2011+October

My favorite review--"If you like a ton of romance with your totalitarian government, this novel is for you!" that just about says it. It's a classic love triangle conflict. Cassie is matched with Xander, her childhood friend, But she finds herself becoming more and more attached to Ky. But the Society has all of the cards. This is almost as good as Hunger Games, except not as quick, or well-written. But for dystopias (or is this a Utopia??), nicely imagined. YA for romance (I guess) **Big Nate on a Roll by Lincoln Peirce** Fits the genre of school stories + comic. The circumstances are what make it funny or not. In this case Nate is trying to sell the most "warm fuzzies" (wall hangings) in order to win a skateboard. But his nemesis Artur does everything perfectly, including being a scout. Lots of silly situations that go wrong for Nate. Amusing. 3rd+
 * Matched by Ally Condie**

**Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan** Terrific as always. Percy wakes up with no memory, but finds he must save Camp Jupiter--Roman kids. Lots of interactions with gods,monsters and half-bloods. Looking forward to the finale. **Fang by James Patterson** These can stand alone at this point if you know the basic premise. Angel predicts that Fang will die. Max is losing control of the flock and there is, of course, an evil scientist who wants to use them. This was a slow start for me, but the ending was terrific. Good. 5th +

**Goliath by Scott Westerfeld** Steampunk at its best. This was a great finale to the Behemoth and Leviathan trilogy. Alek, "emperors are vain and useless things", once again saves Deryn and she returns the favor. The Clankers and the Darwinists are deep into WWI and no one is sure what Tessla has in mind with his horrible device, Goliath. YA for romance? Less disturbing than Uglies.

**Selling Hope by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb** May 1, 1910--17 days until the end of the world. At least that's what some people think, as earth will pass through the tail of Haley's Comet. Hope just wants to survive and leave the world of vaudeville with her father. Her plan seems to be working, with the help of another performer, young Buster Keaton. This is mildly depressing, but has a nice finish. The historical part is excellent, both concerning vaudeville and Haley's Comet. Difficult vocabulary. 5th+

**The Death Cure by James Dashner** Closure for Maze Runner and Scorch Trials. It does wrap it up nicely although there were a LOT of blood, guts and flesh-eating Cranks. I'm not entirely clear on everything in the finale either. WICKED is good? Means what?? Will Thomas ever remember everything? Why won't the Cranks eventually find the "munies"? The decisions that went from following your gut to do the right thing to choosing between horrible and more horrible. It was definitely good and in the same class as Hunger Games and The Circle (DeKker), with end of the world stuff. Not quite as strong though. Nice touch that "death cure" has a double entendre. YA for flesh-eating yadda yadda.

**Wonder Struck by Brian Selznick** Similar to Invention of Hugo Cabret, predominantly pencil drawings. Story of Ben who has recently lost his mother and Rose whose mother doesn't want her around. Both are part of the Deaf community--with childhoods 50 years apart. Their stories merge in the New York Museum of Natural History. Lots of "wonder" moments, and also lots of tragedy. This is pretty unique. 3rd+

**Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs** Pecular. Lots of odd photos from 70 years ago. Woven into the story of Sept 3, 1040 and a boy who can see monsters. YA for flesh-eating things.

**Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger** Very good sequel to Origami Yoda. Dwight is threatened with being sent to the bad kids school so the others mount another case study. But bully Harvey takes over with his Darth Paper finger puppet. Excellent 4th+