2011+April

This could so easily become a movie. Terrific characters, loads of action, nice resolution. Princess Taoshira, Fourth Crown Princess of the Blue Crescent, is sent to marry Prince Ramil in order to avert a war with the warlord Fergox. The intrigue is not so complicated as to confuse, but has a depth of intrigue. The conflict of cultures is well-played. Religion is key but not mishandled. All about faith, integrity, the greater good of the community, respect for others, and of course true love. I really liked this adventure fantasy. YA for violence, some sexual humor, and more violence.
 * Dragonfly by Julia Golding**

**The Limit by Kristen Landon** Dystopian future. If you go over your credit limit, a child is taken to work it off at the Federal Debt Rehabilitation Agency which is more like a weird lab or prison than anything else. Matt can't believe or understand what is happening. Nothing to push it to YA. Lots of action and intrigue. And not too depressing. (!) A bit of heady math talk now and then. Good. 5th+ **Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce** This is Wimpy Kid for the elementary set. Lots of cartoon support for the easy text. Sixth grader Nate has typical problems. In this case it's mostly Gina, his partner on a Ben Franklin project and team member on the Fleeceball competition. Reads smoothly with lots of embarrassing moments. OK. 4th+ **13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison** Dark. Tanya sees and speaks with the faerie world, but everyone around her is only concerned for her sanity. Sent to stay with her grandmother at Elvesden Manor, mysteries of lost children begin the path to a fearsome conclusion. Not YA but not for the sensitive either. 5th+ fairly creepy. **The Toymaker by Jeremy de Quidt** So very odd. This is a horror, mystery, adventure story. Mathias acquires a strange piece of paper after his grandfather dies and so begins the chase. The circus owners are cruel and only looking for money. Dr Leiter wants the boy. Then Mathias is rescued by Katta, and Koenig. The reappearing Valter is horribly cruel and just won't die--literally! The end is surprising and possibly open to a sequel. A difficult read for me because I don't like horror stories. But someone will love this. YA for extreme violence, some sexual threats, and general creepiness. YA **Trouble is My Beeswax by Bruce Hale** A Chet Gecko Mystery. Cute detective work by a group of animals at Emerson Hickey Elementary. Loaded with double entendres and silly puns. Would be a great read aloud if you're looking for similes: Rocky looked bluer than a click beetle on ice. Chilly and crisp as a polar bear's pajamas. Of course there is the librarian--Cool Beans. 3rd+ **My Father's Son by Terri Fields** Kevin normal high school life disintegrates the day he sees his father being shoved into a police car after being arrested as a serial killer. This is a can't-put -it -down thriller with lots of ambiguity. Is dad guilty? What about his past? Great conclusion too. Lots of areas for discussion too. Divorce, jail visits, odd girl in group home who seems more real than the kids at school, who's a real friend, and fathers and sons. YA for violence (not graphic). Dad says, "My life has been shaped by how much I've hated being my father's son and how much I've loved being my son's father." **Chosen by Ted Dekker** Book One. Thomas Hunter is the leader of the Forest Guard, a remnant of the healthy who are fighting the Horde, disease ridden mind-numbed drones. Four young soldiers ride out on their first mission and become embroiled in a battle that may define the world. Johnis has to lead with his heart and his love for Elyon. Not openiy Christian, but the themes are obvious to a Christian reader. I don't think the writing is superior, but it's not bad. And you can get by with reading just Chosen even though it's the first of six, and then there's the Circle series too. YA for violence. **House rules by Jodi Picoult** Written for adults, but OK for middle school. Jacob Hunt is brilliant, but also has Asperger's Syndrome. His mother and younger brother are dominated by his daily life and controlling his meltdowns. He knows there are house rules: 1. Clean up your own messes. 2. Tell the truth. 3. Brush your teeth twice a day. 4. Don't be late for school. 5. Take care of your brother: he's the only one you've got. Then there is a murder and Jacob's odd behaviour makes him the prime suspect. Long buildup with lots of explanations of Jacob's behaviours. Written from all of the characters' voices. Ends with the trial. Excellent, but a long read.