The Odd Squad: Bully Bait - by Michael Fry

One is so tall that her classmates tease her relentlessly.  One is so strange that nobody wants to be near him.  The last is so short that he gets stuffed in his own locker every day. Life is hard for seventh graders Molly, Karl, and Nick, and there seems to be no way out.  When these three oddballs get forced to start a Safety Patrol together by their principal, things seem to be worse than ever.  However, helped by their apparently deranged Shakespeare-quoting school custodian, the three soon learn that working together, they can overcome their fears and actually turn things around.

The story is told by Nick (the shortest seventh grader in the history of the universe, according to himself), and centers around his interactions with Roy, the school bully.  Through the course of this graphic novel, Nick learns more about his tormentor and finds new strength and empathy that he never knew he had to make some really tough decisions that could either save them all, or ruin everything.

As a graphic novel, this is kind of Wimpy-Kiddish, with more of a story line, and more likable characters.  It wasn't an earth-shatteringly wonderful book, but it was funny, well-written and drawn, and touching at parts. I'd recommend it for a fun and easy read to anyone who enjoys graphic novels, school stories, and seeing bullies get what they deserve.

H.I.V.E. Book 1 - by Mark Walden

There are all sorts of books out there about how to become a super hero, but how on Earth do you train to become a super VILLAIN?  You go to H.I.V.E., of course.  However, this super-secret Higher Institute of Villainous Education is not only extremely expensive, but nobody seems to have ever heard of it.  When young Otto Malpense is tranquilized and brought to the school, he didn't know what to think.  Why would someone kidnap a poor orphan?  Although he doesn't exactly get an answer to that question, he does learn quite a bit about the school as he and his new classmates begin their six year course of study to become the next generation of criminal masterminds.

Otto is an exceptionally bright and funny boy, and the book is even more exciting by the fact that Otto and three of his friends are planning a grand escape.  The mysteries and action build to an exceptional, and somewhat unexpected climax, when the teens put their plan into action.  The secretive and truly villainous headmaster, Dr. Nero, has his work cut out for him trying to tame Otto. The technology in this book is mind-boggling, and the characters are captivating.  It has elements of many of my favorite books: The Mysterious Benedict Society, Harry Potter, The Girl Who Could Fly, but it is truly its own creation. As this series progresses, I can't wait to see where the author's imagination takes us!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect - by Linda Urban

I know, I know... kind of a girly cover.  Well, it's about a girl.  And a boy. And her dad, and a really big organ, and another girl who is really snotty and spoiled, and some more organs, and a piano.  Right.

This is the story of Zoe, a ten-year-old girl who dreams of one thing: Becoming a piano prodigy and playing at Carnegie Hall.  When her agoraphobic dad (he's afraid of leaving the house) buys her a wheeze-bag organ instead, she is sure things can't get any worse.  With her mom spending every spare moment at work, and class tough-guy Wheeler following her home, things get even stranger for Zoe.  How can a normal girl possibly deal with an organ, misguided parents, and this strange new friend?  By finding out that the world can be perfect after all, just in a slightly crooked way.

This is a delightful story about not just dealing with the life you're given, but finding a way to thrive.  Zoe thinks she's just a normal girl surrounded by oddballs, but to the readers, they all become heroes.

One Dead Spy - by Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale is/was one cool dude.  The original Nathan Hale was awesome because he was a spy for General George Washington during the American Revolution, and risked (and lost) his life in the fight for liberty.  The author Nathan Hale is awesome because he wrote a book about a dead guy with the same name as his, and because his illustrations and sense of humor are just outstanding.

This graphic novel is a biography of the short-lived American spy Nathan Hale.  Told by the spy himself to his own executioner (hangman) through a series of flashbacks, this is also a great summary of the first part of the American Revolution and its causes.  It's really a wonderful book for anyone interested in this time period, and a good introduction to early American history and military history for reluctant, or any readers.

This series has two books (#2: Big Bad Ironclad), and I can't wait to see what else the author comes up with. Excellent book!

Wildwood - by Colin Meloy

If you're in the mood for a rollicking mystical animal adventure fantasy written by a famous musician about a lost forest paradise near Portland, Oregon, I think we've found the perfect book for you.  This long, well-written story tells of young Prue McKeel, whose life is pretty darn boring until the day her baby brother is carried away by crows.  When she sets out to find him along with her nerdy classmate Curtis, things really get interesting.  They follow the crows to an overgrown woodsy area on the outskirts of town, where they discover talking animals, hidden cities, and all sorts of surprises you would not expect outside of an adventure fantasy novel.

The animals and people in the Wildwood are at war, and as sides form and armies gather, Prue and Curtis must choose their paths and dig deep to find their courage.  Their choices are hard, but the stakes are tremendous.  Will Prue find her brother?  Can the children ever go back home?  Will the Dowager Princess and her coyote minions release the Ivy? (Okay, getting a little ahead of ourselves there...)  There are a lot of interesting plot twists, and the book builds to an exciting and powerful conclusion.

The book is charmingly old-fashioned, from the delightful illustrations (she also illustrated my favorite book, The Mysterious Benedict Society) to the characters' use of old-timey technologies. It's a fun book, and worth checking out! Note: The second book, Under Wildwood, is also available.

The Keys to the Kingdom One: Mister Monday - by Garth Nix

Who would have thought the minute hand from a clock could a) be the perfect weapon, b) cure asthma, and c) help an average teenage boy rescue a magical kingdom from one of seven all-powerful nasty guys.  This book is a bit odd, but is very well-written, fast-paced, and captivating.  Some bits are hard to get used to, like one character named Will, who is actually a small part of a will.  You know, the paper that explains what should happen to your stuff after you're gone.  And that's a main character, so you see what I mean about the oddness.

Strange or not, this first book in The Keys to the Kingdom was amazing and hard to put down.  It was intriguing, mysterious, amazing, and even thrilling.  The levels of fantasy in this book get more extreme as the story moves on, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  The bad guys chasing Arthur (our main character) are really bad, and you wonder where the author gets his ideas, or if he, perhaps, is just a little sleep-deprived. Regardless, it makes for a fun read!

Icefall - by Matthew J. Kirby

If you were a Viking princess (and I assume you are not), and your father the king was fighting a war and wanted to keep you and your siblings safe, he just might send you to a remote frozen island just like Solveig's dad sent her to.  Two princesses and the crown prince must wait out the winter with a troop of brave but bored soldiers to guard them, and nothing but a glacier to keep them company.

Yes, it's an exciting-looking cover, and when I started reading this story I was a bit disappointed by the lack of action, the slow pace, and the deep character studies.  It turns out I just had to wait a little while, and the action picked up, made all the more thrilling by the information I had learned during those early chapters.

When I say it's thrilling, I should also mention the intense mystery. Someone trapped on the island is a traitor, but nobody can figure out who.  Before long, everyone suspects everyone else, adding to the excitement and suspense.  The end is powerful and unexpected, just as you may suspect from a Viking girl-power historical mystery drama.

Perhaps the best part isn't even the plot, but the author's amazing use of language.  It reads almost like poetry, or perhaps like the tale told by an ancient Viking bard.  This is a great book for anyone who likes storytelling, Vikings, exceptionally brave girls who have been underestimated, and large stinky nordic soldiers.

Cosmic - by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Liam is tall for his age.  He's 12, and just wants to be treated like a kid, but he looks so old that waitresses won't even let him see the kids' menu.  The school bus driver won't pick him up, because he thinks he's an adult.  The guy at the Porsche dealership gives him the keys for a test drive, because he think's he's a dad. Well, it's not ALL bad, it seems.

When Liam and his schoolmate Florida decide to act like father and daughter, it turns out to be pretty fun.  The faint mustache Liam has sprouted help them pull it off, and they get into all sorts of mischief, including a trip to China to visit a brand new theme park.  Before long, though, things get a bit out of hand, and Liam is telling his story... from outer space.  Okay, things got REALLY out of hand!

This is a hilarious story of one boy who isn't who everyone wants him to be, but who can't figure out who he really is until it's a bit too late.  If you're a bit tall compared to your peers, this book can be a warning.  For the rest of us, it is just a fun yet thoughtful adventure.

Wonder - by P.J. Palacio

Have you ever felt DIFFERENT?  It's hard, especially when you've just started middle school, you've got no friends, and you're more than just a little unusual.  In fact, when you've got a face like August Pullman's, nothing is easy.

We get this story of August's school experience right from August, as much of the book is told from his point of view.  The reader gets a first-hand view of the bullying, teasing, staring, and every other annoying behavior that August suffers through.  As the story moves along, the viewpoint shifts again and again, and we gain a more complete view of August's world, and that of his friends and family.  We are reminded that nothing is as simple as it seems, but also that the smallest kindness can have the biggest payoff.

This is a horrible story, and a wonderful one.  It will break your heart, and then make you jump up and cheer.  Once you finish this book, you will remember this story, and August and his friends and family, forever.  Please, read this book.

A friend who teaches fifth grade plans to use this book extensively with her students as they prepare for middle school, and I can think of no better training.  Read it and see what why.

Wonder Video - Barnes and Noble

Hat Trick - by W. C. Mack (Guest Review)

When you hear the phrase “Hat Trick,” what do you think of?  A hockey player scoring three goals, right? Well, the “Hat Trick” in the book Hat Trick refers to the main character Jonathon McDonald, and his quest to get good scores on three math tests.

Everything was going great in Jonathon’s middle school hockey career, until Eddie moved into town.  Jonathon was nervous that Eddie would take over his spot on the starting lineup, because they both play the same position.  Their rivalry continued into math class. But in math class, their play WASN’T as equal as it was on the hockey rink.

Jonathon struggled in math.  His parents decided that it was time that he needed some help.  To Jonathon’s absolute disgust, that help turned out to be a tutor named Eddie: his rival!  To make things even worse, his parents also decided that if he didn’t do well on the next three tests, he wouldn’t be able to play hockey for the rest of the season.

Now Jonathon needed to learn how to work as hard on his schoolwork as he did at hockey.  He also needed to learn how to turn a rival into a teammate.

Will Jonathon and Eddie get along?  Will Jonathon score a “Hat Trick” in math?  If you want to find out, then skate on over to the library or bookstore to “check” out this book!  I rate this book a 9 out of 10, and would definitely NOT put it in the penalty box. I think this book was a real page-turner!

(Thanks to 4th Grader and hockey player  Tyler K. for this excellent guest review!  Go Tonka!)

100 Cupboards Series - by N. D. Wilson

What began as a humdrum series has taken me for a wild ride, from which I may never recover!  I have to admit that 100 Cupboards did not especially impress me.  It turns out that this is one of those series where you just get through the first book to prepare you for the amazing story to follow!  The second and third books wowed me and left me reeling.  There were elements of the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, and a fantasy tale unfolded that was epic in scope and in imagination.  Through it all, N.D. Wilson keeps things light with his sly humor and humble, down-to-earth hero, Henry.  Is this really the kid who will save the world?

This series follows Henry to a farm in Kansas, and from there through a number of cupboards that he finds in his uncle's farmhouse attic.  Those cupboards lead to different worlds, which provides quite an adventure for Henry and his cousin Henrietta, but also a bit of risk.  In fact, before we know it, chaos strikes, and the fate of the world is in question.

If you like epic adventure fantasy stories, baseball, or Kansas, this is your series.  Don't you dare abandon it if the first book puts you to sleep, just keep going and you'll never regret it!

Eleven Birthdays - by Wendy Mass

Happy birthday! Again.  And again.  And... well, you get the idea. Poor Amanda is all set to celebrate her first birthday apart from her former best-friend Leo, when something a bit unusual happens.  Things repeat.  Everything repeats. What in the world!

This is the lighthearted but deeply touching story of Amanda and Leo, and the world around them that just won't do what they want it to.  We the readers travel back to the moment when it all went wrong for these two friends, and follow them as they try to make it right.  It is a fun story, full of interesting descriptions and funny moments.  The series promises to be fantastic, though the boys may shy away from it because of the covers.  Hey Boys:  Go ahead and read books because they're GOOD, even if they're about girls!

All The Wrong Questions: Who Could That Be at This Hour? - by Lemony Snicket

How do you follow up on the huge success of A Series of Unfortunate Events, one of my favorite series?  For Lemony Snicket, you do it with a new series with excellent pictures and a really confusing plot.

Yes, confusing.  There are some interesting characters, most notably a young reporter named Moxie Mallahan, and two (very) young taxi drivers, Pip and Squeak.  The main character is a 13-year-old Lemony Snicket himself, and the plot centers on his apprenticeship with an associate in an unnamed secret association. It's all very mysterious, which is of course the point, but parts of the book will leave you scratching your head.  If you want a good slapstick mystery comedy with a number of unanswered questions, characters with excellent names (the bad guy is named "Hangfire"), and some rich vocabulary, this is your book.

Honestly, I was expecting a bit more from Mr. Snicket.  I'm not sure how young readers will like this book (the one fourth grader I had read it so far rated it 5/10), but I'm guessing that if the series succeeds, it will be due to the author's fame and notoriety from his amazing A Series of Unfortunate Events.  These characters are interesting, but nowhere near as memorable as Count Olaf and the Baudelaire orphans!

Here's the official trailer for the new series.

Son - by Lois Lowry

Not at all what I expected.  How many times have I written that, yet it's perfectly true here.  You'd think I'd learn to not expect anything, and to just go with the flow, yet when I read the back of this book, about how a mother goes searching for her son, I definitely did not to read about an adventurous, mystical quest, and an epic battle between good and evil!

This is a powerful book on many levels.  Any parent will relate to it deeply because of the strong parental themes, but any child will be swept up in the mystery and adventure of Claire's quest to regain what once was hers: Her son.  Claire was born in the futuristic and utopian/dystopian village that was the setting of The Giver and its sequels: The Messenger and Gathering Blue.  Unlike these three, this fourth and last book of the series takes its characters on long, fantastical journeys, into new and mysterious lands, and places them in harms way again and again. Although it is a fitting end to the series, you could easily read this book on its own without ever having heard of The Giver.

This is an amazing, surprising, hair-raising, emotionally touching book.  It has elements of the movie Rocky, especially the training scenes as Rocky builds strength to take on that Russian powerhouse.  At the same time, it is reminiscent of the best Harry vs. Voldemort battle scenes in the Harry Potter books.  Yes, there is adventure and action, though sometimes you have to wait for it... wait for it... though it is worth the wait.

Not at all what I expected, but so much better!

Jake and Lily - by Jerry Spinelli

Twins!  That is so cool, except when it isn't.  Jake and Lily are no ordinary twins, they have an extra-special connection, and can sense things about each other.  They can't even play hide-and-seek, because they always know where the other is hiding.  You'd think a special connection like that would keep them close forever, but that all changes when Jake finds some new friends, a local gang that takes him away from Lily, and away from the nice, quiet life he knew.  Can Lily find a way to get her brother back?  Can Jake save himself before it's too late?  And where does an old ex-hippy grandfather fit in?  Through chapters told in each character's own voice, you will find a satisfying answer to all of these questions, and will close the book with a smile on your face.

Spinelli's latest is a bit different than his usual books, a bit more... normal.  I like his odd writing style in books such as Stargirl, Wringer, Loser, and Maniac Magee, but there's something nice about this book, as it's easy to read and just plain enjoyable. You'd almost think Sharon Creech wrote it, if you didn't see the cover!  The "Spinelli Factor" comes in with a subplot about bullying, which is a very powerful lesson for both the characters, and the reader.

This is a nice story, but one that touches on some difficult questions about growing up, the friends you make, and the consequences of the choices we make.

Ungifted - by Gordon Korman

Special Post:  Not only is this a review for a book that hasn't yet hit the shelves, it is a guest review!  Thanks to my young sixth-grade friend Ryan O. for an excellent write-up of Korman's newest book. 

Are you a kid who pulls pranks and rarely gets caught but then one time you think you’ve gone too far and get sent to another school but still don’t get in trouble? Well then, you sound just like Donovan Curtis from the book Ungifted by Gordon Korman. Ungifted is a story about a middle school boy, Donovan, who accidentally knocks the world of Atlases’ shoulders (Don’t worry, it was just a statue) and sends it tumbling into the glass doors of his school gym!  CRASH! He thinks he’s gone way too far this time and is prepared to be expelled for good from his school.  However, thanks to a small mix-up in paperwork, Donovan gets sent to ASD, The Academy of Scholastic Distinction- a.k.a. School for Gifted & Talented kids.

Donovan thinks that this is the perfect place to hide until the whole Atlas incident is forgotten, but he soon discovers that this “gifted” school is serious about learning. At his old school, Donovan definitely was not “Joe Honor Roll” so all the schoolwork feels ten times harder and if that wasn’t bad enough, some of the kids start to think that Donovan is too dumb to be in their special school. However, Donovan’s unlikely saving grace comes in the form of a robot. You’ll have to read the story to discover the end to this exciting adventure.

 
I really liked this book for a couple reasons. One was the genre- realistic fiction. Gordon Korman also wrote Schooled and Swindled as well as a few of the 39 Clues books.  Also, I loved the style in which the story was told by almost all of the characters! This helped me understand the story better!

Ungifted was one of the best books I’ve read this summer. I would rate it 9 out of 10 because it wasn’t the best book ever (Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan is still at the top of my list) but it was still an entertaining read for anyone who has ever felt out of place or struggled at school.   

Deadweather and Sunrise: The Adventures of Egg, Book 1 - by Geoff Rodkey

Egg is just your average thirteen-year-old boy, living with his grumpy dad, two violent siblings who hate his guts, a brainless tutor, and a bunch of washed-up pirates on a smelly volcanic island.  His life gets a little more interesting when his family suffers a tragic fate, he meets the love of his life, and her father promptly tries to kill him.  Before long, Egg has uncovered the father's evil plans to... well, to do some nasty stuff, like your typical criminal mastermind.  Good action, great characters, and an ending that leaves us waiting eagerly for the next chronicle.

This is a great new series that will appeal to pirates, children with nasty siblings, and island-lovers.  The rest of you will like it too, as this series has a lot going for it.  Check it out, and see whether you're more of a Deadweather person, or a resident of Sunrise!



A Boy and a Bear in a Boat - by Dave Shelton

This story is about what the title says, and not much more.  Well, there's a little more.  There's a very old (and scary) sandwich.  There is a ukulele.  There is also an old comic book in a foreign language.  All of these are important to the story, which is kind of a bad sign.  You see, this story begins with the boy climbing into a small boat and asking the Captain, a bear, to take him to the other side.  Before you know it, they are lost (though the bear will never admit this), and boredom and adventures ensue.  The story really has no beginning or end, it is simply a tale of these two seafaring partners and the ups and downs of their relationship.  Though it's not much of a story, it's really quite a fun tale.

My favorite parts include everything to do with The Last Sandwich, the sea monster bits, and the ukulele.  You will come to love both the bear and the boy, though at times you will want to strangle both.  If you are in the mood for an odd, fun little read that will leave you smiling, but scratching your head, you could do much worse than this.

Ghost Knight - by Cornelia Funke

Eleven-year-old Jon is annoyed that his mom has a new boyfriend, "The Beard," even though his dad has been gone for ages.  When his nasty pranks on his mom's mate get too wild, he is sent away to an English boarding school on the grounds of an extremely old and creepy Gothic cathedral.  His sour mood at being sent away does not improve when he discovers that a collection of ancient ghosts want him dead, and all because of something one of his ancestors did.  What would you do if you were alone in a new school, getting chased by bloodthirsy ghosts?  Well, Jon found a girlfriend.

While this is not a love story (it's more of a fast-paced action suspense knights and ghosts and sneaking around doing things you're not supposed to story), Will's relationship with the mysterious and brave Ella not only makes his classmates jealous, but helps him to find the solution to his problem.  Before long, there are ghost battles, searches for long-lost hearts (literally), demon dogs, a guy who shaves his beard and turns out to be someone other than who we thought he was, and some really boring teachers.  It's a magical, mystical gallop through an old English cathedral with a cast of characters you won't soon forget.

Note:  Like all of Ms. Funke's (pronounced FOON-ka) books, this was written in German and translated.  A book about an English boy, written in German, and published in America.  Hey, it works.

Smile - by Raina Telgemeier

I've never been a teenage girl.  Not once.  If anyone ever asks me what it's like to be one, I could just shrug.  More likely, though, I'll hand them this book. 

This is a very enjoyable graphic novel, and finally one written mainly for girls!  The author tells the story of her own childhood, from life as a tween with tooth trouble, all the way through high school, with all of the social situations that come along with those years.  The focus of the story may be on Raina's unfortunate dental problems, but the real story is her life itself, and told in this way, it's quite an enjoyable story!

There's drama, romance, athletics, dentists, orthodontists, braces, retainers, headgear, crowns, and stuff like that.  The illustrations are great, some of the tooth stuff kind of gross, but the take-away message positive:  Be yourself, you'll find friends who like you for who you are, just remember to smile.

Fake Mustache - by Tom Angleberger

Fake mustaches are dangerous, at least when they are worn by criminal masterminds (even seventh-grade ones).  That is one lesson you can take away from this book.  Another lesson may be, "Never mess with a cowgirl."  Perhaps you'll come away with this piece of wisdom: Just because you're a slightly nerdy, shorter-than-average seventh grader who has no friends except for a criminal mastermind, that doesn't mean you can't save the world.  In other words, this is a pretty funny book.

I love the way this book is told in the first-person by Lenny Flem, Jr., a slightly-unsure-of-him-self teen with a weird friend and weirder family.  When he discovers his friend Casper's evil plot to use his new fake mustache to become President of the United States, it's up to Lenny to stop him.  Good news: Lenny soon enlists the help of Jodie O'Rodeo, teen TV singing cowgirl star (retired).  Bad news:  Because of a tip from Casper, the entire country believes Lenny is a bank robber, and the authorities are hunting for him.  With a little disguise of his own, Lenny soon hatches a plan, and the race is on.

It's a goofy story, but it's funny, well-written, and worth reading.  It's not going to win the Newbery or anything, but will probably make you snort milk out your nose from laughing so hard.  Warning:  Don't drink milk while reading this book.  Or if you do, keep a towel handy.

Copper - by Kazu Kibuishi

If you enjoy Calvin and Hobbes for its humor, wisdom, and the interaction between a boy and his animal, you'll surely enjoy Copper.  This beautifually drawn book of short but poignant comic strips is, in my mind, a masterpiece.  Follow Copper and his dog Fred through all sorts of imaginative journeys.  Fred is nervous and scared, while Copper is curious and ready to explore. These two personalties play off one another perfectly through adventure after adventure.

If you're ready for a more grown-up comic, but still one that's childish and wholly appropriate for all ages, check this out.

Dark Life - by Kat Falls

It is the future, and the world has had some problems, and things aren't what they used to be.  Oceans rose, earthquakes toppled cities, and humans live crowded into tall buildings in big cities on the coasts.  The surface of the earth is no longer safe for farming, and humans need to eat, so the government (The Commonwealth) has started a colony of experimental farms on the bottom of the ocean.  This is the story of those colonists and their fight to survive their challenges, including attacks by the notorious Sea Blight Gang.

Our protagonist is 15-year-old Ty, the first boy born undersea, who dreams of having his own sea-bottom farm one day.  Problems occur and Ty realizes that he is going to have to fight if his dream will ever become reality, and his unlikely partner is a Topsider (their term for folks who live on land) named Gemma, a spunky girl with a mission of her own.  These two have a number of adventures, battle their fair share of nasty folks and creatures, and... well, I can't tell you how it ends up, can I?  Trust me that it is worth your time to read their story on your own.

This is a wonderful new series that takes on a new landscape and introduces some fascinating characters, both good and bad, and somewhere in between.  You will love reading about the technology these pioneers use to survive and farm the sea floor, but you'll also find the descriptions of the post-climate-change Earth fascinating.  I liked this book so much that as soon as I finished it, I went out and bought six copies because I know my fourth graders will want to read and discuss it as much as I do.  Do yourself a favor, and get yourself a copy, too.

Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book 1 - by Angie Sage

Harry Potter, watch out.  That's what one of my local librarians said as she shoved this book into my hand, and you know what? She has a point.  Nobody can dethrone the Harry series from top of my list, but this series is fantastic.  It is about a boy, but that is from there it takes a totally different direction than the Potter series, spinning out delightfully different tales in each book, but connecting them all together with the same central characters and setting.  If you love a good fantasy series that sucks you in and leaves you wanting more, here it is.

This is really the story of the Heap family, two poor wizards and their children who live in the "Ramblings", a ramshackle collection of apartments and such inside the castle walls of a kingdom which has been somewhat lost since the queen died a decade earlier.  This is a world of magic (magyk), but one in which wizards must study to gain their skill, and in which wizards are not as respected as they once were.  In this book we encounter a lost (and found) princess, a fashion-conscious Extraordinary Wizard, an ex-soldier called Boy 412, a witty message rat, a white witch who loves boiled cabbage, an extraordinary boat, and so much more.  I can't believe how much good stuff is packed into these pages. 

The funny thing about this book is, you spend the whole time wondering who the heck this Septimus Heap person is, and you don't find out until the very end.  That doesn't take away from anything though, and the author provides plenty of memorable characters, both good and bad.  It is a thrilling series that will have you laughing, cheering, and rushing to the library or bookstore for the next book.

MIddleworld: The Jaguar Stones, Book 1

Max Murphy is like many teen boys, always on the hunt for an even better video game to play.  Little does this boy from Boston know that his own life will soon outdo any video game he could think of.  Max's parents are famous archaeologists, experts on the ancient Maya culture who seem to care more about their research than their own son.  This obviously annoys Max, and when they take off on a last-minute expedition to San Xavier, the tiny Central American country where his father is from, Max couldn't be more miserable. 

This is an adventure novel, so of course things change quickly for Max.  Before he knows it, he has been swept down to San Xavier himself, but not by his parents.  Max suddenly finds himself in a web of family intrigue that takes him by surprise, but even that pales in comparison to his next adventure.  Running into the rain forest in pursuit of thieving monkeys, Max soon teams up with Lola, a teenage Maya girl, and the two of them do no less than save the world from an evil ancient Maya bad guy, and you wouldn't even believe who helps them out if I told you, so I'll let you make that discovery on your own. 

This book is a whirlwind of intense action and suspense, the supernatural, ancient prophesies, a lesson in Maya history, boy vs. girl rivalry, and just plain weird awesomeness.  Odd descriptions, I know, but the book totally surprised me and I'm not sure how best to characterize it.  Written by a husband/wife team, this is the first in what promises to be a thrilling series.

P.S. I know we're used to hearing "Mayan" to describe this culture, but the authors explain that the current accepted word is "Maya."

Wonderstruck - by Brian Selznick

Mysteries!  Wolves!  Natural history museums!  Sign language!  Lost family!  New friends!  That's a lot of exclamation marks, but this is a book that deserves it.  Much like the author's previous book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, this story is told through both amazing drawings and words, with multiple story lines weaving together until the end, where it all comes together and knocks your socks off.

This is the story of Ben, a young orphan from Minnesota who finds a clue as to his father's identity, and who sets out on an adventure to discover the truth about his past.  It is also the story, told only through pictures, of Rose, a young woman who sets off on a journey of her own to find a mysterious actress in the big city.  These stories take place fifty years apart and seem to have nothing to do with one another, but part of what makes this an amazing book is that each of the stories can't be told without the other.  The end really will leave you, shall we say, wonderstruck!

This is a book not to be missed.  The artwork is incredible, the story thoughtful and well-crafted, and the character memorable.  Brian Selznick has a gift, and trust me, you don't want to be left out.  That said, this is a book that will probably mean more to slightly older readers.  It is a picture book of sorts, but I would recommend it to children from nine to one hundred and nine.

As Simple As It Seems - by Sarah Weeks

Simple?  Not so much.  Fifth grade is hard for everybody, but when Verbena Cole finds out that she is adopted, and that her biological father was a mean drunk, things begin to spiral out of control.  Once sweet and fun, Verbena begins to feel like she's destined for failure, and nothing really matters.  Sad stuff.

But wait!  Along comes a new neighbor, an oddball boy named Pooch who is visiting for the summer with his mother, and things began to get even more complicated.   Fake ghosts, allergy attacks, wild bike rides, and a mysterious boat all play a part in this odd but sweet story, in which Verbena and Pooch take a winding road toward friendship, changing both of their lives forever.

This may sound like a weird story, but it is really heartwarming and will hold your interest, especially if you are a 9-12 year old girl, which seems like the ideal audience.  Remember, though, that if 30-something Mister K enjoys it, you may too, no matter who you are.

Boom - by Mark Haddon

This was either a British science fiction story with a very descriptive scene about a flying sandwich, or an English work of realistic fiction, with some funky aliens who look like humans, but with little tails.  Maybe it's the story of a boy and his sister who hate one another's guts until a major event throws them together in a desperate race to save the Earth.  Actually, it is the story of two oddball friends who would do anything to save one another.  This story is so many things, but one thing it is NOT is boring.

The book begins as a realistic mystery when Jimbo and Charlie, two English schoolboys, begin to suspect that their teachers are up to something.  When they bug the staff lounge and overhear two of their teachers speaking in a foreign language, they get even more suspicious.  Before long they are in way over their heads, and not even Jimbo's sister's smelly biker kung-fu boyfriend can keep them safe.  At this point, things take a turn for the sci-fi-tastic, and the story really heats up.

Read this if you want a wild ride on a fun, intelligent, emotional, and strangely alien roller coaster of a story!

Belly Up - by Stuart Gibbs

If I told you this was a book about a grumpy hippo who liked to shoot his poop at zoo guests, would you still read it?  That's only a small part of the story, but it definitely held my interest.  It's also the story of mysterious animal deaths, an amazing zoo, a famous teenage girl, a nasty park security guard, the smell of dead hippo guts, parents who stick up for their son, an escaped deadly black snake, and a really, really rich guy.   Yes, it's an interesting story.

This book was very well-written, and held my interest throughout.  It is a bit funny, kind of like a Carl Hiaasen book (but without any of the swearing).  It's the story of a boy whose parents work at a top-of-the-line Texas zoo, and who is the only kid who has access to all the "behind the scenes" areas.  When he discovers that the death of a famous hippo may not be as innocent as it seems, he is drawn into an investigation that could cost him his life.

Read this if you love animals, but are not too squeamish about a little death and guts.  Also, if you love fast-paced realistic adventures with quirky characters.

The Wednesday Wars - by Gary D. Schmidt

This book was so much more enjoyable than I expected!  I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, given how much I liked this author's writing in Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.  It's a tale of the 1960's, focusing on the life of one unlucky boy, Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High.  At first we think the story is about his nasty teacher, Mrs. Baker, who tortures him each Wednesday while all the other students in his class go elsewhere for religion class.  She makes him read Shakespeare, for goodness sake!  Soon we dig deeper, the story expands, and it's a fabulous ride.

Dust-covered cream puffs, yellow leotards with feathers on the butt, escaped rats, a cranky and demanding father, and so many more mini-stories fill this book that it's almost hard to keep track.  By the end, the author has woven them all together into a coming-of-age story that speaks to that time in American history, but also to anybody who has been a teenager and lived to tell about it.

Some of the writing is at a high level:Quoting Shakespeare to make inside jokes, digging into the topic of the Vietnam War, but the author pulls it off well, and a discerning reader will have no trouble.  I'd recommend this book to 10-up, to fans of the 60's, people who like to run, and anyone who wants a surprisingly great story to enjoy.

NERDS 2: M is for Mama's Boy - by Michael Buckley

What I love about this series is that while the main characters are total nerds in school, getting picked on mercilessly, they have secret identities with which they do things like... oh... save the world!  Imagine getting shoved in a locker one moment, and fighting evil villains with your super powers the next.  It's all very creative, with interesting characters, all sorts of cool spy tools and tricks, and nasty bad guys who use squirrels to do their dirty work.

If you enjoy spy series like Alex Rider or STORM (two excellent series!), the NERDS books are in the same genre, but more ideal for a 3rd-5th grade reader, with more humor but just as much fancy gadgetry.  This is a great series for underdogs, science and technology geeks, people with buck teeth or bad allergies, or anyone who enjoys solving puzzles or playing spy.

The author also wrote The Sisters Grimm series, and he really knows how to spin a nice tale with equal doses of serious and funny.  If you're not a NERD yet, it's time to sign up.

The Lost Children - by Carolyn Cohagan

Lots and lots of gloves.  A city where everyone must wear gloves at all times!  A dad who never really talks, won't look his daughter in the eyes, and is obsessed with gloves! Weird mouthless dogs that terrorize entire villages.  A very small bad guy.  A very big good guy, who is also a bad guy.  A magical shack. A humongous orphanage.  An age-defying mystery.  Strange holes in the ground.  A surprising energy source.  Three kids who are nothing alike, trapped in a world none of them really understand, trying to do something they really don't want to do, and both dreaming of and dreading what will happen once they've done it.  A tremendous, captivating story.

I know, what kind of story description is that?  Could I be any less clear?  Probably, so don't push your luck!  The truth is, this is a strange book, with all sorts of unexpected events and interesting twists.  It is both a fantasy adventure and a story of friends who find it difficult but necessary to work together in the face of great danger.  It's also the sad story of a girl and her dad, and the shocking secret that holds them apart.

I borrowed this from my friend Kylie, and liked it so much I went out and bought my own copy.  It's a keeper.

Cheesie Mack is not a Genius or Anything - by Steve Cotler

If you're reading a book, and the main character keeps telling you to go check out his website, do you think that's cool, or annoying?  It bugged me, but maybe you would like that kind of thing.

This book is narrated by a boy called Cheesie Mack, a 5th-grader with an annoying sister, grumpy grandpa, funny friend, and your fair share of typical 5th grade problems.  It centers around the end of  his fifth grade year, when he finds a valuable coin, gets in deep trouble with his principal, investigates a local "haunted" house, makes a new friend, uncovers a mystery, eats a doughnut, and has a few other adventures, which I'm hard-pressed to recall right now. The truth is, it was an okay book, but I never really connected with or came to like the main character, so didn't really enjoy the book. There's a sequel coming out, and reviews I've read show that many kids like it, so it may be worth a shot.  For a preview, check out that website the kid kept bugging me to visit, www.cheesiemack.com.

Nursery Rhyme Comics- Various Artists

No, this isn't my normal type of recommendation.  However, I picked this book up at Barnes and Noble last week, and neither my almost-3-year-old son nor I have been able to put it down.

In this beautiful hardcover book, fifty classic nursery rhymes have been totally modernized and reinterpreted by big-shot comics artists.  The words are the same Mother Goose we learned from our grandparents, but the illustrations breathe new life into the stories, so much that my son has nearly memorized all of the stories in one short week, and we spend hours singing them together, looking at the wide variety of captivating drawings.  Don't let the cover fool you - the woman who designed that didn't even write any of the sketches, and the quality in-book is better than that on the front. My personal favorites: Tweedledum and Tweedledee, The Owl and the Pussycat, and For Want of a Nail.  Flip through this book and you'll fall in love with some old nursery rhymes all over again, too.

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives - by Michael Buckley

Who do you call when Fairy Tale creatures begin to cause trouble in the real world?  The Grimms, of course.  Unfortunately, twelve-year old Sabrina and her little sister Daphne have no clue how this will affect them, they only know that after a year and a half of terrible foster homes after their parents' mysterious disappearance, an old lady who seems to be absolutely bonkers is trying to get them to investigate the appearance of a nasty giant in the town of Fairy Landing.  Before long they are up to their their necks in fairy tale follies, and they begin to realize that fairy tale creatures would be very happy if the Grimm family were gone forever.

Why did it take me so long to try this wonderful series?  The writing is fantastic, the story a fresh new take on the old fairy tales, and the characters absolutely hilarious.  One sister is sweet and trusting, the other tough and independent, and their grandmother zany, lovable, and surprisingly powerful.  This is an adventure, a drama, a mystery, and a fantasy tale all wrapped into one delightful story.  This series, by the author of N.E.R.D.S., is sure to please a wide array of readers. Don't believe me?  Read the book, then we'll talk.  But watch out for that giant!

Jake - by Audrey Couloumbis

When Jake's mom takes a tumble and is out of action in the hospital for a while, he's got a surprise babysitter:  His long-lost grandfather!  When the routines he is used to are all shaken up, how will Jake manage this strange reunion with his mysterious relative?  Between his grandpa's grumpy attitude and killer dog, Jake has his work cut out for him to survive this adventure.

This is a nice little story about the importance of family, and about how things aren't always what they seem at first.  It's a sweet story with some interesting (but predictable) twists.  The writing is good, but the story was kind of simplistic and didn't hold my attention as much as I had expected.  I guess I'm not used to such straightforward stories anymore!  Don't get me wrong, it's a good read, just not making my list of favorites.

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman - by Meg Wolitzer

Scrabble Time!  Yes, I bought this book because I'm a major Scrabble fan, and it did not disappoint.  The story focuses on four sixth-graders from different parts of the country who all end up at the Youth Scrabble Tournament in Yakamee, Florida.  Each player ended up there through a very unique set of circumstances, and it's fascinating to watch the different story lines as they twist and weave, and finally join together.  

This is a great introduction to competitive Scrabble, and it accurately depicts life as a young Scrabble player.  It's also a very well-written story with a number of interesting characters and sub-plots.  The title is important to the story, but is really only one of the plot-lines.  There's a slight fantasy element to the story, which doesn't really add much to the book, but it's solidly Realistic Fiction.

Pick this delightful book up if you enjoy Scrabble, reading about young friendships (good and bad), skateboarding, "tween" life, cheating bullies, or secret friends who are really good at drawing aliens.

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze - by Alan Silberberg

It's not easy being a teenage boy.  For Milo, that's especially true because his mom passed away, and his dad is NOT the same guy he used to be.  To top it off, the girl of Milo's dreams doesn't know he exists (until he sneezes on her), but the weird girl who lives next door won't leave him alone.  This is Milo's story, told from his point of view, about how to find his place in the world, and the difficult task of getting back to normal when  you life is all shaken up.  It's not easy, it's not pretty, but it sure can be funny.

Kind of a graphic novel, kind of a chapter book, this is a well-told story with pictures that help the plot move along.  Milo is a likable dork, and his friends are a hoot, but his family will get you down.  Young readers will have no problem identifying with Milo's situation, even if they've never been in a similar spot themselves.

This book will make you laugh, and it may make you cry.  If  you've lost a loved one, this is a good book for you to read, but it's also a good choice for anyone who likes zany school novels with funny characters and interesting plot twists.

Grounded - by Kate Klise

Daralynn's life is hard.  Her father and siblings have just died in a terrible accident, and her mother refuses to shed a single tear.  Her aunt has fallen in love with a strange man who has shown up with promises to bring their sleepy midwestern town into the future, and her uncle seems to have a secret of his own.  To top things off, Daralynn's grandmother seems to be losing her wits, and is becoming obsessed with a collection of family dolls, which she treats like real babies.  In order to make sense of the world, Daralynn must find the courage to point out the truth to those who want to avoid it at all costs.

The coolest part of this book:  Living Funerals.  A brilliant idea, and an unforgettable part of the story.

This book reminded me a lot of Pie, by Sarah Weeks, but it didn't make me as hungry.  It's a sweet and smart story, and is much more interesting and happy than my first paragraph may suggest.  Of course, Kate Klise is a masterful writer, and one of my favorites.  I prefer her collaborations with her sister (43 Old Cemetery Road, Trial by Jury, etc.), but her solo works are still great.  If you want to find joy in the midst of sorrow, and find hope in a story of a mixed-up family, this is your book.

The Game of Sunken Places - by M. T. Anderson

This is a creepy book.  Two teens accept an invitation to a distant uncle's mansion deep in the Vermont woods, and when they get there realize that they're being pulled into a game like they have never played before.  Their first clue that something odd is afoot is when the uncle takes their clothes away (and burns them) and gives them starched shirts and knickerbockers to wear, as if it were hundreds of years earlier.  When the boys find a mysterious game board in their room and start to play, the wheels of something grand and terrible are set in motion.

This story follows friends Brian and Gregory as they battle forces of ancient darkness in a game neither of them really understand, but which has consequences as great as death itself.  Mystical creatures appear in the woods, mysterious messages need to be deciphered, and both boys must call upon every bit of their courage to make it to the thrilling end of the game, where they realize they were fighting something else entirely.

This is a great adventure, a thrilling collection of twists and turns that will chill you and delight you simultaneously. It has a slow start, but creeps along until you are totally sucked in and going mad with questions that don't seem to get answered quickly enough.  If you like creepy adventure stories and games, this is your book!

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen - by Eric Berlin

If you love solving puzzles and mental challenges of all sorts, this is the mystery novel you're looking for.  There's hidden treasure, a cranky librarian, shadowy evildoers, tasty pizza, and a retired police officer who doesn't seem to realize he's retired.  It all begins when young Winston, the puzzle-loving genius, finds a used wooden box with a fake bottom containing clues to a grand mystery. The only problem:  He gave the box to his sister for her birthday, so the clues belong to her.  Before long, the two of them join up with an unlikely cast of treasure hunters in a race to solve the mystery.  There's danger, trouble, and intrigue, but there's also that pizza I mentioned.

This book is FULL of puzzles, some part of the story, some just tossed in there, with answers to all of them at the back of the book.  Luckily, even if you decide to skip the puzzles, you'll have no problem following the story. The plot is a relatively straightforward mystery, but it's interesting enough to be worth reading.  You can definitely tell it was written by a puzzle geek, but that's what makes is good for the puzzle-loving upper-elementary or middle school reader.

Troublemaker - by Andrew Clements

How do you change your reputation? Fifth grader Clay Hensley was doing everything in his power to show his school that he could be just as big a troublemaker as his big brother, and he was succeeding.  His file in the principal's office was as thick as a phone book!  When his brother was arrested and then released from jail six months later, things began to change, though.  Clay decided to change his ways, but found that reversing your behavior, let alone you reputation, is not as easy as he had hoped.  Can Clay turn his life around, and when something terrible happens that everyone blames him for, can he convince them that he is, finally, an innocent guy?

This is a story about right and wrong, but also about the blurred line between those two ideas.  When does joking around turn into something worse, and once you've crossed that line, how do you get back?  Young and old readers alike will enjoy seeing how Clay deals with these questions in this fast-paced, interesting book.  Just like most of Mr. Clements' books, this is also the story of an adult who realizes that he has just as much to learn as Clay about how to behave.

Pie - by Sarah Weeks

Yum.  Yum, yum, yummy.  You have no idea how many times I wanted to just set this book down and go make a pie.  That's the type of book it is: Inspiring.  Mouth-watering.  Yummy.

The story is about Alice, a nice girl whose aunt was the town's award-winning pie maker, and possibly the nicest lady ever.  When her aunt dies, Alice has to deal with that loss, but also the craziness that takes over her town as everyone tries to fill the pie-making gap left by her absence.  While all the ladies in town tried to out-do one another with their baking, somebody broke into Aunt Polly's house to steal her top-secret pie crust recipe.  Strangely enough, Polly had left the recipe to her cat in her will, and she left that cat to Alice.  Like it or not, Alice was in for a whirlwind of adventure as the mysteries begin to unfold!

This is a beautiful story of friendship, jealousy, the ties that hold families together and the problems that threaten to split them apart.  It is a charming book by a talented author, filled with real pie recipes from around the country.  It's a book to be enjoyed, hopefully with a side of pie.

Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius - by Frank Asch

This is a book that will leave you wondering what is real and what is imagined.  Young Alex loves to create things with cardboard boxes and other bits of junk he's collected, but his biggest challenge comes when his pesky little brother threatens to foil his latest invention.  When Alex is forced to reveal his plans for escape into outer space in his cardboard spacecraft, he must find a way to prevent his brother Jonathan from ruining everything.

There is plenty of sibling rivalry, fancy space and inventor's talk, and creativity in this short but fun book.  The reader won't know where the truth ends and Alex's fantastic imagination begins as this book moves from the bedroom to far above the Earth.  It will appeal to young inventors, older siblings who have to deal with little pests, space fans, and anyone wanting a curious but rewarding short book.

The Red Blazer Girls - by Michael Beil

Three girls with bright red blazers would not really strike me as the ideal undercover detectives, but I would be wrong.  Just like Nancy Drew, but more modern, less wealthy, and much more interesting, three twelve-year-old students at a New York City private Catholic school for girls are the hottest crime-fighting team in town.  When these young ladies meet a nutty old lady with clues to a valuable hidden treasure, they are hooked, and not even creepy nasty dudes, a super-sized cat or a (sigh) cute boy can stop them.

This first in a promising new series of mysteries is full of funny situations and interesting characters, and the author does a great job of using sophisticated language and concepts without being too brainy.  The book focuses a lot on the characters' lives and emotions, both serious and side-splitting hilarious, and he arranges the story so that each character's strengths contribute to the ending.  It's excellent writing.  My only problem with it is some foul language and talk about girl issues, which I suppose is fine for teenage girls, but... I'm MISTER K, and there are some things I don't care to read about.  This will probably not be a big winner with the guys, sorry.

Luckily, someone at the publisher changed the cover.  Here's the original, which to me screams "Hey! Don't read me!  I'm boring and old-fashioned!"

For girls who love mysteries, this series will join my list of strong recommendations, right beside the Sammy Keyes series by Wendelin Van Draanen.

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder - by Jo Nesbo

Yes, this book has an awesome title, and check out that illustration!  Yes, he's flying, and no, it's not because of super powers.  Can you tell this book is going to be a little silly?

Surprisingly, it's not as silly as you would expect.  This is a serious story of friendship, scientific experiments, what it's like to be the new kid, and how to deal with nasty neighbors.  The plot is focused on Doctor Proctor, a lonely old inventor, his neighbor girl Lisa, and the new kid on the block, Nilly, who is not only very funny, but very, very small.  So small that he can get flushed down a toilet, for instance.  Oops, I shouldn't have given that part away.  When Doctor Proctor invents a powder for creating explosive (but odorless) farts (Yes, it feels weird typing that word!), the three begin a race against time as they fight to save the invention from the bully family down the street, and to use this outstanding new product to earn enough money to send... well that's just too much information for you!  Oh, and there's a big snake in the story too.  Really big.

It is a very funny book, though it is not ridiculous like Captain Underpants or other series like that.  It is a delightful chapter book with great use of language, humor, and illustrations, but also emotions.  The book was translated from Norwegian (it takes place in Oslo, Norway), so it must be sophisticated, right?

For a good laugh, for a good story, for a book that will make you feel good about the little people in your life, and for the best story every written about the positive things that can result from a good long fart, read this book.

Top of the Order - by John Coy

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To be honest, I read this because 1) The guy is a local author, and 2) A friend told me I really should.  I'm not a baseball guy, and have been disappointed by many sports novels, so did not have high expectations for this book.

Luckily for all you readers, I was pleasantly surprised by this engaging, well-written book.    Mr. Coy really knows how to keep the balance between lots of sports action and a story line that is really not about sports at all, but about friendship, family, and frustration.  Four fifth grade boys are dealing with all sorts of personal issues, and they come from different walks of life, but on the field they share one common goal: Winning.  There are all sorts of twists and turns, which while predictable, were interesting and kept me turning the pages faster than a shortstop's toss to second in a double play.  See? I not only enjoyed the story, but I learned a few things about baseball along the way.

Some sports novels have the sport as a background, just part of the setting, and others focus way too much on the sport and leave out any real story line.  Much like another favorite of mine, Mike Lupica, John Coy's writing has just the right amount of each.  If you love baseball, if you've ever had an annoying little sister (who turned out not to be so bad after all), if you appreciate the power of friendship and teamwork, or if you just like fun series books, check this one out.  (This is the first in a four-book series.)

A Wrinkle in Time - by Madeline L'Engle

This is one of those books that, while it feels a bit outdated, has really stood the test of time.  For 49 years Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin have captivated readers with their fabulous journey into the great and somewhat creepy depths of space to rescue a lost father, and the writing still sparkles.  Are there more engaging and easy to follow works of fantasy for young people these days?  Absolutely.  I'm willing to bet, though, that all of their authors were fans of Madeline L'Engle.  Reading this book, I can't help picturing J.K. Rowling wandering around with a beat-up copy of this book in her hand.

I've been reading this aloud to my fourth graders, and while the beginning was tedious for them, now that we've passed the halfway point they are hooked.  The characters, though they are oddballs, become so real to the reader that we feel as if we were bravely walking into CENTRAL Central Intelligence on Camazotz at their side.  A book doesn't stay so popular for so long if the writing isn't exemplary, and Ms. L'Engle is hard to top in that regard.

There are many important lessons to be learned from this book, including:  1) What you see is not necessarily what you get.  2) Everyone has their strengths, though they may not be obvious, and even negative traits can be useful in the right situations.  3)  It's okay to be different, no matter what others think of you.  Be proud of who you are.  4) Stay together.  Love and courage can conquer all. 5) Watch out for red-eyed dudes who can read your thoughts.  Seriously.

If you love this book, you MUST read Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me.

Blood on the River: Jamestown, 1607 - by Elisa Carbone

For lovers of historical fiction, this is a fantastic introduction to the story of Jamestown, the first English settlement what would become America.  It is a nuanced story of survival, following the course of Samuel, a young boy who joined the expedition to the New World as a servant to one of the trip's leaders, leaving behind his life of poverty in London.  As the story progresses, Samuel approaches each new discovery with an open mind and a kind heart, which is more than can be said for many of the Virginia Company's leaders, and when trouble strikes, it is Samuel's quick thinking that helps save the day.

This book is historically accurate, with many true-to-life characters (Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, and many others), but there is plenty of fiction to keep the story moving along and add mystery and excitement. The author did meticulous research, and this book does a nice job of showing how both the settlers and the natives experienced and viewed the clash of their two cultures.  The story of Jamestown is not really a happy one, as any readers of history know, and this book does not shy away from the gruesome truth of the settlers' plight, but the author provides plenty of hope and heart, and the story is a positive one in the end.

Thank you to my fellow fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Frye for recommending this to me again and again!