The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story - by R. J. Palacio

Redemption.  It's all about making things right, and for Julian, the antihero of the unforgettable and life-changing book Wonder, it's the last thing you'd expect.  In this short sequel, author R.J. Palacio retells the story from Julian Alban's of view, and it is NOT what you'd expect.

I can't say too much about the story without spoiling both this plot and that of the original book, Wonder.   All I can really say is that there ARE at least two sides to every story, and it is worthwhile listening to all of them before making judgments about people.  This goes for storybook characters and real people as well.  Julian may have been the ultimate bully and bad guy, but when you dig a bit deeper, you may be surprised by what you uncover.

This book is a MUST for anyone who has read Wonder, but don't you dare read this first.  If you haven't read Wonder, I can only wonder... what are you waiting for??  Any age, gender, political affiliation, or other classification doesn't matter; this book is for you.

Just Jake - by Jake Marcionette

This book was written by a sixth-grade boy.  That in itself is a good reason to check it out, but its interesting storyline, fun characters, and creative twists make it a good pick for any kid 2nd-7th grade, at least.

The story focuses on a sixth-grade boy named Jake (a coincidence?), and his first year of middle school in a new state, where he has no friends.  He hopes to transfer his popularity from his old school, but it doesn't work that way, and he's suddenly at the bottom of the social ladder, struggling to make any friends at all, to avoid the school bully, and to survive living with his explosive teenage older sister.  To his advantage, Jake is a creative guy, a good artist, and he is full of confidence.  Will those talents be enough to help him not only survive but thrive in his new school? You'll find out, but the journey through that sixth-grade year is not an easy one, and it's Jake's struggles and solutions that make this book a winner.

Read this book to be inspired. This author is pretty awesome (his character's favorite word), and if he can do it, why not you, too?

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.

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."

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.

Jim Thorpe - by Joseph Bruchac

This is the amazing true story of Jim Thorpe, a Native American student and athlete from the early 1900's who became a star in several different sports and became world-famous. It is also the story of how the U.S. government educated Indian students, and about what life was like for those children growing up during an interesting time in American history.

The book is told from the first-person perspective of young Jim Thorpe, with the author providing an original and entertaining voice for the narrator. It is a work of historical fiction, though all events are true and accurate.

Read this book if you enjoy football, baseball, basketball, or track and field, of if you'd like to hear about how those sports got started in the first place. It's a great book for lovers of biography and history, for those who are interested in Native American history, and for anyone who loves a good story.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key - by Jack Gantos

Have you ever swallowed your house key? Joey Pigza, who narrates this story about a year in his fictional life, did just that one day at school, along with a ton of other things that hurt himself and others. Joey is a good kid, at least that's what he tells us, but he's got "dud meds," which explains some of his wild behavior in school and at home. Joey has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and this is the story of how he and his family deal with that, and how he learns to live with his wild mood swings and tricky family situation. By the end of the book, you'll be sure to agree with Joey that he really is a good kid, but also a very funny one.

This is a great story for lovers of action, humor, school stories, and for anyone who enjoys interesting characters. The way the book is written in the first person makes it even more interesting, and may make you want to read the entire series. For more info, check out Jack Gantos' website at http://www.jackgantos.com/.

Johnny Hangtime - by Dan Gutman

Normally, if a character in a book throws himself off the top of a skyscraper, it's a problem. For John Thyme (better known as stunt kid Johnny Hangtime), the main character in this action-filled story, it's just another day of work. Johnny is a 13-year old responsible for all of the wacky, dangerous stunts in Hollywood director Roland Rivers' blockbuster films. The problem? While Johnny does all the stunts, stuck-up actor and Hollywood star Ricky Corvette, sucks up all the fame. There are even bigger problems though, when Johnny is asked to do the most dangerous stunt of all, the one that his stunt-man dad died trying three years earlier. This book will have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish, not just from the fast-paced excitement of Johnny's stunts, but trying to figure out what will come next. Action fans, adrenaline junkies, movie buffs, this book is for you! While this is not Dan Gutman's most award-winning book, it is his personal favorite of all of his books, according to his website. Pick up your own copy, and you may find that it's one of your new favorites too.

Just for fun, here's an interview with Mr. Gutman, featuring questions from kids and teachers around the world.

The Janitor's Boy - by Andrew Clements

If your dad was Janitor at your school, how would you like it? For fifth-grader Jack, it stinks. That's why he decides to create the biggest disaster he can think of for the janitor to clean up. Sadly for Jack, he gets caught, which leads to a different set of adventures. This Andrew Clements book (like all of them) is fun to read, funny, and very well-written. Readers will especially love the way it ends. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys school stories or good books about realistic characters.