The Mystery of the Third Lucretia
Kari and her best friend Lucas take classes together at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its here that they run into the crabby Gallery Guy. Karis mom works for a magazine that requires international travel. Kari Lucas and Mom are overseas when they run into the Gallery Guy again only this time he looks different. Suspecting something strange is going on the girls embark on an investigation that covers several European countries. What they discover is an art crime that could cost them their lives! This reminded me of a darker version of Blue Ballietts books (Chasing Vermeer The Wright 3 and The Calder Game). Runholts book would be a next step for readers who have grown out of Ballietts books. The Mystery of the third Lucretia was good but not outstanding. If money is tight I might pass on purchasing this book. If money is no object or if its donated by all means take it.
Kari and her best friend Lucas take classes together at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its here that they run into the crabby Gallery Guy. Karis mom works for a magazine that requires international travel. Kari Lucas and Mom are overseas when they run into the Gallery Guy again only this time he looks different. Suspecting something strange is going on the girls embark on an investigation that covers several European countries. What they discover is an art crime that could cost them their lives! This reminded me of a darker version of Blue Ballietts books (Chasing Vermeer The Wright 3 and The Calder Game). Runholts book would be a next step for readers who have grown out of Ballietts books. The Mystery of the third Lucretia was good but not outstanding. If money is tight I might pass on purchasing this book. If money is no object or if its donated by all means take it.Jellicoe Road
This multi-layered book was recently awarded the 2009 Michael L. Printz Award for good reason. Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother at a Seven-Eleven. The woman (Hannah) who picked her up and took her to the Jellicoe School is the only adult in her life that has stayed by her side. Taylors world is turned upside down when Hannah leaves with no word. Shes also been charged with leading the Jellicoe students in the territory wars between the Cadets and Townies. To make matters worse the leader of the Cadets is someone who betrayed her in the past. One of the Townies knows more about her history than she does. Bit by bit Taylor begins to learn about her past her parents Hannah and others who have come in to her life. My only problem with the book is that its written by an Australian author and the spelling of many common words is different than the U.S. spellings. I kept thinking the editor didnt do his/her job! But if you can get past that Marchetta spins an exciting tale thats hard to put down. As with any good young adult book the teens are involved in typical teen behavior. . . .running off breaking the rules and having sex. This would make a great addition to any public or school library for an older young adult reader.
This multi-layered book was recently awarded the 2009 Michael L. Printz Award for good reason. Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother at a Seven-Eleven. The woman (Hannah) who picked her up and took her to the Jellicoe School is the only adult in her life that has stayed by her side. Taylors world is turned upside down when Hannah leaves with no word. Shes also been charged with leading the Jellicoe students in the territory wars between the Cadets and Townies. To make matters worse the leader of the Cadets is someone who betrayed her in the past. One of the Townies knows more about her history than she does. Bit by bit Taylor begins to learn about her past her parents Hannah and others who have come in to her life. My only problem with the book is that its written by an Australian author and the spelling of many common words is different than the U.S. spellings. I kept thinking the editor didnt do his/her job! But if you can get past that Marchetta spins an exciting tale thats hard to put down. As with any good young adult book the teens are involved in typical teen behavior. . . .running off breaking the rules and having sex. This would make a great addition to any public or school library for an older young adult reader.Go Big or Go Home
Brady narrowly escapes death when a meteorite crashes through the roof and goes through his bed. Shortly thereafter Brady and Attila (the neighbors very large dog) gain strengths and abilities beyond the norm! One would think that this is great. . .but it doesnt last long. Brady and Attila find themselves paralyzed to the point that people think theyre dead. Will they be able to let anyone know theyre alive? Can they do it before its too late? This is an enjoyable and quick read. I would especially recommend it to boys ages 9-14. The adventures that Brady finds himself in are fun to read about and I think that young boys could easily relate.
Brady narrowly escapes death when a meteorite crashes through the roof and goes through his bed. Shortly thereafter Brady and Attila (the neighbors very large dog) gain strengths and abilities beyond the norm! One would think that this is great. . .but it doesnt last long. Brady and Attila find themselves paralyzed to the point that people think theyre dead. Will they be able to let anyone know theyre alive? Can they do it before its too late? This is an enjoyable and quick read. I would especially recommend it to boys ages 9-14. The adventures that Brady finds himself in are fun to read about and I think that young boys could easily relate.The Bloodwater Mysteries: Doppelganger
Roni finds a picture of her adopted friend Brian on a missing childrens web site. The two of them find themselves on an adventure to solve this mystery. Was Brian really kidnapped or is it just a crazy coincidence? Hautman writes a fast paced story line that keeps you hooked. The reader spends the entire time trying to figure this one out! This is a good book that I would recommend for middle school and high school students.
Roni finds a picture of her adopted friend Brian on a missing childrens web site. The two of them find themselves on an adventure to solve this mystery. Was Brian really kidnapped or is it just a crazy coincidence? Hautman writes a fast paced story line that keeps you hooked. The reader spends the entire time trying to figure this one out! This is a good book that I would recommend for middle school and high school students.Diamond Willow (Frances Foster Books)
Willow is growing up and she wants to be independent. She wants to do things on her own even if its not safe. After days of asking her parents let her mush the dogs over a twelve mile trail through a remote area in Alaska. She gets to her Grandparents safely but theres an accident on the way home. The consequences of the accident lead to another serious incident. Through these experiences Willow grows as an individual becomes more confident and learns a great deal about herself and her family. A unique aspect of this book is that Frost writes Willows perspective in diamond shaped verse. Willows deepest thoughts are woven into the verse; part of it but distinctly separate at the same time. Frost also incorporates the spirits of the elders that watch over Willow. This is a most enjoyable read for middle school students on up. Given the length of this book (109 pages) I can also think of a variety of ways for teachers to use this book as the focal point of an effort to teach across the curriculum.
Willow is growing up and she wants to be independent. She wants to do things on her own even if its not safe. After days of asking her parents let her mush the dogs over a twelve mile trail through a remote area in Alaska. She gets to her Grandparents safely but theres an accident on the way home. The consequences of the accident lead to another serious incident. Through these experiences Willow grows as an individual becomes more confident and learns a great deal about herself and her family. A unique aspect of this book is that Frost writes Willows perspective in diamond shaped verse. Willows deepest thoughts are woven into the verse; part of it but distinctly separate at the same time. Frost also incorporates the spirits of the elders that watch over Willow. This is a most enjoyable read for middle school students on up. Given the length of this book (109 pages) I can also think of a variety of ways for teachers to use this book as the focal point of an effort to teach across the curriculum.Defect
David was born with several defects. Hes ugly he eats bugs he has wings and he can fly. He doesnt fit in well with the ‘normal kids at the public high school so his foster parents send him to an alternative school. Its here that he meets Cheetah a young girl with defects of her own. Things are going pretty good for David until people start to figure out just how different he is. First his stepmother catches him eating bugs. Then people catch him flying and word gets out. How will David handle all of this? Although not outstanding I would recommend this to young adult readers. I can see where this would appeal to readers seeking non-vampire fantasy.
David was born with several defects. Hes ugly he eats bugs he has wings and he can fly. He doesnt fit in well with the ‘normal kids at the public high school so his foster parents send him to an alternative school. Its here that he meets Cheetah a young girl with defects of her own. Things are going pretty good for David until people start to figure out just how different he is. First his stepmother catches him eating bugs. Then people catch him flying and word gets out. How will David handle all of this? Although not outstanding I would recommend this to young adult readers. I can see where this would appeal to readers seeking non-vampire fantasy.A Difficult Boy
Ethan Root and Daniel Linnehan are indentured servants to Mr. Lyman. Both of the boys are beaten mercilessly by Mr. Lyman but Daniel takes the brunt of it. Despite the fact that Daniel (cruelly nicknamed Paddy) is somewhat surly and never smiles Ethan takes a liking to him even after hes been warned to stay clear of him. Ethan sees how good Daniel is with the mare Ivy and appreciates his other qualities. Barker does a wonderful job of telling this story. The ending of every chapter leaves you anxious to continue reading. I would recommend this book for Middle School students. An excellent lesson in empathy and finding the good in people this would be a good choice for purchase for any library.
Ethan Root and Daniel Linnehan are indentured servants to Mr. Lyman. Both of the boys are beaten mercilessly by Mr. Lyman but Daniel takes the brunt of it. Despite the fact that Daniel (cruelly nicknamed Paddy) is somewhat surly and never smiles Ethan takes a liking to him even after hes been warned to stay clear of him. Ethan sees how good Daniel is with the mare Ivy and appreciates his other qualities. Barker does a wonderful job of telling this story. The ending of every chapter leaves you anxious to continue reading. I would recommend this book for Middle School students. An excellent lesson in empathy and finding the good in people this would be a good choice for purchase for any library.Resonance
In this book about alternate realities Graham Smith a self-chosen obsessive-compulsive mute struggles to exist in a world where his life constantly changes. Overnight his address changes or people who were dead come back to life only to die again the next week. He does everything in his power to keep the world from unraveling around him. When he meets Annalise Mercado who hears the voices of two hundred other Annalises his world becomes more complicated as he and Annalise try to escape the grip of a powerful company named ParaDim. It isn't long before he discovers that it isn't the world that is wrong but him. This book can seem slow at times and the climax could have used a little more pizazz. Plus the book cover really has noting to do with the story. Still it is an intriguing book that will keeps you guessing up until the end.
In this book about alternate realities Graham Smith a self-chosen obsessive-compulsive mute struggles to exist in a world where his life constantly changes. Overnight his address changes or people who were dead come back to life only to die again the next week. He does everything in his power to keep the world from unraveling around him. When he meets Annalise Mercado who hears the voices of two hundred other Annalises his world becomes more complicated as he and Annalise try to escape the grip of a powerful company named ParaDim. It isn't long before he discovers that it isn't the world that is wrong but him. This book can seem slow at times and the climax could have used a little more pizazz. Plus the book cover really has noting to do with the story. Still it is an intriguing book that will keeps you guessing up until the end.The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Comic books Houdini homosexuality and the Holocaust may seem an odd combination of topics for a novel but Michael Chabon succeeds in pulling it all together. The story takes dozens of twists and turns following the lives of comic book writer Sam Klayman and his cousin the illustrator Josef Kavalier. Kavalier is a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe and much of the novel is dominated by Kavaliers thoughts of home and those he left behind. The novel depicts the Golden Age of American comic books and the characters created by Kavalier and Clay borrow many of the traits familiar to actual comic characters from that era. Chabons book is an easy and entertaining read potentially enjoyable for a wide audience.
Comic books Houdini homosexuality and the Holocaust may seem an odd combination of topics for a novel but Michael Chabon succeeds in pulling it all together. The story takes dozens of twists and turns following the lives of comic book writer Sam Klayman and his cousin the illustrator Josef Kavalier. Kavalier is a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe and much of the novel is dominated by Kavaliers thoughts of home and those he left behind. The novel depicts the Golden Age of American comic books and the characters created by Kavalier and Clay borrow many of the traits familiar to actual comic characters from that era. Chabons book is an easy and entertaining read potentially enjoyable for a wide audience.
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