fashion.

Kendall, Carol. The whisper of Glocken, 2000 [0-15-202517-0] - A new edition of a 1965 book

This fantasy is a sequel to The Gammage Cup. The river of their town begins to flow backwards and the old heros (from the last book) are too old to help so an unlikely group of five citizens go to find out what is happening. In the process the meet some strange creatures with limited language, and a race of giants who they must defeat to save themselves, their river, and town. One of the five is the town bell-ringer, Glocken, who has been missing the whisper bell. Kendall paints a wonderful picture of this fantasy world and draws the reader into the story. This 304 page book was a wonderful reading experience. The only thing that bothered me was a map in the front of the book. Most of the action happens off the map (it must be from the previous book.) Now I will have to read "The Gammage Cup."

Ketchum, Liza. Where the great hawk flies. Clarion, 2005 [0-618-40085-0]

This is the story of 18th century Vermont.  The book opens a couple of years after an Indian raid on the town in which many people were killed and carried off to Canada.  Daniel Tucker's father is of British descent while his mother a Pequot Indian (a different tribe than the raiders)  and he takes after his mom.  A neighbor moves in next door who had family members who were victims of the early Indian raid.  Hiram is a boy from new family. This 259 page book tells of prejudice in  early America.  Can Daniel and Hiram become  friends?  Will their  families learn to live near each other?  Will the arrival of Daniel's mother's father aggravate the situation? There are historical notes in the back of the book explaining that this story is based on the actual family history of the author.

 

Kidd, Sue Monk. The secret life of bees. Penguin, 2001 [0-14-200174-0]

Lily is living during the 1960s in South Carolina alone with her abusive father. She has nightmares of the night her mother died. Finally she runs away with her black carekeeper (after breaking her out of jail) in search of her mother. All she has to go on is a honey label. She eventually finds three elderly black women who keep bees. It is a loving household and they accept Lilly and her fugitive friend without any questions. This is a beautifully written story dealing with prejudice in the 1960s, the search for a mother, abusive relationships, and a loving family. The writing in this 302 page book is beautiful to read.

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a wimpy kid [Book 1]. Amulet Books, 2007. [0-8109-9313-9//978-0-8109-9313-6]

This is the entertaining diary (in handwritten font and hand drawn illustrations) of a middle school boy.  He confronts the usual conflicts of a middle school boy at school, with friends, and home with his older brother.   It is a VERY fun 217 pag book to read.  You will need several copies in your library.

 

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a wimpy kid [#2]: Rodrick rules. Amulet, 2008 [978-08109-9473-7]

This is the second Diary of Greg in this series.  In fun or silly story, Greg enters Middle School and has to deal with his older brother Rodrick and his baby Manny.  He makes friends with Rowley at school (or rather Rowley makes friends with him.)  This is a funny story printed on lined pages in handwriting like a diary with many simple line drawings.  It is just a fun 216 page book and I can see why the first book diary (which I have on order) was such a big hit.  We all need fun and silly books sometimes and this is one.

 

Kinsella, W. P. The Iowa Baseball Confederacy, 1986 [0-345-41024-6]

It is 1978 and Gideon is obsessed (like his father before him) to prove that the Chicago Cubs came to Iowa to play the All Stars of the Iowa Baseball Confederacy. He know and his father knew all the statistics, and facts about the Confederacy but know one else remembers it. There is not even any mention of it in old newspapers. Suddenly Gideon and his friend Stan are send back in time to the game where all sorts of magical things happen. Because the game is always in a tie, they play overtime for several weeks. The game is held in limbo by an ancient Indian and his Job-like struggle with his grandfathers. This is a baseball story wrapped around a fantasy. It was not written for children (there are some minor sexual references.) I purchased it because a student recommended I get it. On pages 248-249 there is a wonderful description of how to watch a baseball game. I would not recommend this 310 page book for middle school -- it is could be confusing and long for them but I think it would be a good addition to a HS with a solid fiction collection. This author also wrote "Shoeless Joe" on which the motion picture "Field of Dreams" is based.

Kinsella, W.P. Shoeless Joe, 1982 [0-395-95773-7] Houghton Mifflin

This is the book on which the movie "A field of dreams" is based. Now I have to rent the movie again. Ray hears a message one day "If you build it, they will come." and he builds a ballfield in his corn field and long dead baseball players appear to play. He then hears a message to go to J.D. Salinger and take him to a baseball game. Together they go the game and both hear a message to go find a the roots of a deceased very minor baseball player. They do that and end up back at the farm with the ballfield. There reality intrudes into the dreams when the farm is going to be bankrupt and people are trying to forclose on it. At the end Salinger gets a chance of a lifetime. This 265 page book is strange, but not quite as strange as the Iowa Confederacy. It mixes dreams, fantasy, time, and reality into one blur where there is no difference. Because of the confusing concepts, I feel it is appropriate only for upper middle or HS collections. Mr. Kinsella would be interesting to meet.

Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie. As long as there are mountains, 1997

This is a warm story about a thirteen-year-old girl and her family on a northern Vermont farm in the 1950s. She wants to eventually keep the far for herself but her brother (in college) doesn't want farm life. The father won't accept the inevitable until there is a series of tragedies and the father loses a leg and sees the only way out is to get a job and sell the farm. There are many sub plots and the characters are well developed. This is a touching 139 page book about the realities of farm life.

Klause, Annette Curtis. Alien secrets, 1993

This is a great mystery that is in science fiction format. Puck is expelled from a school on Earth and is going to her parents who are on another planet. During the trip she befriends an aliens and thus gets involves in a great mystery/adventure story involving relic smuggling, murder, secret police, and so much more. I enjoyed this one. I purchased this 227 page book because of reviews (I think) but the date is older - oh well.

Klause, Annette Curtis. Blood and chocolate, 1997

I have not been so emotionally wrapped up in a book in a while as this one. It is the tale of a werewolf girl who falls in love with a human boy. It is a tale of Romeo and Juliet and of loyalty to the pack. While not being overly descriptive, it is at times a very erotic book -- their world involves odors which he react to. I loved this author's "Silver Kiss" but this is a much more complex and involved tale. While this is not for all students, make sure you read it!

Koja, Kathe. Buddha boy. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003 [0-374-30998-1]

Jim is fine at school, hovering socially somewhere between several social groups until he is assigned to work on a project with Jinsen, better known as "Buddha Boy." Jinsen is an artistically talented boy who lives alone with his elderly aunt. As Jinsen's ability starts to become more evident, the jocks choose him as a target.. and Jim get in the middle of the whole thing. This 117 page book is the story of a misunderstood young man and an average boy who are thrown together and become friends. Of course the conflict between the jocks and Jinsen reaches a climax at the end of the story. This would be a good high interest book since it takes place in a High School.

Konigsburg, E.L. The outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place. Atheneum, 2004 [0-689-86636-4]

After she is rescued from a terrible time at a summer camp Margaret is excited about spending the rest of the summer with her two eccentric uncles who live on Schuyler Place. For more than 40 years these uncles have been building three towers out of scraps of metal, and glass. Each summer Margaret gets to mix up a color of paint for they to touch up the rusting spots on the towers. Well.. they neighborhood has changed over the years and is now becoming the trendy place to live and the neighbors do not like the towers. They get the town to go along with having them destroyed. Margaret spends the rest of the summer trying to save the towers. Are they an eye-sore? Are they a work of art? Do the new neighbors have the right to destroy a neighborhood institution? This 296 page book is the story of a young girl trying to save the main reason for her maverick uncle's lives.

Konigsburg, E.L. Silent to the bone. Atheneum, 2000 [0-689-83601-5]

Branwell's half sister had an accident and when he calls 911 for help, Branwell is struck dumb. The au pair takes over and the baby is taken to the hospital and remains in a coma. Branwell is taken the the Behavioral Center and remains dumb. He best friend Connor tries to find out what happened while getting him to talk. This book is a mixture of a lot of things, a tale of devoted friendship, a mystery, an irresponsible au pair, and the shame of an growing boy. The reader finds out near the end of this 261 page book that Branwell has had a crush on the au pair and she took advantage of that by leaving the bathroom door open while she bathed. Once she even convinced him to scrub her back. This last third of the book is a fast, slippery slope as the reader, through Connor, learns more and more of what happened on the day of the accident. It will be interesting to see how the students react to it.

Korman, Gordon. The chicken doesn't skate, 1996

This is another fun school story by Gordon Korman. I have most of them in my library (A Semester in the Life.. is my favorite.) This one involves a class with a science project and a town with a hockey team. The wiz kid in the class does a food chain science project using a chick. His idea is to raise the chick to a chicken and then have it butchered to have it served as a roast chicken at the science fair. Most of the kids don't realize what his whole project is and fall in love with "Henrietta" and she becomes the mascot for the losing hockey team who starts winning. This set-up has many humorous situations and a few plot twists. Middle school kids can't help but like this fun 197 page book.

Korman, Gordon. The island [series]. Scholastic, 2001 1: Shipwreck [0-439-16456-7], 2:Survival [0-439-16457-5], 3: Escape [0-439-16452-4]

Six kids who are in trouble with the law (or other situations) are sent on a 4 week cruise from Guam run by a group hoping to turn their bad ways around. The sailing ship encounters a typhoon and sinks, the captain is killed and the first mate takes off with the lifeboat. After a terrible time alone at sea, the six kids end up on a tiny uncharted island. Here they have to survive but a group of murderous criminals also use the island from time to time. The kids find a tiny and mysterious World War II air base on the island. One kid gets shot in the leg. Should they try to take out the bullet? Will the group of criminals find them and kill them? Does anyone else think they are alive? This set of approximately 130 page books could have been made into one suspenseful book. The print is large so it would have fit nicely in a 200/250 page book. The series weaves a great tale and would make a great high interest series approachable to many kids from maybe 3rd to 7th grade.

Korman, Gordon. Maxx Comedy. Hyperion, 2003 [0-7868-0746-6]

Max is a funny kid in his 6th grade class and is always trying out his comedy routines on his friends (who are getting sick of them.)  One day he hears of a contest in Chicago to find the funniest kid in America.  This is just for him.  What he needs is a good audience to practice on before he gets to the big stage in Chicago.  Most of this 153 page is him trying to set up schemes to get audiences.  He eventually makes his tryout tape and sends it off to the contest.  Then, of course, there is a wild trip to make it to Chicago.  This is a funny book in the Korman tradition.

 

Korman, Gordon. No more dead dogs. Scholastic, 2000 [0-439-32948-5]

Korman has done it again with a humorous story centered around a HS play. The play is based on a famous book, "Old Shep, my pal" a dog story in which the dog dies at the end (as always.) The drama coach is also an English teacher who gives a detention to a football player for refusing to write a book review of "Old Shep." Because of the detention, the jock can not play football. The detentions are held at play rehearsals where he starts making suggestions to improve the play and the director suddenly realizes that he has lost control of the play to the football player. In the middle of all this someone is trying to sabotage the play by playing practical jokes. Will the play go off as planned? Will the football ever get off detention so he can go back to the team? I was so happy when I saw this 180 page Korman book. I am a big fan of his.

Korman, Gordan. The 6th grade nickname game, 1998

This is the story of two boys in sixth grade who assign nicknames to everyone in class until Cassandra enrolls into their school. They see her as so mult-faceted that they can't choose just one. It may have something to do with that they both like her (it is the first time for them.) Meanwhile they are dealing with a teacher who is really a football coach. Cassandra begins to come between their life-long friendship. This 154 page book is a fun story of friendship, intertwined with the perils of nicknames. I liked this one as I do most of Korman's others.

Koss, Amy Goldman. The cheat. Scholastic, 2003 [0*439-70179-1]

This is the story of a bunch of 8th graders involved in a cheating scan for the Geography mid-term. Sarah is one of the popular girls at school and is able to convince Jake to get his sister's last year copy of the Geography mid-term. Sarah give the answers to several other kids. Unfortunately the teacher changed two questions and they are caught. This 175 page book is told be each of the involved students in alternating chapters. The author gets into the hearts and feelings of middle school students, their loves, their fears, relationships with their parent and school faculty, and their feelings of honor. It is a well written book which will be approachable by many students.

Koss, Amy Goldman. The girls. Puffin, 2000 [0-14-230033-0]

Maya was part of "the group" at her middle school until the leader one day decides not to invite her to a sleepover. Told through the eyes of several girls, this story describes the feelings of the group after the sudden change. The end of this 121 page book leaves the the reader wondering whether the group will continue with different players or will some people decide to stay away from the group causing it to lose some allure. Readers will experience how cruel middle school girls can be to each other.

Koss, Amy Goldman. Gossip times three. Puffin, 2003 [0-14-240295-8]

Abby, Bess, and Cristy are in Junior High and are best friends.  Abby has always liked Zach but then one day Bess says, "Zach's cute."  It sends the close friendship into a whirlwind.  No only do we have the three best friends feuding, but also, they are all dealing with their single-parent moms' dating habits.  Koss as usual captures the feel for junior high friendships but this book drove me crazy.  It is written as a writing project and there are constantly three (numbered) plot twists appearing in the book (I guess to go with the title.)  Sometimes, they are options and the reader is asked to choose which the correct one.  I found this 170 page book to be agony to finish.  Maybe girls will like it, but it made me nuts.

 

Koss, Amy Goldman. Poison Ivy. Roaring Brook, 2006 [1-59643-118-0]

Ms. Gold decides to run a mock trial for her HS American government class.  Unfortunately the subject of the trial is not "mock" but rather the bullying by three girls of one girl in the class since they were in fourth grade.  The story is told by all the participants of the trial.  It is a heart-wrenching story  which demonstrates the long-reaching and subtle effects of bullying.  Initially I did not like the ending of this 166 page book, but looking back, it is really the only possible ending.  Mrs. Koss really knows how to get into the heads of kids and their perspectives.

 

Koss, Amy Goldman. Smoke screen. Pleasant Company, 2000 [1-58485-201-1]

Mitzi's mom is constantly trying to give up smoking and has various plans - this creates tension in the house. Meanwhile Mitzi likes a boy at school and makes up and lie about her mother to get his attention and of course this lie starts a huge snowball of lies. During all this she also has to deal with changing friends, and life at school. This 138 page book is a good read and I will look for more by this author.

Laird, Marnie. Water rat, 1998 [1-890817-08-2]

After the death of his father, 14 year old Matt is being raised by his cruel uncle in pre-revolutionary PA. After being beaten too many times he runs away to a rich family who said they would help. He lives with them and while the adults are away, the house is attacked by Pirates but Matt saves the children even though the house is trashed. Matt figures out where the pirates have been hiding and the British soldiers come and capture them. This 186 page book is an exciting read (although a little intimidating because of the lack of white space on the pages.) The chapters are short and instead of a title have a few sentences from the coming chapter -- it gives the feel of the old movie serials, "Tune next week when you will hear..." This would make a great read aloud book because of these features.

Larbalestier, Justine. Magic or madness. RozorBill, 2005 [1-59514-022-0]

Ever since Reason has been born, she and her mother have been on the run in , staying away from her grandmother, who her mother called a witch.   When her mother goes crazy, Reason is sent to her only living releative, her grandmother.  Reason is very suspicious of everything about her grandmother so from the first day, she makes plans to run away when she can.  She finds a strange key which opens a door in her grandmother's house (in Sydney) to New York city.  There she finds out about the magic which runs her family and the people have a choice to either use the magic and die early or go mad from using the magic.  When Reason finally gets back to Australia, she understands about her mother and grandmother. This 271 page book has a glossary of Australian words.  I liked this story.. it is not just about magic and/or witchcraft, but it makes you think also.

 

Langrish, Katherine. Troll Fell. HarperCollins, 2004 [0-06-058304-5]

After his father suddenly dies, Peer is taken by his evil twin uncles to live at their mill. They live near a place where the Trolls live. There is a mythical creature that lives in the mill pond and other troll-like characters in the book. Peer figures out that his evil Uncles who terrorize the neighborhood, have a plan to sell a pair of children to the Trolls for a great deal of money. Can he warn the kids' family? Can he stop the sale? Will he get in trouble with the trolls? Will his Uncles kill his dog? Langrish has created a mythical world in this 264 page book with a great amount of excitement in the last third.

Lantz, Francess. Spinach with chocolate sauce, 1997

I purchased this book because I enjoyed "Stepsister from Planet Wierd. Initially, I was a little disappointed -- a typical story about a teen age boy with a pesky, younger sister. The story is saved when their parent decide to open a restaurant for babys in L.A. and then rope the teenage brother in to help. The restaurant becomes a great success until a child star is kidnapped from the "Baby Biestro." That begins the roller coaster of excitement. As you may guess, I loved this book too! This 144 page book will be good for 4th grade and up. The main character is 12 years old.

Lantz, Francess. Stepsister from the Planet Weird, 1977

This is a cute story about aliens who come to Earth, take our form, and try to fit in without anyone knowing it. Sound like "Third Rock from the Sun?" It starts out very much like it -- the father is very similar to Dick Soloman. The story moves along nicely and begins to leave the the "Third Rock" feel behind. The aliens try to marry into a family and encounter the usual stepfamily problems. They then decide to leave they must the planet and it then the story all wraps up nicely at the end. I enjoyed this book. It is not a great piece of literature, but they all should not be. The story is good, the characters are well thought out, and they all live happily every after. This 170 page book would be a good 5th-6th grade book. Also a good introduction to SciFi. It gives a feel like the "My teacher is an alien" or the "Black suits from outer space" series.

LaRochelle, David. Absolutely, positively not.... Levine/Scholastic, 2005 [0-439-59109-0]

Steven is a High School boy going through the usual traumas about passing his driving test, arguing with his parents along with one other thing that has been smoldering in the back of his head.  Why is he not interested in girls?  Why does he think Coach Bowman is so handsome? All he knows is that he is not gay (or is he) so he goes to the library and gets an outdated book for information.  He glues pictures of girls in bikinis on the walls of his room and tries aversion therapy by snapping a rubber band which he keeps on is wrist every time he thinks about a boy.  He even goes on a rampage of dating a whole series of girls.  Why does not kissing do anything for him?  Finally he faces the fact that he may be gay and goes to tell his best friend (who happens to be a girl) and she says...I am glad you finally admitted it.  Now comes the school dance and he knows he can't take a girl so... his friend suggests he bring her dog as a date.  At the end of this 219 page book, he ends up going to a gay discussion group to talk and even meets another gay guy on the hockey team at school.  Steven comes out to his parents who each react very differently, though lovingly.  This is a lighthearted book dealing sexual orientation.  There is no discussion of physical relationships... just the head trip the boy is going through.  I have spoken to some gay friends about the book and they say it is an accurate depiction of how some boys initially face they fact that they may be gay.  I hope the book is accepted in the schools.

 

Lasky, Kathryn. Alice Rose & Sam, 1997

This book is what historical fiction is about. Alice Rose lives in Virginia City, Nevada during the height of the silver mining. Her father runs the local newspaper and Sam (Clemens) shows up to work there. Alice Rose and Same team up together and solve a murder in the town. Mark Twain's actual words from his writings are smoothly integrated in his conversation in the book - but not overdone. If you are familiar with his writings, you will notice and appreciate it. There is a historical note at the end explaining all the actual history that is in this 252 page book. It is an enjoyable read and not as ponderous as her Bone Wars.

Lasky, Kathryn. A journey to the new world [Dear America],1995.

This is the fictional diary of a young girl on the Mayflower. The first third descibes the trip over including the conditions on ship and the number of deaths. The remainder of the book talks about the 1st year at "Plimouth." The book gives a good feeling for what it must of been like, especially how the people reacted to so many deaths. As with other Dear America books, there are substantial historical notes at the end. The one problem I have with this 195 page book and other Dear America books is that they feel and appear so real and students are bound to think of them as non-fiction. I just wish they make it clearer in the book. I don't know if there was a "Remember Patience Whipple" in the Plymouth group.

Lasky, Karthryn. True North, 1996

This is written in the popular style with two unconnected stories which finally meet at the end. It is the story of the Underground Railroad through the eyes of an escaping slave girl and a young Boston girl. The reader feels the panic and urgency that the runaway slave girl feels along with gathering a terrific feel of the period. I found this 266 page book to be a very convincing, readable, and memorable story of the Underground Railroad and it's time.

Lawrence, Iain. The convicts #1. Delacorte, 2005 [0-385-73087-x]

Once again Lawrence has written a wonderful tale of 19th century England.  Here we have Tom whose sailing father is sent off to prison,  is convicted of a crime he didn't do sentenced to a prison ship docked in the river.  Life on the ship is very harsh where Tom makes enemies and close friendships.  Many of the enemies he makes are because of a mistaken identity.  Eventually he is to be "transported" with other boys.  On the ship he has a major surprise coming.  As other reviewers have said, this 198 page book has a very Dickens feel to it.  It is a great story for your historical fiction readers.  Note:  This book is not related to "The Wreckers" trilogy.

 

Lawrence, Iain. The Cannibals #2. Delacorte, 2005 [0-385-73088-8]

In this sequel to "The convicts" the boys have to escape their prison ship.  They do and in the long boat and are shipwrecked on a strange island where they run into a guy who has been stranded there for a long time.  He tells them about the cannibals in these waters.  The bulk of this 230 page book takes place as the boys and this strange guy are trying to stay away from and escape the cannibals.  This is an exciting conclusion to the tale.  A plus for readers of seafaring and/or adventure stories.

 

Lawrence, Iain. Ghost boy. Delacorte, 2000 [0-385-32789-0]

Harold is an albino, unhappy with his life. One day a circus comes through town and he joins it. Harold considers himself a freak and starts living with the freaks of the circus but ends up being the elephant trainer where he achieves much success. This 326 page book is a tale of self-realization and also a story of circus life. It is very touching and readable!

Lawrence, Iain. Lord of the nutcracker men. Delacorte, 2001 [0-385-72924-3]

It is World War I and Johnny's father, an expert wood carver and toy maker enlists. With every letter his father sends back enclosed is a newly carved soldier. Johnny acts out battles with his ever-growing collection of soldiers and begins to believe what happens with his toys is somehow connected to what is happening on the front. Through letters from his father the reader learns about the harsh realities of World War I. This 212 page book is an excellent piece of historical fiction.

Lawrence, Iain. The Smugglers, 1999 [0-385-32663-7]

This is a companion book to "The wreckers" we once again meet John and his father but the stories are not connected. In this one John's father puts him in charge of their newly purchased ship, The Dragon. They hire a strange captain who John later realizes is a smuggler. John becomes intertwined with a smuggling adventure but at the end comes home with the ship and the smugglers either hanged or arrested. The ending may be a little implausible, but so what, this 181 page book is a great adventure story.

Lawrence, Iain. Lord of the nutcracker men. Delacorte, 2001 [0-385-72924-3]

It is World War I and Johnny's father, an expert wood carver and toy maker enlists. With every letter his father sends back enclosed is a newly carved soldier. Johnny acts out battles with his ever-growing collection of soldiers and begins to believe what happens with his toys is somehow connected to what is happening on the front. Through letters from his father the reader learns about the harsh realities of World War I. This 212 page book is an excellent piece of historical fiction.

Lawrence, Iain. The wreckers, 1998

The suspense builds in this book almost from the opening pages up to the very end so that the reader is almost out of breath reading the book, not knowing when to put it down. The story opens with a sailing ship wrecking on a coast. One boy survives and see the local people killing the surviving sailors. He runs and hides and eventually find out that the people put up beacons to lure ships on the rocks so they can salvage them. The story is interwoven with several sub plots. I found this 196 page book to be a great read.

 

Lester, Alison. The quicksand pony, 1998

The story opens with a young women and her baby running away after the death of the husband/father. It then continues about 9 years later with the people of the town she ran away from. They go out to gather their cattle and come across a 9 year old boy. He is the baby and the mother has since died in the wilderness. This story has many beautifully written parts unfortunately it needs to be filled out. It is wonderful outline for a more complete book. The reader needs to know more about the young lady and boy's life in the wilderness. The years of the town also need to be fuller. Hopefully the author of this 136 page book will write another book -- she has a great deal of potential.

Lester, Julius. Pharaoh's daughter. Harcourt , 2000 [0-15-201826-3]

This is an excellent piece of historical fiction based around the early life of Moses. The author did an incredible amount of research as evidenced by the bibliography and historical notes at the end of the book. Here we get to know Moses, his older sister, and a princess in the palace. Most of the story is told by his older sister but the last third is told by Moses. Lester has created an excellent novel wrapped around Moses without portraying a feeling of religious biblical stories, Charlton Heston, or Cecil B. DeMille. You know the story but this 182 page book lets you experience it.

Levine, Gail Carson. Dave at night, 1999 [0-06-028153-7]

It is 1926 when the book opens with Dave's father dying from a construction accident. His stepmother can't afford to keep him so she sends him to the Hebrew Home for Boys in Harlem. It is a harsh place but he makes friends with his "buddies" while planning to escape after he gets his father's carving back from the mean headmaster. He sneaks out one night and meets a old Jewish fortune teller. This old man introduces Dave to the exciting Harlem nightlife and the wonderful people. He gets back before morning and later succeeds in making several other exciting night journeys. In the end Dave runs away and must make a decision to go back with the help of an influential person he has met, or run away leaving behind the school and his beloved buddies. This 281 page books tells of friendship in the exciting times of the Harlem Renaissance. The reader gets to meet rich and influential artists, musicians, and writers (both black and white.) There is some Yiddish dialect used with no glossary but most of it is handled well contextually.

Levine, Gail Carson. The wish, 2000 [0-06-027901-X] HarperCollins

In her last year in Middle School, Wilma is not popular. One day she helps an old lady and she grants her one wish. Wilma wishes to be the most popular person in her school. She doesn't believe the lady until one day, suddenly everyone wants to talk with her. Wilma realizes that her wish (as she worded it) will end after graduation. The bulk of the book is Wilma dealing with her popularity and struggling over what to do with it. Will she do good things with it, will some of her new friendships last after the spell is over? This 197 page book has a simple premise but it is handled well. How many middle school kids want to be popular - that is the audience for this book.

Levitin, Sonia. Room in the heart. Dutton, 2003 [0-525-46871-4]

This book opens in 1940 in Denmark. The Germans have just signed a treaty with the Danes to "protect" them. This story is told by several people (Danish gentiles, Jews, and a German soldiers.) It is interested to read these various people's perspective at German slowly tightens its grip on this country which continues to stick up for its people (Jews as well.) This 288 page book covers the unique situation that developed in Denmark during World War II, something of which many students may not be aware.

Llewellyn, Sam. Little Darlings. Razor Bill, 2004 [1-59514-066-2]

The Darlings are three children from a very rich family. Their parents don't want to deal with their evil antics so the children are raised by nannies. A new nanny arrives only to case out the home and rob it and the kids decide to steal her Jaguar. Unfortunately she comes out while the kids are still in the back seat and end up going away with her. The nanny is part of an criminal organization involved in a crazy scheme which is contrary to another criminal group. There are all kinds of antics and the children, fed up with their home end up helping the nanny and her group. This 284 page book has a "Series of Unfortunate Events" feel. The author is British so there are a lot of "Britishisms." If the reader can get past that, it is an enjoyable read.

Logue, Mary. Dancing with an alien. HarperCollins, 2000 [0-06-028318-1]

Branko is on Earth to save his planet -- all the women have died and Earthwomen are compatible. He had studied humans a long time in his quest to get a breeding female. Unfortunately he falls in love with Tonia, HS girl, while he is getting to know her. Here is a love story centered around a science fiction premise. This 134 page book would be a good story for reluctant readers. I loved the ending.

Lowry, Lois. Gathering blue. Houghton Mifflin, 2000 [0-618-05581-9]

Once again the author takes us to a future society in which most people live in abject poverty. Their religious life centers around an all-day ceremony which involves a singer who wears a intricate robe, carrying an extensively carved stick. Kira is orphaned and is a master weaver and dyer so after the death of her mother she ends up living in the lap of luxury so she can work on the ceremonial robe. Once there she discovers two others involved in the ceremony who also were orphans --- very strange. What is happening in the society? This is a thought-provoking 215 page book.

Lowry, Lois. Gossamer. Yearling, 2006 [[978-0-385-73416-5]

This 154 page book is a very comforting story.  It tells the story of little creatures who provide nice dreams to people.  They go around at night gathering memories from objects in the person's house by touching them.  Then while the person is sleeping, they flutter up and bestow these memories on the sleeping person who then has pleasant dreams.  This story centers around an elderly lady who takes in a foster child from a family with an abusive father.  Of course there are also creatures which bestow bad memories to bestow on the people.  The good dream creatures are always trying to outdo the nightmare-creating creatures.  Although the beginning of the story is a little confusing until the reader figures out what is happening and who these creatures are, I found this story very pleasant.

 

Lowry, Lois. Messenger. Delacorte, 200 [0-385-73253-8]

Matty  lives with the Seer in the Village.  The Village has always been open to visitor but when its residents vote to close it off, Matty must take one last messenger trip tell people of the Village closing and to pick up the Seer's daughter.  To do this he must travel through the Forest, something he has done many times, but it has become haunted and more dangerous lately.  Can he make it back with the Seer's daughter in time?  Is he willing and/or able to face the danger?  This 169  page book is a "companion" to her "Giver" and "Gathering Blue."  It ties the three together.

Lubar, David. Dog days. Darby Creek, 2004 [1-58196-025-5]

Larry loves baseball and also stray dogs.   This summer he currently has three that he is trying to find a home for but the cost of dog food keeps going up.  He has to pay for it because his parents cn barely pay the bills.  Larry is always looking for ways to earn money with chores, etc.  One day Paul,. his little brother, pulls Larry off the baseball field because he found a dog in an alley with "blood on the wall."  When they arrive, there is red stuff on the wall and the dog growls at Larry which is weird because most dogs love him.  Over the next few days while Larry is looking for new ways to pay for dog food, they go by the alley and sometimes find the growling dog with fresh spots on the wall and sometimes he is not there.  What is with the dog?  What are the reoccurring stains on the wall?  Will Larry end up taking in a new dog?  If so, how can he pay for the food?  I only purchased this easy 78 page book because I like the author's writing.  It could be used for high interest/low level reading since Larry's age is not mentioned.

 

Lubar, David. Dunk. Clarion, 2002 [0-618-19455-X]

Fifteen-year-old Chad lives on the Jersey shore and it is the summer. There is a new dunk the bozo guy on the boardwalk and he is enamored at how he can hook in the suckers. Then he finds out he is the new roomer in their house who he does not like. Then suddenly he best friend is taken seriously ill. Also, he can't get up the courage to ask a certain girl out. It all makes him want to give up! Will Chad be able to work things out for the summer? This 246 page book is told with humor and a true understanding of the adolescent mind.

Lubar, David. Flip. TOR, 2003 [0-765-30149-0]

Eighth grader Ryan sees a bunch of disks coming from a UFO. He already is a wise-guy, troublemaker but after he figures out how to work the disks... oh well. The disks allow him to temporarily become famous people from Earth's history. The disks become addictive and he needs them more and more. He does not care how they are changing things for him at home, with his friends, and at school. Luckily he has a helpful twin sister and a very good friend. There are many humorous situations in this book and is one of those science-fiction books in which you forget it is science-fiction. One can draw many parallels with drug abuse although this 299 page book is not preachy... it is a great read.

Lubar, David. Hidden talents. TOR, 1999 [0-812-541707]

Martin who cant resist cruel insults to everyone is sent to a residential alternative school. There he meets other classmates Flinch, Cheater, Torchie, Trash, Bloodthirsty and more. The process of living in this school reminded me a great deal of Sachar's "Holes." Martin starts to realize that some of his friends appear to have some hidden talents which make them appear like trouble makers. Throughout all this, the school is preparing to be evaluated and possible consolidated with other schools. This 213 page book is an entertaining read.

Lubar, David. Sleeping freshman never lie. Dutton, 2005 [0-525-47311-4]

It is Scott's first year at High School. He has to put up with all the nonsense of being a lowly freshman while trying to get a hot babe (who he has known since Kindergarten) to notice him. Then.. what about the girl with many piercings and pink died hair? In this 279 page book Lubar has humorously captured the life and feelings of a teenage young man. He is right up there with some of the better Korman works such as "A semester in the life of a garbage bag", "Son of Interflux", and "Twinkie squad." I can't wait for his next book.

Lubar, David. Punished. Darby Creek, 2006 [978-1-58196-042-5]

NOTE: This is an elementary book that I purchased because I enjoy the author's work. Logan and his friend were running around the library when a man appears, annoyed saying "You need to be punished." He takes a book and blows dust off it onto Logan's face.  His "pun"ishment is that everything he says has puns in it.  It drives everyone at home and school crazy.  The only way he can break the spell is to go on three quests: to find seven oxymorons, seven anagrams, and seven palindromes.  What follows in this 96 page book is a series of fun word adventures as Logan tries to gather all the things he needs to break the spell.  Although this book is elementary, it would a fun read-aloud or even in a language arts writing class.

 

Lubar, David. Wizards of the game. Philomel, 2003 [0-399-23706-2]

Mercer's middle school has a fund raising project for a homeless shelter. He is very into a fantasy roleplay game with wizards, etc. and convinces the school to have a convention at the school to raise money. It is a great idea until an writer on the school paper writes an article connecting it with devil worship and wizardry and the article gets in the local town paper. This on its own would be a great story of a struggle in a school but once again Lubar sneaks in some science fiction by having some wizards from another world appear and appeal to Mercer for help. This 166 page book is a fun read with two stories intertwined.

Luiken, Nicole. Silver Eyes. Pocket Books, 2001 [0-7434-0078-x]

This sci-fi book opens with Angel being trained as a security firm for this huge interplanetary company. The problem is that is does not remember her past. Slowly she realizes that he has had a "loyalty chip" implanted in her mind which keeps her loyal to the company and wipes out her previous memories until... she meets Mike, a rebel. Slowly she starts to believe that she was part of Mike's revolution. When she and Mike are invited to large science contest, every thing gets turned around. Can Angel work against her chip? Can she go back? This 256 page book is full of many plot twists. There is a previous book to this one which not reviewed well at all, but I really loved this one.

Lunn, Janet. The hollow tree. Viking, 2000 [0-670-88949-0]

It is 1777 and Phoebe is thrown into the Revolutionary War against her will. He father goes off to fight at Bunker Hill and is killed and her boyfriend runs off to fight for the British. When he suddenly reappears and is hanged in the town square as a traitor, she ends up taking a note for him to the British commander -- way up north. This 208 page book deals mostly with her trek through the woods, meeting up with colonists who think she is a traitor, and having to survive as a loner. I found it to be an interesting book with real-life situations during a time of struggle for many people in our country.

Lupica, Mike. The big field. Philomel Books, 2008 [978-0-399-34625-8]

Hatch is a shortstop on his team which has a chance to make it to the championship games which are played on the professional big field.  Baseball is Hatch’s life and he is the best on his team until a new kid arrives who is just as good and ends up taking Hatch’s shortstop position, moving him to second base.  To top it all, Hatch’s father was the shinning start baseball player in the town when growing up but never really made it when he got to the minor leagues.  Now he drives limos and catties golf… and drinks beer.  This 243 page book is about the complex relationship between a father and son while a teammate is trying everything to outshine him.  Once again, Mike Lupica has written a great sports story with a complex plot that is very readable for sports fans and non-sports fans like me.  He doesn’t fall into the trap of writing tediously long play-by-play descriptions of all the games.  I think this is Lupica’s best so far.

 

Lupica, Mike. Heat. Philomel Books, 2006 [0-399-24301-1]

Michael is the star pitcher on his Little League team.  Several years ago he, his brother Carlos, and his father arrived from Cuba.  Now, a few month before Carlos is 18, their father dies and they try to keep it a secret so they will not go into foster care.  This 220 is a sports story along with a touching story of two brothers trying to make it alone while hiding that their father died living in the shadow of Yankee Stadium.  The reader shares the boy's fear of authority, Michael's adoration of El Grande, and his sudden attraction to a mysterious girl who suddenly appears.  A great multi-level story.

 

Lupica, Mike. Miracle on 49th Street. Philomel Books, 2006 [0-399-24488-3]

After Molly's mother dies of cancer she finds out that her father is a famous Boston Celtics basketball player.  He does not know that Molly exists until one day she figures out a sneaky way to meet him alone and tell him.  At first he doesn't believe her but after reading a letter her mother wrote he begins to face the possibility that it might be true.  Unfortunately, the jeopardizes his endorsement contracts because he is billed at one of few "clean cut" athletes.  He wants they to get genetic testing but she refuses saying that she wants he to want her for who she is, not just because of a DNA test.  At the end of the story, the reader is flipped back and forth, sure of how the story will end.  This 246 page book wraps up nicely on Christmas Eve, the night Molly must decide who she will live with.

 

Lupica, Mike. Summer ball. Philomel Books, 2007 [978-0-399-24487-2]

In this sequel to Travel Team we once again meet up with short Danny Walker as he heads out to a high pressure basketball camp which pulls impressive players and coaches from all over the country.  Right off the bat, Danny has problems with the cabin arrangements but through this he meets a younger boy who is also short.  They learn to support each other.  The worse thing that happens is his coach.  He and Danny do not get along.  They constantly are at odds with each other.  Of course since some of the best players from around the country, Danny knows a few.  Some are past friends and at least one is a past rival.  Once again Lupica hits the mark with this 244 page book.  He knows how to write a sports book which will hold the attention of athletes but does not get  to bogged down in  the narration of the games to put non-athletes off from reading them.  His books are a wonderful asset to a middle school library.

 

Lupica, Mike. Travel team. Philomel, 2004 [0-399-24150-7]

Danny is short, but one of the best basketball players in town and his father was also short who became a basketball celebrity until a car accident.  When Danny reaches 7th grade he tries out for the travel basketball team and he (along with others) is shocked when he does not make the team.  His father, since divorced from his mom, has become a kind of drifter and decides to start his own team with Danny as the star.  This 274 is a complex sports story, not one full of accounts of games.If you don't have them, you have to have Lupica's sports books for your library.  The kids love them.

 

Lyga, Barry. Boy Toy. Houghton Mifflin, 2007 [978-0-618-72393-5//0-618-72393-5]

This is the story of Josh, a HS boy whose life was totally changed by a teacher, Eve.  One day Josh is invited  home daily by Mrs. Sherman to help her with her Master's project.  This was convenient for his parents because Josh's mother just got a job and was concerned about leaving him home alone.  It isn't long before Josh fell in love with Mr. Sherman who he now calls Eve and their relationship grows closer and more physical. Their relationship can not be kept secret too long and Mrs. Sherman is arrested and sent to jail for child abuse.  After five years of therapy now Josh has not been able to date or even maintain friendships. When Eve is released from jail they whole thing comes to a head.  Josh decides he must confront Eve and finds her address online on a sexual predator site.  Even though they are not supposed to meet,  Josh goes to her apartment where she finally convinces him that she used him and never was in love with him.  All except the neatly wrapped up ending, this 410 book is well written.  I would NEVER recommend this book for a middle school.  It is full of descriptive sexual situations.  The sex is not overdone as it shows how Eve slowly entraps Josh into a relationship.  It is really needed for the story.  This topic is something we all need to think about and shows how a sexual predator can totally change a young person's life for a long time, if not forever.

 

Lynch, Chris. Slot Machine, 1995

This is a great YOUNG ADULT coming of age story. Elvin is an overweight 13-year-old sent to a boys sports-type camp. Everyone must go in a "slot" which is a sport. He starts out struggling in football, moves on to other sports ends up in wrestling which he starts to like but is thrown out from. Meanwhile his friend is trying to get in with the fun in-crowd of older boys. He goes through all sorts of initiation type things such as heavy drinking and one of which is going in the woods and being force to watch a movie (run on generator) called Barnyard Hijinks. In it a lady and her assistant had "several farm beasts working harder than any creature has labored since the invention of the mechanical tractor...The movie was disgusting". While these initiation rituals are an very important part of the story. I can not put a book in my middle school library that has references to bestiality (no matter how carefully disguised.) That one paragraph is so unfortunate because the rest 241 page book is just wonderful. The boy and his friends grow up a lot over the summer while learning a great deal about themselves and life in general.

 

Lyon, George Ella. Sonny's house of spies. Atheneum, 2004 [0-689-85168-5]

It is 1947 and just before his father leaves for good, he hears him say "A man can't live in a house of spies!"  His father is gone and Sonny doesn't know why.  His mom starts going to a conservative Christian Church and one of the men members starts comes coming over to the house frequently.  Sonny ends up working in this man's donut shop and eventually finds out that this man is contact with his dad.  While trying take care of his younger brother, Sonny becomes friends with a new neighbor girl.  One day Sonny hears that his father has gone off with the "queers" (the word used in the book.)  There is a cute page where Sonny tries to explain sex to his younger brother. Sonny finds a letter and confronts the donut guy who admits that he was "allergic to girls" and loved his father very much.  That night the donut shop burns down and the man dies.  After a while Sonny's dad starts talking to his mom again and eventually talking to Sonny on the phone.  This 298 page is a touching story of a boy trying to deal with a father who has left the family for a reason that he can't understand.  There is of course the homosexual theme in the book, but nothing is descriptive at all... just that the father is "queer."