The Conch Bearer - by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Anand's father has disappeared, his little sister hasn't spoken a word in months, his mother is overworked and miserable, and he is stuck working for a nasty, cruel tea seller in his town of Kolkata, India.  When an old man appears one day and mysteriously asks Anand to leave his family behind to help transport a magical conch shell back to a distant valley to save it from an evil man with powerful harmful magic, the story really begins.  This is the tale of Anand's journey through modern India, battling dark magic and trying to stay strong in the face of powerful temptations.  It is a journey not only to save the conch, but to find out what's most important to Anand, and to help him find himself.

How could I have overlooked this book for so long? It's a beautiful story, an epic, magical tale in a medium-sized book.  Magic is central to the book, but doesn't take over the story.  Readers will love all the action and adventure, but also the chance to feel what Anand feels as he makes the most difficult decision of his life.  This book will leave you wanting more.

Adam Canfield of the Slash - by Michael Winerip

I'm a newspaper guy.  I run my school's newspaper, I wrote for my college newspaper, I read them, and I loved The Landry News by Andrew Clements, until now my favorite newspaper book.  Move over Cara Landry, because Adam Canfield is kicking butt and writing articles!

This is basically the story of a kid who went from being the star reporter for his school's newspaper to being co-editor, and being swamped with the responsibility of his new job.  Along with his coeditor, he discovers some hidden crimes and has to find the missing information and the courage to publish the truth, even if it gets him in more trouble than he's ever imagined.  Fast paced and full of interesting looks at the world of reporters, this book will have readers wanting to start their own newspapers.

This book has some elements of an Andrew Clements book:  Smart kids who have some trouble and have to solve it on their own, adults who are not only dumber than the kids, but more nasty and trouble-making, and an ending that somehow finds hope and happiness after you thought all was lost.  It's a great school story, but also an enjoyable book for anyone who believes that kids are capable of much more than we usually assume.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan - by John Flanagan

I love this series!  It reminded me of both Eragon and Lord of the Rings, but simpler and shorter.  You've got Will, a teen who is very honest and smart, and wants to be a warrior, but is just too small and scrawny.  Luckily, he has just been chosen as an apprentice to the mysterious Rangers, who are masters of surveillance and stealth, protecting the kingdom by seeking out and fighting enemies in their own special ways.  This interests Will, but he would much rather be a warrior with a large sword and fast horse than a Ranger, with a bow and arrows and two puny knives.  As danger threatens the kingdom and Will travels afar with two more experienced Rangers, the fate of his mentor and the kingdom itself is suddenly in Will's hands.  As he is pushed to the limits of his wits and skills, Will must decide if this is the life he wants, or if he will become a warrior and fulfill his lifelong dreams.

This series is action-packed, full of interesting weaponry and battle scenes but without the bloody violence of some warrior books.  As a reader you come to know and like the characters, and Will's journey becomes your own.  This book was hard to put down, and I can't wait to read and recommend the rest of the series to my students and Guys Read book clubs.

Steel Trapp: The Challenge - by Ridley Pearson

Steel Trapp is the anti-Alex Rider, but that's not a bad thing.  Where Alex is a cool, handsome, athletic boy, Steel is a scrawny science nerd with big glasses. In this first book of the series, Steel finds himself on the train from Chicago to Washington, D.C. for the National Science Challenge, where he will present his invention.  Along the way he discovers a mysterious briefcase, gets in the middle of an FBI investigation, becomes the target of a deadly violent gang, and has to find a way to not only survive, but take out the enemies with the help of his new friend, a young female fellow nerd whose experiment was stolen, and who has hit the road to find the culprit.

Together these two kids get into a heap of trouble, outsmart both the bad guys and the good guys, and use their intelligence and scientific knowledge to save the day.  This is a fast-paced book, and the series offers all of the excitement and intrigue of Alex Rider with a fraction of the violence.  Add to that some very interesting scientific inventions, and this is a winner for those who enjoy a good action-packed series.

The Magician's Elephant - by Kate DiCamillo

Here's another magical story by Kate DiCamillo.  Her writing is always calm, yet powerful.  Sometimes she gets a little fancy in her wording (especially in The Tale of Despereaux), but that's a small price to pay for the wonderful feeling you have as you finish one of her books.

This is the tale of many people and one elephant, whose lives all slowly come together one winter in an unnamed town.  When the magician tries to conjure a rabbit from his hat, and instead brings an elephant crashing through the ceiling, nothing will be the same.  The lives of a boy, the magician, an old woman, a police officer, and a young girl become tangled up, but in the end everyone's life is better because of the elephant.  There are many interesting characters, a bit of mystery, and a touch of magic in this book, but not much adventure.  Read this book to remind yourself about the magic that shows up out of nowhere in our lives and leaves us amazed and improved.

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself - by Lincoln Pierce

This is an interesting graphic novel alternative to the Wimpy Kid series.  Nate is your average over-confident 6th grader, and this comic brings us into his world.  When Nate opens a fortune cookie to discover that he is destined to "surpass all others," he sets off to make that happen, which disastrous and hilarious results.  Nate is not a wimpy kid like Greg Heffley, he is a loudmouth trouble-making goofball who young readers are sure to love.

I can't say I approve of the way this book talks about teachers and school food, but I laughed so hard at some parts that I nearly cried, so that's something.  Check it out if you want to read a funny school story and love comics and cool illustrations.

Go Big or Go Home - by Will Hobbs

A meteorite rips through your roof and burns a hole through your bed.  Luckily you were on the roof at the time, and didn't have your head disintegrated by this rocky visitor from Mars.  What do you do next?  Why not have some wild mountain bike adventures with your cousin, explore some huge caves in the wilderness, wrestle with your evil neighbor's killer dog, visit the cute girl at the local coffee shop, and watch toilets get launched hundreds of yards on a giant trebuchet?  (A trebuchet is a type of catapult, dude.)

This is my first Will Hobbs book, though I own a few and have tried to get students to read them over the years.  It is so hard to convince a student to read a book you haven't read yourself!  I was impressed by the amount of action in the book, and there was a lot of good dialogue that sounded the way teens would really talk.  You get a feeling for what the characters are thinking, but don't really get to know any of them that well.  It was good writing, but is not destined to become a classic.  I'll have to read more of this guy's books, but I can tell he's no Gary Paulsen.  More of a Dan Gutman, if you know what I mean.  That's not a bad thing, but it's not the highest compliment either.

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and other Natural Disasters - by Lenore Look

Alvin is one nervous kid.  In fact, in his second grade class, he hasn't spoken a word all year!  Get him on his favorite topic, which is all the terrible things that could happen to him at every moment of his life, and he won't stop talking.  Alvin is a great character, stuck between a nosy little sister and a too-cool older brother, and his adventures had me laughing all through the book.  In this second book of the series, Alvin's dad decides to bring him camping, and this has Alvin totally freaked.  The way he deals with his fear and the hilarious things that happen on the trip are very fun reading.  This is a very realistic, likable character, and a great new series.

This is a great short novel for second, third, or fourth graders, though the writing is witty enough that anyone older is also likely to enjoy it.  One thing that could help a child reading this book is to learn a little about Henry David Thoreau before reading, or as his name pops up early in the book.  

The Dunderheads - by Paul Fleischman

Here's a school story that will have you cheering.  A class full of oddball kids (sounds kind of like The Fabled Fourth Grade, doesn't it?) has to deal with an evil, nasty teacher, worse than Ms. Viola Swamp.  Her name is Miss Breakbone, and she is the nastiest of nasties.  She has an electric chair in her classroom, and gives herself a gold star whenever she makes a student cry.  When she confiscates one student's toy cat, which was to be a gift to his mother, she has gone too far.  When the students form a group (The Dunderheads) and develop a plan to get even with Miss Breakbone, the story really heats up.

Though this is classified in my local library as an "easy picture book", it's so much more than that.  It's more like a   mini-novel for third graders, but the interesting characters and detailed, hilarious wording and illustrations will make it a favorite of older children as well.  This will make an ideal fourth grade read-aloud for me, and I can't wait to try it out. This book is kind of like a simpler version of Gordan Korman's Swindle, but better, and with more memorable characters.  Check it out.  It will only take you ten minutes to read, but your laughter will continue for much longer.

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary - by Candace Fleming

Aesop Elementary is a small school, with only one section of each grade, and this year's fourth grade class is one of the worst ever.  They're so bad, that the only person who is willing to teach them is weird Mr. Jupiter, who definitely isn't your average, normal teacher.  The 19 students in the class are each quite different, and will remind you of Mrs. Jewls's class in Sideway Stories from Wayside School.

In fact, the whole book will remind you of Sideways Stories from Wayside School, because each chapter focuses on a different student, and the style is pretty similar to that famous book by Louis Sachar.  What's different about this book is that each chapter takes one of Aesop's Fables (You know, the Tortoise and the Hare, and stories like that?), and tries to create a modern school fable with a moral for each. Although some of the morals make you think, they also get in the way of the story, and make you wonder why on earth the author chose to write some of these chapters.  The characters are hilarious, but some of the writing is blah.  It's worth a a read, especially if you love fables, but don't expect it to reach your "favorites" list.  

Rowan Hood - by Nancy Springer

Your mother has just died, and you're a 13-year-old girl on the run from the king's men through the forest, with only your bow and arrow for protection.  One night, while minding your own business at your campfire, roasting some rabbit, a huge wolf creature appears across from you, and snatches your quickly-shot arrow in its gigantic jaws!  What's next?  Will you find your outlaw father, Robin Hood?  Will he let you hang out with him and steal from the rich and give to the poor, and all that noble stuff?  Or will the evil knight dude with black horse-head armor get even with you like he promised to when you stole his sword?

This excellent book adds to the legend of Robin Hood by adding young Rosemary (Rowan) to the list of the outlaws of Sherwood forest.  It is full of wild adventure, but also has some very charming moments.  Settle in with this book and you'll find yourself cheering for Rowan, and wishing you had a little of her magic yourself.  Read this if you love medieval warfare and characters, old-fashioned stories that are not out-of-date at all, strong girl characters, magic, archery, wolf dogs, outlaws who laugh in the face of danger, or very good series.

(Note: The covers leave something to be desired, but the writing is spectacular.)

Skellig - by David Almond

Who is that old dude hanging out in the back of Michael's crumbling garage, and why does he only eat bugs and Chinese take-out?  As Michael and his new friend, the next-door-neighbor girl Mina, will find out, there's something quite special about that old dude, and it's up to them to help him survive.  Set in England, this is Michael's story, from his sick baby sister to his impressive soccer games at school, his bicycling teacher and new preference for the numbers 27 and 53.

This story, will appeal to boys and girls, and to anyone who loves a slow-paced story that builds and builds to an exciting and emotional climax, with a hopeful, feel-good, but suspenseful ending.  Some have called this the first "gothic" novel for children, but it's not as death-focused or spooky as books like The Graveyard Book or Coraline.  There is a bit of magic, but it's not what you expect.  This is a near-perfect book, and I can't wait to introduce it to my students and Guys Read book club.

Note:  There are some very English words and phrases, which teachers and parents may want to help young readers interpret.

Children of the Lamp 1 - by P. B. Kerr

Two nice American children, Philippa and John, were just minding their business and having their wisdom teeth removed, when all of a sudden their strange English uncle visited them in a dream and tells them to come visit him right away.  It's odd enough that they had the same dream, but when they ask their parents to go, things start to get really weird.  Talk about weird, it turns out that Uncle Nimrod is a djinn, a genie descended from a famous family of genies, and has both magical powers that astound the children, and important responsibilities that frighten them.  John and Philippa end up having more in common with their uncle than they ever would have expected, and as they learn the true story of their family they must also help him to capture or destroy the leader of an enemy clan of djinn.

It's interesting stuff, and lovers of magic will enjoy this story, and the many others in the series.  If you love Egypt, genies (djinn), fantasy history, weird uncles, magic, spending lots of time in tiny little bottles, turning into a camel, or the classic stories in The Arabian Nights, then this is truly the book for you.  Note: There are at least three different covers, and the most popular one (not shown) is really cheesy, but the book is not.

Waiting for Normal - by Leslie Connor

This is the story of a 12-year-old girl trying to find her place in the world, when all around her is getting crazy. There's her house, which is a trailer sitting on the corner of a busy city intersection right underneath a train bridge.  There's her flute, which seems to be stolen.  Her best friend, a middle-age woman who runs a gas station and has cancer. But then there's her mom, who has some problems, including a bad habit of leaving her daughter alone for days on end.  Yes, life is pretty bad for Addie, but does it have to get worse before it can get better?

Waiting for Normal is a sad book, but it's also a happy book.  A lot of things happen that are hard to read about, but there are a number of characters who are strong, brave, and able to find goodness in tough times.  There is love, but there is also loss.  Joy, but also sorrow.  Don't read this book if you want a good laugh, or an adventure story.  Read it if you love a good story, unforgettable characters, feeling emotional about a book, and happy endings.  

I Put a Spell on You - by Adam Selzer

Do you love spelling bees?  How about mysteries?  School stories?  Friendship stories?  Stories about a new kid in school who tries to fit in, but is a little different?  How about stories in which the kids are not only smarter than the adults, but in which the adults are the ones causing all the problems in the first place? Come on, don't you like anything? Well, this book has a lot to like.

This is one of the best books I've read in a while!  I didn't even like it, I LOVED it.  Combine the school stories of Gordon Korman with the humor of Kate Klise, and teach your readers a bunch of fancy new words (like defenestrate - look it up), and give them a mystery that has parents attacking each other, and a competitive spelling bee with unexpected twists and turns, and you've got this winner of a story.  If you're an upper-elementary or middle school student who enjoys reading, find a copy of this book and read it.  Now.

Note:  I bought it mainly because of the cool Scrabble cover, though there's no Scrabble in the book.

The Name of this Book is Secret - by Pseudonymous Bosch

I didn't know what to expect from this book.  Was the author just a Lemony Snicket wannabe?  What's with this whole secret title thing?  Of course I had to read it and find out. Once I picked it up, I didn't really want to set it down, but my hungry toddler made sure I did, at least long enough to shovel some food into his mouth.

So what is this book all about?  These two kids who have nothing in common become friends, outsmart all the adults, and save the world from some really creepy villains.  I could tell you more, but why ruin the secret?  If you like odd characters, twisted plots, authors who like to slip their own comments in here and there (like Mr. Snicket), interesting smells, or really old ladies who look really young, you might want to check out this series.  Seriously.

A Dog Called Grk - by Joshua Doder

What would you do if you found a stray dog, then discovered that its owners had left the country, all the way to Stanislavia, a small (fictional) European country?  That's what a young American boy, Tim, had to decide when he found Grk, a well-behaved dog, following him home one day.  Let's hope you wouldn't choose to do what Tim did:  Steal his dad's credit card, sneak out of the house with the dog in the middle of the night, and return the pup to his rightful owners far across the ocean.  But Tim was caught and returned safe and sound, right?    Unfortunately, Stanislavia had just been taken over by an evil dictator, who would stop at nothing to imprison and kill Grk's owners, and now Tim was on his list as well.

This wild and slightly ridiculous story takes Tim and Grk on all sorts of adventures around Stanislavia, risking life and limb to save Grk's real owners.  It's a great book, and keeps you on the edge of your seat with curiosity and excitement, and sometimes fear.  This has developed into a whole series, and will surely hold the interest of many action/adventure/mystery seeking upper elementary students.

The Princess Academy - by Shannon Hale

I did not expect to like this book.  I mean, I'm MISTER K, and this is all about princesses, right?  I should have known better!  A friend of mine (Queen of the Q's), says this is her middle-school daughter's favorite book, and I can see why.  Although there are some parts of the book that will definitely appeal more to girls than boys, it's a book that anyone can enjoy.

Miri, the main character, is small for her 14 years, and is the only person not allowed to help in the village quarry high up on Mt. Eskel.  Set long ago in the fictional land of Danland, the story follows young Miri as she struggles to prove to herself and others that she's just as good as anyone else, even in the contest to become her country's new princess.  That's right, the main plot of the book centers around 20 girls from Mt. Eskel who are chosen to spend a year training to become princess.  At the end of that year, the prince will choose one of them, and take her away to his palace.  The only catch is that their tutor, Olana, is mean and harsh, and the training will not be easy. Add to that the dangerous winter mountain weather, nasty bandits, and dark closets with rats, and this is not your typical princess tale.  It's no Cinderella!

This is an ultimate Girl Power book.  Miri's adventure reminds us that we are each already a princess (at least the girls, not me.)  Through her intelligence and courage, Miri proves her worth to herself and the rest of the village, and the ending is spectacular, a real feel-good story without being too cute or sweet.  Girls, read this book.  Guys, don't be afraid of a little princess.

Wart - by Anna Myers

Let's say your mom passed away years ago, and your dad suddenly wants to marry your new art teacher.  You don't like that idea because she's really weird, but you like it even less when you begin to expect that she's actually a witch!  As you may have guessed, this is not a sports book, despite the excellent basketball cover picture.  There is some basketball, but there's also burglary, a lonely frog, a very popular female cousin, and plenty of mystery.

This was a much better book than I expected from an unknown author!  It was part fantasy, part mystery, and quite interesting.  If you have an annoying little sibling, a parent who wants to get married again, the desire to be popular, good friends who support you even when you're totally annoying, or a wish to read a good book, then check out Wart.

The Postcard - by Tony Abbott

If you love to read about the history of old Florida cities, and you also like interesting mysteries with lots of twists and turns, this is the PERFECT book for you! For the rest of us, it's a really good book.

When teenage Jason heads down to Florida to help his dad clean out his grandmother's house, it begins to seem like this will be a boring story about family problems.  Nope!  The mysterious clues start fairly early on, and keep building as the reader tries to stay one step ahead of the characters.  This is one of those mystery novels where you don't really figure things out until the end, and the twists and turns keep getting more interesting.  It's not as good as The Westing Game, but it has some great action scenes, and more than its fair share of weird and wacky characters.

Check it out if you like twisty plots, old hotels and bridges, creepy retired circus performers, or mysterious but helpful neighbor girls who can't seem to get your name right!

Tunnels - by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

Deep below our feet lie miles and miles of tunnels, just waiting to be explored.  And within those tunnels live a civilization of people just waiting to be discovered.  Be careful though, because they will do ANYTHING to avoid being found.  At least this is what the authors suggest as our young hero Will and his friend Chester set off to find Will's dad, who has mysteriously disappeared.

The book has a slow start, but once you follow our heroes into the depths of the earth, the adventure hits, and the book suddenly becomes impossible to set down.  It's a gripping tale about brave boys, villainous girls (heh heh) and the kind of trouble you can get into if you're brave enough to do the right thing in tough times.

Some have suggested that this is "The next Harry Potter!"  I wouldn't go that far, but it was an excellent book.

Molly McGinty has a Really Good Day - by Gary Paulsen

Everything is going wrong for Molly.  She lost her notebook, in which she keeps every single detail of her very organized life.  Her wild and embarrassing grandmother is coming to school for Senior Citizens Day.  She ripped her skirt, got a black eye, and had her hair set on fire.  Could this day get any worse?  Yes.  This is a hilarious story of a girl, her friends, and her grandmother (and the boy she likes), all trying to get through one pretty extraordinary day at school, and learning a lot about life along the way.

This isn't what you'd think of when you think of Gary Paulsen, famous for Hatchet and other wilderness, outdoorsy books.  However, it is a surprisingly enjoyable book!  This is a great book if you like interesting characters, school stories, large purses, or weird grandmothers.  Girls will love the confused but brave main character, but boys will find things to like about the story as well.  I did.

Max Quigley: Technically Not a Bully - by James Roy

Actually, Max IS a bully, which is kind of the point.  In The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963, Christopher Paul Curtis asks the reader, "Why is it bullies are always so funny?"  He could have been thinking of Max, who is a laugh a minute, even as he picks mercilessly on the nerdier kids in his fifth-grade class.  The thing is, Max doesn't see himself that way, even when he makes life miserable for super-geek Triffin Nordstrom, who Max nicknames "Nerdstrom".  Before you know it, these two boys find their lives intertwined, and as they learn more about one another, they learn that their similarities overcome their differences, and become best of friends.  Max learns his lesson, and is never a bully again.

NOT!  Max stays just as big a jerk as ever, but the boys do become kind of friends.  This book will spark good discussions about bullying, such as the fact that bullying isn't always black and white, and even nasty people aren't ALL nasty.  It's interesting and unusual to read a book from the bully's point of view, though it can also be unsettling.  This is an Australian book, so some references may be unfamiliar for American readers, and it may be tricky to find a copy, but I'd say it's worth the trouble. 

Leepike Ridge - by N. M. Wilson

Young Thomas lives in a rickety house on top of a giant rock, and doesn't think his life can get weirder than it already is.  Boy, is he wrong.  The trouble starts when his teacher starts trying to marry his mom, and doesn't get any better when he falls asleep on a floating piece of styrofoam in the river, and winds up lying next to a corpse in a hidden underground cave.  With mysterious cave-dwellers, grumpy old men who throw their dogs into rivers, scary large men who sit in the basement of a bowling alley and smoke, and treacherous treasure hunters, this  book is full of adventure and surprises.  Can Thomas find his way back home?  Will the treasure hunters succeed in their evil plans?  How strong is rope made from your own beard?  I suppose you'll have to read the book yourself to find out.

This book is a surprisingly good story, full of twists and turns and delightfully quirky characters.  It will interest lovers of history, cave-exploration, and dogs.  It's both a mystery and a survival story, and it's a tale with a heart and a satisfying ending.

Lawn Boy - by Gary Paulsen

This is a short book full of big ideas, and was not what I expected.  That's a good thing in this case.

First of all, the narrator is an unnamed 12-year-old boy whose wacky grandmother just gave him his grandfather's old riding lawnmower.  Within a day, the boy went from having no idea what to do with his summer to being a successful independent businessman, mowing his neighbors' lawns.  The funny thing in this story, and the most important part of the plot, is that his business keeps growing, by leaps and bounds. With the help of a neighbor who happens to be a stockbroker (and a very poor dresser), our boy is soon in WAY over his head as the owner of a business that is taking on a life of its own.  There are some twists and turns that you won't expect, and that make this a very funny story.  The book ended a little too quickly for me, a little abruptly, but that's my only complaint about this engaging story.

This book will teach you not only the vocabulary and concepts involved with owning and running a business, but also about the stock market, dealing with nasty gangs of extortionists, how to own a professional boxer, and why your kooky old grandma may be the smartest person around. Check it out.

Wordle: A Word-Lover's Friend

Wordle is a cool new site I found that takes the most frequently used words from any text or website, and creates a bit of word art.  The image above is from this site, misterkreads.com.

Click here to visit the Wordle site

The Golden Compass - by Phillip Pullman

I just realized that I've never written a review of one of my all-time favorite children's books, The Golden Compass!  This is the first in a darkly named trilogy called His Dark Materials, the meaning of which won't be entirely clear until you've finished the third book.  This is a series which has attracted controversy for the anti-religion overtones some read into it, and for its author's rebellion against the overly religious Chronicles of Narnia series.  Mister K, however, is able to read past those things, and enjoy books for their literary splendor.

This is the amazing story of Lyra, a young girl whose parents have left her in the care of the scholars at Oxford University in a slightly re-imagined historical England.  This curious and courageous heroine is kept constant company by her daemon, a small critter named Pan.  As she sets off on a course of action that includes saving her uncle's life, escaping the dreaded Gobblers, joining the mysterious Gyptians, and raiding a secret facility in the far Arctic north, Lyra encounters an incredible cast of characters.  There is a Texas balloon pilot, a frustrated but brave polar bear, a nasty lady with ties to Lyra's past, and many more curious and fascinating people and creatures.

This is a rollicking, imaginative adventure, one of the best I've ever read!  Mr. Pullman is simply brilliant.  If you're up for a challenge and want to experience an unforgettable read, this is one of my top recommendations.

Special Notes:  Skip the movie, know that the sequels get progressively stranger, and check out the audio recording of this book, which will help with your pronunciation of places and names, and which features a FULL CAST, something very unusual and wonderful indeed!

Kenny & the Dragon - by Tony DiTerlizzi

This is a delightful short story about a young rabbit named Kenny, his family, and his best friend in the whole wide world, who just happens to be a lonely dragon.  Grahame, the dragon, has just woken up after a long, long slumber in a volcano, and has found a delightful cave on Kenny's family farm.  The villagers, frightened of the strange beast, have persuaded the king to send his best dragon slayer to kill the creature.  In the end it is young Kenny who must try to protect his friend and calm the angry crowds.  Can he pull off a miracle before it's too late?

My favorite part of the book is the dragon himself, who is far more interested in writing poetry and discussing fine cooking than in fighting.  I listened to the audiobook on CD from the library, which was a delightful way to experience the story.  The pictures in the book, hand-sketched by the author, make a traditional reading just as pleasant, if not more so.

This is a very enjoyable retelling of the classic story The Reluctant Dragon, by Kenneth Grahame (author of The Wind in the Willows).  The author gives the original a nod through his creative use of names (Kenneth Rabbit and Grahame Dragon).  This is a fun, suspenseful, inspirational story, and is not to be missed!  [Warning:  Some vocabulary may have you running to your dictionary, but that's not such a bad thing, you know!]

Sent - by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Time travel?  A high-tech rock that turns invisible and allows you to talk to people centuries in the future?  Ghosts wearing sneakers and old school sweatshirts?   A younger sisters falling in love with your best friend? This is not what Jonah had expected when he entered the cave in the first book of the series, Found, but in this better-than-the-original sequel, it's exactly what he gets.  Without giving away too much from the first book, I can say that if you're interested in 15th century England, time travel, weeping maidens who are actually plotting revenge on the ruling king, or dead princes from history who are actually being temporarily inhabited by their 21st century selves (yes, it's a bit complicated), you'd love this book.  Moreover, if you enjoy historical fiction, science fiction, or writing with unexpected twists and turns, you're bound to enjoy this series by a gifted writer.  Yes, the book is as good as its cover suggests!

(After reading this second book, I realized how dull the first book was compared to this, but you really have to read them in order.  It's worth it!)

Harry, a History - by Melissa Anelli

I came across this book by accident, browsing the shelves at my local library.  When I found it, I had already read all of the Harry Potter books at least twice, and I was definitely fan.  This book, however, rekindled my fascination with and love for the Potter series, turned me on to a new branch of music (Rock out to Wizard Rock!), and gave me a new appreciation for the community-building power of literature.

Melissa Anelli runs a Harry Potter fan website, The Leaky Cauldron.  My first visit to this interesting site was after reading this book, and I was amazed at what I found.  There are a ton of Harry Potter fans who have taken their fandom FAR beyond the level of my own, which consists mainly of reading the books, talking to freinds about them, and then reading them again.  Harry Potter fandom has become a universe of its own, it seems, with communities, websites, bands, conferences, and a host of truly fanatical fans.  This book chronicles the rise of this Potter-fan universe from the very beginning, and includes captivating interviews with J.K. Rowling herself.  I thought I was well-versed in the history of the series, but this book showed me the REAL story, and it's amazing.

If you're a Potter fan of any age (perhaps teen and older, actually), pick up a copy of this memoir and rekindle your own love of the (arguably) greatest series of all time.  In the meantime, look up my new favorite band, Harry and the Potters, and get ready to rock, Wizard-Style!

Milkweed - by Jerry Spinelli

Picture a small boy with no name, no friends or family, and only the ability to steal things without getting caught.  He is a gypsy child, running and running, with nowhere to go and all alone.  Within pages, you realize that this boy is caught in the middle of Warsaw, Poland, as it is being invaded by the Nazis during World War 2 in 1940.  As the Nazis round up all the Jews in Warsaw and imprison them behind a large wall, our hero's story takes flight.  He begins to understand the world, making friends and finding a way to survive at a time when all around him are suffering horribly. 

This is a powerful story about a young boy who experiences firsthand the horror of the Holocaust.  It brings a fresh perspective on this very dark point in human history, but does so in a way that leaves the reader hopeful, as you realize that even in the darkest hour, there are those willing to fight back, and those able to keep hope alive.  Milkweed is an emotionally powerful story, and not one to read lightly.  For teens curious about the human side of the Holocaust, or simply wanting to read an unforgettable, moving story, this is the book for you.

The Lightning Thief - by Rick Riordan

You're about to get kicked out of your school, but is it your fault your math teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill you? Percy's not sure why he's got such bad luck, or what is really going on. When the minotaur appears and chases him all the way to an unusual summer camp where he seems to be protected, things get even weirder, but at least he gets some answers.

Twelve-year old Percy Jackson is a funny, tough, and smart kid - the kind of main character we all love to read about. This first book of his adventures has him deep inside the world of Greek gods, fighting to return Zeus's lighning bolt before things get really ugly. This book is HOT with so many kids at my school, and has been for years. I've only read the first book, but it was so captivating and fun to read that I'll polish off the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series soon, for sure.

If you love adventure, books full of action, monstrous creatures attacking middle-school students, and Greek mythology, this is a sure winner. I'd recommend finding a nice guide to Greek mythology, and having it next to you as you read.

Eleven - by Patricia Reilly Giff

What if you were in the attic, looking for something random, when you came across an old newspaper article that made you question EVERYTHING about your life?  And worse, what if you weren't able to read it yourself, because you're pretty bad at reading?  When this very thing happened to fifth-grader Sam, he set off on a quest to uncover his true identity and solve the mystery of his childhood.  Who is the man he's living with, his best friend, his "grandpa"?  With the help of a curious new girl, Sam learns new things about his history, his family, and himself. 

This fascinating story is kind of a mystery, but is also one of those books where unlikely kids get mashed together and end up as great friends.  Imagine the relationship between the kids from Bridge to Terabithia, but with a totally different type of (and less tear-jerking) ending.

Read this if you love interesting characters, trying to solve mysteries before the author does, or Indian food.

Carlos is Gonna Get It - by Kevin Emerson

Have you ever been in one of those situations where you agree to do something you know you shouldn't, but you don't want to let your friends down?  That's where 7th grader Trina is when this story begins, and this tale, set in an urban middle school near Boston, follows the choices Trina makes and the consequences of those decisions.

All 7th graders are a little weird, but Carlos seems to have some pretty unique characteristics that annoy his classmates to no end.  He disrupts class, doesn't follow the rules, and seems to get away with things that noone else would ever get away with.  The catch:  It's not his fault.  When Trina and her friends decide to teach Carlos a lesson for annoying them so much, it's a pretty nasty thing to do. Will any of them have the courage to stand up for what's right?  Follow along as their friendship is tested to its very limits.

This is an interesting story in part because it's such an accurate portrayal of what kids that age really go through daily, and because it does not have the nice happy ending you'd expect.  Everyone doesn't learn their lesson, and everything doesn't turn out just fine. But that's just like real life, isn't it?

This book is also notable for the way it portrays a diverse cast of characters without making a big deal of it.  There is a strong need for more everyday cultural diversity in popular children's literature, and thiis book is a great addition to the field.

The Hunger Games series - by Suzanne Collins

When an author is this good, people take notice. Yes, I am a HUGE fan of Suzanne Collins' The Underland Chronicles, but her latest series is even better. While not an ideal series for my usual crowd (fourth graders), this mature series is perfect for teens through adults who are looking for an intoxicating new series that will capture their imagination and win their hearts. The first book is The Hunger Games, the second Catching Fire, and that's it for now.

In a fantastical future world, set in the country of Panem, which occupies the land of the United States, a cruel and controlling government rules its twelve districts with an iron fist. Each year all of the districts must provide two children to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised battle to the death. Of the 24 children selected, there can only be one survivor. Katniss is good with a bow, as she has been hunting since she was old enough to string a bow, but does she have what it takes to survive the Hunger Games? And if she does, what then?


This series brims with interesting characters, big ideas, emotional drama, action, and of course, love. There is death, romance, violence, anger, kindness, and everything else required to keep a reader on the edge of his seat until the last page, and to toss the book down and run to the bookstore, begging for the next volume in the series. Yes, it's that good.

The theme of the stories has some similarities to Margaret Peterson Haddix's The Shadow Children series, and I think readers of those books (Among the Hidden, etc.) will also fall head over heels for this series.

Read the first two books, get yourself a mockingjay pin, and join me in pacing impatiently while we wait for the next book.

Check out this Barnes and Noble page about The Hunger Games, and be sure to watch the B&N Studio VIDEO!!

Airborn - by Kenneth Oppel

Imagine a world in which large airships, zeppelins, sailed the skies in place of jets, carrying people and cargo around the world.   In this world, young Matt Cruise has found his dream job on the airship Aurora.  This was the ship his father had worked on, and it was Matt's destiny to follow in his father's footsteps.  Follow along as Matt has adventure after adventure, and you will begin to wish YOU could sail on the Aurora too.

At first, I loved this book because of its excellent descriptions of this alternate history, and the amazing airships.  Before long, though, I realized that this was really quite an adventurous story, and whenever I thought the story had settled down, the author threw in some more twists and turns.  It's a great book for those who love adventure stories, for those who have an interest in airships or even sea-faring ships, and for anyone who simply loves a well-written story.  This is the first in a trilogy, and it seems that the author has only gotten better after his Silverwing series.

The Sign of the Beaver - by Elizabeth George Speare

Matt was just a boy when his dad took him deep into Maine territory to build a cabin in the wilderness. When his dad left to get the rest of the family from Boston, Matt was left alone... but not really. This is the captivating story of Matt's adventures in the woods, and it will have you on the edge of your seat. Angry bees and bears, nasty thieves, a mangy mutt, two books, and an unforgettable encounter with a local native tribe keep Matt more busy than he ever expected.

Not only will you enjoy this book, but it will make you think. How can two boys from totally different backgrounds move beyond their prejudices and become friends? What was it like long ago when white settlers began overtaking Native American land? How can a young boy survive alone in the wilderness? These and many more questions will be answered by the time you finish this timeless classic.

I'm reading this aloud to my class of fourth graders, and it's a hit.

City of Light, City of Dark - by Avi and Brian Floca

It turns out that the island of Manhatten in New York City was actually loaned to humans from the shape-shifting creatures called Kurbs hundreds of years ago.  As part of their agreement, the Kurbs will continue to let humans live on the island, and will provide them with heat and light, if each year a human is able to find a small item that the Kurbs hide somewhere on the island (a bus token), and return it to a secret location.  The year this story takes place, the human responsible for this is having a bit of trouble due to a nasty old man, a lying father, a curious boy, a loyal dog, and some spying birds.  Will she be able to find and return the token in time, or will the Kurbs take the island back, and allow the entire city to freeze to death?

This graphic novel is brimming with suspense, fantasy, heartbreak, and joy.  The characters are lovable and frustrating (except for the bad guy and his birds, who will get your blood boiling), the illustrations are AMAZING, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat.   

Scat - by Carl Hiaasen

This FABULOUS and engaging story features one of the oddest and most interesting group of characters that I have ever encountered.  The ultra-strict teacher who goes missing, the teenage delinquent who people suspect has done something terrible to his teacher, two brave kids, wild dude living in the Everglades, and then all the bad guys.  Luckily, Mr. Hiaasen is an author who believes that the bad guys should get what they deserve, so the reader will finish this book with a broad grin and a sense of justice accomplished.

Read this if you love mysteries, adventures, wilderness, saving endangered species, kids outsmarting nasty adults, Florida (especially the Everglades and other swamps), or AMAZING writing.  I've read every book the author has written for adults or children, and this was my favorite so far.

Al Capone Does My Shirts - by Gennifer Choldenko

What would it be like to live on the famous Alcatraz Island when it was still a prison full of dangerous criminals?  That's what Moose was wondering, until he and his parents moved there one day in 1935, and he found out. 

This is an interesting story about a boy who is trying his hardest to stay out of trouble, his family, and the oddball mix of friends he makes on the island.  Moose's sister, Natalie, could really use a special school, but his family will never be able to afford it if the Warden finds out what schemes Moose and his daughter have been cooking up at their school, and fires Moose's dad!  

The story includes some good baseball writing, emotional family drama, true historical facts about the island, and a bunch of interesting characters. 

The Calder Game - by Blue Balliett

This is my favorite story yet by this talented teacher-turned-mystery-writer.  I met her once at a Barnes and Noble author reading, and Ms. Balliett is every bit as interesting as her books suggest.

In this, the third in the Chasing Vermeer series, three children must use all of their knowledge and talent to solve the mystery of a vanished statue.  This is no ordinary statue, but a huge piece of modern art that disappeared from a charming English village one night.  There are so many clues that pop up, but which ones are the right ones to follow?  Calder Pillay thought he had the mystery solved, but then HE disappeared!  Can his friends Petra and Tommy save him and solve the mystery before it's too late?

This series is challenging for many readers, but in a good way.  Start with Chasing Vermeer, and if you like it, continue with the series, and your life will be a little bit better for having made that choice.

The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls - by Elise Primavera

In this interesting book, four girls who have nothing in common are thrown together in a wild quest to find the lost shoe from The Wizard of Oz.  That's right, this book takes that classic story in a totally new direction, with evil witches, a strange ancient piano teacher with talking dogs, and the storm of the century. 

The real delight in reading this book is meeting the four girls, who are so different and so interesting.  Each has a different talent, and they seem to hate each other, even though they live on the same block (on Gumm Street).  The way in which they come together is very well-written, and the whole book just has a nice flow, with lots of unexpected twists and turns, plenty of mystery, and lots of adventure.  Stay tuned for more books in this series, which are sure to become crowd favorites for many young readers, boys and girls alike.

Kensuke's Kingdom - by Michael Morpurgo

Young Michael hated seeing both of his parents lose their jobs, but when they decided to take a year, buy a sailboat, and cruise around the world, he could hardly believe it.  On their voyage, Michael was accidentally thrown overboard, and washed up (with his pet dog Stella) on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean.  With no way for his parents or anyone else to find him, Michael had to figure out how to survive all alone on the island - or was he really alone?  It turns out that another person lived on the island already, and that's where the story gets really interesting.  How will Michael survive? Who is the mysterious island man?  Will his parents ever find Michael?  Read the book, don't ask me!

This is one of the very best books I've read recently.  It's a survival story in the spirit of Gary Paulsen, but it is all its own.  The English author writes a lot about sailing and survival, and I'm amazed that I had never heard of him prior to finding this book at the library.  This is one that everyone should read, and I'm sure it will become a favorite of yours, too. 

Trouble at Betts' Pets - by Kelly Easton

Young Aaron has a lot of problems: His parents are having trouble keeping their pet shop open because of money problems, animals are going missing, and his teacher just assigned him to be partners with the most know-it-all girl in his class.  How could things get worse?  Oh yeah, he thinks the upstairs of his new home may be haunted. 

This isn't the most wonderful book - in fact, it felt like the story wasn't that well thought-out - but it is a good story for animal lovers and those who enjoy hanging out in pet stores.  There are really likeable characters, and it's funny to watch Aaron and his new prissy partner figure out how to get along.  Let's hope this author keeps writing, and improves her style along the way.

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost - by Cornelia Funke

What's the difference between an ASG (averagely spooky ghost) and an IRG (incredibly revolting ghost)?  That's one of the first things young Tom learns when he becomes a ghosthunter.  He didn't PLAN on hunting ghosts, but when he finds an ASG living in his family's cellar, he doesn't have much choice.

This is a pretty funny book, the first in a series by the amazing German author of such books as Inkheart, The Thief Lord, and Dragon Rider.  Tom gets help from his annoying older sister and his grandma's friend, and joins a mission to rid a house of a pretty freaky ghost.  Read this if you like ghost stories, funny books, icky freaky scary things, and young characters who have to be brave and solve some big problems without getting attacked by Incredibly Revolting Ghosts.

Trial by Journal - by Kate Klise (and her sister)

What if a ten-year-old girl was put on the jury of a murder trial, and the jury was hidden away in a fancy hotel in the middle of an amusement park for the month-long trial?  What if that girl's teacher made her write a journal about her experience since she was missing so much school?  What if that girl snuck out and actually solved the crime before the trial was over?  Read this creative story and you'll have know exactly what if!   

This is a PHENOMENAL book!  The Klise sisters are extremely talented, and when they get together, the books they produce are hard to put down.  This book, like all of their stories, is told through a variety of drawings and words, put together in a very engaging and interesting way.  It's kind of like a graphic novel, but smarter, and less comic-bookish.  You need to think a lot while you read this book, and you can keep up with the unraveling mystery, maybe even solving it before the author does if you pay enough attention.  I cannot stress it enough - go read this book!

Word Nerd - by Susin Nielsen

I first picked this up because I love Scrabble, and the cover appealed to me. (So sue me, even Mister K judges a book by its cover occasionally!)  Once I started reading, I was hooked.  This is definitely a book for older readers (TEEN section), but it really captures what it's like to be a preteen boy who's allergic to everything, has a crazily overprotective mother who can't hold a job for more than a year, living in the basement of a convicted felon's house, and playing Scrabble with professionals.  If you like that stuff, read this book.  If that sounds weird, read it anyway, and you'll probably be as impressed as I was.  Let's hope this Canadian author keeps up the good work and brings us more interesting books like this.