What Kilby's Reading

Okay, so I know that Avi has won a ton of awards for his writing, but Crispin the Cross of Lead didn't win a Kilby award. In fact, I slaved through this novel which was not only predictable but, well...dull. Either Crispin is incredibly stupid or his mother raised him under a rock because he shuffles and stutters through the whole novel. He's afraid of everything, has no skills, and just stinks as a protagonist. Even we underdogs cannot relate to this guy. Cripsin is chased by ruthlesss, corrupt noblemen through the whole novel and frankly, I really don't care. In fact, if they had caught him in chapter two the novel might have moved faster. Sorry folks, this book is a snoozer and I give it two thumbs down for quality. Given the choice for historical fiction I would stick with Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson or Montmorency, Thief, Liar Gentlemen by Updike.

Book seven of the Demonata series, Death's Shadow, by Darren Shan, leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to gore, but it lacks just a tiny bit on plot. Shan brings back characters from other novels: Sharmilla and Kernel from book two, Juni from book three, Bec from book four (in fact Bec tells the story), and introduces a new entity...a.k.a. "The Shadow." I think Demonata readers will agree with me, however, that Grubbs, (who makes a cameo) is our favorite character and he's just not in this novel enough for my taste. The Shadow wasn't nearly interesting enough to make up for the fact that Grubbs isn't a central character. And Bec, while a slightly interesting new voice--doesn't quite come through as an individual so much as a channel to relay the narration. Hard-core Shan fans will stick it out because the novel is sort of a transitional one--a bridge between one novel and another (or at least it reads that way), but new readers should start with book one, Lord Loss.

Swallowing Stones, by Joyce McDonald, is your classic "what would you do?" novel. It's a 6 o'clock news situation. Michael gets a new rifle for his birthday (he's a big hunter) and he is not supposed to fire it until he goes hunting. He figures it's no big deal really, and besides he's been waiting for this rifle forever. Michael goes into the woods behind his house and fires the rifle--just once--into the air. A mile away a man drops dead. When the police discover the man was shot by a rifle, it hits the news, Michael has to make a decision. Do I tell? Do I hide the rifle? Or was it even me? What would you do? A great story that I think could really happen. The suspense will keep you into this novel from start to finish.

One of the things it is important to do as an educated teen is to learn about cultures other than your own. Knowing about the way other people live makes you more empathetic, or understanding, of those who don't look like you in the mirror, and a better human being over all. Shabanu Daughter of the Wind, by Suzanne Fischer Staples is one of those books that will expand your horizons, help you to relate to others, and is simply a fabulous read. Shabanu lives in Pakistan, and is one of two daughters in a Muslim family. Her family isn't strict with her, even though she will one day have to marry the guy they choose, but she knows him--and she likes the idea of marrying him when she grows up--in fact, she may even love him. But something very tragic happens, and her future husband is whisked away and married to someone else (you won't believe who), and she might be married to a much older guy. Should she put up with it and honor her family or should she run away to her aunt's house? This novel has it all...romance, tragedy, voilence, politics, religion, choices...one of the best novels ever--you should give it a try. Hopefully you won't cry as hard as I did at the end (and I never do that). The great news is that if you like Shabanu, we have 2 sequels that go with it!

That's it, I am officially a Jordan Sonnenblick junkie. I will be reading everything this man writes from now on. I fully understand how and why he got on the Lone Star list, and I understand how when I met him last year (check the left for my photo with him) he was so hysterical. Zen and the Art of Faking It features San, an adopted Asian kid who moves around a whole lot. He moves so much, as a matter of fact, that he assumes a new identity wherever he goes. In Los Angeles he is a surfer, in New York a skater, and so on and so on....now he has moved again and as luck would have it he is labeled a Buhddist monk-type, which works for him and causes great fortune with basketball and the ladies, until...well you have to read the book. I was ROFLing the entire novel, and I bet you will be too.

I was really attracted to this novel by Steven Herrick because it seemed silly; who wouldn't want to read a book with the title Naked Bunyip Dancing? Well, not me as it turns out. First of all, I read the book and still had to look up what a Bunyip was (a mythical creature of Aboriginal legend said to inhabit water and watercourses, an imposter, or phony, BTW), and I couldn't make sense of the random voices. You see...each chapter is told by a student in an Australian classroom. Usually I can get past the "other country slang" but this novel was thick with it. The teacher was a corny hippie cliche, the kids were just silly times like fourteen thousand, and I just couldn't groove on it. Sorry, this one gets a thumbs down rating. If you read it and like it, please explain it to me.

This novel, I Heart You, You Haunt Me, written by Lisa Schroeder, is written in verse (which I love) because it makes the novel so quick and easy to read. Ava is only in high school when her boyfriend dies in a freak accident. They were true soulmates, and they say true soulmates are never apart...right? Well, Jackson proves that idea when his spirit returns to follow Ava everywhere she goes. Okay, so I know it's a bit stalker-ish, but who wouldn't want a boyfriend so utterly devoted to you that even in death he can't stand to be one moment without you? Sigh...a romance to be reckoned with for sure.

Martin lives in a world where everyone has a vote--every morning. In fact, every family is required to get up at dawn, stand in front of the wall T.V. and pledge, then vote on whatever issue the President needs help with that day (like what color to change the curtains to in the Oval Office). Kids aren't born, they arrive when requested by parents, and each new "model" of kid is better. Martin is an older model, a 14, which gets him in some trouble from time to time. But all in all, the world is a pretty perfect place. Or is it? When the "Superbabies" (a newer model of child) are taken from town because they are not functional amongst older models, Martin becomes furius and embarks on a journey to find where "they" have taken his superbaby sister...and finds some unlikely answers. I enjoyed the book because of the journey part, and because there is no such thing as a perfect world. No matter how you plan it, execute it, write it or dream it, a perfect world doesn't exist and never will. Clare Dunkle. the author has a gift for making that clear. Note: This book is on order and not currently in our collection.

Luther T. Farrell is the luckiest middle schooler on planet Earth. He's got a driver's license, his own ride, 90 grand in the bank, and more money in his pocket than he can possibly spend. So what's the problem? Well, Luther's mom is a criminal. She's not the mobster type who "rubs out" those who make her angry, she's more of a petty thief, although her actions do hurt others. The trade off for Luther's extra privileges is compromising his morals. How do you stand up for what's right, moral (and legal) when your mom will not allow it? This book is hysterical--more than once I snorted out loud. But, it does delve a tiny bit into the life of a teen male facing puberty which is funny, but sort of gross. While there is no profanity per se, there are some sections of the novel that are a bit edgy because of the whole puberty issue.

If you have ever read Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson then you know Smallpox is one wicked virus. Thankfully they eradicated it in 1976. It no longer exists. Or does it? Did you know that top-secret labs around the world have frozen smallpox virus stored away and are studying it? Well, that's okay, right? I mean, what if they find a cure? That's all fine and good, but why do they need one? There hasn't been a case of Smallpox since 1976, and if that frozen virus were to get loose, or if some crazy moron were to use it as a bioweapon (a terrorist perhaps), then we would all be toast. Not toast actually, but a lump of festering flesh. Read this true story about the crazy things scientists are doing with this virus, and the risks that governments around the world are taking...if you dare.

For all of you Gary Paulsen fans out there (Hatchet, How Angel Peterson Got His Name), you simply must pick up Lawn Boy. This short, LOL book is about a kid named Michael who gets an old clunker of a riding lawn mower from his grandpa for his birthday. Yipee...except, when he goes to ride it around a little, a neighbor offers him $20 to mow his lawn. By dinnertime Michael has $60 in his pocket. So what's so great about this book? Michael is convinced by one guy to invest in stock, (watch the news and you know that's risky business) and page by page my heart beat faster because I wanted to know if that guy would steal Michael's money. It's amazing how much tension and suspense an author can pack into 80 pages.

The cover of Eileen Spinelli's new book, Summerhouse Time, does little to make a reader want to pick it up. That's unfortunate, because it's a really good story. When I was younger my family used to go and hang out at family get-togethers, cook out, and go to amusement parks. I had older cousins who were my BFFs, and then suddenly, it's like they outgrew me and didn't want anything to do with me; I never could understand that. And neither can Sophie. Every year her family joins the rest of her cousins and aunts and uncles at a beach house, and they pretty much party the summer away. But things are changing, and Sophie worries that the cousin she loves so much is lost to her. The novel is written in verse--which means unrhymed poetry. There are very few words on each page. Therefore, the novel is a breeze to read through in very little time. Beachcombers, especially girls, will chuckle their way through this read.

I love to read novels in verse. Walking on Glass by Alma Fullerton is so easy to read. Each page might have 50 words or less, but each word packs a punch. The novel is about a boy (his name is never given) who is forced to visit a psychiatrist and keep a journal, something he sees as a very female thing to be forced into. It's obvious he has suffered a very traumatic event, but the story doesn't tell the reader right away what that event was. (Trust me, it's very chilling) In addition, this boy has a best friend named Jack. Jack is a gangsta wannabe, and the boy must decide if his fate will be entwined with Jack's. The conclusion of this little gem will give you chills, promise.

For many people, an illness that can kill is the last thing you want to read about. At least it was that way for me. My dad died of Leukemia when I was a teenager, so Ways to Live Forever, by Sally Nicholls did not exactly sound like an entertaining read to me. Boy was I mistaken! Sam has Leukemia, but that doesn't stop him from living, or from asking the questions that everyone is afraid to answer. What happens after you die? Why do kids get sick? This book, told in Sam's voice, was wonderful and powerful. Sam doesn't get the answers from adults, instead he gets the answers from his experiences. For example, one day he goes for a ride on a blimpand he describes it, "...It felt very funny looking out, because you were sort of separate from everything—you couldn't talk to anyone down there or swim in the lakes or climb the hills—but at the same time you were still kind of a part of it...You were still there. You were just looking at it from a different angle, from very far away." I hope that is what heaven is like, and that my dad is looking down at me...just from a different angle.

If you want a book with ACTION, Stormbreaker, by Anthony Horowitz, is the book for you! From page one Alex Rider is faced with the murder of a loved one and recruited as a spy for the British MI6. It's business as usual for MI6, but it's personal for Alex. Through advanced spy techniques training, Alex becomes better than the average spy in just days, and that's good. England is about to be destroyed by the release of a new supercomputer called Stormbreaker, which has been given free to public scools. The best part of this book is the constant speed, cool spy gadgets and interesting brush-with-death escapades. I'm checking out the next book in this fabulous series today!

Panem (what used to be the United States) is now divided into 12 districts. 1 District rules them all...with an iron fist. Every year Panem has a nationally televised event called "The Hunger Games" where 24 young people from all 12 districts compete and fight until only one is left standing. The only rule is no cannibalism. Will Katniss, the young heroine with excellent hunting skills win, or will Peeta, the baker's son from home (who has secret skills) be the last one left standing? This is a survival story unlike any others. It's violent, it's raw and it's extremely interesting. If you like survival stories and don't mind reading a novel that is 384 pages this one's for you. If you're squeamish about blood, avoid it. BTW...Stephen King wrote a very positive review of this one! And your humble Mrs. Kilby LOVED it.

The Reminder by Rune Michaels is fantastic! Daisy, or Daze for short, thinks she keeps hearing her dead mother's voice. And she is hearing it...but she's not sure if she is hearing her mother's ghost or if her mother is still alive. This is an amazing mystery that is short, interesting, and has a twist at the end that I dare you to guess. A must read for mystery fans.

Evie and her sister Annie weren't always unhappy. You see, they weren't even born Evie and Annie. Their father, a dedicated cop, chose to do the right thing and testify in a very dangerous case where an innocent boy was murdered. Now, the family is on the run. But life in the Witness Protection Program is far from a good time. Can you imagine leaving everything and everyone you know behind and being swept away to a place you did not choose and you know nothing about? Can you imagine having to lie to every new person you met? Can you imagine never, ever being able to see relatives or best friends again? If you can't, read Hush by Jaqueline Woodson, and you'll feel just a little bit what that can be like. This is a book that deals more with the girls' feelings after the move and not with the Witness Protection Program itself. So if you're looking for an action book, this one is not for you, but deep-thinkers will love it.

n the early 1900s many people were very interested in the paranormal and the occult--that's a fact. There were tons of mediums who supposedly could contact the dead and relay their messages to the living. Scooter King's mom is one of these mediums in the novel Seance, and like so many others, she is a fraud. While she pretends to be speaking with the dead (for a small fee), Scooter moves around in the dark touching people with his "spirit hands" and performing other tricks. One day a famous magician named Houdini blows into town and claims that he will expose every fake medium who lives there. Scooter loves Houdini (who doesn't?) and when he goes to the theater to see the act he actually gets to meet him...but not before he discovers a dead body in Houdini's torture tank. The book was very well written; and the neatest part is that Houdini was a real guy, and an amazing magician who really did threaten to expose every fake medium in the world. The blend of fact and fiction makes for a phenomenal story! Plus, the slang they used in the early 1900s is SO funny you'll snort out loud.

Rodman Phillbrick creates a world after the "Great Shake" where everything is scorched, the streets are ruled by violent gang-bangers, and Spaz, a boy who suffers from siezures, is caught up in the gang life--that is until he gets a message from a runner. His sister is dying, and her last request is to see him. Spaz bravely heads towards home, where the gang-lord has banned him from going, so that he can try and save his sister's life. On the treacherous journey he meets a girl from Eden, the only beautiful place left on Earth, and he gains new hope for his sister. The action in this novel is nonstop. The slang that Spaz uses is nothing like our slang, but it's easy to understand exactly what Spaz is means. There are a few violent scenes that might make you a little queasy, but if you have a strong stomach you should absolutely check this book out.

Cornelia Funke's books are technically sci-fi, but they always start in the world you and I live in and then bleed into fantasy. The Thief Lord is no different. Two kids, Bo and Prospo, have recently been orphaned and are living on the streets of Venice, Italy. They are on the run from their evil aunt who wants to separate them. The two boys hang with a street gang lead by a kid who calls himself "Thief Lord" and who has found them an old, abandoned theater to live in. Thief Lord often conducts heists, or robberies that help feed the crew. But when Bo and Prospo's aunt hires a private investigator to find the boys, things threaten to go wrong...and the item the crew means to steal turns out to be something very special...The novel was well crafted, but I prefered Cornelia's book Inkheart. The story was told very well, but I was sort of able to figure out what was going to happen before it did, and I really prefer to be surprised by the books I read.

Believe it or not, this is the first Meg Cabot book I've ever read! All-American Girl starts with Sam, an artist who dresses exclusively in black, and who sells her drawings of friends with movie stars instead of doing her German homework. Result? She's nearly failing and despite her pleas that German is "stupid" her mother decides to punish her...by placing her in an art class. Doesn't sound like much of a punishment, but Sam already knows how to draw; she's got better things to do than listen to someone criticize her artwork, and that's exactly what happens. But then...something happens and Sam becomes famous. That's a good thing, right? If you like a sarcastic voice that will make you LOL, this is the book for you--sorry, guys. This one's a work of "chick lit." Men need not read.

If you read the City of Ember by Jeanne Du Prau, and plan on seeing the movie when it comes out this October (see preview here http://www.cityofember.com/), then you simply must read the Prophet of Yonwood. This book is what takes place before the City of Ember is built, and contains hints as to the nature of what put the Emberites in the city to begin with. It also makes one think about the purpose of religion. Should religion be a personal choice? Should all people be required to follow at least some religion? Are the bad things that happen in life punshiment from God? If we are good can we avoid disaster? Is religion the same as faith? It's an exciting, mysterious read that makes you think. The best possible kind of book.

If you read Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman and loved it (like me) then you simply must read Cruise Control. Paul is a gifted athelete who seems destined to get a college scholarship for how well he can put the basketball through the hoop. He wants it, oh yes, he wants it, but he knows that even if it's offered he can't take it. You see, his brother Shawn is confined to a wheelchair, afflicted with cerebal palsy so badly that he can't even speak. To make matters worse, Paul's dad split years ago, and only stops by when he wants something from them. How can Paul possibly go away to college and abandon his Mom and sister to take care of Shawn alone the way his dad did? Wouldn't leaving make him a monster?

If you're nuts about Pirates of the Carribean and The Lightening Thief, then this is the book for you! Peter and his friends are orphans being shipped from their school to a small, violent country where they will be servants to an evil king. Along the way, however, they discover that their ship is carrying a very precious cargo that might get them all killed. There's a lot to like in this book; action-tons of it, gore--an ample serving, gross stuff--almost too much for me, and stinky pirates--too many to count! The best part of this book is how it explains all the mysteries in the world that scientists have been trying to solve forever. And it was all so simple had they only read this book....

Evernight by Claudia Gray has all the romance of the Twilight series, but way more mystery and originality in my opinion. Bianca, the protagonist, is forced to attend a private academy, Evernight, by her parents. As soon as she arrives she finds Evernight incredibly disturbing. But then she meets Lucas and starts to fall in love. Will he make Evernight bearable? This novel hits the reader with new twists and turns in each chapter, one might be on page 100 and be hit with a new plot twist that takes the reader in an entirely different direction than they might have otherwise expected. Some might offer criticism that Everynight is essentially just another one of the trendy vampire novels that are so en vogue now, but I beg to differ. No one could accuse this novel of following a formula or fad. Evernight is entirely original and engaging. Caution though, it's a tad on the edgy side with some heavy make-out scenes and some profanity.

Facing puberty is excruciating, especially for grade-skipping, thirteen-year-old, adopted-genius Sylvia Mark who doesn't fit in at all her suburban high school. After a hallway brawl, Sylvia decides to run away and narrowly escapes capture by a sinister group of men-in-black types who materialize from a dark alley. I love the way Demong draws Sylvia--all short, hunched and awkward. Despite that her stylish hip-hugging pants and cropped T reflect the styles of today without being too smooth. As you read you can figure out the emotion in each character just by looking at the face. Demong is a master of human expression. The crisp, vivid inks in dark tones help make the story fast, and the ghoulish faces that sometimes appear aren't your average Halloween mask. I really liked the story line too, but volume two needs to advance the story a little more. I hope the story isn't going to have Sylvia meeting wtih 100 girls like her....that would get boring fast.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray is the 3rd book in her Gemma Doyle trilogy. If you haven't read A Great and Terrible Beauty or Rebel Angels, the first two books in the series, it's time to do so! I have found that many people who get hooked on the Twilight series naturally move on to A Great and Terrible Beauty. In this third book of the series, Gemma must come to terms with the power of the realms which only she holds. Everyone wants it back. The Rakshana, the Forest Folk, the Fairies, The creatures of the Winterlands, even her teachers at Spence Academy; no matter which dimensioin Gemma, Felicity and Anne visit they find themselves in danger from the magic, but they desire the magic above all other things. In this conclusion to the trilogy the reader discovers if Gemma will return the magic to the realms, keep it for herself, and what the consequences of either action will be. It's a very long book, but I loved it even better than the last. The suspense and treachery is at every turn, and I kept looking forward to the next ten minutes I had available to snatch it back up again!

This is actually the second novel in a series that starts with the book Tears of a Tiger. I should have read that novel before Forged by Fire, but that's okay, because these books make fantastic stand-alone novels. (I have also read the third book in the series). This slim volume by Sharon Draper packs a punch--Gerald is a young boy all alone in the world, and as he grows older this doesn't change--with the exception of one beloved person--his sister, Angel. Gerald's mom is a junkie and his stepfather a child-molester so Gerald and Angel don't have life easy. Gerald can't even walk out of the house without agonizing for his sister's safety and he can't count on his mom to help--in fact, mom keeps Jordan, Gerald's stepfather, around--even though she knows the truth about his disgusting actions. How can a mom care about a man more than she does about her own children? Who will save Gerald and Angel? If you like a short book with fast chapters and lots of action, this book is for you. It's the story of a kid who is real, a kid who might be sitting right beside you in class, or a kid who might just be you.

Demon Apocalypse resumes where book five in the Demonata series, Blood Beast, leaves off –soaring through the sky in a jumbo jet plagued by bloodthirsty demons. And, the scenes here are Shan’s most ghoulish work yet. However, it is the decision that Grubbs must make that lies at the beating heart of this novel, and as Shan readers know, when the Demonata are around hearts are often ripped out. This is a transitional novel less driven by plot and character development than by the need to answer questions and unite the action and characters of previous books. Characters like Beranabus, Kernel Fleck, Juni Swan and Bec are all key players in the story. Yet, from the start, the battle scenes seem repetitive, and the timelines and Kah-Gash are a bit confusing. Yet Grubbs makes the most momentous decision of his life and therefore becomes the tragic hero—a hero that despite the tedium in this novel you will want to learn more about in book seven.

Stephenie Meyer's fourth istallment of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, is a brick...over 700 pages; Don't worry though, you'll be 200 pages in before you even realize you've started; it' that engaging. I can't tell you much about the novel without including a spoiler or two so I'll just drop these few tidbits: Bella and Edward do get married (no surprise there), the love triangle that is Edward, Bella and Jacob gets even more odd than it already is, the Volturi make a cameo, and take a clue off the front cover to see how Bella's character evolves. Oh, and a critical new character is introduced. I know that Meyer says that this is her final installment in the Twilight series,and I'm sure she means it. However, I doubt her fans will let this series rest. Like a rock star, she should give at least one more encore!

Have you ever had a babysitting gig with kids so evil you wondered whether or not they were fathered by the devil himself? A job that even if it paid $50 per hour you would rather chew glass than take? Welcome to the world of Edgar and Ellen. These kids are beyond ornery. They are evil incarnate! Edgar and Ellen come up with a plan to raise money in order to hatch malicious schemes against their neighbors. Everyone in town hates them, and with good reason, but the townsfolk are still curious about they way Edgar and Ellen are raising money. Animal rights activists beware. You will loathe their actions. Edgar and Ellen is not a challenging read and has a few light laughs for those of you who prefer easy reads. If you like more meat in your books--skip this series so you don't feel insulted by its childish hijinks.

Move over Sopranos and make room for the Luca family of New York. Vince Luca is the Son of the Mob who wants nothing to do with his dad's so called "vending machine" business, but hard as he tries things keep happening to thwart his efforts to stay clean. After a series of mishaps Vince meets Kendra and instantly falls for her--but there's a glitch. Kendra's dad is "agent Biteme," an FBI agent assigned the task of bringing Anthony Luca, Vince's mob-boss father, to justice. Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman is hysterical. I dare you to read one page without laughing out loud at the nonsense poor Vince must endure. Great comedy with a HBO-style twist!

Cooper's parents died in a car accident shortly after he was born, and he has been raised by his doting grandparents, the Jewitts, who call him their First Boy. His life is pretty normal until a few black sedans roll into town and strange things begin to happen. Suddenly, Cooper is responsible for running the dairy farm single-handedly, and to make matters worse, he has to sidestep robbers and potential kidnappers who have a secret about him that not even he knows. An easy read with plenty to keep your attention, readers new to mystery will really enjoy the story. Those of you who are mystery buffs, however, will figure out the ending long before you get to the last page.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne took my breath away. I listened to this novel on audio, and this made the story come alive for me even more than it usually does on the page. But, maybe that is because the story is told through Bruno's eyes--a young German boy barely 9 years old who is oblivious to what is happening in "Outwith" where he and his family have moved. I sypmathize with Bruno and all that he feels at having to move away from his home in Berlin to this awful place; I am also amazed at how innocent his perspective on the world is. Perhaps he could not possibly imagine the horrors that are taking place "over the fence" and perhaps that is why so many people in the world didn't see, or didn't care to see what was happening in Europe during WWII. But now we know more, so why are such horrible atrocities like genocide still happening? And, what can we do to stop it? I confess, I haven't paid nearly as much attention to the genocide in the world now, like Darfur. If you want to know more about how you can say no, visit TAKE ACTION NOW and learn how to make a difference.

This Side of Paradise, by Steven Layne is sort of like The Stepford Wives with a razor edge. Jack Barrett has always been happy living with his family, including his mom, dad, brother Troy and Gram,even though his dad is often on edge. But now Jack's dad has a new job at a marvelous company called Eden. It seems like this will be a great thing, until his dad insists on moving the whole family to Eden's corporate village--Paradise. Instead of making things better, however, the move starts with violence, and quickly moves to oddity. Something is not quite right in Paradise, and Jack needs to find out what. Otherwise, he suspects he may not live to find out. The suspense in his novel rocks...maybe not quite the best mystery I've read this summer, but at least the second best! In fact, I just ordered this author's next novel, Mergers, and I can't wait to see it.

What does death feel like? Gary Soto attempts to answer ths question through his character Chuy who realizes he is dead (read the book to see how) and tells the story of his Afterlife immediately after death. The novel starts out with a bang in a restroom where Chuy is in the wrong place at the wrong time...and....then, in my opinion, slowly goes downhill from there. The biggest disappointment to me is the "romantic" way Chuy describes the afterlife and even his death for that matter. Frankly, there are few surprises here--it would have been nice if Soto would have come up with a more creative interpretation of life after death. As the novel stands now, Afterlife is a cliche'. If you've never read this author, I wouldn't start with this novel first.

If you read one book and one book only this year, it must be Compond by S.A. Bodeen. This novel earns 11 out of 10 stars. I highly recommend it. It isn't often that I read an entire book in one day. This novel was the exception. The story is told by Eli, whose father is a mutli-billionaire computer genius. Needless to say Eli has everything he wants and lives a life of luxory...that is until a nuclear warhead is launched on the United States and Eli and his family (or most of them) end up in an underground bomb shelter where they must stay for 15 years until the radiation clears. The crazy thing about this novel is that I started to sense that something wasn't quite right from the very first chapter. I thought maybe the writer just wasn't in tune with human behavior...but as I read on, I discovered the first chapter was just the beginning of a mystery...one that Eli must solve. Everything came together in the end and left me breathless. This is absolutely on my top ten favorites list, and ya'll know I've read a lot! Check it out today.

What if your dad wore thrift-store clothes (unwashed for days) a tiny little cowboy hat and smelled like B.O. and cigarettes? What if you also were forced to spend part of your summer "getting to know" him because he split before you could walk? And what if all of this was so your mom could go to Peru and take in the sights? Then you'd be Katy, a.k.a., "Beige" who blends into every environment...that is except Los Angeles where her dad, "The Rat" plays punk rock for the band Suck who was past it's prime before the Beetles cut their first album. Could things get any more miserable, could Katy be any more angry? You bet, and that's exactly what happens in this novel by Cecil Castellucci...the strengths in this novel are clever chapter titles that go along with actual songs by punk rock bands past and present and give you a feel for what will happen in that chapter. And, the chapters are short and sassy. I think Beige is one of my most favorite characters in any book...it's like she's the normal one while the entire insane world revolves around her. Readers Advisory...you can't have punk rock without profanity, and there are a few 4-letter-words in this one.

Sam's fed up, and rightly so. Her dad is a boozer--a lush. He constantly makes promises he can't keep and disappoints the family on a daily basis. He's the last person Sam can count on. Still, she keeps his secret and never invites a friend over for fear that they may find out her family secret, even when her father does something terrible. Out of desperation Sam decides to leave a note in the library anonymously asking for help from a high school student. She gets an answer, but not exactly as she expected to...Lush, by Natasha Friend, is about what it means to live with a (barely) functioning alcoholic. I thought the story rang true although I think Friend went a little easy on the drama in the house. I mean, when someone is an alcoholic things can get really bad, and the author only included a few examples of how Dad's behavior hurt those around him. But the dialogue made me chuckle here and there despite the subject. I also liked how new surprises appeared in the middle of the book, helping to keep me motivated to read on. Answer me this one question, readers, the librarian at their school was mean; why does the librarian in books always have to be so mean?

“A point guard has to go with the flow of the game. If that means passing the ball five times in a row to the same player, then that’s what it means. But he’s got to recognize changes in the flow, too, because no game stays the same. It’s as if a team is a river spilling down the mountains, all the water searching for the easiest path.”

Nick’s explanation of the point guard position is poetry in motion. Nick is developing his game as a point guard, and it’s not easy. Held back by the conflict at home between his parents, and fading in the shadow of his older, all-star brother, Scott, Nick is barely hanging on. To make matters worse, his hood neighbor, Trent, is out to get him. But Nick loves basketball, he wants to play, and he fights for a first string spot despite the odds against him. Carl Deuker is a genius! Night Hoops was hard for me to put down, even though I am not a fan of basketball, and I’m certainly not a player. Anyone who reads it will look forward to the action in every game and truly begin to value the talent involved in a solid game of basketball. I'm going to the library to get more Carl Deuker novels today.

Fifteen-year-old Dylan is not like her friends, even though they have all grown up in the same small town on Pine Mountain. Since she was six years old she has had gruesome visions of murdered or kidnapped children, starting with the murder of a kindergarten classmate named Clarence. Only her mother and Officer Pesquera know her secret, and she helps the local police department find the bodies of the children. But her soul is heavy because she only finds the children when it's too late. How can she use her visions to save the children? When a new girl moves to town, Dylan's vision become more intense, and her friends begin to grow distant. It seems impossible to keep her secret any longer but how can she possibly tell and risk losing everyone she loves? The tone of this novel is "Poesque" or, in my opinion very dark and creepy. There is a double twist at the end, and I must admit that I had no clue where this was going. If you want an unsolvable whodunit with dark overtones, this one's for you.

Andrea Cheng is the daughter of a Hungarian refugee who moved to the United States after World War II. This novel is based on the experiences of her mother during the War. When I first began the novel, I did not like Marika. She was a spoiled rich kid, in my opinion, whose father gave her everything she wanted and more. She disrespected her parents, her nannies, her tutors, and anyone who didn't have the riches that she had. Or so it seemed. As I read the novel, however, I began to realize that Marika had a reason for her anger, and it wasn't that she was a snob at all. When the NAZI party begin to move closer to Hungary where she lives, the last of Marika's belligerence fades away in the face of losing everyone and everything she loves...including perhaps her own life. If you enjoyed The Diary of Anne Frank you will likely really enjoy Marika. Although it is not in diary form, it is told by Marika in her own childish voice. There are no gaps from day to day, and the story is easy to follow. And because it is based on a true story, it gives yet another real perspective of what every Jew in countries occupied by the NAZI party faced.

It's Nancy Drew meets Hollywood! Lulu Dark is the daughter of a movie star. Well, a former movie star sort of. Once Lulu's mom was at the top of her game making must-see films like Liv Tyler, but now only does "B" horror movies like Paris Hilton. When Lulu's mom suddenly disappears, Lulu is hard pressed to figure out who would want to kidnap her mom and why. That is until "The Fox" begins making demands, and Lulu is thrust into the middle of a mystery that could destroy her mother's hanging-by-a-thread career. This isn't your mom's Nancy Drew, this is mystery Hollywood style--complete with a pink Vespa, crazy gossip columnists, and super-star sunglasses. Lulu Dark is light-hearted fun, and I don't think you'll guess the culprit before the end. I did read them out of order though...grrr...if you've read Lulu Dark can see through Walls, let me know!

I, for one, loved this graphic novel. How often do you see the news about Iraq and not really understand what it's like over in the Middle East? This novel shows you Iran, a country right next to Iraq. It helps you to understand why there are problems in the Middle East through the eyes of a middle school student. Marji witnesses so many bad things growing up...the execution and beatings of friends and family, promises made by leaders and then never kept...instead those same leaders destroying the culture and changing things. Marji had to wear a veil after the Islamic Revolution when some religious extremists took over. She wasn't allowed to shop for CDs or Posters anymore. She couldn't even wear a jeans jacket without being stopped by the local "police." Then, after Iran went to war with Iraq and her next door neighbors die after their street is bombed, Marji's parents have to send her away for safety. This is the best true story I think I've ever read. I cannot wait to read Persepolis II which has already been released.

Check out this creepy cover! I've had Skullduggery: The Bloodwater Mysteries on my reading list for a very long time...here's the skinny. Roni Delicata lives in a town called Bloodwater and is taking a summer studies class (snore) when she and her annoying partner Brian discover an archeologist who has been knocked senseless in a cave right beside a human skeleton. The two sleuths must then discover A.) who clunked him over the head, and B.) is this site the location of an ancient Native American burial ground? But they have to work fast because the whole area is about to be bulldozed. I will say Skullduggery is a fast and easy read that kept my attention. I love short chapters and action, and Skullduggery does a great job providing just that! That being said, Skullduggery is not the best mystery I've ever read, although I think it's not one of those mysteries where you will not guess "who dun it" before you're done reading.

Why do we have dreams?
Are they simply the dumping of information from our brain's cells so that we can start with a clean engine the next day?
Are they a way to predict the future?
Do they protect us from harm?
Do they strengthen us or weaken us?
Where do they come from?

Got Greek?
Percy Jackson is always in trouble, has ADHD, ADD, and has been in 9 different schools over the past few years. He's pretty down about it, until he gets the green light to go visit his mother (a pretty lady married to a really smelly man) and the two go on a trip which helps Percy discover who he really is--a son of the gods. Riordan is perhaps the most clever author I have ever read. He hides clues on every page to the true identities of the characters Percy meets throughout the novel; and, if you are really well versed in Greek mythology (you know a lot about it), you will have no trouble figuring out when Percy should be cautious. This book is loads of fun, and there are 3 sequels besides book one in the series...already I cannot keep it on our librayr shelves.

I read Crank by Ellen Hopkins after a few students recommended it to me. I have to say, this is one of the edgier books I have read for young adults, even though reviews rate it for grade 8 and up; and, it will be a back shelf book at WOMS (permission slip). The book--very much in the tradition of Go Ask Alice--deals explicitly with drugs and the awful things that can take place when a person makes choices while under the influence. Kristina is a normal, every-day gal who has no problems in life--that is until she is tempted by a cute guy to try crystal meth. Needless to say, her life turns into a roller-coaster from that point on. Written in a series of poems that are brilliantly arranged, this book is hard work to read...both stylistically and because of the content.

It's really too bad that this book has a rose on the front because it's a guy's story told by a guy! I'm afraid that some guys at WOMS might shy away from reading it for that reason--my advice to them is read this book! Kyle (a.k.a. Adrian) is a stud-on-campus type with shiny hair, white, sparkling teeth and a killer bod. Every gal wants to date him; but of course, in true popular-stud-on-campus tradition, he only dates hotties. Then one day a mysterious, ugly gal shows up at his school and Kyle decides (unwisely) to give her a hard time. He ends up cursed to look on the oustide exactly the way he is on the inside--hideous. From then on he is "beastly" looking and must find a girl who will love him despite his heinous appearance in order to lift the curse. What a great story...sound familiar? Don't worry, even though you think you may have heard this one before, Beastly comes off fresh.

Annemarie lives in Denmark during the NAZI occupation of WWII. When the command is given for Jewish people to be deportated, Annemarie's family gets involved by becoming part of the underground movement to smuggle Jews into Switzerland because Annemarie's family understands what will happen to those deported. This book interested me for three reasons. First, I was glad it did not center around a NAZI concentration camp. Those types of books are so violent and brutal I cannot sleep for nights on end. And secondly, it was so neat to hear how chemists designed a secret chemical potion that made it impossible for dogs to smell humans who were being hidden. Thirdly, I thought it was interesting to hear about the people who put themselves in harm's way to save the lives of others. They are such heroes. I don't know if I would have had the courage to do this...would you?

Logan Moore has an evil stepfather who clearly wishes Logan's mom was single. The feeling is mutual. Logan is filled with hate for pretty much everyone he comes in contact with until he gets a kennel dog who he names Jack. Jack is the only one who accepts Logan the way he is, and the two are fast friends. However, a virus breaks out in the canine community, one that can jump to humans and kill quickly. Dogs are being executed out of paranoia. How will Logan protect Jack?

Do you ever watch that television show The Ghost Whisperer? You know that show where that stunning young woman, Melinda (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) can see ghosts and has done so since she was young? How she tries to give people messages from the beyond and they get all freaked out? Enter Sparrow Delaney. Not only is she a medium, but she comes from a whole line of mediums. She has hid her talent her entire life for fear she will be made fun of in school, until one day when she meets a guy who has to know the truth...there is no other option because a ghost is getting in the way of their love.

This is the closest to Hawaii I've ever been--traveling with a group of guys on a campout to a remote Hawaiian island with lovely crystalline waters, sands made from pumice and hardened lava, towering palm trees and breezes to cool the sweat on my brow. But wild dogs, pele, according to local legend (ghosts) howl a warning to the boys on their trek to the beach that something devastating is about happen. What is coming, and will they survive it? IIs the beach really haunted? Will Louie, Hawaiian through and through, a guy who seems to hate everyone else on the trip change his hateful ways be a help or will he become an even larger problem...Night of the Howling Dogs...read it.

Abuse can be physical, but more often abuse is emotional, mental, and sticks with a person long after the abuse itself has stopped. Matt understands this as he writes a letter to his youngest sister Emmy, explaining why he made the choices he did to protect her when she was just a baby. Anyone who has been abused and reads this book will be able to connect with Matt and will sympathize with his actions. Ask yourself; how far would you go and what would you do to protect someone you love? For many of us those lines are blurred, and for a person who has been abused, the fear makes answering that question nearly impossible. The Rules of Survival, read it. You'll be forever changed.

MySpace: Change is Possible changed my life, and I mean that literally. Years ago I used to recycle like it was my religion--really--I think I thought recycling would get me into heaven. These past few years I have recycled nothing. That's right. NADA. When I look at my trash every day I am ashamed to think of how much I am polluting our world. Then I read this book, and my friend Tom from MySpace, along with hundreds of other teens set my thinking straight again. Now I recycle as much as I can. Cans, plastic, glass, tin, you name it, I recycle it. And my trash? Well, it's gone down from about 150 bags a year (just for me folks) to about 50 bags per year. Sadly...that's still a lot, but change is important, and I'm trying to help my world a little change at a time-right now the Earth is the only heaven I've got.

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer (that Artemis Fowl guy) is one of the best science fiction novels I have read in like...forever. Cosmo lives in a home for "no sponsors" kids who were abandoned as babies and collected by random orphanages. Cosmo's home is Clarissa Frayne (institute for Parentally Challenged Boys) where he is used as a human lab rat to test products for big companies so that the institute owners can get rich. He looks great! He has silky hair, the latest clothes, great teeth--but he's bleeding to death on the inside from all of the dangerous products he's had to test. His only option? Escape.

The Mysterious Benedict Society has an interesting voice. At first I felt like I was reading a cross between Lemony Snicket and Harry Potter. I probably felt that way because Reynie Muldoon is an orphan and he's very talented...brilliant actually. In fact, all the characters in the novel are both orphans and brilliant. They are recruited to take an impossible test by a man named Mr. Benedict...who, unbeknownst to them, is selecting a team of teen crimefighters to save the world. I had loads of fun trying to solve the puzzles that appear in nearly every chapter, and if you like mind puzzles you will too...who knows, maybe you'll be the next teen to be recruited to Mr. Benedict's team! Good news, the sequel is out, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey. I met Trenton Lee Stewart last week in Dallas and we have an autographed copy for the Lonestar Challenge...of both novels in hardback as one of our prizes!

All you gamers out there, finally something to read besides HALO that will keep your interest! In Conor Kostick's novel Epic, the world we live in, "New Earth", is not the reality. In order to gain wealth, land, an education, even a job, one must clip on to Epic. In this video-game holo-world, players assume an identify, collect money (bezants) and tools to do battle, and go on quests; only through this will they gain any measure of a normal life in the "real" world. Why? The founders of this "New Earth" have forbidden violence of any kind...unless it is in the game. For those of you who are hooked on Epic, worry not. Kostick's new novel, Saga, comes out on May 15th...where the quest continues. Oh, and Epic is a Lone Star winner!

I've always been a fan of Pam Munoz Ryan. I heard her speak once and she made me cry. Her newest book, told in the tradition of Black Beauty is entitled Paint the Wind; I challenge you to read it without tears. The novel centers on two female characters--first, Maya, who lost her parents to a car accident and lives with her grouchy, perfectionist, and rich grandmother. The second main character is Artemisia--a stunning wild horse who was once tame...clearly Maya's alter-ego and the key to Maya's coming of age. If you love riding, if you love horses, if you love camping, this book will keep you riveted to the action. The whole book kept me flashing back to my velvet-coated horse that I kept on my dresser as a kid, all the while pouring through book after book about horses. It was a very fond memory for me, and I would be surprised if this novel doesn't become part of your fond memories too.

Dean has a real attitude problem in Blindspot by Kevin Pyle. He'd rather draw and play war in the woods with his friends than attend school and be home on time. Dean and his friends take a lot of dangerous chances until one day reality takes Dean by surprise and he's forced to grow up. Wonderful graphics with coloring that reflects the changing tone of each chapter, Blindspot is a graphic novel you'll enjoy reading--and one that will make you think.

Crackback by John Coy is dripping with football lingo and testosterone--you'd better be a true football fan to read this novel. In between jaw-dropping, bone-crushing plays and an arrogant screaming coach you'll meet Miles, a gifted athelete who has rubbed Coach Stahl the wrong way because Miles speaks his mind--and is punished for it. What's worse, Miles is one of the few players on the Confluence Team who doesn't shoot up with steriods, and yet gets little respect from Coach. Check it out now, because this novel will not stay on the shelves for long.

April, is a sassy freshman who is the family "misfit" in Dyker Heights, a.k.a. Mobster Central, but lucky for her she has a good head on her shoulders and avoids situations that might get her "whacked." Her brother, however, isn't that bright. He is in love with Bettina Bocceli, daughter of "Bobby the Bull" who doesn't take kindly to oustiders, and he's not smart enough to quit the relationship. As if this weren't complicated enough, April is suddenly faced with her own dilema. Who to date? Not two, but three guys are interested, and April has eyes for the rebel she knows her parents will hate. When I first started the novel I wasn't sure I'd like it. After the second chapter I found myself laughing out loud in a room by myself looking like a lunatic. Think you won't like it? fuhgeddaboudit....this book keeps you on edge and keeps you ROLFing.

Sometimes it's fun to pick up a favorite old novel so that you can savor the experience of loving the words the author has written all over again. The Cay is a novel like this. I first read The Cay perhaps fifteen years ago, a novel that I remember was outstanding and filled with action, but I couldn't quite remember why it stuck in my heart. I checked The Cay out during spring break to read over again, and I was not disappointed. Phillip Enright, a spoiled little white boy, is stranded on a tiny island (a cay) with a black man named Timothy during World War II. Phillip's mother always taught him that "black folks have their place and we white folks have ours." Now Philip must decide whether to ignore his mother's advice and accept Timothy for the man he is, or to continue to treat Timothy as a lesser human being.

What kind of person takes jewelry from a dead body? That's the question when Jamie, Kit and Lucy drive across New Mexico on the way to a Spring Break adventure and they hit something on the road. They back up and find a dead girl lying in a ditch. They tell someone, but is that really the right thing to do? Interestingly, this is not just a mystery, but there are two romances heating up in the novel as well. I lvoed the mystery and the quick chapters that made the action go much faster. The only thing I loathed about this novel was the protagonist, Lucy. Lucy just won't listen to anyone else and has to have everything her own way. Don't you just hate people like this? (hey...who says I'm like that?)

What do a movie star's son, a convicted felon, a gifted althelete, a computer nerd, and two warring siblings have in common? They are all on board a "cruise" ship entitled "Charting New Horizons" which is supposed to make all their problems go away. Yeah, right. Before they know it there being hurled around the deck of a sinking ship, and things seem pretty grim. Who will survive? Let me assure you, not all of them do. You have to read Korman's first installment of an exciting trilogy the Island. It's short, intense, and packed with action. You non-readers will love it!

Did you think that World War II and the Holocaust was the first time that Jews were murdered for being Jewish? Think again. There was a great "Inquisition" in Europe where "heretics" or anyone who wasn't Christian (Catholic) could be accused, tried without a defense, and then murdered. Some were tied to stakes and beaten, some were burned at the stake, some were drowned or crushed with rocks. You probably know all of this already because it happened in the American Colonies too. What you may not know is that many of these "heretics" were actually Jews. This novel by Alice Hoffman, Incantation, was one of the best books I've ever read because it taught me what the Inquisition was really about...racism, greed and hatred. Heartbreaking, gruesome, and yet somehow beautifully written this book demands to be read.

I know all of us who read Life as We Knew It were hoping for a sequel so that we could find out what happens after, do they fix the moon?....no such luck. This "companion" novel to Life as We Knew It, The Dead and the Gone, however, is an enthralling read. Alex is a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent living in NYC when the moon is hit by an asteroid moving it closer to earth. When his father and mother don't return home and weeks go by, he has to become the man of the house to provide for his two sisters. The events unfold fast, and as in the first novel, the need for food and shelter are the two driving factors behind every choice. The scenes are disturbing if not gruesome, but one begins to discover how desperation drives one to do things one normally wouldn't...like loot items from the freshly dead bodies that litter the streets. If you liked installment #1, then yes, do read this novel, that is, if you have the stomach for it.