2011+June

Funny and serious. Cat (Catherine) is in a senior research class and has to come up with some original project. So she settles on living like an early hominim-no technology and no processed food. Cat knows she is overweight, but doesn't imagine the effect of this experiment. Written with great voice, and common sense. As much about relationships as the research. Her forays in dating are interesting and honest. I liked this one. Sex is not taken cavalierly, and trust is one of the prime motivators in this plot. YA for high school situations. Excellent. **Throne of Fire** by Rick Riordan These seem a tad tedious to me at the beginning. They are all pretty similar, and the cast of gods gets a little heavy. B ut Riordan is king of the battle scene, and he has some pretty good ones in this. By the end I was actually enjoying the plot. Carter and Sadie Kane are saving the world (of course) from the uprising of the god of Chaos. They must find and return Ra (the sun god) to his throne. Lots of curses, spells, unique weapons, surprising characters and traveling. I especially liked Bes, the dwarf god, whose power is stripping to a Speedo and yelling Boo. And the tender moments with the hippo goddess in the assisted living home for ancient gods. Good for 5th+ **Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons** by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus by Jane Dyer Each double spread page is a different character trait: courage, cooperate, patient, respect, etc. Some people and some animals in clothes. The ideas are nice and well thought out. All related to cookies. "Content means sitting on the steps--just you and me and a couple of cookies." Nice. **LaRue Across america** by Mark Teague Poor Ike is traveling the US with his neighbors two cats and Mrs. LaRue. Postcards to his neighbor (who is in the hospital) complain of the cats awful behaviour, while pictures make us wonder. Could be fun to plot the trip on the Promethean board. **Gollywhopper Games** by Jody Feldman Gil Goodson wants to win the Golly Toy and Game Company's giant televised competition-the gollywhopper Games. Obviously linked to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and even a bit of Hunger Games, with a twist of corporate espionage. Nicely written, with a quick plot and satisfying conclusion. Good 4th readers+ **The Scorch Trials** by James Dashner Book Two following Maze Runner. Dystopia to the extreme. Groups A (girls) and Group B (Thomas and the boy Gladers) are told to make it to the Safe Haven in two weeks by running North. Terrible situations occur that are physical, mental and full of betrayal. Who knows what is true? This was a hard read just because you know it has to be a trilogy and it can't end well. And it doesn't. I'm still confused. Good plot, characters and dilemmas. YA for VIOLENCE! **The Naming: First Book of Pellinor** by Alison Croggon Truly epic fantasy in the style of Lord of the Rings. Maerad sees Cadvan much to his surprise. He is a Bard and thought he was glamoured. She escapes slavery to discover what her unschooled Gift means. Rapidly progressing into the intrigue of an actual Civil War as well as a final conflict of the Nameless vs those of the Light. LOTS of descriptive passages of the various landscapes they find themselves trekking through. Good. (not up to Tolkein) YA for sexual references and repeated discussion of her menses.
 * Fat Cat** by Robin Brande